To get Early Bird for SW or not ?

[pigletto]

The last time we used EBC for Disney I was underwhelmed. On the way down we were in the A boarding group and got decent seats. On the way back we were way in the back of the B's. So it seemed everyone had used it and we were pretty much at the back of the plane to get 4 seats together.
I am glad we used it, as a family of 3 that got on after us were split up all over the plane . Luckily they had a teenager and no small children. The dad ended up sitting with us and his son in front of us... mom was rows and rows away.
At that point you might as well pay for seats ahead of time and not worry if everyone has to use it to assure a seat together. Just seems silly to me.

 

[Mkrop]

We love EBCI for the way home. No worries about where we are at the 24 hr mark. It checks us in at 36! Then when we get back to the lobby of the hotel we ask them to print our passes. Easy peasy!

 

[maryj11]

ok sounds like a good idea to get EBC If I dont have to check in and all I need is to print my boarding passes. So will I need a my reservation number if I have them printed at the resort ?

 

[maryj11]

thanks all

 

[goofy4tink]

Allow me to chime in, with my thoughts....is it worth it??? Up to each person. I seldom use EBCI for my flight to MCO. But, depending on what time my departure flight is, I use it for the flight home. That way, I don't have to worry about it. Yes, I know I can check in on my phone, or at Guest Services. But, for me, the $10 pp is worth it. I just pay it and forget about checking in. I print out my bp's at the airport if need be, or at RAC early that day..depends on luggage needs.

 

[jcarwash]

So the ways to get your boarding pass are (airports freak me out and I am always second guessing myself about the check in process)....1. front desk at resort 2. Skycap or 3. SW kiosk inside airport. There may be a 4th--I have heard that if you have a smart phone your pass can be on your phone . I have never done that and I am blonde so 1-3 would be my options.

There's another way to get your printed boarding pass -- if you use DME you may receive your printed boarding passes with your DME pickup information. Twice now we have gotten Disney-printed boarding passes. This might not always happen but when it does it's great. When you combine that with resort check-in (RAC) you can bypass the SWA desk entirely and head directly to security.

 

[maryj11]

There's another way to get your printed boarding pass -- if you use DME you may receive your printed boarding passes with your DME pickup information. Twice now we have gotten Disney-printed boarding passes. This might not always happen but when it does it's great. When you combine that with resort check-in (RAC) you can bypass the SWA desk entirely and head directly to security.

That would be great ! I think I will only get the EBCI for on the way home, so maybe they will include them with the DME pickup info

 

[pooch]

about this, sign up for EBCI for the trip home. When you return to your resort on your last night, stop at the guest services desk with your flight confirmation number. They will print your boarding passes & you'll be all set to go the next day. When you get to MCO, because you have no bags to check AND you have your boarding passes, just check the departures board for your gate # and go right to the security check, board the tram and off to your gate!!

 

[conniehar90]

I have converted to using EBCI for the flight home. It is worth the cost to me so that I don't have to worry about remembering to check in on my phone or go to guest services while I am having fun at a park. As many have mentioned, you are truly ok as long as you get an A or B number, but I just like to have the assurance that our family can sit together. I just print off the boarding pass when we get to the airport - very easy.

 

[Brian Noble]

I generally do. I'm on vacation. Is it "worth it"? Probably not. But, it's a nice little splurge and the $10pp means I don't have to play the atomic clock game---and there are places within WDW where cell signal strength isn't all that great.

I sometimes wonder if people who refuse to pay $50 to check two bags on a legacy airline where they can get assigned seats but then pay $50 each way for a family of 5 to get EBCI realize that they aren't saving any money.

This is a good point. Whenever you are comparing two or more airlines, you should always include all of the relevant costs to decide which one you want.