Southwest and Magical Express??

[momoftwins]

Can you use Magical Express if your flying SWA?

Thanks and have a great day!

 

[safetymom]

Everyone can use Magical Express to handle their luggage on the inbound flight to Orlando. It is on the return trip that you will have to handle your own luggage. You will need to take it to the ME bus and then at the airport retrieve it and check in for your flight at the ticket counter.

If you do a search here on Transportation you will find many good discussions on ME.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep. Anyone flying into MCO can use it. You have to call Disney and make a reservation. They will need your flight numbers, date of arrival, date of departure, the resort you are staying in and the number of people in your party. Then, at some point, they will send you a booklet with instructions and your luggage tags. Hopefully, you will get them 2 weeks or more before you travel. You put the tags on all your checked luggage, it gets pulled out as soon as you get to MCO and put on a truck. You check in at the DME desk and hop on the bus.

Now, for your return....if you are flying SW you check out of your resort as usual. Leave your bags with bell services if you are eating/going to a park. When it is time to catch the bus, about 2 1/2 hrs. before flight time, you come back, get your bags and stow them under the bus and you hop on and go to MCO. If you are using a 'participating' airline the difference is..you can check-in for your flight at your resort. You will get your boarding passes, your luggage will then go directly to the airport and put on the plane. You eat/go to a park..whatever. When it is time to leave, you come back to the resort, hop on the bus (same as the 'non-participating' people are on!!) go to MCO and amble on down to the security area...no stopping at the check-in area.

 

[Rags]

Just wondering what airlines are a part of this program. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Just wondering what airlines are a part of this program. Thanks for the info!!!

Every airline that flies into Orlando International is "part of this program" for Disney's Magical Express. You can ride the Magical Express (ME) coaches both ways. And when traveling to WDW, you can check your luggage from your home airport directly to your WDW resort hotel. (It gets a little more complicated for international visitors who need to pass through U.S. Customs and Imigration at Orlando International.)

There is no participating airlines list for ME.

There is only a participating airlines list for Resort Airline Check-in. But you can use Magical Express without using Resort Airline Check-in, and you can use Resort Airline Check-in without using Magical Express.

Now, in answer to your question about participating airlines... According to the Disney Meetings website Disney's Magical Express FAQs:

Q: What is Resort Airline Check-in?

A: This service offers remote check-in, allowing you to check your luggage and receive your airline boarding pass at the Resort. At this time, remote check-in service is only available for guests flying domestically on the following airlines: American, Continental, Delta (including Song), and United (including Ted). Additional airlines may be added at a later date.​

If you aren't on a Resort Airline Check-in participating airline, your luggage can travel back to the airport in the luggage hold of the ME motorcoach. Once at the airport, you can check your bags and get your boarding pass.