Magical Express pick up at hotel

[2minny]

I'm wondering what time the bus is usually scheduled for your departing flight from your hotel. It seems like it's around 3-4 hours before your flight time. We have Chef Mickey's planned the morning of our departure, but our flight was just moved forward. Trying to figure this out and if I need to move my flight. Or could we be picked up from Contemporary instead of AKL?

 

[FCDub]

3 hours +/- 15 minutes.

No, you cannot be picked up at a different hotel. Only the one you’re staying at.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

In our experience, it have always been within 15 minutes of 3 hours.
this may have changed post COVID.

Pre COVID our friends were staying at the beach club and we were staying at the Polly, they were able to get the magical express with us at the Polly. The difference was that we were able to check our luggage at the RAC. If Disney allows you to be picked up at the contemporary, you would have to Uber to the contemporary with your luggage and store it with bell services while at breakfast.

 

[FCDub]

I almost wrote “cue someone saying they did this and it’s no issue” but decided against it. Shame on me.

OP, in all likelihood you will not be able to leave from a different resort.

 

[hp_lovecraft]

On the last trip, we managed to miss our Magical Express. The lobby said they could try and put us on the "next one", but I did not have any confidence in that. So, opened my phone and clicked uber. They were there in 10 minutes, and still got to the airport HOURS before the flight. But I am curious to see what the lobby CM could have done.

 

[2minny]

On the last trip, we managed to miss our Magical Express. The lobby said they could try and put us on the "next one", but I did not have any confidence in that. So, opened my phone and clicked uber. They were there in 10 minutes, and still got to the airport HOURS before the flight. But I am curious to see what the lobby CM could have done.

There are 8 of us, so Uber might not be an option. It should be interesting to just get 8 of us from AKL to Contemporary and back, much less to the airport. Trying to figure this out, without cancelling our Chef Mickey ressie.

 

[sam_gordon]

There are 8 of us, so Uber might not be an option. It should be interesting to just get 8 of us from AKL to Contemporary and back, much less to the airport. Trying to figure this out, without cancelling our Chef Mickey ressie.

Budget an hour to get from CR to AKL using Disney transportation. It probably won't take that long, but it could. What time is your Chef Mickey's reservation and what time is your flight?

 

[FCDub]

There are 8 of us, so Uber might not be an option. It should be interesting to just get 8 of us from AKL to Contemporary and back, much less to the airport. Trying to figure this out, without cancelling our Chef Mickey ressie.

You can take two Ubers or Lyfts wherever you need to go. It's pricey, but it will allow you to do what you want.

 

[hp_lovecraft]

There are 8 of us, so Uber might not be an option. It should be interesting to just get 8 of us from AKL to Contemporary and back, much less to the airport. Trying to figure this out, without cancelling our Chef Mickey ressie.

I know how you feel. We usually travel in big groups of 8-12. Make some calls. There is the dedicated ME number. Explain the situation. In pre-covid, I'd call about lots of issues like how ADRs might accomodate a large group. (ie large table? pushing tables together?). Obviously these days, it can take an hour to get a hold of someone.....

One trip we had a month or so ago, the return flight was cancelled.... THAT MORNING. So, not great. We worked out a different flight, and called the ME number to explain. THey were able to work somethng out.

Another option we have done a few times is rented a van on-way. Usually airport to disney, so we can pick up groceries. But you can also do the reverse. Disney to airport. Granted, getting the van, with luggage, might be a hassle, and could not say if any of the rentals will have a van. We would always using the Disney SPrings rentals, then use DS transporation to get arond

 

[2minny]

Budget an hour to get from CR to AKL using Disney transportation. It probably won't take that long, but it could. What time is your Chef Mickey's reservation and what time is your flight?

Chef Mickey's is 10am and flight is 2:50pm

 

[zoo2tycoon]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...ss-time-from-the-hotel.3831395/#post-62825357
Now Op talking on new thread about giving “fake” flight time.

 

[2minny]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...ss-time-from-the-hotel.3831395/#post-62825357
Now Op talking on new thread about giving “fake” flight time.

Right, thanks! I'll just give a fake flight number and I can make the flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

Right, thanks! I'll just give a fake flight number and I can make the flight.

Something to think about... Disney will assign your pickup time 3 hours +/- 15 minutes before your flight. And there may be other hotel stops AFTER yours before you actually head to MCO.

AND you're going to have 8 people and presumably some luggage to check and having to get through security. You may be comfortable getting to MCO less than 2 hours before your flight, but I wouldn't recommend it. Just my opinion.

Also, think about why Chef Mickey is so important. 10am seating means you'll probably be out of there around 11 I'm guessing. So yea, that will probably be pretty tight to make a 11:50 +/- 15 minute pickup.

 

[hp_lovecraft]

Last time we ate at Chef mickies, we had a group of 9. It took 40 minutes before we could be seated.

 

[2minny]

All good, moved Chef Mickeys to 8am! Thanks for all the help and tips!

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm wondering what time the bus is usually scheduled for your departing flight from your hotel. It seems like it's around 3-4 hours before your flight time. We have Chef Mickey's planned the morning of our departure, but our flight was just moved forward. Trying to figure this out and if I need to move my flight. Or could we be picked up from Contemporary instead of AKL?

I recommend getting a taxi to return from Chef Mickey's to AKL. The valets in front of CR will call one for you when you're ready (have a couple of dollars cash to tip them for this), and it's only a few minutes wait for them to show up (I used taxis occasionally during my WDW trip a week ago btw). That will cost an extra $20 - $25 total but it's worth it for convenience and peace of mind, and not missing your Chef Mickey ressie, imo. If you balk at paying that, consider how much you're spending on your Disney trip, meal at CM and stay at AKL, and ask yourself how unreasonable an extra $25 really is to make it all work without stress.

 

[sam_gordon]

I recommend getting a taxi to return from Chef Mickey's to AKL. The valets in front of CR will call one for you when you're ready (have a couple of dollars cash to tip them for this), and it's only a few minutes wait for them to show up (I used taxis occasionally during my WDW trip a week ago btw). That will cost an extra $20 - $25 total but it's worth it for convenience and peace of mind, and not missing your Chef Mickey ressie, imo. If you balk at paying that, consider how much you're spending on your Disney trip, meal at CM and stay at AKL, and ask yourself how unreasonable an extra $25 really is to make it all work without stress.

Not needed. They moved their reservation to 8am. Even if it takes 90 minutes, they're done at 9:30, walk from CR to MK: 30 minutes, wait for bus: 30 minutes, ride to AKL: 30 minutes. They're still at AKL at 11am, and their pickup will be after 11:30. Those times I gave are intentionally long. Should not be a problem.