Resort Airline Check In Service testing a return

[ToTBellHop]

Interestingly, I've heard plenty of people say they've used it (or intend to use it). Biggest issue is that Disney only has 1 water park open at a time, and it closes relatively early. You'd have to arrive quite early to get more than a few hours of use out of the benefit.

I’m talking on the scale of the number who used ME. It’s all about what will get resorts booked. They’d like to avoid 35% discounts.

 

[Comped]

I’m talking on the scale of the number who used ME. It’s all about what will get resorts booked. They’d like to avoid 35% discounts.

Obviously less people use it than use ME. But the water parks aren't exactly people drawers as much as they used to be either (A lack of investment is obviously a huge contributor). So I can see both sides on that front.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Obviously less people use it than use ME. But the water parks aren't exactly people drawers as much as they used to be either (A lack of investment is obviously a huge contributor). So I can see both sides on that front.

Of course. They’ll do a cost-benefit analysis. Now that 90-degree temps have returned, the calculus could shift. They are desperate to convince us to stay on site closer to rack rate.

 

[grandad to 4]

Largest WDW resort & Southwest has MCO's largest passenger volume


Definitely not the reason

In New England jet Blue is now the number one. Jet Blue has more non-stop flights to Orlando than Southwest. Plus southwest is now going to assigned seating and charging for checked luggage.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Spoiler: genuinely not trying to offend anyone but I really think the reason they could have done this is becasuse...

its likely less valuable baggage than other resorts in case it gets lost

It's slowly going to start with bag fees around the end of May 2025...

At Southwest Airlines, checked bags will no longer fly for free

Southwest Airlines will begin charging customers a fee to check bags. It's a significant change for the budget carrier, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free.

apnews.com

 

[jpeden]

This is a positive development and I can only hope that this along with Magical Express returns.

Now if we could only get rid of Paid lighting lane.

 

[Lilofan]

In New England jet Blue is now the number one. Jet Blue has more non-stop flights to Orlando than Southwest. Plus southwest is now going to assigned seating and charging for checked luggage.

United has non stop 6-9 times a day from Newark to MCO and vice versa during peak seasons also.

 

[Lilofan]

I don’t think this is true. Aren’t all stars larger than pop?

ETA - put wrong resort at first - meant all stars, but I guess if they are counted separately would be smaller.

All Star is the biggest resort with over 4K rooms and even gas that 24/7 McDonald’s in front.

 

[DisneyCane]

They do now.

Not "now" but starting with any booking made in or after 5/28.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I’d even be fine with an option to add Mears when booking a Disney package. Maybe with a discount. Anything to simplify the overall planning process.

Discount?

Mears pricing - $32/round trip/person
Disney pricing - $79/round trip/person

Because... MAGIC!!!

 

[Disney Glimpses]

If DME returns, I honestly don't think it would be with a fee.

 

[jpeden]

If DME returns, I honestly don't think it would be with a fee.

I don’t think it would be successful with a fee. Also welcome back! I feel like we have t seen you post on ages

 

[graphite1326]

According to blog Mickey it looks they are testing bringing this back. Currently testing at Pop.

OH I hope so. Loved that service. When will we be getting more info on it?

 

[hopemax]

I don't think this predicts the return of MDE. MCO has an escalating baggage handling situation, with no quick and affordable answer. Several months back had already signaled they were looking into re-creating the baggage bits themselves. I think this is the realization of *MCO's* commitment to solving their baggage scanning / handling issues, rather than any pro-active action by WDW.

Here’s How Orlando International Airport Hopes to Solve Baggage Delays

Why do so many passengers arriving at Orlando International Airport have to wait 90 minutes or more before their bags pop out onto a carousel? How often are departing...

www.aviationpros.com

 

[JoeCamel]

If DME returns, I honestly don't think it would be with a fee.

Well room price bump but no fee

 

[jmuboy]

I think it's important to applaud positive moves like this, even if the system/bubble isnt perfect yet. Even as a self-proclaimed disney-debbie-downer the past many years we need to encourage positive news and moves and not just berate the negative ones.

Amen
Airport check in and return of Magical Express ( even though I never used either)is the service and experience people expect of Disney at these price points!

Fingers Crossed

 

[bpiper]

I don't think this predicts the return of MDE. MCO has an escalating baggage handling situation, with no quick and affordable answer. Several months back had already signaled they were looking into re-creating the baggage bits themselves. I think this is the realization of *MCO's* commitment to solving their baggage scanning / handling issues, rather than any pro-active action by WDW.

Here’s How Orlando International Airport Hopes to Solve Baggage Delays

Why do so many passengers arriving at Orlando International Airport have to wait 90 minutes or more before their bags pop out onto a carousel? How often are departing...

www.aviationpros.com

Bingo. We have a winner.

• From the article: MCO is desperate to get bags out of the main building (A & B) and into a remote facility for inspection. (This explains why Southwest)
• They are willing to pay $6.75 a bag, $25M a year to a company doing this. Industry experts say that this is below cost.
• The baggage handling equipment, 6 separate systems, don't interface which each other and are failing due to end of life.
• They don't have any way to track bags through the system and tell where they are being held up.
• MCO is experiencing a high rate of miss placed bags, but are having trouble pinpointing exactly where and what is causing it. The airlines don't want to communicate and neither does the TSA.
• The TSA area that screens bags in the bowels the main terminal doesn't have A/C and gets over 100 degrees at times.

 

[dmc493]

Bingo. We have a winner.

• From the article: MCO is desperate to get bags out of the main building (A & B) and into a remote facility for inspection. (This explains why Southwest)
• They are willing to pay $6.75 a bag, $25M a year to a company doing this. Industry experts say that this is below cost.
• The baggage handling equipment, 6 separate systems, don't interface which each other and are failing due to end of life.
• They don't have any way to track bags through the system and tell where they are being held up.
• MCO is experiencing a high rate of miss placed bags, but are having trouble pinpointing exactly where and what is causing it. The airlines don't want to communicate and neither does the TSA.
• The TSA area that screens bags in the bowels the main terminal doesn't have A/C and gets over 100 degrees at times.

So what're we saying - MCO is paying for Disney to start up resort bag check again?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is of almost no functional value.

I suppose not doing bags is good…but check in is done on the phone via app for all but like 9 old men on the planet…

…and if they don’t get YOU to the airport and back…what is the real point? Lyft and Mears gonna cut their prices now?

So if this is just to help Orlando (always a struggle for them) and Disney gets a little grease? Sure…why not?

Just doesn’t do much for us

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

This is of almost no functional value.

I suppose not doing bags is good…but check in is done on the phone via app for all but like 9 old men on the planet…

…and if they don’t get YOU to the airport and back…what is the real point? Lyft and Mears gonna cut their prices now?

So if this is just to help Orlando (always a struggle for them) and Disney gets a little grease? Sure…why not?

Just doesn’t do much for us

Nah, checking a bag at the airport sucks. This lets you skip the bag check line at the airport entirely. This is definitely a positive.