Magic Express question

[froggy33]

How early does the bus leave to bring you back to the airport on your departure if you have to check bags at the airport?
Thanks!

 

[jennyl772003]

I am pretty sure they had us on a bus that would arrive approx 2 hours before our flight, which would have made it leave the resort about 2.5ish hours before.

 

[GottaGetToDisney!]

Our flight back home was at 11:20am. We were scheduled on the 8:30am Magical Express motorcoach and were expected to be at the Customs House at 8:15. Yep, we had plenty of time to spare at the airport! Good thing, though, because our flight had been overbooked and we (luckily) didn't get bumped.

Gotta Get To Disney!

 

[seashoreCM]

You are normally scheduled (getting a bus time and bus ticke5ts is mandatory) on a bus departing the resort 3 hours before your flight time.

If you are on a charter or international flight it is a good idea to ask for an earlier departure time.

You should never ask for a later departure time and the CM's if they are on their toes will deny you that.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[ccw]

Our ME bus picked us up a little over THREE HOURS before our departure time (in Nov.) Take a good book with you. We had over two hours to sit in the airport. I'm sure that sometimes you need that much time to get thru security, etc. but, when you waltz right thru security, it's nice to have something to occupy your time while you wait. If it works out, you might also tentatively plan to have a meal at the airport to help pass the time. I loved ME getting TO our resort but did not find the departure experience to be so great..except that is was FREE!

 

[seashoreCM]

There have been a few reports (including on these boards) where someone had a properly booked ME trip back to the airport 3 hours in advance but due to various glitches barely made his plane.

 

[ironz]

SeashoreCM is right...just happened to me yesterday. OK...didn't cut it TOO close, but close enough to stress a bit.

Plane departure was at 6:05 pm. ME pickup was at 3:25. We were waiting at the CR lobby by 3 pm, then walked outside to get on the bus at 3:15. We had checked our luggage earlier, so at least we didn't have to worry about checking bags and getting boarding passes at the airport. We left CR on time with a few families at 3:25. Went to GF and picked up a few. Went to WL and picked up a few. Then doubled back to Poly and picked up. Took almost an hour to get off of WDW property!

Got to the airport at 4:50 pm. Line for security was super long...thankfully, it moved way faster than it looked! I had even gone back by the Continental ticket desk while my friend was in the security line to let them know we were here and trying to get to the gate...one of their reps named Tom was a total jerk and berated me that I should have gotten to the airport in time to get through security. Well, who would think that a pickup time of over 2.5 hours isn't enough? Good thing it turned out that the security check was faster than the line made it appear to me, or DME might have heard from me. I really think the worst issue was how long it took to pick up the other guests on our way out. We made it through security in PLENTY of time. Also think that the Continental rep could have been a bit more positive and told me that to hang in there, that the line looks bad when it, in fact, is moving at a good rate.

I also didn't like the long line for check-in when we arrived at MCO. Seems like we could have gone straight to the bus lines since we had our vouchers in hand. Don't think I'll use ME on the next trip.

 

[TinkOhio]

Yikes! I'm so nervous now! Can I ask how long before the flight that you would think I should request? Oue flight leaves MCO at 11:15 am the day before Christmas Eve., to Cleveland. We're flying a small ariline, so we have to check in ourselves. I'm guessing that the place will be packed with people going back up North for Christmas that day. How much earlier than normal do you think I should ask DME to pick us up?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[safetymom]

I would allow at least an extra hour. Last year MCO was crazy on Christmas Eve.

 

[ironz]

Tinkohio...sorry to scare you. But safetymom is right...I'd probably try to leave the resort by 7:30 or so. That's going to be a tough travel day, esp. being a Saturday. Good luck and have fun on your trip!!

 

[safetymom]

I would rather be sitting at the gate with extra time than stressing over whether or not I am going to make the flight.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Odd that they would do it that way. The route is supposed to go as follows:

3:25 - CR
3:35 - WL
3:45 - Poly
3:55 - GF
Which will get you to the airport at 4:30, give or take.

 

[ironz]

It did seem very odd...and when we pulled into WL, there was a ME bus there...and we still picked some people up. I could tell we were double-tracking. Seems like I heard some talk over the driver's radio about someone not being at the right place or something. Hopefully just a glitch. But very frustrating after sitting in our seats since 3:15!!

I'm currently debating if it would be worth the money for a van/SUV for 7 people next trip to avoid the airport stress. Still pondering....

 

[IlovePiglet]

Odd that they would do it that way. The route is supposed to go as follows:

3:25 - CR
3:35 - WL
3:45 - Poly
3:55 - GF
Which will get you to the airport at 4:30, give or take.

I have been told buses will not be dispatched to resorts unless there are reservations showing, so to best utilize the bus it might go elsewhere before leaving property, or it could go directly to the airport. Unfortunately there is no sure way of telling.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

True... but when the bus goes to all four, that's how it goes.

CR picks up at 25/55 past the hour
WL picks up at 35/05 past the hour
Poly picks up at 45/15 past the hour
GF picks up at 55/25 past the hour

YC picks up at 00/30 past the hour
BC picks up at 10/40 past the hour
BW picks up at 20/50 past the hour
CBR picks up at 30/00 past the hour

Those are the only two I can remember off the top of my head. There are times when the coaches will make the full run, however, one should not expect it, because depending on loads, it might not stop.

 

[OKW Lover]

We took ME last week from OKW. They got us to the airport over 2 hours before our flight.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the help! We'll be sure to get there early!

 

[IlovePiglet]

True... but when the bus goes to all four, that's how it goes.

CR picks up at 25/55 past the hour
WL picks up at 35/05 past the hour
Poly picks up at 45/15 past the hour
GF picks up at 55/25 past the hour

YC picks up at 00/30 past the hour
BC picks up at 10/40 past the hour
BW picks up at 20/50 past the hour
CBR picks up at 30/00 past the hour

I know.

Here are the other pickup times:

Fort Wilderness - :50/:20
POR - :00/:30
POFQ - :10/:40
OKW - :20/:50
Saratoga Springs - :30/:00

AK Lodge - :05/:35
Pop Century - :15/:45

AS Movies - :15/:45
AS Music - :25/:55
AS Sports - :35/:05
Coronado Springs - :45/:15

 

[IAdisney]

Our flight home will leave at 6:00 AM, so am I looking at a 3 AM or 3:30 ME Bus?

 

[IlovePiglet]

Our flight home will leave at 6:00 AM, so am I looking at a 3 AM or 3:30 ME Bus?

Yes. You should receive a confirmation letter the day prior to your departure with your ME pick up time listed. If you don't, call ME and make sure they have a ressie for you.