Returning On DME

[dtripli]

I was a bit leary about taking ME, but since most reviews are positive (and its free for now!) we are going to give it a try. Our trip is in 17 days and I can't wait!!! That being said I have a question. Most people are saying that ME picks you up for your return trip to the airport 4 hours ahead of time. Now even with stops on the way this puts us at the airport WAY ahead of time and I would rather spend my last precious hours in the park or by the pool. So - can we let them know what time we would like to be picked up. I mean 2:00 would be plenty of time for a 4:30pm flight. Anyone know

 

[tmt martins]

We had a 4 something flight from PC left at 1:15 on a SUN. and had plenty of time to eat and shop at the airport .

Remember this is a recomened time you can call ME and request a different time then what they suggest you just have to call that day before when you get your time.

 

[JudithM]

We used DME last month & were glad they scheduled us to be picked up a llittle over three hours before our flight. First the bus did not show up at 4:50 p.m. as scheduled. A CM at the resort called DME to let them know the bus did not show up. It was about 5:15 p.m. before a bus came to pick up only the guests waiting for the 4:50 p.m. bus. Then we had one more stop. By the time we got to the airport it was a little after six o'clock. Some of the guests still had to check in their luggage & get through security for flights shortly after 7 p.m.

 

[dtripli]

Thanks for the quick info. Im so happy to hear I can request a later pick-up time.

 

[safetymom]

They will want to pick you up 3 hours before your flight. It may take an hour to get to the airport. Depending on when you are traveling you may need that amount of time at MCO.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Your scheduled pick up time will be about 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. This pick up time is non-negotiable.

Orlando Int'l Airport recommends arriving 2hrs prior to flight, and it can take up to 45 minutes to get from Disney property to OIA depending on traffic, plus two different stops at the airport, so the 3 hours takes that into consideration.

 

[seashoreCM]

For charter and international flights, reserving your Magical Express bus home should be for 4 hours in advance of flight time versus 3 hours for regular domestic flights.

the bus did not show up ... as scheduled. A CM at the resort called DME to let them know the bus did not show up..

You can request earlier buses but you should never request a bus later than what Magical Express suggests. Make last minute changes or corrections a day before checkout if not sooner.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[ccw]

ME on the way TO the Disney property was incredibly easy (I was in my room at OKW in less than an hour from the time i landed!!!) HOWEVER, I agree that the pick up is a little early for returning to MCO (but I understand why Disney sets it up the way they do and it is, after all, a free service so everyone is certainly free to make other plans!) I just returned from a nice trip but you can imagine how horrified my friend was who had the 7 am flight! The bus was due to pick at OKW at 3:45 a.m. but pick up is at the Hospitality House so bell services wanted to pick her up at our villa (no car at that point) at 3:15 for the 2 minute ride to the HH. She was pretty firm about telling them not to come til 3:30. She walked right thru security (once it opened!) and had plenty of time at the airport. The rest of us had 4:30 PM flights (also on a SUnday)...were picked up at the HH at 1:20, made one stop at SSR, arrived at MCO a little after 2 and were totally thru security and had even checked soem extra bags by 2:30...so a cool two hours to sit around the airport. I know often the security gets backed up...we must have been very lucky! Overall, it worked fine and we just figured the trade-off with the early pick up was the cost...nothing!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Yes, y'all did really luck out. Security can really back up in the mornings especially. I personally have waited 45+ minutes. No fast passes for this one!

A lil trivia fact... around 1/3rd of all daily flights out of OIA depart prior to 10am.