what time is leave on ME for a MCO flight home?

[cwt580]

we have a departing flight for 5:35 pm from MCO. what time will we be expected to board the ME bus to airport. we are staying at WL and trying to figure what resturant to hit for a ts lunch on departure day. no park tix left but still have 2 credits for ts to use up per person. will decide what to do with remaining credit after scheduling departure meal.

we'd like to try sanaa but not sure its feasible timewise. no kids all 4 adults.

 

[vicki_c]

we have a departing flight for 5:35 pm from MCO. what time will we be expected to board the ME bus to airport. we are staying at WL and trying to figure what resturant to hit for a ts lunch on departure day. no park tix left but still have 2 credits for ts to use up per person. will decide what to do with remaining credit after scheduling departure meal.

we'd like to try sanaa but not sure its feasible timewise. no kids all 4 adults.

3 hours +/- 15 minutes before your flight time.

 

[Polydweller]

3 hours +/- 15 minutes before your flight time.

And you have to be at the podium 15 minutes before your departure time. They will not wait. The time they say they'll leave they leave. You will get a letter at your room the day before with your bus departure time which will be about 3 hrs before your flight time and you must be there 15 minutes before your bus departure time.

 

[davedmaine]

And you have to be at the podium 15 minutes before your departure time. They will not wait. The time they say they'll leave they leave. You will get a letter at your room the day before with your bus departure time which will be about 3 hrs before your flight time and you must be there 15 minutes before your bus departure time.

That's not necessarily true. It seems like every ME bus I've been on, the bus driver always waits a few extra minutes for no-shows. And I've never heard anything about being at the podium 15 minutes before departure time.

 

[seashoreCM]

we have a departing flight for 5:35 pm from MCO. what time will we be expected to board the ME bus to airport. we are staying at WL and trying to figure what resturant to hit for a ts lunch on departure day. no park tix left but still have 2 credits for ts to use up per person. will decide what to do with remaining credit after scheduling departure meal.

we'd like to try sanaa but not sure its feasible timewise. no kids all 4 adults.

Shoot to be back at your resort an hour before your Magical Express bus time. (added later: No children? I suppose you can make that 45 minutes.) A little more if you need to get carryons back from the bellhop. From Downtown Disney or from another resort, be prepared to take a taxi back since these Disney bus itineraries can be very time consuming. (Disney's current recommendation is to allow 90 minutes for a resort to resort trip.)

While DME buses have been known to wait for stragglers, that is not guaranteed. We can't draw conclusions from those who reported buses leaving early since the driver may have accounted for everyone on the guest list. But the driver may look around before closing the luggage door down below and climibing aboard and, seeing the platform empty and no one coming, depart a minute early.

 

[Missytara]

That is a good suggestion. A few years ago, we stashed our carry-ons at SSR while we went to the parks.

Our leave time was 4:15, so we erred on the side of caution and got there around 3:30 pm. A ton of people were checking in and using Bell Services; so we had to wait about 15 minutes in order to get our bags.

 

[MinnieMeaghan]

Yes, definitely get back to your resort early. The bus will leave 3 hours before your flight departs, but definitely give yourself plenty of time to get back. I relied on Disney busses to come back to DAKL from Epcot. I gave myself about an hour and a half to get back (knowing the busses usually depart once every 20 minutes). Except this time, there was no bus for an HOUR! We were extremely lucky that we made it back and the magical express bus hadn't left (we also had out luggage downstairs at bell services). Moral of the story: give yourself plenty of time to get back to the resort!

 

[goofy4tink]

That's not necessarily true. It seems like every ME bus I've been on, the bus driver always waits a few extra minutes for no-shows. And I've never heard anything about being at the podium 15 minutes before departure time.

While that may have been your experience, believe me...bus drives on a schedule will not always wait. Yet, I've been on buses where they did wait for latecomers, and it added quite a bit of time to our overall timing. We got to the airport, once, about 90 mins before our departure time!! If a driver can't see someone approaching the bus, there is no reason to hang around.

OP...with a flight time of 5:35, you can expect your DME p/u time to be around 2:30..give or take 15 mins either way. So, I would plan on being back at the resort no later than 2pm. 1:45 would be better.

I would eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe,or maybe over to the GF for a character meal at 1900 Park Fare, or Chef Mickey's, and then give those remaining credits to someone eating there. Explain the situation to a CM..they should be able to help you spread a little last minute pixie dust. I know that's happened to me in the past.

 

[Polydweller]

That's not necessarily true. It seems like every ME bus I've been on, the bus driver always waits a few extra minutes for no-shows. And I've never heard anything about being at the podium 15 minutes before departure time.

The time you are given in the notice is the bus departure time, not pick up time. The bus will usually arrive sometime before that, that's why the 15 minutes. That gives a few minutes to get everybody loaded and seated so they can meet the departure time.

And I was giving planning time for the OP. Don't plan on them waiting past the departure time. As goofy4tink says, they can and do leave right on departure time. Plan to be at the podium 15 minutes in advance and not rushing at the last minute.

 

[Megsie1000]

If you do decide to do Sanaa (and it is wonderful), I would plan on taking a cab to and from your hotel. That isn't cheap but it will give you a lot more peace of mind than praying the buses will come and go in time to get you there and back.

 

[maxiesmom]

That's not necessarily true. It seems like every ME bus I've been on, the bus driver always waits a few extra minutes for no-shows. And I've never heard anything about being at the podium 15 minutes before departure time.

My dad almost missed his ME bus when I forgot to tell him to be at the stop a few minutes early. He walked up just as the bus was getting ready to pull away.

I've also been on a ME bus where part of a family was on board, but not all of them. The driver told those on board that he was leaving at the set time, and if the rest of the family wasn't there, they would be left behind.

If someone misses their scheduled ME bus, it is up to them to get to the airport.

 

[davedmaine]

The time you are given in the notice is the bus departure time, not pick up time. The bus will usually arrive sometime before that, that's why the 15 minutes. That gives a few minutes to get everybody loaded and seated so they can meet the departure time.

And I was giving planning time for the OP. Don't plan on them waiting past the departure time. As goofy4tink says, they can and do leave right on departure time. Plan to be at the podium 15 minutes in advance and not rushing at the last minute.

I understand what you're saying but they don't always leave on time. They will often wait a few extra minutes for their no-shows. They don't have to wait, but they do.

 

[ironz]

I understand what you're saying but they don't always leave on time. They will often wait a few extra minutes for their no-shows. They don't have to wait, but they do.

With all due respect, and I'm glad that was your experience....but if you come on here and indicate to someone that it is ok to be a few minutes late and THEIR bus doesn't wait (esp as you have no evidence that ALL busses wait for latecomers) and they miss their ride to the airport and miss their flight home, you are doing the OP a huge disservice.

OP...arrive before the time indicated on your paperwork.
Not ALL busses wait, and I would go out on a limb and suggest that most leave on time. (I've missed one before...because it left early....it was a huge stressful mess.)

 

[cwt580]

We are planning a lunch at any one of the following just cant decide. Wcc or wave or kona or gfc. Wanted to do chef mickeys but no times for lunch available. Our flight is at 5:30 so we plan on being back to Wl by 2pm we figure to be safe.

 

[Missytara]

With all due respect, and I'm glad that was your experience....but if you come on here and indicate to someone that it is ok to be a few minutes late and THEIR bus doesn't wait (esp as you have no evidence that ALL busses wait for latecomers) and they miss their ride to the airport and miss their flight home, you are doing the OP a huge disservice.

OP...arrive before the time indicated on your paperwork.
Not ALL busses wait, and I would go out on a limb and suggest that most leave on time. (I've missed one before...because it left early....it was a huge stressful mess.)

Ditto here.

Some may have had an experience or two with the bus drivers waiting a few minutes, but the OP (and many other posters) might not be so lucky. Best not to sugar coat it and give out the most accurate information.

 

[Missytara]

We are planning a lunch at any one of the following just cant decide. Wcc or wave or kona or gfc. Wanted to do chef mickeys but no times for lunch available. Our flight is at 5:30 so we plan on being back to Wl by 2pm we figure to be safe.

I love all four of those; WCC is just plain fun, I just discovered the Wave this past year and enjoyed the atmosphere; I love Kona for breakfast; and GFC is my must-do every year. You cannot go wrong with any one of these.

 

[cwt580]

Already have at least 1 bf adr at all these choices just not a lunch. Wcc we have a bf and dinner scheduled...

Just trying to figure out the best lunch choice. Our wave adr is for breakfast and have never tried it before. We have eaten at all the others over the yrs.

Also does WL have bag check for the airlines(delta)? Have heard you can check in your bags instead of having bell services hold till you get the ME bus..

 

[Missytara]

Already have at least 1 bf adr at all these choices just not a lunch. Wcc we have a bf and dinner scheduled...

Just trying to figure out the best lunch choice. Our wave adr is for breakfast and have never tried it before. We have eaten at all the others over the yrs.

Also does WL have bag check for the airlines(delta)? Have heard you can check in your bags instead of having bell services hold till you get the ME bus..

Delta is part of the participating airlines with RAC; Resort Airline Check-in. You can check your bags from 5 am to 1 pm, but they must be checked in no later than 3 hours before your departing flight.

Or you can leave your bags with guest services and then retrieve them and take them on the bus. The bus driver will load them under the bus and tipping is expected; about $1.00 a bag.

You can check out all the info about RAC on the Transportation Board.

 

[goofy4tink]

I understand what you're saying but they don't always leave on time. They will often wait a few extra minutes for their no-shows. They don't have to wait, but they do.

Yes, that's true. But here's the thing...if I am on the bus at the first stop, and the driver waits an addlt 5 mins or so, for late comers, and then proceeds to do that at the next two stops?? We are now at least 15 mins behind schedule. If there are any issues on the road, then I can quite possibly be rushing at the airport..and that is something I don't like to do.
I know that on one bus, we were sitting at CBR. The bus was pretty full. The driver had checked in part of a large group. Seems the others in the group had wanted to stop off someplace on the way to the bus...and they were now late. The driver told the boarded part of the group that she would wait another few mins but then would have to leave. The group tried callling the missing members...don't know if they reached them or not. After about 10 mins of sitting (in addition to the 10 mins we had already been there!!) the driver said she was going to have to leave...the boarded members of that group so to go ahead. As the driver started to close the doors, she noticed a suitcase sitting there, on the ground, next to the bus!! She got out, looked it over, then got back on the bus and asked if it belonged to anyone on the bus!!! We spent a total of 30 mins at that one resort!! I got to MCO about 90 mins prior to flight departure time...not a happy camper!!!

We are planning a lunch at any one of the following just cant decide. Wcc or wave or kona or gfc. Wanted to do chef mickeys but no times for lunch available. Our flight is at 5:30 so we plan on being back to Wl by 2pm we figure to be safe.

You should be fine!!!

Already have at least 1 bf adr at all these choices just not a lunch. Wcc we have a bf and dinner scheduled...

Just trying to figure out the best lunch choice. Our wave adr is for breakfast and have never tried it before. We have eaten at all the others over the yrs.

Also does WL have bag check for the airlines(delta)? Have heard you can check in your bags instead of having bell services hold till you get the ME bus..

My favorite meal at WCC is actually lunch!!! I say go there, and then not worry about having to get back to WL in time.
And yes, you can check your bags at WL if flying Delta. You just have to have the bags checked no less than 3 hrs prior to your flight, but that isn't going to be an issue for you. I would bring them all down to the RAC counter before you head out to lunch. You will then have your boarding passes issued as well. Leave any carryon baggage with Bell Services, and get them when you are done eating!!

 

[nkereina]

Just to add my experience - the last two times I have taken ME, the buses have been running late. Once everyone that was in line was boarded, the driver took off. No waiting for people who are late, no head count. FWIW, this was a Saturday and weekends are very busy check-in/check-out times. ME was VERY busy.

Also, I believe the letter I got the day before we left telling me my ME time advised us to be there 15 minutes early. Even if it doesn't say that, I still would. There was quite a line and a few families couldn't sit together. They even had to leave a couple parties behind and wait for the next bus (10 mins behind) because they were so busy and some buses had to take people who were late, etc. It wasn't too organized in my last experience.