Northwest on Magical Express List

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am on the phone right now w/ Disney--the cast member is telling me that Northwest is not on their list. He has me on hold right now and is checking--even though I gave him the website and where the info is found. HE is saying this may be for business travelers only. I will update when I get more info....

Interesting. Please let us know what they figure out.

I checked a minute ago. They still list Northwest under the Resort Airline Check-in Service in the FAQ at http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEPlannerFAQDetailPage

The explanation that "this may be for business travelers only" makes no sense. First, there is no such restriction in the FAQ. And, more importantly, Disney and their subcontractor (BAGS Inc.) either have an agreement with Northwest to be part of the Resort Airline Check-in Service -- or they don't.

Either the FAQ is wrong or the info that Disney CM is looking at is wrong. It will be interesting to hear which it is.

 

[smjj]

We are flying NW down and back and renting a car while at WDW. Can we check our bags and get out boarding pass for the return trip but still drive the car back to the airport??..smjj

 

[off to neverland]

I gave CRO some of my family's northwest flight info two days ago and they didn't say anything about it.............

They did seem really confused by the whole process though. There's going to be a pretty big learning curve with this, I think.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We are flying NW down and back and renting a car while at WDW. Can we check our bags and get out boarding pass for the return trip but still drive the car back to the airport??..smjj

If I'm reading your post correctly, you plan to ride a Magical Express motor coach from MCO to WDW. But you don't want to ride back on a motor coach because you're renting a car while at WDW.

The answer is yes. You may use Resort Airline Check-in for your return trip but still drive the rental car to the airport instead of riding the motor coach. Of course, this assumes that Northwest really is a participating airline.

According to Disney's Magical Express FAQ for Meeting Planners at http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEPlannerFAQDetailPage

Q: Do Guests have to ride the Disney's Magical Express motor coach back to the airport in order to participate in the Resort Airline Check-in?

A: No. After utilizing the Resort Airline Check-in, Guests can either take advantage of the complimentary Disney's Magical Express motor coach transportation to the airport or they can arrange their own private transportation. Their checked luggage will be transported to the airport regardless of which transportation option they choose.​

 

[emsamom]

***UPDATE*****

I called directly to the Disney Meetings area and spoke to a cast member who again was confused by the whole process of Magical Express. However, she spoke to her manager who spoke to someone else (get the picture!)... anyway, I was told that Northwest will be on the list of participating airlines since it is already on the Disney Meetings website. There will be no updates to any other website prior to May when the Magical Express goes into affect. I don't know how long it wil take to get a direct response to my email but I will update again.

 

[elgerber]

Hurray for NWA! (or as my Minnesotan friends refer to the airline: Northworst).

Northworst, sounds about accurate. At least they may have one good thing going for them now.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

***UPDATE*****

I called directly to the Disney Meetings area and spoke to a cast member who again was confused by the whole process of Magical Express. However, she spoke to her manager who spoke to someone else (get the picture!)... anyway, I was told that Northwest will be on the list of participating airlines since it is already on the Disney Meetings website. There will be no updates to any other website prior to May when the Magical Express goes into affect. I don't know how long it wil take to get a direct response to my email but I will update again.

So is or isn't Disney offering Resort Airline Check-in for Northwest passengers?

 

[tikkipoo]

Just an FYI...the website now says this:


Q: What is the Resort Airline Check-in Service?

A: This service allows Guests to check luggage and receive airline boarding passes at their Disney Resort. At this time, remote check-in service is only available for guests flying domestically on the following airlines: American, Continental, Delta (including Song), and United (including Ted). Additional airlines may be added at a later date.


Wouldn't want them to make up their minds before it starts, now would we?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Wouldn't want them to make up their minds before it starts, now would we?

Yep! Northwest has "magically" disappeared from the list, and we're back to the original list.

It's interesting that Disney and BAGS Inc. have not been able to get more airlines onto the Resort Airline Check-in list.

Unfortunately, it seems that the participating airline list has caused all sorts of confusion. People think the list applies to the Magical Express service, not just to Resort Airline Check-in.

 

[Lewisc]

Given the cost of jet fuel and the (lack of) profitability of the airline industry I understand airlines won't sign up if it's going to cost them money. Either a direct financial contribution or even money that has to be spent on systems.

What I found interesting, BAGS seems to have already been a presence in SOG. I haven't read anything about it.

http://www.airportbags.com/mediactr/media.htm

I know SW and JetBlue don't do interline baggage transfers. I wonder if that's a problem in allowing baggage checkin from an entity other than the airline.

It's interesting that Disney and BAGS Inc. have not been able to get more airlines onto the Resort Airline Check-in list.

Unfortunately, it seems that the participating airline list has caused all sorts of confusion. People think the list applies to the Magical Express service, not just to Resort Airline Check-in.

 

[emsamom]

I received an email from Disney stating that "Northwest is still slated to be operational by May 5th for the Resort Airline Checkin portion of the DME program; however it is not currently participating for the soft opening that has begun at some of our resorts." So, it seems that it will be on the list after May 5th. (I think!!)

 

[Brian Noble]

There are two ways to read that. One is "we're hoping we can still talk them into it." The other is "we've talked them into it, but haven't yet dotted i's and crossed t's."

Knowing NWA's penchant for being among the first to cut back "nonessential" items compared to their competition (pillows & blankets on non-red-eye flights, US48 food, US48 in-flight entertainment, etc. etc. etc.) I'd put my money on "haven't talked them into it."

 

[antkim]

I just got off the phone with Disney's "air help" department. I posted this last week but I wanted to make sure before I posted again. At this time the only airlines that have "officially" signed a contract with Disney are American, Delta and Song. They are planning on Continental and United to participate as well but as of now there is no contract with them. Again, this is for the return "resort check in" option.

Hope this helps!

Kim