Southwest newbie....what do I need to know?

[daisyx3]

Southwest has the best fares for the trip we just threw together. We've flown to WDW many times but never southwest. I'm usually more comfortable picking seats ahead of time so our family of 5 at least gets to sit 3 and 2. However, our other option is airtran, and I don't like how they charge to pick seats, or charge for bags.
I do know that I have to get online 24 hours exactly before we get on the plane to be assigned to group A,B,C, etc. and that group A gets to board and pick their seats first.
I also know if we do ME I can't use the airline baggage check and we'll have to take the bags on the bus with us. Fine.
What else is important? The day before we leave,can I go to a resort hotel with business center to do my check-in if my hotel (POR)? I wasn't going to take the laptop but my phone has crappy internet.
Any tips are welcome.
Daisyx3

 

[*Seanaci*]

You've pretty much hit it on the nose with Southwest. If you want your family to sit together as usual, just log on to the website 24 hours before your departue and check-in. You'll be gaurunteed an "A" group boarding pass. We flew Southwest last year and got group A boarding (even though travelling with our then 18 month old son we could have boarded between A and B group, we chose to check in early so we could all sit together in a row rather than have the chance of being split 2 and 1). I was worried about the check in coming home because we have no laptop. But, I just used the computer at our hotel, checked us in and got A group again.

I don't know about the going to another resort w/ a buisness center to check for the return flight home. I would imagine it'd be ok. *shrugs*

Good luck!

Hope others can help with any other questions!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[helenk]

You are correct about getting the boarding passes 24 hours ahead, and that you can not use the Resort Check in for you luggage on the trip back to the airport.
You can go the concierge desk of any of the Disney resorts or Guest Services at any of the parks and a CM will check in on line for you and print the boarding passes.
I have found that paying for the early bird check in for my flight back home has been a great feature. I do not have to worry about where I need to be at the 24 hour check in point. Its $10 per person but to me it's been well worth it.

 

[dacky041208]

at the 24 hour point you can have Disney check you in. If you stop by a Concierge if your at a hotel, and if you're in a park, stop by guest relations.


edit: oops, helenk beat me by a few seconds...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Just so you know, even if you check in at T-24, you are not guaranteed an "A" boarding pass. Due to EBCI and connecting flights, you could also get a "B".

 

[Bobo912]

Southwest has the best fares for the trip we just threw together. We've flown to WDW many times but never southwest. I'm usually more comfortable picking seats ahead of time so our family of 5 at least gets to sit 3 and 2. However, our other option is airtran, and I don't like how they charge to pick seats, or charge for bags.
I do know that I have to get online 24 hours exactly before we get on the plane to be assigned to group A,B,C, etc. and that group A gets to board and pick their seats first.
I also know if we do ME I can't use the airline baggage check and we'll have to take the bags on the bus with us. Fine.
What else is important? The day before we leave,can I go to a resort hotel with business center to do my check-in if my hotel (POR)? I wasn't going to take the laptop but my phone has crappy internet.
Any tips are welcome.
Daisyx3

You don't have to take your bags to the bus with you when you arrive in Orlando. ME will pick them up and they will arrive in your room same as if you had flown on a "participating" airline. You will have to take them to the bus for your return trip to the airport, unless you are staying at Pop or one of the All Star resorts. If you are at one of the value resorts you can use RAC. A trial has been on-going at the values for quite some time. We used it last Oct at ASMu and it was very convenient.

 

[daisyx3]

That's OK--I'm sure with B we can still get 2 and 3, which is fine.
Daisyx3