Downtown Disney Check In

Quick question - am I right to assume that Downtown Disney check in operates just like a normal check in and that all parties need to be in attendance?

thanks

Andrew

[buns]

Although I have never used it personally,it has alwas been my understanding that all passengers have present themselves at Check In

buns

It is just like any other check-in - all need to be there - same security questions etc.
We find it very useful even when not going to visit the mouse - much easier to get rid of cases early before the hire car.

[Neil]

Agree, it really does take the hassle out of the last day

I only visit Disney property when in Florida to use DTD check-in. It makes the final day of your holiday very hassle-free as you can turn up at MCO that bit later with hand baggage only and head straight for security. It's well worth the $10 per person fee IMO (free if you're on a Virgin Hols package holiday / flying Upper Class / flying club gold).

DTD check-in, Universal Orlando (with a leisurely lunch at Mythos) then head off to the airport mid-afternoon is normally the plan for my final day in Florida.

I have used (once) it but wouldn't again. When there is a probloem like your flight is cancelled they are not empowered to deal with it - we had a nightmare when ours was cancelled and they didnt/couldnt help us (7 pax on J's !) so had to treck to MCO to find a supervisor with common sense and authority when we should have been in a park on our last day !

Aplology from Virgin (and free flights for all to New York in Upper) explained they were contract staff unlike the supervisor at MCO who are were fantastic but we missed a day of our vacation.

Always use it without any problems. As others have said, all parties need to be present, along with all luggage and hand luggage.

You can however, if allowances allow, check in more luggage, ie last minute shopping, at the airport. (which has been known to be done a few times [:w])

David

Edited to add :- the big advantage is of course gaining an extra day - make sure, if you are booking carhire seperately, that it doesn't need to be returned by mid afternoon, which of course negates any time you will have gained by not turning up at the airport until an hour before departure.

I've also used before and am pleased to say I didn't have the same issue as hackneyguy when my flight was cancelled, I'd already checked in online the evening before but wanted to get rid of my luggage so arrived at DTD shortly after opening where I was advised my flight had been cancelled, I was very impressed with the team at DTD, they calmed my frazzled nerves (some of you might remember I had my outbound flight the same trip cancelled too, the Gatwick team were not so helpful, putting it mildly!), and got me the last remaining UC seat, after nipping into the 'back room' to make a quick phone call (apparently). On boarding the plane and settling into my seat, imagine my suprise when the guy who had sorted the issue out at DTD walked into the UC cabin to check that I 'was OK'.

quote:Originally posted by Kraken
I only visit Disney property when in Florida to use DTD check-in. It makes the final day of your holiday very hassle-free as you can turn up at MCO that bit later with hand baggage only and head straight for security. It's well worth the $10 per person fee IMO (free if you're on a Virgin Hols package holiday / flying Upper Class / flying club gold).
DTD check-in, Universal Orlando (with a leisurely lunch at Mythos) then head off to the airport mid-afternoon is normally the plan for my final day in Florida.


Couldn't agree more. The ability to 'dump' bags first thing, giving a luggage-free day, coupled with a later arrival at MCO as mentioned by Kraken, is well worth $10 per person [^]

Thanks for the advice guys - just used DTD and was very impressed. Smooth and efficient.

All I need know is for VS28 to be on time, fingers xx'd.

Andrew

I no longer user DTD when flying UC - I don't think it adds anything as the line at MCO for UC is 1 or 2 people tops. Plus you can't pop your last minute purchases in your case.

I noticed the last time I used DTD (Nov 09) they now have scales onsite which they never used to. Was a good way of sneaking onboard overweight cases but alas that is no longer the case.

Paul

The scales had disappeared in December!

I understand they were broken so probably will return.

It's not the lack of a line that is the advantage of DTD - its not having the bother of cases on the last day - particularly if travelling UC - 6 cases + handluggage don't easily fit in a trunk and insurance never covers cases in sight in a car!

[RichardMannion]

As Paul says, pointless to use if FC Au or flying in Upper. I found the staff to be rude and useless, they had no clue how to look after a premium passenger - they were more interested in dicking about and looking at photos from a social event. Cases aren't a problem, as normally do late check-out of my hotel or leave them in the boot of the car whilst we go to a park.

I can see why it is of benefit for some though.

Sorry Richard, but have completely the opposite experience. I was not sure if it was because we were in UC but we had excellent, most friendly service at DTD. We've been through there quite a few times now - sometimes busy - sometimes quiet - but the priority line always seems to work and we were always quickly through.

I have seen Y pax having problems (or rather staff having problems with them!) due to overweight bags and repacking on the concrete and generally taking as much space as possible in the middle of busy lines!

[HighFlyer]

We've been through DTD in UC and they didnt have any purple passes or do any priority luggage tagging. As Paul says, given that UC check-in rarely has a queue I cant see the immediate benefit for Golds/UC but I do understand its use for others.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Neil]

We have also had great service at DTD when flying UC (and we got purple boarding passes) but for us the benefit is getting rid of out cases, we stay in a villa and have to be out by 11am so it is a perfect way to make our last day hassle free.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
We have also had great service at DTD when flying UC (and we got purple boarding passes) but for us the benefit is getting rid of out cases, we stay in a villa and have to be out by 11am so it is a perfect way to make our last day hassle free.


Your post echoes the reasn for our use of DTD too, Neil. Vacating a villa by 10 or 11am leaves a long time to have suitcases lying in your car boot. Viva DTD[^][y]

We use DTD too but as we're flying PE, we never quite know where to stand as I can see the UC barrier but nothing for PE. I usually stand between the economy people and the UC line and try and catch one of the people checking passports and ask them where I should stand for PE. They then just wave me on to the next check-in clark who becomes free - sometimes to the annoyance of people who have been waiting for a much longer time.

Katie

quote:Originally posted by katie666
We use DTD too but as we're flying PE, we never quite know where to stand as I can see the UC barrier but nothing for PE. I usually stand between the economy people and the UC line and try and catch one of the people checking passports and ask them where I should stand for PE. They then just wave me on to the next check-in clark who becomes free - sometimes to the annoyance of people who have been waiting for a much longer time.

Katie


I think you'll find that the 'non-econ' queue is for both UC and PE passengers. At least that's how I've treated over the past 5 or 6 years. [:w]

It's rare to see anyone else in the UC line.
We've never had to wait although it does take a while to get all 6 cases across from the car!