Does magic express still pick up 3 hours before departure?

[ncc1701]

First time using PreCheck for our WDW trip. I love that it is going to save us a ton of time.

Can't I just lie about my departure time so we only get picked up 2 hours before our flight instead of 3 hours? How would they know?

If you want to leave 2 hours ahead I recommend using Uber/Lyft, taxi or car service. We stay at POFQ and usually have stopped at OKW & SSR before heading to MCO which can add up to 40+ minutes. Only had 1 trip when went straight to the airport. We take ME since our flights are either late morning or early afternoon so we have no Disney plans on departure day.

 

[happymommy]

One time using DME going home, we got picked up 3 hours prior, waited on the bus, then went to another resort, waited on the bus. A full hour after getting picked up, we were FINALLY on our way to the airport. Needless to say, last trip I used Lyft, and it was $30 roughly (with tip). Best money ever spent. I doubt I'll use DME next trip (in 5 days)! Lyft is quicker! I did use DME last spring, and it was quick, but I don't want to sit on a bus for 90 minutes. Plus, last spring, due to some cast member messing with my reservation and them sending us to another resort, our luggage took over 8-9 hours to get to us! I won't let them take my luggage ever again, as we were wanting to get ready for bed waiting for it!

 

[Belleandtinker]

For some reason, I don't like using ME on my arrival day (too excited to wait) but normally use it on our departure day. This time we leave early and would rather sleep alittle longer and pay for my departure day.

 

[maryj11]

The past few trips I have asked to get on an earlier bus. They said if there is extra room on the bus we could. There has been room each time we asked.

 

[Hopefully]

The past few trips I have asked to get on an earlier bus. They said if there is extra room on the bus we could. There has been room each time we asked.

You can call and book an early pick up and not leaving it to chance.
OP @maryj11 These questions can be asked on the Transportation Board where the experts are, rather than here on the Resort Forum.

 

[tnolan]

You can always sign up for a free 1 month trial for Clear instead. Better than nothing. Though personally, even once a year is worth $85 for 5 years. I'll never travel without PreCheck again. It's the best.thing.EVER!
We flew home last night. Flight left at 1:58. We called for our Uber at 11:57 and were at the airport at 12:27, and at our gate by 12:50. That even included stopping for DH to complete his enrollment in Clear. I did mine last month. We are testing it out to see if it's worth it

But isn't Clear $179 for just one year? I think I will stick with Pre-Check at $85 for 5 yrs.

 

[jerseygal]

It was 3 hours end of October. I think I read that also somewhere in the beginning of the Government shutdown that it was being moved to 4 hours when the airports were having delay issues because of lack of TSA. Glad that it is back to 3 hours, that's long enough.

 

[maryj11]

You can call and book an early pick up and not leaving it to chance.
OP @maryj11 These questions can be asked on the Transportation Board where the experts are, rather than here on the Resort Forum.

Oh good. I didn't know that and I ask here because I get a quicker answer lol.

 

[tjmw2727]

You can call and book an early pick up and not leaving it to chance.
OP @maryj11 These questions can be asked on the Transportation Board where the experts are, rather than here on the Resort Forum.

You can also reserve / confirm your spot in on an earlier bus if you do it in advance

 

[webcreatrix]

Though personally, even once a year is worth $85 for 5 years. I'll never travel without PreCheck again. It's the best.thing.EVER!
We flew home last night. Flight left at 1:58. We called for our Uber at 11:57 and were at the airport at 12:27, and at our gate by 12:50. That even included stopping for DH to complete his enrollment in Clear. I did mine last month. We are testing it out to see if it's worth it

I definitely need to look into this. I travel multiple times a year for work and we travel at least once a year as a family. I didn't realize it was only $85 for five years. That is totally worth it!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

But isn't Clear $179 for just one year? I think I will stick with Pre-Check at $85 for 5 yrs.

It is $179 per year per person, although some airlines/credit card companies offer cheaper options (I pay $79 with my Delta Medallion status for example). Any Delta Skymiles account qualifies for $99 annual fee and they’ve been running other specials pretty frequently.

Clear does not = Pre-Check, although many/most people that have Clear do pay for both. Sorry if you already know all of this, just ignore my post if so.

A Clear member without Pre-Check would use a standard Clear lane which in theory has a shorter wait to verify ID/boarding pass than a standard line (any time savings will vary by airport) which then flows into standard security screening.

A Clear member with Pre-Check would use a designated Clear lane that then flows into Pre-Check screening (at airports where available).

I’m in my second or third year of Clear and it saves me some time - but my home airport is Atlanta and the TSA Pre-Check line there can be quite stout at times. Although Clear has gained a lot of popularity here (thanks to heavy Delta/Clear promotion) and it has become less of a benefit at times.

I use the Clear Pre-Check lane at MCO which maybe saves a few minutes, although I’ve never seen the non-Clear Pre-Check line particularly long there (I’m sure it can back up, just haven’t seen it in my travels).

It’s not worth the full price for me but is worth the reduced Skymiles price I pay given my travel frequency at Atlanta and other large airport, but I suspect it’s not a great option for many.

 

[AngiTN]

But isn't Clear $179 for just one year? I think I will stick with Pre-Check at $85 for 5 yrs.

Yes but I was pointing out they offer a 1 month free trial, which timed right can cover 1 trip. For free. If you don't want PreCheck it's the cheaper option, being free.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Has anyone ever missed their flight because of ME?

Possibly, but I haven't ever seen a report of this happening.This nay well apply https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/missed-flight-flat-tire-rule/

 

[maryj11]

We have had pre check for the past few years. We did not pay for it, I'm guessing it is because we have skymiles with Delta?

 

[Lehuaann]

We have had pre check for the past few years. We did not pay for it, I'm guessing it is because we have skymiles with Delta?

I don’t believe precheck has anything to do with a carrier/status and is random. We usually get precheck, but our companion pass rarely does.

 

[maryj11]

I don’t believe precheck has anything to do with a carrier/status and is random. We usually get precheck, but our companion pass rarely does.

Ok just wondered because we have gotten it the past 3 years. I hope we keep getting it.

 

[Searc]

Unfortunately I am the only one of my family of five that flies with any regularity. I travel for business about annually. We usually drive to WDW, but decided to fly this year. I’m not sure that it would be worth paying for all five of us to pre-check.

If you all book on the same itinerary, all 5 of you will most likely get TSA pre check. I am the only one in my family with pre check and when we all book on the same itinerary (all together, not separate flights), everyone is granted pre check along with me.

 

[verleniahall]

When were were there over Thanksgiving in 2017 and on proeprty - it was a 4hr pickup due to the amount of traverls and TSA

We requested a pickup 1 hr earlier than we were originally scheduled and they had no issue for that

You can also give them a different flight number to guarantee an earlier pickup

 

[AngiTN]

We have had pre check for the past few years. We did not pay for it, I'm guessing it is because we have skymiles with Delta?

Nope your airmile membership status has zilch to do with it, you've gotten it by random selection. Just as randomly, you'll not get it sometime. Enjoy while you get it, you'll miss it as soon as you don't. They sell it by giving it away and then taking it away (LOL)

If you all book on the same itinerary, all 5 of you will most likely get TSA pre check. I am the only one in my family with pre check and when we all book on the same itinerary (all together, not separate flights), everyone is granted pre check along with me.

Still just random, not guaranteed. I've had PreCheck for years and had a trip with my Mom and she was not granted PreCheck just because I had it. Yes, we were booked all together on 1 itinerary. But when I booked for a friend and myself last month (she does not have it) she did get it. Random. TSA is under no obligation to grant accompany travelers PreCheck just because you have it. They may but you should never count on it.