Magical Express departure day 3 hours before flight?

[bumbershoot]

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

With most airports, and MCO is absolutely one of them, you’re supposed to be AT the airport 2 hours before your flight.

3ish hours is what dme arranges. Remember that you might be at the first resort to be picked up, and there could be three more resorts to go.


I have nexus and thefore I get precheck, and I’m MORE than fine leaving for MCO at 3 hours prior. That airport is a madhouse, and there is plenty to amuse myself with once through security.

 

[ClapYourHands]

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

We're planning to end our trip at the Swolfin, so no DME. We're starting at Pop, though, so we'll take DME for the arrival leg.

Just trying to figure out how much to budget, both in terms of time and money.

Our last day will be a parks day. Flight is at 7:20pm. Since we'll be walking distance from HS and Epcot, we will do the afternoon at one of those parks, and then head back to the Swolfin and Uber/Lyft to MCO.

 

[dansdad]

We're planning to end our trip at the Swolfin, so no DME. We're starting at Pop, though, so we'll take DME for the arrival leg.

 

[scrapquitler]

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.



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

But it's irrelevant that 2 hours is enough with precheck because if you use ME, they are picking you up three hours prior to departure whether you have precheck or not.

Remember that when ME picks you up 3 hours prior to your flight, it may stop at one or more other resorts before you get to the airport.

 

[JennyDrake]

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.

It has never taken Lyft more than 6 minutes to arrive! It is $23-$28, depending upon the time of day.

 

[Shanti]

But it's irrelevant that 2 hours is enough with precheck because if you use ME, they are picking you up three hours prior to departure whether you have precheck or not.

Remember that when ME picks you up 3 hours prior to your flight, it may stop at one or more other resorts before you get to the airport.

It's relevant because you can give DME a time for a later flight in order to get picked up later.

2 hours from departure from the resort would allow an hour to get to MCO (30 minutes pick-up time at other resorts, plus 30 minutes drive time to the airport), and 30 minutes to get to the gate before boarding begins, which is a sinch with no bag check at the airport and Pre-Check for security.

Some people don't like to arrive at an airport just 1 hour before the flight, but I personally don't mind. It's a personal preference.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's relevant because you can give DME a time for a later flight in order to get picked up later.

Yes, guests can lie about their departure times.