Magical Express Resort Pick Up Time

[rthutchens]

M trying to figure out how many days of tickets to buy. Our flight leaves at 3:45pm on Dec 23. Do you think we will be picked up at the normal 3 hour in advance or will it be easier due to more travelers for the holidays. Can't decide if I want to rush for a few last park hours or go to Boma for a relaxing breakfast. Any thoughts?

 

[bumbershoot]

I vote for relaxation.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I vote for relaxing.

You pick up time will be 12:45 and you will need to leave the park at least an hour and a half to get back to the resort and claim your luggage and be at the pick up spot by 12:30.. since you need to be there 15 minutes before your actual pick up time.

So why spend close to $100 per park ticket per person only to be at the park 3 -4 hours.

On departure day we usually relax at the pool and sit with our feet in the pool soak up some sun

 

[Alesia]

So why spend close to $100 per park ticket per person only to be at the park 3 -4 hours.

If they already have at least 5 days of tickets it would only be an extra $10 per ticket. I think it's totally worth $10 for a few extra hours of park time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it's totally worth $10 for a few extra hours of park time.

But it also means being nearly 100% ready the night before, being very organized the day of checkout, etc. If those things don't come easy to the OP's family, it can be super-stressful (ask me how I know, LOL) for a relatively few hours in the parks.

 

[Lyndarella]

We have had a flight at that same time. We checked our bags on the way to a park and didn't leave the park til 12:00 to check in for the bus at 12:45. We actually used this park day to split up and finish doing things alone that we had not both wanted to do. You still have that two hour wait at the airport to relax before your flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

We have had a flight at that same time. We checked our bags on the way to a park and didn't leave the park til 12:00 to check in for the bus at 12:45. We actually used this park day to split up and finish doing things alone that we had not both wanted to do. You still have that two hour wait at the airport to relax before your flight.

I think it also depends on what resort you're staying at (and therefore have to catch ME) vs. what park you want to go to. If you're staying at AKL/AKV and want to go to AK for a couple hours, that makes sense, as does staying at a MK resort and going to the MK or Epcot resort and going to Epcot or Studios.

I don't think I'd plan on going to MK from Animal Kingdom for example.

 

[goofy4tink]

For a 3:45 flight, you will be picked up around 12:45....15 mins either way. You need to be back at your resort, all ready to board that bus no less than 15 mins prior to the time you are given. So, figuring on a 12:45 time, you have to be at the bus stop by 12:30. Which means getting back to the resort by noon so that you can get your carryon bags, use the bathroom, etc. Then, depending on the park, and the resort you are at, you could need up to an hour to get from the park you choose back to your resort.
Here's my recommendation...if you are planning on going to a park that is close to your resort (Epcot or DHS when staying at an Epcot resort, MK if at a MK resort, or AK if at AKL), then sure. But leave 30 mins to get back to your resort. If a park has EMHs that morning, head there.

If I have a flight that departs after 4pm, which gives me a p/u time of no later than 1pm, I like to head to a nearby park...that isn't dependent on buses....that has EMHs. That gives me almost 4 hrs in the park.
If I have less than 3 hrs in a park, I forget about it, and head somewhere for a nice last day breakfast. If at an Epcot resort, I head to Goofy's Beach Blast Breakfast. If at AKL/Kidani, I head to Boma. At a MK resort, over to 1900 Park Fare or 'Ohana. I have also been known to head to a park just for breakfast....Tusker House, Akershus, Crystal Palace. But I get a very early seating.