Downtown Disney Check-In

Quick question...

Have briefly searched the VS site for info but can't find answer I require (or looking in wrong place!).

When checking in at DTD, do all members of the party need to be present? May sound like a stupid question.. actually it probably is a stupid question![:I][:w]

I will OLCI as well just in case.
Cheers![y]

Yes, like the airport you all have to be present. I know it would be great if only one person could nip down. When you get to the airport you just go direct to the gate, so they would need to see everyone.

[RichardMannion]

If you are travelling in PE or UC, do not under any cicrumstances utilise the service. We used it last week, and it was without doubt the worst check-in experience in my life.

Amateur, cavalier style service and attitude at best. The staff were too busy arguing amongst themselves or looking at photos in a huddle down the end of the counter rather than checking in customers.

The airport was very quiet for check-in; and the service we received there by the ground staff was really good.

Thanks,
Richard

i found the service ok (albeit it was approx 5 years ago!)

All members of your party have to be present and they put your luggage into a van so wave bye bye to it and not see it again until you arrive back in UK.

I used it in May this year for the first time, and also in July for a group of us.

Both times went very well, I upgraded from PE to UC in May and the lady was excellent dealing with my request and everything was done in around 5 minutes. Similarly in July , 11 of us were all checked in within 10 minutes with no hassle.

I think they are used to dealing with large groups of VH passengers who just want to get rid of their luggage as quickly as possible and be on their way. I would doubt they see many UC regular flyers or Gold card holders, although there is no excuse for arguing amongst themselves etc. I certainly found them more friendly than the LGW twilight check in staff and just as helpful as anyone else I've encountered.

Sounds like, along with no scones, you didn't have the best of trips this time, hope the next one is better.

Jilly

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by jilly
I think they are used to dealing with large groups of VH passengers who just want to get rid of their luggage as quickly as possible and be on their way. I would doubt they see many UC regular flyers or Gold card holders

Pretty much what they said down at DD. You bet they are not used to seeing Upper pax - they didn't even have purple boarding passes there!

I have used the service before and it wasnt bad then, so maybe it was just a bad day that day. Still, it tarnishes a customers opinion of the airline and the brand and i dont think we'll ever use the facility again.

After reading napamatt's TR with the menu there, i'm thinking Disney in Anaheim next time!!

Thanks,
Sarah

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by jilly

Sounds like, along with no scones, you didn't have the best of trips this time, hope the next one is better.

Jilly

There were moments, but overall not that bad. Crew in both direction were good. My usual issue of priority luggage not working didn't happen this time.

Thanks,
Richard

I forget how many time I have mentioned that I thought the UC service was not all that good at DD, but always seemed to hear otherwise - Guess we can now say 'As disapproved by Lord and Lady Mannion and Paul!'

But, gotta say it is still better than keeping hold of your baggage all day and attempting to transfer it from the car at 5pm at the airport.

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
I forget how many time I have mentioned that I thought the UC service was not all that good at DD, but always seemed to hear otherwise - Guess we can now say 'As disapproved by Lord and Lady Mannion and Paul!'

But, gotta say it is still better than keeping hold of your baggage all day and attempting to transfer it from the car at 5pm at the airport.

Paul

If you are in UC or PE then I personally dont think the DTD check-in is worthwhile - unless you dont want your bags in the car for security or some other reason. Why? Because when you get to MCO you (usually) return your hire car in the undeground car park and then either give your bags to the porters or wheel them the short distance to the check in- and when we were last at MCO there was no queue and it made it really easy.

If I was travelling in Y then it would be a definite "must do" as the queue for check in at MCO was horrendous!!

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by p17blo
But, gotta say it is still better than keeping hold of your baggage all day and attempting to transfer it from the car at 5pm at the airport.

To be fair, the majority of people visiting MCO for a vacation do have a hire car. We did, and had an airport drop-off, so it really would have been indifferent to have kept hold of our luggage and taken it to the airport as per usual. It might have also aided with those last minute purchases at the Mall we made

I think that DD check-in can be a great help to some Economy and Premium passengers, especially those with a family who have lots of luggage and have had to check out that day. For Upper passengers, or even Premium passengers with light luggage and a rental car, i don't think it has outstanding benefits. I have been to MCO every year for the past 5 years or so, and i have never encountered huge queues at the rental drop-off, so something to bear in mind perhaps for other travellers?

Paul, and yes, DD certainly made it on the blacklist in the 'Mannion Elite Guide to Travel'

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Paul, and yes, DD certainly made it on the blacklist in the 'Mannion Elite Guide to Travel'

Is this available at all major book shops and retail outlets...?
[:I]

[RichardMannion]

It may be in the future, once I have finished writing V-Book 3. Obviously as a humour item, very tongue in cheek but covering all those favourite aspects such as:

- Brits abroad, do's and don'ts
- Football shirts, NO
- Tipping tips

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by p17blo
I forget how many time I have mentioned that I thought the UC service was not all that good at DD, but always seemed to hear otherwise - Guess we can now say 'As disapproved by Lord and Lady Mannion and Paul!'

But, gotta say it is still better than keeping hold of your baggage all day and attempting to transfer it from the car at 5pm at the airport.

Paul

Um add my name to the list [}:)]

However, I've found that if you get there around 8.30 - 9 am there's usually no one else there The main advantage I guess is not having to lug the luggage at the Airport

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright

However, I've found that if you get there around 8.30 - 9 am there's usually no one else there

Up in time to get to DD at 8:30, on your last day... Are you mad [?][:0]:D

Paul

Me and the present Mrs Treelo have used DTD on many occasions and have never been disappointed in the level of service we have received. In fact we first used the facility when it was served by one tiny hut and was located in a car park at the other end of the complex from where it is now at Cirque du Soleil. At no time have we had to put up with the churlish and unhelpful attitudes that both Richard and Sarah have described in previous posts.

Indeed on one occasion I witnessed a baggage handler coming over to the car park to assist a couple with their luggage when it was obvious that the husband was unable to manage with his arm in a sling [^]

It seems that Richard and Sarah were just plain unlucky with the operatives they encountered during their check-in process Ð much like the roulette wheel of chance dictating that you fly with a good (or not so good) cabin crew [}:)]

DonÕt dismiss DTD check-in out of hand guys Ð give it a try yourself. If nothing else, it allows a great, luggage-free last day in the sun

Thanks for all the comments/advice.

Number of factors decided the course of action; OLCI, late departure from villa, hire car return to airport.

Decided not to use DTD and went straight to airport late in the day. Currently writing TR!

Cheers[y]

A final - after the event plea for DD check in - do it - do Disney a water park - Typhoon lagoon is 'there' - its the most relaxed way out of Florida.

[HighFlyer]

Check all of your stuff in - then go to a water park? Are you people mad?

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Check all of your stuff in - then go to a water park? Are you people mad?

Thanks,
Sarah

Oh come on Sarah. Other than a swimsuit (NOT SPEEDOS PLEASE [:$]) and some sun screen,both of which can be wrapped in a plastic bag and stuffed in hand baggage, what more do you need? I would have thought this would be the perfect end to the holiday, especially for pax travelling with children.

Wouldn't that constitute liquid on your carry on? [ii]

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by Treelo
Oh come on Sarah. Other than a swimsuit (NOT SPEEDOS PLEASE [:$]) and some sun screen,both of which can be wrapped in a plastic bag and stuffed in hand baggage, what more do you need?

Erm .... new set of pressed travelling clothes, hairdryer ... the list goes on. And this comes from someone who thought it would be a good idea to do Ripsaw Falls on their last day! Big mistake!

Thanks,
Sarah

we used dtd check in 2 years ago on our last trip
we thought like richard the service was very indiferent --untill they saw the uc tags on the baggage ,then they all sprang into action .
it is very helpfull for us as my daughter is in a wheel chair and i am also disabled and at that time we had an 18 month old so the 2 kids and hand baggage was more than enough for us to struggle into the air port with , we still managed to forget the blue badge and leave it in america .
to save us having to unload both kids , wheel chair , baby buggy and all we parked on the no parking zone in full view of the check in staff so we were in effect "all at check in" this was ok by the staff but not by the parking wardens the staff told us we had to move the vehicle until they saw the UC tags and then one of them went and said something to the parking warden who then drove off and left us there in peace .
also the big plus for us was not having the bags on show in the mini van all day .
so fingers crossed it will be ok on our return trip in december .
steve