ME and claiming own luggage

[n2mm]

Does anyone know which gate you pick up your luggage for Southwest Airlines? My daughter is meeting us in WDW for a couple of days and I just called and made arrangements for her to use ME. I'm not sure if she's checking a bag or not (since it's only 3 days and she packs light). But if she does check her bag, does she pick up luggage at Gate A or B. I doubt that she will get her luggage tags before she leaves. We never fly out of BWI, we are Dulles folks, so don't have a clue about SW airlines. I know the ME counter is at Gate A, because we saw it last month when heading to our rental car. She is only using it one way, because we'll zip her over to the airport and drop her off.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The flight crew will announce the baggage carousel before or as the flight lands. If you do a search for Orlando International Airport, one of the official links will bring up a map of the terminal.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone know which gate you pick up your luggage for Southwest Airlines? My daughter is meeting us in WDW for a couple of days and I just called and made arrangements for her to use ME. I'm not sure if she's checking a bag or not (since it's only 3 days and she packs light). But if she does check her bag, does she pick up luggage at Gate A or B.

Southwest flights arrive at Airside 2, a remote building with arrival/departure gates for Southwest, Spirit Airlines, AirTran Airways, Sun Country, and JetBlue.

From Airside 2, there's a train to the "Terminal A" side of the main terminal. Terminal A Baggage Claim is one level down from where the train arrives. There are many different baggage claim conveyors stretched along the length of Terminal A. There are monitors that that identify which conveyor will have the luggage for which arriving flight.

The Disney Welcome Center (for DME) is one level below the baggage claim level.

You'll find diagrams of the terminal at http://www.orlandoairports.net/

 

[n2mm]

Thanks, I'll let her know. She flys for work monthly, so is pretty good at getting around airports. At least luggage pickup and ME are both at Gate A.

 

[airplane]

Thank you so much. I did not realize the bags were picked up by the WDW rep. before they came into the baggage claim.
I feel much better now and I am going to give ME a try.

 

[Lewisc]

If you're on a connecting flight your bag goes to your next plane and doesn't appear in baggage claim. Having some bags bypass the luggage carousel is nothing new.

 

[mom_rules]

Can someone please walk (literally) me through this?

Let's say I arrive at gate 59 and then have to get my luggage and then make my way to ME:

 

[CleveRocks]

Thank you so much. I did not realize the bags were picked up by the WDW rep. before they came into the baggage claim.
I feel much better now and I am going to give ME a try.

That's the whole "magical" part of Disney's Magical Express. Getting a bus ride isn't so magical, but saying goodbye to your luggage at ACY (in your case, judging by where you say you live) and saying hello to it INSIDE your WDW resort room, now THAT'S pretty darn magical. It's a nifty little perk.

-- Eric

 

[clkelley]

Can someone please walk (literally) me through this?

Let's say I arrive at gate 59 and then have to get my luggage and then make my way to ME:

While you are in the process of landing your flight crew should tell you whether to go to Airside A or B.

Domestic passengers will leave the aircraft via a jetway which takes you up into the gate area of the Airside Terminal.

Proceed to the hub of the Airside Terminal, following the overhead signs to the Main Terminal and Baggage Claim.

In the center of the Airside you will find a variety of facilities including bathrooms, telephones, restaurants and shops. International passengers also arrive in this area after passing through the TSA security checkpoint.

In this area you will also find the AGT (Train) System which will transport you to the Main Terminal and Baggage Claim

The doors will automatically open when the outbound passengers have exited the train

The journey to the Main Terminal, although it takes only 68 seconds, provides a great view of the landscape and waterways of Orlando International Airport.
As the train transports you to the Main Terminal, read the signs and listen to the instructions directing you to either Baggage Claim A or Baggage Claim B

Once inside the Main Terminal, look for the large letters depicting Baggage Claim A or Baggage Claim B.
Take the stairs, escalator or elevator down to the Baggage Claim on Level 2.

Check the monitors to determine the correct baggage carousel for your flight.
After claiming your baggage, go to:

Rental cars, satellite parking shuttles, taxis, shuttle vans and buses (Level 1)

If you are at Baggage Claim B, you must go back upstairs to the third level and walk over to the Airside A side, then go back downstairs to the Magical Express Welcome on Level 1.

Follow the signs to the Magical Express Welcome Center.

There is an Arrivals Walkthrough with pictures on the following website.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/arrive/arrive.htm

Carol

 

[scottb8888]

Along this line... we have never tried the ME yet. Our step daughter will be commng from a different city than us. and actually arriving and departing at different times. Does this create a hassle for the ME program. can we get her a seperate set of tags?

 

[Merandab4]

I am a first time user of DME as well. Let me get this right, I will be arriving on a Southwest flight to Orlando. ( I am assuming I can use this service on the way to Orlando, but need to take care of my own luggage on the way back?)

If I choose to let Disney take care of transporting my luggage, then all I need to do is go directly to level 1: ground transportation and look for the DME desk? It is just like last year when we were looking for Mears? Or am i missing something?

I already have my bright yellow tags. I just need to call Disney and let them know what flight we will be on.

 

[mom_rules]

clkelley -thank you soooooo much. Those are wonderful descriptions/instructions. Really appreciate you taking the time to help out!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

That's the whole "magical" part of Disney's Magical Express. Getting a bus ride isn't so magical, but saying goodbye to your luggage at ACY (in your case, judging by where you say you live) and saying hello to it INSIDE your WDW resort room, now THAT'S pretty darn magical. It's a nifty little perk.

That's very well said!

 

[jmrr]

I too am flying in using SWA and my travel agent said that I would have to go to baggage claim and retreive my luggage and bring it with me to ME check in. Reading here it sounds like she is wrong? Anyone know for sure? Thanks - we leave in four days for our first ever trip and I am getting excited/nervous to get it all right.

 

[safetymom]

Arriving at MCO from your home airport everyone staying at WDW resort is able to use the luggage transfer. Your agent is wrong. As long as you have the DME tags you won't see your luggage until you are in your room.

 

[jmrr]

Thanks for the information!! I am very glad that she was wrong . I understand about transporting it on the way out. Thanks again - these boards have been priceless.

 

[Lewisc]

Thanks for the information!! I am very glad that she was wrong . I understand about transporting it on the way out. Thanks again - these boards have been priceless.

SW sometimes as a special checkin area on level one. At your return ask or look before you take the elevator up to level three.

 

[jmrr]

Thanks for the info - I will keep my eyes open on the way out. By then I will not want to do any extra walking I am sure.