Question re ME from Resort back to MCO

[monnolan]

Have a question to see if anyone has done this before --
We are flying into MCO to stay at POP for a few days - plan on using ME to get to resort. On the way back I would like to use ME to go back to airport to rent a car to drive to Jacksonville to a wedding ... just got off the phone w/WDW rep and she said I can't take the ME back b/c I'm not flying that day ... I just need a ride to MCO to get the rental car and will be back late on Sunday ... Can't rent from WDW Alamo b/c would need to get rental car back to WDW and I'm not going back.
Here's my question - has anyone used the ME to get a ride back to airport but not flying out that day? Do you need to show proof of flight that day? Can we carry our luggage with us?

They advertise RTrip ME bus, don't understand what the big deal is if I use my RT and not fly home THAT DAY ... Any tips/help is appreciated...

Monica

 

[dacky041208]

I haven't done this, but some people fly in at night, stay over at a hotel at the airport, and then report to ME the following morning (they tell ME they arrive on a flight that comes in that morning). I don't see why the opposite wouldn't work. You could tell them you are flying out on the day you want to pick up a car at the airport. Just pick a flight, any flight that leaves about 2 hours after you want to be at the airport. I say 2 hours because if your flight leaves at 7, your ME pickup will be around 4, and you should be at MCO by 5ish.

 

[clkelley]

Absolutely not a problem. As the previous poster stated, just give them a flight number and then you will get a pickup time.

 

[Tozzie]

It is easy just you just need to find a flight number, the airline won't matter, as DME pick up time is approx 3 hours before the flight time just make sure you pick a flight that leaves orlando 3 hours after you want to pick up the car. EX, if you want to pick up the car at 10 am make sure to pick a flight with a departure time around 1230-1 pm.

 

[kaytieeldr]

just got off the phone w/WDW rep and she said I can't take the ME back b/c I'm not flying that day

Bluntly, she's wrong. When you get to the Welcome Center, tell the CM what you need to do - that you need to be back at the airport to rent a car on ___day, and need to be at the airport at X time. Side note: if the CM tells you cars can be rented onsite, thank them and indicate you couldn't come close to matching the rate you got from renting at the airport (said the voice of experience ).

 

[dudspizza]

I have personally done it. I took ME back to MCO to pick up a rental car on our check out day. I then drove back to WDW where my family stayed to finish packing up... we loaded up the rental car and we drove to a condo we were staying in off site for our last two nights.

As previously stated, just give them a flight number and time 3 hours after you want to leave for the airport. If you want to leave for MCO at 12noon, find a flight that leaves at 3pm. It is that simple. You don't have to show proof of an actual flight... as a resort guest you are entitled to 1 trip from MCO to WDW and 1 trip from WDW to MCO.

Duds

 

[monnolan]

Thank you everyone for the replies! I thought that was the answer, but being a first timer, wasn't sure ... anyone know how much the tolls are to the airport from WDW? Wondering if we should pack up the whole family or just my husband go get the car and return to the resort?? Was told its a toll road to MCO ??

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> how much the tolls are to the airport from WDW ...

You can do it quite expeditiously for one dollar (was 75 cents in 2005). Leaving Disney take I-4 East to 528 East. Watch for the toll signs and use what looks like an off ramp to pay the toll. Get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, get into middle lane*. Required right onto McCoy, little over a mile later is 436 (Semoran). Right to enter airport, left+ to return Hertz car.

* Nice cheap gas station right here to top off at.
+ Super expensive gas station here to top off at.

Retracing the above route to Disney, go out the airport north exit and go left at the first light. Little over a mile is the interchange (Exit 9 Tradeport) to get on 528 west. Payless renters, go right out of their lot instead of their suggested left to find this interchange.

You can make/change your Magical Express trip back to the airport as late as morning on the day before you check out.

 

[clkelley]

Quite honestley, I would pay the $4 or 5 dollars and take the 417 from the airport. Very little traffic, very pleasant drive. That's the way the DME buses go.

 

[dudspizza]

>>> how much the tolls are to the airport from WDW ...

You can do it quite expeditiously for one dollar (was 75 cents in 2005). Leaving Disney take I-4 East to 528 East. Watch for the toll signs and use what looks like an off ramp to pay the toll. Get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, get into middle lane*. Required right onto McCoy, little over a mile later is 436 (Semoran). Right to enter airport, left+ to return Hertz car.

* Nice cheap gas station right here to top off at.
+ Super expensive gas station here to top off at.

Retracing the above route to Disney, go out the airport north exit and go left at the first light. Little over a mile is the interchange (Exit 9 Tradeport) to get on 528 west. Payless renters, go right out of their lot instead of their suggested left to find this interchange.

You can make/change your Magical Express trip back to the airport as late as morning on the day before you check out.

Is it really worth saving a couple of bucks to go through the trouble?

Simply take the SOUTH exit out of the airport and get on the Greenway (417). There should be 2 $1 tolls and possibly another toll depending on how far you take the toll-way to Disney. We always get off at the World Drive Exit and only have to pay 2 tolls. It is super quick and well worth the $2-3, IMO.

Duds