Magic Express Question

[Tozzie]

I don't like the 3 hours ahead of time either BUT that's b/c we've only used DME once and DME literally picked us up at CBR and took us straight to the airport. We left CBR at 5 AM and were at the airport by 5:45. I understand the 3 hour thing, esp during peak fight times but I wish there was a way they could be a bit more flexible if warranted, like in our case. IT SUCKED having to get up at 4:00 in the morning!

I was in WDW last month and had a 7 am flight, yes it was horrible getting up that early but I was also shocked at the security line that time of the morning. When I got in line I was glad the pickup was as early as it was.

 

[summermac]

I understand it's free. Well IMO it's certainly not "free" b/c trust me you pay for it somewhere. I was just adding to the general conversation. Yes I could have chosen to book a car but why would I when the DME is so convenient? Well other than the 3-hour pickup thing. I deal with it. I don't like it but I deal with it. That was the point I was trying to make - that I don't care for the 3-hour window but I suck it up. Jeesh.

 

[Lewisc]

I understand it's free. Well IMO it's certainly not "free" b/c trust me you pay for it somewhere. I was just adding to the general conversation. Yes I could have chosen to book a car but why would I when the DME is so convenient? Well other than the 3-hour pickup thing. I deal with it. I don't like it but I deal with it. That was the point I was trying to make - that I don't care for the 3-hour window but I suck it up. Jeesh.

My point is the 3 hour window is necessary to accommodate the "what ifs". The bus makes 2 (or 3) stops after your resort. It takes the driver longer then normal to load a wheel chair. The bus waits a few minute so late arriving guests can retrieve their carryon stuff from bell services.

People who want to squeeze an extra hour or so of vacation time need to book private service.

 

[ncc1701]

My point is the 3 hour window is necessary to accommodate the "what ifs". The bus makes 2 (or 3) stops after your resort. It takes the driver longer then normal to load a wheel chair. The bus waits a few minute so late arriving guests can retrieve their carryon stuff from bell services.

People who want to squeeze an extra hour or so of vacation time need to book private service.

Agreed. We got back last week. Our ME pickup was at 10:10 but the bus was 10 mins. late. We got to our terminal at MCO at 11:30. We had an easy time at security unlike last year. I'm glad we didn't have to deal with checkin at MCO.

 

[Missytara]

My point is the 3 hour window is necessary to accommodate the "what ifs". The bus makes 2 (or 3) stops after your resort. It takes the driver longer then normal to load a wheel chair. The bus waits a few minute so late arriving guests can retrieve their carryon stuff from bell services.

People who want to squeeze an extra hour or so of vacation time need to book private service.

Or if a very large family decides they need to take all of their luggage to the airport.

On my 3:00 pm bus last year, two families totaling about 15 had over 30 pieces of luggage. It took the bus driver a while to load the luggage.

Luckily they had two 3:00 pm buses, and when the CM noted I was by myself and only had a backpack, she motioned me to the other bus. We were pulling out and he was still loading the luggage under the bus.

 

[gparr]

It might be nice if they took into consideration folks who have already checked their luggage and received their boarding passes at RAC to have a potential later pick up time...just saying.

 

[siskaren]

It might be nice if they took into consideration folks who have already checked their luggage and received their boarding passes at RAC to have a potential later pick up time...just saying.

I don't see why checking your luggage at RAC would make a difference. The pick-up time allows for issues like how long it takes for the bus to load at each stop (as Missytara pointed out, there could be quite a lot of luggage to be loaded), how many stops the bus has to make after yours, potential traffic issues, and potentially long lines at security. Even if you check your luggage with RAC, any or all of these issues could come into play to effect the time it takes you to get to your gate.

 

[maxiesmom]

Or if a very large family decides they need to take all of their luggage to the airport.

On my 3:00 pm bus last year, two families totaling about 15 had over 30 pieces of luggage. It took the bus driver a while to load the luggage.

Luckily they had two 3:00 pm buses, and when the CM noted I was by myself and only had a backpack, she motioned me to the other bus. We were pulling out and he was still loading the luggage under the bus.

I've had a few very slow trips back to the airport. Twice because there were more people trying to get on the bus than there were seats. And during one of those trips there was also a women with an ECV who the driver didn't seem to want to help. He called back to dispatch and wasted time with that, even though he had a working lift on his bus.

Another time we had a demented driver who wanted us to play trivia games, and threated to shut of the airconditioning if we didn't play along. He also hit his air brakes in time to the music during the movie. And told us to say Abracadabra when passing thru gates. Very strange.

 

[gparr]

I don't see why checking your luggage at RAC would make a difference. The pick-up time allows for issues like how long it takes for the bus to load at each stop (as Missytara pointed out, there could be quite a lot of luggage to be loaded), how many stops the bus has to make after yours, potential traffic issues, and potentially long lines at security. Even if you check your luggage with RAC, any or all of these issues could come into play to effect the time it takes you to get to your gate.

The thought process is you do not have to wait in line for ticketing and luggage...you can head right through to security.

We go about once a quarter and always check our luggage in the early AM and get our boarding passes at the 24 hour mark the night before. In al of my years I have never even been close to being late...usually we are just wasting time before we head to the gate...time we could spend in a park.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Thanks for the info everyone

 

[maryj11]

We have taken the ME to and from the airport 3 trips and did not have any troubles. Thank goodness !

 

[goofy4tink]

Just so you all know...this thread is a year old...so some info here may not be still applicable.

 

[kristenrice]

Or if a very large family decides they need to take all of their luggage to the airport.

...or if you have THREE groups of 11-16 people, all boarding the same bus!

We were one of those groups at OKW in June. We were a group of 15 (8 adults and 6 kids, ages 7 months-10 years) and although we only had one carryon bag per person, we also had a stroller and a car seat. Individually, we didn't have a lot, but as a group, that's still 16 pieces of luggage!

Add to that the fact that there was another family reunion of 16 people and a family of 11 people, and it was not unreasonable that our bus took over 15 minutes to load. Nobody had a ton of baggage, but there was just a lot of people. In fact, IIRC, the bus was empty when it pulled up and the driver announced that we would be going directly to MCO without any additional stops. I think there were no more than 10 empty seats on that bus.

 

[dburg30]

Just so you all know...this thread is a year old...so some info here may not be still applicable.

Those darn zombies pop up everywhere nowdays!!