(Very) Early Arrival & Check-in

[tydna]

Our in-bound flight into Orlando is ~7:30am and we land sometime before 9:00am. We've signed-up for the Magical Express service, but I can't help wondering:

What do we do between the time we arrive at the airport/resort/park and the time for check-in? Will they let us store our bags or check-in early?

Anyone got any experience with this?

TIA

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely! You'll be able to check into your resort at that time with no problem. If your room isn't available yet, you can just leave your bags with Bell Services. Assuming you have used the yellow luggage tags for your checked bags, you will have only carryon bags anyway. A tip is expected if your bags get stored. THen, head off to a park and start your vacation. You will have been given a phone number to call to see if your room is ready yet.
Return to the resort when you want to and get settled in.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

If you are letting Magical Express take your bags (using the yellow tags), then those will be stored until your room is ready automatically. You can go to the bell services desk and ask them to hang onto any carry on stuff you don't want to lug around. If you are bringing your own luggage on the bus, you can do the same thing with those bags, just ask bell services to hold onto them for you. They have a lock box for laptops, too, if you need it.

Then go to the desk and check-in. If they have a room ready for you, they will give you your keys and you can go to the room.

If they do not, they will give you the tickets and the cards for the dining plan if you have either one, and give you a card with a number to call to check if your room is ready.

Then you can go do what you want. If Magical Express has your bags, they will be placed in your room sometime after it becomes ready. If bell services has all your things, usually when you come back to the resort, just ask for it.

We have had it both ways and we regularly land at MCO at 10 a.m., reaching the resort by 11-ish.

 

[tydna]

You all are so very helpful and informative. This was EXACTLY what I was looking / hoping for! Thank you very much!

 

[rdevine10]

Just wanted to add that if you are using the ME, and you do get there early, you might want to pack your bathsuits in your carry on (should you want to use the pools before your luggage comes). Enjoy!

 

[G's mommy]

We always take 7:00 a.m. flight, arrives MCO at 8:20. There are no lines this time of day at ME and we have always been on our way to the resort by 9:00, checked in and on our way to a park by 9:30. Most of the time, the room is not ready, just store your luggage or carry ons and go have fun! Call back later from your cell or courtesy phone in the lobby to get your room assignment.