DS to AKV for Magical Express

[DisneyStarWisher]

How long should I allow to get from DS to AKV to make sure I don't miss DME on our departure day? I would like to make a lunch ADR at Homecomin' but nervous about being away from our hotel that day. Our flight isn't until 9:15 p.m., but it's around Christmas so I'm sure our bus pick-up time will be around 5:15. What would be the latest ADR you would make at DS, and what time would you make sure to leave DS using Disney bus transportation?

 

[Spunky946]

12-12:30 for reservation and leave by 3:30

 

[Alesia]

I would leave 2 hours before the DME pickup time.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

12-12:30 for reservation and leave by 3:30

I would leave 2 hours before the DME pickup time.

So, is it true that I won't know the pickup time until the day before? I haven't added DME yet because I have two resort reservations and am trying to decide which one to keep, so I have no idea which resort I will be leaving from yet. I thought the last time I did DME, I was given a time when I scheduled it, but I read on here that you don't know until the night before. If I keep my AKV reservation, I am trying to schedule a later lunch at Homecomin' since we plan on eating breakfast at RFC around 8:30 that morning. The only time I could get was 1:45. But it's also tradition to go to Ghiradelli after lunch, and I'm afraid that will be pushing it to be at the bus stop by 3:15. (Of course, that is assuming a 5:15 DME departure.) But if I won't know my pickup time until the night before, it sure is hard to make ADRs.

 

[Alesia]

Pick up time is about 3 hours before your scheduled flight time for domestic flights. You will be given your specific time the night before.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Pick up time is about 3 hours before your scheduled flight time for domestic flights. You will be given your specific time the night before.

But don't you think since it's right before Christmas they will move it to 4 hours before? I'm hoping for the 3 hours but assuming 4.

 

[Spunky946]

So, is it true that I won't know the pickup time until the day before? I haven't added DME yet because I have two resort reservations and am trying to decide which one to keep, so I have no idea which resort I will be leaving from yet. I thought the last time I did DME, I was given a time when I scheduled it, but I read on here that you don't know until the night before. If I keep my AKV reservation, I am trying to schedule a later lunch at Homecomin' since we plan on eating breakfast at RFC around 8:30 that morning. The only time I could get was 1:45. But it's also tradition to go to Ghiradelli after lunch, and I'm afraid that will be pushing it to be at the bus stop by 3:15. (Of course, that is assuming a 5:15 DME departure.) But if I won't know my pickup time until the night before, it sure is hard to make ADRs.

Yes you will find out the night before. It’s plus or minus three hours, with 15 minutes in either side. It could take you an hour using the bus to get back to your resort, plus you want to be at the magical express 15 minutes early, with stopping at bell services to get your luggage. You could always take an Uber back to the resort from Disney springs, or to the airport. It’s not that hard to plan, just make sure you plan to be back 3:30 hours before your flight. I’d give myself plenty of time, or plan on using Uber or a taxi.