Taking ME from Resort to MCO - carry on only - MUST we leave 3hrs pre-flight?

[Reidhome]

We are taking ME from POFQ to MCO for our trip home... :-(
We have no checked luggage (only carry-ons), and want to maximize our last hours at WDW. Though ME typically requires you to take the bus from the resort to MCO about 3hrs pre-flight, can we "wait for the next ME", leaving 2hrs pre-flight, giving ourselves an additional hour at WDW? Just hoping..... ;-)

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can't. It doesn't matter that you won't have luggage to check - many guests use RAC on the way home so have nothing to check in or do at the airport except go through security, wait at the gate, and board the plane - and still have to comply with the Magical Express pickup time.

Your scheduled time allows for things like the bus running a little late; it having additional stops; delays at your or subsequent resorts; potential traffic issues along the route; two airport drops; long security lines... It's your assigned bus/pickup. There may not be another bus along when you want (if nobody at your resort is scheduled to head to the airport at that time); or there won't be any room for you because the next bus is scheduled for a full load.

Guests who want to customize their return to the airport are free to make alternate arrangements with taxi or other private transportation companies.

 

[Reidhome]

You can't. It doesn't matter that you won't have luggage to check - many guests use RAC on the way home so have nothing to check in or do at the airport except go through security, wait at the gate, and board the plane - and still have to comply with the Magical Express pickup time.

Your scheduled time allows for things like the bus running a little late; it having additional stops; delays at your or subsequent resorts; potential traffic issues along the route; two airport drops; long security lines... It's your assigned bus/pickup. There may not be another bus along when you want (if nobody at your resort is scheduled to head to the airport at that time); or there won't be any room for you because the next bus is scheduled for a full load.

Guests who want to customize their return to the airport are free to make alternate arrangements with taxi or other private transportation companies.

Yep...--All good, valid points. I started questioning some of those same possibilities, just after I asked. Well, we still have a good portion of the day to squeeze in some more magic before heading home on our 6:00pm Saturday flight... Thanks for the insights!

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to agree....yes, that 3 hrs can seem excessive, but in all reality?? Do you really want to be worrying about your timing if you get held up at security?? I've breezed through security in the past...didn't take more than 10 mins. And of course, those were the times that I had plenty of time to spare. But, it always seems that if everything prior to security has taken a bit more time than expected, that's the time security is going to take up to 30 mins!!! Then, the tram is never there, and you have to wait for it. And that's the time that only one tram is running!!!
So, with that 6pm departure time, you'll need to be back at your resort no later than 2ish..that way you can collect your carryon bags from Luggage Assistence at POFQ...that can be quick or they can linger a bit. You can use the restrooms, grab a quick bite to eat, and then be out at the DME bus stop 10-15 mins prior to the time you were given. Keep in mind that the time stated is the time the bus leaves the bus stop..NOT the time you should head over to the bus stop.

There may very well not be a bus coming for another hour or so..which will make you very late!!! And if there were a bus coming in another 30 mins??? It could feasibly be too full for you to get on!! Don't make that mistake....be there for your assigned bus!!

 

[Reidhome]

Thanks for the reminders...

 

[Lewisc]

We are taking ME from POFQ to MCO for our trip home... :-(
We have no checked luggage (only carry-ons), and want to maximize our last hours at WDW. Though ME typically requires you to take the bus from the resort to MCO about 3hrs pre-flight, can we "wait for the next ME", leaving 2hrs pre-flight, giving ourselves an additional hour at WDW? Just hoping..... ;-)

The next bus, assuming your resort has a DME passenger booking on a flight requiring such a pickup, would be in 30 minutes not 60.

The answer to your topic question is no, you don't have to take the bus approximately 3 hours before your flight. You can request an earlier pickup. Probably only needed if you're on a watch list and want to allow extra time.

The airport requires Disney schedule guests to arrive at MCO 2 hours before your flight. Disney can, and occasionally does, take advantage of the cushion. The bus can be delayed 30+ minutes and Disney knows guests aren't in danger of missing their flights.

You have to be at the DME bus stop at your resort 10-15 minutes before your pickup time. Guests who are willing to find their own transportation (tax, car service or even rental car) from a theme park can probably get an extra 90 minutes or so of extra park time.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

And you can't just jump on the "next bus" if you miss the assigned bus. It may not have any empty seats. Your decision to miss does not mean another family will be bumped to make room for you. You could wind up with no bus