another DME question

[E-Stop]

1st time visitor to WDW and I am scheduled to arrive on 2/20 around 4pm. I have read that this is crunch time for DME and that it may take a couple of hrs from when the plane lands and check in time at the resort (ASMU). I have a dinner reservation for Planet Ho(7:30PM) and then were going to catch La Noube (9PM). For those who have had prev. experience w/DME my q is this: Will I have enough time to check in, mayb freshen up a bit before dinner or did I not plan enough travel time when making my reserv? I know PH is not that great but I want to use up those vouchers. your advise/insight is appreciated. thanks!

 

[WizardLarz]

I've used DME once ,and by my experience you should be good!

My flight landed at 11:45am and I was at the resort by 1:15. I had done online check-in and there was only one person in that line when I walked up. They already had my room, so I was quickly ready to head to DTD for a late lunch at Planet Hollywood!

I have not heard of anyone taking more than 2hrs to get to their resort.

If anything I would head over to DTD as soon as you are ready and try to get seated early for dinner! If dinner takes more than an hour, you are going to be running to get to La Nouba on time!

 

[E-Stop]

cool! thanks, i will def. check in online to streamline my process, i believe i can do this 10 days in advance.

 

[seashoreCM]

One in four planes lands more than 15 minutes late.

You may want to store your carry-ons with the bellhop immediately upon arrival and not check in until after getting back from the show. You may want to take a taxi instead of a bus from your resort to Downtown Disney.

In addition, dinner at 7:30 and a show at 9:00 is cutting it very close.

 

[Tozzie]

1st time visitor to WDW and I am scheduled to arrive on 2/20 around 4pm. I have read that this is crunch time for DME and that it may take a couple of hrs from when the plane lands and check in time at the resort (ASMU). I have a dinner reservation for Planet Ho(7:30PM) and then were going to catch La Noube (9PM). For those who have had prev. experience w/DME my q is this: Will I have enough time to check in, mayb freshen up a bit before dinner or did I not plan enough travel time when making my reserv? I know PH is not that great but I want to use up those vouchers. your advise/insight is appreciated. thanks!

In general it takes between 70 and 90 minutes to get to the plane to your resort. There have been isolated incidents of it taking someone 2 hours but those are few and far between. What I would worry about more is a fligth delay, you are flying in February and the weather this winter is reaking havoc with flights, even if you don't live in an area affected by the weather your flights maybe. Last august my flight home from MCO left 3 1/2 hours late due to weather in California where the plane we were taking to NY was comming from. I personally wouldn't plan anything that I had to pay for in advance that I would lose the money on if I didn't show up for it.

 

[TammyC]

I would not buy show tickets for the first night, as your flight could be extremely delayed or even cancelled (due to weather, mechanical problems, etc).

T

Looks like Tozzie and I were thinking and typing the same thing!

 

[goofy4tink]

If you land on time, at 4pm, you 'should' be at your resort by 5:30. The average time is about 70 mins but I would ere on the side of 90 mins..just to be safe. You should be on the bus, to DTD, by 6:30...can take a bit of time.
Then you should be fine. If you are running late, I would skip Planet Hollywood, grab counter service somewhere and then head right to Cirque. If fact, after giving it some thought...I would skip Planet Hollywood period! You should be at Cirque by 8:30..you are told to be there 30 mins early. There is nothing worse than trying to eat dinner while watching your time and worrying about being late.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't do anything non-refundable the first night. But, since you probably already have your tickets, you'll have to hope that your plane arrives basically on time.

I think you'll have to skip Planet Hollywood though. You'll need to be at the theater for La Nouba by 8:30. Even if you're seated on time, which is a big if, expecting to be out of there in 50 minutes is unrealistic. Do yourself a favor and grab dinner at Earl of Sandwich. You'll save yourself a lot of stress. The food is better, too.

 

[E-Stop]

OK I agree that PH is definetly something we can do with out as there ar other choices, just trying to use the coupon. Since we are there for 8 days, we can certainly circle back later in our stay. SLC has a very good on time departure record, I've flown out of there in blizzard conditions, but the variable is MCO and weather on the Eastern Seaboard. I have done some lurking around and believe if i do encounter a delay at MCO, i think i will get a towncar to take me to the resort, let the baggage handlers for DME get my luggage to the room and just wing it with our carry ons. It is my understanding that the luggage doesnt travel with you on the bus anyway.

 

[goofy4tink]

To the best of my knowledge, any towncars you see, that are available, might not be the best choice. Most people book their towncars before getting there. Yes, there are some towncar drivers that solicit passengers but I just wouldn't want to use them..but that's just me.
What kind of delay at MCO could you possibly encounter??? You get off the plane, walk to the tram, ride to the main terminal, cross the main terminal area, go down to level 1, ground transportation, check in with DME, get in line for your bus, get on the bus and go to your resort. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
I can only assume that you are thinking that if you see a line at the counter or for the buses, you will find alternative transport.

 

[dudspizza]

To the best of my knowledge, any towncars you see, that are available, might not be the best choice. Most people book their towncars before getting there. Yes, there are some towncar drivers that solicit passengers but I just wouldn't want to use them..but that's just me.
What kind of delay at MCO could you possibly encounter??? You get off the plane, walk to the tram, ride to the main terminal, cross the main terminal area, go down to level 1, ground transportation, check in with DME, get in line for your bus, get on the bus and go to your resort. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
I can only assume that you are thinking that if you see a line at the counter or for the buses, you will find alternative transport.

I wonder if I OP was commenting on delays in general. Once at MCO, there won't be any uncommon waits for ME. If OP doesn't want to take ME, then they will have to take a taxi. Town-cars don't just wait around the airport.... at least not the reputable ones......

Duds

 

[goofy4tink]

OK I agree that PH is definetly something we can do with out as there ar other choices, just trying to use the coupon. Since we are there for 8 days, we can certainly circle back later in our stay. SLC has a very good on time departure record, I've flown out of there in blizzard conditions, but the variable is MCO and weather on the Eastern Seaboard. I have done some lurking around and believe if i do encounter a delay at MCO, i think i will get a towncar to take me to the resort, let the baggage handlers for DME get my luggage to the room and just wing it with our carry ons. It is my understanding that the luggage doesnt travel with you on the bus anyway.

I wonder if I OP was commenting on delays in general. Once at MCO, there won't be any uncommon waits for ME. If OP doesn't want to take ME, then they will have to take a taxi. Town-cars don't just wait around the airport.... at least not the reputable ones......

Duds

I highlighted what I think he meant...looks like he's concerned about delays or such once he gets to MCO.
And as usual, you 'got' what I meant when I said I wouldn't use any car services that had drivers out there, solicting business.