Can we do this on our checkout day?

[Mome Rath]

The temptation to go to a park would be too great for me; I'd probably hit MK as it is open at the right time and has multiple different tiered rides to hit early in the morn. I'd allow at least 1.5 hours to get back to the hotel, cancel any ADR's. But that's just typical for our touring style.

 

[nkereina]

Staying at AOA
Flight leaves at 4:15 so I expect ME to pick us up around 1:00.
Currently have Chef Mickey's at 9:00am and a park reservation for Epcot which opens at 11:00.
Traveling in about 2 months.

If we leave Epcot at noon via the Skyliner, will we have enough time to get back to the resort, get our bags, and get on ME? If we can leave at noon, will an hour be enough time to do anything? I'm willing to cancel our breakfast and hope that we can get in a little early to EP.

The general rule of thumb is to allow 60 minutes when going from park to resort (or vice versa) using Disney transportation. After you exit the Skyliner at the back of AOA, you'd still have to walk to the front of the resort and collect your stored luggage. They also tell you to be at the DME stop 15 minutes before you're scheduled pick-up time. Assuming your DME pick-up time is 1pm, I'd feel most comfortable leaving wherever I am by 11:30 in order to ensure I get back to AOA, get my bags (allowing a wait for that), hit the restroom, and then be waiting for the bus.

As PP mentioned, you could use Uber back to AOA to cut down on time. Uber would drop you at the front of AOA, right where you'd have to pick up your bags. Depending on where in Epcot you'd be, it may be easier to exit through the International Gateway and walk over to BC to catch your Uber there.

When we were there in October, Epcot opened around 10:30 or so each day. Not sure if that's still the case, but I'd suggest trying to get there around then to maximize your time. With a 9am Chef Mickey's reservation, I'd suggest Ubering from CR to Epcot rather than trying to contend with the buses, which can cause delays due to the limited capacity in the current environment.

I considered changing my park reservation to MK and canceling Chef Mickey's since MK opens at 9:00. If we did that, how much time would we need to give ourselves when using the buses to get back.

Because of the currently limited bus capacity, I'd want to leave the park around 11:15-11:30ish in order to ensure I'm back at AOA with time to grab luggage and be at the DME stop 15 mins prior to my 1pm pick up.

If you want to do a park on your last day, this would be my vote. IMO, you'd get *maybe* a good hour in doing Epcot instead, which doesn't seem worthwhile to me, logistically.

I thought about just doing Chef Mickey's and taking a day off our park tickets, but it seems like we'd have to much down time.

Have you considered trying to change Chef Mickey to 10 or 10:30? This would give you more time in the morning to pack up your room, store your bags, and then get to CR. And you'd have very little time to kill (if any) afterward. Going for a 9am reservation, I think you'd have to take Uber to get there on time so you'd want to leave AOA around 8:30, and store your bags before as well. We prefer a leisurely last breakfast on the mornings we check out so we don't have to rush packing up and so we're not wasting money on such limited time in the park.

 

[dmband]

I assume my bus pick up will be around 12 noon.
mead planning to hit MK for a few last minute things but if we are not up early enough, what about going to Boardwalk??
What is good to eat there and/or do/see?

 

[MamaMermaid]

I wouldn't risk it.

 

[kwdw]

With a 1pm pick-up time for ME - I'd pick EITHER a park that opens early or a nice meal. You can't do both. You CAN do a park - and eat lunch at the food court at the hotel. But I would probably just snack at the park that morning and plan on eating at the airport before my flight.

For a 1pm leave time - I ONLY go to a park when I have an AP. I don't pay for a park ticket on check-out day unless my leave time from the resort is 4 pm or later.

 

[Dis703]

I don't know. I'm all about fitting in a park on departure day, but that seems like a lot. You'll spend more time traveling than actually in the park. If anything I'd skip the breakfast ADR and choose a park that will be open earlier to get a few extra hours in.

 

[nkereina]

if we are not up early enough, what about going to Boardwalk??
What is good to eat there and/or do/see?

Not much, especially during the day. I think the only dining option would be Boardwalk Bakery that's open during the morning, and I don't think there's much outdoor seating. I'd say its worthwhile if you have a TS breakfast booked in that area, but I wouldn't bother going out of my way otherwise.