DME ever gotten you to airport just in time?

[Simba's Mom]

I'm always afraid that, on the return, DME will get me to the airport with just enough time to get through security (you know how long those lines can be!) and barely make my flight. It seems that there are always other hotels to stop at after the one I'm staying at (why can't I be at the last stop?) so I'm constantly checking my watch. As a result, there've been times when I've even gone out and taken an earlier DME. But I wonder-is this really necessary to worry about? Has anyone's DME "cut it close" on the return to the airport?

 

[NedsTJ]

YES! Last trip, back in December 2012. I didn't think there was enough time between the pickup and our flight, but they had our flight information and quite frankly we just didn't call to change anything. We made it with just about 10 minutes until they started boarding. That was without any time to stop, bathroom break, etc...straight from the bus to the gate (luckily we checked our bags at the resort). I could have done with an extra 30 mins, as that's just the type of personality I am (I'd rather be 30 minutes early than 5 minutes late!!)

 

[Gracie09]

No but last time I felt our pick up was too close to our flight time so I called and had it moved back thirty minutes. We had plenty of time and should have been fine with the later pick up but I didn't want to chance it

 

[TDC Nala]

Only once when the security lines at MCO were up to 45 minutes.

In most situations, 3 hours from leaving your resort is more than enough time.

 

[sam_gordon]

I know there have been cases where people have come close, but lets do the math.

Your flight leaves at 6:30pm
Let's say you're the first pickup (you will stop at other resorts). That means you are scheduled to be picked up at 3:15pm.
Between getting your group loaded and stopping at other resorts, it takes 45 minutes to get out of Disney property (now 4:00pm)
It should take ~30 minutes for the drive to the airport. Since it's a bus, we'll say 45 minutes. (now 4:45)
It takes another 15 minutes to drop off the 'A' side guests and get you to B side (now 5:00)
There's a line at your airline check in counter and it takes 30 minutes to check your bags (now 5:30)
There's a line at security and it takes 45 minutes to get through there (now 6:15).
You're going to miss your flight.

BUT... if you didn't have to check your bags at the airport, you could save 45 minutes (15 minutes to change terminals & 30 minutes to check in).

The above times are also "worst case" IMO. If you're uncomfortable with the 3 hour time frame (+/- 15 minutes), you can always call (at least the day before) and get an earlier pickup.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME more than 15 times. I have yet to come close to my flight departure time. It's usually more like I get there an hour prior. Yesterday, our flight was at 11:58. Our DME pick up time was 9. The bus left WL by 9:10. Went to the Polynesian. Left there by 9:30. Got to mco by 10. We were Side A. Got to security by 10:15....stopped for a potty break! The line wasn't too bad.....made it thru in 15 mins. Got to the gate about 90 mins prior to departure. That's usually my timing.

 

[OKW Lover]

Never been a problem for us. We've taken ME a bunch of times, (but not as often as G4T) and were always at the gate in plenty of time for our flights. Even with long security lines, we still had no worries.

Last week when we flew home the security lines were practically nonexistent. We were through in less than 5 minutes at 9:00 am on a Wednesday.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have been to WDW only once since Magical Express was invented, and I drove (all the way from New Hampshire) so I have no actual experience on DME.

That said, however I have read more than a few trip reports of guests having to run for their planes. So Disney considers running for the plane to be within acceptable tolerances.

So calling for a bus time half an hour earlier is the thing to do to pretty much eliminate that problem. The normal deadline for making changes including this kind is morning of the day before the day you go back to the airport.

If you have any semblence of athleticism you might even consider always getting off at the first stop at the airport (A side or B side). If you got off on the wrong side you would be able to walk across to the correct side to check in more quickly than riding the bus around to that side.

Normally DME will refuse to let you push your homebound bus time back to let you gain more park time before leaving. But it is possible for a goof on their part to let it slip through and then the slightest glitch will cause you to miss your flight.

Anybody know of a web site that gives security wait times for each hour of each day?

 

[gojoe]

When we first did DME they picked us up two hours before our flight. That had me worried. We alway had plenty of time to grab a bite before our flight.
After the last time they negotiated a contract with MCO they upped it 3 hours before the flight. I think MCO wanted us to spend the last of our money with them. I'm sure some people have just made it or didn't make it stories but this is one thing I never worry about. The cab getting to my house to pick us up is alway on my list.
Anyways, I'm just going home.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have used ME about a dozen and a half times....six alone this year.
Only once did we cut it REALLY close BUT we were on the bus, the problem was there was a HORRIBLE accident on the highway to the airport and the highway was completely shut down!!! Luckily, our ME driver was notified and was able to reroute and get us there but traffic was SO BAD because everybody was trying to use the alternate route. We heard there were a few ME buses were stuck in the standstill traffic and those people missed flights! UGH! But that is the only time we have ever cut it close. We usually have TONS of time.

BTW, I also noticed at least the last two times I used ME our driver didn't do an 'A' and 'B' side drop off. There was only one drop off....He parked the bus on the bottom level and everyone was to unload there....
I am 'guessing' this is the 'new way'?

 

[DLgal]

Yes! We once made it TO the airport 20 minutes before our departure! Thank goodness we had checked in online and only had carry on bags. I walked on the plane with 5 min to spare. For whatever reason we stopped at the GF to pick up people and I swear, our bus sat there for 45 minutes. And then we stopped at Poly too. We didn't get on the road out of WDW until almost 2 hours after our pickup. It was ridiculous and I was upset about it. We had planned to eat at the airport and didn't have a chance. I was also flying to CA and didn't have a layover until Denver. I was so hungry the whole flight.

 

[ncc1701]

We go for a pickup time of 3:00 to 3:15 before our flight. We fly out early afternoon and want to have lunch at the Ruby Tuesdays near the gates or Chillis before TSA The one time we were picked up about 2:45 before the flight we had a couple of more stops and a long line at TSA. We ended up eating a quick sandwich at a fastfood stand after TSA. Thankfully we check the bags at our resort otherwise we would have been very hungry by the time we got to the Philadelphia airport.
Last trip we were scheduled to be picked up 2:45 before our flight. I called and got a pick up 30 minutes earlier.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I imagine that the folks that were on the broken down bus on 417 headed toward the airport this past Feb were late for flights! As our bus passed them they were unloading luggage and passengers in order to board another bus.

I prefer to leave 3 1/2 hours early just in case!

 

[Collette]

Yes! October 2012. I had ridden ME several times before with plenty of time to spare at MCO. This last time we were picked up at POR on time, but everything was slow. It was a yellow Mears bus - not a traditional ME bus. I don't know if that made a difference, but it could have I guess.

Stopped at three other resorts. Loading at each one was slow. I think it was close to an hour before we left Disney property. First drop off was A - I needed B. Then I saw the security line! Took 30-45 minutes to get through there. I left for my gate, stopped at the restroom, grabbed a "to go" sandwich for lunch, and boarded the plane 5 minutes later.

I was contemplating a towncar service for the return trip. I think I may call the day before as suggested instead and give myself some more time this trip. If I hadn't checked my luggage at POR, I don't think there is any way I would have made my flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used ME about a dozen and a half times....six alone this year.
Only once did we cut it REALLY close BUT we were on the bus, the problem was there was a HORRIBLE accident on the highway to the airport and the highway was completely shut down!!! Luckily, our ME driver was notified and was able to reroute and get us there but traffic was SO BAD because everybody was trying to use the alternate route. We heard there were a few ME buses were stuck in the standstill traffic and those people missed flights! UGH! But that is the only time we have ever cut it close. We usually have TONS of time.

BTW, I also noticed at least the last two times I used ME our driver didn't do an 'A' and 'B' side drop off. There was only one drop off....He parked the bus on the bottom level and everyone was to unload there....
I am 'guessing' this is the 'new way'?

I took DME back to MCO on Wednesday morning...they stopped at A, I got off, and the vast majority stayed on to get off on Side B.

I have been to WDW only once since Magical Express was invented, and I drove (all the way from New Hampshire) so I have no actual experience on DME.

That said, however I have read more than a few trip reports of guests having to run for their planes. So Disney considers running for the plane to be within acceptable tolerances.

So calling for a bus time half an hour earlier is the thing to do to pretty much eliminate that problem. The normal deadline for making changes including this kind is morning of the day before the day you go back to the airport.

If you have any semblence of athleticism you might even consider always getting off at the first stop at the airport (A side or B side). If you got off on the wrong side you would be able to walk across to the correct side to check in more quickly than riding the bus around to that side.

Normally DME will refuse to let you push your homebound bus time back to let you gain more park time before leaving. But it is possible for a goof on their part to let it slip through and then the slightest glitch will cause you to miss your flight.

Anybody know of a web site that gives security wait times for each hour of each day?

More than a few? That's a relative phrase. When you stop to consider just how many people are taking DME back to MCO, 'more than a few' is probably a very small number. Yes, stuff can happen...which is why we tell people that being picked up 3 hrs prior to flight time is not a bad thing. Those that take car services routinely get picket up 2 hrs prior and usually have no problems.

Yes! We once made it TO the airport 20 minutes before our departure! Thank goodness we had checked in online and only had carry on bags. I walked on the plane with 5 min to spare. For whatever reason we stopped at the GF to pick up people and I swear, our bus sat there for 45 minutes. And then we stopped at Poly too. We didn't get on the road out of WDW until almost 2 hours after our pickup. It was ridiculous and I was upset about it. We had planned to eat at the airport and didn't have a chance. I was also flying to CA and didn't have a layover until Denver. I was so hungry the whole flight.

If the bus went from the GF to the Polynesian, it probably took that long just making the turn back to the Polynesian!!! That's probably what took all that time!!! There's a reason buses don't go to the GF prior to going to the Polynesian. They would have to head all the way out and then back track back back to the Polynesian. Whoever designed that roadway really messed up!!!

 

[helenk]

I've ridden on the ME numerous times (about 19 times) since it started. I always have gone with the pick up time they've set up for me. Only once did I feel stressed out about getting to the airport on time.
This past May the driver was late, not too late so at first I was okay, then she got lost going over to the POP, by the time we got there another bus had already come to pick up those guests. We still go to the airport about an hour and 15 minutes before the flight. Security was not bad, I got to the gate in time to get something to drink, fortunately I had bought something to eat on the plane at the resort.
But when you consider I've only had1 issue out of all the times I ridden on ME, I think that is pretty good.

 

[seashoreCM]

We had planned to eat at the airport and didn't have a chance. I was also flying to CA and didn't have a layover until Denver. I was so hungry the whole flight.

Was any food sold on board?

When you ask for a bus time leaving your resort more than 3 hours in advance of your flight home and also plan to eat at the airport then you have the best of all worlds.

 

[the who #3]

i have used dme many times and must say that i love it. it saves me a lot of money and problems.

on most occasions my pickup time was about 3 hours ahead. i don't mind being at the gate an hour ahead to avoid the blood pressure boil caused by having to worry.

on my last trip i had a pick up time that was a little closer and did question that. i arrived at the pickup area 20 minutes ahead and soon a bus pulled up. the family checking their luggage ahead of me were to be on my flight and when that bus pulled up, i thought i would be on that one. the other family got on and they told me to wait for the next bus. then a family had overslept and the father came out to have them hold the bus until every one was there. they held the bus for 40 minutes. i was getting worried. i arrived at the gate as they were closing the plane door. that was not good.

this might be ok for most and would have been for me when i was younger. i have a major hip problem now and can not move very fast. i can use scooters on disney prop but they don't go to the airport.

i do think it would be polite of someone who is very late for the bus to take a cab and let the bus move on. after all, dme is free and should not be abused.

maybe they need to make a few new rules.,,,,,,but this is the first time anything has ever gone wrong for me.

 

[Lyndarella]

When we stayed at BLT the bus BEFORE ours was still loading at our time. Our full bus stopped (late) at both the Poly and GF and the driver spent a LONG time at each stop explaining to everyone and on the phone. At the airport a wheelchair lady and luggage were mistakenly unloaded at the A terminal and then loaded back on! We ended up running to catch our plane and it was almost done boarding when we got there. I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't been able to run. That said, I don't hesitate to take DME, as the price fits my budget so well!

 

[kwdw]

First time I rode DME, it was awesome. Last two times, not so good. One time, waited 45 minutes for a bus to leave the airport for my resort and my resort was the last stop. So, from when I arrived at the loading area in the airport to arrival at my resort was almost two hours.

Then the last time going home, literally got to the airport 35 minutes before my flight and I had the standard three hour in advance pick up time. The bus was late arriving, waited for people who hadn't arrived, and had three stops before leaving the property. (My resort had been first pick up.). Luckily, security line wasn't bad and I did make my flight. I was in boarding group b and a was boarding when I got there.

It's nice for saving money, but I'll always be a car renter now. It's not the service I expected of Disney. Waits are too long and reliability for the airport return is too stressful.