Is DME scheduling anyone for earlier departure pickup, in light of recent security lines?

[CarolynFH]

Just wondering whether DME has started scheduling people to be picked up 4 hours before their flights instead of three, since the security lines have been so slow lately. I know I can call and ask for an earlier pickup if I want one, just wondering whether DME had started being proactive about this.

TIA!

 

[beccasmom]

One of my friends who's traveling to WDW next month asked me the same question yesterday. I've not seen any news concerning a time change.

 

[MarkF0wle]

We flew home from Disney on Sunday (15/05), our flight was at 5:30pm & we were picked up at 1:00pm from our resort by DME, I was surprised how early the pick up time was but didn't really put any thought into it. We were flying internationally but usually we were picked up 3 hours before, not 4 hours.

Also, in my opinion the TSA queues were no longer than they have been the previous few years.

 

[DebbieB]

A friend of mine had a 6:55 flight tonight and the bus picked them up at 3:55. You would have to request an earlier time.

Update - she said they made it through security in 10 minutes.

 

[Dis703]

Not my experience yesterday. I was picked up 2 hours and 50 minutes prior to my flight and we had 2 more stops. There were people late at every stop and the driver hung around and waited every single time so we didn't leave for the airport until around 5:50 and I had a 7:55 flight. The woman next to me had a 7:00 flight and I can't imagine she made it. Security wasn't quite as ridiculous as it was in February. We made our flight but had just enough time to quickly feed my son and made it to the gate for final boarding call.

They really should be picking up earlier and not holding everyone up for latecomers.

 

[seashoreCM]

Not my experience yesterday. (snip)

1. "... (I) was picked up 2 hours and 50 minutes prior to (my) flight ..."
2. "... (I) had a 7:55 flight ..."
3. "... The woman next to (me) had a 7:00 flight ..."

Somebody messed up. Not enough information given to fiigure out who. That woman was on a bus very much less than 3 hours before her flight.

 

[Dis703]

1. "... (I) was picked up 2 hours and 50 minutes prior to (my) flight ..."
2. "... (I) had a 7:55 flight ..."
3. "... The woman next to (me) had a 7:00 flight ..."

Somebody messed up. Not enough information given to fiigure out who. That woman was on a bus very much less than 3 hours before her flight.

She said she even questioned them and asked if it shouldn't be earlier and they told her no, that the 5:00 pickup would be plenty of time.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I call and have them pick me up 30 minutes earlier than what they have scheduled. I might be just unlucky but all but one time I have been on a bus that left my resort and made 2-4 more stops before leaving the property for the airport. The first few times I took DME I arrived at the airport less than 90 minutes before my flight. That's just something that I don't like. I prefer to have extra time.

The one time that I was picked up and the bus went directly to the airport was just this past March. When I called to get my pick up time changed the lady on the phone said it was a good idea as things at the airport were slower than normal. Or course didn't we get to the airport in record time. There was no traffic at all on the highway and we ended up arriving at the airport 3 full hours prior to the flight. It worked out well through, it was an evening flight so we had plenty of time for dinner and with the slow security line we only had about 45 minutes to wait prior to boarding.

 

[seashoreCM]

Now (May 2016) I would say that you should request an earlier bus after getting any assignment less than 3 hours (including the 2:45 hour assignments).

I have read too many trip reports of running for your plane usually including mention of the 2:45 hour departure from the resort.

If your last activity would be or could be a meal, it is a good idea to do it at the airport inside security. You can always get a still earlier Magical Express bus for this purpose by making the request on or before the morning of the day before the day you will leave.

 

[Jestocost]

We flew home from Disney on Sunday (15/05), our flight was at 5:30pm & we were picked up at 1:00pm from our resort by DME, I was surprised how early the pick up time was but didn't really put any thought into it. We were flying internationally but usually we were picked up 3 hours before, not 4 hours.

Also, in my opinion the TSA queues were no longer than they have been the previous few years.

Four hours in advance would be typical for an international flight compared with the three hour advance for domestic flights.