How early is early for DME?

[KCMiller]

I have a 6:40am flight on my return trip. Surely DME won't pick me up at 4am, will they? Does Orlando Airport even OPEN that early? I remember taking an early morning flight out of LAX one time, and they didn't open the security gates to the check in and gates until about 30 minutes before my flight (of course, that was pre 9/11, but still . . .).

Has anyone here taken a flight out prior to 7am using DME?

Thanks,

KC

 

[paults]

they pick up around 3 hrs before your flight. you have a 6:40 am flight so they will ask you to be at the bus about 3:40 am. sorry

Being so early the times might be different but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[KCMiller]

they pick up around 3 hrs before your flight. you have a 6:40 am flight so they will ask you to be at the bus about 3:40 am. sorry

Being so early the times might be different but I wouldn't count on it.

Yes, I know that's what the standard is. But I'm hoping that someone who has actually TAKEN a flight before 7am can chime in and tell me what really happens. Because the airport doesn't OPEN that early. I'm sure they don't drive you out to a darkened airport and push you out of the bus to stand for an hour and a half, do they?

KC

 

[safetymom]

Shops typically open at 6 at MCO. Ticket counters usually open around 4:30-5:00.

 

[clkelley]

I have a 5:30 am flight out of MCO in December. I expect to be picked up by 3:00 am at the latest.

I would expect the early pickup because since there are probably fewer people taking those early flights, there will be more resort stops. So you won't be going to an empty airport, but will be taking a grand tour of Disney resorts.

Carol

 

[KCMiller]

I have a 5:30 am flight out of MCO in December. I expect to be picked up by 3:00 am at the latest.

I would expect the early pickup because since there are probably fewer people taking those early flights, there will be more resort stops. So you won't be going to an empty airport, but will be taking a grand tour of Disney resorts.

Carol

Well, sleep is overrated, anyway, right ? I guess I'll just play the card that I get dealt, and when I get back, I'll be able to answer the next early morning question from personal experience.


KC

 

[Lewisc]

You can spend around $50 for a cab or towncar if you want an extra hours sleep.

 

[seashoreCM]

they pick up around 3 hrs before your flight. you have a 6:40 am flight so they will ask you to be at the bus about 3:40 am. sorry
.

When you step off the bus at the airport it will probably be two hours or maybe a little less before flight time.

Not exactly kosher but if ungodly early morning rising is not your cup of tea you could book an airport hotel for the night before your early plane and take ME back to the airport the previous evening. For your ME return reservation name a flight, any flight, any airline other than AA, CO, DL, B6 or UA, that departs late the previous evening and do not try to get a boarding pass at the resort.

DIsney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[gigi1313]

we had an 8:10 am flight and were told pickup is at 5:15, but to be at the curb 15 mins early... i am glad we were 'cause DME came in at 5:05 and left at 5:10am... i am still wondering if anyone missed it!

 

[marc1477]

When you step off the bus at the airport it will probably be two hours or maybe a little less before flight time.

Not exactly kosher but if ungodly early morning rising is not your cup of tea you could book an airport hotel for the night before your early plane and take ME back to the airport the previous evening. For your ME return reservation name a flight, any flight, any airline other than AA, CO, DL, B6 or UA, that departs late the previous evening and do not try to get a boarding pass at the resort.

DIsney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

This sounds like a good idea here. It beats getting up early or even better not even going to bed the night before. Actually going to DTD-Pleasure Island would be a good way to keep awake and sleep on the plane.

 

[clkelley]

This sounds like a good idea here. It beats getting up early or even better not even going to bed the night before. Actually going to DTD-Pleasure Island would be a good way to keep awake and sleep on the plane.

I'm not going to bed the night before. As a matter of fact, I'm checking out the day before my flight. I'll relax/sleep till checkout, store my stuff with bell services, spend the evening at the parks and PI, then come back to the resort about 1:30 or 2am, take a quick shower at the bath house, then be ready for my 2:30/3:00 am pickup from ME for my 5:30 am flight.

They don't do the resort check-in for flights before 9:30 am, so my luggage will go on the bus with me anyway.

I've done this before with Mears and it worked great.

Carol

 

[Rpsemont]

we had an 8:10 am flight and were told pickup is at 5:15, but to be at the curb 15 mins early... i am glad we were 'cause DME came in at 5:05 and left at 5:10am... i am still wondering if anyone missed it!

Well that settle it for me! For our December trip, I was thinkg of trying to save some of the rental car cost (about $45) by turning in the car a couple days early. We'd be on site those last couple days and doing MVMCP, so probably wouldn't use the car much anyway. BUT if we have to be at the curb at 4:30 for our 7:30 flight, DH will never buy it.He probably won't even get out of bed until 5:45!

 

[safetymom]

I would still allow at least 2 hours if you have a rental car.

 

[seashoreCM]

we had an 8:10 am flight and were told pickup is at 5:15, but to be at the curb 15 mins early... i am glad we were 'cause DME came in at 5:05 and left at 5:10am... i am still wondering if anyone missed it!

If all of the people with reservations, as shown on the driver's clipboard, have boarded, the driver probably could get away with leaving early.

In any well run transit system, "running ahead of schedule" is frowned upon. This may have been one of the reasons why in the early days of ME guests have come out to the curb and said the the bus did not show up. In addition, in a real world transit system, one driver's "running ahead" often results in the next bus' being unusually crowded.