Magic Express question...

[castleeto]

Hi DISers!

How early before your return flight do you have to catch Magic Express? We renting a car, but one person in our group is leaving a few days before the rest of us. Instead of having to drive him to the airport, we'd love to send him on ME, but his flight is at the crack of dawn, and he will NOT be happy if he has to wake up much earlier and then ride the bus around to every hotel on Disney property. Could you please share any info that would help us decide what to do? THANKS!

 

[marsh0013]

for an 8:15pm flight, we had to be on the DME bus at 5:15pm. pretty sure 3 hours is standard. not sure if it's different in the morning.

 

[LoriZH]

yes it's a ridiculous 3 hours before hand. We're going to take a cab back, no need to be sitting at an airport 2 hours before your flight leaves when you can be shopping DTD, silly disney people!

 

[WDWBetsy]

On my 1 night stay at CSR, I didn't get the normal info on when to be at the bus stop. The envelope was from ME but it just had a copy of our room charges. I called bell services the next morning and they were surprised it wasn't in there. They told us to be at the ME bus stop by 1:30PM for the 1:45PM bus. Our flight was for 4:17PM. Worked out great for us.

 

[castleeto]

Wow! 3 hours! I guess it's better to be early than miss your flight, but that still seems very, very early. I'm pretty sure he won't want to be catching the bus at 3:30am, and I can't really blame him! Thank you all for your help.

 

[goofy4tink]

One of the reasons for the three hours is that the bus may have to make other resort stops after picking you up. If they pick you up at your resort at 3:00 (for your 6:00 flight), then drive to the next resort, it is now 3:15, then they go on to the third resort (the last one usually!), and now it's 3:30. By the time you get dropped off at the airport (especially if you are the second stop) it could conceivably be 4:10 or so. If there is a back up at security (certainly not unusual at MCO) it could be 5:15 by the time you get to your gate. Now...this is a worst case scenario. But, you can see the possibilities.
If you are afraid you'll be getting to the airport way too early, then give them the flight info for a flight that leaves later than yours does. If you don't want to leave at 3:00, for that 6:00 flight, then give them the info for a flight that leaves at 6:45-7:00. But, be aware...if you have an issue, and get held up for whatever reason, don't place the blame on DME. That's the chance you'll be taking.
You should always plan on being at MCO two hours before your departure time..it's just the smart thing to do. And I, for one, am not going to quibble over that extra 30 mins that DME takes away from me.

 

[CleveRocks]

Hi DISers!

How early before your return flight do you have to catch Magic Express? We renting a car, but one person in our group is leaving a few days before the rest of us. Instead of having to drive him to the airport, we'd love to send him on ME, but his flight is at the crack of dawn, and he will NOT be happy if he has to wake up much earlier and then ride the bus around to every hotel on Disney property. Could you please share any info that would help us decide what to do? THANKS!

Don't know if you were being facetious or not, but the DME bus won't stop at "every hotel on Disney property." The max is 4 resorts per bus, and they group them geographically whenever possible.

He'll have to decide if saving one hour of sleep will be worth the $50 or $60 the cab ride (with tip) will cost.

 

[CleveRocks]

yes it's a ridiculous 3 hours before hand. We're going to take a cab back, no need to be sitting at an airport 2 hours before your flight leaves when you can be shopping DTD, silly disney people!

I'm assuming you'll be flying a "participating airline" and using Resort Airline Check-in to dispose of your checked luggage, and that any purchases you make at DTD will be small enough to qualify as carry-ons.

The reason I say this is just to make sure you realize that there would be no other way to handle your checked luggage and still go to DTD. If you already know this, please disregard all of this message, except for the part that says, "Have a great time!"

 

[LilyU]

Our flight was 10:45 and ME said they were picking us up at 7:50.

Lily

 

[RJD]

When you book ME they tell you you will be picked up at your resort approximately 3 hours before your flight. Recenty we had at 1:20/1:30 flight and were picked up at Sports at 10:00. You get a note the day before departure as to your ME pickup time.

 

[KorieDWnut]

yes it's a ridiculous 3 hours before hand. We're going to take a cab back, no need to be sitting at an airport 2 hours before your flight leaves when you can be shopping DTD, silly disney people!

I was complaining about that last November too until we hit some major traffic on the hwy to the airport and then was stuck in Security forever because of long lines and problem people ahead of us.
We still got to the gate about 30 mins ahead of take-off but that is still cutting it close to me.

 

[Lewisc]

It was reported that contractually DME must schedule to get passengers to the airport 2 hours before the time of their flight. DME is allowing a little over 30 minutes drive time and another 30 minutes to handle pick ups at various resorts. Pick ups are scheduled ever 30 minutes. Passengers are schedule for a pick up 2 3/4 -3 1/4 hours before their flight.

Guests who are willing to pay for a taxi or car service can probably get an extra hour of park time (or sleep).

 

[remfaerie]

If you are afraid you'll be getting to the airport way too early, then give them the flight info for a flight that leaves later than yours does. If you don't want to leave at 3:00, for that 6:00 flight, then give them the info for a flight that leaves at 6:45-7:00. But, be aware...if you have an issue, and get held up for whatever reason, don't place the blame on DME. That's the chance you'll be taking.

Keep in mind, if you choose to do this, keep track of your luggage! If you give them the wrong flight information, that's the info they're using for your luggage!

 

[CleveRocks]

Keep in mind, if you choose to do this, keep track of your luggage! If you give them the wrong flight information, that's the info they're using for your luggage!

Well actually, DME and Resort Airline Check-in are not on the same system. They are 2 separate services. With RAC, you are actually checking in with your airline, just like curbside check-in at an airport. Whether or not you "trick" DME into picking you up later than they otherwise would has NOTHING to do with RAC. RAC is subcontracted to a bonded, TSA-approved company.

 

[Edd]

There is nothing contractually about the time the DME will get passengers to the airport. The time is set by Disney and Mears to allow everyone to get to the airport and not miss their departure times. The three hours is important because you are not dealing with just your own family, but 8 -15 others as well. It takes time to pick up everyone and get on the road to the airport. If you cannot live with those restrictions than it is best to either rent a car or use the car service companies or taxies that are available.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well actually, DME and Resort Airline Check-in are not on the same system. They are 2 separate services. With RAC, you are actually checking in with your airline, just like curbside check-in at an airport. Whether or not you "trick" DME into picking you up later than they otherwise would has NOTHING to do with RAC. RAC is subcontracted to a bonded, TSA-approved company.

Thanks Eric....took the words right out of my mouth. While I love the whole RAC system, I sure do wish they would word things differently. It only serves to confuse people when they lump DME in with RAC. Yes, the two can be used quite nicely together, but you do not have to use DME in order to use RAC.

 

[CarolA]

Just a warning.

I would NEVER arrive at MCO less then 2 hours in advance unless like me you have spent the money for the Clear card. MCO seems unable to understand line management and as a result you may expereince LONG delays at security. (I wrote and suggested they hire Disney to help but they didn't seem to apprecaite my suggestion, but anytime you try to shove FOUR lines into one it's just guranteed to be an issue LOL!)

 

[Lewisc]

I haven't read the contract but that information was contained in the Orlando Sentinal article that was linked to in numerous threads a month or so ago.

Disney has to allow enough extra time to accomodate delays in loading passengers.

Orlando Sentinal 9/1

Disney's contract with the airport also requires it to drop Magical Express passengers off at least two hours, on average, before their departures.

There is nothing contractually about the time the DME will get passengers to the airport. The time is set by Disney and Mears to allow everyone to get to the airport and not miss their departure times. The three hours is important because you are not dealing with just your own family, but 8 -15 others as well. It takes time to pick up everyone and get on the road to the airport. If you cannot live with those restrictions than it is best to either rent a car or use the car service companies or taxies that are available.

 

[goofy4tink]

Before this goes any further guys...let's not get into an argument (discussion) as to who knows the most about any contracts. Let's just base this on commonly held info. Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

For whatever reason DME wants to get passengers to MCO 2 before the flight. The suggested arrival time at MCO (airline website) varies between 1.5and 2 hours.

A few of us cynically suggested Disney wants to get the passengers to MCO early enough to visit the airport Disney stores, that are promoted in the return DME video.

You're right, it doesn't really matter if it's Disney's idea, Mears idea or MCO. Given traffic, bus delays and delays in loading passengers and luggage a 3 hour pick up time makes sense.

Ed drop me a PM if your knowledge of the DME contract doesn't match the Orlando Sentinal article.

Before this goes any further guys...let's not get into an argument (discussion) as to who knows the most about any contracts. Let's just base this on commonly held info. Thanks!