Magical Express Question

[STLDisney_Freak]

We are using the magical express bus to get from our hotel BLT to the airport. Our flight leaves at 4:20pm. Since this is the first time we have used magical express service I'm trying to figure out what time it will be at BLT to pick us up as I need to make a reservation for lunch at the T-Rex and we were going to wander around DTD for a few hours before heading home. Does anyone know how many hours in advance they pick you up for a flight?

 

[babyrich]

We are using the magical express bus to get from our hotel BLT to the airport. Our flight leaves at 4:20pm. Since this is the first time we have used magical express service I'm trying to figure out what time it will be at BLT to pick us up as I need to make a reservation for lunch at the T-Rex and we were going to wander around DTD for a few hours before heading home. Does anyone know how many hours in advance they pick you up for a flight?

I am pretty sure it is 3 hours prior to your flight.

 

[akclayton]

I believe it's around 3 hours prior to your flight. I've only been once since ME started but that's what we were told and that's how far in advance our pick up time was.

 

[MichVick]

They leave a notice on your door the day before you leave letting you know when they will pick you up But if memory serves me right I also believe that it is 3 hours and 4 if it is an international flight

 

[Jestocost]

The PPs are correct in that your DME bus will be scheduled to depart your resort approximately three hours before your scheduled flight departure. Please note that you should be at the pick-up location about 10-15 minutes before that scheduled departure time, so it makes sense to plan to be back at the resort about 30 minutes before your departure to claim carry-on bags from bell services, use the restroom, etc.

 

[shoes99]

The PPs are correct in that your DME bus will be scheduled to depart your resort approximately three hours before your scheduled flight departure. Please note that you should be at the pick-up location about 10-15 minutes before that scheduled departure time, so it makes sense to plan to be back at the resort about 30 minutes before your departure to claim carry-on bags from bell services, use the restroom, etc.

Make sure you are ready and at the bus stop early. Last trip a different bus pulled up, not DME, not DCL, and I told DH , there's our DME bus. He shook his head as he would have never even thought about a different colored bus. They arrived 10 minutes early, and left exactly at the designated time. They will not wait for you if you are late. As posted, your pick-up will be 3 hours before your domestic flight.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Thank You everyone!

 

[prncess674]

I don't think you have time for a lunch reservation. You would need to be at the DTD bus stop by probably noon in order to assure yourself enough time to be back. Perhaps it would be better to maybe have a farewell late breakfast at a monorail resort rather than trekking out to DTD. Also if you plan on shopping at DTD you are going to have to hastily pack all your purchases in your luggage when you return to the hotel. Personally I would schedule DTD for another day.

 

[aubriee]

I don't think you have time for a lunch reservation. You would need to be at the DTD bus stop by probably noon in order to assure yourself enough time to be back. Perhaps it would be better to maybe have a farewell late breakfast at a monorail resort rather than trekking out to DTD. Also if you plan on shopping at DTD you are going to have to hastily pack all your purchases in your luggage when you return to the hotel. Personally I would schedule DTD for another day.

I agree! Plus there is a chance your airline may change your flight time. I know we had Crystal Palace booked for lunch our departure day on Feb 11th and even considering the three hour pick up time, knew we had enough time. However, about a month before we left, American Airlines switched us to another flight with an earlier departure. We had to cancel our CP lunch and just grabbed a quick lunch just before getting on the DME bus at POFQ.

You never know when the airlines might move your departure time up a few hours. It's happened to me again for my upcoming May trip. Spirit moved my arriving flight back almost six hours and then they moved my return flight up a little over an hour. I am now losing almost 8 hours of my vacation and need to cancel my ADR for both lunch and dinner on my arrival day and will also probably cancel my lunch ADR for my departing day.

 

[goofy4tink]

You will be given a p/u time of around 1:30, give or take 15 mins either way. This means that you need to be at the DME bus stop, ready to board at least 15 mins prior to the stated time. The time you are given is the time the bus should be leaving BLT!!! Don't wait too long to get there.

Heading to DTD for a few hours?? That's fine, just be careful. The buses back to the resorts can take awhile to get there. So, be sure to leave plenty of time. I would really recommend heading back to the CR and getting a bite to eat there. If you really want to eat at T-Rex, I would get there as soon as they open and eat...then, take a cab back to the CR.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We are using the magical express bus to get from our hotel BLT to the airport. Our flight leaves at 4:20pm.

As others have noted, your DME pickup time will be around 1:20 p.m. (+/- 15 minutes), and you'd want to be at the pickup location 10-15 before the scheduled time. The pickup location would be at the main Contemporary, not at BLT.

Mid-day bus service from DTD to the resorts is some of the least frequent, least reliable bus service at WDW.

I suppose an 11 am. lunch at T-Tex MIGHT be doable, but I think there are better, "more comfortable" options, such as lunch at the Contemporary or the Magic Kingdom (walking distance).

 

[shoney]

On 2/22, we were picked up at 1pm from POR. Our flight was at 3:45. We were the first resort to be picked up and then went to 3 more stops before going to the airport.