Never used Magical express, I have a few questions?

[imthatgirl]

This will be our first time not having a car while id WDW. I'm bit nervous, but it's just my husband and I so maybe the buses aren't that bad.

My first question is I booked our vacation without air or ME two weeks ago. Well I just got a good price on Southwest and decided to take it. I booked through a TA, she can add ME to our itinerary at this time right? We leave April 10th.

Next I booked my flights very early in the morning, 6am and then late to leave, 9pm. Our flight will arrive about 9am. When should I expect to be at the resort(Wilderness Lodge)? If I check in the day before I should be able to check in that early, right? Should I do the check in for 11ish?

Lastly, I know we have to check out by 11 or 12 ish, but our flight isn't until 9pm. The resort will hold our luggage until it's time to leave? How exactly does that work?

Thank you in advance

 

[cricket12960]

This will be our first time not having a car while id WDW. I'm bit nervous, but it's just my husband and I so maybe the buses aren't that bad.

My first question is I booked our vacation without air or ME two weeks ago. Well I just got a good price on Southwest and decided to take it. I booked through a TA, she can add ME to our itinerary at this time right? We leave April 10th.

Next I booked my flights very early in the morning, 6am and then late to leave, 9pm. Our flight will arrive about 9am. When should I expect to be at the resort(Wilderness Lodge)? If I check in the day before I should be able to check in that early, right? Should I do the check in for 11ish?

Lastly, I know we have to check out by 11 or 12 ish, but our flight isn't until 9pm. The resort will hold our luggage until it's time to leave? How exactly does that work?

Thank you in advance

Hi I too am leaving for Disney for April vacation and I am also from South of Boston. We have used SW several times and love them. ME does take care of the luggage for you. You can request a late checkout usually no later that 1PM. We went in October. We took a 6AM flight from Providence and got to the hotel about 9:30-9:45. We were able to check in immediately and our luggage was in our room before we even got there. We always stay at All Star Music, and so far we have not had any issues with luggage. ME picks you up about 2-3 hrs before your flight leaves. So if you are leaving at 9 you will be picked up around six. I hope this helps. Take care and ENJOY your vacation...

 

[seashoreCM]

With Southwest (and several other airlines) the checked bags can be checked in the late morning at the resort for your evening flight home. The carry-ons still have to be left with the bellhop.

Shoot to be back at your resort 1-1/2 hours before your Magical Express bus back to the airport which in turn shold be about 3 hours before your flight. This is to allow time to get your carryons back as well as allow for irregularities such as a potty break for a child or lines for the buses or its taking minutes for the store clerk to bring your credit card back. You need to be at the DME bus platform 15 minutes before your bus time.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/magicx.htm

 

[goofy4tink]

This will be our first time not having a car while id WDW. I'm bit nervous, but it's just my husband and I so maybe the buses aren't that bad.

My first question is I booked our vacation without air or ME two weeks ago. Well I just got a good price on Southwest and decided to take it. I booked through a TA, she can add ME to our itinerary at this time right? We leave April 10th.

Next I booked my flights very early in the morning, 6am and then late to leave, 9pm. Our flight will arrive about 9am. When should I expect to be at the resort(Wilderness Lodge)? If I check in the day before I should be able to check in that early, right? Should I do the check in for 11ish?

Lastly, I know we have to check out by 11 or 12 ish, but our flight isn't until 9pm. The resort will hold our luggage until it's time to leave? How exactly does that work?

Thank you in advance

Yes, your TA should call and get DME added to your reservation and give them your flight info...but be sure she does, otherwise, you won't be able to ride the bus!
If you arrive ontime at 9am, you should be at WL between 10ish-10:30. Average timing is 70 mins..from gate to resort. You may be able to get into a room then..it's pretty much the luck of the draw. You can check in at any time....the ability to get into a room that early has nothing to do with checking in online the day before. If you can't get into your room early, you can just leave your carryon bags with Bell Services and then head off to start your fun.
For your return to MCO, you can check your bags with RAC....they will also print out your boarding passes. I always buy EBCI for my return flights. That way I don't have to worry about being near a computer at the 24hr window...SW will check me in at the 36 hr mark. Then, the bags you don't check that morning, you can leave with Bell Services. As far as getting a late checkout time, sometimes you're able to do that. All you can do is check at the front desk. If the checkout time you want is after a certain period, they will charge you for it.
If your fligh home is at 9pm, your DME pickup time will be around 6pm. You need to be at the DME bus stop, carryon bags in hand, ready to go, at least 15 mins before your stated time. The time you are given is the time the bus is scheduled to leave, not the time you should show up...so be early!!

 

[prncess674]

I am assuming you are wanting to do a park on your last day so there is really no reason to ask for late checkout since others have stated the latest you will get is 1pm. Plan on packing up the majority the night before so you aren't wasting your last day rushing around. SWA allows 2 free checked bags per person. So head down in the morning to the RAC desk and check your bags with the airlines and then leave your carryon bags with bell services.

Your DME return time will probably be 6pm, so plan on being at the bus stop of your last park no later than 4:30pm. Since you are staying at WL you may be able to cut it a little shorter if your last park is MK which is very close to WL. Remember that doesn't mean getting off the Jungle Cruise at 4:30pm, that means at 4:30pm you have exited the park and are waiting for the transport back to your resort.

Once back at your resort go back to bell services to collect your carry on luggage (tip appropriately) and then head outside for your bus.

 

[imthatgirl]

Thank you, I think this answers most of my questions.

 

[Abibaby]

Just to piggy back...we are looking at a late flight out of orlando...if we have already checked out of our room is there a changing area near the pools to be able to swim / change back into street clothes before we leave? We are going to be at POR with a 5pm flight....we probably wont do a park but will hang out at the resort until it is time for ME to the airport.

 

[imthatgirl]

Just to piggy back...we are looking at a late flight out of orlando...if we have already checked out of our room is there a changing area near the pools to be able to swim / change back into street clothes before we leave? We are going to be at POR with a 5pm flight....we probably wont do a park but will hang out at the resort until it is time for ME to the airport.

There are bathrooms.

We too thought about possibly swimming that day, but then decided against it. We don't want to bring home wet clothes on the plane. Then there was the whole changing aspect of it. But if you don't mind changing in the bathroom and carrying wet clothes do it. There are bathrooms behind the pool area in the muddy rivers pool bar. There are also bathrooms in the main building.
Just make sure you're ready to explain to any CM who sees you with you carry ons that you are indeed not pool hopping, lol.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just to piggy back...we are looking at a late flight out of orlando...if we have already checked out of our room is there a changing area near the pools to be able to swim / change back into street clothes before we leave? We are going to be at POR with a 5pm flight....we probably wont do a park but will hang out at the resort until it is time for ME to the airport.

You can change in the bathrooms...we do it all the time. If you decide to swim that last day, be sure to bring zip-loc baggies to put those wet suits in. Sure does help keep everything nice and dry in your carryon bags.
With a 5pm flight, you will be picked up around 2ish...so hang at the pool, grab a bite to eat for lunch at the food court, use the arcade...lots of fun stuff to do. The nice thing is that checkout is at 11..so you only have to kill 3 hrs without a room. Or swim first thing in the morning, shower and change in your room, be out by 11 and eat/shop/arcade until 2ish.
You may be able to get a late checkout...sometimes, if it isn't busy, the resorts will allow you to keep your room until 1ish, before they start charging addtl fees. That might be an option as well. You can check when you get there.