How long does check-in take?

[Hippychickali]

I'm just curious. My DFi and I won't be in a rush or anything when we go to pre-register for our room (other than the usual WDW jitteriness) but how long do you suppose it will take us to do this? I'm trying to figure out when we can expect to be in the parks. We land in Orlando at 11:30am. We are using ME to get to the resort (All-Star Sports). So, it will probably take awhile being July 3rd and all and arriving with a bus load of people but how long would you say it would take at most? We are going straight from check-in to Epcot. When can we expect to be in the parks? (I don't even know how long the bus ride would take.) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ali

 

[Bob P]

Hi Ali,

Hard to tell about ME since it hasn't started yet, but my best guess would be (assuming your flight is on time):

Arrive at ASSp about 1:00-1:15
Check in--about 20-30 minutes minimum, since it's ME and it's July 3
Arrive at Epcot some time after 2:00.


I could very well be wrong with any or all of these thoughts, but I thought I'd take a crack at it!

Good luck,

Bob

 

[vacationwoman]

Me time factor is unknown until it's been in practice for a while.
Assuming you leave the airport by 12:30 you could be at your hotel anywhere from 1 to 2:30 depending on where your hotel stop is on the route.
Lets assume you get there by 1:30. July 3rd is bound to be a busy check in day and could take an hour or more to check in.
After you check in and have your room key (even if your room is not ready yet) then you can head out to the park. It's about a 12 minute bus ride from your hotel.

 

[maryliz]

Hi Ali. Totally depends on how many others are there at the same time trying to check-in. Given that you are using ME, I would suspect that there will be some others arriving at the same time as you. We gone many times and sometimes walked right up to the counter, but we have waited for over an hour to check-in before ... and that was at 9PM and we drove so weren't arriving with a busload of others. The travel time from resort to airport is close to 25 minutes of driving time. And you need to wait for luggage, ME, and potentially drop off at other resorts. I think you'll be lucky to be checked in by 2:30. The resorts will be very, very busy that day I would suspect.

Just MHO.

MaryLiz

 

[Hippychickali]

And you need to wait for luggage, ME, and potentially drop off at other resorts. I think you'll be lucky to be checked in by 2:30. The resorts will be very, very busy that day I would suspect.

Thank you all for your quick responses. So, would you think it's safe to say we would be in the parks by 3? I am making a PS for 4 in Mexico. Also, how long do you suppose it will take us once we actually get to the park to get through the gates and on our way?

This is OT but Maryliz, we won't have to wait for luggage since we are doing ME, right? Won't it be brought to our room?

Ali

 

[fantavet]

Thank you all for your quick responses. So, would you think it's safe to say we would be in the parks by 3? I am making a PS for 4 in Mexico. Also, how long do you suppose it will take us once we actually get to the park to get through the gates and on our way?

This is OT but Maryliz, we won't have to wait for luggage since we are doing ME, right? Won't it be brought to our room?

Ali

Regarding ME they will take your luggage. Once you place your luggage on the plane you will not see it again until it is in your room.

 

[Hippychickali]

Regarding ME they will take your luggage. Once you place your luggage on the plane you will not see it again until it is in your room.

Thanks for confirming that. I was so excited for my trip anyway but when they announced ME that sent me over the top. Imagine...not having to tote along my luggage! It may be a small thing for some but for me that's huge.

Ali

 

[fantavet]

Thanks for confirming that. I was so excited for my trip anyway but when they announced ME that sent me over the top. Imagine...not having to tote along my luggage! It may be a small thing for some but for me that's huge.

Ali

I agree totally. It is a small thing or so it seems but what a stress relief it is. Have not done it yet at Disney, but the ME concept was adapted from their cruise line where they have been doing it since they launched. Same thing. Loaded my bags at the airport and they were in my cabin at arrival (well an hour and a half after my arrival, they were moving luggage for a couple thousand people at once).

Assuming they follow the cruise express plan...when you land in Orlando there will be a someone holding a sign (most likely saying Disney), just follow that person to a shuttle. Off to your resort. Again you may beat your luggage there so you might want to pack a swimsuit in your carry on.

 

[Hippychickali]

Again you may beat your luggage there so
you might want to pack a swimsuit in your carry on.

That's ok. We are there before 3pm anyway so they would be holding our luggage regardless. We won't need the swimsuits with us as the plan is to head straight for Epcot.

Ali

 

[maryliz]

Completely forgot that ME takes care of getting your baggage from the airport to your resort! Given that, you will probably be wisked from the airport rather quickly. Hopefully given the peak time, they will have all available windows open at the check-in desk to help speed up the process.

MaryLiz

 

[Hippychickali]

Well, I made my PS today at San Angel Inn in Mexico for 4:30pm. So, I think that should give us plenty of time.

Ali

 

[Lewisc]

Well, I made my PS today at San Angel Inn in Mexico for 4:30pm. So, I think that should give us plenty of time.

Ali

I wouldn't worry about it because it's not the end of the world if you miss your PS. I wouldn't book a PS that has a penalty associated with it. Your flight can be delayed or canceled.

 

[Hippychickali]

I wouldn't worry about it because it's not the end of the world if you miss your PS. I wouldn't book a PS that has a penalty associated with it. Your flight can be delayed or canceled.

If we miss it we miss it but in the planning process I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it's at a time that we could possibly be there.

Ali

 

[Lewisc]

If we miss it we miss it but in the planning process I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it's at a time that we could possibly be there.

Ali

I think your time is realistic unless you get delayed with your flight. If you were leaving in the winter from the NE I probably wouldn't book it.