DME versus rental car - which will get me to MK first?

[Jkpark]

(1) Assuming we land at 5:30 pm, if I take DME I should expect to be at my resort around 7pm. If we are staying at Bay Lake Tower, could I just drop carry on with bell services and head into the park?

(2) When we rent through national we just have a car waiting for us (no rental counter line). We could get our own bags (20-30 minutes to actually deplane and get luggage?), and then drive straight to Magic Kingdom. That means parking, tram, monorail/ferry.

Either way we have bag security and lines (which I'm guessing aren't bad for the evening).

Deciding whether to do the MNSSHP the night we land. It is my favorite Disney party. I don't need to be there early, as it would be more about the parade and other entertainment. I wouldn't be trying for the long character lines. There are other flights I can take where I land at 4:05 - but that is with connections which adds another variable.

Anyone try anything like this before?

 

[tobikaye]

(2) When we rent through national we just have a car waiting for us (no rental counter line). We could get our own bags (20-30 minutes to actually deplane and get luggage?), and then drive straight to Magic Kingdom. That means parking, tram, monorail/ferry.

Even if you get a rental car, I think I would still just go straight to BLT to park. Not sure if you have to actually check in before you can head to the park, but it would save the trip at the end of the night so you could just walk back to BLT.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Orlando baggage is very slow. We were there n March and waited almost 30 min for luggage.

 

[AngiTN]

You may save some time driving yourself but it's not likely to be much
The drive from the airport to Disney is 30 min, so that time is fixed no matter who is driving
You have to factor in getting your bags. That is probably equal to the time you'd take to board ME and depart. So it would be a wash, most likely
There would be no need to go to TTC though. Since you are staying at BLT you just drive there and walk over. This may be where you'd save time. Leave your bags in the car till later vs. having to drop them with bell services

 

[seashoreCM]

Some time will be consumed inspecting the car before you drive off.

You may need to do preliminary check in (at that hour it will actually be real check in) to get your parking pass (could be virtual i.e. registered only in computers) and get your park passes or Magic Bands if they came with a room package.

 

[keishashadow]

(1) Assuming we land at 5:30 pm, if I take DME I should expect to be at my resort around 7pm. If we are staying at Bay Lake Tower, could I just drop carry on with bell services and head into the park?

(2) When we rent through national we just have a car waiting for us (no rental counter line). We could get our own bags (20-30 minutes to actually deplane and get luggage?), and then drive straight to Magic Kingdom. That means parking, tram, monorail/ferry.

Either way we have bag security and lines (which I'm guessing aren't bad for the evening).

Deciding whether to do the MNSSHP the night we land. It is my favorite Disney party. I don't need to be there early, as it would be more about the parade and other entertainment. I wouldn't be trying for the long character lines. There are other flights I can take where I land at 4:05 - but that is with connections which adds another variable.

Anyone try anything like this before?

don't advise trying to work in a party. If your flight is delayed you would be out of luck on any party tickets you purchased - non-refundable. I wouldn't chance it.

Checking in @ BLT should be relatively quick @ 7 pm but you could just valet your car & drop your bags & check in later. I'd make sure to alert the hotel desk you would be a very late checkin-possibly after midnight so there is no confusion as to your room being held.

if you have park tickets and old set of MB, both associated with your thread you'd be good to go but no charging privedges.

Are you DVC? if so, could enjoy the Top of the World Lounge - a great view of the FW. Better yet, you might even be able to watch them from your balcony as the music is piped into your room on the tv.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would DME, check in (so they know you are there), and head to WDW, if you "must" go to the party that night. But, honestly, I wouldn't buy any non refundable tickets for the arrival night...too much can go wrong that will leave you not being able to attend at all..