Estimate on how long to get from airport to the Contemporary using MDE?

[Vincent405]

I am wondering how long to estimate it will take to get to the Contemporary after we land. My plan is to get our own baggage from bag claim (had an issue with MDE doing it all last time), then heading to the bus and the resort. I'm trying to decide what time a good lunch reservation time would be.

Yes, I know the plane could get delayed, etc., I'll act on that if it happens. Timeframe is mid-January, mid-week.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[sam_gordon]

I am wondering how long to estimate it will take to get to the Contemporary after we land. My plan is to get our own baggage from bag claim (had an issue with MDE doing it all last time), then heading to the bus and the resort. I'm trying to decide what time a good lunch reservation time would be.

Yes, I know the plane could get delayed, etc., I'll act on that if it happens. Timeframe is mid-January, mid-week.

Any help is appreciated.

Budget 2 hours.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't make an ADR for less than 3 hours after your arrival time.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Even though we usually arrive before 10:00, we never schedule a lunch ADR on that day. We'll just do QS and plan on a nice dinner.

There are just too many variables that go into the timing. Is the plane on time? How long to get your bags? When you do get to DME, did a bus just leave and you have to wait for the next? Or are you able to get right on? How many stops before yours? All these things are totally up in the air and you have no control over any of them.

I don't want to be stressed because we have an ADR we're trying to make. On the other hand, I don't want to schedule one for later, have everything go off like clockwork, and then want to sit down to lunch and my reservation isn't until two hours later.

 

[DvF Diva]

We arrived on a Sunday late afternoon in mid-February and the BLT/Contemporary was the 2nd stop on our MDE. It took us under 45 min to get to our resort from the bus stop at MCO, but then it took over an hour to check in. The driver decides the order to drop off people, so it can vary depending on who (which resorts driver needs to hit) is on your bus.
I would budget 2 hr from plane arrival to resort. Then time to get to ADR. It might be a tight squeeze to get to a dinner ADR that isn't close to your resort, keep in mind.

Good luck!

 

[purple figment]

I wouldn't make an ADR for less than 3 hours after your arrival time.

I agree. We always allow 3 hours. It's no fun starting a vacation rushing around and clock watching.

 

[ready123go]

I would make a dinner ressie, not a lunch reservation. We usually grab a quick lunch at either the origin airport or MCO, then go down to ME. That way we aren't starving and/or rushing when we get to the resort.

Otherwise, I vote for 3 hours.

 

[goofy4tink]

The one time I booked something for within 3 hrs of my airport arrival time, was the one time my flight arrived 3 hrs late!!! We left Boston at the time we should have been landing in Orlando....mechanical issue and they had to bring in another plane. I missed that function completely!!!
I try not to book anything that close to arrival. So, figure on at least 2 hrs from gate to resort if you are getting your own bags. It usually takes an average of 75 mins from gate to resort, but that's an average...it could take as little as 60 mins, or as long as 90 (or more). Add the time to get bags and you're at the two hour mark.

I would really plan on grabbing something quick for lunch and planning a nicer dinner.