Checking luggage early

[Gator]

My family will have an early departure when we leave. Are we able to check in luggage the previous evening? Will we even be able to check our luggage at our resort if we have to leave by 4am for a 6am flight?

[SandmanGStefani24]

According to AA's website, baggage can only be checked in the same day as departure. Therefore, in theory you should be able to check in your bags after midnight if they allow you. Not sure if they will...but maybe someone else knows...Hope this helps.

[faline]

When is the earliest a Guest using the remote check-in can check-in for their airline?
12 hours prior to their flight departure time.

When is the latest a Guest using the remote check-in can check-in for their airline?
2¾ hours prior to their flight departure time.


You might also find this information (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=122115&highlight=luggage+magical+express)helpful.

[Beast_fanatic]

You can't check your luggage using the resort check-in for such an early flight (the luggage check-in desk closes to early to allow you to check it less than 12 hours in advance). You'll have to take the luggage on the bus to the airport with you.

[CleveRocks]

The OP is asking about using Resort Airline Check-in, which is available in the lobby at every WDW resort. This service is available only to people flying a "participating airline."

To answer the OP's question directly ... no, unfortunately, you won't be able to use RAC. Luggage must be checked with RAC the same day as the flight. But the RAC desk doesn't open 'til 5:00 a.m. (it closes at 1:00 p.m.), and the entire check-in process must be completed no later than 2 hours 45 minutes prior to scheduled flight time. So anyone getting a 6:00 a.m. flight at MCO is inelgible to use RAC. Sorry.

[TheRustyScupper]

For DME, it happens like this for flights prior to 8:00am.

EXAMPLE: 6:00am flight from MCO:
1) You are issued a 3:00am pickup ressie 3-hrs before your flight.
2) DME will not make a ressie less than 3-hrs prior to take-off.
3) You make sure the resort has your wake-up call info.
4) Take your luggage to the DME loading zone at resort 10-20 minutes early.
5) Give luggage to DME driver, who puts it on the same bus/van you ride.
6) Luggage is off-loaded at airport by driver (please tip the driver).
7) Either the airline redcap or you check luggage with the airline.

NOTE: If you are going to have a bellman tote your luggage to the DME loading zone, make a reservation with the resort the night before. This is just to make sure you get picked up in time for the bus, in the event there are others who need bellmen service at that hour. There is a limited quantity of bellmen working 3rd shift.

NOTE2: The 3:00am pickup is just for illustration. Your resort may pickup on-the-hour, or 10-minutes after-the-hour, or 20-minutes after-the-hour, etc. In all cases, your pickup time will not be less than 3-hrs prior to flight time.