DME and major airline IROPS

[jec6613]

So here's my questions for anyone with experience in this area.

I'm going to WDW in December, and flying in and out of JFK airport, which by that point can be closed for a day at a time due to snowstorms with flights cancelled, et cetera. Hopefully nothing happens, but I'm planning ahead so there's no panic if something happens with our return flight, which is in the evening.

I'm going to make a reservation for the Hyatt Regency at MCO for the night we're departing, and just cancel it at 2 days out if everything is OK weather-wise, so I'm not anticipating any sleeping on airport benches.

My question is about DME. If we know on our departure morning that our flight is seriously delayed, cancelled, et cetera, and we're re-booked for the next morning, can we ask DME to take us to the airport at 11 PM or so, so we get another 8 or so hours in the parks? Or would we still have to take the scheduled bus and just figure out what to do at MCO for an evening?

 

[goofy4tink]

Probably. I would recommend talking to the front desk CMs, the day before...as soon as you know what the situation is. Or, you can call DME directly. Ask them to put you on a bus that is leaving late that evening, if that's what you need. But you do need to let them know 24 hrs in advance if at all possible.

 

[sam_gordon]

Based solely on reading responses here (no practical experience myself), you can call DME and ask to be assigned to the last bus leaving the resort that night. Some things to keep in mind though...

1) The last bus may be leaving at 8:30p (assuming there is a flight at 11:30p). I don't think there are many late night flights from MCO.
2) They're also going to put you on a bus that has room for you. So there may be an 8:30p bus, but if it's full, they might put you on the 5:30p bus (for example). Busses only go to resorts when there are scheduled pickups.

You may want to have an alternate plan (taxi, towncar, Mears, 1 day rental, etc) if DME assigns you a pick up time that you're not satisfied with.

 

[DebbieB]

I would be surprised if there is a bus at 10:00 or 11:00pm because that would mean a flight at 1:00am-2:00am. I would just take a cab and take advantage of the extra hours at the park.

 

[jec6613]

I would be surprised if there is a bus at 10:00 or 11:00pm because that would mean a flight at 1:00am-2:00am. I would just take a cab and take advantage of the extra hours at the park.

You're right, it looks like the last one of the night would be an 8:30 PM to meet flights departing to PR, and before that an 7:30 PM for flights to YYZ.

I'll ask anyway, but if it happens we'll probably end up just taking a cab and figuring it's the price we're paying to stay in the parks until 9:30-10 PM (closing time on our final day). For an extra 8-9 hours, it's not a bad price to pay.

 

[Lewisc]

Some DME buses are scheduled to go to MCO empty. Buses are needed for arriving passengers at a time when there aren't guests departing for out going flights. Tell the DME CM you want the latest possible pick up time. That said a taxi will be your best bet

 

[ironz]

Re-reading your post, it looks like you are mostly talking about a Plan B for a cancellation or where you know for sure you are going to fly the next day.
I'd be careful about getting to the airport late if your outbound flight is delayed by a matter of hours, though. Sometimes they find another plane or rearrange things, or weather clears, so being at the airport is better than being a no-show.

 

[jec6613]

Oh obviously, this is only if I'm rebooked already, any delay I'd keep my DME time.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you don't have a printed reservation with a new departure time then you should leave your Magical Express reservation unchanged and take it back to the airport as originally planned.

With your latest flight schedule in hand, after known irregular operations and/or schedules have been resolved so far, you can go ahead and reselect your Magical Epress bus. Do this at your resort front desk.

 

[jec6613]

If you don't have a printed reservation with a new departure time then you should leave your Magical Express reservation unchanged and take it back to the airport as originally planned.

With your latest flight schedule in hand, after known irregular operations and/or schedules have been resolved so far, you can go ahead and reselect your Magical Epress bus. Do this at your resort front desk.

I'll be AA Plt by that point, and am on a flexible ticket. I don't ever have a printed reservation, it goes direct to my phone, and suffice it to say the airline isn't what I'm worried about.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If it were me I would just rent a car for my last day. That way I can be on my own schedule to get back to MCO no matter what happens that day should there be a flight delay. You will have to check your luggage with bell services at the resort that you are checking out of. Then when you are finished at the parks you will have to make your way back to the resort, claim your bags and then hail a cab to the airport which would be more costly then a one day car rental. With a rental car just stow your luggage in the car and then head straight to the airport when you are ready to leave the parks. There are many rental car options onsite. Alamo is located at the Dolphin and Car Care Center, Avis at the Hilton across the street from DTD, Dollar at the Wyndham across the street from DTD. We have done one day rentals from all of these locations and we pay $25 - $30 for a 24 hr period.