Opinion needed-- CBR, RAC and Southwest

[Cynthiagayle01]

We might change resorts to CBR. We are currently booked at POR. We are flying to MCO and back with Southwest. How difficult is checking your own bags at MCO? We've never flown before so we thought RAC would be a great idea. However, we're not sure if we really want to stay with POR. If we go with CBR we might can extend our dates by a couple of days (*No POP Warner at CBR. We had to shorten our trip by 2 days when we found out about Pop Warner at POR. If we switch we *might* could extend the dates again.

In your opinion, is it difficult to check the bags when we get back to the airport? How would we do that? Is the bag check easy to find? TIA!

 

[Tara]

It is easy to check your bags and I wouldn't switch resorts just for RAC.

Southwest is on the A side of the airport and the counters are at the far left side of the terminal. Sometimes there can be quite a line, but it has always moved very quickly IME (and sometimes there's not much of a line). You'll need to use a kiosk to process your bag check - type in your confirmation number or rapid rewards number or insert your credit card so it can ID you that way. You'll have the option to check bags only or check bags/reprint boarding passes (other options, too, but I won't go into those as you'll be unlikely to need them). Pick the one you need and select how many bags per passenger you are checking. A counter agent will then call your name and you'll put your bags on the scale in front of you and they'll tag them for you. You'll need to show photo ID for each adult checking baggage. They'll give you baggage claim checks and you'll be on your way. If you have anything over size (golf clubs, car seat, booster seat even), you'll have to take that directly to TSA, but it's very close to the Southwest counters - they'll point it out if you need to take anything.

It's really quite easy.

If there's a long line you can also go outside and use the curbside check-in counter, but be aware that a tip for baggage handling is customary if you use curbside. There are no kiosks, so you'll give your IDs to the counter agent at the curb and he/she will look up your reservation, print your tags, print your BPs if needed.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I'm going to tell you the exact opposite of the previous poster. We used Southwest last late August/September for the first time. At this time there was no RAC for SW guests. When we got the the airport, I was stunned to see the SW lines. If our baggage person hadn't known someone working at the outside curb check in who checked our bags secretly before all the people waiting in line, we never would have made our flights.

Now, with SW participating with RAC at most other resorts, you might find there are no lines at all. I really don't know how much of their Orlando traffic is Disney. It's simple to check your bags when the line isn't long - just go to the SW counter.

Just want you to see both sides of the issue before you make a choice.

 

[Tara]

I'm going to tell you the exact opposite of the previous poster. We used Southwest last late August/September for the first time. At this time there was no RAC for SW guests. When we got the the airport, I was stunned to see the SW lines. If our baggage person hadn't known someone working at the outside curb check in who checked our bags secretly before all the people waiting in line, we never would have made our flights.

Now, with SW participating with RAC at most other resorts, you might find there are no lines at all. I really don't know how much of their Orlando traffic is Disney. It's simple to check your bags when the line isn't long - just go to the SW counter.

Just want you to see both sides of the issue before you make a choice.

How is that the exact opposite of what I posted?

I've flown SWA to Orlando at least 3 times a year for the past 4 years. I've seen the line for bag check totally full and past the roped queue area and it still moves pretty fast. I've never been in danger of missing my flight when it wasn't my own fault for showing up later than I should have. And even when the line is very long, they usually have someone going through and pulling people out who are closest to their flight times so they can skip the line and check luggage.

Like I said, there's no way I'd switch resorts just for RAC. And I *certainly* wouldn't switch to the resort hosting Pop Warner just for RAC.

 

[pamjb]

I have always used the curbside check in at MCO. It is well worth the $1-$2 tip for the skycap to not wait in line. Curbside is located right outside the doors from the terminal check-in counters.
I wouldn't change resorts just because of Pop Warner. Especially if it would mean shortening my trip. But, again, that is just my opinion.

 

[Missytara]

I have always used the curbside check in at MCO. It is well worth the $1-$2 tip for the skycap to not wait in line. Curbside is located right outside the doors from the terminal check-in counters.
I wouldn't change resorts just because of Pop Warner. Especially if it would mean shortening my trip. But, again, that is just my opinion.

Personally I WOULD change my resort because of Pop Warner. You do not want to be with Pop Warner at POR; I was there once and never again.

Switch to CBR, take the length of the trip that you originally planned, take your bags to MCO and you can see how long the line is and then opt to use curbside check-in if you have to.