Magical Express - lobby meeting for return home?

[Torontogal]

Hi all,
We are going to Disney in March and using the Magical Express service which I have never used before.

I was wondering what time I needed to meet at the lobby for the drive back to the airport on way home. I believe our flight leaves Orlando airport at 1:35 pm. I am hoping to visit a theme park for about an hour on the day of my flight. I know that Epcot has a magic hour from 8am to 9am so I thought I would take advantage of it being an annual pass holder.
Anyone know what time I would have to meet at lobby and the general process for meeting up?
Thanks so much!

 

[miller2470]

Last year, the day before we left, they left us a card in our room telling us what time to be out front. I believe that it was around 2 hours before our flight. The magical express service is great. I love the fact that you dont have to worry about your luggage when you arrive and that they will deliver the luggage right to your room while you are in the parks.

 

[CarolA]

Everything I read indicates they schedule your pickup about 3 hours in advance so figure you would leave at 10:30 or so.

 

[Lewisc]

International flights sometimes require that you get to MCO earlier which might require an earlier DME pickup. I'm not sure if flights to Canada are in that category.

A towncar will probably let you squeeze an extra 45 minutes and might be worth it. You have to get to the DME pickup location 10 minutes in advance but a towncar will wait for you.

You'll only have about 2 hours in EPCOT, I'd go for a relaxing breakfast instead but I guess you'll have enough time for a few attractions.

BTW most airlines will accomodate you on the next available flight if you're less than 2 hours late. I'd be more likely to chance it if there are later flights that aren't booked and I'd be less likely to cut it close if it was a holiday time and all the flights are booked and overbooked.

 

[seashoreCM]

You are typically assigned to a bus leaving at a certain time. If you are on an international flight (requiring customs checking) or a charter flight you should request a bus 3-1/2 to 4 hours before the plane leaves.

You should be at the bus loading area 15 minutes before bus departure time. It is a good idea to plan on being back at the resort an hour before bus departure time. YOu never know what kind of glitch, such as being on a ride that breaks down, you may encounter.

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

 

[helenk]

I would not wait in the lobby if I were you, unless you are returning early from the parks.
They do not notify you in the lobby that the bus is there, depending on your resort you may not even be able to see the bus pick up area from the lobby.
You will want to be at the pick up area at least 10 to 15 minutes before you pick up time to be certain you will not miss the bus.

 

[Gary M]

When we used DME the note under the door told us what time they would pick us up and to be at the departure area 15 before that. When we used DME at WL and YC, both resorts had signs stating DME pick-up area.

 

[CleveRocks]

OP: are you using a participating airline? If not, you need to get your luggage to the bus yourself. The following assumes you're NOT flying a participating airline:

If you're going to Epcot early in the morning, you're going to have Bell Services (BS) store your luggage for you. When it's time for you to wait for the DME bus back at your resort, it may take a while for BS to get your luggage back to you. They will get it back to you and will not give it directly to the DME driver -- there is no automatic transfer between your resort's BS and DME. It is entirely likely that BS will be backed up that morning, because your DME pick-up time will be before but not a whole lot before the 11:00 a.m. checkout time. Be prepared for a delay in getting your bags back from BS, I guess is what I'm saying.

 

[Torontogal]

Thanks everyone!
We are only going to be there from the 18th to the 23rd so I want to squeeze in as much Disney time as I can!
Thanks for your replies! This site is so awesome!

 

[paults]

15 mins

 

[gamomof2]

If we have a flight at 8 pm can we still use DME? Will they still be going around 5 or 6 pm?

 

[Servants of Evan]

If we have a flight at 8 pm can we still use DME? Will they still be going around 5 or 6 pm?

Yep. They go at all hours. You may not get the super bus, but you'll get to MCO.