Questions About Magical Express/Southwest EB

[bellebookworm9]

We will be staying at AKV-Kidani. I know the time to be picked up is roughly 3 hours before the flight. Do you find this is enough time? Is there any way you can try to get an earlier departure time? What other resorts are normally stops with AKV? Also, I understand how to check in for my flight to Orlando, but coming back I've signed up for early bird so I don't have to worry about the T-24 hours part of it. Do I get my boarding pass at the airport when I check my luggage? Sorry for all the questions, but the last time we went was with a school group so I didn't have to worry about any of this; it was all pre-done and planned for us.

 

[ColinCodyMom]

Just replying to the three hours; it was more than enough time for us. I wouldn't have needed any earlier and we brought our luggage with us as well.

 

[Jestocost]

To answer the other question, yes, you will be able to get your boarding cards with the numbers assigned by EBCI when you check your bags at MCO.

 

[dacky041208]

3 hours is plenty of time. The last couple of trips, we were able to grab some dinner at MCO before we went to our gate. If you want to leave on an earlier bus, you might be able to set that up through ME. I guess even if they give you trouble, you could find a flight that leaves an hour before your flight leaves, then they would pick you up 4 hours before your real flight leaves.

As far as other resorts, that can always change. We were at AKL last summer, and after we were picked up, we did a stop at Pop Century and then headed to the Airport. I think the bus had already stopped at CSR before it got us.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, you CAN get an earlier pickup time. You can arrange it when you check in at the Welcome Center, or call the Resort Operator from your room at LEAST two days before departure and ask to be connected to Magical Express (or just call the toll-free number on your letter/packet by then) and ask for an earlier pickup. But, yes, three hours is plenty of time. It's not too much, not too little - it's "baby bear" i.e. just right

 

[bellebookworm9]

OK, thanks for the help! I'm one of those people who wants to be at the airport at least 2 hours ahead of time (as Southwest recommends) because our flight leaves at 1pm on a Friday. I'm just not sure how much time to allow for travel, drop off, unloading the luggage, checking the luggage/getting boarding passes, going through security, getting to the terminal, and getting some food. Last time, we had plenty of time to spare when we arrived at the airport (probably too much, in fact) but I don't know how early we were picked up, either.

 

[gortman65]

Also, as far as checking in for your departure flight, according to this post http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2431861,when you arrive at the DME Welcome Center at MCO, you can sign up for automatic check-in at the 24-hour mark. That way you won't have to worry about watching the clock to check in for your flight home, assuming you didn't pay for Southwest's early bird check-in service.