Flight departs MCO at 5:25pm, what to do before?

[jackalexis]

Our vacation will be ending on 11/19 with our flight out at MCO scheduled to depart at 5:25pm. I was sort of assuming we would have the better part of the day to tour a park however I have heard that DME often drops you off at the airport way in advance of you actual departure time. My questions are: what time can I expect DME to schedule me to depart from our resort (AKL if it matters) and will our resort hold our luggage from the time we leave the resort to go tour a park until we actually depart on DME?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Your DME pick up time is going to be 2:25 p.m ( they always pick you up 3 hours before your flight time unless you are flying international and then the pick you time is more than 3 hours because of customs) but you have to be at the bus stop by 2:10. If you miss your bus you will have to find your own transporation to the airport. So I would plan to check out of your resort, maybe shop at DTD or lounge by the pool. Have lunch and head to the bus stop.

Yes bell services will hold your luggage. But if you are going to a park you need to allow 1 1/2 hours to get from the park back to your resort so you would have to leave the park by 12:30 and since you need to get your luggage you might want to leave the park by 12:00 to make sure you allow enough time to get from the park, get the luggage and be at the bus stop by 2:05.
Don't forget you still need to a lot time to eat lunch too.

 

[vicki_c]

You will have to be ready for your ME bus by 2:10 (3 hrs 15 minutes before). The resort can hold your carry-ons and you can check your luggage using RAC, then go to a park or whatever else you want to do.

That is pretty much a full park day to my family, since we usually do RD through about 1-2 PM a lot of days and get lots done in that time.

Edited: Unlike the PP, my assumption is that you are checked out of the hotel early in the morning, not at check out time. We never wait around until 11 AM check out time. If you do that, then I agree, there's not really time to do a park.

 

[bear_mom]

On our check out day we get up early and drop off our luggage at RAC, carry ons with bell services and head to the park for rope drop. We leave to go back to the resort a little over an hour before our pick up time and usually have time to grab a snack before getting on the bus.

We have had pick up times that ranged from 3 to 5 and have always enjoyed our last day. Because we are at the park for rope drop we are able to accomplish a lot before we have to leave on our last day.

The only time I have stressed was the day we left the park and went to DTD, where the buses don't run as often.

Emily

 

[Alesia]

On our check out day we get up early and drop off our luggage at RAC, carry ons with bell services and head to the park for rope drop. We leave to go back to the resort a little over an hour before our pick up time and usually have time to grab a snack before getting on the bus.

We have had pick up times that ranged from 3 to 5 and have always enjoyed our last day. Because we are at the park for rope drop we are able to accomplish a lot before we have to leave on our last day.

The only time I have stressed was the day we left the park and went to DTD, where the buses don't run as often.

Emily

 

[LisaS]

The only time I have stressed was the day we left the park and went to DTD, where the buses don't run as often.

I agree. I would avoid DTD unless I had a lot of time or I was staying at SSR or OKW and could walk back to the resort or take a boat which runs on a fixed schedule instead of waiting for a bus.

We often do one last pool day on our check out day. Then we shower and change in the fitness center before heading to the DME bus. You can use a few pool towels to roll up your swimsuits and press out as much water as possible and then pack them in plastic bags for the trip home. Be sure to unpack them as soon as you get home since they will still be quite damp.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Like PP's have said, you will need to be at the bus stop at 2:10pm.

We aren't morning people and wait until the last minute to check out (11am) then often hit up DTD for lunch and any last minute shopping then back to the resort to catch the bus.

Bell services will hold onto your bags for you between your check out and bus pick up

 

[PHXscuba]

We had this exact flight time last week. Magical Express had a pick up time of 2:25. That morning we gave our checked luggage to RAC and gave bell services our carry-ons and backpacks. We then went to Hollywood Studios from 9-1. We left and made it back to our resort (All-Star Music). We had lunch at the resort so we were there in plenty of time -- and the crowds are less at the resort food court at lunch. We had plenty of time to get our stuff from bell services and wait for the bus.

I think I'd just be sure I didn't go to the farthest park from your resort or Downtown Disney that day unless you were leaving the park really early. Plus if you shop, you can't put things in your checked luggage if it's already gone ahead.

PHXscuba

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't forget you still need to a lot time to eat lunch too.

Planning lunch and planning park time is an either-or.

Even without lunch in the way you should shoot to be back at your resort an hour before your Magical Express bus time. That would mean anticipating stepping off the park bus at your resort around 1:25. Here, if your aim was accurate you would have time to grab something to eat (take out) then.

Alternatively, eat lunch at the airport, at the small food court in your gate cluster (inside security).

You can request an earlier bus (which becomes your one and only assigned bus) to reduce anxiety getting back to the airport and/or give more time to eat at the airport.