When does Magical Express leave the resort?

[cancilla]

On the last night of our stay, we have a Delta flight at around 7:30. If we're using Magical Express, what time will they want us to leave from the resort?

Thanks!

--Dominick

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I believe they pick you up about 3 hours before the flight.

 

[molly2004]

If you have only carry-ons and check in at the resort, would it be better to get your own transportation to the airport? The airlines say you only need 90 minutes. Three hours seems excessive, or is MCO that wild and crazy?

 

[sue1013]

MCO is not that wild and crazy. From what I've read they pick up 3 hours ahead because of other stops. Its not like a car service where they pick you up and head straight to the airport. I'm debating whether to use ME for my return to the airport in December for this reason. We've got a 10:30 am flight I'm not thrilled with having to be ready and waiting at 7:30. When we've taken a car service we've gotten picked up between 1 1/2 - 2 hrs before flight time.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

The 3 hours earlier is why I spent SOOOO long looking for flights that left in the evening/night.... It took a lot of finagling but I am leaving MCO for Manchester NH at 8:30 pm for the same price as our flight there which is Providence RI to MCO at 10:30 am

 

[scanmom]

I did not realize that the ME bus left so early from the resort. We hane a 3:00 pm flight, and was planning on going to DTD from POFQ to use our last CS credit with the dining plan.We were planning on eating at the Earl of Sandwich. Will we have time for that? What are the other options/costs if we decide to use another way to get to MCO from WDW?

 

[beattyfamily]

I normally rent a car and was all set to try ME for a quick, long weekend girls only trip the end of September UNTIL I found out that I'd have to leave 3 hours before my flight on my last day.

I wanted to have lunch at PSB for my DDs birthday and my flight is at 5:35p so lunch wouldn't have been possible.

I decided yet again to rent a car. I'm paying $95 for 4 days of freedom to come and go as I please.

Oh well, maybe we'll try ME next August 2006.

 

[vacationsareamust]

We just returned from Disney and used ME coming home. Our bus made 3 stops with no shows but my brother who was on the same trip but who took a later flight had 8 stops before getting to the airport. It only left him 60 mins before his flight left. He had luggage to check so he almost missed his flight.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

If you have only carry-ons and check in at the resort, would it be better to get your own transportation to the airport? The airlines say you only need 90 minutes. Three hours seems excessive, or is MCO that wild and crazy?

You're comparing apples to oranges. The 3 hours includes drive time to the airport, the 90 minutes does not.

Orlando International Airport requests that passengers arrive to the airport 2 hours prior to flight departure time, so that you can stand in the long lines to check luggage, and the even longer line for TSA security. DME is set up to get you to arrive at the airport two hours prior to your flight time. In order to do that, they will pick you up 3 hours prior to departure time. That one hour includes the potential for 1-3 other quick stops at Disney, and potentially 1 other stop at the Airport (since there are two terminals), plus 35+ minutes of actual drive time.

Remember, town car drivers often exceed the speed limit, which is why they can make it to the airport so quickly. DME motorcoaches will obey the speed limit, which is why it takes them a few minutes longer. Ultimatly, Disney wants you to get there SAFELY, and with plenty of time to navigate the confusing (and large) airport.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

We just returned from Disney and used ME coming home. Our bus made 3 stops with no shows but my brother who was on the same trip but who took a later flight had 8 stops before getting to the airport. It only left him 60 mins before his flight left. He had luggage to check so he almost missed his flight.

DME has a maximum of 4 total stops, for either inbound and outbound. DME will never make 8 stops.

 

[jjan]

Also, I've seen security take an hour to get though so I am happy for the extra time there. I don't want to worry about running for my flight.

 

[sixcats]

When we rented cars or used town cars I always left for the airport 2 1/2 hours ahead. The extra 1/2 hour is worth the money we're saving, along with not having to deal with check ins and baggage.