Originally Posted By Mr X **Once Customs inspection is complete, then you put them back on a conveyor for transport to the main terminal where you reclaim them.** Couldn't you just carry your belongings with you once you clear customs? Seems like an unnecessary final step to me, if it adds to the "wait around" time!
Originally Posted By Mr X **Those buses sucked harder than a........n industrial vaccuum cleaner.** lol. It does sound like you had some very bad luck too with the buses, I've been on them a million times and never had such bad connections! Thing is, with a car, you've got that nice "well, this sucks but then we'll get back to the car" feeling which you weren't able to have.
Originally Posted By bloona Morning.... I wouldnt go without a car, we (Patrick) drive a lot other than to theme parks when in Orlando, we like to go to various areas to eat/shop and transport just wouldnt help us. The Magical Express is included in the price of our holiday anyway, it was a special offer, so we arent paying any extra for it. Patrick says he wants to have us all travel together, so doesnt want to send us in the coach and him get the car from the airport. I just looked up about the customs thing, it says we get off the plane and go through immigration, then we get the cases, then go through customs check, then hand our cases back, then instead if going upstairs and getting the cases, then going to Alamo, we go to the Magical Express. I still like the sound of it. It says in the guide book that it takes about an hour in all ....lol.....think they must be celebrities writing it, its always taken us at least two hours (travelled to that airport about 5 times- but not since about 1996, so maybe it has improved) Right, better get the kids ready for school. Thanks everyone again.
Originally Posted By bloona <<Couldn't you just carry your belongings with you once you clear customs? Seems like an unnecessary final step to me, if it adds to the "wait around" time!>> this was my big ggggrrrrrr about the whole thing at this airport, there is quite a walk and a flight of stairs inbetween the 2nd drop and pick up though, so I suppose its difficult because of the design of the airport, but its soooooooooooooooooooooooo annoying.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< **Once Customs inspection is complete, then you put them back on a conveyor for transport to the main terminal where you reclaim them.** Couldn't you just carry your belongings with you once you clear customs? Seems like an unnecessary final step to me, if it adds to the "wait around" time! >>> The short answer is no. You now have to pass through security after Customs and before you board the train to the main building, since you mix with the domestic passengers in the secure area of the airport. If you have any more items than are allowed for carry-on, or have prohibited items in the bags, then you must re-check them after Customs and re-claim them in the main terminal building.
Originally Posted By Mr X Wow...THAT sounds like a royal pain! Even for just leaving the place, huh? I guess I don't understand entirely, aren't you already IN the secure area when you arrive? Why go through security on your way OUT? ??
Originally Posted By bloona Im happy that the extra security makes it safer for everyone, just a pity they didnt build the airport better in the first place..lol We will have a flight bag each, so plenty of space to put extra clothes, we let the kids take a bag each because although its a pain having to carry everything, you need plenty to entertain them for such a long flight (although they now both have a DS Lite, so that should help..lol)
Originally Posted By u k fan I've never had to wait too long for my luggage. I would say an hour seems about right. If anything I find the first collection to be the one I have to wait longest for. IMHO, I'd just use the hire car if you're planning to have one anyway as I wouldn't mind betting that as a value resort Pop would be one of the last stops on your bus unless there are enough Pop people to fill one. I have never been to WDW and not hired a car. I couldn't imagine not having one!!!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Even for just leaving the place, huh? I guess I don't understand entirely, aren't you already IN the secure area when you arrive? Why go through security on your way OUT? >>> As you get off the airplane, you're presumably "sterile" as far as security goes. But during the time when you claim your bags, pass through Customs, and put your bags back on the conveyor belt, you have access to your bags. And your bags could have all sorts of prohibited items in them, such as knives of any length, liquids, or just about any other item that's prohibited on board the aircraft. You could even have a handgun and ammunition in your bags (both of which are legal to put in checked bags in the US). Since you mingle with regular domestic departing passengers in the terminal building prior to taking the train to the main building, you have to pass through security to make sure that you didn't take one of these items out of your checked bags and conceal it on your person. Most airports in the US don't have this "pass through security upon int'l arrival" feature, but Orlando does because of the way the terminal building is set up (there's no way to get from the remote terminal to the main building without mixing with departing passengers). At most airports, you just get dumped into the main terminal building as you exit Customs so there's no need to re-check bags or go through security unless you have another flight.
Originally Posted By Mr X **You could even have a handgun and ammunition in your bags (both of which are legal to put in checked bags in the US). Since you mingle with regular domestic departing passengers in the terminal building prior to taking the train to the main building, you have to pass through security** Ah. Now I understand. Thanks.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Most airports in the US don't have this "pass through security upon int'l arrival" feature, but Orlando does because of the way the terminal building is set up (there's no way to get from the remote terminal to the main building without mixing with departing passengers). At most airports, you just get dumped into the main terminal building as you exit Customs so there's no need to re-check bags or go through security unless you have another flight.** This is why I was confused, I think. I wonder why they didn't take that into consideration in Orlando...perhaps they didn't expect a lot of foreign arrivals when they built the place? Seems a rather silly bunch of hoops to jump through, considering it's your final destination!
Originally Posted By bloona we wont have anything illegal in our bags, just vomit covered clothes!...lol...maybe if we smell bad enough they will rush us through?
Originally Posted By Mr X Ah...the "kid strategy". It works in oh so many places, customs included! Seriously, if I were inclined to attempt anything illegal (I'm not, for the record), I would rent a baby to take with me...talk about a free pass! (which, on the horrible flip/side though, is why customs people are inclined to sometimes search babies and horrible stuff like that...yikes!)
Originally Posted By bloona yes, Ive had to wake Connor up before when he's been snoozing away so they could check him and his stroller. Fair enough, but still annoying..lol.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Bloona, I don't know if these things work on children, but my husband had great success with SeaBands which you can get at a drugstore. A friend uses a patch in back of her ear, it has to be prescribed by a doctor.
Originally Posted By bloona Ive not tried patches, theyve had the wristbands with pressure points on them , both found them uncomfortable but tried, and I give my eldest travel sickness tablets. I found mints are good for my youngest in car journeys, but we've not flown since I discovered that. So fingers crossed. Thank you
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^^Good luck. My husband used to take Dramamine, so much that it made his ears ring. Travel with him wasn't fun, but the wristbands are a great help.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> **Most airports in the US don't have this "pass through security upon int'l arrival" feature, but Orlando does because of the way the terminal building is set up (there's no way to get from the remote terminal to the main building without mixing with departing passengers). At most airports, you just get dumped into the main terminal building as you exit Customs so there's no need to re-check bags or go through security unless you have another flight.** << Philadelphia has that, and the nastiest TSA people I've ever experienced. Never again. I wanted to head back to where I came (France) where they actually were welcoming!
Originally Posted By Mr X I've gotta hand it to the excellent staff at Newark Liberty International... 4 round trips through that airport, and NOTHING but excellent, friendly, efficient staff all around. Never felt put out, or delayed, but at the same time I never felt as though they were compromising security in any way either. The only other places I've gone through internationally in America (all only once) have been Detroit (bad experience, but I'll chalk it up to one bad worker), Chicago (no prob), Hawaii (no prob), and Guam (VERY slow and confusing, but it was post 9/11 by a few months and I'll just assume they weren't really "up and running". But yeah, if you come to America from abroad, I would HIGHLY recommend Newark as your port of entry if possible. Your milage may vary, of course.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I haven't had too many problems in Orlando, except when they re-scan the bags, I've had bags opened and not closed. I don't like finding my bags open. I have heard more problems from International travelers, but it's because of the stupid rules now imposed on them. In Philly, the bag screeners were screaming at everyone to take off their shoes, etc. Just nasty and uncalled for - everyone had already been up for 15 or so hours and didn't need that. I felt bad for the foreigners, this being their first point of entry into the US. We had also had a flight attendant screamer on US Air, which I wrote to US Air about, so that flight experience wasn't the best (as least there were good movies on board). I feel like other countries have a better handle on security, but it's less invasive. Of course, that has nothing to do with Magical Express (which I have never used or needed since I live in Orlando).
