From MCO -> POP

[Karin1984]

Dear all,

One week before arrival and I am re-thinking my plans to go from MCO to POP. I’m travelling with a friend, but she is on a different flight.

What I had planned:
Both of us go, separately, by DME to the resort. It’s free, we are on a budget. International travelers so we have to handle our luggage, but that’s not an issue. We are both used to using public transportation for everything.

I arrive at 5:30 pm, so I should arrive at the resort between 7 and 8. Get something to eat and wait for her to arrive.
My friend arrives at 10:30pm, and even though DME runs 24/7, I read now that there are fewer buses in the late hours and therefore they also stop at more resorts. This could result in her arriving at the resort between 1 and 2am…

Did I mention we plan to rope drop MK the next day and stay in the park till closing ;-) (9am park opening)

What can we/she do?

I go with DME as planned. She can take a taxi, which is so much quicker, but would costs around $60-70. This is a lot of money for us, especially when it’s for 1 person only. I would prefer Uber, but I read Uber is not allowed to pick up at MCO. Is that still the case?

I could… stay at MCO for about 5 hours, get something to eat there and wait for her. When we take the same bus, if it takes hours and hours, we will at least be tired together the next day. If we take a taxi, we can split the costs.

TIA!

 

[seashoreCM]

If you head for the resort as soon as you get to MCO, then you could get most things set up and be done with the bathroom so when your friend arrives she can get to bed more quickly.

Psst! If you forego Magical Express and wait for your friend and then split a taxi, the two of you together save zero dollars compared with your taking DME separately earlier.

If you head for the resort as son as you get to MCO and end up getting a better night's sleep, then letting your friend set the pace the next day will result in at least the same number of things accomplished compared with the two of you being tired together.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Our last two trips we arrived at MCO at approx 11:30pm... after collecting our luggage & boarding the DME we headed off to our resorts within 10 minutes of getting on the coach.

Our August/14 trip we arrived at the Yacht Club at around 1:20am after stops at AoA, CBR, Boardwalk then YC.(continuing on to BC) Late yes, but less then 2 hrs. In December it was pretty much the same to Wilderness Lodge, except we only stopped at CBR & POP before arriving at WL at about 12:55am, not much different then a daytime arrival.

I would go with the plan that you go directly to POP and your traveling partner do what they are most comfortable with when she arrives. Five hours at MCO waiting for your friend (who could have unexpected delays) would be tedious after an overseas flight. Not to mention any delay will turn 5 hours into more hours spent waiting in the airport.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

***double post deleted***

 

[OKW Lover]

My friend arrives at 10:30pm, and even though DME runs 24/7, I read now that there are fewer buses in the late hours and therefore they also stop at more resorts. This could result in her arriving at the resort between 1 and 2am…

I wouldn't expect it to take that long for your friend to get to the resort on DME. I'm not sure how long it will take to clear customs at MCO when you arrive, but once you do that and drag bags to the DME counter it should be less than 30 minutes before the bus leaves. The ride to WDW is about 30 minutes so then its just a question of what other stops the bus might make before yours.

 

[Karin1984]

Thanks for the input, people! We will stick to the plan. A taxi might only save 30 minutes in the end. Which is not worth $60.

We are there for 10 days, so if my friend is really tired, we can skip RD or leave the park before the evening shows start. Our first FP doesn't expire till 11am.

 

[wdwrich]

If you head for the resort as soon as you get to MCO, then you could get most things set up and be done with the bathroom so when your friend arrives she can get to bed more quickly.

Psst! If you forego Magical Express and wait for your friend and then split a taxi, the two of you together save zero dollars compared with your taking DME separately earlier.

If you head for the resort as son as you get to MCO and end up getting a better night's sleep, then letting your friend set the pace the next day will result in at least the same number of things accomplished compared with the two of you being tired together.

Since the OP arrives at 5:30pm, the wait for the friend would be at least 5 hours. Probably not worth the money saved on a taxi.

 

[BSBNess]

I have waited 4 hours for a friend at an airport for a friend. It was Miami's. I was coming from Canada and she was coming from Washington State. I got there way before even though she left before. It was the longest 4 hours of my life. Don't do this lol I had to wait because the hotel was booked in her name. Don't do this lol