Late Flight - What to do with luggage?

[mmbrad02]

I couldn't decide if this belongs in the Resort or Transportation thread; I think a little of both. Historically we have departed WDW with mid morning flights so I've never had this question.

With Southwest's morning email that went out with fall rate sales, we can save a decent amount by taking an evening flight the night prior than we originally anticipated. Add that to saving a nights hotel, and it makes it hard to pass up.

The flight departs at 6:25pm from MCO. We would like to enjoy as much Disney time as possible, and either go to a park for the morning or Downtown Disney. What time will DME pick us up at our resort? Is it 3 hours prior to flight? And how do we store our luggage for the day? Do we call the front desk and arrange to drop it off at bell services? Do we just take it down there (I guess my question is, does it need to be a reserved thing). If we take it ourselves, what is standard tipping for leaving it here for the day?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

DME will pick you up about 3 hours before the flight so 3:30 or so?

Bell Services will store your luggage. You don't have to reserve just either haul it to them or call and ask them to come pick it up.

Generally anytime they touch your luggage you tip. I tip more if they pick up and take to store then if I haul down and they store it. For my two bags I would probably tip between $6 and $10 for pick up (depending on size of bags, how long it takes etc...) If I deliver it I give them a few bucks. Either way they get a few bucks when they haul it back out to me.

 

[Sandi]

DME will pick you up about 3 hours before your departure time. So, for a 6:25 flight, you'll be picked up in the 3:15 to 3:45 range. Also, that is when the bus is scheduled to be leaving your resort, so you need to be at the bus stop about 15 minutes prior to that departure time.

As for storing your luggage, you can either call for bell services to come get your luggage and then store it for you, or you can take it to the storage area yourselves. We find it easier to just take it ourselves no matter if we are at a value, moderate or deluxe resort. We just take it when we're ready. I usually tip a dollar a bag, but at least $5.00 (usually only two of us). The luggage CMs will give you a claim check for your bags. KEEP IT!

 

[devonsmommy]

We just did this last week! We had a 6 p.m. flight Sunday.
If you check in for your flight 24 hours in advance with Southwest (either on the app or on computer), you most probably will have your plane boarding passes hanging on your door by your departing morning. Luggage tags showed up on our door after 6 p.m. Saturday.

We took our luggage we were checking down to bell services with the luggage tags already on our luggage.

Gave them our carry on bags that we didn't want to lug around all day.

DME picked us up at 2:50 p.m. at our resort. Just make sure you are back there in time to get your carry ons from bell services before the bus comes.

 

[Sandi]

You should also be able to use Resort Airline Check-in (RAC) for your checked luggage. (There are always exceptions, but . . .) RAC's hours are limited. I can't recall exactly when they are open, but it's something like 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (can someone else find the hours? -- I did a quick check to no avail). Anyway, you can take your checked luggage to RAC and they'll put the SW baggage tags on them and give you your claim tickets. Then you'll just need to store your carry-ons with bell services.