When to leave for the airport...

[MegMouseketeer]

We are headed to WDW next September. Our flight leaves on a Saturday at 4:15pm. When should we board the Magical Express in order to make it to the airport on time? I am trying to see if we have enough time to play around at Downtown Disney and eat lunch. We will be staying at POR so it is just a short boat ride away from our hotel.

 

[Alesia]

You don't choose your pick up time. You will be assigned a time between 1:00 and 1:30. Your assigned time is the time your bus leaves - you need to be at the platform and completely ready to go 15 minutes before that. Make sure you allow plenty of time to get anything you've left with bell services and to take a last minute bathroom break.

The stores in Disney Springs don't open until 10:00 and you'll need to be heading back around 11:30.

 

[nkereina]

PP is correct. The boats that run between POR and DTD run few and far between that early in the day. It could be a 20-30 minute wait for the boat, and then it's another 25 minute commute once you're on the boat.

 

[seashoreCM]

Bus transportation to and from Disney Springs (DTD) is spotty all the time. I haven't riddent the Port Orleans boat but I should take the word of the PP. So I would say, start heading back by 11 sharp for a 1 PM Magical Express bus.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Remember those boats won't run if it is a windy day.

 

[ncc1701]

That time of day the boat will stop at POFQ which adds 5 to 10 minutes to the trip.

 

[lustergirl]

I would give it 3 hours before your flight takes off.

 

[siskaren]

I would give it 3 hours before your flight takes off.

As Alesia indicated, you don't get to choose your pick-up time - you're given a time of 3 hours before your flight, give or take 15 minutes.