Unhappy with Magical Express Timing

[RSD Part Deux]

Going to the resort was no problem. It was coming home that really bothered me.

We scheduled the latest night flight possible to maximize time on our last day. We had a 8:15pm flight scheduled out of MCO to Toronto. We got our ME letter on our door on our second last day. It told us our ME time was 4pm. It explained for international flights that they give us 3 hour lead time. I wasnt too happy with the 3 hours and even more mad at the 4 hour and 15 minute 4pm time. It also added that we must be at the bus stop 15 minutes prior to arrival. So that pretty much wiped out our plans to watch the MK parade and light lunch afterwards. I called ME and asked to be moved to the next bus. They said they wouldnt. She even went as far to say that she would not even tell me the time of the next airport run. She explained this was due to the time it takes to get the airport with possible traffic, possible large security lines yadda yadda yadda. I told her i dont mind taking the risk. Then she said that they had an agreement with the airport with these times. Sounds like a bunch of crock to me. On top of this is, she had a "who gives a damn" attitude with me. I asked if she was a Disney employee or a Mears employee. She said Disney I suspect the latter.

So we wait for the bus at the scheduled time. It shows up, we get to the airport in 25 mins, and thru security in 10 mins. No checked in luggage, and checked in boarding pass online.

All this has tought me to lie to ME about my flights. Thoughts?

 

[ddbowdoin]

well, the 3 hours is standard operation... and it it is a 45 minute drive to the airport.

Ultimately, if you were unhappy you could have hired a car service to bring you.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

well, the 3 hours is standard operation... and it it is a 45 minute drive to the airport.

Ultimately, if you were unhappy you could have hired a car service to bring you.

This is absolutely true, and with airport security the way it is, it's customary to expect to arrive 2 to 3 hrs prior to your flight. Disney is just making sure you don't miss your flight :animwink:

 

[GoochDSA]

Which makes more sence for Disney, people complaining that they got to the airport too early and in more than enough time for their flight or people complaining that they missed their flight because ME didn't give them enough time? Consider yourself very lucky that it only took you 35 minutes, especially for international travel, to get to the airport, get checked in and get through security (there have been times when our ME bus was over 20 minutes behind schedule). If you were that unhappy about the time that ME gave you, there was nothing stopping you from taking a taxi to the airport when you were ready to leave.

 

[Rob562]

The stated policy since Day 1 of DME has always been 3 hours Domestic, 4 hours International.

-Rob

 

[Master Yoda]

Disney has those time buffers built in for a reason. There are a million different things that could go wrong on that 45 minute drive to the airport that could possibly delay your arrival. There are equally as many things that could go wrong once you arrive. Disney does not want to be on the hook for paying for your flight home if you miss your original flight.

If you want to run the razors edge on when you get to the airport take a cab or a car service.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Sounds like you had the perfect-world scenerio for traffic, other resort pick-ups, and security check waits which resulted in arriving to your gate so quickly. I can sympathize because sitting around the airport is never fun. However, you have to look at it from Disney's side. They realize traffic and the security lines are something they have zero control over so they need to be sure to cover their behinds to make sure their guests don't miss flights and they get stuck with the burden of (A) rebooking you onto the next flight, or (B) house you for a night because the next flight to your destination isn't until the next day. It's a double-edged sword for them, for sure.

Like someone else has said, you could always pay for your own private transport if you don't like leaving it up to Disney to decide. Not being snarky. I've done ME back to the airport and a private limo. Of course the limo was way better because it was very direct with no additional stops for more passengers...aside from the up'd cool-factor.

I would also like to share that one of our ME rides back to the airport we were waiting early at our resort and asked if we could catch an earlier bus out than what we were scheduled for. Even with the earlier bus we had maybe a 20 minute wait before we were boarding. If we had taken the scheduled bus 3 hours prior to departure we would likely have not made our flight. Just sayin... :wave:

 

[dreamfinder]

Domestic flights are 3 hour lead time, international is 4 hour lead time. So your return shuttle was in par with their policy. They do this for the guests benefit. Upon arrival at MCO I have seen waits for TSA that have said 2 hours. Just to get through security. So take the 2 hours security time, add in 30 minute transportation time, and BAM you are pretty much at boarding time for a domestic flight. If its international, toss in some time to clear customs. Now if the bus gets stuck in traffic, you have to check bags at the desk, stuff like that you would miss your flight. And suddenly it is Disney's fault that you missed your flight because the bus didn't get you there on time.

Now admittedly, thats a worse case scenario. But they would rather be safe than sorry. Heck, even at my little regional airport, when I only do carry on and checked in online, I still shoot to arrive 1 1/2-2 hours before my flight. Just because things can and do go wrong. You sound like your instance happened to be a best case scenario.

The 15 minutes early at the stop is so that you don't miss the bus. They try to schedule the buses to be as full as possible, so even if there is another bus 15 minutes alter, odds are there won't be enough room for your party. It's the same way that they tell you it it can take 1 1/2 hours to get to your dining reservation. WDW would rather you be there early, instead of being late. This helps to keep you from missing your appointments, and ensures that other people who do show up on time don't end up getting inconvenienced when you make a huge stink about missing your time when you arrived late.

Lying to DME won't do you much good. I suppose you could find another flight that leaves an hour later so your pickup would be an hour close to your actual flight time, but this renders resort check in useless, and means that you could miss your flight.

If you are that set on spending the extra few hours in the park, forgo DME, and take a MEARS bus, taxi, or rent a car.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I don't love the fact that magical express would pick me up as early as it did, but I prefer that to missing my flight and having to deal with that headache. I think the policies are good the way they are with Disney getting you to the airport at the FAA requested time prior to departure.

Trust me, if there was a way to keep you there longer, Disney would do it. Getting you to the airport 2 hours later would mean that you would have 2 more hours to spend money.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Saw a scenario pan out on the bus to Wildernes Lodge back in November. We were on the bus from Epcot headed to the resort. The family on the bus with us had to depart on the ME from WL at 2:15. It was 2:10. The mother called and asked if they could be booked on the 3:15pm departure and Disney said no, they would have to find their own transportation. They do not want to be held responsible if you miss your flight. So if you miss your DME, thats on you, not them. The mother was wild about it but seriously, she waited until 2:05 to leave the park and then waited until 2:10 to call and change it. It doesn't take much common sense to know that leaving Epcot at 2:05 will NOT get you to the WL, bags in hand by 2:15.

 

[tinkerbell_S]

well, the 3 hours is standard operation... and it it is a 45 minute drive to the airport.

Ultimately, if you were unhappy you could have hired a car service to bring you.

Yup! DME is a complimentary service and they do the best they can to make sure everyone makes their flight. I'd rather be early than miss my flight!

 

[fosse76]

I've never had a problem re-scheduling to a later bus. I'm surprised they did.

 

[coltow]

Thru security in 10 mns DAMN were you lucky! Last time I came thru MCO I easily waited 30mns in security line. I feel like MCO security takes forever so I'm sometimes thankful that Disney thinks ahead and gives us 3 hrs to get from resort to plane

 

[olinecoach61]

I too would rather be early than late for my flight. I don't have a problem with the 4 hour window.

 

[CarlFredricksen]

I'm sitting in the airport now, bus picked us up at pop at 630 (scheduled for 615). Got here and literally no one in security, and tram was waiting on other side, so we were through by a little after 7. Happy to be here now, safe, than paying $25 a head for Mears just so our group to ride Splash one more time.

 

[Polydweller]

Your top priority the day you are flying home is to get to the airport and get on the plane. A parade and lunch is not the top priority by any measure.

I have seen security lineups at MCO two hours long. It can be one of the worst airports. Then if you get pulled aside for secondary security it can be longer. Getting a short line at MCO is a definite bonus.

Disney is doing the only thing it can, ensuring they meet your top priority of the day, getting you home. I can only imagine how mad the OP would be if they missed their flight.

 

[MacRtst]

I hate to say this but, it's free. you gotta go by their rules.

 

[fractal]

Disney has those time buffers built in for a reason. There are a million different things that could go wrong on that 45 minute drive to the airport that could possibly delay your arrival. There are equally as many things that could go wrong once you arrive. Disney does not want to be on the hook for paying for your flight home if you miss your original flight.

If you want to run the razors edge on when you get to the airport take a cab or a car service.

This.

Honestly, it's amazing to me what people complain about regarding Disney.

 

[rosie.ca]

Hey there!
You can call and have your pick up time switched to 3 hours instead of 4 .Canada is technically international but there isn't a huge difference in the flight. One hour really doesn't matter that much either way. The real concern is traffic .
If you do change it and aren't able to catch your flight however , Disney is not responsible.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

And also (correct me if I'm wrong), I believe there's free wi-fi at MCO while you're sitting at the gate. So it's pretty easy to pass the time.