Worth spending $ to take limo back to MCO instead of ME?

[Heather]

We leave on a Sunday (plane at 4:15) and with ME, we'd have to leave the park around 12:15 to get back to the resort in time to retrieve checked bags and be at the bus stop for the Magical Express by 1 for a theoretical 1:15 pickup.

My DH thinks we should shell out the $ for a cab or limo so we can stay an extra hour or two at the park.

Realistically, how much longer could we stay at a park and would it be worth it? If it helps, we'd be at AK and it would be our only day at that park (3-day weekend trip).

Opinions welcome! Thanks!

 

[backyardponder]

Personally, I'd take ME. MCO is quite busy with folks leaving Disney on a Sunday. You'll need to stand in line to check bags, then you'll need to stand in line to get through security. With a 4:15 flight, IMO, you'd need to leave the resort at 1:45 with a taxi or limo.

 

[ancestry]

I agree with the above poster. MCO can be quite busy on weekends. Taking a cab or limo won't save you much time and ultimately I don't think it is worth the additional expense.

 

[Brian Noble]

You'd be buying yourself an extra hour or so, tops.

If you could possibly check your bags with RAC that morning, and carry everything else with you, getting a cab form the park you are at would be a pretty good idea. It also eliminates the uncertainty of the bus connection. I hate playing "where's my bus" when I have a plane to catch. For such a short trip, I'd actually think pretty hard about a rental car. It's not going to cost much, and maximizes your time---both from/to the airport *and* while you are there.

As an aside, with ME I'd plan to leave the park at 12:00, rather than 12:15. I always budget an hour, and most times that's plenty, but every once in a while, things get slow. If you show up late for your ME bus, you may well be taking a cab anyway.

 

[MEK]

I usually leave Disney 2 hours before my flight (when I have a rental car). Yeah - I know - I like to cut it close.

No, I wouldn't spend the money on a limo. I rather spend it on my own car or take ME.

 

[goofy4tink]

For a 4:15 flight, you 'should' be leaving WDW by 2:00. You really shouldn't be arriving at the airport any less than 90 mins before departure time. So...that means getting there by 2:45..latest. Which in turn means leaving WDW by 2:15. Towncar drivers will pick you up two hours before your flight..getting you there about 90 mins before.
So...if you were to use a car service, your pickup time would be about 2:15-2:30. That gets you to the airport about an hour, maybe a bit more, before departure. If security is backed up, you could have an issue.
I always ask to be picked up 2 1/2 hrs before my flight...just in case.

If you are able to use RAC, at your resort, then that will cut down on some time checking bags at the airport. Even when using RAC, I still plan on getting to MCO about 2 hrs before my flight. I hate worrying about having to rush around.

Up to you what you do. But, you might only be gaining about an addtl hour in a park by using a car service.

 

[Wendy5055]

My vote would be for ME.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

My husb and I always get a rental when there, but I've done DME and car services when there solo or on girls trips. I have used a car service 3 times to get back to the airport and have appreciated that extra hour, even though it cost. One plus of the car service return is that they drop you off curbside at your airline, so you are saving time there too. I love not having to drag suitcases through the terminal and up different levels to get to baggage check-in. I usually schedule pick-up 2-2 1/4 hrs prior to my flight and have never had a problem. With DME, you need to be there 3 1/4 hrs before. You'll just be gaining one hour on Disney property with a car service return vs DME.

 

[Heather]

Thanks all! I thought that would be the case (not gaining lots of time for the price) but needed to convince my DH that I wasn't crazy and/or "wasting" Disney time. Have a Disney day!!!