What to do with Checked and Carryon luggage for late Orlando departure

[taraaplin]

We are flying Southwest (If that matters)

There are five of us (2 adults, 10DS, 7DS,2DS)

Plane leaves at 515

If checkout is 11am what do we do with our luggage until it is time for ME to pick us up at the resort. We would like to still do stuff up until we leave, but do not want to haul luggage around, especially with our little ones.

How does ME work on the way home?

How will this work with Southwest, we want to ensure that we all sit by each other on the plane. I know that southwest determines flights by the letter on the ticket. When I booked the flight, the only option was adult tickets, although I did have to input everyone's ages.

 

[stargazertechie]

You can do resort airline check-in. You'll check your bags at the hotel, and the next time you'll see them is when you land at your destination airport. The counter is open 5AM-1PM, and you must check your bags at least 3 hours prior to departure.

With southwest there is no way to guarantee that you'll be seated with each other. You can pay extra for Early Bird Check in, getting a better boarding group, or since you have little ones, you can pre-board with the family boarding. It still does not guarantee you a seat next to anyone.

 

[taraaplin]

Thanks for the Quick response.

Do you know if this checkin procedure will effect our seats on the plane? I just want to make sure we are sitting by the children!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you bought ECBI, you don't have a problem. Even if you didn't, you would (probably) be eligible for family boarding. But, if you did not buy ECBI, you will want to check in as close to your 24 hour mark, just in case.

 

[stargazertechie]

Check-in 24 hours in advance of your flight online- then you will have your boarding group assigned ahead of heading to the RAC desk for the bag drop.

 

[taraaplin]

So, I check in online 24 hours prior to and then go to the resort airport checkin? What time do I do the resort airline checkin? First thing in the morning,right? so we can leave to do disney things ASAP before leaving. Just making sure I have all my ducks in a row!

 

[helenk]

So, I check in online 24 hours prior to and then go to the resort airport checkin? What time do I do the resort airline checkin? First thing in the morning,right? so we can leave to do disney things ASAP before leaving. Just making sure I have all my ducks in a row!

You can check in 24 hours prior to your flight,you can do that at guest relations in the parks or at the concierge desk at your resort. It just depends on where you are at the 24 hour. Since you have a child under 4 you can board after the a group unless you get an A then board with the A group. Make sure you have your confirmation numbers with you so the guest relations can check you in. The moning of your departure decide what time you want to go down to the airline check in, take you checked luggage down all adults mus be present with there id just like at the airport, again make sure you have your confirmation numbers. Once that is done, give your carry on luggage to bell services and head off to a park. The day befre your departure you will have been given a letter with your ME pick up time, give yourself plenty of time leaving the park to get back to your resort to get your luggage and to get to the ME pick up location 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pick up time

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Check in at your 24 hour mark. Then the next day drop your luggage off at the RAC - resort airline check in. Just be sure you are dropping your luggage off either before 1:00p.m which is when they close and no later than 3 hours before your flight. You have to check out at 11:00 so why not just take it down there then.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think anyone has said, but you can leave carry ons with Luggage Services at the hotel and they'll keep them so you don't have to haul them to the park.

 

[francie57]

As pp stated, check your luggage first thing in the morning at the RAC desk and have everyone go with you and they will print your boarding passes. We always do the early bird check-in, worth the $10/seat for the peace of mind.
That also eliminates having to be on a computer 24 hours in advance of your flight when on vacation. We have never gotten lower than A30 when doing the early checkin. If you don't do the early checkin, be on a computer at the 24 mark to get the best numbers that you can. Also, we have been on flights to and from MCO where the family boarding wasn't done since there were more families with small kids than not and they didn't do it - just so you aren't counting on it being done - it may or may not be.

 

[goofy4tink]

With a child under 4, you will most likely be eligible for family boarding, in between the A and B groups. But I would still be very tempted to just buy EBCI for each person. That way you don't have to worry about being near a computer at 5:15 the day before departure. SW will check you in automatically at the 36 hr window.

Then, on your departure day, take you bags down to the lobby with you. You can leave the carryon bags with Bell Services/Luggage Assistence. Then, go over to the RAC counter....they open at 5am, but tend to be crowded around 7:30-8ish. So get there as early as possible. You will get checked in and given your boarding passes. Your bags will be taken from you and sent to the airport.
Then, go out and enjoy the rest of your day. Be sure to be back at the resort at least 45 mins before your stated pickup time. That gives you plenty of time to get your carryon bags and use the bathrooms one more time. Be out at the bus stop at least 15 mins prior to your pickup time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Please review their Boarding School. It will help you figure out their process.