Is it possible: Getting a DME ride for 11PM the day of checkout

[IndianaPrincess]

I am arriving at MCO on August 18th and it looks like I'll be staying at camping at Fort Wilderness. I'd like to spend the day before my cruise (Aug 19th) at Magic Kingdom. The park closes at 10PM and in a perfect world, I could go back to the campground after Wishes and catch the DME to the airport where I will pick up a rental car and find a cheap AIR-CONDITIONED hotel somewhere between MCO and Miami.

The system doesn't let me put in a flight that is around 2AM on the 20th (11PM plus 3 hours) because it only allows for dates on August 19. Would I need to book another night in order to leave at 11PM?

The difference in price between renting at MCO versus any off site rental place is over $60, so I really want to rent from the airport. Oh and it would cost $90 more to pick up the rental car on the 18th instead of the 19th. I *think* I've tried all angles here, but I'd love any suggestions!

Thank you experts!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

DME will NOT take you to the airport at 11 PM. They take you three hours before a scheduled flight. As you have learned there are no scheduled flights at 2 am. (I tried this which is how I know I rented from Dollar at Regal Sun which turned out to be cheaper anyway so you might try that)

 

[Lewisc]

Can you even find a domestic flight that leaves at 2a? edited to add PP already made the point. DME isn't really 24/7. It only operates late enough to accommodate Disney passengers with reservations on departing flights. The last scheduled flight tonight is scheduled to leave at 9:00p, that suggest 6p DME pickup. There is a 1a flight tomorrow morning. That would suggest a 9p pickup but I don't know if Disney will verify your flights.

 

[DebbieB]

I am arriving at MCO on August 18th and it looks like I'll be staying at camping at Fort Wilderness. I'd like to spend the day before my cruise (Aug 19th) at Magic Kingdom. The park closes at 10PM and in a perfect world, I could go back to the campground after Wishes and catch the DME to the airport where I will pick up a rental car and find a cheap AIR-CONDITIONED hotel somewhere between MCO and Miami.

The system doesn't let me put in a flight that is around 2AM on the 20th (11PM plus 3 hours) because it only allows for dates on August 19. Would I need to book another night in order to leave at 11PM?

The difference in price between renting at MCO versus any off site rental place is over $60, so I really want to rent from the airport. Oh and it would cost $90 more to pick up the rental car on the 18th instead of the 19th. I *think* I've tried all angles here, but I'd love any suggestions!

Thank you experts!

Did you find an actual flight that leaves at 2:00am? You can't just put in a random time, there has to be a legitimate flight #. If there is an actual flight at that time, I would call.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

Did you find an actual flight that leaves at 2:00am? You can't just put in a random time, there has to be a legitimate flight #. If there is an actual flight at that time, I would call.

JetBlue 1729 - it leaves at 1:35, so that would be 10:35... I'm cutting it too close, aren't I? Wishes starts at 10 and then there's the crowds.

URGH!!! Why can't this be easy???

Things I don't understand -

1. All the resorts are booked on 8-18. I thought with a lot of kids back in school, I could for sure get a room in the middle of the week! No such luck.

2. Car rental drop off fees of $175. Really???????

3. Alamo costs $45 total for 19th-20th but $133 for the 18th-20th... what???

4. Why have I spent so much time on this???

 

[kaytieeldr]

CALL Magical Express. The toll-free number is in both the Magical Express-related sticky threads at the top of this forum.

ASK the Cast Member. Explain your situation. Each registered WDW Resort Guest is entitled to one trip from MCO to Walt Disney World on or after the day their room reservation starts and (appropriate to the OP) one trip from WDW to MCO on or before the day their room reservation ends. They should be able to accommodate you. Let us know. I have more suggestions.

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't be surprised if DME used the 4 hour rule for flights to PR. Citizens of other countries have to show passports to fly to PR. That would suggest a 9:30 pickup.

Unless something has changed FW has a pickup at :20 and :50. Even if they treat PR as domestic your pickup is likely to be 10:20.

I think you need a different plan.

Could you take an earlier bus to MCO, get your car then drive back to WDW?

 

[DebbieB]

I think you need a different plan.

Could you take an earlier bus to MCO, get your car then drive back to WDW?

That sounds like a good idea - then you could leave at your convenience. Might take about 90 minutes.

 

[Judy in Texas]

You might consider watching the fireworks from beach at The Fort. The music is piped in and you might have time to watch the Electric Parade. Work the numbers and see if that helps your timing at all.

 

[seashoreCM]

You book DME to meet flights but you don't have to have gotten off the flight to get on DME to Disney and you don't have to board the flight when taking DME back to the airport.

With that in mind, there may not be buses at every which hour of the night.

 

[shaffercrs]

We did something similar last December when we were spending the night at the airport Hyatt before an early morning flight. DME was not able to schedule our return until the day before we were to leave. I called DME and they told me the time we could be picked up -- I believe it was dependant upon the time they had arriving guests to pick up. We had to leave a little earlier than we wanted but were still able to spend the day in the park before leaving. By the way, we were the only passengers on the bus to the airport. Call DME direct and ask, they'll tell us what to do.

 

[gmeh1]

I am arriving at MCO on August 18th and it looks like I'll be staying at camping at Fort Wilderness. I'd like to spend the day before my cruise (Aug 19th) at Magic Kingdom. The park closes at 10PM and in a perfect world, I could go back to the campground after Wishes and catch the DME to the airport where I will pick up a rental car and find a cheap AIR-CONDITIONED hotel somewhere between MCO and Miami.

The system doesn't let me put in a flight that is around 2AM on the 20th (11PM plus 3 hours) because it only allows for dates on August 19. Would I need to book another night in order to leave at 11PM?

The difference in price between renting at MCO versus any off site rental place is over $60, so I really want to rent from the airport. Oh and it would cost $90 more to pick up the rental car on the 18th instead of the 19th. I *think* I've tried all angles here, but I'd love any suggestions!

Thank you experts!

Do you even have a flight booked? It looks like you are looking to have DME provide you with transportation to go to MCO to pick up a car to go to Miami.
Do I have that correct?
Someone correct me if I am wrong, please, but, I was under the impression that DME is for folks who are flying in and out of MCO, not picking up a car to go to Miami.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Respectfully, you're wrong, gmeh1. The only conditions required to use Magical Express are that one must have a Walt Disney Resort reservation and be using Magical Express during the dates of that reservation. No air travel required.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

Respectfully, you're wrong, gmeh1. The only conditions required to use Magical Express are that one must have a Walt Disney Resort reservation and be using Magical Express during the dates of that reservation. No air travel required.

Yeah that... thanks!


I *think* I've decided to just bite the bullet and pay the extra $90 to rent the car both days and get a cheapie hotel room. I wasn't really looking forward to tent camping in the heat and having to lug the tent around on the cruise... plus the time spent out of my MK day getting the car sometime that day. I'm really glad I asked on here because I didn't realize how tight that plan was until you guys started replying. Then I would have been out $50 for a cab ride!

I am holding hope that there will be a cancellation at one of the resorts for the 18-20th and then all my problems would be solved.

Thanks everyone!

 

[goofy4tink]

Do you even have a flight booked? It looks like you are looking to have DME provide you with transportation to go to MCO to pick up a car to go to Miami.
Do I have that correct?
Someone correct me if I am wrong, please, but, I was under the impression that DME is for folks who are flying in and out of MCO, not picking up a car to go to Miami.

Just posting to reinforce previous info.....it does not matter what happens once you get off that DME bus at MCO. You can go off and rent a car, you can be picked up by someone, you can head to an airline gate....DME doesn't care. As long as you have a reservation at a Disney owned resort,you are entitled to a r/t ride on DME.
I have taken DME back to MCO to pick up a car with no problems at all.

 

[Lewisc]

The issue is Disney only schedule DME buses (both directions) as needed to transport guests flying in and out of MCO. That means guests who want transportation to MCO later then what's required to transport guests with flights may be out of luck. Similarly guests staying at airport hotels who want transportation earlier then is required to accommodate guests with flights may have to wait.

DME tracks flights, not flight times. If for some reason Jet Blue 1729 is canceled DME has no reason to take you to MCO.