Southwest Airlines with Kids???

[niklynn1]

What are your thoughts on Southwest airlines and their boarding procedures? I bought roundtrip tickets with them from Kansas City to Orlando me (single mom) and my two kids, DD14 and DS11. We live in Iowa, but prices on Southwest out of KC were much cheaper than anything going out of DSM, so I bought them, thinking we'd just get a hotel near the airport the night before our early flight. However, I'm now getting a bit worried after reading lots of online negative reviews about families being split up and not sitting together. My kids certainly aren't toddlers, but this will only be their second time flying (their first being our Disney trip 3 years ago) and they are not going to feel good about being split up. I know you can check-in online 24 hours ahead, but does that really increase your chances of getting 3 seats together? And what about on the return flight? How can I check in online from the resort? I'm getting worried that a rough start on our flight there will get our hard earned "magical" vacation off to a bad start. Please share your experiences with me...
THANKS!

 

[kaysmom2002]

We fly SW alot with my family living in Stl and us in dallas. As long as reservation is all together and you check everyone in at the same time, you will get boarding numbers by each other. You pick your seats when you board. And if you do get separated in line, the first person can sit where there is 3 seats and save. They do it all the time. We have had only great experiences with SW. Hope you all do too!!

 

[Lucky St. Louis]

Check in at the 24 hour mark and you'll almost certainly get in the "A" group. The "A" group is first on the plane (after pre-boarding) and I've NEVER had a problem getting seats together. In fact, last week my internet was "down" and I couldn't log in until 45 minutes after the 24 hour mark. We were in the "B" group and were able to find seats together.

 

[JTDisney]

We never had issues getting on board first with the kids. If not, folks were always willing to move so we can be with our kids. Mostly because they would be stuck with ours if they didn't!

 

[mom2travel]

We fly SWA all the time and have never had a problem sitting the 4 of us together. Just check in on-line as close to 24 hours before your flight as you can to get a better boarding pass #.

 

[MrsPooh]

As for the return trip and getting your boarding passes. During our last stay at Poly we just went to the front desk at the 24 hour mark and they assisted us with getting it all taken care of and printed. I would think all of the Disney resorts would do this and most likely off-site ones too.

BTW, we LOVE SW and have never been split.

 

[deva]

Last time we flew SW the policy was that families that were not in group A got to board after the A's, but before all of the B's. If this is still the policy you will find seats together.

 

[michael's mom]

Last time we flew SW the policy was that families that were not in group A got to board after the A's, but before all of the B's. If this is still the policy you will find seats together.

I believe that they only allow families with a child under 4 to do this. But, I wouldn't worry. I know I'm not. We're flying SW in April and plan on checking in 24 hours before we go to get the A pass and then checking in either from our room (if we get the internet access) or from the front desk the day before so we can get our seats in the A group.

I actually posted a thread about how to check in from Disney and many people responded with the same answer...they all said that every Disney resort will let you check in from the front desk. One person said that they checked in from Guest Relations in Epcot!

Have fun!

 

[Leajess99]

What are your thoughts on Southwest airlines and their boarding procedures? I bought roundtrip tickets with them from Kansas City to Orlando me (single mom) and my two kids, DD14 and DS11. We live in Iowa, but prices on Southwest out of KC were much cheaper than anything going out of DSM, so I bought them, thinking we'd just get a hotel near the airport the night before our early flight. However, I'm now getting a bit worried after reading lots of online negative reviews about families being split up and not sitting together. My kids certainly aren't toddlers, but this will only be their second time flying (their first being our Disney trip 3 years ago) and they are not going to feel good about being split up. I know you can check-in online 24 hours ahead, but does that really increase your chances of getting 3 seats together? And what about on the return flight? How can I check in online from the resort? I'm getting worried that a rough start on our flight there will get our hard earned "magical" vacation off to a bad start. Please share your experiences with me...
THANKS!

When we flew Southwest out of MCI (Kansas City) my kids both sat next to me. We flew on a full flight at Christmas and none of the families with kids were split up.

 

[strmtroopr96]

I actually posted a thread about how to check in from Disney and many people responded with the same answer...they all said that every Disney resort will let you check in from the front desk. One person said that they checked in from Guest Relations in Epcot!!

We have used Southwest for a few years now and never getting seats together and have had up to 7 people at a time mostly with A passes but sometimes B passes.

For our flights home, we have been able to check in at different resorts depending on where we were that day as well as at Guest Services in the parks. The CM's had no problems doing this.

 

[lindsmom]

Also if you have internet capability on your cell phone, you can check in that way. I believe it's southwest.mobile or something like that - you can get the info from their website. Last year I checked in from in front of Japan while DH and DD watched the "candy lady"! Although if you do, I recommend a trial run first so you can see how it works and you won't panic. Also, like others mentioned, guest services at the parks can do it for you.

 

[fauna74]

We always fly SW, never a problem. We check in on-line at the 24 hour mark.

When we flew to MCO last Dec. there was a dad and kid (they were almost last boarding) that couldn't find two seats together. The flight crew announced that the plane WILL NOT take off until they are seated together and anyone who moves to accommodate them would receive a free adult beverage. There were several volunteers (the DH among them).

 

[Kallista]

We fly SW a lot and never have a problem. If you check in the night before, you should be in the first boarding group.

If you can't get seats together, ask the flight attendant. I've seen lots of SW flight attendants ask if anyone is willing to move so that family members can sit together.

I've moved several times, for parents with small children.

 

[sunlover13]

Yep, like everyone else said, check-in online 24 hours prior and you will most definitely get an A pass. Even if you get a B, you will probably still find 3 seats together.

On your return trip, you can ask the resort to print your boarding passes or if you are at a park, just go to their guest relations. I had ours printed at the Magic Kingdom.

Just keep in mind there might be a line at guest relations so you might want to head over there 10 minutes before your 24 hour checkin time.

Have a great trip!

 

[nelep]

I was told by Fort Wilderness front desk that you can only print your boarding pass at the resort you are staying at.

We were at MK at the 24 hour mark. I took a nice break and hopped on the Monorail to the Contemporary. They printed it for me there, no problem! I also got some shopping done and enjoyed a few moments of silence! HA!

Although, I never thought of guest relations inside the park! That's even better!

 

[niklynn1]

Okay, I'm feeling a bit better, however, one thing may still be a problem. OUr departing flight leaves at 7:15 a.m. It stinks that it's so early, but it was much cheaper than other later flights. I understand with SW that maybe I can change without fees if the price on a later afternoon flight changes between now and then, correct? But, if not, will the resort desk even be open at the 24 hour mark for me to check in?

 

[sunlover13]

Okay, I'm feeling a bit better, however, one thing may still be a problem. OUr departing flight leaves at 7:15 a.m. It stinks that it's so early, but it was much cheaper than other later flights. I understand with SW that maybe I can change without fees if the price on a later afternoon flight changes between now and then, correct? But, if not, will the resort desk even be open at the 24 hour mark for me to check in?

I'm not sure what time the concierge at the resort opens, but I would think they would be at 7:15. If they are not open, I would just go to the check in desk and they might be able to do it for you. If you are really worried about it, someone at home can check you in or you can do it on your cell phone if you have internet access. If someone does it for you at home, you can print your boarding passes at the airport.

Yes, you can change your flight at SW and get a credit which is good for 1 year. I had a $300 credit from our last trip to Disney and I didn't think I'd be using the SW credit within 1 year so I sold it to my friend for $275. Saved her $25 and got most of my credit in cash. You can even change your flight. If a later flight is available for the same price or cheaper and you want to change, you can do that too!

Check your flights daily b/c you never know when the price will change!

 

[delmar411]

Okay, I'm feeling a bit better, however, one thing may still be a problem. OUr departing flight leaves at 7:15 a.m. It stinks that it's so early, but it was much cheaper than other later flights. I understand with SW that maybe I can change without fees if the price on a later afternoon flight changes between now and then, correct? But, if not, will the resort desk even be open at the 24 hour mark for me to check in?

resort desks are open 24hrs/day. And I would certainly change that flight if possible as you'll be getting picked up by Magical Express at 4:15am (might be closer to 4am) and you need to be there at least 15mins prior so the middle of the night. I've done it 2x and it was truly miserable.

 

[mamacatnv]

Okay, I'm feeling a bit better, however, one thing may still be a problem. OUr departing flight leaves at 7:15 a.m. It stinks that it's so early, but it was much cheaper than other later flights. I understand with SW that maybe I can change without fees if the price on a later afternoon flight changes between now and then, correct? But, if not, will the resort desk even be open at the 24 hour mark for me to check in?

I/We fly SWA almost exclusively. I have been on flights before the new number system where the flight attendants have announced they had a family and would people be willing to move to accomodate, I have never seen passengers refuse. Now, maybe us west coast travelers are just nicer, I don't know

You should download ding from SWA - if you find a ding that is cheaper, cancel your exisiting reservations and then rebook with the ding. It is probably too late now, but I never book round trips with SWA I always book one ways, that way if a better fare or a ding comes along I can switch the reservations easier.

Boarding passes - they do not have to be printed when you do your 24 hour check in. You can obtain boarding passes at the airport upon your arrival.

I have had concierge check us in as well as friends/family depending on what was going to work out best.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

we live in Iowa and drive to KC to fly southwest too (however we are closer to Omaha than Des Moines) We have never had problems with being split up.