Departure day...ME time?

[Snively]

Hello everyone!

I'm planning our first trip and was wondering if you could give me your 'educated guess' as to what I might expect for departure day.

We are staying at POR and my flight is scheduled for 3:40 pm. What time do you think I'd have to be back to catch the ME? I figured we can check out at anytime in the morning right?

We have an ADR for Chef Mickey at 8:15 am and I was hoping to hop over to MK for a last hooray. I just don't know how much time I'd truely have.

TIA

 

[crashbb]

It is roughly three hours before flight time - so 12:40pm. The time you get is when the bus LEAVES, you should be there about 15 minutes ahead of time.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Yes.
Three hours ahead of your flight departure, and by our history apparently rounded up or down to the nearest quarter-hour. I'd expect an ME departure time from the resort heading to the airport of either 12:30 or 12:45, for your flight - plan on being back at the resort by 12 for last-minute bathroom breaks, one-more-snack-credit gift shop visits, and being ready to leave when the ME is ready to leave.

 

[chrismom3]

They will schedule your pick-up for 3 hours prior to your departure flight time. I'd say they'd come at 12:40. I would bring your luggage to the airline check-in (if there's one at your resort) early in the morning (they usually open around 5:00am) and then go to Chef Mickey, MK and be back at the resort by 12:00 (to retrieve carry-on luggage, bathroom stops etc). ME sometimes arrives 5-10 minutes early also.

 

[Snively]

Thanks everyone for the fast replies!

This is good information to know. It will be a sweet quick goodbye to MK that morning!

I appreciate the help!

 

[DISHoppy]

Our last trip in March they scheduled us for a noon p/u for a 6:40pm flight, so I called to reschedule for a 3:30pm p/u. Just be prepared.

-Kevin

 

[starrysky]

just a heads up ME picks you up at the time you are given unleess like a pp you change your time with them.

If you are not there on time and the bus goes you will not be able to take the next one as the buses are organised on a per head basis not just ad hock. Also if you are early and there is a bus there you won't be able to take that one.

There have been stories of people turning up late and having to take a cab to the airport. So if you want more time then maybe a cab would be better just make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the airport.

 

[seashoreCM]

Our last trip in March they scheduled us for a noon p/u for a 6:40pm flight, so I called to reschedule for a 3:30pm p/u. in

Yes, you need to inspect your confirmation paper delivered to your room the morning before checkout day. Now if the DME bus time given is way less than 3 hours then they goofed. Do not jump up and down for joy that you have more park time. You will miss your plane.

Modifications and corrections can be done up to the morning before checkout day.

Shoot to be back at your resort an hour before DME bus time, or a little more if you have carryoins to get back from the bellhop.

You and others in your party can always request and get an earlier bus time(s), again at least a day before you/they leave. This comes in handy if you plan to eat at the airport (Better than an ADR if that is your last activity).

 

[goofy4tink]

Our last trip in March they scheduled us for a noon p/u for a 6:40pm flight, so I called to reschedule for a 3:30pm p/u. Just be prepared.

-Kevin

I would imagine that was a glitch of some kind.

When I was taking the DME bus back to the airport, from WL, last Thursday, all I could think of were those naysayers who feel you don't need to be picked up 3 hrs beforehand. Our bus arrived a few minutes late. We headed to the CR, Polynesian and then to the airport. It took forever. We sat at both the CR and Polynesian for quite awhile. Our p/u time was 3:05. We boarded the bus around 3:10...and got to MCO, Side A, about 4:15. The line at security was pretty long...took about 25 mins to get through. By the time we got to our gate, it was about 4:50ish....flight was supposed to start boarding at 5:45. But, it was late boarding. But I have to tell you...that's a bit close for me. I like to be sitting at the gate no less than an hour before boarding.

 

[bradk]

Also if you are early and there is a bus there you won't be able to take that one.

I've taken an early bus multiple times. as long as there's room on the bus, the drivers don't seem to care.

and there actually is a way to do it so the drivers don't even know it's an early bus for you, but i won't get into that.

anyway, what nobody's been saying is that pickup time is about 3 hours ahead for DOMESTIC flights, but it's about 4 hours for international.

 

[Snively]

great thanks! I definitely won't miss it! And it is a domestic flight.

I'll have to let my husband know about this and we may re-think our timing, and just do breakfast and head back to the hotel.

 

[starrysky]

I've taken an early bus multiple times. as long as there's room on the bus, the drivers don't seem to care.

and there actually is a way to do it so the drivers don't even know it's an early bus for you, but i won't get into that.

anyway, what nobody's been saying is that pickup time is about 3 hours ahead for DOMESTIC flights, but it's about 4 hours for international.

thats good to know i always thought you had to take the bus time you were given. Not that i would want to get the bus early as it would mean that we were really heading home.

Yes it is 4 hours for international but like a pp said that seems like ages at 3 hours even but can really go fast if you have to wait at a resort or there are problems on the road etc.

 

[camlace]

In my opinion you don't have time for any park time. Give yourself 1-1.5 hrs for Chef Mickey's so that takes you to 930-10...then you need to give yourself an hour to get back to your resort. So that leaves you about an hour to walk from Contemporary to MK, actually get on a ride, then leave. Not worth it in my opinion.

 

[bradk]

Not that i would want to get the bus early as it would mean that we were really heading home.

it's only from getting back to the resort too soon (i too give myself an hour to get from park to resort). at that point, i'd rather be at MCO with shops and free wifi than sitting on a bench waiting for the proper bus.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Thats odd. For the last 3 years we have taken a LATER bus with no issue. It would never have occurred to me to call and change our "reservation." We got back to the hotel when we got back and just got on the next bus. They have never asked for any type of paperwork or anything. It was from the Wilderness Lodge and in 2007 Riverside.
Our first year with ME we took the "assigned" bus and got to the airport ridiculously early. We actually had a full sit down meal at a restaurant in the airport while waiting for our plane. We vowed then and there to not waste precious park time sitting in the airport ever again and we have never had a problem. In fact last year I even stopped at the Disneystore in the airport to see if they had the last pin of a set I was trading for. The manager even went into the back to see if they had it in the trading box. They did not, but I had plenty of time to do that and I got on a later bus.
But, i might add we drop off our luggage to ME first thing in the morning before heading to the park, so our bags have plenty of time to get on the right plane home. i think that makes a big difference since they go to the airport soon after you give them to ME (found that out the hard way).

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

Yes, you need to inspect your confirmation paper delivered to your room the morning before checkout day.
Modifications and corrections can be done up to the morning before checkout day.

You can always request and get an earlier bus time(s), again at least a day before you/they leave. This comes in handy if you plan to eat at the airport (Better than an ADR if that is your last activity).

Forgive me.. I am blonde If the confirmation comes to the room the morning before checkout day how can I correct it by that same morning? Then I am reading request.. should I just request a specific time?
TIA

 

[conandrob240]

Our past two trips, we have been scheduled close to 4 hrs before our domestic flight. They have been stopping at 3+ resorts so I guess that is why. This time, we are renting a car partially for this reason. I don't need to get to the airport 3 hrs before my flight.

 

[Snively]

O.K. well after reading all the advice and info I do agree that breakfast AND MK are too much to be back in time (comfortably) for us. So now any suggestions on what is better?

1) Keep ADR (8:15) for Chef Mickey (we have 4 other character meals planned earlier in the week fyi...Akershus,1900 PF dinner, CP, Tusker breakfast) and then head back to POR after to get ready to go.

2) Cancel ADR, head straight to MK and stay about 2 hrs. I did forget to mention that our last day is the first day that Small world is supposed to be up and running. So it is a Sat am, busy, do we even dare so they get to see SW?

The reason I'm trying to squeeze in more MK time is we have one full day there, but a lot of appts...like BBB, and 1st haircut so that takes some time away. Also we are going there for MNSSHP another day, arriving at 4 to make the most of our time there. I have 1/2 day at HS (arrival day) and one day at EPCOT and AK. I just didn't know if it was worth it to try to get another moment in at MK?

Does this make any sense? Or am I worrying too much?

 

[siskaren]

Our first year with ME we took the "assigned" bus and got to the airport ridiculously early. We actually had a full sit down meal at a restaurant in the airport while waiting for our plane.

I like having enough time to have a sit-down meal at the airport.

 

[brenda1966]

2) Cancel ADR, head straight to MK and stay about 2 hrs. I did forget to mention that our last day is the first day that Small world is supposed to be up and running. So it is a Sat am, busy, do we even dare so they get to see SW?

If you're at MK at opening, you can get a lot done! As long as you aren't using up a day on a non-expiring pass, I think getting 2 more hours in can be worthwhile, especially when you already have so many character meals. I'd rather be in the park than spending another 2 hours sitting down to eat.


And yes, I too would like to know how you can change your pick up time when you don't know your pick up time until that morning?!