aIRPORT TO CHEF MICKEY'S

[bunny66]

MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE ARRIVING AT 10 A.M. MY MIL WILL BE ARRIVING 4:20 P.M. I MADE A PS FOR CHEF MICKEY'S FOR 5:40. THE ONLY OTHER PS WAS FOR 7:20, BUT WE WILL HAVE BEEN UP SINCE THREE TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT, AND WE PLAN TO GO TO MK THE NEXT MORNING . WILL WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE OUR PS FROM THE AIRPORT? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THERE?

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!!!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Are all of you going to be waiting at the airport until 4:20pm? It normally takes about 30 minutes from landing to WDW IF you have only carry-on luggage, and you are taking a town car service. Any kind of delay in the flight and you will not make your PS. But what about your luggage? Will you be staying at the Contemporary and checking in?
We need more specific info to be able to help you better.

 

[bunny66]

WE WILL NOT STAY AT THE AIRPORT ALL DAY. tHERE'S MYSELF DH, DS 15, DD 10, DS 6. wE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET AN EARLY CHECK IN (MARRIOTT'S VACATION CLUB) 1 MILE FROM DISNEY, GROCERY SHOP GRAB SOME LUNCH, AND THEN GO BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP MIL AND HEAD STRAIGHT FOR CM. I SURE HOPE WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH TIME.MIL IS 81 AND MOVES VERY SLOOOOW TO BEGIN WITH . IF WE DON'T MAKE IT I''LL MAKE PS FOR ANOTHER DAY. THANKS!!!!!!

 

[Micca]

Any chance DMIL could catch a cab or a town car? It seems a shame to spend all that time driving back and forth to MCO your first day. There are plenty of seniors in Florida and I would think you could arrange for a driver to treat her with TLC and help get her bags, etc. I would think the cabbies would be helpful too, and they might be the most efficient exit from the airport. The other thing you might do is you or your DH could stay with the kids and be sure you catch the 5:40 PS, while the other makes the trip to collect DMIL. That way parent and kids could stall a few minutes while waiting for DMIL to arrive. It is a buffet, they aren't going to rush you out.

I think 30 minutes is a pretty reasonable time, depending on traffic and the time of year you are going.

 

[Forever42]

I personally don't think there's enough time there. You're looking at hitting rush hour traffic, even though most people are going in the other direction. There are so many little factors that add to the time - the time it takes to get off the flight, the time to get the luggage, to get to baggage claim, etc etc etc.

I'm not trying to sound discouraging, just that I don't want you to be disappointed. I'd try calling again every day to get another PS on the same day.

 

[jel0511]

I also agree with forever42, I don't think you're allowing yourself enough time. EVEN if the flight lands on time, your MIL, who you said is slow, she has to deplane (and if near the rear a longer time), has to make her way from the gate, to the monorail to the main terminal, and make her way out to security to greet you. Then you have to walk through the main terminal to the parking area, since you can't wait at the curbs at all at MCO. If MIL is going to have only carry-on items, you might have a shot, but if she's checking bags, you're out of luck making a 5:40PS. I've waited over 45 minutes for bags at MCO many times, they usually aren't very prompt returning bags there. So, you're talking at least 20 minutes from the plane making it to the gate to make it out to the car, and then 30 - 40 minutes to make it to Chef MIckeys. That's the minimum you'll encounter, so having only an hour aand 20 minute window isn't enough and you'll most likely miss your ressie. Either take the later time, or make a PS for another day, you'll be thanking yourself that day when you're not rushing to try make a dinner ressie!!

 

[Micca]

I wasn't even thinking of all the walking through MCO I would concur with jel and forever, it's cutting it too close.

 

[CamColt]

A couple times now, when we have taken a town car, we have been at our WDW resort exactly 1 hour after the plane landed. So, I would think having your own car, you could make it in time for the PS IF all things fell into place...the plane was on time, the luggage came out right away, and there was no traffic. If any of those variables didnt happen, you would probably be late. Personally, Id be too paranoid to try to make it in that time.

 

[Lewisc]

Your MIL shouldn't check any luggage. If necessary you should take her luggage with you. If you're late for your PS you may have to wait a little bit but they won't cancel your PS.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would also keep checking for cancellations at CM(even at check in). Perhaps something in the 6:00 will open...then you will have no problem. Good luck

 

[manning]

I heard the 417 toll road is a better route. I haven't used it since I haven't flown in since it was built. Any one know?

 

[Forever42]

The 417 usually has less traffic, but is more expensive and takes a sweeping route around Orlando.

Which way do you guys take from the airport to Disney, anyway? The Beeline (528)? I don't ever go from the airport to Disney, but I believe it's around 30 minutes just door-to-door, using the Beeline.

 

[bunny66]

I LOVE THE SUGGESTION THAT WE GET SOMEONELSE TO PICK UP DMIL , IT REALLY MADE ME LAUGH, BUT THAT WOULD GO OVER LIKE A FART IN CHURCH. I THINK THE BEST THING TO DO AT THIS POINT IS TO CHECK EVEYDAY TO SEE IF ANYTHING HAS OPENED UP. I CALLED EARLIER WITH NO LUCK . I'LL KEEP TRYING. I DON'T THINK THE FACT THE WE HAVE 6 PEOPLE IN OUR PARTY HELPS. I WOULD IMAGINE THE BIGGER THE PARTY THE HARDER IT IS TO GET PS FOR SOME OF THE DINING EXPERIENCE. THANKS FOR ALL OF THE HELPFUL HINTS. KEEP THEM COMING!!!!

 

[Lewisc]

For a party of 6 you may have to wait whenever you get there. Don't sweat it if you get there late, just be prepared for a wait of 30 minutes (or more).

Pay to valet park your car so you're not wasting time looking for a parking space.

 

[goldilocks_63]

You could call the airlines, and see how overbooked the flights are the night before.

If availablility looks good, could try flying MIL on as standby, if she can tolerate waiting around if she's not allowed on....

An idea.