ok to use me back to mco from wdw resort to catch pc transportation?

[adznyfan]

hi

is it ok to use the magical express back to mco on the day of the cruise if staying on site to catch the dcl transportation if you want to catch the early bus to the terminal? don't want to wait till 11 to get the bus from the resort to the terminal

thanks for any help

cindy

 

[Disney MamaBear]

We just did the same thing 3 weeks ago, so we could get to an earlier PAT.

 

[adznyfan]

thanks so much for the info! so when booking the me do you tell them you want to get back to the airport for the cruise ?

thanks

 

[Quellman]

thanks so much for the info! so when booking the me do you tell them you want to get back to the airport for the cruise ?

thanks

Well the Magical Express picks you up 3 hours before your flight. So just give them some hokey flight information that has you arriving when you want to. And collect your bags when you get off the bus. Make sure that your transport to the cruise terminal has your pick up point at the airport, not a hotel.

The above is just a theory, never done it myself.

 

[adznyfan]

thanks so much!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

thanks so much!!

Also, just to clarify it a bit, you'll have to give Magical Express a phony flight time (3 hours after you actually want to be there) and, sometimes, an actual flight number, get your bags from your room to the Magical Express bus. And then check them in at the DCL transportation desk once at the airport.

DCL transfer desk opens at 9:00. The first bus for the port departs when full, with subsequent buses departing every 20 minutes or when full, whichever is first. There are often about 3-4 buses that depart fairly quickly first thing in the morning.

Also, once at the post (you may arrive around 10:15), while you will generally be allowed to enter the terminal at that time, check in doesn't open until 10:30, with actual boarding beginning around 11:15-11:30. And, you'll receive a boarding number at check in that's tied to the Port Arrival Time you selected during your online check in process.

 

[lanejudy]

You can take ME back to MCO to catch DCL Transfers. To me, it's more than double the travel time that morning -- up early enough for ME pick-up to MCO, drop at MCO early enough to be in line for first or second bus, DCL bus to port. I definitely wouldn't drag kids around for all that, but 2 adults maybe since DCL transfers are likely to be less than a car service. More than likely I would do a one-way car rental if it was that important for me to get to port early.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[adznyfan]

thanks all for the great info!!

 

[Starwind]

Yes you can.

What we did last cruise and will do next is 2 nights at WDW, then evening before the cruise departs (after the day relaxing at the resort after checking out) take ME to the airport and check into the Hyatt in the airport. In the morning Hyatt handles our checked bags, so we only have to get ourselves and carryons down and onto the bus. We get in the informal line before the formal line starts at 9ish. Last cruise we were first family on the second bus leaving.

We find this works well because the transfers are broken up -- evening, get in, check in, maybe take a walk around the airport and hotel, then to bed. get up at a not quite insane hour, get ready, have breakfast at the Hyatt restaurant Hemisphere (or in the airport food court), one last pass in the room, then head to the line for the bus.

Leaving from WDW, doing ME, then the DCL bus all in the morning means an early wakeup, early breakfast, early bus etc.

As for ME, they will let you book without a flight. You just tell them you are returning to the airport to get the DCL transfer and want to be at the airport for about X time. If the CM you are speaking to does not know how to do it, ask to speak to someone else.

SW

 

[JW9DVC]

Rental cars are much less for 1 way travel. Especially with a family of 4 like we have.

Even for a couple when we traveled that way. It's much quicker and we can stop for water and alcohol.

 

[JsMom2]

ME is included in your Disney lodging, so you can take it back to the airport. But rather than give them fake flight info, just tell them your bell desk what time you want to be at the airport and they will schedule you accordingly.

Unless you specifically want to ride the cruise line bus, I'd rent a car and drive down. Then you can be there as early as you want!

 

[3Down1Up]

Just wanted to add that I didn't need to give a fake flight number or anything like that - made the ME arrangements at the front desk the day before and the CM knew what I was trying to do and helped me out. The system is able to take an ME ressie without a flight number.

 

[elaine amj]

One way car rental was much less expensive for us. Actually, we ended up with a round trip car rental because it ended up being cheaper to pay to park the car at port for our 3 night cruise rather than paying for 2 separate one way rentals. I was surprised!