Magical Express and connecting flight in the US?

[Step]

Prior to my flight change our connecting flight was in Ottawa, Canada, so I knew we would be going through customs when we arrived in Orlando. I also knew we would have to check our bags personally and bring them unto the ME bus ourselves.

Our new connecting flight is in Newark. Does this mean we'll have to go through customs when we arrive there? If so, does that mean our bags can be put unto the ME bus by disney staff? We'll be flying from the States to another destination in the States at that point right?

 

[bavaria]

I'm 99% sure that you'll be clearing in customs in Ottawa - you may want to check with your airline. I'm sure that I precleared in Ottawa; the only time I didn't clear customs from Canada was when I flew a charter years ago.

 

[bavaria]

Passengers pre-clear US Customs before boarding their planes to US destinations, speeding arrival in the US, and making any subsequent flight connections easier.

http://www.foundlocally.com/ottawa/Trans/Trans-Airport.htm

 

[Step]

Hehe, actually our connecting flight is in Newark, not Ottawa. Thanks for the info anyway. Our old flight connected in Ottawa.

My TA says we'll likely be clearing customs in Newark, which means our flight to Olrando will be domestic and we can use ME just as any US citizen would.

 

[bavaria]

Step, are you leaving from Canada originally? If so, which airport? if it's one of the big seven, chances are that you will preclear US customs in Canada, not the US. It's point of origin that comes into play here, not connection point in the US.

 

[Step]

Unfortunately I'm leaving from Halifax, and their preclearance program starts 5 days after I leave!

 

[bavaria]

Got it! bad timing on their part - for your next trip it will definitely change the impact ie connection times, etc. You won't need to worry about clearing in the US and waiting in potentially long lines - meaning that you can have a shorter connection time. (The long lines will be at the START of your trip! )

have a good trip.

 

[Step]

Yes. My worry is that I only have from 5pm to 6:18pm at Newark, and I have to get my baggage and clear customs in that time.

 

[bavaria]

RUN, Step, RUN!