To check bags or not

[jmsvss]

We (myself, DH, DD) are flying into MCO for the first time on Mar 28 (we usually drive). I picked up bits and pieces throughout several posts that people have to wait a long time for their checked baggage upon arrival. Is this true? We are arriving about 9:30 am. We only have 5 days and I don't want to waste any of it waiting for luggage.

I was actually planning on each of us bringing a carry on size piece so that we would not have to check anything. I know DH won't like this but if I tell him it beats waiting an hour at the Orlando airport for our luggage I think he'll change his mind.

So, what would you do - check your bags or carry-on?

Also, in my quest to not wait around the airport any longer than necessary I am looking at Towncar service. Tiffany and FL Tours seems to get top ratings with Tiffany $20 cheaper. Any advice?

Suzanne

 

[CarolA]

I have never wiated an hour for luggae at Orlando. NOrmally it is coming off as I finally make it to baggage claim. who are you flying? SW is really fast!

Now, can you really fit everything you want for 5 days into three carryon pieces of luggage? Is your DH really going to want to lift them into the overhead?

As far as towncars.. you pay your money and you take your chances. Overall both of the one's you suggest have good reputations, you can always find someone with a bad experience however.

 

[inkkognito]

I NEVER check luggage, but it's not because of MCO...it's because of Midway! In Orlando (with a couple of rare exceptions), our bags have always shown up promptly. But after three times in a row of waiting over an hour in Chicago, we became carry-on people all the way.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

Our bags at MCO are usually coming around by the time we get to the area. MCO is usually pretty fast.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have done the carry-on luggage route just once and I found it to be a real pain. We tend to get to the airport pretty early and we always need to use the bathroom or get something to eat. Since it was my 10 y/o dd and myself, we had to lug our bags everywhere we went. Between the wheeled carry-on and backpack we each had, well, we just won't go that route again.

We have never waited at MCO longer than 25 minutes for our baggage to get to us. We will continue to check our bags. It's so much easier for us. And we don't 'upset' anyone on the plane while we try to juggle our stuff up into the bins!!!

As far as towncars go...we have used both those services. They were pretty close in service quality. I would have to say, if I had to make a choice, that Tiffany gave slightly better service the 3 times we used them. FL Tours was fine, but the first time we used them, we had to look around for almost 10 minutes before we found our driver!! And it was the same upon pick-up for the return to the airport. But the next time we used them, all went very smoothly.

 

[beccasmom]

The only place we have waited a long time to retrieve baggage is Philadelphia (our home airport) and only with USAirways. On our last trip in February, we waited 55 minutes for our bags. Conversely, in MCO our bags were there when we got to the luggage area. I don’t think you need worry about your bags in Orlando. We have always found them to be very speedy.

 

[dvc guy]

In MCO by the time you go from Airside to Landside and get the baggage claim, the luggage is usually coming out. Depending on the airline, some can and will be very strict about the size and amount of the carry on you take. If it is to big it may end up as checked baggage anyway .

 

[merfsko]

In FL, I've never waited for mor ethen five minutes for my luggage. Once back in Toronto, that's another story but in Florida it's real quick.

 

[DebbieB]

I was on an Air Tran flight tonight MCO/PIT and the carryon luggage situation was ridiculous. It was a full flight and many people had huge carryons. The bins were so full. We were in the last row so I don't know what happened up front, if some people had to gate check. I know the FA made an annoucement to move some of the smaller stuff to under the seats and no coats in the overheads until the luggage was accomodated. They really need to start enforcing carryon rules.

 

[aubriee]

In January we used Prestige Towncars and were very pleased with them. The driver met us at the foot of the escalaters holding a sign with my grandaughter's name on it (as requested). He then walked us over to the luggage pick up area and our bags were coming around just as we arrived. He helped us carry our bags and we were out of MCO and on our way to WDW in just a few minutes.

Prestige Towncars, by the way, were the cheapest we found at $80.00 round trip to any WDW resort (including the MK resorts, which alot of towncars charge more for).

 

[jmsvss]

Thanks for all the advice. I have decided to check our bags. (It is a non-stop United flight so we should be okay). DD11 would be whining before we ever left the ground if she had to keep up with her bag. I also know that both our flights are full - so the comment about having trouble stowing is right on.

After a little research I booked with Tiffany Towncar. I'll let you know how it goes!!

20 days to the Poly and WDW - Wahooo!