Arriving pretty late...ideas on what to do

[Karabear15]

Group of 6, all arriving at OKW at separate times. Three will be driving in, most likely early afternoon, with the other three of us flying into MCO and arriving at approx 935pm (we wanted to work normal hours and just head straight to airport than taking extra vacation days, crazy, I know). Knowing that the week is going to be pretty busy (Thanksgiving week), is it stupid of us to think that once the latest group members arrive, we can head to Disney Springs for drinks and apps? Should we just plan to make dinner in our villa and enjoy the night walking around the resort? What would you do in this circumstance?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Plan on 1.5 hours from deplane to resort. You may be there by last call. You are the first stop on that route for MDE.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

My favorite time to arrive at Disney is later in the evening! IMO it's the perfect time to explore the resort and start feeling at home there, especially if it's a resort I've never stayed at. You'll have just worked a full day and gone through all the airport madness, so odds are you'll be tired. You don't want to burn out when you have a whole vacation ahead of you! Honestly some of my favorite nights were the first nights, seeing the beautiful resort grounds, relaxing and discussing our plans for the week. Just my two cents!

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I don't like getting off the plane after a full day and hitting the ground running. IF your plane arrives on time it could still be almost 11 by the time you get to OKW, assuming you're taking ME. If it was me I'd want to relax, visit with the others and get rested up for the next week that you know is going to be crazy.

 

[Karabear15]

Plan on 1.5 hours from deplane to resort. You may be there by last call. You are the first stop on that route for MDE.

Oh that's great that we are the first stop...I did wonder about that.

My favorite time to arrive at Disney is later in the evening! IMO it's the perfect time to explore the resort and start feeling at home there, especially if it's a resort I've never stayed at. You'll have just worked a full day and gone through all the airport madness, so odds are you'll be tired. You don't want to burn out when you have a whole vacation ahead of you! Honestly some of my favorite nights were the first nights, seeing the beautiful resort grounds, relaxing and discussing our plans for the week. Just my two cents!

I envision myself sleeping on the plane, but we all know how that goes...My parents who will be driving in from Chicago, I am sure will be exhausted and will want to just relax as well...so walking the grounds and getting the lay of the land is sounding more and more enticing.

I don't like getting off the plane after a full day and hitting the ground running. IF your plane arrives on time it could still be almost 11 by the time you get to OKW, assuming you're taking ME. If it was me I'd want to relax, visit with the others and get rested up for the next week that you know is going to be crazy.

We are on Southwest, each flight I've had with them recently, we have been delayed...the unfortunate part about that is utilizing MDE, if it's past 10pm...we are on our own for luggage, right? Not like that is the end of the world or anything though. With Disney Springs closing down at midnight, and possibly not getting to the resort until 11, the boat over is easily 15-20 min, so probably not worth the hassle.

 

[Tonberry]

On late arrival, we generally won't do any of the parks. It's too much for us.
Disney Springs is a great place to walk around and do some window shopping. We've done that and it's nice. Checking out the resort and taking a leisurely walk is great too. Taking everything in if often the most relaxing part of a Disney trip!

 

[Hikergirl]

Our plane lands at 9:50 so we won't get to the resort till late. I'm planning on going to Jellyrolls since its right there and open late.

 

[mrzrich]

Since your parents are driving, are they making a grocery stop? I'm thinking something easy in your villa is the best bet after a long travel day.

 

[Karabear15]

On late arrival, we generally won't do any of the parks. It's too much for us.
Disney Springs is a great place to walk around and do some window shopping. We've done that and it's nice. Checking out the resort and taking a leisurely walk is great too. Taking everything in if often the most relaxing part of a Disney trip!

No parks, that is for sure. From what I remember Disney Springs to be when we were there for NYE...it was soooo crowded, so the more I'm thinking about this, the more I like the idea of relaxing at the resort.

Our plane lands at 9:50 so we won't get to the resort till late. I'm planning on going to Jellyrolls since its right there and open late.

I may check right now how long the gurgling suitcase is open to...that would work for kick off the vacation beverages!

Since your parents are driving, are they making a grocery stop? I'm thinking something easy in your villa is the best bet after a long travel day.

Talked to my dad today and he agreed with resort relaxation. He said he would like to get there right about the time of check in so they can get situated, and wait for my guy to arrive (driving in separate). They will definitely do a grocery run, unless we order from garden grocers..something else for us to discuss closer to the date. I do love my mom's shrimp n' grits!

 

[Karabear15]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We haven't stayed on property since I was quite young and we are all used to driving down, so just trying to get a feel for time with late flights and having never used magical express.

 

[Tomh]

Personally, arriving that late, I think I would opt for just getting settled in at the resort, and getting some sleep for a good start the next morning.

 

[Karabear15]

Personally, arriving that late, I think I would opt for just getting settled in at the resort, and getting some sleep for a good start the next morning.

We are starting off early at MK the next day...so rest and settling seems to be the consensus!

 

[buzznina]

Even if you are lucky and arrive before 10, I would suggest to still take your own luggage. I have heard to many horror stories of the resort bringing luggage at midnight and later

 

[Karabear15]

Even if you are lucky and arrive before 10, I would suggest to still take your own luggage. I have heard to many horror stories of the resort bringing luggage at midnight and later

I think we are going to pack carry ons for the stuff we want upon arrival and bed, then Disney can take care of our checked baggage as it won't be a big deal if we don't get it until way late. Just a thought though...something else for us to talk about later on.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Oh that's great that we are the first stop...I did wonder about that.

I envision myself sleeping on the plane, but we all know how that goes...My parents who will be driving in from Chicago, I am sure will be exhausted and will want to just relax as well...so walking the grounds and getting the lay of the land is sounding more and more enticing.

We are on Southwest, each flight I've had with them recently, we have been delayed...the unfortunate part about that is utilizing MDE, if it's past 10pm...we are on our own for luggage, right? Not like that is the end of the world or anything though. With Disney Springs closing down at midnight, and possibly not getting to the resort until 11, the boat over is easily 15-20 min, so probably not worth the hassle.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We haven't stayed on property since I was quite young and we are all used to driving down, so just trying to get a feel for time with late flights and having never used magical express.

We flew Southwest and used MDE on our last trip. Our flight was schedule to arrive about 9:15 but was delayed. Since we were so close to the cut off for luggage handling we opted to take care of it ourselves.
You might know that Southwest is not in the main terminal at MCO so there is a short shuttle ride after you deplane. We had the map that MDE sent but we had to go downstairs to get our luggage and then didn't realize we had to go back upstairs to find MDE. (Kind of amazing how many airport employees don't know where MDE is )
Just telling you this so you know that if you do handle your own luggage you have some hiking to do. When we finally got to MDE it was quick and easy to get on board the bus--at that time of night the line was non-existent--so we were surprised that we sat on that bus for probably 15 minutes before we left. And then the drive to the resort. We got to our room about midnight. Of course your flight might be on time, but just wanted to give you an idea of what it might be time-wise since we had a similar flight as yours. Have a great trip!

 

[Karabear15]

We flew Southwest and used MDE on our last trip. Our flight was schedule to arrive about 9:15 but was delayed. Since we were so close to the cut off for luggage handling we opted to take care of it ourselves.
You might know that Southwest is not in the main terminal at MCO so there is a short shuttle ride after you deplane. We had the map that MDE sent but we had to go downstairs to get our luggage and then didn't realize we had to go back upstairs to find MDE. (Kind of amazing how many airport employees don't know where MDE is )
Just telling you this so you know that if you do handle your own luggage you have some hiking to do. When we finally got to MDE it was quick and easy to get on board the bus--at that time of night the line was non-existent--so we were surprised that we sat on that bus for probably 15 minutes before we left. And then the drive to the resort. We got to our room about midnight. Of course your flight might be on time, but just wanted to give you an idea of what it might be time-wise since we had a similar flight as yours. Have a great trip!

I'm hoping we don't have terrible weather, because then we know we will be delayed...almost inevitable up here in the midwest. We are glad to be going out of Milwaukee though as they don't have as many delays as O'Hare or Midway do. So here is my question...if we label our luggage with the MDE tags as if they were to take them for us...what if we changed our minds after departing our plane? Can we go to the baggage claim and snag our bags and just take them onto the bus and to the resort ourselves, or is there some middle man that will get there before we do? MDE is new to all of us, thankful for it...but I feel somewhat lost not knowing what I'm doing! I did youtube a video of someone going through the steps of getting off their plane and getting onto MDE (yep, I'm one of those people!), so I did know that I would have to jump onto the shuttle. I was surprised to see that they have directional signs labeled with MDE, so that is helpful!
We are hopeful that since our flight is so late, we won't have to do a whole lot of waiting around...then again, we are going during a peak time, so we could be unpleasantly surprised.

 

[DVC4US]

Personally, arriving that late I would handle my own luggage. If you get delayed(could happen in Nov coming from the Midwest) and you miss the 10pm cut off for MDE baggage, you will not get your luggage until sometime the next day.

 

[SplashMo]

I would say too late... Unless it is a short trip. Perhaps early arrivers could go to a park...

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm hoping we don't have terrible weather, because then we know we will be delayed...almost inevitable up here in the midwest. We are glad to be going out of Milwaukee though as they don't have as many delays as O'Hare or Midway do. So here is my question...if we label our luggage with the MDE tags as if they were to take them for us...what if we changed our minds after departing our plane? Can we go to the baggage claim and snag our bags and just take them onto the bus and to the resort ourselves, or is there some middle man that will get there before we do? MDE is new to all of us, thankful for it...but I feel somewhat lost not knowing what I'm doing! I did youtube a video of someone going through the steps of getting off their plane and getting onto MDE (yep, I'm one of those people!), so I did know that I would have to jump onto the shuttle. I was surprised to see that they have directional signs labeled with MDE, so that is helpful!
We are hopeful that since our flight is so late, we won't have to do a whole lot of waiting around...then again, we are going during a peak time, so we could be unpleasantly surprised.

If you put the yellow tags on your luggage then it will not go to the baggage claim area in Orlando. You will not see your bags until they are delivered to your resort room. If you decide to use the yellow tags then you might be receiving your luggage midnight or later.