ME to airport- is this ok?

[hsmamato2]

in taking ME back to airport, we have to leave a solid 3 hours ahead- is it ok to find another airline,and put that in as our scheduled flight? ,like one leaving an hour later than our planned flight? and if this is something that could be done, would I have to be sure it was an airline that had gates near our actual intended airline?Or does that matter?
Just wondering if this is asking for trouble,as I'm not trying to cheat any system,but the 3 hours is way too long, we've been thru MCO about a million times...WWYD?

 

[seashoreCM]

No, it is not okay. Don't try that. You are asking for trouble. Or at least you will be terribly anxious in the security line, etc.

You can always (at least a day in advance) ask for and get a DME bus back to the airport earlier than 3 hours (4 hours international or charter) but never try to go back later. The chances of missing your plane increase dramatically.

The only system you are cheating is you and your family.

WWID? If you had a Disney meal scheduled for just before or even a few hours before you leave for the airport, skip that meal, enjoy a few more rides, and use the gobs of time you think you will be sitting at the airport as your meal time. Inside security. There is a food court just after you get off the airport tram.

 

[linzbear]

Yeah, what happens if the bus breaks down? Run into traffic because of an accident?

DME pads some 'oh crap' time into the 3 hours. It's a pain, sure, but you're better off bored at the airport than missing your flight entirely.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, let's say your flight leaves at three. Magical Express would schedule you to be picked up around noon, but you lie so they schedule you for a 1 PM pickup instead.

If everything goes right:
It takes about forty minutes to get to the airport = 1:40
It takes about ten minutes to get off the bus, collect any items that were stowed under the bus and tip the driver and get up to the departure level = 1:50
It takes an average of 45 minutes to get through security = 2:35
It takes about ten minutes to get to, onto, off the tram and to your gate = 2:45

Your plane started boarding at 2:30 or 2:35, by the way. Depending on the airline, you may have JUST BARELY made the cut-off for being at the gate before they give away your seats. Throw any glitch into the mix - the bus departs your resort late, or stops somewhere else on the way to the airport, or you miss your assigned bus, or there's traffic, or everybody on your bus has luggage under the bus... You missed your plane.

If you don't want to depart in accordance with the Magical Express requirements, you'll need to find alternative transportation. The Lynx 111 bus goes from Downtown Disney to the airport; takes an hour. Or there are taxi or car service options

 

[DebbieB]

Keep in mind that the bus may not leave directly to the airport from your resort. It could stop at 2 other resorts. If you really want to save time, get a taxi at the time you want. You know that will take you directly there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind that the bus may not leave directly to the airport from your resort. It could stop at 2 other resorts. If you really want to save time, get a taxi at the time you want. You know that will take you directly there.

Or more than 2 additional stops, in my experience.

You really don't want to do what you are thinking of doing. Very little to be gained, and a lot that could go wrong.

 

[dudspizza]

Or more than 2 additional stops, in my experience.

You really don't want to do what you are thinking of doing. Very little to be gained, and a lot that could go wrong.

I hear that... my last trip the bus stopped at 2 or 3 other resorts. The total trip took about 1 hour and 15 minutes. If OP lied about their departure time, that would put them at the airport DME drop off 45 minutes before their departure. They would still have to navigate security, get the tram to the terminal and board the plane...... cutting it way to close in my opinion......

Now, OP didn't ask for my or anyones else's opinion about it...... OP asked if they could lie by giving a different departure time for their flight and the answer to that is YES. How would DME ever know. If OP wants to put that kind of stress on their family, they are more than welcome to do so.

That said, I think that all of the previous posters have given reasons why it shouldn't be done..... if OP wants to take that info to heart, great.

Enjoy your trips everyone!

Duds

 

[aubriee]

I always thought the three hour pick up time was too early too until one trip when I barely made my flight. Just as we were getting onto the bus at the resort a family came running up and said they had missed their DME bus, because it had taken longer than they expected to get back from DTD. They then demanded to be put on our bus and when told there wasn't room demanded that some of us be made to wait for the next bus, since we had more time than they did. When told that wasn't happening, the dad then pushed his way onto the bus and said they'd just stand then. He refused to get off the bus and kept yelling that they were going to miss their flight. The bus driver and the guy that stands out front with the clip board were both insisting he get off the bus, as the bus still had another stop to make and there was not going to be room for them and it was not Disneys fault that they missed their assigned bus. Finally in all his ranting, the dad let it slip and admitted that they had missed their assigned bus on purpose because they thought the three hour pick up was ridiculous, but then they got tied up in DTD (at this point he glared at his wife, who was holding several shopping bags), then the bus from DTD was slow, and anyway they absolutely had to get on our bus and they thought it wouldn't matter if they caught a later bus. A manager from the resort finally came out and managed to get them off the bus, but his refusing to get off the bus threw our departure late, then the bus had to make a stop at another resort, then going back to the airport we got tied up in a wreck (we weren't in the wreck thank goodness, but traffic was stopped for a little while). Then my airline was the second stop at the airport. Then security lines were longer than usual. By the time I got to my gate, I had just a few minutes before they started loading. At that point I understood the reason for the three hour pick up.

 

[hsmamato2]

ok,ok,you've scared me sufficiently! I was just asking b/c I think I'd seen othe posts on the board where people report doing just this,and no one says anything against it....... I wouldn't try b/c it sounds like a lot of hassle for an extra 1/2 hr.of time.....
sorry,I didn't feel like a 'liar' when I asked, or a 'cheater',simply wondering about times on a ride I was going to get regardless....KWIM?

 

[goofy4tink]

If you want to leave later, then book a car service. But remember, there is a reason that MCO recommends that you arrive at the airport 2 hrs before your flight departure. Add to that the fact that there could be an issue getting to the airport and mulitple stops before you head out to the airport.
I have had bus drivers going back to the airport that drove at a snails pace...I was soooo glad that we left right after being picked up at BW. If we had had to make any other stops, we would have gotten to MCO with about 90 mins to spare. I like to get there at the 2 hr mark, just in case.
It just isn't worth the worry and hassle to get an addtl 30-60 mins at WDW...at least not for me.

 

[hsmamato2]

we'll find some fun stuff at the airport...there is a lot to see there!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

we'll find some fun stuff at the airport...there is a lot to see there!

That's a good attitude.

We try to ARRIVE at the airport around 2 hours before our scheduled flight departure time. Sometimes, that means we're at the gate 90 minutes before departure, with a full hour to spare before boarding. That gives us plenty of time for a light meal near the gate before boarding the plane.

But not always.

Recently, due to a huge crowd at the Orlando TSA checkpoint (and several other things that took longer than usual), we only made to the gate when pre-boarding had already begun. No time for a meal, but we there in time to board when our group was called.

If we had left for the airport just 15 minutes later, the door of the aircraft could already have been closed. I'm glad we allowed enough time. (We were not using Magical Express.)

The consequences of missing a flight are severe. Although airlines will usually try to accommodate you on a later flight on a standby basis (even though they technically don't have to), that flight could be many hours later, and it may be completely sold out.

 

[crashbb]

My only annoyance is that DME considers (or did consider) Canadian destinations to be "International" and need an extra hour for check-in time, even though the airlines do not. My suggested check-in time is 90 minutes before the flight - the same time that United (for example) recommends that people on US bound flights check in.

They do add time when leaving a Canadian airport, but that is because we pre-clear US customs/immigration in Canada. Actually, I tend to be at the airport earlier for a US bound flight than for an International flight when leaving from Canada.

That being said, I will abide by the DME and take the bus four hours before my flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do Canadians returning home from the U.S. clear customs when boarding or when alighting? If when boarding, then the 4 hour in advance Magical Express bus schedule is there to give time to clear customs in Orlando.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

This is good advice for everyone using Magical Express buses. Don't cut the time short.

 

[crashbb]

Do Canadians returning home from the U.S. clear customs when boarding or when alighting? If when boarding, then the 4 hour in advance Magical Express bus schedule is there to give time to clear customs in Orlando.

Of course, if we pre-cleared customs I could see needing the extra time and the airline would change the suggested check-in time (as I said that they do when we leave Canada).

There is no pre-clearance on the way home, which is why the airline doesn't build in extra time for the suggested check-in.

 

[Native NYer]

I saw the importance of the early pick up last weekend. We had a 7:50 a.m. flight back to NY and ME was scheduled to pick us up at 5:00 a.m. We were picked up first at the YC, but then went to pick up guests at the BC and BWI.

When we finally got to the airport, all of the airlines had long lines to check luggage (since we left so early, we couldn't take advantage of RAC) and the lines for security were LONG! We went through security and were able to eat a relaxed breakfast.

I could not imagine leaving any later for MCO. While 3 hours seems early, keep in mind that ME will pick up at other resorts and it takes time to get to MCO.