Suitcases in car...

[alibeau]

So we are heading home tomorrow and for the first time we have to be out of the villa for 11am so we are planning on spending the day at Epcot.

We would never dream of leaving cases in the car in the UK but DH is worried about our cases going astray if we drop them at VA DTD He would rather leave them in the car at Epcot for the day? This seems crazy to me

His case went astray last year with VA (checked in a MCO tho) so I guess that's why he is panicing about his case?!!?

Any thoughts?

Ali

 

[canadiankim]

We have done that in the past and it was fine. So long as you have a car with a full boot and then don't go in to it when you first park it, no-one will have clue that its full.

Enjoy your last day.

 

[alibeau]

Hmmmm we have a Chevvy Traverse with dark windows in the back but you can see into the boot area where the cases would be......

Ali

 

[catherine]

We would never leave our suitcases in the car. I'm always worried about leaving our carry on stuff. We always check in at DTD and have never had a problem with our suitcases going missing When DH was younger they left some stuff in his dad's car at DL CA and that got broken into and the stuff was taken. If I were you I'd just check them in at DTD, that way if a case goes missing at least you'll get it back!

 

[disneyholic family]

i have to say your husband sounds irrational.
his suitcase went astray last year after checking it in at MCO!!
so he's already painfully aware that your luggage can be lost no matter where you check it in and if you use the DTD advance check in at least you'll have the convenience of not having to drag them around with you.
Plus you'll have that part of the airport process out of the way.

As for leaving your suitcases in the car - we did it once, but i was very nervous about doing so.
stuff is definitely stolen from cars.
i work for a company with 25,000 employees each with a company laptop.
Several hundred laptops are stolen every year, with the vast majority stolen from car boots. And most of those in the US during company travel.
You said you would never dream of leaving them in the car in the UK.
Do you think that the US is more secure than the UK????

 

[Elise79]

I would use the DTD check in - we have used it every time with no problem.

I would either check in at DTD or as we stay onsite leave our luggage with bell services. No way would I leave stuff in the boot if I didn't have to.

 

[Lisa x]

I can understand why your husband would be concerned about leaving them when he has had one go missing before. But like others have said, better for it to go missing at the airport and be able to get it back than leave it in your car, have it stolen and never see it again!

 

[wilma-bride]

I can understansd the reason why your DH is worried, however, there are no guarantees that luggage won't go missing. He will have to let the luggage out of his sight at some point, whether in the morning at DTD or in the afternoon/evening when checking in at the airport.

Personally, I wouldn't leave my luggage int he car all day if I had another option. DTD check-in sounds like the most sensible option for you.

 

[angelbaby29871]

I wouldn't leave luggage in the car whilst in a park if it gets broken into you may not be covered insurance wise. The checking at DTD is better. If they lose it you get compensation. Whilst at Sanford we got talking to a guy who had only stopped his car to check his map and got robbed at the roadside of his belongings sitting on the passenger seat.

 

[london75]

I'd also say DTD is arguably the best place to check a bag in as it's Virgin only and segregated from all other airlines straight away rather than off down the multi airline conveyors which is potentially where the tags come off and it gets mixed up.

Although I assume it goes through security at MCO, there must be a good chance it goes through together and stays in one batch rather than mixed up with other airlines.

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd use DTD if you are with Virgin.

Last year we used offairportcheckin who are based at lake buena vista outlets. They offer the same service as Virgin DTD check in but for other airlines - we flew with US Airways last year. Really good service - will use again this year.

A year or two ago someone on the dibb was robbed enroute to the airport - they had stopped for a bite to eat at checkers on I drive.

 

[alibeau]

Many thanks guys

Sometimes just need to check that it is not me who had lost my mind!! I will defo be checkin mine and kids cases in at DTD! If he wants to leave his in the car for the day, that's up to him

Thanks again.

Ali

 

[wayneg]

Odd one out here, we almost always leave luggage in the car, DTD is great if flying PE, hate it in economy, twice used it twice 1 hour plus to check in, not worth it to me when I can do OLCI and bag drop at the airport in 2 minutes.
This next trip we will check out then drive down to Tampa, won't have time for a park.

 

[london75]

Odd one out here, we almost always leave luggage in the car, DTD is great if flying PE, hate it in economy, twice used it twice 1 hour plus to check in, not worth it to me when I can do OLCI and bag drop at the airport in 2 minutes.
This next trip we will check out then drive down to Tampa, won't have time for a park.

Good point, only ever used it PE as we've been lucky over the years. Queue looks pretty rubbish for economy unless you go later.

Recently we've been leaving the villa around 10:30-11:00 am so at DTD by 11:30 at the latest and very few queues by then even for economy.

 

[loobzuk]

we've always used DTD check in without any problems, we usually have to just so there's enough space in the car anyway as our cases never seem to fit properly (too much retail therapy me thinks ). We've normally been one of the first at check in so have never had to wait very long and we get the most out of our last day by being early. Luggage going missing is a pain but most bags do end up finding their way home again; if something gets taken from your car the chances are you'd never see it again.

 

[queendisney]

Just from an Insurance point of view....
Have you checked that if the cases are stolen from your car you would be covered under your insurance be it your home insurance under the 'items away from home' section or the car insurance or the travel insurance?!

Personally I would check them in. One of ours went missing after it was checked into MCO, it didn't arrive at Gatwick, but generally speaking its normally just gone somewhere else and can be traced and you get it returned. Rarely are items stolen and even if they are its not the whole suitcase full!

 

[dixonsontour]

We had a bag go awol when we checked in at the airport. Not a problem they delivered it to work the next day.

 

[steve_rob]

Have to admit that we also always leave our cases in the boot of the car on our final day (usually SeaWorld) and have never had an issue. Admittedly, we don't often fly Virgin, so DTD check-in isn't usually an option for us anyway (and would be a bit of a trek to get to, as we're rarely staying on Disney property).

 

[alibeau]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the replies, I am pleased to report that we are home safe and well with all our cases present and correct.

DH is usually such a sensible soul he threw me when he said he wanted to leave the luggage on the car I really thought I must be missing something!

Anyway we arrived at DTD at about 11.30am and checked in our suitcases and just kept hold of a holdall for some bits and bobs. No queues at all for either PE or economy. Only one gripe after the event..... The holdall and stroller that we checked in at MCO came off the carousel at MAN within seconds of it starting up, we then had to wait around 30 mins and the 4 cases we checked in at DTD eventually made a show but definately no priority given to PE bags

Not to worry, very unhappy to be sat at home with the hail stones banging on the windows not long til next trip tho

We are all feeling pretty good considering we only got an hour or twos shut eye on the plane, girls happy to be reunited with HP Lego and still going strong! No sign of an early night being necessary!

Ali

 

[wilma-bride]

Glad you are home safe and sound with all your luggage

Not long to wait till the next trip