magical express back to the airport--

[andychris14]

Does the magical express back to the airport still picks you up about 3 hours and 45 minutes before your flight time? Last year we sat and sat in the airport. This is a little to long. 2-2 1/2 hours is enough time.

 

[helenk]

Each time I've used ME, I've been picked up 3 hours prior to my flight time

 

[CleveRocks]

The standard is 2.75 to 3 hours prior to scheduled flight departure. If you were truly picked up 3 hours and 45 minutes prior to flight time, that was unusually early, a fluke, and is absolutely not business as usual.

 

[newholidayx2]

Is the 2.75-3hr prior to flight ME pickup time enough if someones name is on the flight "Most Wanted" list and person needs to get boarding pass when they get to the airport? Should we ask to be picked up 3.75-4hrs ahead?
DH said he would go on ahead of us if necessary.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know anybody whose name is on the list, but if your DH is willing to head off early and alone, that's probably not a bad idea. Just contact DME when you're there, at least two days before your departure. I've seen a driver refuse to take passengers who try to board an earlier bus on their own, but if your husband schedules an earlier passage, should be no problem.

 

[stacy6552]

The only time we used it ME didn't show. Luckily Disney is the middle man and they put us in a prepaid cab asap.

 

[ccw]

Last November, one of my friends had a 7 AM flight and DME wanted to pick her up at OKW at 3:30 AM!!!!!! I had a later flight and we boarded the DME bus a little over 3 hours from our flight time. WAAAAY too much time to kill in the airport but I realize that sometimes you need that much time to get thru security (that took us all of about 10 minutes on our last trip!)

I will use DME again this November...not perfect but it's free and very convenient.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

Is the 2.75-3hr prior to flight ME pickup time enough if someones name is on the flight "Most Wanted" list and person needs to get boarding pass when they get to the airport? Should we ask to be picked up 3.75-4hrs ahead?
DH said he would go on ahead of us if necessary.

Please explain further...?

 

[seashoreCM]

If you already have been delayed at airports because you were already told you were on one of the government lists of "persons of interest" those particular lists associated with airlines often called "no-fly lists" then you can and should ask for an earlier Magical Express bus back to the airport. Do this at least a day before check out, it is a no-brainer then.

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

>>> still picks you up 3 hours and 45 minutes...

I think the following can happen:

1. When you make your ME return reservation (particularly if it was not done upon first arrival at the welcoming area and then you procrastinate until day before departure) the 3 hour bus is full and they arbitrarily assign you to the 3 hour 30 minute bus.

2. You show up for your bus (a little more than 3-1/2 hours from flight time i.e. 15 minutes before the printed time which is the bus departure time) and they make you wait because...

3a. Due to other guests' changes in plans there really is room on the 3 hour bus so you are told to wait for it.

3b. So many others were also arbitrarily assigned to "your" 3-1/2 hour bus that a new bus was needed and it is scheduled to depart slightly more than 3 hours instead of slightly less than 3-1/2 hours from your flight time

4. If you specifically ask for and are confirmed on "the" 3-1/2 or 4 hour in advance bus they must honor that reservation.