DME time question...

[myers2170]

First time flying into Orlando and using the DME. Our flight will arrive at Orlando Airport around 5:30pm. How long will it take to get luggage, etc on the DME, and to CBR?? Looking to make a dining reservation this evening and not sure how long getting from the airport to the resort, checked in etc will take. Thank you in advance

 

[sam_gordon]

If you let DME handle your luggage, you should budget 90 minutes to get from the plane to your resort. Add another 20 minutes if you get your luggage. So you're looking at getting to the resort around 7-7:30p. Personally, I would not make an ADR for that night (what if your plane is late?), either grab something at the airport before getting on DME or use whatever is at CBR.

 

[goofy4tink]

Let me give you my timing.....I'm arriving at MCO around 3:30. I'll be letting DME handle our bags (we'll have six of them!!!). I figure I'll be at OKW by 5ish, my bags should arrive by 8/8:30. I'm hesitant to make an ADR for that night. Why? It's summer (Labor Day weekend), no way of telling if my flight will land on time. I 'could' make an ADR for around 7:30, but if the flight is delayed, I stand a good chance of missing the meal. I seldom make an ADR for sooner than 4 hrs after I arrive. In this case that would be from 7:30-8:30. After traveling all day, getting settled in our unit, that's just too late for me to worry about getting to an ADR. We'll just grab something wherever we can.

 

[AngiTN]

I'll buck the trend and make ADR on arrival day but only when I arrive before noon. And only because I only fly direct flights. Also I take in to consideration the on time record of the flights I take.
But even I would not make an ADR with a flight arriving at 5:30, and getting your own luggage. That adds too many variables you have no control over.
Things outside your control that can extend your travel time
1. Flight
2. Luggage arrival
3. ME departure
4. # of resort stops

You can remove #2 by letting ME handle your bags but it's still a bit too risky for my tastes. You are looking at arriving at your resort anywhere from 90 to 180 min from landing. Or even more if there are luggage issues.

The one other item worth noting if you do decide to make an ADR and you are running late you should be able to go in online and change the ADR to a later day and then cancel it. Just know this doesn't work 100% of the time. As typical to MDE, there are glitches where you can't change an ADR

Also, where are you planning to make an ADR? Have you considered looking once you are on ME for times? Many are available same day. Just depends on where you are considering.

 

[sam_gordon]

You are looking at arriving at your resort anywhere from 90 to 180 min from landing. Or even more if there are luggage or flight issues.

I think the "norm" is closer to 90 minutes from deplaning. While there have been reports of 3 hours, they're by far the exception. Flight issues wouldn't affect how long it takes you to get from the airport to WDW.

 

[AngiTN]

I think the "norm" is closer to 90 minutes from deplaning. While there have been reports of 3 hours, they're by far the exception. Flight issues wouldn't affect how long it takes you to get from the airport to WDW.

Yes, norm is 90 min and that does not include getting your own luggage. I'd add 30 or so min to the "norm" if you are getting your own luggage.

And no, flight issues won't affect how long it takes but luggage issues will, if you get your own. I should have been more clear

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You can remove #2 by letting ME handle your bags but it's still a bit too risky for my tastes.

Just curious, what's risky about it? Normally we drive but I'll be flying in for our next trip and planning to have ME deliver our bags.

 

[nkereina]

I've had it take as long as two hours, without getting my own luggage, from arriving at DME in the airport to arriving at the resort. It's happened to me twice. So while 90 minutes may be the average, it can easily take longer than that. And of the few times I've had to get my own bags, it took at least 30 minutes more. We've found baggage claim at MCO to be a bit slow and crowded too.

If your plane lands at 5:30, the earliest I would make an ADR would be 9pm. If you let DME collect your bags and all goes well, you'd get to the resort by 7-7:30, check-in, drop your stuff off, and then hop on the bus (presumably) to your ADR. Personally, that would be too late for me after traveling and I'd probably opt for QS at my resort or even visiting DTD and grabbing QS there.

 

[myers2170]

Makes perfect sense and thank you for the valuable information. This is why I asked!! Thanks a million...I think we will just hold off on the ADR. Thanks again!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok...so, I said I was arriving at 3:30? Ummm, not anymore. SW just changed our flight, it arrives an hour later! So, now it's 4:30. So, now, I won't be at OKW until close to 6! With bags not getting there until 9 or later! If I had a 7-7:30 ADR in a park, or worse, at a different resort? I could easily be too late for it.

 

[AngiTN]

Just curious, what's risky about it? Normally we drive but I'll be flying in for our next trip and planning to have ME deliver our bags.

What I meant was making that ADR was too risky, even if you don't take the time to get your own bags. Not that it is risky letting ME deliver the bags

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

What I meant was making that ADR was too risky, even if you don't take the time to get your own bags. Not that it is risky letting ME deliver the bags

Oh good! Thanks for clarifying

 

[AngiTN]

Don't worry. As long as you go in to it knowing it will be 3,4 hours before you get your bags, the ME bag service is one of the best things of a Disney vacation. I abhor getting bags from the luggage carousel. So having someone that will do it for me, on at least half my trip, is a wonderful thing.

 

[KT0191]

You can always try a walk up to Shutters at CBR if you're wanting a sit down restaurant. We walked right up last September and got right in and it was surprisingly really good!