Magical Express departure day 3 hours before flight?

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

On departure day, do they pick you up 3 hours or 4 hours before your flight?
I tried searching, but no luck. I know they added an extra hour sometime, during holidays?, but went back. Just don't remember what it is now.
TIA

 

[disneyinthespringtime]

3 hours as of mid April. Which worked out well for arrival at MCO - especially since bus was a bit late arriving at our resort

 

[dansdad]

On departure day, do they pick you up 2 hours or 3 hours before your flight?

3 hours for domestic and 4 hours for international.

I know they added an extra hour sometime, during holidays?, but went back.

Correct.

 

[darrengs]

With TSA at Orlando International Airport you pretty much need the 3 hours.

 

[Shanti]

With TSA at Orlando International Airport you pretty much need the 3 hours.

You might or might not. With TSA precheck, you don't need 3 hours.

 

[StageTek]

With Precheck how much time do you need?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

With Precheck how much time do you need?

Depends on if it is open.

 

[Shanti]

With Precheck how much time do you need?

If you're using PreCheck & are either not checking bags, or are checking them via Resort Airline Check-In, then 2 hours using Magical Express is enough.

Depends on if it is open.

We've flown in & out of MCO at all times of day & year and have never seen PreCheck closed.

 

[StageTek]

Thanks

 

[Lehuaann]

I believe it depends on DME’s schedule. Last month our flights departed at 8:10 pm, and our pickup time was set for 4:45 pm, so about 3 1/2 hrs early. Then flights were delayed that day due to weather (ours to 9:50). DME would not change the time.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We are domestic and have never had an issue with the TSA at MCO. DME gets you there in plenty of time. At least it has us.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

Our line for security was extremely long at MCO and I was grateful that Magical Express forced us to get there early.

 

[kimieko]

When we left in November, it was the day before Disney released the statement that DME would now pick up 4hours early. Security lines at MCO we soooooo bad. We didn’t move for 45minutes. They finally just brought in a dog to sniff everyone and didn’t have people take off their shoes or remove electronics. It was so bad. So last week when we left, I got to the DME bus stop super early, got on an earlier bus, the bus driver was telling us MCO was busy because all of the cheerleaders were leaving from the competitions, got to MCO 2.5 hours before my flight....and we were through security in 10 minutes.

 

[ginny65]

We've always been picked up 3 hours before our flight. It seems like we always pick up people at at least two other resorts before heading to the airport. It always gets on my nerves when people aren't at the bus stop when they are suppose to for DME and we have to sit there and wait. It makes me nervous that we are going to miss our flight.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have TSA precheck--I use Lyft to the airport, picking me up a generous 2 hours before flight and I have PLENTY of time.

 

[ClapYourHands]

When we left in November, it was the day before Disney released the statement that DME would now pick up 4hours early. Security lines at MCO we soooooo bad. We didn’t move for 45minutes. They finally just brought in a dog to sniff everyone and didn’t have people take off their shoes or remove electronics. It was so bad. So last week when we left, I got to the DME bus stop super early, got on an earlier bus, the bus driver was telling us MCO was busy because all of the cheerleaders were leaving from the competitions, got to MCO 2.5 hours before my flight....and we were through security in 10 minutes.

We were in the same line!!!!! We were moving at a snail's pace anyway, and then they stoped the line. I was almost through. There was an extended family in front of us, and they were stopping the grandparents, but then let them through with the rest of the party, and then asked me if we were with them. Like a dope, I said no, and got stuck there for the next 30-45 minutes until after the dog arrived. Should have totally adopted that family in front of me!

The only good thing was that we were literally the first stopped people, so I was able to ask the officer what was going on, and he told me they were waiting for the dog. I know there were people around the corner who couldn't see anything, and I can only imagine how stressful that must have been to be stuck at a standstill and not have the foggiest idea why you weren't moving.

We still had plenty of time once we got through, though. We'd been at Universal, and I think that shuttle picked up 4 hours early. I remember thinking at the time that it was a crazy waste of good park time, but it definitely made the line less stressful.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I have TSA precheck--I use Lyft to the airport, picking me up a generous 2 hours before flight and I have PLENTY of time.

About how much does a Lyft cost? And how far in advance should I request it? I'm planning a split stay, so will likely have to find my own way back to MCO next trip.

 

[dansdad]

I'm planning a split stay, so will likely have to find my own way back to MCO next trip.

Is the last part of the split stay at Deanna, Dolphin or offsite? If not, you can definitely use Magical Express.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are domestic and have never had an issue with the TSA at MCO. DME gets you there in plenty of time. At least it has us.

I've had one instance of it taking a long time to get to the airport, and then having a long line at security. I was freaking out the whole time I was in the line. Made it to the gate with 20 minutes to spare, which is to close for comfort to me.

 

[dansdad]

I've had one instance of it taking a long time to get to the airport, and then having a long line at security. I was freaking out the whole time I was in the line. Made it to the gate with 20 minutes to spare, which is to close for comfort to me.

After doing a full sprint to our gate multiple times, we've started requesting an earlier pick up. Whenever we can't get it, my wife makes sure she wears her gym shoes. She said running through MCO in flip flops was an experience she doesn't want to repeat.