momtimesone said:
hi all im probably going to drive alot of you nuts but this is a concern i have the magical express how do you arrange for your pick up at the airport? Are you sent some kind of pass to be able to get on board? Do i need to book a time when my flight will be in? Also on the way back if our flight is leaving at 12:59pm in the afternoon what time should i wake up eat and checkout and have the magical express get us so that we can be sure not to miss our flight out? This will be me and my DS(7)s first time ever on vacation and i dont want to mess up also do we haul our bags back with us to the airport or can you to the check in thing at the pop century we are flying american airlines home and there. thanks for all your help in advance. I know this is alot of questions but nothing in the guidebooks i have read really tells you the insider scoop and i came here because you all are the insiders to newbies like me.
When you call for your DME reservation, make sure they know you want it round trip.
The luggage tags you'll receive are yellow sticky paper, that have your name, reservation number, resort, etc. preprinted on them. 2 per person. Put them on your checked luggage, kiss the checked luggage goodbye at your home airport, and you'll next see it INSIDE your resort room.
In the same booklet as your DME tags will be your bus vouchers. DOn't worry if you lose or forget them -- the main thing is that you check in at the DME counter when you arrive at the airport (MCO). They'll tell you which bus queue to get in, and then you'll be on your way to Pop!
Now, for the way back:
The day before you leave, you'll get an envelope in your room telling you your DME pick up time. With a 12:59 p.m. flight, expect you'll be told you'll be picked up at the front of your resort at about 10:00 a.m. Anytime starting at I think 5:00 a.m., you can check your luggage at your resort's Resort Airline Check-In desk (because you a re using a "participating" airline, American). You kiss your checked luggage goodbye and the next time you'll see it is at your home airport's baggage claim carousel. At the RAC desk you'll also check in for your flight and get your boarding passes. That way, after you get off the bus at MCO, you can go right to your gate -- no luggage to check, no ticket counter to line up at, etc.
One word of advice -- if you're going to have luggage assistance pick up your luggage in your room for you on the way out, have them pick it up EARLYor else arrange the night before to make a "reservation" to have it picked up. Late morning is a very popular time for people to need help with luggage, and you don't want to have things mucked up by any sort of delay with your luggage. If I were you, I'd check it in at the RAC desk early, like breakfast time, but keep your carry-ons in your room with you.
ENJOY!
