Why 3 hours early with DME

[SqueakyMouse]

Why MUST you go to the airport 3 hours prior to your departure time? When we use a towncar service, 1 -1/2 hours has always been more than sufficient. Of course, I realize that you may have to walk a longer distance to your carrier's counter; but MCO's well-designed, so there's not a very long walk anywhere (compared to other airports). Also, we tend to fly in and out late in the evening; so the airport's generally pretty empty.

We decided to give DME a try for our long weekend in July. Our flight doesn't leave until after 9 pm. Pretty much everything has closed down long before then, so there's NOTHING to do!!! I'm not looking forward to hanging out at the airport. We spend enough time in airports as it is.

 

[Bob P]

Because DME stops at several resorts along the way and the idea is to get you to MCO two hours before your flgiht leaves.

 

[jenndisney]

Here is my post from another thread:

...For our return trip, the papers were on the door the day before we left. They told us when to be at the bus stop, about three hours before our flight left. Dear husband did not think we would need the three hours and so he called to find out how often the buses leave. It is about every 20-30 minutes. So he said we could wait for a later one. Well, after I threw a fit, we finally headed for the stop about 5 minutes before we were told to be there. After getting the luggage from the bell hop (at CBR) the bus we were told to be ready for had left. No problem says dear husband. About 20 minutes later, the next bus comes and we load up for that one. We did not have to stop at any other resort. After our 30 min. ride, we got to MCO and then wait in line for security (DH wishes we had that extra 20 minutes now) Got the bags checked, then walked forever to the other side of the world to go thru the next round of security. Made it to the gate with 15 minutes to spare. Just too close for my taste. Our flight was at 5:30....

If we had arrived 10 minutes later, we would never had made the flight. We got to the security lines and they were only about half full. But...right after us, they sure did fill up! From what I have heard, you can take a later bus, but if it is not the one you are scheduled to take and it is full, you will be bumped.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

DME doesn't sound like such a good deal to me. Since it's just dh and me for a short trip, we thought we'd give it a try. From what I'm hearing, I'm more and more inclined to stick with a towncar service, as we've used with great success in the past.

 

[localdriver]

DME doesn't sound like such a good deal to me. Since it's just dh and me for a short trip, we thought we'd give it a try. From what I'm hearing, I'm more and more inclined to stick with a towncar service, as we've used with great success in the past.

The TSA recommends domestic travelers arrive at the airport a min of two hours prior to your flight time.

DME pick up times are based on this fact.

Airport security can sometimes become a lengthy ordeal. Unlike the past.

1.5 hours is probably ok 98% of the time, but that 2%??

That's your choice, if you using an exclusive service.

DME is a shared ride service, it must be conservative, to ensure everyone gets there in time.

 

[Disney_1derland]

based on our experience at MCO we need the two full hours ahead of time that is recommended. It takes a minimum of 30 minutes to get to MCO from WDW, more depending on stops and traffic.

In November we nearly missed our plane it took so long to get through security. In May we had about 15 minutes prior to boarding to sit there. These were both based on leaving our resort 2.5 hours before our flight time. We went straight there. Given that DME must stop other places, I don't think 3 hours is unreasonable.

After saying all that I will tell you that we have not used it and are definitely sticking with Towncar service for our next 3 trips. I just don't like the time involved and the hassle, towncars are just so easy.

 

[dcgrumpy]

In May we got to MCO an 1 1/2 hours before our flight time and just barely made it to the gate in time. The security line was so long, I almost fainted when I saw it

 

[Sandi]

Going through security can take a LONG time. They've gotten more efficient in the past year or so, but it can still be an ordeal. You can probably get another 1/2 hour by using a towncar service, but the difference between free and $100 is, ummm, $100 (round trip).

We'll be trying DME for the first time on 7/20. I think the time they're recommending are reasonable. We'll see.

 

[Olallamom]

We returned home on Thursday and we were releaved that they picked us up 3 hours early. The trip to the airport was slow due to traffic and we were the last drop off at the airport. Then when we got inside the line for security looked like a bad line for a ride at WDW. We flew on American, so we had already checked our bags at the resort. Let me tell you that the lines at the airline counters were huge. It's always a crapshoot as to how busy the airport will be.

 

[Okiemom]

I don't fly much, so here is my question. If you check your bags in at the Hotel for your flight leaving, does that speed up your "line time" in the airport?

 

[Olallamom]

Most definitely. You receive your boarding passes when you check your bags in at the resort. So all you have to do when you get to the airport is to go through security and head to your gate. It works great, especially when you are traveling with several people and several pieces of luggage.

 

[marksor]

Most definitely. You receive your boarding passes when you check your bags in at the resort. So all you have to do when you get to the airport is to go through security and head to your gate. It works great, especially when you are traveling with several people and several pieces of luggage.

Do you mean that no matter what airline you are flying that Disney will be able to print and issue you your boarding passes at the resort before you depart for the airport? We are flying via Spirit Air and are planning on using DME from the Beach Club. I've arranged this through AAA travel. I, like everyone else, want to maximize our time at Disney on our last day but I don't want to wait around an airport for a long period of time either. the boarding pass and luggage issues going back would seem to negate having to get picked up so early. But it sounds like there is quite an issue with security checks at MCO. I'm not even that concerned about it at O'Hare where we will be flying from/to.

 

[Pinnie]

Do you mean that no matter what airline you are flying that Disney will be able to print and issue you your boarding passes at the resort before you depart for the airport? We are flying via Spirit Air and are planning on using DME from the Beach Club.

Yes, they will print out your boarding passes no matter what airline you are flying. Although last week the desk at the WL was unable to print out my boarding pass on SPIRIT because I was signaled out for a "special TSA search".

pinnie

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Do you mean that no matter what airline you are flying that Disney will be able to print and issue you your boarding passes at the resort before you depart for the airport? We are flying via Spirit Air and are planning on using DME from the Beach Club. I've arranged this through AAA travel. I, like everyone else, want to maximize our time at Disney on our last day but I don't want to wait around an airport for a long period of time either. the boarding pass and luggage issues going back would seem to negate having to get picked up so early. But it sounds like there is quite an issue with security checks at MCO. I'm not even that concerned about it at O'Hare where we will be flying from/to.

The "Resort Airline Check-in" desk can check luggage, and print boarding passes for American, Delta/Song, and United/Ted. For all other airlines, the Lobby Concierge desk can utilize online internet based check-in. So, if your airline allows you to print boarding passes from the internet, then yes, it can be done. Luggage must still be checked at the airport itself, via skycap, kiosk, or desk.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

So...3 hours to drive to airport and walk through security? Still seems a bit ridiculous to me when it took us under 45 minutes in the fall. Then, we got to wander around a nearly empty airport in the middle of the night. Our flight is LATE. There's very little happening at MCO at that time. I'm speaking from experience here.

 

[Disney_1derland]

If you are unhappy with the 3 hour issue then I suggest you ask the DME check in desk about it when you arrive. Our flight left at 8:50pm on a monday and we arrived there at 6:30pm. We had to wait to check in which was 25 minutes and then wait through security which took an hour. By the time we arrived at our gate it was just about boarding time.

If you do not feel that DME is for you then rent a car or reserve towncar service, it's that simple. DME is NOT for us, so we continue to use towncar services.

 

[goofy4tink]

Our experience on last Sunday was thus....we had a 3:05 departure time on Song. Nothing was left on our door (or under it) the night before. So, at 8:45 my dd and I headed over to the TSA desk in the POR lobby. Bell services took us and our bags. We got our boarding passes and we're all set. Only issue was which bus we should show up for..either the 12:00 or the 12:25. They said either one. It was about 10:30 or so, after breakfast, that I remembered my dh said that he had had an issue with getting on the bus with no voucher earlier that week (he left before we did). So I asked someone at POR and they directed me to Bell Services. There I was given a voucher. At 11:30 we headed to the bus line...which was humoungous!!! We decided to get on the noon bus if possible. They asked for those traveling without luggage to come to the front of the line....yep, that's us!! So, we got on that bus, others didn't make it...but they did send another bus for them. We had no other stops since we filled our own bus. It took about 30-35 minutes to get to MCO. The DME drivers drive a different route than the towncar drivers I believe. And they drive much more slowly. We got to MCO, Side B was dropped off first. So, we went directly to security...no stopping in the checked bags security line which is usually horrible. WE got lucky and the 'people' security line wasn't too long. However, the side A line was huge!! I believe it took us from noon, when we boarded the bus, to about 1 to get to our seating area gateside. If we had had baggage to check it would have taken longer. Was I nervous about seeing my checked baggage at home? Yes, a little. But it was there waiting for us in Boston.

I thought DME was extremely well-run. I'll be using it again in Nov when I travel solo to WDW and again in Oct '06 when we go again!! I would say that the 3 hr. window is a good one. When we used the towncar service they picked us up about 2 1/2 hrs before our flight time, so it's not that big a difference.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do not ask for a bus departure time back to the airport less than 3 hours from flight time.

. WE got lucky and the 'people' security line wasn't too long. However, the side A line was huge!! I believe it took us from noon, when we boarded the bus, to about 1 to get to our seating area gateside. e.

For Song (and all airlines for Orlando Airport gates 60 to 99 give or take), you can use either the A or B security lines. Just walk across to the other side of the large open area that is the Hyatt hotel atrium.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Skroops]

than you think.The MCO security checkpoint is very well run considering the amount of travelers that go through it each day. The biggest hold up is the people who are unfamiliar with the scanning process and hold up the line by not taking things out of their pockets or taking off their shoes or belt etc. prior to getting to the very front of the line.

IMO, it is always better to get to the airport earlier than later. There are always people standing by who are hoping you don't get through security in time so they can have your seat. Most flights leave with passengers still stuck in security. If you aren't at the gate 10 minutes prior to departure, your seat will be given away, and at that point it is too late. I think in most cases, 3 hours is about right for leaving WDW. Unless you want to take your chances with standby on the next flight yourself...

 

[Skroops]

that I love this option of ME! I'd gladly spend a little more time for a "free ride!" I love thinking about the money I'd save and then what I could (will) buy for that! Maybe that is a WDW incentive to spend more? Love it!