Southwest and Magical Express

[mdurette]

We have friends in the world now and I was going to check them in tomorrow so they ensure a group A or B.

She called tonight and told me not to bother because SW is now part of the Magic Express boarding plan and they will take care of everything.

I find it strange that SW will still get their boarding passes (group) at the 24 hour window.

Can anyone confirm this?

(I should mention they are at the POP and I guess this is their "test" resort for this feature.)

 

[dburg30]

We have friends in the world now and I was going to check them in tomorrow so they ensure a group A or B.

She called tonight and told me not to bother because SW is now part of the Magic Express boarding plan and they will take care of everything.

I find it strange that SW will still get their boarding passes (group) at the 24 hour window.

Can anyone confirm this?

(I should mention they are at the POP and I guess this is their "test" resort for this feature.)

Yea, I sure dont think they will check you in without you being there to get checked in!! If you want a good boarding pass, I would make sure you get checked in at 24 hours via your phone, computer, customer service desk, someone back home etc etc.

Basically, no I cant confirm this, but I agree with you about it not sounding right

 

[all4disney98]

Reports I have read on this board indicate that you still have to check in at the 24 hour mark if you want a good position in line. The new offering at Pop is only to check your luggage in early and you can have them print your boarding pass. If you want a good place in line, you still have to check-in yourself the day before.

 

[mdurette]

that is what I thought to. I just can't see Disney actually calling on the 24 hour mark. I'm going to call her this morning and have her double check that.

 

[dburg30]

that is what I thought to. I just can't see Disney actually calling on the 24 hour mark. I'm going to call her this morning and have her double check that.

Well, if they insist that's how it works, let them 'try it out' for themselves . I'll tell people what I really think is going on, and if they dont believe me... well... sometimes living it is the best way to learn.

I have customers that need equipment worked on, or are having issues with something, we tell them what their problem is with about 99% accuracy, and they dont want to believe us, so we sell them what they want, then we sell them what they needed after they 'learn' we actually do know what we are doing

 

[ccgirl]

I stayed at POFQ when Southwest was not part of Magical Express. They still printed my boarding pass. I just went to the front desk 24 hrs in advance and asked them to "check in" for me and they did. They said they do this all the time. By checking in, they are simply printing the boarding pass and not handling any of the luggage. I still had to bring all my luggage but was still able to get in group A.

 

[CleveRocks]

We have friends in the world now and I was going to check them in tomorrow so they ensure a group A or B.

She called tonight and told me not to bother because SW is now part of the Magic Express boarding plan and they will take care of everything.

I find it strange that SW will still get their boarding passes (group) at the 24 hour window.

Can anyone confirm this?

(I should mention they are at the POP and I guess this is their "test" resort for this feature.)

You've gotten good advice above.

Resort Airline Check-in is a service exactly like curbside check-in at an airport, only instead of being locate at the curbside at the airport, it's located in or just outside your resort's lobby. You can only use RAC on the same day as your flight, and only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (and you can't use it any later than 3 hours before your flight).

You can't use RAC the day before, so therefore there would be no way to even hope to get an "A" boarding card for a SWA flight ... people everywhere else are trying to get that "A" boarding card 24 hours in advance, so you will quite literally be behind them in line.

If your flight home is tomorrow at Noon, let's say you walk up to the RAC desk today at Noon, hoping for that magical "A" boarding card. The RAC employee will tell you you can't use RAC on the day before your flight, and will probably direct you to go to your resort's Lobby Concierge desk to get yourself check-in online with SWA 24 hours in advance.

 

[Missytara]

ccgirl - you were able to do it because you were staying at a moderate resort, and they have concierge serving. I believe POP is a value resort and they do have concierge service, so they cannot print their boarding pass ahead of time.

That is another one of those good features with moderate over value resorts....

 

[Carriemel]

POP DOES have a concierge, and are able to print boarding passes.

 

[clanmcculloch]

ccgirl - you were able to do it because you were staying at a moderate resort, and they have concierge serving. I believe POP is a value resort and they do have concierge service, so they cannot print their boarding pass ahead of time.

That is another one of those good features with moderate over value resorts....

EVERY resort has a concierge desk, including values. They help with ADRs, tickets, and anything else that you have questions about. Each time I've stayed at Pop, I've gone to the concierge desk to check in and get my boarding passes.

 

[dburg30]

ccgirl - you were able to do it because you were staying at a moderate resort, and they have concierge serving. I believe POP is a value resort and they do have concierge service, so they cannot print their boarding pass ahead of time.

That is another one of those good features with moderate over value resorts....

As stated above, any front desk, or any customer relation booth in a park or DTD can do that for you!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, CAN do it if you go to the desk, show them the paperwork and ask them to, but won't do it automatically at 24 hours out, which is what I think that the OP's friend thinks will happen.

OP, check your friends in anyway. If they are already checked in when they go to surrender their baggage, they will have good seating positions lined up.

 

[Lewisc]

Even a C BP will get you on the plane. Your friend told you not to bother. Let Disney take care of it and get back to us.

Obviously I agree with the PP, I'm 99% sure they'll get the best available BP number when the RAC desk checks them in. SW holds back 1-15 for passengers who book business select. It's possible SW holds back some numbers, maybe high As for RAC passengers. It's also possible I'll win 80 million dollars playing lotto. I think my chances of winning Lotto is higher but you never know.

There is virtually no chance all BPs will be issued prior to your friends checking in at the RAC desk. Let them try it out.

 

[NotUrsula]

Or not. If they are travelling with small kids please don't let them get C's just to prove a point. That's not a nice thing to do to the other passengers or the crew.

 

[Lewisc]

Or not. If they are travelling with small kids please don't let them get C's just to prove a point. That's not a nice thing to do to the other passengers or the crew.

Where's the fun in that.

Parents with small kids are eligible for boarding between the As and Bs.

The fact that most of us think the OPs friend is wrong doesn't change the fact that we could be wrong. SW holds the first 15 slots for business select passengers. An unknown number of the next group is held for A listers. It's possible SW has a system to hold back some A or B BPs for RAC guests. Originally SW held back some A BPs for customers who waited to check in at the airport. All evidence indicates this is no longer the case.

 

[DebbieB]

I checked in last week at City Hall at MK. I was about 1 hour 20 min after the 24 hour mark, I got B31. I was by myself flying home, I lucked out with a lone aisle seat in the 2nd row!