Disney's Magical Express/RAC - What "Participating Airline" Really Means!

[kaytieeldr]

Originally Posted by dvcfamily41801

We have used DME numerous times but we have always picked up our luggage and brought with us on the bus. I am always so afraid of a suitcase or two not making it. I am trying to convince myself to try just going with it and head right to the bus....so I guess my question is...the only way I would know that a piece of luggage did not make it would be when we got to our room?

No list (plans change constantly) but afaik the Cast Members at the Welcome Center ask you how many bags you checked. If fewer bags than that with your bar code arrives, Disney acts as your agent in tracking the missing luggage. If you don't tag your luggage and instead choose to wait for for it, and one or more bags don't show up, YOU need to spend additional time at the airport filling out claim forms, waiting in line, etc.

Note that your luggage will likely NOT be in your room when you get to it. The DME packet you're sent tells you to expect it up to three hours after you check in at your resort. Of course, if you check in and then head off to a park, arriving in your room for the first time a number of hours later, yes, your luggage should be there. If anything is missing, start by calling Bell Services for assistance.

Second...we have a car rental arranged to be picked up at the Dolphin. We are staying at Kidani for the first half of our stay adn then switching to Boardwalk. Is it possible that one of us could take a Boardwalk DME bus from MCO when we land

No. You MUST take the bus that goes to the resort where you have your reservation. While the DME routes are fluid, there's virtually no chance one bus will go to both BW and AKL.

And last...since we are switching resorts, I had to make 2 DME reservations. I received all our paperwork for the arrival, but not the departure. Should I be worried?

No. You get your return information the day before your actual departure.

[dvcfamily41801]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr

No list (plans change constantly) but afaik the Cast Members at the Welcome Center ask you how many bags you checked. If fewer bags than that with your bar code arrives, Disney acts as your agent in tracking the missing luggage. If you don't tag your luggage and instead choose to wait for for it, and one or more bags don't show up, YOU need to spend additional time at the airport filling out claim forms, waiting in line, etc.

Note that your luggage will likely NOT be in your room when you get to it. The DME packet you're sent tells you to expect it up to three hours after you check in at your resort. Of course, if you check in and then head off to a park, arriving in your room for the first time a number of hours later, yes, your luggage should be there. If anything is missing, start by calling Bell Services for assistance.

No. You MUST take the bus that goes to the resort where you have your reservation. While the DME routes are fluid, there's virtually no chance one bus will go to both BW and AKL.

No. You get your return information the day before your actual departure.

Thanks so much for your help!

[evedein]

This will be our first time using RAC. We're staying at OKW & flying Airtran. Where is the RAC desk at OKW? I'm assuming at the Hospitality House? Do we have Bell Services bring our luggage from our room to Hospitality House & then we take it from there to RAC desk? Are RAC hours still 5am - 1pm? Can we have Bell Services store our bags the night before to save time with transport?

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by evedein

This will be our first time using RAC. We're staying at OKW & flying Airtran. Where is the RAC desk at OKW? I'm assuming at the Hospitality House? Do we have Bell Services bring our luggage from our room to Hospitality House & then we take it from there to RAC desk? Are RAC hours still 5am - 1pm? Can we have Bell Services store our bags the night before to save time with transport?

It will be easy to figure out where the RAC counter is at any resort. Bell Services should be able to point you in the right direction.
Yes, the hours of operation are still 5am-1pm.
I can't say for sure if Bell Services will store your bags overnight...but you can ask them when you get there. But remember....if you have a flight that is departing any earlier than 8:30am, you may not be able to use RAC. You need to be completely done with your checkin no less than 3 hrs before the flight departure time.

[noname70]

Typically, what time do the last DME busses leave the resorts for MCO?

Just curious.

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by noname70

Typically, what time do the last DME busses leave the resorts for MCO?

Just curious.

They run 24/7. There is no 'last' time. If there are guests that need to get to MCO for a 6am flight, DME will send a bus to get them at 3am. I have seen DME buses at the resorts at 2:30am!!

[noname70]

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

They run 24/7. There is no 'last' time. If there are guests that need to get to MCO for a 6am flight, DME will send a bus to get them at 3am. I have seen DME buses at the resorts at 2:30am!!

Please let me rephrase the question, do you know when the last domestic US flights of the evening/night typically leave MCO?

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by noname70

Please let me rephrase the question, do you know when the last domestic US flights of the evening/night typically leave MCO?

Currently, the last departure to one of the 50 states is an AirTran flight to Richmond, Virginia at 8:32 p.m.

Then JetBlue has a couple of departures to the US territory of Puerto Rico after 1 a.m. The final scheduled flight goes to Ponce at 1:35 a.m.

Departures resume early in the morning with a Spirit flight to San Juan at 5:01 a.m. and a Delta flight to Atlanta at 5:30 a.m.

[brianm27]

MODS - can we get post #1 updated with correct Southwest info?

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by brianm27

MODS - can we get post #1 updated with correct Southwest info?

Nope..not until ALL the WDW resorts are online...too confusing otherwise. It should be considered to still be in 'test phase' at all resorts.

[dcarnes54]

Does everyone staying in 1 room have to use the ME if only part of the party needs to?

[skiingfast]

Originally Posted by dcarnes54

Does everyone staying in 1 room have to use the ME if only part of the party needs to?

No you can tell ME only Paul and John are arriving at MCO and using ME, or only one way or 3 going 2 leaving. It's very flexible.

[goofy4tink]

You can just make reservations for everyone in the room...less confusing for DME that way. Then, whomever wishes to use DME, just uses it. Those who choose to head to WDW in some other fashion can do just that.

[keishashadow]

Originally Posted by Horace Horsecollar

Currently, the last departure to one of the 50 states is an AirTran flight to Richmond, Virginia at 8:32 p.m.

Then JetBlue has a couple of departures to the US territory of Puerto Rico after 1 a.m. The final scheduled flight goes to Ponce at 1:35 a.m.

Departures resume early in the morning with a Spirit flight to San Juan at 5:01 a.m. and a Delta flight to Atlanta at 5:30 a.m.

im booked on an 8:50 pm departure on AirTran to PIT. They have a 9:30 pmish that's scheduled that mid week to PIT...of course, being AirTran all is subject to change

[merepoppins]

Is there any updated information or rumor of Allegiant air offering resort check in at Disney resorts now that they fly into MCO? Is there any way to find out this information other than to stay posted to the Disboards? Thanks for your help!