When do you know what time to be back for the Magical Express?

[Halloween Baby]

I'm trying to plan my last day, and was wondering if you find out in advance when your pick up time is for ME? I read somewhere that it's about 3 hours before your flight but I'd like to have more than just a guess. Anyone know? Also, when do you usually get your ME tags in the mail?

 

[Lewisc]

You'll be given your DME pickup time a couple of days before you depart.

DME schedules 2 pickups per hour, although DME will skip a pickup if there aren't any guests that require a specific pick up.

Your exact time will be between 2:46 minutes and 3:15 minutes before your flight.

I'm not going to take the time to try and search but there were some posts that indicated what time DME schedules pickups at various resorts.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

I'm trying to plan my last day, and was wondering if you find out in advance when your pick up time is for ME? I read somewhere that it's about 3 hours before your flight but I'd like to have more than just a guess. Anyone know? Also, when do you usually get your ME tags in the mail?

On the morning of the day before you check out you will find a DME envelope hanging on the outside door handle of your room. Inside will be a letter giving you the names of all the guests in the room and your scheduled DME pickup time the next day. Lewisc is correct that your pickup time may not be EXACTLY 3 hours before your flight, but you will know your exact pickup time the day before you fly home.

Our DME tags have usually arrived in the mail about 30 days before the day we leave for WDW, although once they arrived 45 days before our departure date, and for our upcoming trip they arrived 25 days before our departure date.

ETA - You should keep your letter with your DME pickup time with you and easily accessible when you catch your DME bus the next day. In the first couple of years DME operated the bus drivers asked to see your DME booklet that comes with the yellow luggage stickers, but lately the drivers have asked for the letters with your pickup time to confirm you are on the right bus.

 

[seashoreCM]

You should wind down your park activities as if to be back at your resort an hour before your bus time. Chances are you'll actually get back somewhat closer.

You must be ready to board the bus with everything -- carryons, children, etc. -- 15 minutes before the bus time printed which is the time the bus is supposed to have its door closed and be moving on.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[Debbie-TN]

Yes, it is around 3 hours when they pick you up to go back to the airport.

 

[goofy4tink]

Plan on being picked up three hrs before flight departure....give or take 15 mins either way.
Be sure to be at the bus stop, ready to go, at least 15 mins before the time stated. The time you are given is when the bus leaves, not when you should show up. If you have left any baggage with Bell Services, plan on leaving some addtl time to retrieve the bags...about 15 or 20 mins total.

Your DME info packet should be sent out about 4 weeks prior to your travel date. We are seeing more and more instances where guests aren't getting their packets in time. If you get to within two weeks of travel dates, call DME and make sure they have you in the system.

 

[a1tinkfans]

You should wind down your park activities as if to be back at your resort an hour before your bus time. Chances are you'll actually get back somewhat closer.

You must be ready to board the bus with everything -- carryons, children, etc. -- 15 minutes before the bus time printed which is the time the bus is supposed to have its door closed and be moving on.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[ljcrochet]

You can also call Magic express and ask them. I know I called them after I received my booklet since I changed my return flight to an earlier one. They were able to tell me that it looked like I would be on a 12:20 bus for my 3:10 flight.