Disney Magical Express to Poly ... what other Resorts will be on loop?

[WDW2000]

Anyone used Magical Express to the Polynesian? If so, how long did it take and what other resorts does it stop at? What was the order of stops? I have ADR for 1 hour after flight lands and am now getting worried I won't make it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would change your ADR to a later seating. The average time for DME is about 70 minutes from deplaning to resort check-in. And that is with pretty minimum wait times. 5-10 minutes to get from your plane to the DME checkin area, 10 minutes in line at checkin, 10 minutes in bus line, 30 minutes to WDW proper, then it depends on where they stop. It could add up to 20 minutes to the trip if you are the last stop, or there are a lot of people with luggage that has to be off loaded!!! It has routinely taken me 70 minutes, and I've used DME 4 times now, at 3 different resorts.
Better to change your ADR than stress over being late for it. I would plan on 90 mins to get from the plane at touchdown to your resort checkin line...just to be on the safe side.

 

[salmoneous]

ME isn't on a set schedule. You could be the first stop, you could be the third. There is no way to know ahead of time.

Even if you are the first stop, 60 minutes is cutting it very close. If anything goes wrong, you'll be late. Can you change the ADR?

 

[CleveRocks]

Anyone used Magical Express to the Polynesian? If so, how long did it take and what other resorts does it stop at? What was the order of stops? I have ADR for 1 hour after flight lands and am now getting worried I won't make it.

I'll echo both of the above statements. Change that ADR!

Even if you had a friend or a towncar meeting you at the airport, you'd still likely be late for your ADR. Even if your flight arrives right on time, of course there's the time it takes to deplane, then tram/walk all the way to baggage claim, then waiting at baggage claim, etc.

With DME, you get to skip baggage claim but you still have to check in, wait for a bus, etc. The ride from MCO to most resorts is about 30 minutes in and of itself.

DME has no pre-set routes, and no pre-set groupings of what resorts ride together on the bus. It's all decided on and dispatched based on reservations, flight schedules, how many people going to each resort, etc. It's a completely fluid situation. It's one of the few WDW experiences that we DISers can't COMPLETELY plan. Frustrating, isn't it!!!

But I think DME is a wonderful service. I used it last May and I'm using it again in November.

 

[PlutoPony]

Also, not sure I'd want to COUNT on my flight being on time. You might check the on time arrival % for it, but that doesn't take into account weather delays one part of the country and the ripple affect that can have. Even if you weren't relying on ME and taking a rental car, one hour is cutting it VERY close...

 

[Lewisc]

I'd try to change my ADR but if you can't most restaurants will work with you even if you're late. That won't work for a dinner show like the lua but even if you're 45 minutes late there is a good chance a restaurant like 'Ohana will accomodate you.

 

[simzac]

Anyone used Magical Express to the Polynesian? If so, how long did it take and what other resorts does it stop at? What was the order of stops? I have ADR for 1 hour after flight lands and am now getting worried I won't make it.

Have you even thought about what if the flight is delayed, say an hour, what happens to your ADR then Flight delays happen often, I would definitely change your ADR. JMO

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Anyone used Magical Express to the Polynesian? If so, how long did it take and what other resorts does it stop at? What was the order of stops? I have ADR for 1 hour after flight lands and am now getting worried I won't make it.

We stayed at the Poly earlier this month and took ME. We stopped at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and then the Poly. It took about 70 minutes. Definitely would change the ADR. Also, remember to pack what you'll need for dinner in a carry-on. Our luggage arrived about 3 hours after we landed(DH and I actually wound up carrying our luggage up from the Poly. luggage stand because we'd cut it too close to wait for them to bring it to our room).