Taxi or Magical Express from Disney Resort Hotel to Orlando Airport

[HollyEpcot]

If we take DME, we have to line up for the bus 3 hours prior to our flight time. Any idea how long a taxi would take? Our flight is domestic. I'm not one to throw money around, and hate to pass up the FREE bus, but if we could manage another 1/2 hour or so at the resort before running home, it might be worth it....
your thoughts?
(also, am I right that a taxi from a Disney resort to the Orlando airport would be about $60? That's what came up on the Martz calculator...)

 

[kaytieeldr]

A taxi should be around $60 plus tip, yes.

Comments? It's your money. If it were mine, which it's not , no, it's not worth spending that much money when you have alternatives, just for 30 minutes more onsite.

 

[goofy4tink]

When I book a car service, from WDW to MCO, I always have them pick me up about 2.5 hrs prior to my flight departure. Security at MCO is notorious for being unpredictable...it can take 10 mins or it can take 30 mins to get through!!! And I know that if I arrive at MCO, 90 mins or less before my flight, that's the time security is going to take 45 mins!!! And it has in the past..not so much fun.
So, I have no issue with DME picking me up 3 hrs prior to flight time. They may have to make addtl stops before heading to MCO, the traffic could slow you down, and then security could be slow...so you really don't have all that much time to spare at the gate.
IF you really feel that your time is worth about $60+, then fine, go with a cab or towncar. But me??? I just don't think an addtl 30-60 mins at my resort, or a park, is worth $60. I would much rather not have to worry or stress about getting to my flight on time. Been there, done that..don't want to do it again.

 

[bear_mom]

When I book a car service, from WDW to MCO, I always have them pick me up about 2.5 hrs prior to my flight departure. Security at MCO is notorious for being unpredictable...it can take 10 mins or it can take 30 mins to get through!!! And I know that if I arrive at MCO, 90 mins or less before my flight, that's the time security is going to take 45 mins!!! And it has in the past..not so much fun.
So, I have no issue with DME picking me up 3 hrs prior to flight time. They may have to make addtl stops before heading to MCO, the traffic could slow you down, and then security could be slow...so you really don't have all that much time to spare at the gate.
IF you really feel that your time is worth about $60+, then fine, go with a cab or towncar. But me??? I just don't think an addtl 30-60 mins at my resort, or a park, is worth $60. I would much rather not have to worry or stress about getting to my flight on time. Been there, done that..don't want to do it again.

I agree with this. We have taken ME several times (4) and on one occassion we walked up too the gate and they were boarding. Two times we had 15-20 minutes before boarding and the other our flight was delayed due to weather so that one doesn't count......

Emily

 

[seashoreCM]

A taxi to the airport would make sense if (probably only if) you take it directly from a park, which in turn means having been able to check all bags at your resort that morning (selected airlines).

I agree with this. We have taken ME several times (4) and on one occassion we walked up to the gate and they were boarding. Two times we had 15-20 minutes before boarding and the other our flight was delayed due to weather so that one doesn't count.

The two times 15-20 minutes before boarding are in the sweet spot.

Would you have preferred having arrived about 25 minutes before boarding one time, 45 to 50 minutes before boarding two times (and one flight delayed due to weather so that one doesn't count unless you want to draw a graph and compare it to a bell curve)?

That would have been accomplished readily by requesting your Magical Express bus to be 3-1/2 hours before flight time instead of the usual 3; such a request in advance is always granted.

You will probably not succeed in making a last minute change if you found out that your flight was delayed due to weather or whatever before you left the park back to your resort. You still must take your assigned bus back to the airport.

 

[HollyEpcot]

Thanks everyone! It looks like it will be DME again for us- taxi just doesn't sound worth it! Thanks for weighing in!