South West Airlines and Magical Express

[disneynay]

Wow! Thanks to all for the quick replies. I was worried about SW, but couldn't pass on the low fares. Also nice to hear SW soon may become a participating airline.

 

[wdwnut61]

They send you luggage tags to put on your luggage (a few weeks before your arrival). They MUST be on there. The ME employees will take the information you provided them regarding your flight info and they will pick up your luggage frrom baggage claim. All you have to do is check in at the ME area. Then it's on the bus you go. Not too long later, your luggage will be in your room. SWA not participating simply means they don't check the luggage bag to the airline when you're departing. That part is your responsibility.

Thanks so much for the quick response.

 

[MulanMom]

I didn't see anyone mention this....when Magical Express brings you to the airport for your departing Southwest flight, the bus returns to the arriving guests area (where you first boarded the bus). For some reason, we thought the bus would drop us off in the departing guests area, enabling us to do curbside check-in. We had too many bags to maneuver ourselves. A skycap was available to load the bags and led us through the airport to SouthWest checkin. So you might want to be prepared to tip a skycap!

As for online checkin, I went to my resort front desk and they were able to do it for me as well as print out the boarding passes. It was my understanding it could be done at any WDW resort. Guest relations at the parks is unable to provide the service. I saw another poster's message a few weeks back mention checking in online via a cell phone with web access, then printing the boarding passes at the airport.

HTH!

 

[disneyde]

Thanks for posting this question. Just booked with SW last week for upcoming trip in Sept. good info to know.

 

[Nancyg56]

They send you luggage tags to put on your luggage (a few weeks before your arrival). They MUST be on there. The ME employees will take the information you provided them regarding your flight info and they will pick up your luggage frrom baggage claim. All you have to do is check in at the ME area. Then it's on the bus you go. Not too long later, your luggage will be in your room. SWA not participating simply means they don't check the luggage bag to the airline when you're departing. That part is your responsibility.

When I spoke to the CM to provide her with our flight info I was told that I would not recieve tags because we are using SWA. I am going to call back.

 

[laurenk]

I am flying SW and just got my tags in the mail for our upcoming trip.

Also, remember to pack ANYTHING that you will need, meds, glasses swim suit, etc. in a carry on. last time we used ME our luggage did not get to us until after midnight.

 

[goofy4tink]

For those of you that are getting info that says SW people don't get tags, can't use DME, etc. because it isn't a 'participating' airline......anyone, I repeat anyone, can use those yellow tags for arrival, via an airplane, into MCO. It does not matter what airline you are arriving on. 'Participating' only matters for your departure from your resort. These 'participating' airlines will allow you to check your luggage at your resort, as well as get your boarding passes...just like you would at the airport. Even if you are not flying home on one of those 'participating' airlines, you can still use DME...you just will have to bring your luggage to the bus with you. For those flying on SW...you can get your boarding pass printed out at your resort front desk, but you still have to bring your luggage to the bus with you.

 

[bobcat]

I didn't see anyone mention this....when Magical Express brings you to the airport for your departing Southwest flight, the bus returns to the arriving guests area (where you first boarded the bus). For some reason, we thought the bus would drop us off in the departing guests area, enabling us to do curbside check-in. We had too many bags to maneuver ourselves. A skycap was available to load the bags and led us through the airport to SouthWest checkin. So you might want to be prepared to tip a skycap!

Great info! We are using SWA so I have been reading everything on this topic trying to prepare. Once you arrive at the airport how far is it from where they drop you off to where you need to check in?

 

[mybgirl]

I am flying SW and just got my tags in the mail for our upcoming trip.

Also, remember to pack ANYTHING that you will need, meds, glasses swim suit, etc. in a carry on. last time we used ME our luggage did not get to us until after midnight.

Yes very good info , JUNE 2005 POFQ CK IN about 12'00 noon, (did not go to room) WENT RIGHT OVER TO MGM . A GREAT TIME

back to resort at 11'45 pm no luggage , came at 1'30 am

WE HAD EVERYTING we needed in are carry on . That help ,
everting work out fine .


MARY

 

[mking624]

When I spoke to the CM to provide her with our flight info I was told that I would not recieve tags because we are using SWA. I am going to call back.

What you were told isn't true. You DO get tags even if you're flying SWA. I still have my tags from last August (we have always used SWA). SWA not participating has absolutely nothing to do with your arrival...only with how your luggage is handled at departure.

 

[Nancyg56]

What you were told isn't true. You DO get tags even if you're flying SWA. I still have my tags from last August (we have always used SWA). SWA not participating has absolutely nothing to do with your arrival...only with how your luggage is handled at departure.

Thank you. This makes sense to me, but I did not want to bicker with a CM over the phone.

 

[alicenwonder99]

When we flew AA last year using ME, we didn't have to worry about our luggage, but here's some things I noticed about the people who weren't flying home using a participating airline:

- the ME bus driver helped put the luggage in the lower compartment of the bus,

- once we got to the airport, the people who were dropped off at SW had MANY sky caps waiting with luggage racks for them. The bus driver helped take all the luggage off...I wasn't watching after this, but I'll assume he got tipped. And of course, you have to tip the sky cap.

HTH.

Mary

 

[Tinkerbells mom]

For some reason I thought SW was going to be adding as a participating airline? Does anyone have info on this?