SW and Magical Express

[NYTiz]

We are thinking of booking our flight in August on Southwest. Are we able to do Magical Express? I remember reading that SW is not participating? Am I wrong?

 

[Jestocost]

All Disney resort guests, regardless of what airline they are using, are able to use all aspects of DME's incoming services, including having their luggage delivered to their resort automagically.

All Disney resort guests, regardless of airline, are able to use DME bus transportation to their resort from MCO and back to MCO from their resort.

The participating airline thing only comes into play with regard to the Resort Airline Check-in service, which allows you to get boarding passes and check bags at the resort. SWA is not a full participant in RAC at this time, so unless you are at one of the value resorts you are not currently able to use RAC if you are flying on SWA. At the All Star resorts and POP, SWA is doing a trial of RAC and you can--at this time--use RAC if flying on SWA.

 

[NYTiz]

Thanks! That makes me feel better. We normally fly JB, but we are going to see which airline has the better rates for our week in August.

 

[jenyakhi]

I believe that as long as you stay on property you can use the Magical Express no matter what airline you fly. Last August we used SW and were able to use ME both ways. The only difference if you fly SW is if you have to check your own luggage at the airport for your return flight. We stayed at POP last year while they were doing the test so I checked the luggage at the hotel and didn't see it until we landed. I think that all the values do this test now. I don't believe the mods or delux do this with SW yet.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm incorrect or left anything out

 

[disneyfaninaz]

SWA is slowly adding other resorts to the check-in service similar to all the other participating airlines. I think most resorts will be added by the end of the month.

 

[design_mom]

We have flown SW and used DME on several trips, including one in January.

In our case, we claimed our luggage at MCO airport, then walked our way over to the DME desk. (I thought that was the way SW fliers *had* to do it, but from these previous responses it sounds like maybe not.) We were able to load our luggage under the bus and re-claim it at the resort.

Even if SW becomes a "participating airline" I think I might still prefer to handle my luggage this way upon arrival. I don't want to wait 3+ hours to unpack my stuff. I prefer to get settled in right away.

 

[Mrs D]

SWA is slowly adding other resorts to the check-in service similar to all the other participating airlines. I think most resorts will be added by the end of the month.

Really? What other resorts have been added beyond the values?

 

[Jestocost]

We have flown SW and used DME on several trips, including one in January.

In our case, we claimed our luggage at MCO airport, then walked our way over to the DME desk. (I thought that was the way SW fliers *had* to do it, but from these previous responses it sounds like maybe not.) We were able to load our luggage under the bus and re-claim it at the resort.

Even if SW becomes a "participating airline" I think I might still prefer to handle my luggage this way upon arrival. I don't want to wait 3+ hours to unpack my stuff. I prefer to get settled in right away.

As noted previously, passengers flying in on SWA and using DME always have been able to take advantage of the inbound luggage service. Participating airline status has no bearing on this and only makes a difference as far as being able to use RAC--a separate service--on your way home from WDW.

 

[Jestocost]

Really? What other resorts have been added beyond the values?

AFAIK, SWA started its trial participation in RAC at the All Stars and only has expanded to POP at this point. Contrary to what the PP stated, other posters have reported that they have been told that the RAC system is at full capacity and would be unable to accommodate adding SWA service at other resorts until additional resources are available.

 

[donmil723]

Left BWV today and was told by a ME rep that they were just told a couple of days ago that SWA would be participating in RAC at all the Disney resorts in a month or so. Hooray!

 

[Jestocost]

Left BWV today and was told by a ME rep that they were just told a couple of days ago that SWA would be participating in RAC at all the Disney resorts in a month or so. Hooray!

I hope that's true, but CMs have been telling guests this for at least a few months now. As a result, I'll wait for an official announcement or confirmation that it's actually happening before I start celebrating too much.

 

[goofy4tink]

SWA is slowly adding other resorts to the check-in service similar to all the other participating airlines. I think most resorts will be added by the end of the month.

People have been saying this same thing for the past 4 years!!! And RAC has been at POP for awhile now and then added at the AllStars. Will it come to the other resorts?? Most likely. When? Not sure.
I do know that when I was at BW in Dec, the RAC folks told me that they had no idea how soon they would add SW to the list of 'participating' airlines. It sure would be nice if all resorts were included...I would love it. I fly SW a lot and being able to use RAC with SW would be a huge plus.....but, we'll have to wait and see what happens.

 

[Jestocost]

People have been saying this same thing for the past 4 years!!! And RAC has been at POP for awhile now and then added at the AllStars. Will it come to the other resorts?? Most likely. When? Not sure.
I do know that when I was at BW in Dec, the RAC folks told me that they had no idea how soon they would add SW to the list of 'participating' airlines. It sure would be nice if all resorts were included...I would love it. I fly SW a lot and being able to use RAC with SW would be a huge plus.....but, we'll have to wait and see what happens.

LOL. I fully expect that SWA eventually will expand its participation in RAC to all resorts, but I have no idea if that will be this month, next month, next year, or whenever. The funny thing is people are going to keep posting these rumors and at some point the expansion will coincide with one of those posts and those of us expressing skepticism at yet another rumor will get the old, "I told you so!"

Just remember, even a broken clock is right twice a day!