Different flight times and Magical Express

[belle7708]

My sister and I are meeting at Disney for a weekend but flying in/out on separate flights. We want to take the magical express together after meeting at the airport - is it ok to request pickup using the same flight time when we arrive? We also depart about an hour apart and I wanted to request pickup based on the later flight time so we don't have the usual 3 hours to kill at MCO (we are carrying on and have precheck). Will we need to verify our flights for Disney or is this ok to request the magical express as though we are flying together?

 

[minnie mum]

You can just show up at ME whenever you finally meet up.

Departure is much more strict. You can sometimes arrange ahead of time to go to the airport earlier than the normal 3 hr pick up time. But they won't give you a later one. And given how backed up security can be at MCO, you really don't want to risk missing your flight because you got there too late. There's also no guarantee that you will go straight to MCO. Your bus might go to 2-3 other resorts first. You won't be twiddling your thumbs for 3 hours after security.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would NOT advise taking the DME back using the later flight time. Pre Check is not a guarantee that it will always be printed on your ticket. If it is no you will spend most of your 3 hour time getting through security. Remember your 3 hour pick up time may also require your bus to stop at other resorts to pick up more people so that shortening the 3 hour time. There could be a accident that ties up traffic. You need the 3 hrs.

What airline are you flying on?

 

[winterman]

I agree with the posters who say don't take the later bus, even if you can. On one of my recent DME trips we had waits of more than 15 minutes at 2 of our stops. One was waiting for a man who decided to go to the rest room at the last minute and then didn't come back. At the next resort, there was a large family that didn't have their luggage with them and we had to wait while they tracked it down. You never know when things like this will happen and you, as a passenger, have no control over it.

 

[belle7708]

Thanks for the responses. I am on Southwest and my sister is on United. I fly 2x weekly for work and have never not had precheck since I got Global Entry, but I suppose it could happen and that security line is frighteningly long! I am interested to hear that there could be at least 2 stops on the way to the airport (I haven't encountered this before when using DME to leave). Is the wait time long enough that you can would recommend taking Uber or a taxi instead? We leave around 2pm on Sunday and would like to get some park time in that morning.

 

[wdwrich]

DME has no set routes going to WDW or going back to the airport. It's driven by demand at any given time, so you may have not had any stops on your previous trips back to MCO, but that doesn't mean there won't be any the next time.
Honestly, even using a taxi or Uber, I would still leave my resort close to three hours before flight time. There are just too many variables to risk missing my flight.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the responses. I am on Southwest and my sister is on United. I fly 2x weekly for work and have never not had precheck since I got Global Entry, but I suppose it could happen and that security line is frighteningly long! I am interested to hear that there could be at least 2 stops on the way to the airport (I haven't encountered this before when using DME to leave). Is the wait time long enough that you can would recommend taking Uber or a taxi instead? We leave around 2pm on Sunday and would like to get some park time in that morning.

I've had the Magical Express bus make 4 stops on the way back to the airport. The last time I used it heading back, we spent one hour driving to resorts before even heading to the airport. Now, I pay for a towncar.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've had the Magical Express bus make 4 stops on the way back to the airport. The last time I used it heading back, we spent one hour driving to resorts before even heading to the airport. Now, I pay for a towncar.

I'm the same....always have had multiple stops before leaving the property. Now I just call the day before and request an earlier pick up time. The last time I got on the one they scheduled me for(didn't call and book an earlier bus) I arrived at MCO 75 minutes before my flight and I had a long wait at security. I much prefer to be early and kill time wandering the shops or having a coffee.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I had a 1:44pm flight and I was on the Magic Express at 10:30am.
I arrived at the airport at 12pm. We had stops at other resorts.
I also vote you both go back at the earlier time and spend time for lunch at the airport.
Going to a park is too risky to even get back to the resort for the bus.
I'm not a risk taker cause too many things can happen. Even if you had a rental, or took taxi,
The way flights go, I rather wait for the plane than run to a gate and risk missing my flight.

Security wasn't too bad but it was slow getting through. I always don't relax until I'm through security.
I wish I would have had someone to enjoy lunch with but I was traveling alone. So even with that, the time passed quick.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks for the responses. I am on Southwest and my sister is on United. I fly 2x weekly for work and have never not had precheck since I got Global Entry, but I suppose it could happen and that security line is frighteningly long! I am interested to hear that there could be at least 2 stops on the way to the airport (I haven't encountered this before when using DME to leave). Is the wait time long enough that you can would recommend taking Uber or a taxi instead? We leave around 2pm on Sunday and would like to get some park time in that morning.

Using Uber, a taxi, or a car service is only going to get you an extra 30 minutes, maybe 45. I would not recommend walking into MCO any later than 2 hours before your flight. Too many things can go wrong (security at the forefront) to allow less time IMO.

 

[winthropf]

After signing up for and paying for PreCheck, I have had at least one flight where I did not get it. I would never count on it to avoid the lines. You may not know until you check in for the flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, you expect to get precheck. But...it's not 100% sure.
Sure, you can take a cab, or Uber. But, if used correctly, it will save you 30 mins. Mco recommends getting to the airport at least 2 hrs prior to flight-time.
There could be a traffic issue. There could be a security back-up.
It's up to you how close you want to cut it. Dme usually doesn't allow pickup to be less than 3 hrs prior. If you lie and give the wrong departure time, and arrive too late, and miss your flight? Your issue, not Disneys.

 

[belle7708]

Thanks, all, for the feedback! I think we will play it safe rather than sorry and take all your advice on the timing.