Hotel Transportation and checking out....

[Dpint43]

Hey guys - this past December was our first trip to Disney since 2002. We've decided to go again this upcoming December (after a bit of convincing the wife on my part...). Anyways, we did NOT stay at a Disney resort last time but I think we see the benefits and would like to change that for our upcoming trip.

I have a few questions about the hotels.

I've heard we are picked up at the airport by Disney...do we also have transportation BACK to the airport upon checkout? The tagalong question for this is when IS checkout? We'd like to spend our last day at the parks and fly out later (like a 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM flight)...obviously we can't carry our luggage around so how does this work? Is there a place we can store our luggage until we are ready or are we forced to book an extra night so we can leave our bags in the hotel room? Or is there some sort of option to get a later checkout time?

We'd like to stay at maybe two different resorts during our stay as well...is this a pain? Are we responsible to move our belongings? How long does "rechecking in" take - or are we better off staying at one place the whole time?

Also (pardon my blasphemy)...we are fans of Diagon Alley (although we don't like Universal as a whole) - if we decided to go there for a day, is there any sort of transportation that would take us or would we have to just get a cab?

Thanks guys! Everyone was so helpful during our last trip...I appreciate it!

D

 

[SDisney90]

Yes if you stay at a Disney Resort, the Magical Express will pick you up at the airport. The ME will also take your bags for you right to your room so there is no need to wait at the airport. Also upon departure you have to be checked out by 11AM. When you get ready to check out of the resort all you have to do is go to the luggage area in your resort, drop off your luggage and they will take it to the airport for you. They will also let you know when the ME will be departing your resort to head back to the airport. The ME departs at many different times, they will let you know so going to the park that day is okay. But, staying that late might not be possible I'm not 100% sure what time the last ME leaves for the airport but let's just say...9 you would want to be there at least 30 minutes beforehand.

EDIT (Found this on disneyworld.com)
The day before you check out, you’ll receive a transportation notice advising you of the motorcoach pick-up time, which will be approximately 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for international flights. You are responsible for bringing your luggage to the motorcoach pick-up location.

If you do not receive this information, please speak to your Disney Resort hotel Concierge or call (866) 599-0951. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Be sure to have your Transportation Notice on hand when it’s time for your Disney’s Magical Express departure. Your motorcoach driver will collect the Transportation Notice prior to boarding. Please note: MagicBands cannot be used to check in for your trip from your Disney Resort hotel to Orlando International Airport.


I've personally never stayed at 2 different resorts, but I do know it it possible and surely someone will explain that better than me.

Transportation to Universal is either taxi or a universal transport. I believe there was a stop right in DTD that brought people to Universal. I'm sure it's not free, I also don't have much information on that because I've never been. Hope I helped a little bit!

 

[Nemo14]

To clarify things a little: Magic Express will take you back to the airport, and you will be assigned a particular pickup time for that, so you must be back to your resort by then. As previously stated, for domestic flights, this would be 3 hours before your flight departure time, and international flights 4 hours before.

The luggage service is a different entity called Resort Airline Check-In. You can check your bags in the morning, and they will bring them to the airport for you and also issue your boarding passes. Your carry-ons can be stored and picked up before you depart on the Magic Express bus.

 

[Dpint43]

Awesome! Thanks for the info - does this luggage service cost anything to use or is it part of staying on WDW Property?

 

[Nemo14]

Awesome! Thanks for the info - does this luggage service cost anything to use or is it part of staying on WDW Property?

No it's included in the charge for your room. (However, it's customary to tip those who handle your bags.)

 

[Rob562]

No it's included in the charge for your room. (However, it's customary to tip those who handle your bags.)

You will also have to pay any checked luggage fees for the airline. There will be instructions for how to do this with your DME pickup time notice letter the day before checkout.

I'm not sure if the OP is domestic or international, but the Resort Airline Check-In is only for domestic flights. International travelers will have to store their bags with Bell Services, take them on the bus with them and check the bags at the airport.


And since no one really answered the question about changing resorts mid-trip...
Disney will handle the luggage transfer for you. Just pack the bags, call Bell Services from your room (or bring them down to the Bell Services desk) and they will tag them to be transported to the other resort. (Transfer can take a few hours since they typically only move bags twice a day)

There's no need to go right to the second resort. When I do this I'll typically drop off my luggage, head to a park using Disney transportation, and then in the late afternoon I'll head to the second resort using Disney transport and check in. When you get to the room, call down to Bell Services and they'll bring the bags up to your room. (Unlike the Magical Express arrival luggage service, you have to be present in your room when Bell Services delivers your luggage on a transfer)

-Rob