ME returning to MCO

[thr33boys]

How many hours before your flight will you need to board ME back to MCO for a domestic flight?

Trying to get an idea of how much time we'll have on our last day.

 

[goofy4tink]

DME will give you a pickup time of about 3 hrs prior to your flight departure time...give or take 15 mins either way. So, if your flight is at 5pm, your p/u time will be between 1:45 and 2:15. Plan to be back at your resort about an hour prior to that time. You will need to get carryon bags from Bell Services, use the restrooms, etc. Then...be out at the bus stop no less than 15 mins prior to the time you were given...so that would be around 1:30ish.

 

[thr33boys]

Thanks so much for the quick response, much appreciated!!

 

[JaxMama]

Make sure you are there early because a line will form (if you are in Disney at a busy time). We had many people miss the frist ME bus due to the crowd waiting...

 

[Lewisc]

Make sure you are there early because a line will form (if you are in Disney at a busy time). We had many people miss the frist ME bus due to the crowd waiting...

Your post isn't clear. I assume you're talking about a line to get a bus from a theme park back to your resort. Passengers have a reservation on a specific DME bus. There should never be more passengers then seats on the bus. I guess there could be a very busy time where 2 buses are needed to accommodate guests with flights.

 

[shoney]

In Feb our flight was 4:50 and our ME pick up time was 1pm.
We were the first stop. It made 3 additional, so by the time we got on the road to the airport it was between 1:45 and 2pm.

 

[goofy4tink]

Make sure you are there early because a line will form (if you are in Disney at a busy time). We had many people miss the frist ME bus due to the crowd waiting...

Not sure what you are saying here. There are no 'first' DME buses. There is seldom a crowd at the resort, waiting to go back to MCO. I've used DME to return to MCO more times than I can remember....there have never been more than 10 people at any one stop...and that's not common. It's usually more like 5 people.
You can't 'miss' a bus, due to too many people. You are assigned a specific bus..so there should be a seat on it. The only time there might be too many people?? If a group missed their bus and decided to get on your bus. And usually Disney doesn't allow that..unless the bus is not close to full!!

 

[Lyndarella]

Every time we have used DME to go to the airport there has been a crowd waiting for the bus. The last time, our bus was late (the one before ours was still there) and ours arrived almost full. We made long stops at 2 other resorts where no one got on because we were full. At Terminal A they unloaded a wheel-chair person who was supposed to go to B, and had to reload her again with chair and luggage. When we got to our terminal it was almost time for our flight. Fortunately, the security check was quick, but we had to RUN to our gate where the passengers were already boarding. I've always wondered what would happen if DME caused someone to miss their flight.... Anyway, you need to be prepared for anything!

 

[seashoreCM]

. I've always wondered what would happen if DME caused someone to miss their flight.... Anyway, you need to be prepared for anything!

I have read of numerous cases of people having to run for their plane.

However you can request and will always be granted a Magical Express bus time earlier than 3 hours before your flight. Do it that way and also plan to eat at the airport for your last meal in town, and then you don't lose any park time. (Get this as well as any other DME changes confirmed by the morning of the day before your check out day.)

I have not read any trip report of someone missing their plane because of a DME problem. Maybe the "magical" in DME takes care of any such problems.

 

[goofy4tink]

Every time we have used DME to go to the airport there has been a crowd waiting for the bus. The last time, our bus was late (the one before ours was still there) and ours arrived almost full. We made long stops at 2 other resorts where no one got on because we were full. At Terminal A they unloaded a wheel-chair person who was supposed to go to B, and had to reload her again with chair and luggage. When we got to our terminal it was almost time for our flight. Fortunately, the security check was quick, but we had to RUN to our gate where the passengers were already boarding. I've always wondered what would happen if DME caused someone to miss their flight.... Anyway, you need to be prepared for anything!

There can be glitches in the system. There should never be a too full bus though. The DME system allows for one seat per guest...they don't overbook the buses. So, if the bus you are assigned to is 'too full' the driver has allowed someone to get on the bus that shouldn't have been there!!!
I would have written a letter of complaint to Disney regarding that trip back to MCO. When you are asked to be ready to leave the resort 3 hrs prior to your flight, there should be no rushing to get to your plane....ever!!!!