Resort Airline Check-in. Need help, please!

[mollygirl13]

Has anyone used the Resort Airline Check-in? I hope to use the airline check-in but have never done it before. Can anyone who has done it walk me through the process? Do you check in the day before or the day of your filght? On our departure day, we have an 11 am flight so ME will be picking us up at 8am. Thanks for your help!

 

[robemcdo]

I have one answer for you...
DO IT
Depending on your airline, MCO can be a jungle. US AIR and NW baggage checkins were brutal and we almost missed our flight. We didn't use the disney service because we stayed offsite the last night.

The checkin at your resort opens at 6.am so you should have lots of time to take advantage. Dump your baggage there, get your boarding passes ,and get on your way. The one time we used it it was great.

 

[MareSINY]

I agree with Robemcdo. The resort airline check in has got to be the greatest invention. I've used it three times now and absolutely love it. Two of the times I used it I was traveling with one of my nieces on my own, and not having to worry about lugging a 4 year old and luggage was a real blessing.

The way it works is your hotel will have a location where you'll check in. I've used it at CR and Poly, both were right outside the main doors of the hotel. They have a desk with one or two people working. You give them your ID and the names of the other members in your family you are traveling with and they will give you your boarding passes and take your luggage and check it in, you'll get your ticket checks along with your boarding passes. Now all you'll have to do is get on the ME bus and head to the airport and your gate.

You honestly wont be disappointed with this service. I promise!

 

[FogliaFamily]

Keep in mind only certain airlines offer it. We used it our last trip as Air Tran was recently added and it was great. Check your bags, get your boarding pass and skip everything at the airport. The only thing with us is we didn't get seating together and she couldn't change it. Once at the gate they were able to move us though. We checked our bags at 9:00 and headed to the parks and then caught ME at 3:00 - worked perfect and will definitely use it again.

 

[pat fan]

We used it on our last trip and it was great!!
We got down there around 6:30 and there was no line at all!
They weigh the bags right there so if your bag IS overweight you can adjust things semi-privately....not on the curb at the airport in front of God and country...which you can tell I had to do at BDL on our departure flight
They give you your boarding pass and you are good to go! We headed to AK for the day and arrived at MCO with only our carry-ons via our rental car and then we were home! All our luggage arrived and it was the most hassle-free I've ever checked in! DO IT!!!

 

[mollygirl13]

Thanks for the responses!
Silly question: do you go to the check-in desk on the morning of your flight?
Also, do you get to pick your exact seating? I am asking because I am flying w/ my mother who is afraid of flying! She really needs to be seated directly next to me! Thanks again for all of the help!

 

[BCV23]

Yes, you go to the RAC desk the morning of your flight. I think the current hours are 5am - 1pm but you can check on the transportation forum. There is a sticky with info on ME and RAC. You must check your bags at least 3 hours before your flight.

Which airline? Southwest doesn't participate with RAC. I thought most other airlines preassigned seats.

 

[pat fan]

We did the whole "pick your seat" thing when we bought our tickets (Delta). Maybe other airlines are different? All we did was have them print our boarding passes. The seat assignments etc..were all taken care of.

At ASMusic there is a separate little stand next to the doors that go outside to the luggage area. That is where you do your airline check-in, not at the actual resort check-in desk.

 

[Guzzi]

We stayed at CSR in 06 and used the airline check in at the resort on our return. It was great, when you check out, there is a separate counter ( at CSR) to check in for the flight. They give you your boarding pass and I imagine assign seats, we flew jet blue and had seat assignments already, it couldnt have been easier and when we got to the airport via ME we just went to the appropriate gate

 

[mollygirl13]

Thanks for all of your help. We are flying Air-Tran and now I remember I paid extra money to pick our seats ahead of time. It looks like the resort check-in is a no-brainer!! I'm glad they offer it!

 

[bas71873]

GREAT, GREAT Service. We used resort checkin at Pop Century on February 9 (Saturday) and we had a ME pick up of 8:15 so I called the day before to schedule bell service. They picked up my bags at 7:00 and we headed down to check in. Waited in line maybe 10 minutes, got checked in and even made it on the 7:45 ME back to the airport. We had time to shop a little and eat breakfast before we headed through security to the gate. SOOOOO nice not having to deal with bags at the airport.

I would head down to resort check in about an hour early just to give you enough time...worked well for us on a busy departure day. Also, don't be alarmed if when they check you in your family is not seated together. We (2 Adults and a 4 yr. old) were scattered all over the plane, but when we got to the Air Tran gate, they got at least me and my daughter together.

Have a great trip.

 

[misricsmith]

DOES US AIR ?

 

[BCV23]

US Air is in a test phase with RAC right now. Only certain resorts at this point according to the FAQ. But the Polynesian is one.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

 

[misricsmith]

Thanks Whooa

 

[mr.mike]

Even though the hours state they are open until 1pm make sure you go early.

I got there at 12:45 and they wouldn't take our luggage saying they had to much already (?)

The GF staff was very nice though and got us a ride in one of their cars and took the luggage with us.

 

[YesMickey]

I would suggest getting to the resort airline check in at least 30mins. before your ME reservation time is. You may get down there and there is a 5-6 person deep line. Also remember you will have to go through security at MCO and that will take about 30mins. Then you wil have about 1 1/2 hrs. before your flight boards so you will have enough time to eat at the airport.

 

[tinklvr64]

LOVE IT! DO IT! Now if only Southwest was one of the carriers everything would be great! We flew United in the past because Southwest is not a participant, but now that United has decided to chg $25.00 for an extra bag ~forget it!

 

[Jestocost]

One other important factor to mention is that you can check bags/check in with RAC up to 12 hours in advance of your scheduled departure time and no later than three hours in advance. As a result, if you have a flight before 8:00 a.m. RAC is not an option and if you have a flight late in the evening you can't check in right when RAC opens.

 

[tejasranger]

We used airline checkin at POR. We flew AA. I was there at 6:00 the morning of the flight. Be sure you have your id with you. I had to go back to my room and get my ID. I had my travel papers with me just not my ID. I went back to my room and got my drivers license and there were only 2 more people in line. The guys knew I had already been there and they had my boarding pass printed. They just needed to match the ID. The bells will weigh your luggage for you. I had one bag overweight we took some out and put in another bag. After that they tagged and I never saw my luggage again until we got to dfw. They will give you your luggage tags. It was so easy and stress free. I am glad AA participates in this program.

 

[GrammyJudy]

You are talking about ME right? Check at the desk at your hotel but last year we stayed at POP and we were told what time to go to baggage check the morning we flew home. There was a desk right outside the hotel where the ME bus had dropped us off when we arrived. There were a few people ahead of me but no long wait. We had gotten a luggage cart from the front desk as there were 6 in our party.I stood in line for all...you need their photo ids and tickets. Then we waited maybe 10-15 minutes for the bus. We did not have any hassle at the airport just walked on into security and to the gate. We picked up our luggae at the airport and that was it. A great service from WDW. We had our assigned seats from the airline when we got our tickets we picked them Otherwise when you fly down get seats for your return trip or call the airline now and do it.