downtown disney check in

[martin1]

lisa and i were just chatting about orlando and were thinking of the dd check in has anyone used this service before and if so does it save you lots of time? just curious .

[Millie]

It's very good as you get rid of your luggage for the day so you can go off and do something and not waste the day and then you don't need to worry about checking in at the airport too, so answering your question it does save time!

[Susan Veness]

I haven't used it but my client's experiences match Millie's. They also report it is very handy, especially if you want to spend the day in a park or at Downtown Disney.

[martin1]

sounds all good then a few last minute thrills before going home!

[Mickey Mouse]

If your not flying Upper, Premium Economy or booked through Virgin Holidays its $5 a bag but still worth it! also if your flying club gold this is free!

[Tiggers Friend]

Another positive vote from me. The last time we used it (this May) it was superb. Dropped the bags, went to Crossroads, had brunch, went shopping at Florida Mall, short drive to airport, duty free and plane. Brilliant. As MM says $5 per person, absolute snip. And as millie says no queuing at the airport. :happy-thumb

[Catlady]

We used it in October, went well no problems. It saves time at the airport later.:happy-thumb

[Simon Veness]

The latter is definitely a big bonus, and knowing you have your seats assigned and your boarding passes in hand well in advance also helps to remove some of the stress of the return journey. A big :happy-thumb from me.

[MagicMushroom44]

plus you get the day free to do whatever you want without having to worry about luggage left in your vehicle (assuming you have a vehicle)

[Tiggers Friend]

Not sure I should give this one away, but if you fly Virgin from Orlando to Manchester on Fridays or Saturdays they have two flights 18:15 and 20:45. Book the latter flight, along with the use of DTD check-in and plan to arrive at the airport at say 18:45 and you have a really long final day.

PS Don't pass this on!

[1969steveb]

Hi,
I took advantage of this with travel city the last time i went and it was superb, I'm flying with airtours this time and it's a flydrive, our last night is at a disney hotel, will i be able to take advantage of dtd check in?:confused:

Thanks Steve.

[Tiggers Friend]

Hi,
I took advantage of this with travel city the last time i went and it was superb, I'm flying with airtours this time and it's a flydrive, our last night is at a disney hotel, will i be able to take advantage of dtd check in?:confused:

Thanks Steve.

Unfortunately not steve, the DTD checkin is limited to Virgin flights or holidays. :thumbsdow

This however from MyTravel's web site

Early Bird Check-In
Avoid airport queues and make the most of the last day of your holiday!

If you're flying with MyTravel Airways then check in for your return flight at our 'virtual airport'.

Centrally located in the International Drive area, (close to Wet n Wild) and open between 0700-1200 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Your luggage will be collected, you will be issued with boarding cards with seats already assigned giving you more time to make the most of the last day of your holiday. Arrive at Sanford Airport for your return flight no later than 2 hours before flight departure time.

Please see a member of the cabin crew on your outward flight or your resort representative upon arrival in Florida for further details and prices. Small charge applies - payable locally.

:happy-thumb

[Simon Veness]

This is something Airtours started last year, I think, as a trial, and has proved very popular with their customers. Their off-airport check-in is located in the Republic shopping plaza where Sleuths dinner show used to be (at the junction of Universal Boulevard and Carrier Drive, so just off I-Drive) and, while it doesn't have the kind of location that DD does, it is still very handy to get your luggage and borading passes sorted out before you have to leave for Sanford Airport.

[Millie]

Not sure I should give this one away, but if you fly Virgin from Orlando to Manchester on Fridays or Saturdays they have two flights 18:15 and 20:45. Book the latter flight, along with the use of DTD check-in and plan to arrive at the airport at say 18:45 and you have a really long final day.

PS Don't pass this on!

We fly from Gatwick with Virgin and we usually try to get the early flight out and the later flight back. Like you say Tiggers Friend, have a long final day and get the most out of your hol!

[palmer gang]

we did this option this year early flight out late flight back DTD check in for maximum holiday stay:happy-thumb

[Catlady]

I have a different view to this, for me once the cases are packed the holiday is over and I just want to get on the plane and go. I guess because its a long day a long night and then a long drive from Gatwick so thats when I wish I had a "Star Trek" like transporter!:p
So we normally try to get on the earlier Virgin flight.

[1969steveb]

Hi,
Thank's for that info tiggers friend and simon, i will definately look into this when we arrive and will tell you how we got on when we get back in late January. We have a late flight and the wife will appreciate the extra time with her best friend Mr.Mastercard!:laughing:

Steve.

[Tiggers Friend]

We have a late flight and the wife will appreciate the extra time with her best friend Mr.Mastercard!:laughing:

Steve.

Of course you could forget to tell her and go as quickly as possible to the airport. :laughing:

[Simon Veness]

There is no escape for you and Mr Card, Steve. Be afraid - be very afraid!!!

[billiecat]

Am I right in thinking then that I can use Downtown Check In even if I just have my flights with Virgin (no car or hotel booking) and that I can use this even if my flights were booked through another website like Expedia? :redconfus

[palmer gang]

I think if your flights only you have to pay a small fee but I may be wrong

[Simon Veness]

Yes, that's absolutely right. If you are Virgin Holidays, it is a free service, but if you are just using Virgin Atlantic, there is a charge for it. Equally, if you are flying Premiair (or the equivalent upgrade service) with Travel City or Airtours, it is also a free service, otherwise it is $10-$15 a head. Still worth it, though, to get the most out of your last day, IMHO.

[billiecat]

Do I pay that fee here before we go or can I just turn up there and pay for it?

[Tiggers Friend]

Turn up, get your bags weighed, check-in and pay. Easy as that! :)

[billiecat]

Thanks, sounds good. :happy-thumb Hopefully this time next week we will have our flights booked. :purplejum

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Just a couple of updates for you all.
Flew back from MCO on Saturday.
DTD cost per travelling passenger not with VH, or UC or Gold Card holder now $10

Even UC pax luggage being weighed.

Now,
Just to show what you can do.
I checked in online on Friday, then went to DTD to get rid of 2 of the three cases (third case was to include our son's car seat) then dropped the third case at MCO.
As you can see, you can do any combination of the check in options.

MCO security a complete joke, still demanding everyone take off their shoes, agains TSA rules.

[Tiggers Friend]

DTD cost per travelling passenger not with VH, or UC or Gold Card holder now $10



You have to say even at $10 per person it's still good value when balanced against the convenience etc. :)

[martin1]

it is a good idea and one we will be doing when we go in may it saves time at the airport giving us time for the last "fix" and shopping but not too much. the twilight check in at gatwick sounds good as well for the day b4 departure will have to do that one too