ME in the early morning?

[Danthesand]

Does anyone either have personal experience with or have knowledge of how frequently ME buses are running during the 6:30-7:30am period?

I'm asking because our August trip involves an evening arrival at MCO, staying overnight at the Hyatt prior to going to WDW early the next day via ME. We'd like to try to get to the Boardwalk by 8am (to do a "drop-off" check in before rushing over to Epcot to be there at opening).

I suspect there will not be huge lines at the Disney ME Welcome Center that early, which leaves me concerned that DME may have people sitting on the buses for long periods then, waiting for them to fill. Is that the case, or are they sending buses out regularly in the early morning with only handfuls of passengers?

 

[girlrea]

bump.

 

[Mears_Driver]

Does anyone either have personal experience with or have knowledge of how frequently ME buses are running during the 6:30-7:30am period?

I'm asking because our August trip involves an evening arrival at MCO, staying overnight at the Hyatt prior to going to WDW early the next day via ME. We'd like to try to get to the Boardwalk by 8am (to do a "drop-off" check in before rushing over to Epcot to be there at opening).

I suspect there will not be huge lines at the Disney ME Welcome Center that early, which leaves me concerned that DME may have people sitting on the buses for long periods then, waiting for them to fill. Is that the case, or are they sending buses out regularly in the early morning with only handfuls of passengers?

Early in the morning, you are correct that there are not long lines, and again correct about the way they load the busses. When only a few people show up and they are the only ones on the bus, Disney reps do hold the bus for a maximum of 30 minutes waiting for others to come so that they can make use of every seat. Usually, the wait time is more like 20 minutes. As I understand it, the time begins when the first person reaches the end of the que line and checks in with the Disney rep to be loaded. So you might get lucky and get on the bus 10-15 minutes after the first guest and your time would not be long at all.

If you want to be at the B-walk by 8:00 I would suggest catching a bus no later than 6:30 a.m. You might not be the first drop-off. The resorts are put in order by the driver according to which one is closest to the airport first and fartherest from the airport last.

 

[disboy21086]

I have a similar question. Although this is regarding departing WDW to MCO. I have a 7:30am Flight on Song back to boston. So does that mean M.E. will pick us up at 4:30am?

I've tried to get a later flight, but they want upwards of $300 for a Stand-by seat on there afternoon-evening flights.

 

[Danthesand]

Early in the morning, you are correct that there are not long lines, and again correct about the way they load the busses. When only a few people show up and they are the only ones on the bus, Disney reps do hold the bus for a maximum of 30 minutes waiting for others to come so that they can make use of every seat. Usually, the wait time is more like 20 minutes. As I understand it, the time begins when the first person reaches the end of the que line and checks in with the Disney rep to be loaded. So you might get lucky and get on the bus 10-15 minutes after the first guest and your time would not be long at all.

If you want to be at the B-walk by 8:00 I would suggest catching a bus no later than 6:30 a.m. You might not be the first drop-off. The resorts are put in order by the driver according to which one is closest to the airport first and fartherest from the airport last.

Mears, thanks - I guess what I'll have to do is let the family know we'll be getting to bed very early the night before!!!!

 

[localdriver]

I have a similar question. Although this is regarding departing WDW to MCO. I have a 7:30am Flight on Song back to boston. So does that mean M.E. will pick us up at 4:30am?

I've tried to get a later flight, but they want upwards of $300 for a Stand-by seat on there afternoon-evening flights.

4:30 or close to it.

Some DME drivers check on as early as 2:00AM.

 

[disboy21086]

4:30 or close to it.

Some DME drivers check on as early as 2:00AM.

what do you mean by "check on" as early as 2am?

 

[localdriver]

what do you mean by "check on" as early as 2am?

I mean DME busses are out there early to accommodate early departures such as yours. "check on" is our lingo for "report to work".

 

[CleveRocks]

our August trip involves an evening arrival at MCO, staying overnight at the Hyatt prior to going to WDW early the next day via ME. We'd like to try to get to the Boardwalk by 8am (to do a "drop-off" check in before rushing over to Epcot to be there at opening).

To be safe, I'd suggest calling DME now to make sure you're eligible for a ride, since you're staying at a non-Disney hotel on the day your flight arrives at MCO. I mean, I think by rights you deserve to use DME, but you'd be well-advised to just make sure there's no problem associated with your plans.

-- Eric

 

[disboy21086]

I mean DME busses are out there early to accommodate early departures such as yours. "check on" is our lingo for "report to work".

Thanks! I probably won't even sleep that night!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Does anyone either have personal experience with or have knowledge of how frequently ME buses are running during the 6:30-7:30am period?

I'm asking because our August trip involves an evening arrival at MCO, staying overnight at the Hyatt prior to going to WDW early the next day via ME. We'd like to try to get to the Boardwalk by 8am (to do a "drop-off" check in before rushing over to Epcot to be there at opening).

I suspect there will not be huge lines at the Disney ME Welcome Center that early, which leaves me concerned that DME may have people sitting on the buses for long periods then, waiting for them to fill. Is that the case, or are they sending buses out regularly in the early morning with only handfuls of passengers?

We're staying at the Hyatt the evening before our Poly stay and what we did was we gave the first flight number for the day we want to use DME. That way they had a flight number and time to use on the day that we need DME. I figured it would be the easiest way for us, especially since we are using SWA and won't need them to get our bags for us. Hope this helps! Good luck!