Magical Express-Southwest Air

[fizz03]

Hi everyone,

Quick question....does Disney Magical Express participate with Southwest Airlines? If not and we are going to have to collect and check out own luggage, is the shuttle from the airport still complimentary even though we're not flying with a participating carrier?

Thanks!

 

[Bug715]

As long as you are flying into MCO Magical Express will get your luggage and take it and you to your resort. But no you can't check in for your flight at the resorts with Southwest. You have to take your luggage with you. It isn't really that big of a deal. I've never seen a big line at the Southwest counter when I've had to do that. If you want to hit the parks or DTD before your flight bellservices can hold your bags until your Magical Express gets there.

 

[Monty]

Hi everyone,

Quick question....does Disney Magical Express participate with Southwest Airlines? If not and we are going to have to collect and check out own luggage, is the shuttle from the airport still complimentary even though we're not flying with a participating carrier?

Thanks!

You're confusing two separate services, Disney's Magical Express [DME] and Resort Airline Check-in [RAC].

DME is available to anyone staying at Disney-owned resorts who flies in and/or out through MCO. On departing your home airport heading to MCO, you check your bags with the DME yellow luggage tags on them and fly to MCO as normal [if you need to clear U.S. Customs en route or at MCO you'll have to claim your bags to do so]. On arrival at MCO you proceed directly to the DME check-in, board the bus to your resort and your luggage is delivered to your resort room for you. Departing WDW, you have to take your luggage with you on the bus to MCO [unless you are flying with a RAC "Participating airline" - more on that later] at a time you'll be advised of the night before your departure. Usually three to four hours prior to your flight. The DME service to and from MCO is free to resort guests.

RAC is a separate service operated by a different company. If you are flying with a "Participating Airline", you have the option of checking onto your flight at your resort and getting your boarding passes and checking you bags there. You would still take the DME bus at the time DME has set for you, but your luggage and check-in are all taken care of. This is also a free service. The latest list of airlines I could find is: [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, United (including TED) AND USAirways (as of 9/07)[/FONT]

 

[fizz03]

That's exactly what I needed confirmed. We have flown with a participating airline and used the Magical Express in addition to the luggage service since we normally fly NWA. My sister-in-law has elected to fly seperately from us this year, via SouthWest and I just wanted to ensure I didn't need to arrange for transportation for her from the airport to the hotel. Sounds like this will work out perfectly and she'll have to just handle her luggage on her own! That's what you get when you don't book airfare until 3 weeks before you leave!!!!

THANKS!