ME and Southwest

[lovetoscrap]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Southwest isn't a "participating" airline with ME so there is something different that happens when leaving WDW using ME and Southwest than with other airlines. Is this correct?

We don't have flights planned yet, but if the rules are different (thus more complicated) if I chose SW then I may concentrate on the other airlines.

 

[clkelley]

The only difference is when you head home you have to take your luggage with you on the DME bus back to the airport and check-in for your flight at the airport.

The Resort Airline check-in is the only thing you can't use with SW.

Carol

 

[lovetoscrap]

Okay. That is what I thought the difference might be. Can we still have the luggage picked up in the room and taken to the bus for us? How far is it from where we get off the bus to where we would check luggage?

Sort of thinking we might have a "bit" more luggage than we can carry--and figured it wouldn't be a problem if we curb check here (and then park the car), have ME take it to the hotel room, and then pick it up and check it at the airport, and then just pull the car up to load it up.

If we have to carry it from the bus to check in it could be a problem. I guess one of us can just go and search out a luggage cart or two!

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes you can have the bellhop come to your room on check out day and bring the luggage down to the lobby. Same for all airlines. Some resorts require advance "reservation" of this service.

Scout out the location of the ME bus pickup at least a day in advance so you know where to direct the bellhop to.

DIsney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

We used SWA and ME during our October trip at AKL. The arrival procedure is the same regardless of the airline. Use the yellow luggage tags if you want DME to transport your luggage, leave them off if you want to get it yourself.

The participating airlines come into play for the trip home. If you fly a participating airline you check your luggage and get your boarding passes at the resort. Otherwise you take your bags with you to the DME bus stop and the driver loads them into the bottom compartment. At MCO you take your luggage and check in just like you always have. As the solo adult with two dd's it was no problem that SWA didn't participate.

Either way you can have a bellman take your luggage from your room and store it at the bell station. You will then have to pick it up there and either take it with you on the bus or check it in at the DME desk depending on the airline you choose. I would arrange the service a day in advance and plan to get it from the bellstand about 1/2 before you need it.

TJ

 

[clkelley]

You should be able to get luggage assistance at the airport from the DME bus to check-in. These services were there before DME and are still there. They are probably eager to assist with so many folks using the resort check-in. Of course tipping these folks is appreciated.

Carol