Any disadvantage to having a casual lunch at MCO before taking DME to Boardwalk Inn?

[jasper]

We're taking a late-morning flight on a Tuesday and arriving around 2 pm at MCO. If we were to go straight to DME check in and the Boardwalk Inn, it might be at least 4 pm by the time we get to our room. It will be our first time using DME.

Would there be any disadvantage to slowing down the pace and having a leisurely lunch at MCO before taking DME to the resort? We may be lugging around one or two small carryons but nothing more than that.

Might even get us into the mode of a less-rushed vacation right from the get go, which we've never been that good at accomplishing!

Thoughts?

 

[CarolMN]

None that I can think of.

 

[LC102310]

Honestly? Why waste time at the airport? You will be doing that when you depart for home. I would go to the Boardwalk, check in and then have a nice leisurely (early) dinner. You can still take your time and relax, ME takes the stress out of it for you.

Have a great trip!

 

[aylarosie]

I would definatly take the bus to your resort.If the room is not ready leave your bags at the desk and if they have a food court eat there.If your resort does not offer food go to downtown .Let the magic begin.As previous poster said you'll be at the airport early enough on the way home.

 

[shoney]

I would head to the resort.

I would much rather pay for overpriced Disney food than overpriced airport food

 

[DebbieB]

When we stay at Boardwalk Villas, our traditional arrival lunch is at Big River Grill. If the weather is nice we sit outside and just soak in the lake view.

 

[sam_gordon]

We're taking a late-morning flight on a Tuesday and arriving around 2 pm at MCO. If we were to go straight to DME check in and the Boardwalk Inn, it might be at least 4 pm by the time we get to our room. It will be our first time using DME.

Would there be any disadvantage to slowing down the pace and having a leisurely lunch at MCO before taking DME to the resort? We may be lugging around one or two small carryons but nothing more than that.

Might even get us into the mode of a less-rushed vacation right from the get go, which we've never been that good at accomplishing!

Thoughts?

First, budget 70-90 minutes from when you get off the plane until arrival at your resort. So you should be at Boardwalk between 3-3:30.

There are two possible downsides I see...
1) Cost to eat at MCO vs. at Disney. There's probably not much of a difference here, but maybe.
2) Delaying getting "immersed in the magic". I personally like to get to my destination as soon as I can. But that's a personal preference.

 

[partypa]

If you have reserved the Magical Express, they will be expecting you shortly after your flight has landed. Get on board and start your Magical Holiday. Plenty of much better places to have lunch at Disney compared to the Airport, IMHO of course

 

[paults]

If you have reserved the Magical Express, they will be expecting you shortly after your flight has landed. Get on board and start your Magical Holiday. Plenty of much better places to have lunch at Disney compared to the Airport, IMHO of course

DME doesn't care when you get to the bus after you land, when they scan your book is when they know your there. The buses will be there all day.
But I agree that you should just get to the BWI. We always stop at the ESPN club for something to eat if room is not ready.

 

[tjmw2727]

If you have reserved the Magical Express, they will be expecting you shortly after your flight has landed. Get on board and start your Magical Holiday. Plenty of much better places to have lunch at Disney compared to the Airport, IMHO of course

Not the case for the inbound leg as DME allows for delays for weather and flight cancellations and does not assign incoming passengers to specific bus times. You don't even have to arrive the same day and you still get on the next departing motorcoach for your resort. (As long as you have a reservation!)

So OP what you would like to do is fine!!

The only issue may be your luggage delivery which is delivered up to 3 hours afer you check in to your resort vs 3 hours from when you land. So while I never "hurry" to the bus I would want to make my way to the resort right away to start our vacation.

I do agree with pp's that there are much better places to relax and eat in the Epcot Resort area than there are at the airport. I have timed the trip and it is generally about 70 minutes for the trip to the resort. This puts you at the BWI by 3:30 4 at the very latest. I would probably pack a light lunch to eat on the plane and then have an early dinner after arriving - or an appetizer at the pool

 

[goofy4tink]

I try not to linger in the airport upon arrival!!!! I just want to get to my resort and start relaxing. There is no way the relaxation starts until I'm 'home'!!!
So, head right to the bus, get to BW...your room will most likely be ready by the time you get there. If not, just leave your bags with Bell Services...some of my favorite CMs there!!! Then, head down to the boardwalk and grab a bite to eat...you can eat at Big River, or at ESPN, or even walk over to the Dolphin and grab something at Picabu!!! Love it there!!! So much nicer than eating at the airport.

The other nice thing??? If you go directly to DME and get to BW, get checked in....if you grab a bite to eat after checking in, your bags may very well make it to your room before you finish eating..or shortly thereafter.

 

[jasper]

Thanks for the great advice! We will head straight to BWI to soak up the Magic.

What on earth was I thinking of?

 

[mad madam mim78]

I can't get to the ME fast enough!!!!! Get me to disney!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the great advice! We will head straight to BWI to soak up the Magic.

What on earth was I thinking of?

There ya go.....much better. We all knew you would see the light!!!

 

[grumpytx]

I have to agree with previous posters. Even when I've picked up a rental car at MCO, I get going to WDW. After all my traveling I'm not a real big fan of airport cuisine, although over the years it has improved.

 

[seashoreCM]

If it is closer to lunch time when you are at the airport then feel free to have a casual lunch there.

 

[Jillpie]

Head across from BW to Beaches and Cream and get the best ever sundaes ever!! Start your vacation with ice cream!!

 

[CleveRocks]

Rush or no rush, I can't see any reason I'd want to hang out at the airport and delay my arrival at the most magical place on Earth. Yes, the choice is all yours, Disney doesn't care when you catch the bus to your resort. But for me, the choice is obvious.

I literally lived at MCO for about 27 hours last March when our flight was cancelled. We were put up in the airport Hyatt, but we spent a lot of time exploring the airport itself. No reason to hang there any longer than necessary, as far as I'm concerned.

Hey partypa, welcome to my second home!

 

[mickeylr]

I will be the odd person out here You know your family and should do what works for them. My DH is a much happier person when he is not hungry, and depending on the flight times -- Yes we have stopped and eaten at the food court before we go down to get on the bus. We don't do it every time, but we have done it.

In fact, We have a late afternoon/early evening flight down and I haven't figured out if we will have time to grab food before we leave. If not, we may very well stop for dinner at MCO.

Mary

 

[goofy4tink]

I always have something to eat on the plane. I bring it with me. May be peanut butter crackers, or granola bars, or something else. But, I simply refuse to land at MCO hungry!! I want to start my fun and that isn't going to happen sitting at the food court at MCO.
The only time I recommend eating at the airport is for your departure from MCO. You don't want to waste time eating at WDW and chance not making a flight. So, I say get to MCO, and get through security..then grab a bite to eat.

But, in all reality? Eating at the airport, before heading to WDW, for most of us, is just 'not done'!! Much better to head to a food court or counter service place in your resort.