Complaint

[stitch34]

I'm always worried about making it to the airport in time on the way back.
We fly SW usually, so get to the airport and have to check out bags - as long as line isn't too long, we're okay. So worry about long lines for that and security.
Plus we preboard with my special needs son, so want to make sure we're there in time.
Our trip last April - took a very long time going from resort to resort picking people up. We left disney property finally at the 2 hour mark before our flight time, which to me was cutting it rather close. We were fine - thankfully security and checking in bags went fairly well - but if one or both of those were backed up, we wouldn't have made it.

But otherwise have been very happy with the DME service and have gotten there in a timely manner.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm always worried about making it to the airport in time on the way back ... preboard with my special ...

(copied from another post)
You're a candidate for (after you get to Disney) requesting a bus earlier than 3 hours before flight time.

 

[onelilspark]

What does losing the doll have to do with ME getting to the airport on time?

 

[goofy4tink]

10 minutes isn't just the time to load the bus but also includes the time it takes to drive to the next resort. I suspect a delay is all but inevitable if a passenger has a wheelchair or a lot of guests have a lot of luggage that needs to be stowed under the bus.

I'm basing that 10 mins at the resort on the actual time I have seen buses sitting there, boarding passengers and loading their stuff underneath. I would add in another 10 mins, tops, to get to the next resort. It usually doesn't take all that long since the resorts on the route are in fairly close proximity.
Let's say the bus goes to YC at 10:00, it sits there until 10:10, then moves on to BC, gets there at 10:15, loads until 10:25, moves on to BW. Gets there at 10:30, leaves at 10:40, heads MCO. Gets there at 11:10. That about takes up the 30 mins extra in driving to the resorts and loading guests.
It's only when there is something 'special' happening that it gets thrown off.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm basing that 10 mins at the resort on the actual time I have seen buses sitting there, boarding passengers and loading their stuff underneath. I would add in another 10 mins, tops, to get to the next resort. It usually doesn't take all that long since the resorts on the route are in fairly close proximity.
Let's say the bus goes to YC at 10:00, it sits there until 10:10, then moves on to BC, gets there at 10:15, loads until 10:25, moves on to BW. Gets there at 10:30, leaves at 10:40, heads MCO. Gets there at 11:10. That about takes up the 30 mins extra in driving to the resorts and loading guests.
It's only when there is something 'special' happening that it gets thrown off.

The schedule is
YC :00/:30
BC :10/:40
BW :20/:50
CBR :30/:00

Using your (presumably real world) numbers means the bus that's scheduled to leave BW at 10:20 will be leaving at 10:40. The delay will be compounded if the bus has to stop for guests at CBR. The point is the bus schedule is already "best case". It doesn't take much luggage to cause delays.

Passengers without luggage to check at MCO are in good shape if they arrive at MCO 90 minutes before their flight. The 3 hour pickup time gives buses enough time to accommodate delays.

edited to add My point is it doesn't take much traffic or luggage before the bus gets behind schedule. That delay will increase with a wheelchair, even if the driver is experienced.

 

[dburg30]

While I do agree that the OP was on time, while reading this thread I did wonder if they ended up on a later bus. But this is only because yesterday we too had a flight that was scheduled for 5:05. We were at POR waiting for our ME bus that was scheduled for 2:00 when it showed up at 1:45 maybe even a couple minutes earlier. I did check the time on my cell phone when we were pulling away from the next stop that was POFQ and it was 2:00 then. I thought to myself that it was scary how early the bus was because if people are unaware that they need to be early they could really have some problems.

It's always been my understanding that the time arranged for ME is the time the bus is supposed to leave the resort, not the time it arrives to pick up guests. So a 1:45 arrival and a 2:00 departure from the resort makes perfect sense to me.

As stated if it was a 2:00 bus, it left when it was supposed to. The 2:00 time wasnt for loading, that is the leaving time. So in the POFQ quoted above, as Tara said, that was how it was SUPPOSED to work. And why folks on the transportation board here try to BEAT it into everyones head to get there at LEAST 15 minutes before departure time, READY TO GO, not getting bags, not heading there, AT the stop ready to walk on the bus.

 

[Lewisc]

As stated if it was a 2:00 bus, it left when it was supposed to. The 2:00 time wasnt for loading, that is the leaving time. So in the POFQ quoted above, as Tara said, that was how it was SUPPOSED to work. And why folks on the transportation board here try to BEAT it into everyones head to get there at LEAST 15 minutes before departure time, READY TO GO, not getting bags, not heading there, AT the stop ready to walk on the bus.

Which is one reason why the OP is upset. They got to the DME bus stop at 1:50 for a 2:15 bus. They probably just missed, assuming POLY had any guests with a reservation, the 1:45 bus.

 

[dburg30]

Oh, I get the actual OP's complaint, but the other one I was quoting, is actually how IMO, it's supposed to work, the bus gets there and you leave at the right time. The OP had a bad, bad trip, and from what it appears just a driver from hell..

 

[goofy4tink]

The schedule is
YC :00/:30
BC :10/:40
BW :20/:50
CBR :30/:00

Using your (presumably real world) numbers means the bus that's scheduled to leave BW at 10:20 will be leaving at 10:40. The delay will be compounded if the bus has to stop for guests at CBR. The point is the bus schedule is already "best case". It doesn't take much luggage to cause delays.

Passengers without luggage to check at MCO are in good shape if they arrive at MCO 90 minutes before their flight. The 3 hour pickup time gives buses enough time to accommodate delays.

edited to add My point is it doesn't take much traffic or luggage before the bus gets behind schedule. That delay will increase with a wheelchair, even if the driver is experienced.

Okay, okay...shoot me at dawn. I was using a 'what if' scenario. I forgot the 'times' for p/u for the Epcot resorts. It is still 10 mins difference between the times....1:20 the bus leaves BW (I assume it arrived at 1:15ish), then it gets to CBR (if stopping there) at 1:25 and leaves at 1:30. Personally, I find those times a bit on the short side. Most times the drivers don't need a lot of time to load guests and baggage, so that 5 mins is okay.
But, you're absolutely right...it doesn't take much for time to get messed up. I know that it was a good thing CBR was our last resort before heading to MCO on one trip. That driver sat there and waited for the rest of an already boarded groups party to arrive so we could leave. After a long time, she just said she couldn't wait any longer....had to have been at least 15 mins. We got to MCO with about 75 mins before our flight departure...not a huge deal, but not what is suggested.

 

[dburg30]

So did the party all get off, or did they just leave some of their party to figure it out themselves ?