How long does it take to get to Disney from airport?

[minmate]

Just wondering if anyone knows the average amount of time it takes going from the airport to Disney. There'll be 8 of us -- 4 adults, 4 kids, being picked up by Happy Limos town car... with a 15 min. grocery stop. Our plane lands at 2:45 p.m. and I am trying to figure out if it's worth using one of our parkhoppers to go into one of the parks that night. (june 11th) we're staying at the GF and our choices are to either:

1) get checked in, hang out at the pool and have dinner at Park Fare w/Cinderella & Friends

2) Buy tickets for e-night (if still available as we'll be getting in so late this day) Head to MGM to try and catch the 5:30 parade (my kids love this afternoon parade) -- get a quick eat, and try to do Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney -- MAYBE B&B. Then head over to MK for the e-nite if we got tix.

3) Try to get tix for e-night... Head straight to MK and do one or two rides before lining up for Spectro/Wishes. Stay for E-night.

We have an easy flight in -- kids won't have to get up early this morning to get on the plane (doesn't leave home until noon) -- so they shouldn't be tired.

We'll only have 3 full days of parks after that, and then a fourth day -- only until 3ish before we have to get ready to leave again. I have made a 2nd PS for Park Fare later in the trip that would work out and would probably be able to catch Spectro/Wishes on another night... but I'm not sure we have that much time dedicated to MGM -- def. wouldn't be there in the eve again to catch the parade or B&B if it's only showing in the afternoons.

Please let me know what time I can reasonable expect to be able to be heading to a park with a 2:45 airport arrival and which, if any of the above ideas seems to be the best start to the trip. Any alternate ideas are def. welcome too!
Thanks, Mindy

 

[jimmiej]

Arriving at 2:45

Retrieve luggage by 3:15?

With grocery stop, trip should take roughly 45 minutes.

You should be at GF by 4:00

If you have bell services take your bags to the room, you might save some time. A few minutes to check in...a few more minutes to get to the park...

I think you're looking at 4:30 at least.

We face the same dilema (sp?) on the 12th at CR. We're just going to check out the resort, swim, Chef Mickey's for dinner & watch the water parade (I always forget what that's called). Enjoy your trip. I'll have my lime green DIS lanyard on-if you see me, say hi!!!

 

[sadiebug]

I think the above post seems pretty accurate. I would probably alot an extra 15-30 minutes though. It depends on how soon you get your luggage, how long the lines are at the grocery store, and traffic......

 

[Chicago526]

jimmiej has it about right. BF and I are also getting in around 5ish on a Friday night. We're just going to check in, change clothes, explore the CR and go to the California Grill for dinner and hopefully catch some fireworks at MK from the restaurant.

But we're staying for 8 nights and have 7 full days in the parks, so a night off is warented!

 

[jel0511]

If your plane lands on time, this isn't a guarantee, with all the people and luggage to coordinate into cars, etc, you're looking at arriving at the EARLIEST 4PM, but my guestimation would be closer to 4:30 or so. If you're at the gate on time at 2:45, you have to deplane, take the monorail back to the main terminal and wait and collect all luggage, that places you at 3:30 in my book. Then 15 - 30 minutes to get everything to and into the cars, since the limos can no longer just wait at curbside. The ride from MCO to GF is about 40 to 45 minutes, since the GF is the deepest resort into WDW. And the 15 minute stop, might be slightly longer. On the long side, you might not arrive until well after 5:30, which wouldn't give you much time left for the day. I think trying to check-in and make it over to MGM wouldn't happen unless your plane arrives early. Personally, why rush. If you have the park day to use, I"d use it, even if I couldn't get e-might tickets. I'd also only plan on heading to MK after arriving. It's the closest and most convient. If you have to day to burn, go for it, but if you don't, then I'd save it. It sounds like you have 4 day hopper passes, and I'd personally use it for the last day, then that first day. You'll have to check-out of your room at 11AM, so you'll be homeless from then to you have to elave for your flight. I'd just hang at GF for the night and enjoy the resort. You can eat at 1900 Park Fare (or head over to Chef Mickeys or Ohaha you're not tied to the GF) then head for a late night swim. Enjoy watching Wishes from the courtyard outside Gasparilla's, and the Electric Water Pagent from the beach. It would be for a most relaxing first day!

 

[puffkin]

I personally would skip the parks that night and do a nice dinner and hit the pool or catch the fireworks from the beach. With that many people to move around, it might take longer than you think. Also, for E-ride, you have to use a day of your park hopper plus pay the extra cost of the E-ride ticket, so that would be a very expensive couple of hours. If you family is raring to go but you decide against the park, Downtown Disney would be fun or play a round of miniature golf at one of the courses. Travel often wears people out, so I wouldn't plan too much that first night.

 

[ktulu]

Forever if you have to pee!

darrrren

 

[FatCow]

don't forget to take possible flight delay into consideration.