OK, now that Airtran is an official RAC airline, I have some questions

[sweetp267]

OK everyone bear with me. I am a WDW and DVC veteran and have used all methods of getting to WDW and back to the airport many, many times. I have rented a car and I have used ME to GET to my resort but not the return trip.

I plan on flying SW to Orlando and returning home on Airtran. The reason is that I am flying down on a Sunday and that is a day that Airtran does not really discount its fare unless the match SW. Also if the dings for SW do not cover both flights at the same time then I will have to book separately.

Now, I read on allearsnet.com that RAC is totally separate from Magic Express. What I would like to know is can I go to the RAC desk on my departure day, check my bags, get my boarding pass and seat assignments and NOT take the ME bus back to the airport? The way it is worded, I wouldn't have to use ME but still use RAC to go home. Is this right or am I bound to take the bus back to the airport? I would call the ME phone number to ask someone directly, but it is late and they are probably closed for the night. I will probably still call tomorrow, but I thought I would ask some of you guys who have already used RAC to see what the exact procedures are so I don't get caught off guard when we get ready to go home.

Thanks to all

 

[dudspizza]

OK everyone bear with me. I am a WDW and DVC veteran and have used all methods of getting to WDW and back to the airport many, many times. I have rented a car and I have used ME to GET to my resort but not the return trip.

I plan on flying SW to Orlando and returning home on Airtran. The reason is that I am flying down on a Sunday and that is a day that Airtran does not really discount its fare unless the match SW. Also if the dings for SW do not cover both flights at the same time then I will have to book separately.

Now, I read on allearsnet.com that RAC is totally separate from Magic Express. What I would like to know is can I go to the RAC desk on my departure day, check my bags, get my boarding pass and seat assignments and NOT take the ME bus back to the airport? The way it is worded, I wouldn't have to use ME but still use RAC to go home. Is this right or am I bound to take the bus back to the airport? I would call the ME phone number to ask someone directly, but it is late and they are probably closed for the night. I will probably still call tomorrow, but I thought I would ask some of you guys who have already used RAC to see what the exact procedures are so I don't get caught off guard when we get ready to go home.

Thanks to all

That is exactly correct. You can use the Remote Airline Checkin at your resort and then you can use any means of transport you want back to MCO.

Duds

 

[CleveRocks]

It is as they say it is. Resort Airline Check-in and Disney's Magical Express are 2 separate services. They are unrelated. You can use one and not the other. Very simple, very black and white -- this isn't a matter of my opinion, it's a matter of fact.

You can use RAC to check-in for your flight and check your luggage through to your home airport, and you THEN have the choice of getting back to the airport however you want to ... rental car, car service, your Aunt Edna's 1970 Dodge Dart, large passenger ostrich, or DME bus ... makes no difference.

 

[Waseller77]

I have an additional question - can you use RAC w/Airtran at your Disney Resort on say, Friday, for a flight on Saturday morning? My family may be staying at a hotel near the airport on Friday night but would benefit greatly by being able to check in and leave our bags before going to the airport. I am guessing you can't do this, but wanted to ask. Thanks!

 

[Waseller77]

I found the answer to my own question - sorry!

You can only check in up to 12 hours in advance and the desks are only open until 1pm. So we could not to this...

 

[REL1203]

I must have missed this... Is AirTran now an official participate in the ME and RAC??? I thought it was still a test? When I go to WDW in Aug/Sept, i canuse the RAC to check in before I leave???? and still check my bags there?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I must have missed this... Is AirTran now an official participate in the ME and RAC??? I thought it was still a test? When I go to WDW in Aug/Sept, i canuse the RAC to check in before I leave???? and still check my bags there?

According to the All EARS Weekly Newsletter:

Beginning in May 2007, Air Tran will join Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines/Ted, as a participant in the Resort Airline Check-in Program.​

So far, I have not seen this news anywhere else. As of a few minutes ago, the Disney's Magical Express FAQ does not list AirTran as participating in RAC.

The All EARS Weekly Newsletter has a good track record when reporting news and announcements -- including announcements that have not yet been released to the press.

However, I'm not sure I would use the word "official" until it really is official.

By the way, this is different than the item in the All EARS Weekly Newsletter a couple of months ago stating that Southwest Airlines would be added RAC within a few weeks of that newsletter. That item was clearly listed as a something that a cast member at SSR had said to a guest, not as news or as an announcement.

A quick phone call to DME Guest Services would be the best way to find out the official status of AirTran.