Magical Express - What time to leave resort for airport?

[lucky978]

We are using ME this September for our trip to WL. I remember last time having to be at the resort waiting for the bus WAY before our flight. I think it was 4 hours or so? However, nobody ever checked us in or anything. Could we have waited for another bus? How often do they run?

 

[safetymom]

They pick you up 3 hours in advance.

 

[Bob P]

Even if you could get onto a later bus, I would advise against it. It usually takes a while to load up the bus at each stop, and then you'll have to get through security at MCO. The buses are not on a strict schedule.

IMO, you're better off chilling at the airport than racing frantically to catch your flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

Your bus time is assigned to be about 3 hours before flight time but you should aim (propose; project) to be back at the resort an hour before that. There can be problems at the park such as a long wait for a bus back to the resort or even a stuck ride. Also some resorts require a half hour or even more notice to the bellhop to bring out baggage that was left with him.

(It is reasonable to ask that the last requirement to be waived if you actually ran into the previously mentioned problems.)

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

 

[lucky978]

But do they send the busses based on the time for your flight? I mean, there were lots of people getting on the bus and they never checked our names against a list or anything. Do they come every hour, every two hours to the resort or is it based on the people who are scheduled for the transportation?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

But do they send the busses based on the time for your flight? I mean, there were lots of people getting on the bus and they never checked our names against a list or anything. Do they come every hour, every two hours to the resort or is it based on the people who are scheduled for the transportation?

During the day, the DME motorcoach pickups are scheduled every 30 minutes at each resort. The actual times vary by resort. At one resort it might at 10 minutes and 40 minutes after the hour; at another it might be 25 and 55 minutes after the hour. You will be assigned to a pickup time that's approximately 3 hours before your scheduled departure. I suppose if nobody is scheduled for a particular pickup time, the motorcoach will bypass the resort.

If everything goes perfectly — motorcoach right on time, no stops at other WDW resorts, no traffic delays, quick check-in at the airport, no line at security — it's possible that you'll get to the gate over an hour before you begin boarding. (Boarding is usually 30 minutes before departure.)

In reality, things seldom go perfectly. For example, there have been reports on this board of 40 minutes lines at security. That's why the pickup is 3 hours before the flight.