RAC procedure

[lidec]

Weve been to Disney a few times but RAC is new to us. Can someone explain the procedure to use RAC. We are staying at POFQ and flying SW and using DME. Thanks

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm going to assume you know about departing with DME. So...to use RAC..
You need to be all done with your transaction no less than 3 hrs before your flight departure. For instance..if your flight is at noon, you have to have your bags checked and boarding passes in hand, no later than 9am. If your flight is at 8am, you won't be able to use RAC...simply because the RAC counter opens at 5am. So..anyone with flights before 8:30 is going to basically have to take their bags with them, back to MCO.
With that in mind....
You take your bags, and ID, down to the RAC counter at your resort. They will check your ID, then weigh your bags and tag them. Say goodbye to your bags here..you don't see them again until you get to your home airport. Then, you will get your boarding passes issued.
Depending on the time you can either take your carryon bags with you and head out to the DME bus stop...if the bus is due soon. But, if you have hours to kill, you can leave your carryon bags with Bell Services and head off to enjoy the last few hours of your vacation. Return to the resort about 45 mins before your designated pickup time. By the way...that pickup time is the time the bus leaves, not when you should show up. Be out at the bus stop, carryon bags in hand, ready to go, about 15 mins before your pickup time.
It may take Bell Services a few minutes to get your carryons out, so leave enough time.

 

[lidec]

When we arrive at MCO and go down to DME do we have to arrange anything then for our return using RAC? There was a discussion about going to the Welcome Center upon arrive to MCO to pre-register to use RAC for our return home.

 

[carol-lamb]

When we arrive at MCO and go down to DME do we have to arrange anything then for our return using RAC? There was a discussion about going to the Welcome Center upon arrive to MCO to pre-register to use RAC for our return home.

I just used RAC last week for the first time and it was great. I did check in at the DME desk when we arrived at Orlando and they took the info down for my return flight. I had a 12:00 noon flight out of Orlando last Thursday and I think on Tuesday morning there was an envelope on my door from DME with my shuttle voucher and instructions on how to use RAC. I did have to call a number to pay the checked bag fee using a credit card. I think they charged $2 extra per bag for this service - total to check three bags was $75 (flew Delta which charges $23 per bag). The person helping me was very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. I then called bell services and told them I needed someone to pick up my bags and provide transportation to the Custom House (I was staying at CBR) at 8:00 am on the morning of my departure. The woman from the checked bag place did tell me that CBR can be busy with checkouts so she was the one who told me to be there one hour before my shuttle to the airport. Bell services was right on time and luckily there was no one in front of me at the RAC counter. My bags were checked and my boarding passes were printed in 15 minutes and we were even able to get on the 8:30 shuttle. I was a little worried about how it would all work out because I was traveling with two teenagers and my husband was not with me. I worried for nothing. It was very convenient and easy.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is not mandatory to arrange your DME trip back to the airport as soon as you arrive in Orlando.

Sometimes a CM at the welcoming area will direct you out to the bus, skipping the welcoming counter.

But you need to have the DME trip back arranged at least a day in advance.

Information about RAC for your baggage going home, including arranging payment, can be gotten at the resort too.

 

[goofy4tink]

If I have anything strange about my return home, I like to go to the DME checkin counter and be sure they have all the info. It used to be, way back when, that you had to go to the counter to checkin (they didn't wave you through to the bus lines) where they would ask if your return flight info was the same. If there had been any changes, you could make them right there.

Now, with the CM's just checking your vouches and sending you right to the bus lines, where your voucher is scanned, there is no way to be certain they have the correct return info.

 

[Missytara]

If you don't want to carry your bags all the way to the RAC desk, you can contact Guest Services about two to three days ahead of schedule to have them come to your room. They are very, very prompt, so when you give them an exact time, make sure you are ready.