What time does the WDW Magical Express Service start operating?

[Mickey&Nicky]

We're planning for our trip in Jan '10 and are deciding whether to rent a car or use the Disney transportation. Our return flights are already booked and we leave Orlando Intl' Airport at 7.00am.

Do the Magical Express Service buses operate in the vicinity of 4.00-5.00am (not sure how long it takes to get to the airport)?

Also, we'll be staying off-site at the beginning of our holiday and then move to Disney's All Star Music Resort for the last few days. So does the free airport service apply to one-way transport (WDW to airport), or can you only use it for return trips (airport to WDW back to airport)?

 

[goofy4tink]

DME is up and running 24/7. It is available to anyone who needs it. If you have a flight, departing at 7am, DME will most likely pick you up about 4am!! The thing you won't be able to use is the RAC system. This is where you can check your bags at the resort, and get your boarding passes issued...if you are flying on a participating airline. But, it doesn't open until 5am, and you have to be done checkining in no less than 3 hrs before your flight time.

As for your arrival into Orlando...if you stay at an offsite hotel and then want to change to a Disney owned resort, you have a few options. You can head back to MCO and then take DME right to the Disney resort. But, obviously, you will take your bags with you. Or, you can take a cab to the Disney owned resort directly. You do not need to ride DME to your Disney resort in order to get a ride back to the airport. You can wait until you get to your Disney resort to make your DME return reservation. But do it when you are checking in...just to be sure they get you into the system. The day before you are due to depart from WDW, you will get a notice in your room, telling you what time your DME pickup is at.

 

[Mickey&Nicky]

WOW Thanks Diane! You practically answered all my questions!!

We'll be renting a car for the offsite days, so I guess we have the option of either driving to All Star Music Resort and then returning the car somewhere near, or driving to MCO and then taking DME to the hotel (in case the car absolutely must be returned from point of lease = MCO, or if there are no return spots near All Star Music).

Thanks again!

 

[Sandi]

If you rent your car from Alamo/National, you can return the car to the Care Car Center (CCC) by the TTC parking lot. When you go to rent the car, use the different codes for the pick up and return. My experience has been that there is no surcharge for dropping off at a different place. We often pick up at the Tampa airport and return to MCO. We've also picked up at MCO and drop off at the CCC. Call in advance of returning the car to let them know you'll need a ride back to where ever you want to be. We did this when we stayed at WL. DH and DD went to HS, I returned the car to the CCC, they dropped me at WL and I was on my way to HS within about 30 minutes of my family.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

She's good like that, isn't she? I once hired her as my co-pilot on a one-day tour of WDW. I am still in awe over the experience!

WOW Thanks Diane! You practically answered all my questions!!

Thanks again!