Virgin check in at DTD

[Sapper383]

My family and I are travelling to the world in Sept. this year. We are travelling with virgin atlantic for the first time.
We have heard about their check in facility at DTD and were wondering how it works and what everyones experience of this service was like.
Any thoughts and advice about this service would be very much appreciated.

 

[fuse04]

tends to work pretty well. You and all those travelling take your luggage to DTD and join the line if there is one. Your luggage is all weighed and that is pretty much it. Means you don't have to think about your luggage until you land

 

[orangetiggs]

Its $10 each if your not with virgin holidays

 

[wayneg]

Is it a package or flydrive with Virgin holidays or a flight only with Virgin atlantic?
If its flight only then there is a fee of $10pp to use the facility, personally I find it too much hassle when free and would never pay for it but others like it.
Done it twice, both times took about an hour, tried a couple of times since and lines too long for me. We find it much easy doing online check in and then bag drop at airport never had anyone in front of us and takes 2 mins.

It is basically a checkin desk, they check you in, give you your boarding cards and load your bags onto vans to goto the airport.

 

[wickesy]

One of the benefits of checking in at DTD is you often get to hear of any flight delays so, subject to getting your hire car back in time, you can afford to spend a bit more time in Orlando before setting off for the airport.

 

[wicket2005]

I think it is really good as you don't have to worry about getting to the airport early. We have used it 4 times, hardly any wait times when we have gone first thing in the morning. You also get to know about flight delays and can reorganise your car hire if you need to.

I just like getting shot of the cases and having another relaxing day in Orlando before going to the airport as late as possible.

 

[Neoshoegal]

We've done it twice, (first time was free as we were flying UC). Both times, there was no line whatsoever and it was all done within a few minutes, we went around midday (it's open until 1pm).
We liked it as we didn't have to worry about the luggage, no dragging it about after we returned the rental car. To us it was worth the $10 each.

 

[islandmum]

whats the earliest it opens in the morning? Is that when the biggest queues are? we want to drop off first thing so we get a good day in the parks. Otherwise its online check-in and bag drop.

 

[Neoshoegal]

I think it opens at 8 am.
We went to the parks first thing in the morning, left around 11.30 when it starts to get busy, did the check in at DTD and spent the afternoon doing whatever we feel like.

 

[mikki.young]

We've done it a few times but now prefer to take the car to the airport and change out of the day clothes and put them in the cases before we check them in.

 

[wicket2005]

I think it is 8 - 1. We have gone any time between 8 and 9 ish and had no problems.

 

[maleficent_man]

Is it actually still possible to show up and check in and drop bags at the airport?? We are returning the car in plenty of time so doing the bag drop early isn't an issue but everyone seems to talk about online check in - I won't have internet access when I'm in Orlando and want to be able to simply check in at the airport (I've already selected the seats).

Any clarification would be great thanks.

 

[wayneg]

Yes you can still do normal check in at airport, the odd time it does get busy but with so many now doing DTD checkin and OLCI with bag drop at airport the regular line does not get as busy at it used to, last twice we have been there has been no line at all but you won't know until you arrive.

We only do OLCI as we don't like getting to airport until about 90 mins to departure.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We used DTD check-in in November 2007 and were told it would open at 8am but didn't actually open until 8.30am by which point there was a huge queue. Although I was a bit miffed it still worked well as you can go to the parks luggage free and just get to the airport that bit later.

We intend using the service again this trip but will not get there for 8!!

Just a mention though the queue at security at MCO was very long and if we had arrived at an hour and a half out we wouldn't have got through security in time.

 

[bombhead444]

We used DTD check in for the first time last year,there were still queues but it was really good not having to worry about your luggage for the last few hours,and soak up the last bit of Florida and Disney.

 

[juliebrooks35]

We've used DTD check in twice. The first time was great, no queue's as such but in summer 2007 it was horrendous. We arrived about 11am and finally got checked in/dropped off luggage at 1pm! At 1pm there was still a lot of people behind us. To make it even worse, it was typical July boiling hot with no shade and everyone in the queue was complaining rather loudly. We certainly wouldn't have waited had we known just how long it would take.

It could have been a one of, maybe new people behind the desks or something but I'm just going to check in at the airport this summer and not take the chance.

 

[Alibaba]

What about if you use DTD check in but have a pushchair and carseat that need checking in at the airport? Can you still do that?
Ali

 

[arielrocks]

We always do DTD check in when we fly Virgin - yes its $10 - used to be $5!!

I think its so much nicer to know your seats are allocated - no need to worry about leaving the luggage in the car all day and leaves you a couple of extra hours to spend in Orlando as don't have to get to the airport so early!!!

Its also really great not have to struggle with all your luggage and hand luggage from the car park to the airport terminal!!!! we could never find a trolly when we needed one!!!

Best bet is to get there early - about 8am - If you leave it till 10 theres normally a queue and things DON'T move quickly!!