Question about luggage pick up area at MCO

[KerryCM]

Quick question and help please! It has been years since we have picked up our own luggage at MCO, always used our bag tags for ME. Well, we got a very last minute hotel change yesterday for our trip Tuesday and are now at the Boardwalk instead of the Contemporary. We will pick up our bags and head to ME ourselves.

Finally the question, can to walk from the bag pickup area of terminal A , I know I have to go down a level, over to the B terminal for ME, or do I have to go back up to level 3 and then go over to B side?

Thanks in advance for your help. I know I can have them pick the luggage up or cross out and put Boardwalk, but I have a paranoid husband!

 

[sam_gordon]

Quick question and help please! It has been years since we have picked up our own luggage at MCO, always used our bag tags for ME. Well, we got a very last minute hotel change yesterday for our trip Tuesday and are now at the Boardwalk instead of the Contemporary. We will pick up our bags and head to ME ourselves.

Finally the question, can to walk from the bag pickup area of terminal A , I know I have to go down a level, over to the B terminal for ME, or do I have to go back up to level 3 and then go over to B side?

Thanks in advance for your help. I know I can have them pick the luggage up or cross out and put Boardwalk, but I have a paranoid husband!

You will go to terminal A, level 2 and collect your bags. Go back up to level 3 to cross over to terminal B, then go down to level 1 for ground transportation to find ME.

 

[shoreward]

You will go to terminal A, level 2 and collect your bags. Go back up to level 3 to cross over to terminal B, then go down to level 3 for ground transportation to find ME.

I think you had a typo and meant to say to go down to Level 1 for Magical Express.

 

[KerryCM]

Thank you for the reply. Figured that is what I had to do.

 

[MooseBucks]

Alternatively: I’ve read where others cross out their original barcode and resort information and write the new resort with a sharpie on the tag and the bags still travel ME to the correct resort. You could call to confirm or do a quick search here but I know I’ve read where it’s been done

 

[KerryCM]

Alternatively: I’ve read where others cross out their original barcode and resort information and write the new resort with a sharpie on the tag and the bags still travel ME to the correct resort. You could call to confirm or do a quick search here but I know I’ve read where it’s been done

I called ME and they confirmed I could do this, but my husband just doesn’t feel comfortable doing it. I am fine with getting our luggage, just wasn’t sure how to do it!

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

If you don't wish to pick up your bags just hand DME your claim ticket and they will still get them for you and deliver them to your room.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would recommend just getting the bags. I've had some less than wonderful experiences after changing resorts, even keeping the same reservation number!!! You will arrive on Level 3 Side A. Go down to Level 2 Side A, get your bags. Return to Level 3 (main terminal) cross over to Side B and go down to Level 1, ground transportation. Easy peasy.

 

[kristenrice]

I've literally NEVER retrieved luggage at MCO...where exactly is baggage claim? We are actually arriving very late (11:30pm) and staying at the Hyatt. I'm 99% sure that we will just fly with carry-ons, but in case I decide to check a bag (in order to pack things that can't go in a carry-on...the actual bag is still a "carry-on"), where do I pick it up? We love the simplicity of walking off the plane, through the (nearly) empty airport and right up to the hotel room and getting to sleep by midnight. If I have to trudge down and up and across and around and back up some more...all to retrieve a single bag...maybe I will save the walking for Disney and keep the bag with me on the plane.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

@kristenrice You'd go to baggage claim to get your bag.
If you don't want to do that then just do carry on.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you are staying that night at the airport (MCO) Hyatt or if you arrive after 10 PM you need to go to baggage claim to get checked bags..

For staying at the Hyatt you should not be using the yellow Magical Express tags.

After getting off the airport tram, and after exiting security you come out into the open in the main terminal.

Your airline is either a Side A or a Side B airline.

When you come out into the open look both ways (right and left). You should see a big neon A or B on the wall a little above eye level. If the neon letter matches your airline, then go that way for the baggage claim stairs or elevators. If you see the other letter, then do an about face and go straight (with the wrong letter behind ou) to get to the baggage claim stairs or elevator.s. In both cases you will go under the big neon letter, passt the ticket counters, and then get to the stairs or elevator.

All baggage claim areas are one flight down.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've literally NEVER retrieved luggage at MCO...where exactly is baggage claim? We are actually arriving very late (11:30pm) and staying at the Hyatt. I'm 99% sure that we will just fly with carry-ons, but in case I decide to check a bag (in order to pack things that can't go in a carry-on...the actual bag is still a "carry-on"), where do I pick it up?

Follow the signs.

If I have to trudge down and up and across and around and back up some more...all to retrieve a single bag...maybe I will save the walking for Disney and keep the bag with me on the plane.

you do that if you don't land on the same side as DME. If you're on the DME side, it's easier.

https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/

DME is on side B. If you land on side B and want to get your bag, just go to level 2 then down. It's if you land on side A that it gets a little back and forthy. Still no biggie. I did it in February.

And you can always snag a porter at baggage claim to help you and your bags get back up to the Hyatt if you're tired and don't feel like finding your sleepy way up there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of you can go directly to the Hyatt, give your claim check to Bell Services, and they'll go get your luggage.

 

[kristenrice]

Of you can go directly to the Hyatt, give your claim check to Bell Services, and they'll go get your luggage.

Whoa! This is a game changer! Is there a charge for this, besides a nice tip? I would love to board with just my purse and backpack and check my spinner bag so if the Hyatt staff will retrieve it for me and bring it to my room, I’m all for it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Call the Hyatt and ask. I never stayed there, I've just heard about this perk.

 

[AngiTN]

I've literally NEVER retrieved luggage at MCO...where exactly is baggage claim? We are actually arriving very late (11:30pm) and staying at the Hyatt. I'm 99% sure that we will just fly with carry-ons, but in case I decide to check a bag (in order to pack things that can't go in a carry-on...the actual bag is still a "carry-on"), where do I pick it up? We love the simplicity of walking off the plane, through the (nearly) empty airport and right up to the hotel room and getting to sleep by midnight. If I have to trudge down and up and across and around and back up some more...all to retrieve a single bag...maybe I will save the walking for Disney and keep the bag with me on the plane.

What airline are you traveling on?
Delta and American have gotten really good at bringing bags in. I'm talking they are now getting bags in almost as fast as we can walk to baggage claim.
Southwest not so much.
If your choice is to cram way too much crap in too small a bag or go to baggage claim for a well-packed bag when go to baggage claim. It's not as bag as it sounds. This is coming from someone who does hate going to baggage claim. At least it's gotten a whole lot better simply because it's gotten so much faster.
And if you have a spinner bag, with that and an elevator, it's really easy to walk to the Hyatt. It's in the middle of the airport so quick and easy access to both side of the terminal baggage claim areas.

 

[seashoreCM]

It's in the middle of the airport ...

The Hyatt entrance with elevator and escalators is halfway between the A side and the B side of the main terminal, and directly above (think: level 4) a security screening area. The A side and B side security exits, also on level 3, flank the screening area.

Now there is another security area with A side and B side exits flanking it, way down at the other end of the main terminal again on level 3 (think: other goalpost of a football field). That serves other airlines and you may not freely choose one security area over the other, say, to experience a shorter waiting line. Magical Express is at that other end and downstairs (B side level 1). The food court is at "midfield."

 

[Lewisc]

What airline are you traveling on?
Delta and American have gotten really good at bringing bags in. I'm talking they are now getting bags in almost as fast as we can walk to baggage claim.
Southwest not so much.
If your choice is to cram way too much crap in too small a bag or go to baggage claim for a well-packed bag when go to baggage claim. It's not as bag as it sounds. This is coming from someone who does hate going to baggage claim. At least it's gotten a whole lot better simply because it's gotten so much faster.
And if you have a spinner bag, with that and an elevator, it's really easy to walk to the Hyatt. It's in the middle of the airport so quick and easy access to both side of the terminal baggage claim areas.

I thought incoming baggage is handled by airport, not airline, employees. Not sure where I got that impression. Not sure if it's a real fact or an internet fact.


Most airlines charge for the first checked bag, with some exemptions. Southwest lets every passenger check 2 bags. I'd expect to see more checked bags on Delta and Americana then on Southwest. I therefore would expect it would take longer to get bags from Southwest.

 

[AngiTN]

I thought incoming baggage is handled by airport, not airline, employees. Not sure where I got that impression. Not sure if it's a real fact or an internet fact.


Most airlines charge for the first checked bag, with some exemptions. Southwest lets every passenger check 2 bags. I'd expect to see more checked bags on Delta and Americana then on Southwest. I therefore would expect it would take longer to get bags from Southwest.

No idea, never have given it any thought.
I know they both have some blurb about getting your bags in X amount of time or something, I'd have to dig it up to remember exactly how the wording is. Maybe they have an arrangement in place with each of the airports or they use their own crews, no clue.

ETA - Found the one with Delta. Guess AA didn't have one but we still get it from them just as fast.
We're committed to providing you with reliable and on-time baggage service every time you fly. That's why we're backing your bags with a guarantee: if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the carousel in 20 minutes or less after any domestic flight, you are eligible to receive 2,500 bonus miles.

Southwest also doesn't scan the bags, so you'd think that would even things out since both Delta and AA have to stop long enough to scan the bags as they come off the plane. Southwest just pulls them and brings them in. Delta and AA can still do it twice as fast, with bigger planes too.

 

[kristenrice]

What airline are you traveling on?
Delta and American have gotten really good at bringing bags in. I'm talking they are now getting bags in almost as fast as we can walk to baggage claim.
Southwest not so much.
If your choice is to cram way too much crap in too small a bag or go to baggage claim for a well-packed bag when go to baggage claim. It's not as bag as it sounds. This is coming from someone who does hate going to baggage claim. At least it's gotten a whole lot better simply because it's gotten so much faster.
And if you have a spinner bag, with that and an elevator, it's really easy to walk to the Hyatt. It's in the middle of the airport so quick and easy access to both side of the terminal baggage claim areas.

We are flying Southwest. I actually don't have to cram the bags at all. It's more a matter of what I pack, not how I pack. We could cram everything for the week into just our backpacks, but we don't, which is why we bring the spinner bags too. That means each bag is really only about half-full as it is. If we opted to check the spinner bags, we could pack things like food for the room, liquids/toiletries that would be too big to go through security and laundry pods...all the things that we would normally just add on to our grocery order.

I guess it's something to think about. On one hand, I really like the idea of travelling through the airport with just my backpack and purse and letting someone else handle our spinners until we arrive. I guess it wouldn't be terrible to have to go to baggage claim...or it might be...who knows. The other thing I worry about when checking luggage (especially when I don't absolutely have to) is that we have a connecting flight and that just increases the chance of losing/misdirecting a bag. It's not a big deal on the way home, but it would be no fun on the way down. I have six months to thing about it....