Leaving for the airport....what time should we plan?

[tjsbwilwert]

We had a change of plans and are now able to spend an additional day in the parks with our flight leaving at 8:45 p.m. instead of 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 31st. We are planning on spending the day at AK. What time would you suggest we leave AK to get the bus, go back to POR, retrieve our luggage, and make it to the airport by 7:00 p.m using Magical Express? We are a family of four with a 7yr old and 5 yr old. Thanks for your input. This is our first trip to DW.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

ME will pick you up from your hotel 3 hrs before your departure time, so your should plan on a pick up around 530pm. I would probably leave AK by 3pm or so...just to be safe.

Have a magical trip!

 

[canopynut66]

We had a change of plans and are now able to spend an additional day in the parks with our flight leaving at 8:45 p.m. instead of 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 31st. We are planning on spending the day at AK. What time would you suggest we leave AK to get the bus, go back to POR, retrieve our luggage, and make it to the airport by 7:00 p.m using Magical Express? We are a family of four with a 7yr old and 5 yr old. Thanks for your input. This is our first trip to DW.

Agree leave AK in plenty of time to catch ME as it is three hours before flight time

 

[sam_gordon]

Correct. ME will ASSIGN you a time for pickup. You don't get to choose one. The time will be anywhere between 2:45 - 3:15 from your flight departure time. So your ME pickup time will be between 5:30p-6:00p. You need to be at the ME pickup point, with all your bags, ready to go 15 minutes before your pickup. So, assuming a 5:30 pickup time, here's how'd I'd factor it...

5:30p ME pickup time
5:15p Need to be ready
5:00p Last bathroom stop (until airport)
4:45p retrieve luggage
4:30p arrive at resort
4:00p Bus departs AK
3:15p At bus departure zone at AK

Yes, my departure time from AK is conservative. But I'd rather be sitting at the ME pickup point with luggage, bathroom breaks done, etc 30 minutes early than be 2 minutes late.

 

[Alesia]

Yes, my departure time from AK is conservative. But I'd rather be sitting at the ME pickup point with luggage, bathroom breaks done, etc 30 minutes early than be 2 minutes late.

Me, too. If you miss your bus, you'll be shelling out $60 or so for a cab back to the airport, so don't try to cut it too close.

 

[tjsbwilwert]

Thank you everyone for the input. It was very helpful. I hadn't read anywhere yet about the assigned pick-up time for the return flight so that was also good to read. I agree, we won't cut it close.