12:05 landing, 3:00 parade????

[BrittyRo]

Last trip I landed at 8:47 (took ME to Pop Century. Checked in and had them store our carryons) and made it to my 11-12 FP at Magic Kingdom. So you figure Airport to MK it took only 2 maybe 2.5 hours. I think you might be able to make it (though I may have been lucky!)

 

[lauradis]

Your bus will most likely stop at 3 or 4 resorts, and yes, you could get off at a resort other than the one you're staying at, and grab a bus to a park from there. (And I'm pretty sure that with the Magic Bands, you can enter a park before you've checked in.) However, if you have any carry-ons, you wouldn't be able to take them on a park bus, unless it's something like a backpack.

I'm a check luggage person, but hmmm wouldn't it be cool if the MDE dropped everyone off at Epcot transportation center. Everyone would get to their resorts faster or the parks if they choose. hmmmm duh on Disney parts.

 

[smitch425]

OP, don't forget to eat lunch. Lol

 

[siskaren]

I'm a check luggage person, but hmmm wouldn't it be cool if the MDE dropped everyone off at Epcot transportation center. Everyone would get to their resorts faster or the parks if they choose. hmmmm duh on Disney parts.

Do you mean the TTC? That wouldn't work because there aren't resort buses there, and even if there were, I don't see how it would be faster than the way it's currently set up, because going to the TTC would involve a transfer, plus not everyone uses the luggage transfer service, and like I said, luggage isn't allowed on park buses.

 

[Alesia]

I'm a check luggage person, but hmmm wouldn't it be cool if the MDE dropped everyone off at Epcot transportation center. Everyone would get to their resorts faster or the parks if they choose. hmmmm duh on Disney parts.

First of all, there aren't any resort buses from the TTC, so I don't see how that would work. Second, even if there were Resort buses, what would people who brought their checked luggage on the bus do? Third, Even if those two things were magically fixed, it would still take way longer than how they do it now.

 

[lauradis]

First of all, there aren't any resort buses from the TTC, so I don't see how that would work. Second, even if there were Resort buses, what would people who brought their checked luggage on the bus do? Third, Even if those two things were magically fixed, it would still take way longer than how they do it now.

That was my point. Its more of a hub center to branch out to the two org main parks Epcot and MK. So it you wanted to go to the parks instead of waiting to go to resorts then parks right off the DME it would be easier.

 

[Alesia]

That was my point. Its more of a hub center to branch out to the two org main parks Epcot and MK. So it you wanted to go to the parks instead of waiting to go to resorts then parks right off the DME it would be easier.

There aren't any park buses from the TTC either. So the only choices would be MK or Epcot. And most people do have carry on luggage that they cant take into the parks.

 

[smitch425]

Most people fly with everything they need for the first 24 hours in a carry on. My guess is that the demand for a bus directly from the airport to a park is not worth Disney's time or money. If you want to go straight to a park, take a cab. That way the cost is on you.

 

[Buddyex]

I'm not sure how much vacation time you have on this trip, but you said it won't be your only day at the Magic Kingdom or chance of seeing the parade, I would maybe consider it if I'd made really good time getting to the Hotel from the airport, but if its going to be stressful meeting that timeline for the parade , and you get there all hot and flustered .Would you really enjoy it as much once you got there? I'm not sure I would.

I can totally understand the desire to hit the parks the minute you arrive in Orlando, and I would definitely head straight to the parks once I'd had a chance to check-in to my hotel and freshen up. But why risk making your first moments of your Holiday in the park a negative experience from either narrowly missing the parade or making it , but getting totally stressed in the process? Save the parade for your other MK day and maybe tick off some of the the rides that will free you up to see the parade on the followinging MK day.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Nevermind.

 

[letsgoreds]

If you use DME for luggage, you could always ask to be dropped off at the Contemporary (or even better BLT) and just walk to MK. You would have any carry-ons with you for the evening...but could always drop them off at MK in a locker.

I prefer not to hit the ground running, but we have young kids. Rushing often leads to melt downs...true for even some adults. I prefer to check-in first, and if you purchaed a package vs. tickets separately, I believe you need to check into your resort.

 

[davkata]

I already posted my experiences but wanted to add that on all the other threads about what time people should book their first FP after their flight lands, the answers are usually 3 hours. This isn't much different except that you may not gain a "prime" viewing spot, but there are plenty of places to see from when you arrive.

Also, this past trip ASSports was the first stop for the DME, last year it was second after I think Coronado Springs (it was pretty close wherever it was).

 

[siskaren]

If you use DME for luggage, you could always ask to be dropped off at the Contemporary (or even better BLT) and just walk to MK. You would have any carry-ons with you for the evening...but could always drop them off at MK in a locker.

You can't ask to be dropped off at the Contemporary (or any other hotel) if that hotel isn't on your bus's route. If it is and it stops there before your hotel, you can just get off there, you don't have to ask.

 

[nkereina]

What day of the week you are arriving? We arrived that time on a Saturday and DME was a madhouse. We waited about 30 minutes in line before even boarding a bus, and then there was the 30 minute travel time, and then another 20 minutes because DME made a few stops before ours. Last year, we arrived later on a Friday and DME was a ghost town. We were the first people on an empty bus and sat there for about 35 minutes waiting for people to trickle in so we could get a full bus to leave. Took closer to two hours than 90 minutes both times.

If all goes better for you, you have the potential to make the parade, but I don't think you'd get a good viewing spot for it.