RAC ?: does everyone in your party have to be there?

[AimeeMichele]

We are wanting to utilize the resort airline check-in service so that we don't have to lug our bags through the airport.

I've read that you can only check your bags with RAC 12 hours before your flight. My flight departs at 7:20 pm. I'm assuming that everyone will need to be there so that they can check our IDs and print out our boarding passes? Is that true? How long does this take? We have an 8:10 am ADR for Tusker House at 8:10 am. I'm hoping that we will be able to get into a cab and make it there on time.

HELP

 

[Missytara]

We are wanting to utilize the resort airline check-in service so that we don't have to lug our bags through the airport.

I've read that you can only check your bags with RAC 12 hours before your flight. My flight departs at 7:20 pm. I'm assuming that everyone will need to be there so that they can check our IDs and print out our boarding passes? Is that true? How long does this take? We have an 8:10 am ADR for Tusker House at 8:10 am. I'm hoping that we will be able to get into a cab and make it there on time.

HELP

The RAC opens at 5:00 am; you can check your bags at 7:20/7:30 am - which is the earliest you can check bags for a 7:20 pm flight. It is open until 1:00 pm, so people will be at the desk in dribs and drabs all morning, but the most crowded is at check-out time at 11:00 am.

Usually, the desk are right out front, so you can quickly catch a cab. But you have to remember the travel time and walking distance to the Tusker House. I would change it for at least 8:30 am.

 

[klynn]

I thought the latest you could check your luggage with RAC was at least 3 hours before your flight. Are you saying you read that it is now 12 hours before?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

As Missytara noted, RAC operates from 5 AM until 1 PM.

As far as the check-in window, here's the official word from an official DME FAQ:

Q: How early can I check-in for my flight using the Resort Airline Check-in Service?

A: You may check in up to 12 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time.

Q: How far in advance of the scheduled flight time do I need to check-in using the Resort Airline Check-in Service?

A: You must check in no less than 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time.

 

[crashbb]

I thought the latest you could check your luggage with RAC was at least 3 hours before your flight. Are you saying you read that it is now 12 hours before?

No, the PP is saying that the EARLIEST you can check in your bags is 12 hours before. So, since the OP has a 7:20pm flight, the bags cannot be checked in before 7:20am. They could, if they wanted, come back after breakfast and check in the bags (but I doubt that would work with park plans).

 

[Traveliz]

We are wanting to utilize the resort airline check-in service so that we don't have to lug our bags through the airport.

I've read that you can only check your bags with RAC 12 hours before your flight. My flight departs at 7:20 pm. I'm assuming that everyone will need to be there so that they can check our IDs and print out our boarding passes? Is that true? How long does this take? We have an 8:10 am ADR for Tusker House at 8:10 am. I'm hoping that we will be able to get into a cab and make it there on time.

HELP

Not sure who is in your group but everyone does not necessarily have to be there:

Only those flying participating airlines may check thier luggage & get boarding passes at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk. EVERYONE must be present (exceptions: Adults over 18 can check in for spouse & kids under the age of 18, but not in-laws, grandparents, brother/sister, etc).

Liz

 

[clkelley]

For this very reason, we don't use RAC and always stay in a value. We also schedule the latest flight possible.

Because you are in a deluxe, you will need to call bell services NLT than 6am, wait on them to show up for the bags, then follow them to the front, then wait on your time to check in with RAC, then take a cab to your breakfast.

Staying in a value, we call Luggage Services the night before and tell them we want our bags picked up any time after 8am the next day.

We get up, get dressed, stack our bags by the door with a tip on them, then we are off for the day. We don't have to wait on anyone or any time frame to do things but our own.

We arrive back to our value resort about 3 hours before our pickup time and chill at the bar and then about an hour before our pickup time, grab our luggage and wait for the bus. We sometimes even get on an earlier bus if one shows up, then we go to the airport, check our bags and then chill some more at the bar at the airport.

I don't know, for some reason dealing with luggage AT WDW front desks makes me cranky.

By using DME and the luggage delivery arriving, I only deal with luggage at my home and in my hotel room.

On departure day, I only deal with it in my hotel room and then AFTER we've stopped vacation mode in our mind and are in going home mode. Dealing with bell services or RAC the morning of our last day just kills vacation mode in my mind.

 

[Missytara]

I thought the latest you could check your luggage with RAC was at least 3 hours before your flight. Are you saying you read that it is now 12 hours before?

You are picked up by the ME bus at least three hours before, unless you are an international traveler, it is four hours.

 

[AimeeMichele]

For this very reason, we don't use RAC and always stay in a value. We also schedule the latest flight possible.

Because you are in a deluxe, you will need to call bell services NLT than 6am, wait on them to show up for the bags, then follow them to the front, then wait on your time to check in with RAC, then take a cab to your breakfast.

Wait, so I can't bring our bags with us to the front? I would rather do that, then call for Bell Services at 6am, wait for them to come, etc. If I would have to call Bell Services at 6am for them to get our bags, I will just cancel our breakfast. I'm not waking everyone up at 5am to get to a breakfast.

Our car service is picking us up between 5:30 - 5:45 pm for our 7:20 pm, so I don't want to have to worry about checking bags at the airport. My group is myself, my two nephews (8 & 4), my mom and my brother, so it appears that all of us will really need to be present. I'm going to try to see if it works, if not then we'll just store our bags with bell services and I'll have to change the time of my car pick up to earlier.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Wait, so I can't bring our bags with us to the front? I would rather do that, then call for Bell Services at 6am, wait for them to come, etc.

Guests at all WDW resorts, including deluxe resorts, can bring their own bags to their resort's RAC location.

There is no requirement to use bell services at any WDW resort. It can be a nice option if someone wants assistance. (By the way, DME only covers the bell services gratuity for the delivery of bags from the airport to the room; on check-out day, the guest is responsible for any gratuities.)

 

[AimeeMichele]

Guests at all WDW resorts, including deluxe resorts, can bring their own bags to their resort's RAC location.

There is no requirement to use bell services at any WDW resort. It can be a nice option if someone wants assistance. (By the way, DME only covers the bell services gratuity for the delivery of bags from the airport to the room; on check-out day, the guest is responsible for any gratuities.)

I use them when I arrive at the resort and always tip them. I used to be in the service industry (many moons ago) so understand the importance of tipping.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I use them when I arrive at the resort and always tip them. I used to be in the service industry (many moons ago) so understand the importance of tipping.

Do you wait in your room for up to 3 hours, just so that you can tip Bell Services?

Or do you check in, go to your room, leave your carry-ons, perhaps change, and then go a park, the pool, or a restaurant?

I do the latter!

Be aware that bell service gratuities for inbound DME luggage delivery to you room are covered by Disney. That's why you don't have to hang around your room waiting for bell services on your arrival day. While you're out having fun, they'll leave your bags in your room.

If you happen to be there at the time, and you want to tip more (especially for anything above and beyond simply dropping off the bags), that is, of course, fine.

Here's the official word from an official DME FAQ:

Q: Are Bell Service gratuities included for luggage delivery to my Resort room?

A: Yes, but only for inbound service if we handle your pre-tagged luggage. If you hand-carry your luggage onto the motor coach, gratuities are not included. Upon departure, gratuities are not included if you elect to use Bell Services for luggage assistance.
​

 

[AimeeMichele]

I don't use ME (had a bad experience with it and haven't tried it since), so I use a car service. I would never wait for my luggage to arrive if I used ME, to me park / vacation time is too valuable to waste sitting in a room waiting for my luggage to arrive. Well, that and I'm way too excited to sit still! The very first thing I do is jump on the bed...what can I say Disney brings out my inner 5 year old!

 

[rewok]

exceptions: Adults over 18 can check in for spouse & kids under the age of 18, but not in-laws, grandparents, brother/sister, etc).
Liz

I'd like to contradict that from personal experience. I know it's stated in the RAC paper you have in your room, but they've always asked to see both ID for DH and I, no way could I have checked us both without him present. I wouldn't take the chance and have to go back and fetch the spouse! probably works for kids, but no experience on that.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'd like to contradict that from personal experience. I know it's stated in the RAC paper you have in your room, but they've always asked to see both ID for DH and I, no way could I have checked us both without him present. I wouldn't take the chance and have to go back and fetch the spouse! probably works for kids, but no experience on that.

My brother in law always checks in for my sister. He just takes her ID with him to the desk. Never had problem with it.

 

[n2mm]

I'd like to contradict that from personal experience. I know it's stated in the RAC paper you have in your room, but they've always asked to see both ID for DH and I, no way could I have checked us both without him present. I wouldn't take the chance and have to go back and fetch the spouse! probably works for kids, but no experience on that.

I agree, we too have had to show both IDs. We find the rules are different at each resort. At the BWV we ALL had to show IDs. At the AKV only one of us did. At BLT/CR in May all of the adults had to show IDs. So now we all go just so there's no confusion.

 

[AlexDurrani]

The last time I flew Continental to Orlando back in December of 2008, I received my boarding passes and bag tags with the letter they usually send to let you know when DME will be picking you up the next day. The last 3 trips I made afterwords was on SWA which DME doesn't coordinate easily with so I didn't get the option.

 

[Lewisc]

I thought I read the 12 hour rule is a policy but not an absolute rule. You might be able to check your bags more then 12 hours before your flight.

 

[Traveliz]

I'd like to contradict that from personal experience. I know it's stated in the RAC paper you have in your room, but they've always asked to see both ID for DH and I, no way could I have checked us both without him present. I wouldn't take the chance and have to go back and fetch the spouse! probably works for kids, but no experience on that.

I think they just ask IF they are standing right there as a matter of routine. You can check in online (at home) without showing an ID. You will still be showing IDs to get through security at the airport.

My husband has checked us both in before while I am stil in the room.

Liz

 

[AimeeMichele]

I will ask them at the Grand once I'm there to see what they say since it seems like what's "required" isn't consitent. Hopefully they will let me just bring all ids with me, but if not then we'll just cancel Tusker House and go there next year.