ME - international vs domestic flights.

[shaynar]

I know ME pick up is 3 hrs before the flight for domestic, and 4 hrs for international.

Also, many of the domestic airlines allow for baggage check in at the resort. Love it.

So what if I'm flying international - to Canada - but through a connecting flight? The first flight is Orlando - Chicago, then Chicago - Toronto. Is this considered domestic or international in terms of pick up and baggage check in?

 

[I Run Long]

We had a similar situation but to the opposite coast. So we flew out of Orlando to Seattle, changed planes in Seattle and flew to Victoria. We couldn't check in at our resort for that flight. We still used the Magical Express but brought our bags onto the bus and checked in at the airport. It is all about Customs I believe. Wasn't a big deal, we just left our bags with Bell Services at checkout of the resort (our flight wasn't until 5:30pm that evening), and got them when it was time to board the bus. Nowadays, we drive to Seattle and have our flight originate and return to Seattle. Sure we can now check into the resort but we save about $2K now instead flying off of Vancouver Island. Cheaper to take the ferry and drive down to Seattle. OT, I know - sorry about that.

 

[shaynar]

thanks!
Was it 3 hours or 4 hours before the flight?

 

[I Run Long]

It was 3 hours - gave us plenty of time to enjoy a park before having to head back to the resort to board our bus.

 

[shaynar]

awesome. Ridiculous how 1 hour makes that much a difference to me, but it does.

 

[I Run Long]

From one Disney fan to another . . . . nothing ridiculous about it at all. Have a great trip!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am 99% sure because your final destination is Toronto then you won't be able to use the Resort Airline Check-In and check your bags there. So hopefully someone will confirm that.

 

[Lynne M]

I'm going to move this over to the Transportation board....

 

[shaynar]

sorry abut that!

 

[seashoreCM]

With few exceptions, international guests going home via Magical Express must bring all bags to the DME bus and should be scheduled to leave the resort about 4 hours before their flights.

This is to allow time to clear or pre-clear customs in Orlando before catching flights.

One exception if is the guest is stopping over in a U.S. city en route (not just changing planes).

Individual itinerary information will specify any different procedures such as clearing customs in a connecting city.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

With few exceptions, international guests going home via Magical Express must bring all bags to the DME bus and should be scheduled to leave the resort about 4 hours before their flights.

This is to allow time to clear or pre-clear customs in Orlando before catching flights.

One exception if is the guest is stopping over in a U.S. city en route (not just changing planes).

Individual itinerary information will specify any different procedures such as clearing customs in a connecting city.

Each time I have flown from Orlando - Toronto we always cleared Canada Customs after we landed in Toronto. So I would assume it's the same for those flying to Europe and etc because why would they clear their countries Customs when they are still in the United States?

 

[crashbb]

It will be four hours, even if you are connecting in the US. Been there, done that. It depends on your final destination (Canada) not the location of the connecting city (US).

Also, as has been posted, you will not be able to use RAC or BAGS. You can have concierge check you in for your flight, but you'll have to take your bags onto the DME bus with you.

 

[seashoreCM]

Each time I have flown from Orlando - Toronto we always cleared Canada Customs after we landed in Toronto. So I would assume it's the same for those flying to Europe and etc because why would they clear their countries Customs when they are still in the United States?

Did you check your bags in Orlando in exactly the same way as a domestic traveler, namely go to the regular check in counter where the agent did nothing more than attach the airline baggage tag?

Actually the preceding question may be irrelevant particularly if the Resort Airline Check in agent did not have tags with non-US final destinations. Also there could be a random security directive at MCO that day whereby international passengers not accustomed to doing so may have to go to the customs station before boarding flights. So you need all your bags with you.

Customs really has two parts, exit customs for the country you are leaving and entering customs for the country you are entering. In some cases one part may be minimal or both parts may be performed at the same location.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is to allow time to clear or pre-clear customs in Orlando before catching flights.

You don't clear customs leaving Orlando. I have flown internationally from the US many, many times, and have never had any type of customs check leaving the country, outside of checking my passport. This is not always true when you leave other countries (such as some places in Canada where you pre-clear customs or Dublin, etc.). Additionally, OP's flight from Orlando is to Chicago, so this would be a domestic flight anyway.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Did you check your bags in Orlando in exactly the same way as a domestic traveler, namely go to the regular check in counter where the agent did nothing more than attach the airline baggage tag?

Actually the preceding question may be irrelevant particularly if the Resort Airline Check in agent did not have tags with non-US final destinations. Also there could be a random security directive at MCO that day whereby international passengers not accustomed to doing so may have to go to the customs station before boarding flights. So you need all your bags with you.

Customs really has two parts, exit customs for the country you are leaving and entering customs for the country you are entering. In some cases one part may be minimal or both parts may be performed at the same location.

Yes whenever we check in for our flights at MCO the airline employee would then put the tags on our luggage which was checked and it would go on the carousel behind them.