Magical Express

[twitherite]

Does anyone know how strict Disney is on the times for the check-in Magical Express Service? Our airline departure time is 7:55am. When I called Disney they said the pre check-in service is only available for flights beginning at 8am and that we would have to take our luggage on the bus and check it in at the airport ourselves. It's only 5 minutes. I was REALLY hoping to avoid the hassle of airport check-in.

 

[zianha]

Do you mean when you leave from your Disney resort and head back to the airport??

 

[twitherite]

Yes, when we leave Disney to come home we want to be able to be able to check our luggage and get our boarding passes at our resort.

 

[zianha]

Oh ok. Geez, I would hope they wouldn't make you go through checking your own bags because of 5 minutes but if it's something to do with their computer system they may just make you take your bags on the bus. I hope not! Good luck!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's the deal....RAC (remote airline checkin) not DME is in charge of baggage checkin. The two are not tied together at all. So, calling and talking to Disney isn't going to get you anywhere.
Now...for the logistics. RAC opens at 5am. You have to be completely done with your transaction, bags checked and boarding passes in hand and walking away, no less than 3 hrs before flight departure. It takes about 15 mins (depending on any lines) to do this. IF your flight leaves at 7:55am, it is going to be completely, 100% impossible to meet the requirements of RAC. The earliest you could be done would be 5:15am....20 mins past the allowable time.

It really is no big deal to take your bags with you to the airport. Yes, it takes a bit longer since you now have to stop at the counter and check your bags. But, that's the way it's going to have to be.

For those wishing to use RAC with early morning flights, the earliest flight that is recommended is 8:30am. Anything before that is really chancy. You could run into longish lines and not be able to finish your transaction in the alloted time.

 

[twitherite]

Thank you for the response. Not the answer I wanted but at least I understand why now!

 

[petals]

I did not know you could do this but personnally I would prefer to do it at the airport myself anyway as I would feel more secure knowing I saw the bag go down the belt in the airport myself.... esp when it's full of disney stuff

 

[Metro West]

 

[zianha]

Here's the deal....RAC (remote airline checkin) not DME is in charge of baggage checkin. The two are not tied together at all. So, calling and talking to Disney isn't going to get you anywhere.
Now...for the logistics. RAC opens at 5am. You have to be completely done with your transaction, bags checked and boarding passes in hand and walking away, no less than 3 hrs before flight departure. It takes about 15 mins (depending on any lines) to do this. IF your flight leaves at 7:55am, it is going to be completely, 100% impossible to meet the requirements of RAC. The earliest you could be done would be 5:15am....20 mins past the allowable time.

It really is no big deal to take your bags with you to the airport. Yes, it takes a bit longer since you now have to stop at the counter and check your bags. But, that's the way it's going to have to be.

For those wishing to use RAC with early morning flights, the earliest flight that is recommended is 8:30am. Anything before that is really chancy. You could run into longish lines and not be able to finish your transaction in the alloted time.

Egads!! I just remembered that my flight home is at 7:15am on the day we leave WDW! Looks like from what you explained, I'll be taking my baggage on the bus and checking it in at the airport! I've never had a flight that early going home. Oh well, atleast I know now!