ME departure time back to the airport

[Pixiedust34]

I read that ME will take you back to the airport about 2 hrs., 45 min. before your flight time.

Can you request to be picked up earlier than that if you want to get to the airport earlier to allow for extra time in security lines and at check in? If so, when and where do you make that request?

TIA!

 

[andychris14]

I am sure that you can request to be picked up earlier but not later. I think you are pretty good with the time that they do pick you up. In August we were waiting for a very long time in the airport. My kids are a little older 8 & 10 and they were getting bored in the airport.

 

[seashoreCM]

Everyone must make return ME reservations manually. Often this is done when you first arrive in Orlando and at any rate needs to be done at least a day before checkout. When you make the ME return reservation you can arrange the earlier departure. You can make or change it at the resort too.

An earlier return to the airport is strongly recommended for international or charter or Priceline/Hotwire flights. Disney has no right to single you out with your earlier reservation to bump you in case of overcrowding or other ME irregularities.

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

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not sure how many people are using PL/Hotwire for airline tickets but I'm don't know of any reason for them having to get to the airport early unless they don't have assigned seats and want to get to the gate early enough to get better gate assigned seats.

An earlier return to the airport is strongly recommended for international or charter or Priceline/Hotwire flights. Disney has no right to single you out with your earlier reservation to bump you in case of overcrowding or other ME irregularities.

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

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

You can always depart earlier! Just stop down to Lobby Concierge the day prior to departure, and they will change your pick up time for you.

 

[tjmw2727]

Everyone must make return ME reservations manually. Often this is done when you first arrive in Orlando and at any rate needs to be done at least a day before checkout. When you make the ME return reservation you can arrange the earlier departure. You can make or change it at the resort too.
Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

I have used ME three times now and never made a "return ME reservation manually" ? All three times I gave the CM my flight informaiton when first making my resort reservation as well as opting for ME. This was sufficient for me to receive my return ME confirmation and departure time the day before I left, the paper is slipped under the door of your resort room.

To the OP, yes the general rule of thumb is a pick up 3 hours prior to your departure, could be 2:45 or even 3:15 depending on the schedules. Once you get your departure time the day prior to your flight if you don't like the time just call the number on the confirmation paper. This will connect you directly with ME and they can check if there is a bus available earlier, if so and there is room you can request that departure time. FWIW I had a 2 3/4 prior pick up with one stop on the way to MCO and even with horrendus security lines I had plenty of time.

HTH

 

[Pixiedust34]

Thank you for the information.

 

[JFrey4240]

We were picked up three hours before our flight on Good Friday and had tons of time at the airport. It was kinda boring and we walked around alot of the shops there too. I can't imagine going any earlier.