MCO & Magical Express

[Ursula J]

My folks are taking United to MCO this June. When I went in January, because of having to get our own luggage, the walk to ME seemed so, so long. I'm thinking of hiring a driver (maybe Tiffany Towncars? Any recs?) so they don't have to get bags and then walk to ME and then wait in line. My dad will have an ECV at the resort, but from what I understand airport access to wheelchairs can be hit and miss. Any thoughts?

 

[Evita_W]

Getting off the plane in MCO has never been an issue for us, it is when you come back.

 

[mamabunny]

My folks are taking United to MCO this June. When I went in January, because of having to get our own luggage, the walk to ME seemed so, so long. I'm thinking of hiring a driver (maybe Tiffany Towncars? Any recs?) so they don't have to get bags and then walk to ME and then wait in line. My dad will have an ECV at the resort, but from what I understand airport access to wheelchairs can be hit and miss. Any thoughts?

There is a thread out on one of the other groups here at the DIS where I know that folks post their experiences with different local town car services. I will see if I can find it...

Edited to add: The Transportation forum is the place to look for recommendations

Regarding wheelchair service, the first step is to call United, and let them know that he will *require* wheelchair assistance at his home airport, and MCO (and any layover airports as well). They *should* arrange that for him, but be sure to ask for details on how he uses it - if there is a special phone number to call when he arrives at the airport, etc.

If he has access to borrow (or buy - they are typically under $100) a Rollator, it will fly for free on United, (they will gate check it at the door of the plane, and bring it back to him when they land) and that would ensure that he always has a seat if he needs a place to sit, as well as functioning as a walker for extra support. It's just a thought; if he will be served best by a wheelchair, then that's what he should focus on. Only he knows what might be best for him!

 

[Groot]

MCO is a HUGE airport (good rule of thumb: if the airport has some sort of tram system, it’s gonna be a big airport for those of us with mobility issues.) so, it’s best to request wheelchair service from your airline or bring your own device.

 

[Evita_W]

MCO is a HUGE airport (good rule of thumb: if the airport has some sort of tram syste, it’s gonna be a big airport for those of us with mobility issues.) so, it’s best to req wheelchair service from your airline or bring your own device.

At MCO, it is best to bring your own device, just for departing from MCO, it is almost impossible to get someone to assist when you are leaving. Arriving they are great though.

 

[smallworldnh]

At MCO, it is best to bring your own device, just for departing from MCO, it is almost impossible to get someone to assist when you are leaving. Arriving they are great though.

This is what we plan to do. Mom has a very lightweight travel chair, so we'll use that until we get to the resort, and have a rental waiting hopefully! I'm hoping we can take the travel chair onto the plain.

 

[Groot]

This is what we plan to do. Mom has a very lightweight travel chair, so we'll use that until we get to the resort, and have a rental waiting hopefully! I'm hoping we can take the travel chair onto the plain.

If you mean on the jetway up to the plane, yes. If you mean taking the chair onto the plane itself, no. She would need to transfer into an aisle chair like this one before getting on the plane.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is what we plan to do. Mom has a very lightweight travel chair, so we'll use that until we get to the resort, and have a rental waiting hopefully! I'm hoping we can take the travel chair onto the plain.

You can use the travel chair to the door of the plane, then gate check it and the baggage handlers will put it into the baggage compartment for you.
Ask for a gate check tag at the gate before boarding. Mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc) travel for free and don’t count toward your bag allowance.

If she can’t walk onto the plane, you can request to use an aisle chair for boarding, as Groot mentioned.

 

[smallworldnh]

You can use the travel chair to the door of the plane, then gate check it and the baggage handlers will put it into the baggage compartment for you.
Ask for a gate check tag at the gate before boarding. Mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc) travel for free and don’t count toward your bag allowance.

If she can’t walk onto the plane, you can request to use an aisle chair for boarding, as Groot mentioned.

Luckily she can walk short distances. Will they be able to get the chair for us before we depart the plane so we can use it through the airport?

thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Luckily she can walk short distances. Will they be able to get the chair for us before we depart the plane so we can use it through the airport?

thank you!

When you get the Gate Check tag, make sure it says the item will be delivered to the gate. Sometimes, the tag has different boxes to check (gate at final destination, gate at transfer city, baggage claim, etc).
You will find it at the gate when you get off at your destination. It does take a few minutes for the baggage handlers to bring items up to the gate, so don’t hurry too much getting off or it may not be there yet.

Also, don‘t forget to claim her chair. On our last flight, several strollers and a personal were still at the gate when we got off. We were last off (we need to either carry our daughter or use the aisle chair) and the airline staff were trying to figure out how to get the items to the owners.

 

[smallworldnh]

When you get the Gate Check tag, make sure it says the item will be delivered to the gate. Sometimes, the tag has different boxes to check (gate at final destination, gate at transfer city, baggage claim, etc).
You will find it at the gate when you get off at your destination. It does take a few minutes for the baggage handlers to bring items up to the gate, so don’t hurry too much getting off or it may not be there yet.

Also, don‘t forget to claim her chair. On our last flight, several strollers and a personal were still at the gate when we got off. We were last off (we need to either carry our daughter or use the aisle chair) and the airline staff were trying to figure out how to get the items to the owners.

Great advice, thank you so much!