Questions about Disney Magical Express

[slickpoetry]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this. A mod could move it if they want.

We want to use ME to get back to the airport after our trip in January. The return flight I'm probably going to book is at 8 PM and I wondered if that was going to be a problem since checkout time for the resort is at 11 AM. So if anyone has answers to the following please let me know:

1. We are flying Southwest. Can we check our bags when we check out of the room, even though the flight isn't until many hours later? I would just want to hold onto a couple backpacks for the rest of the day.
2. What time do we have to board the ME to go back to the airport? Is there any checkin procedure I would need to be aware of?
3. I think I would want to check out of the room at 9 and do a park visit or downtown Disney until we have to board ME for the airport. Would we be able to use other Disney transportation to maybe go to a park or downtown disney, and take us back to the resort to catch our ME ride? Or would that be a problem since we're no longer "resort guests" at that time?

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this. A mod could move it if they want.

We want to use ME to get back to the airport after our trip in January. The return flight I'm probably going to book is at 8 PM and I wondered if that was going to be a problem since checkout time for the resort is at 11 AM. So if anyone has answers to the following please let me know:

1. We are flying Southwest. Can we check our bags when we check out of the room, even though the flight isn't until many hours later? I would just want to hold onto a couple backpacks for the rest of the day.
2. What time do we have to board the ME to go back to the airport? Is there any checkin procedure I would need to be aware of?
3. I think I would want to check out of the room at 9 and do a park visit or downtown Disney until we have to board ME for the airport. Would we be able to use other Disney transportation to maybe go to a park or downtown disney, and take us back to the resort to catch our ME ride? Or would that be a problem since we're no longer "resort guests" at that time?

Thanks!

1. Yes.
2. Rule of thumb is 3 hours before your flight departure time.
You will be given an exact time (info slid under your room door) the day before your checkout date. You just need your MB or park ticket.
3. Yes. That's what many guests do.
BTW, you have full resort privileges all of check-out day, including the resort pool, advance FP+ booking (if you have a ticket) and park EMH entry and use.

AND, as long as we're discussing things...
ANYONE at ANY TIME can ride WDW transportation (buses, trams, shuttle boats, monorails) for free.
No resort stay is needed. No park ticket is required.

 

[amomma23]

Resort Airline Check-In (RAC) is what you will use in the morning. Just like curbside at the airport. Keep what you need for the day separate because you won't have access to whatever you check until you arrive home.

 

[slickpoetry]

awesome! thanks for the help guys! looks like we can get a sixth park day out of this trip for not much more money.

 

[Alesia]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this. A mod could move it if they want.

We want to use ME to get back to the airport after our trip in January. The return flight I'm probably going to book is at 8 PM and I wondered if that was going to be a problem since checkout time for the resort is at 11 AM. So if anyone has answers to the following please let me know:

1. We are flying Southwest. Can we check our bags when we check out of the room, even though the flight isn't until many hours later? I would just want to hold onto a couple backpacks for the rest of the day.
2. What time do we have to board the ME to go back to the airport? Is there any checkin procedure I would need to be aware of?
3. I think I would want to check out of the room at 9 and do a park visit or downtown Disney until we have to board ME for the airport. Would we be able to use other Disney transportation to maybe go to a park or downtown disney, and take us back to the resort to catch our ME ride? Or would that be a problem since we're no longer "resort guests" at that time?

Thanks!

1. yes.
2. Assuming that you're flying domestically, your DME pick up time will be 3 hours (plus or minus 15 minutes) before your flight. You must be at the platform, completely ready to go, 15 minutes before your pick up time. Plan to be back at your resort 1 hour before your pick up time. If you miss your bus, you're on your own.
3. Anyone can use disney transportation - resort guest or not. Having said that, your resort guest privileges extend to midnight on the day you check out.

 

[danny1649]

Your post would be better fit on Transportation Board. You have received good information from our Board members, so I will not move. Have a great vacation

 

[Aurora0427]

awesome! thanks for the help guys! looks like we can get a sixth park day out of this trip for not much more money.

We did this on our last trip- took a 7:15pm flight. We did the resort airline check in. They took our bags and we headed to Magic Kingdom. It actually made the last day of our trip less depressing because we knew we had one more day at MK on check out day. We went to MK from 9-3, took the boat to the Grand Floridian, and hopped on magical express!

 

[preemiemama]

Resort Airline Check-In (RAC) is what you will use in the morning. Just like curbside at the airport. Keep what you need for the day separate because you won't have access to whatever you check until you arrive home.

I would agree with everything you have been told- we did this last summer with Southwest as well. I would add that one of the resort privileges you will have is access to bell services. You can keep any carry on items checked with them until you return to the resort to board the ME to the airport- you don’t have to lug them around the parks all day!

 

[Luv2Run]

We had an 8:30pm return flight with Southwest on our last trip, so we did RAC for our checked bags in the morning, left our carry-on bags with bell services, then headed to DTD for a late lunch & some last-minute souvenir shopping. We also had a few pints at Raglan Road, lol. It was nice having that downtime before the madness of the airport. Just be sure not to lose track of the clock and allow yourself some time to get back to your resort to retrieve your carry-ons before boarding DME.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this. A mod could move it if they want.

We want to use ME to get back to the airport after our trip in January. The return flight I'm probably going to book is at 8 PM and I wondered if that was going to be a problem since checkout time for the resort is at 11 AM. So if anyone has answers to the following please let me know:

1. We are flying Southwest. Can we check our bags when we check out of the room, even though the flight isn't until many hours later? I would just want to hold onto a couple backpacks for the rest of the day.
2. What time do we have to board the ME to go back to the airport? Is there any checkin procedure I would need to be aware of?
3. I think I would want to check out of the room at 9 and do a park visit or downtown Disney until we have to board ME for the airport. Would we be able to use other Disney transportation to maybe go to a park or downtown disney, and take us back to the resort to catch our ME ride? Or would that be a problem since we're no longer "resort guests" at that time?

Thanks!

1. Yup......you can check your bags when you leave the resort in the morning. Just be sure to put those boarding passes in a safe place!! You can leave any carry on bags with Bell Services until it's time to leave. You can find the RAC counter outside most resorts. They used to be inside, but it seems that most are now outside....simple enough to find.

2. For an 8pm flight, your pick-up time will be around 5pm-ish. It could be at 4:45 or 5:15, or any time in-between. BUT.....be sure to be back at your resort in time to get any bags from Bell Services....any carry on bags. You need to be out at the DME bus stop at least 15 mins prior to your stated pick up time. The time you are given is the time the bus should be leaving the resort!!

3. You fully entitled to use all perks/amenities until midnight of your check out day!!! So, go, have fun. You are resort guests until you get on the bus and, sadly, leave!!

 

[mouseguy77]

You can participate in EMH after midnight as well. For example, if the MK closes at midnight, but EMH extends the hours to 1 or 2 am, you can stay and play.

 

[Robo]

You can participate in EMH after midnight as well. For example, if the MK closes at midnight, but EMH extends the hours to 1 or 2 am, you can stay and play.

Agreed.
Probably simplest said as "Valid until close-of-business on checkout day."

 

[matheke]

Resort Airline Check-In (RAC) is what you will use in the morning. Just like curbside at the airport. Keep what you need for the day separate because you won't have access to whatever you check until you arrive home.

Just remember the TSA's list of prohibited items for your carry-ons and liquid requirements.

We have had later flights and try to plan to be back to the resort about an hour before ME time and usually get something to eat and one last trip through the gift shop and then relax until the bus arrives.

Don't wait until the last minute to get any bags out of Bell Services as many of them will be helping guest that are checking in and it may take up to 10 minutes to get you bags and maybe longer if they have locked anything in the secure cage (Like a laptop).