Luggage Service Return - Value Resorts only (currently)

[Girlstar30]

Just a warning on SW if you booked a roundtrip before the new policy and need to change your flight for just one way, the whole flight will fall under the terrible new policy and theyll charge you for all of the baggage each way unless you rebook the top tier that includes baggage.

Pretty sneaky of them, apparently has upset a lot of people. Im lucky I read an article about it before I went thru a change. And goes without saying any change will result in you being under the new policy even if you booked under the old policy before this.

 

[crazycatlady]

Just a warning on SW if you booked a roundtrip before the new policy and need to change your flight for just one way, the whole flight will fall under the terrible new policy and theyll charge you for all of the baggage each way unless you rebook the top tier that includes baggage.

Pretty sneaky of them, apparently has upset a lot of people. Im lucky I read an article about it before I went thru a change. And goes without saying any change will result in you being under the new policy even if you booked under the old policy before this.

Yep, this happened to my DD and me. We decided we didn't want to fly into Orlando at 12:30 am so changed our flight to the only other non-stop that was offered {now have to get to the airport at 4 am, but that's ok) and lost our free bags, etc. for both that flight and our return home flight, even though we didn't change that one.

 

[Jerbear2019]

I would very much love for Magical Express to return! The Disney bubble is something my family desperately wants to return. If anyone has updates or rumors or if Im in the wrong post let me know!!

 

[tjkraz]

I would very much love for Magical Express to return! The Disney bubble is something my family desperately wants to return. If anyone has updates or rumors or if Im in the wrong post let me know!!

Mears offers round trip bus transport to MCO. It's not free, but fairly economical and they're the ones who were operating the Disney buses.

 

[muppets3d]

Mears offers round trip bus transport to MCO. It's not free, but fairly economical and they're the ones who were operating the Disney buses.

Compare prices between that and a taxi or rideshare because if you have more than a few people, a taxi or rideshare might be cheaper.

 

[Jerbear2019]

Mears offers round trip bus transport to MCO. It's not free, but fairly economical and they're the ones who were operating the Disney buses.

Yes we have used it a few times. But my family and I thoroughly enjoyed being in the bubble from our home airport on. As soon as you turn in the bags, it was on! And it was on Disney lol. Like they said on the show. I'd pay something to get that service again

 

[patm95]

Yes we have used it a few times. But my family and I thoroughly enjoyed being in the bubble from our home airport on. As soon as you turn in the bags, it was on! And it was on Disney lol. Like they said on the show. I'd pay something to get that service again

Yes this. Using Mears isn’t the same thing.

 

[DebbieB]

I don’t like that you have to check your bag the night before for a flight before 1:00pm.

I read that the airport is contributing to the cost because of baggage handling issues at the airport. Which may be the reason it will not be expanded, there’s probably a maximum they will contribute.

 

[Lewisc]

I don’t like that you have to check your bag the night before for a flight before 1:00pm.

I read that the airport is contributing to the cost because of baggage handling issues at the airport. Which may be the reason it will not be expanded, there’s probably a maximum they will contribute.

The airport is paying around $6.50 per bag, with a cap. I don't know if SW is participating.

I don't know if smaller resorts will produce the volume needed to cover fixed costs

 

[Girlstar30]

Yep, this happened to my DD and me. We decided we didn't want to fly into Orlando at 12:30 am so changed our flight to the only other non-stop that was offered {now have to get to the airport at 4 am, but that's ok) and lost our free bags, etc. for both that flight and our return home flight, even though we didn't change that one.

This is very upsetting that they are doing this, their really should be a courtesy warning before changing your flight that a one way change will affect all flights before proceeding. There is a huge sale going on that I believe ends soon right now that can help offset bag costs, my cousin benefitted from that when needing to do a flight change.

 

[byurick]

Not that it helps you guys now but the lowest cost SW credit card that gives 2 free early birds and free checked bag (for your first and up to 8 passengers) is only $69/year. To me it's well worth that cost even if I only fly one leg of my trip once a year.

 

[DebbieB]

Not that it helps you guys now but the lowest cost SW credit card that gives 2 free early birds and free checked bag (for your first and up to 8 passengers) is only $69/year. To me it's well worth that cost even if I only fly one leg of my trip once a year.

Early Bird might be gone when they go to assigned seats. Some of the cards will have earlier access to preferred seats.

 

[Girlstar30]

What is early birds?

 

[byurick]

What is early birds?

The system automatically checks you in for your flight so you get a better boarding group. Otherwise you had to be ready at exactly 24 hours before to check in and hope you don't get a bad one.

 

[Mle8308]

What is early birds?

You pay an additional $35 (average) per person each way to get an earlier boarding group. Most will board in group A or the beginning of group B, since SW does not currently assign seats. The airline automatically checks you in prior to your flight and assigns you your boarding group and position number. Group A boards first (after people with special needs), the lower the number, the sooner you board and you tend to have your choice of seats, as SW does not currently assign them. It's open boarding. Normally Group A 1-15 are reserved for flyers with status or who will pay a lot more than the $35. Group A 16 to 60 (I believe it's 60), then board. Followed by Group B, then Group C. So, basically by the end of B or start of C, if it's a full flight, you are getting leftover and middle seats. Family boarding can also take place, I think it's between groups A and B, and there is no charge for that. On some routes going to MCO, they do not do it because there are so many kids. It's supposed to be limited to parents and kids, but I've seen groups of 8 people board with only one child. Again, this is on SW only, as other airlines do assigned seats. SW will too, in 2026. I am not a fan of it, but SW tends to have a lot of direct flights at times that work for me, so I did fly them more than other airlines. Now that free checked bags are gone, and you still have to pay for early bird, I have booked with other airlines. Not saying I won't fly with them in the future, but I don't like the policy change and will pay a little more to fly another airline (like $20, not too much more!).