Reassure me about returning to MCO via ME....

[kldmom2000]

We've always used a town car service since we fly SWA and we'd have to carry our bags from the bus to check in @ MCO anyway.... trying to save the $200 this year (fare and tip) and use ME for the first time. I'm comfortable enough about arriving esp. since we won't have to claim our bags @ MCO.... but the one fear I just had about returning is this.... I was told that with our flight being @ 6:55 pm, we'd get either the 3:40 or 4:10pm ME bus back to MCO-we can't choose which one. (We're staying at the BC) I've been told it would be assigned to us the day before. Say we get the 4:10 and we're not the last stop...how long would it be before we got back to MCO (worst case scenario)? We'd still have to check our bags in @ the airport and although you no longer have to get in the massive SWA line ASAP to ensure a better standing (once you know if you're A, B, or C), has it ever happened that you've arrived as they're boarding and you miss out on getting to sit together (my girls are 6 and turning 9 on the trip and would absolutely panic if we weren't together!) Just reassure me that I'm worrying about nothing We're usually the early birds w/ the town car leaving our hotel at LEAST 3 hours before w/ no stops along the way....

 

[DisneyWalker44]

I'm curious who told you you would either be on a 4:10 or 3:40 bus? Doesn't sound right to me. I've never seen anyone scheduled for only 2:45 before a flight, but I guess it can happen. But it would be highly unusual.

Even then, 2:45 should be way more than enough time. Even if the bus is late (it happens) and even if you have more stops to make before heading to the airport (again, it happens) you should still have plenty of time. As long as you get to your gate by 6:35 - maybe even 6:40, you'll shouldn't have a problem getting you place in line and sitting together.

You are worried about nothing. But if you are one of those that is just going to panic no matter what, find a flight that leaves at say, 6:30, and tell Disney you are on that flight. Of course, you could end with a 3:10 bus that way and have *plenty* of time to eat and show at the airport.

 

[tjmw2727]

DME will pick you up @ three hours prior to your flight departure time but you won't know the exact time until the day before. You can schedule your pickup earlier if you like but not later than the 3 hour window. You need to have your bags with you and be at the DME stop ready to board at that time.

There really isn't any way to know if you will have stops at resorts on the way to the airport or not - most likely you will. Rememer though that DME moves many people daily and we aren't hearing reports of folks missing flights. In fact the complaint most often heard is that DME picks up to early!

With the test run of SWA and RAC at Pop you may even be able to check your bags at the resort by the time you travel.

TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

The various resorts have sort of set times for the DME return bus...but they aren't etched in stone. With you being at BC, the bus will most likely have already stopped at the YC, then you at the BC then on to BW..maybe then to CBR, but there is no way of knowing, for sure.
This is exactly why Disney picks you up about 3 hrs before your flight departure. They know what they're doing...they will get you to MCO at least two hours before flight departure. You should be fine....I wouldn't worry about it. You could call DME the day before you leave and ask them if they can put you on an even earlier bus...they may do that for you. They won't put you on a later bus, but an earlier one may be possible.
SW tends to start boarding about 25 mins before departure. As long as you are there, at the gate, heading to your position in the line, by 6;15, you're going to be fine.