ME - luggage delivery vs getting it yourself

[tjmw2727]

We arrive at MCO at 9pm and I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of gettting our luggage ourselves vs using the ME luggage delivery. I am the solo adult with dd's 8 and 9 traveling SW so I don't want much carryon.

First of all I assume you can get your own luggage and transport it with you on the ME bus - Is this correct?

If I use ME delivery of the checked bags I will have to plan for the night in case the luggage is delayed, PJ's etc which means more carryons.

OTOH - having the main checked luggage delivered would also be helpful.

I am leaning toward packing light and I always travel with luggage that the three of us can manage without assistance. This way we can pick up the luggage at the carousel ourselves, use ME and have our things at a reasonable hour. I also like the fact that I will have only one carryon for the three of us and the girls will each have a very small backpack of thier own for the flight.

MY DH thinks I am crazy not to use the baggage delivery with ME but I am unsure.

Any experience or advice would be appreciated.
TJ

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't even think of getting your own luggage if your airline is on the "B" side of the terminal.

The DME luggage goes to one truck at 10:00p. You should be OK. I'd pack their PJ's in your carryon just to be sure. Airlines might also lose your luggage.

 

[tjmw2727]

I wouldn't even think of getting your own luggage if your airline is on the "B" side of the terminal.

The DME luggage goes to one truck at 10:00p. You should be OK. I'd pack their PJ's in your carryon just to be sure. Airlines might also lose your luggage.

From what I can tell by the MCO website Southwest is on the A side. I realize that the airline could also misplace things but I don't want a knock on the door at 1am either. I guess I could pack for the one night and have the luggage delivered in the AM......

Are you saying that getting our own luggage if we land on the A side is an option?

TJ

 

[CleveRocks]

Maybe I'm missing something here but I just don't understand your premise. You don't want to have more than one total carry-on because you think that will be too much to handle, yet you have no problem with the idea of handling your own checked luggage. What am I missing here? Sorry if I'm being dense ... it wouldn't be the first time.

I pack as much as I can into one carry-on per person. So when my wife and I took our 5 year old and 2.5 year old (without a stroller) to WDW in May, we had 4 carry-ons, plus 2 checked suitcases. No matter where or when I fly, I always make sure each person has supplies for the first 24 hours of our trip, just in case the airline delays my luggage (it's happened to me twice in 15 years). It takes up less room than you think to pack PJs, change of clothes, swimsuit, medications, and toiletries, as long as you don't have to also pack different shoes.

-- Eric

 

[Lewisc]

From what I can tell by the MCO website Southwest is on the A side. I realize that the airline could also misplace things but I don't want a knock on the door at 1am either. I guess I could pack for the one night and have the luggage delivered in the AM......

Are you saying that getting our own luggage if we land on the A side is an option?

TJ

You could get your luggage. DME is one level below baggage claim, get your luggage and take the elevator down one level.

If you were on the "B" side you'd have to get your luggage, go up one level, go across the airport then down two levels. That wouldn't make any sense.

I'd still let the luggage go with DME. You'll probably save at least 30 minutes.

 

[tjmw2727]

Maybe I'm missing something here but I just don't understand your premise. You don't want to have more than one total carry-on because you think that will be too much to handle, yet you have no problem with the idea of handling your own checked luggage. What am I missing here? Sorry if I'm being dense ... it wouldn't be the first time.

I pack as much as I can into one carry-on per person. So when my wife and I took our 5 year old and 2.5 year old (without a stroller) to WDW in May, we had 4 carry-ons, plus 2 checked suitcases. No matter where or when I fly, I always make sure each person has supplies for the first 24 hours of our trip, just in case the airline delays my luggage (it's happened to me twice in 15 years). It takes up less room than you think to pack PJs, change of clothes, swimsuit, medications, and toiletries, as long as you don't have to also pack different shoes.

-- Eric

I totally get your question ~ thanks for trying to help.

My thinking is this:

Carryons - We are flying SWA for the first time and as the solo adult with 2 kids and the no assigned seating process I don't want to be lugging lots of stuff through the terminal. I don't want to be fussing with three carryons when we are waiting in line to board and having lots of stuff under our feet either. I also don't want to try and put something heavy in the overheads that I can't handle myself.

OTOH - The girls and I are totally capable of handling three midsize suitcases with inline type wheelers to and from baggage claim. Its just a matter of bag check at the originating airport and then claiming and wheeling them to ME rather than dealing with them for 4-5 hours in the terminal/aircraft and through security.

I may be mistaken but I estimated about 15-30 minutes extra to claim our own bags vs waiting 1 - 4 hours at the resort for them to be delivered. I guess at 9ish at night the extra time for DME dosen't bother me. If it were morning and we were heading to the parks I guess it would be another story.

I think I am over planning having never flown SWA before and never having used DME so I think I am the one being a bit dense!

TJ

 

[Lewisc]

You don't wait in the room for you luggage. They just leave it in your room. Adding 3 pair of PJs to one carry on bag isn't a big deal. If your luggage isn't delivered and you're ready to go to bed just call and ask them to wait until the next morning to delivery your bags.

Much easier than having to deal with baggage claims.

I totally get your question ~ thanks for trying to help.

I may be mistaken but I estimated about 15-30 minutes extra to claim our own bags vs waiting 1 - 4 hours at the resort for them to be delivered. I guess at 9ish at night the extra time for DME dosen't bother me. If it were morning and we were heading to the parks I guess it would be another story.

I think I am over planning having never flown SWA before and never having used DME so I think I am the one being a bit dense!

TJ