last day-2 p.m. flight-could visit park a while?

[waltdisneymama]

Hello,
We originally had an evening direct return flight to Calgary and were happy with this, planning to redo our favorite rides that day. Then Westjet cancelled that flight, so we now have a connecting flight, and we leave Orlando at about 2 p.m. I'm assuming that we'll have to leave with Magical Express at 11 a.m for our 2 p.m. flight. We're thinking of still revisiting a few favorite rides, probably in MK (and likely Epcot at first, as it has early EMH that day.) My kids are older (15, 12 and 9), so we can move fairly quickly. Do you think that this is doable, or does it sound a little too rushed? Does anyone have an opinion on what time we should leave MK that morning if we go? If everything is ready to go at our hotel, do you think that leaving MK at about 10:20 a.m. would give enough time? Our hotel is an All Star resort.

Thank you for any opinions!

 

[wee-haggis]

Hello,
We originally had an evening direct return flight to Calgary and were happy with this, planning to redo our favorite rides that day. Then Westjet cancelled that flight, so we now have a connecting flight, and we leave Orlando at about 2 p.m. I'm assuming that we'll have to leave with Magical Express at 11 a.m for our 2 p.m. flight. We're thinking of still revisiting a few favorite rides, probably in MK (and likely Epcot at first, as it has early EMH that day.) My kids are older (15, 12 and 9), so we can move fairly quickly. Do you think that this is doable, or does it sound a little too rushed? Does anyone have an opinion on what time we should leave MK that morning if we go? If everything is ready to go at our hotel, do you think that leaving MK at about 10:20 a.m. would give enough time? Our hotel is an All Star resort.

Thank you for any opinions!

the first question I would ask is:
How long are you there for ? (if its a short visit you'll want to make full use of every day you have..........If its a longer visit then I wouldn't chance it.)
Remember the security lines at MCO can be quite lengthy so you'll have to leave lots of time to get through. If you do decide to go for the EMH, you would probably get about 2 hours max before you would have to head back to the hotel to pick up your cases etc.

 

[disneyfan2]

our last trip we had taken care of the checkout the night before. We got up to head out but then reviewed the receipt for checkout they left on our door overnight. There was a big error and they charged us $99 for something. It did take me til at least 9:30 to get it straightened out. I must say the people at the front desk were clueless. I had a simple problem that even the Manager could not straighten out. I felt like i was trying to explain something to my 4yr old. Anyways, it finally clicked. However in the meantime we missed our ADR for breakfast and decidede to take some photos around the resort and have lunch in the hotel. So don't plan on anything that you will be disappointed in, just in case. If you wake and all is smooth, go enjoy. I would probably pick Epcot as it is closest to your resort so that you don't waste too much travel time. good luck

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'd say it's too rushed. You'd have to BACK at the resort at 11am, which means you'd have to leave whatever park no later than 10:15am to bus it back to your resort..

You'd get an hour.. maybe two in the park..

For me.. that's barely worth it -- but of course.. that's a very personal decision.

 

[me_minnie_me]

Hello,
We originally had an evening direct return flight to Calgary and were happy with this, planning to redo our favorite rides that day. Then Westjet cancelled that flight, so we now have a connecting flight, and we leave Orlando at about 2 p.m. I'm assuming that we'll have to leave with Magical Express at 11 a.m for our 2 p.m. flight. We're thinking of still revisiting a few favorite rides, probably in MK (and likely Epcot at first, as it has early EMH that day.) My kids are older (15, 12 and 9), so we can move fairly quickly. Do you think that this is doable, or does it sound a little too rushed? Does anyone have an opinion on what time we should leave MK that morning if we go? If everything is ready to go at our hotel, do you think that leaving MK at about 10:20 a.m. would give enough time? Our hotel is an All Star resort.

Thank you for any opinions!

From my last trip in Oct/Nov, my return flight with WestJet was scheduled to depart from MCO @ 2:00pm. When I got my Magical Express package the day before check-out, they had me booked on the ME bus for 10:15am. So that left me with very little time in the morning to make sure everything was packed, have breakfast, do some last minute souvenir shopping and resort sight seeing.

hope this will help

 

[SaskDisNut]

I would agree with what others have said about it being too rushed. Our flight out in May was also around 2PM. By the time we packed, ate, and walked around the resort to take a few pictures it was time to catch the DME bus to the airport. And with the line ups at the airline counter and security, we needed that time. I had dreams of going to one of the parks on our final day but in reality it just wouldn't have been worth it for us.

 

[yxe dad]

I went to MGM before our 2pm flight in Oct to ride ToT and RRC one last time BUT we rented a car a left the park at 1030am. I would not have done this if I was going to take ME back to the airport. JHMO!

Shayne

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you very much everyone for your responses! It never occurred to me that it might be even earlier than 11 a.m. for Magical Express back to the airport - that would sure make the decision even easier! I think we'll probably just do our favorite rides at the parks the day before we leave.

 

[abirdd]

Just a friendly reminder Magical Express is 4 HOURS in advance for International (Canada). So, your pick up time for a 2pm flight is going to be 10am. Believe me, between travel time to the airport (especially if your bus does other stops on the way), luggage unload at the airport, then airline check in, oh ya, and security... you need the 4 hours.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Oh, I didn't realize that ME is four hours in advance for international destinations!! I had just read that it was three, but I guess that would be just in the States. THanks for making me aware of this. I guessed I would have found out eventually, but it's good to know it now, for planning purposes.

 

[abirdd]

Sadly, the pick up time for international is 4 hours. Disney is trying to ensure we have ample time to not only make it to the airport, but to clear check-ins and security (which can be bad at MCO during certain days/times). You can request a different pick up time in advance, but Disney ME STRONGLY suggests you don't do this... and will not be liable if you miss your flight!

In case it helps, here are the International FAQ's from ME:

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Q. As an international traveler, do I have to claim my luggage?

A. If the Orlando International Airport is your first point of entry into the United States, you will follow the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process and claim your luggage upon disembarking the airplane. Once you have completed this process, you will give your luggage back to the airport officials and proceed to the Disney Welcome Center located in the Main Terminal Building on the B side on Level 1. Your luggage will be transferred to the Baggage Claim area, where Disney will collect it. If you have already completed the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process in another U.S. city, you will proceed directly to the Disney Welcome Center; Disney will claim your luggage. Download Airport Map

Q. On my day of departure, how will I know what time a motor coach will pick me up at my Resort hotel to return to Orlando International Airport?

A. The day before you check out, you will receive a Transportation Notice advising you of your motor coach pick-up time and giving you other general information. Your motor coach pick-up time will be approximately four (4) hours prior to your flight departure time from Orlando International Airport. You are responsible for bringing your luggage to the motor coach pick-up location

Q. If I am departing for an international destination, can I still utilize Resort Airline Check-In Service?

A. At this time, the service is only available if you are flying domestically (including Puerto Rico). If you are flying internationally, you will need to check in directly with your airline at Orlando International Airport.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you for this information! I guess I can't use the resort airline check-in service, since I'm flying from Orlando to Toronto to Calgary?

 

[abirdd]

Thank you for this information! I guess I can't use the resort airline check-in service, since I'm flying from Orlando to Toronto to Calgary?

Correct. Resort check-in is for domestic flights only (US based), so Canadians are excluded from the service. When ME arrives at your resort, your luggage will go underneath the bus, and when you arrive at the airport, the driver will unload all the luggage then let everyone off. From there, you go into the airport and check in with your airline. You then take your luggage over to the screeners, and they will take it from there...

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thanks very much!! It makes me feel better knowing exactly what to expect.

 

[abirdd]

I know stuff can sound long-winded on the DIS, but ME moves very efficiently between the airport/resorts and vice versa. I'm sure you'll find it a breeze... even if it means no visiting the park on your last day

 

[NeverlandPixie]

Where are you staying? I too will be leaving on a 2 pm flight and instead of hitting a park, I'm doing a "farewell" character breakfast at the resort.

 

[waltdisneymama]

I'm staying at All Star Movies. I thought about a character breakfast for our last morning, but we already have one booked for our second day there, and I think that we'll only do one. I guess we could do another one - I'll give it some more thought!