Question about SW baggage claim

[NYTiz]

Can someone tell me where SW's baggage claim is? First time flying SW and not totally comfortable with it since we have flown JB every other trip! Also, our first time using Magical Express. If we decide to get our own bags and put them on the bus to resort, how far will we be from baggage claim to ME? Thanks for your help!

 

[lawgs]

Can someone tell me where SW's baggage claim is? First time flying SW and not totally comfortable with it since we have flown JB every other trip! Also, our first time using Magical Express. If we decide to get our own bags and put them on the bus to resort, how far will we be from baggage claim to ME? Thanks for your help!

SW baggage claim Terminal A, turn to the right after you get off the escalators ( jetBlue you would turn left at the bottom )

as far as, if you get your own bags, you will have to haul them over to ME which is located in Terminal B ( I think on the rental car level ) but at the farthest point to the "right" on that level ie the end of the terminal ...it is quite a HIKE

 

[NYTiz]

When you say it's a hike, how much of a hike do you mean?

 

[Alesia]

When you say it's a hike, how much of a hike do you mean?

You will start on level 3, you will need to go down to baggage claim (which is on level 2,) take your bags back up the escalator to level 3, cross over to side B, take the escalator back down to level 1, and then walk quite a good distance to the DME check in.

Do you mind if I ask why you don't just let DME take your luggage for you?

 

[seashoreCM]

After you get off the airport tram in the main terminal and exit security and come out into the open, you would turn right (go under the 3 foot neon A on the overhanging balcony) to go to the Southwest carousels or turn left (go under the big neon B) to go directly to the Magical Express welcoming area.

Then down the escalators or elevators.

Once down at level 1 (lowest level) on the B side, go all the way down the corridor with the windows to the outside at your left, to find DME.

Checked and carry on baggage you hand over to DME at the welcoming area is actually handed over at the side of the bus. Tips are appreciated as your baggage is given directly back to you at the DME bus stop at your resort.

 

[pooch]

why you'd want to do all that schlepping? DME handles baggage pretty darn efficiently. No way I'd want to go get my own bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

Can someone tell me where SW's baggage claim is? First time flying SW and not totally comfortable with it since we have flown JB every other trip! Also, our first time using Magical Express. If we decide to get our own bags and put them on the bus to resort, how far will we be from baggage claim to ME? Thanks for your help!

If you allow DME to get your bags, and take care of them, it should take you about 10 mins to get from your gate to the DME area. But, if you want to get your own bags, you will need to double that time, at least.
When you get off the shuttle monorail from your gate, you will be on level 3, Side A. If you are collecting your luggage, you have to do down to level 2, Side A, to baggage claim, and wait for your bags to appear...could take 15+ mins. Then, when you have your bags, back up to level 3 (and the main terminal area) via either the escalator or elevator, cross through the main area, and over to Side B. Then down to level 1, Side B, and over to DME area.
That would take close to half an hour, including wait time for baggag, I would imagine.

I have never had any issue with letting DME handle my luggage..and we fly SW into MCO all the time...doing it again in 10 days. Really, you stand a much greater chance of the airline itself misdirecting your bags than DME.
But...that is up to you. I fly either SW or JB....have never had a luggage issue when using DME to deliver my checked bags.

 

[NYTiz]

Well, thanks to everyone to finally convince me to just let DME handle our bags! It wasn't that I was afraid they were going to lose the bags, I just feel more comfortable having them with us when we get to the resort with everything I need (not so much the clothes as the toiletry type of items which can't be brought through security at the airport). I admit I'm a big fan of Lysol and after reading all the posts about the viruses and such I always like to spray the doorknobs, etc when we get to a hotel room.

But, I will definitely pack a carryon with everything we will need and let DME take care of everything else. I also discovered Garden Grocer on here and will place an order to have delivered to the room - what a great service!

Thanks to all for all the advice!

 

[Missytara]

Well, thanks to everyone to finally convince me to just let DME handle our bags! It wasn't that I was afraid they were going to lose the bags, I just feel more comfortable having them with us when we get to the resort with everything I need (not so much the clothes as the toiletry type of items which can't be brought through security at the airport). I admit I'm a big fan of Lysol and after reading all the posts about the viruses and such I always like to spray the doorknobs, etc when we get to a hotel room.

But, I will definitely pack a carryon with everything we will need and let DME take care of everything else. I also discovered Garden Grocer on here and will place an order to have delivered to the room - what a great service!

Thanks to all for all the advice!

You should always pack everything you would need for your first night in a carry-on, just in case the airline loses your luggage. It is even a better idea with families, so you don't have to drag your luggage all over the airport before getting to DME.

I got bronchitis last year, while I was down there with two other friends. I had taken the wipes just in case (and I found "green" ones, since I know Disney is big on that). They worked great and you don't have to worry about the 3-1-1 liquid thing. I had a packet of fifty (about the size of one sneaker) and used one every time I got up to use one of the door handles or the remote or the kitchenette. The other girls never got sick once and I had enough leftover, so I left them in the cabinet for the next person to use.

 

[NYTiz]

Really, the wipes can go through security? That's a great suggestion - Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I admit I'm a big fan of Lysol and after reading all the posts about the viruses and such I always like to spray the doorknobs, etc when we get to a hotel room.

I'm a firm believer in exposing oneself to germs to allow the system to develop its own defense system but instead of spray - take the wipes. Because they're primarily NOT liquid, they're fine in carry-on luggage, and you can direct usage EXACTLY where you want.

 

[Lewisc]

PPs are correct. SW baggage claim and the DME location are at opposite corners of MCO. Definitely use DME luggage delivery.

I'd go so far as to say passengers arriving late, who are told to get their own bags, might consider a car service. You'll be halfway to WDW in the length of time it would take to schelp your bags over to the DME desk.

 

[uva185]

I'm a firm believer in exposing oneself to germs to allow the system to develop its own defense system

+1

As a child I got sick more than usual, and now I NEVER get sick. I do not use anti-bacterial wipes, gels, etc. I do not get flu shots.

Exposing yourself to germs allows your body to develop natural antibodies.

The overuse of antibacterial products only helps to breed super bacteria. Notice the ads say it kills 99.9% of bacteria. Well now that 0.1% replicates and develops its own defense system to the antibacterial products.

 

[mad hatter fan]

I am thinking we will have to pick our bags ourselves for our Oct. trip since we arrive just after 10pm. I read in another post that there are no Disney people working picking out the DME bags at the airport after 10. Does this mean our bags would just sit there at the airport until morning? I would rather take the time to get them ourselves if this is the case.

 

[SDSorority]

+1

As a child I got sick more than usual, and now I NEVER get sick. I do not use anti-bacterial wipes, gels, etc. I do not get flu shots.

Exposing yourself to germs allows your body to develop natural antibodies.

The overuse of antibacterial products only helps to breed super bacteria. Notice the ads say it kills 99.9% of bacteria. Well now that 0.1% replicates and develops its own defense system to the antibacterial products.

I like to expose myself to germs, just not before vacation or while I'm on vacation Too much $$$ spent to be miserable! No flu shots for us either

That said, OP, DME does a GREAT job with Southwest getting the bags to your hotel room. We did that last trip (for the first time) and it was fantastic! They arrived in our room by the time I was out of the shower (like, 30 min after we got to the room? Stayed at ASMu).

The distance from where SW lands and where you get DME isn't far- just follow the directions that are included with your yellow bag tags. Just be SURE to put the yellow bag tags on your bags