Enough time?

[Philly81]

I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong folder. I wasn't sure if it belonged in resorts, dining, or transportation. We are arriving on Friday June 9th and our flight lands (supposedly) at 5:18 p.m. We will be using Magical Express (for the first time) to go to POR. Do you think, given these times, we'd be able to check in, freshen up just a little, and get to the YC to dine at the Yachtsman? If so, what time AR should I make?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd say around 9
You have to get from the plane to your resort, remembering that because the plane lands at 5:18 doesn't mean that's when it gets to the gate; let's say you get off at 5:30. Ten minutes to DME, twenty minutes to check in and board your bus, 45 minutes to your resort (bus will probably stop at one or more other resorts first), ten minutes to check in, twenty minutes to get to your room and freshen up. Okay, now it's 7:15. Thirty minutes to get from your room to the bus stop and then on to a switching location since no bus goes from resort to resort. Say you choose MGM. Then twenty minutes for the boat or bus to Yacht Club. It's recommended you arrive five to ten minutes early.
Since all times above are ideal, that is, your transportation is ready to go when you arrive at the waiting area and goes directly to your switching location, build in an extra half hour for when this doesn't happen. Voila! 9 PM!
Of course, you can save a great deal of time by taking a cab from POFQ to YC.

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't expect to get to your hotel until at least 1 hour after your flight lands, perhaps longer. If you're lucky, check-in will be brief - say 15 minutes. Then you've got to get to your room and "freshen up", say 45 minutes. Then you've got to get from your hotel to the Yachtsman, which means taking a bus or taxi. A taxi would get you there in only 10-15 minutes. Bus will be much longer since you'll have to take it to one of the parks (or downtown Disney) and then another bus to the Yacht Club. Allow probably an hour for that. Adding it all up, I'd suggest making reservations for nothing earlier than 8:30. You may do better, but I wouldn't plan on it.