New! Travel City Direct launch offsite check-in!

[SimonV]

OK folks, here's some very good news for anyone going with TCD this year (or next). In keeping with Virgin's Downtown Disney check-in service, which means you can make far more use of your final day in Orlando before the flight home, TCD have launched their own version, with pre-flight morning check in at their Lake Buena Vista factory Stores welcome centre. This has been in the pipeline for several months (and I have seen their preparatory work for it - it should be a great facility) and been tested in a 'soft' kind of way just recently, but they have only just announced it officially today. The fact is, with their flights being through Sanford Airport, this is a bigger bonus even than Virgin's, as Sanford can be a much more crowded proposition at times than Orlando International, and this should alleviate much of that hassle. You will only need to turn up at Sanford a little more than an hour before your flight and by-pass much hanging around. It is also a major step forward for an operator usually considered in the 'budget' league. Here is their official press release today:

"Wasting the last day of your holiday before a late flight home, because of being tied to your baggage is now a thing of the past! Travel City Direct has the perfect solution for its holidaymakers. As the largest independent tour operator to Florida it has launched a new service, exclusively for its passengers called ‘Freetime Check-In’. It is the first UK tour operator to provide this service for its charter flight passengers.

Freetime Check-In offers not only an earlier check-in but the chance to be totally free of checked luggage from 7.30am on the morning of departure – without even going to the airport!

The new Freetime check-in facility is conveniently situated at Travel City Direct’s Welcome Centre at Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. The cost is just $5* per person if pre-booked, or $10* per person if you simply turn up on the day.

Travel City Direct’s Sales Director Steve Boardman said “improving the service we give our customers is always at the forefront of our minds. This great new facility will ensure our holidaymakers have the freedom to enjoy every last minute of their Florida holiday, with piece of mind knowing the luggage is safely and securely taken care of.”

*Travel City Direct passengers flying in the Sunshine First and Sunshine Premium cabins are able to enjoy this new service free of charge and will continue to receive priority check-in.

All members of the party must be present with each item of luggage, passports and tickets after receiving their boarding passes they can shop, play, relax and enjoy their Freetime in Florida. - ends -

 

[ely3857]

Bump



Jodie

 

[slinky101]

great news Simon, looks like TCD are determined to compete with the big boys! I do like to see my cases dissappear on the belt at the airport but, the extra shopping time would make up for it, stroke of genius having it at LBV outlets, well it would be for me anyway!

 

[Hilary]

great news Simon, looks like TCD are determined to compete with the big boys! I do like to see my cases dissappear on the belt at the airport but, the extra shopping time would make up for it, stroke of genius having it at LBV outlets, well it would be for me anyway!

But if you've already checked your luggage, what do you do with any shopping you accumulate during the day? My hand luggage is always full to bursting without adding last day shopping to it!

 

[natalielongstaff]

i can see tcd having a lot of hand luggage that is too heavy at this rate

 

[mushumadness]

oh cool we are in sunshine premium that will definatly help us take the stree out of our last day

 

[Miffy2003]

This is great news

Hilary, we just take it all on with us! In December I think I had five carrier bags (one of which was rather big with a snowglobe in it) in addition to my actual hand luggage bag. I was worried about this myself and asked at DTD check-in in the morning but they told me it would not be a problem (this was Virgin)

 

[sharon78]

Thanks for that Simon,TCD looking better every year

 

[brer rabbit 28]

i think this is absolutely brilliant!!!
my dad did this last month returning with TCD.He said is was great,no messing around with bags all day,more time in the parks and no hanging around in dreary sanford airport-GREAT!!!
Just have to make sure you buy all the big things before your last day.

 

[Mumof2]

This is good news. TCD really are competing with the "big boys" now aren't they

 

[crux]

This is great news, DTD check-in was something I was going to miss this year as we're going with TCD instead of Virgin in September (in 97 days ).
Plus, as we're going Sunshine First it will be free

 

[Lisa1976]

I wonder if this will apply to their fly drives as well as packages, we tend to book the hotels etc separately.

 

[Netty]

i was wondering whether you can use it if you book a flight with tcd, but fly with a different airline than tcds own.