How long does it take to get to resort with Magical Express?

[jeannebrown]

If our flight arrives at 9:00am in Orlando, and we have Magical Express to the Contemporary, what's a realistic time to expect to arrive at our resort for check-in? I know our luggage will arrive much later. Thanks.

 

[Kathy Z]

Best-case scenario: about 50 minutes. Average: expect 90 minutes. Worst-case: 2 hours.

 

[RMulieri]

Best-case scenario: about 50 minutes. Average: expect 90 minutes. Worst-case: 2 hours.

2nd this

 

[butiflfeet]

The PP got it pretty right on! On our last trip we stayed at the Contemporary and after we checked in at the ME counter at the airport, waited for a bus to show up, waited for the bus to fill up, then leave the airport it took about 45 minutes from when we walked off our plane.

Once you're on your way the ME bus stopped at the Poly, Grand Floridian and WL before getting to the Contemporary. This took about another 45 agonizing minutes.

So, if your flight arrives at 9am, I'd expect to get to the resort for check in around 10:30/11am to be safe.

 

[siskaren]

I've only done it twice but both times was about 90 minutes from the time the plane landed til I got to the resort, and the first time was with no line at the DME counter, while the second time had a pretty decent line (late afternoon arrival vs late morning arrival.)

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[DISKATER69]

It also depends on whether or not the bus was already there when you get to the stop. Also when you are on the way to your resort they play a video on tvs inside and it really makes the time pass a little bit faster. The video also helps you get even more pumped up about the trip. (Believe me it actually is possible)

 

[CleveRocks]

I timed it all 3 times I used it.

From airplane exit to resort drop-off, my times were 63 minutes, 56 minutes and 57 minutes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here is a 'general' breakdown of times...
10-20 mins from plane to DME checkin counter..depends on your pace and any stops you may make.

1-20 mins in line at the counter to checkin...again, depends on the number of guests ahead of you.

2-10 mins at the counter. I've never spent more than 3 mins but I'm pretty conversant in what they need.

0-20 mins in the bus line...depends on if the bus is there, loading or if you have to wait after one pulls away as you arrive.

0-25 mins on the bus, at MCO..again, depends on where you fall in line..you could board at the end so the bus will leave as soon as you are seated. Or, you could be the first to board and have to wait up to 25 mins, while others board.

30-45 mins to the resorts...depends on which stop you are. If you are the first stop, it should be about 30 min. The last stop? 45 mins or more.


I have had times between 55 and 85 mins...the average time being about 70 mins. Only one trip was more than 70 mins and that one time all steps were quick until POP got to be the last of three stops. And there was a lot of luggage to be off-loaded at each of the first two stops...if I remember correctly we were at CSR and AKL about 10-15 mins each in order to get luggage and guests off the bus.

 

[DebbieB]

A friend of mine used it to AKV Kidani on Wednesday, it was about 70 min, the bus stopped at CSR & AKV Jambo before.

 

[mickeem]

Is there information somewhere about which resorts are on which ME line??

I saw that Polynesian, GF, WL, and comtemporary are on one line??

DO they always stop at a particular resort first, or it is dependent on the driver which one he stops at first??

So, if I was going to the Polynesian.. which stop would I be...

 

[CleveRocks]

Is there information somewhere about which resorts are on which ME line??

I saw that Polynesian, GF, WL, and comtemporary are on one line??

DO they always stop at a particular resort first, or it is dependent on the driver which one he stops at first??

So, if I was going to the Polynesian.. which stop would I be...

There are no pre-set groupings of resorts. There are "zones," but the buses aren't always grouped by zones .. it all depends on the reservations they have ... they'll set things up to be the most efficient possible.

Each bus can make a maximum of 4 stops. If the bus has resorts from two or more zones, that maximum is reduced to 3, to help out with the extra travel time.

Each driver is free to decide the order of drop-offs. The only exception is that if there are Grand FLoridian guests on-board, they are to be dropped-off first ... except if there are also Polynesian guests on that same bus, in which case THEY get dropped-off first, then GF second. That's because a motorcoach coming from GF would be physically unable to make the left turn into the Poly complex from that direction.

 

[KSBelle]

Something NEW at DME---
Just came back from a trip to WDW May 24-June 1-
When we got down to the DME counter line a CM asked if we had our booklet (which we did). He then had us bypass the counter and go directly to the resort line-up area where another CM scanned our booklet and sent us on. Don't know if this is something new or if they do it all/part time.
This was at 7:00pm and no one was at the counter checking in.

 

[goofy4tink]

Something NEW at DME---
Just came back from a trip to WDW May 24-June 1-
When we got down to the DME counter line a CM asked if we had our booklet (which we did). He then had us bypass the counter and go directly to the resort line-up area where another CM scanned our booklet and sent us on. Don't know if this is something new or if they do it all/part time.
This was at 7:00pm and no one was at the counter checking in.

We're hearing of this happening more and more. I wonder if they are making it a more permanent thing.

 

[mousefan1972]

Is there information somewhere about which resorts are on which ME line??

I saw that Polynesian, GF, WL, and comtemporary are on one line??

DO they always stop at a particular resort first, or it is dependent on the driver which one he stops at first??

So, if I was going to the Polynesian.. which stop would I be...

In my experience, first. I have stayed at the MK resorts, using ME, a total of 7 times. Each time, the route has been Poly, GF, WL, Contemporary. Returning to the airport, same route but reversed.