How long by bus from park to resort?

[tpmorley]

How long should we allow to return to the resort from a park at about 3:00pm? That is the time I am assuming we will be picked up by the Magical Express since our flight home is at 6:00pm.

Also, when will we find out what our DME pick-up time is? I know I don't want to be late, so I need to know how much time to budget.

 

[vicki_c]

It's best to always allow an hour for transportation planning.

And for getting ME, make sure your times are well-padded. Your ME bus will leave the resort about 3 hours from your flight time and you will be directed to be there earlier than that (15 minutes). Your ME paperwork @ the resort will tell you what time. Your departure time could be as early as about 2:45 for a 6 PM flight.

Your bags must be checked with RAC much earlier - you should do that @ the resort before leaving for the park, IMO.

I would not leave the park any later than 1:15-1:30 if it was me, even if it means some sitting around time @ the resort before the bus.

 

[backyardponder]

You will get a ME letter hanging on your room door the day before your departure. It will have the pick up time in it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Figure on 3 hrs before flight time for DME pickup...give or take 15 mins either way. For a 6pm flight you can expect to be picked up between 2:45-3:15. You need to be at the DME bus stop, all ready to leave, no less than 15 mins before the stated pickup time. The stated time is the time the bus is due to leave the resort, not the time you should be heading to the stop.
You can check your bags first thing in the morning with RAC, which is nice. That way you don't have to do it at the airport. You can store any carryon bags with Bell Services while you're at a park. Be sure to leave enough time to get them when you are ready to leave the resort though. I usually leave about 20 mins for that...just in case.

So...if you have to be at the resort for pickup at 3pm, you should leave the parks by 1:15-1:30. That gives you plenty of time to get back to the resort, get your carryon bags, use the bathrooms, grab a snack and head out to the bus stop.

As already mentioned, a notice will be under/on your door the day before you leave. It will tell you what time your pickup is and also give you the phone number to call to pay for any checked bags.