Early DME pickup -- can I choose the time?

[esk]

We're signed up for Magical Express but since our return flight leaves at 7:30 in the morning, DME tells me they will pick us up at 4:30.

Not only do I not like to wait at airports for 2.5 hours, but getting 2 small children out the door at that time will make for a very grumpy mommy and daddy.

Does anyone know if I can change my pick up time? I am comfortable with leaving for MCO around 5:30, which leaves us an hour to get there and an hour to hang out. Can I tell them this when I drop my bags off for pickup, or should I just "miss" the 4:30 pickup and go for the 5:30 pick up? What are the chances the busses will be super crowded that early?

DME on the phone did not have an answer for me; seriously, they just said "uh, well, I don't know".

What does everyone think?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am comfortable with leaving for MCO around 5:30, which leaves us an hour to get there and an hour to hang out.

I would not count on having "an hour to hang out" at MCO if you don't show up for an ME coach until 2 hours before your 7:30 a.m. departure time.

First, there's no guarantee a coach will depart exactly at 5:30 a.m., even if there's a scheduled ME departure from your resort at that time. Next, there's no guarantee your coach will make a nonstop run to MCO. In fact, it's more likely that the coach will stop at one or more other WDW resorts. Sure, a 5:30 a.m. ME cach might get to MCO before 6:30 a.m. -- but it might not get there until closer to 7:00 a.m.

You'll still need check in with your airline and check your bags (unless your airline participates in Resort Airline Check-in.) In any case, you need to navigate through the airport, go through security, ride the people mover to the correct airside, and find your gate.

Airlines expect you to be at your gate at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time, which is when boarding typically begins. That would be 7:00 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. Your reservations can be cancelled if you are not checked in and at the departure gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

If I were in your shoes, I would take the 4:30 a.m. ME coach, as recommended by Disney. And, next time, I wouldn't choose a 7:30 a.m. flight.

 

[esk]

Perhaps I took your tone wrong, but no need to flame me for asking a question.

I didn't really choose the 7:30 flight -- believe me, I wish I had a later flight ---but where I live in South Dakota, there are only about 6 flights a day into my airport and when those get full, you are out of luck. So 7:30 is all that was left. Had I known sooner when my husband would return from Iraq, perhaps I could have booked my trip 6 months out and gotten better flights, but you never know with the military and that is the best I could do.

Does anyone else have any thoughts, or better yet, anyone who has taken ME in the past few days, how long does it take in the mornings?

Thanks

 

[Dancind]

Esk, I don't think Horace was taking a tone with you, really. He was just being honest. And I think he's right. When we drive to the airport and turn in a rental car, we usually leave 2 1/2 hourse prior. 4:30 am is horrible, but I wouldn't want to chance it.

 

[eddieras]

esk- don't forget you'll have your boarding passes in hand- i'm with you, i see no reason to get to the airport that early. also, what day is your flight?
and besides = no one answered your original question about changing your time! good luck!!

 

[safetymom]

Disney is required like the limo companies to plan on you arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight.

Keep in mind that the 2 hours is really only 1 1/2 hours since you start boarding a half hour before departure. There are many days at MCO where it will take a long time to get checked in at curbside or ticket counter, and through security. 4:30 sounds awful early but it beats missing your flight.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Perhaps I took your tone wrong, but no need to flame me for asking a question.

I apologize if my response came across as a flame.

Please take it for what it was meant to be -- friendly advice that boarding the ME motor coach an hour later than Disney recommends puts you at serious risk of arriving at the gate too late if you encounter delays. Just consider what would happen if your ME coach departs with a small delay and stops at multiple resorts, and you then encounter a long line at airport security.

I admit that my line, "And, next time, I wouldn't choose a 7:30 a.m. flight," comes across as harsh. There have been a couple of times when I've booked such early departures for family vacatons, because more convenient times were much more expensive. It wasn't fun, but I made sure my timing left some margin for delays.

 

[momsgoofy]

After going through MCO last Thanksgiving...you will be happy to have the extra time to get through with two little ones. Once we lined up to get through the security check...it was a snail's pace and no place to go until you passed the xray machine. Once ya get to the gate, the little ones can roam a bit and may need to after such an early morning. It may be a lot easier getting through the security that early too...and hey, there is a krispy kreme in the food court...should have some hot and fresh glazed ones...the best way to eat 'em. I'm trying to help you find the positives since most airlines require you to check in at least 1 1/2 hours prior to your flight, the various transportation services (ME, town car/limo, Mears, taxi, etc.) require an extra hour to get you there usually, so try to make the best of it...

As an ex-military wife...thank you! I know it's not easy being away from your husband while he served in Iraq, trying to do both momma and daddy jobs...I know the joke.."If the army/air force/marines/navy wanted you to have a spouse they would have issued you one soldier" and that is a bunch of hoooie!!! My nephew's wife had a hard time adjusting to the marine wife life, but now she loves it...loves her marine family...knows they are folks she can count on when they are so far from the our family.

So, please give your husband a big hug from a DISser and say thanks for doing his job...one of the toughest! Then go on vacation with the family and have a magical trip! Ya'll deserve it!