How long does Magical Express take?

[Eliserose]

Our flight is arriving at 9:50. What time should we figure on getting to our hotel (CR)? Hoping to do HS that day. It's our first time, so not sure how long the travel time is. Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our flight is arriving at 9:50. What time should we figure on getting to our hotel (CR)? Hoping to do HS that day. It's our first time, so not sure how long the travel time is. Thanks!

The airport is only about 30-35 minutes from WDW, however, between getting off the plane, checking in at magical express area and waiting for a bus, you might not get to the resort until 1-2 hours later.

 

[Marionnette]

Our flight arrived at 9:20 and we were checked into our resort by 11:00.

BUT...
We were two adults traveling without small children and only one carry on item. It was easy for us to travel from the gate to the ME area.

AND...
We had our ME vouchers already. If you don't have your documents, you need to stop at the ME desk to get them.

PLUS...
Our bus was waiting when we arrived at ME so we didn't have a long wait. Sometimes there is a long wait for the bus for your resort.

AND FINALLY...
Our resort was the first stop. There can be three (maybe even 4?) resorts on the route. At each stop, people will have to get off the bus and gather any bags that they stored beneath the bus. Even if each stop lasts only 5 minutes, it could add 15 minutes to your commute if your resort is the last on the list.

The actual time between MCO and WDW is about 20 minutes once you get on the road.

 

[Eliserose]

Thanks. We do have 3 kids and checked bags. I have the vouchers (I think), I'll have to double check that! We are staying at CR-do they go in a certain order?

 

[nolanboys]

Thanks. We do have 3 kids and checked bags. I have the vouchers (I think), I'll have to double check that! We are staying at CR-do they go in a certain order?

If you have checked bags, put the wdw stickers on them and have them delivered to your room. So much easier! I packed our swimsuits in a carryon bag and one change of clothes in case something happened. The rest of our stuff we had them deliver. We make a dash to ME and so far we've always lucked out and hopped right on a bus.

 

[Eliserose]

Thanks for the advice! I have the tags, will be sure to do that and pack some clothes in my carry-on.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks. We do have 3 kids and checked bags. I have the vouchers (I think), I'll have to double check that! We are staying at CR-do they go in a certain order?

The monorail resorts share transportation many times. You could be on a bus with people heading to the Poly and GF, in which case you will be the first stop.

But sometimes CR shares with WL and the campground. If that's the case, you could be the last stop.

 

[goofy4tink]

Average time, from gate to resort, is about 70/75 mins. It can be less than that though. Allow 90 mins and you'll be quite happy with your time. Only once has it taken close to 90 mins for me...that time there was a ton of luggage to be off-loaded at the first two resorts, and then, at Pop, the third resort (it's usually the first), the driver held us on the bus until he had unloaded all the remaining luggage!!! I was not a happy camper. I had no bags, so no need for me to wait. They are not allowed to hold you on the bus anymore.

There really are not set routes. But, with that being said, CR is often lumped together with FtW and WL. But, there really is no way to be sure since a route can change during the day.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I normally figure 3 hours from touch down to the parks. That includes getting on ME, checking in, and getting on bus to park and getting there.

 

[trekker93]

It's typically taken 40-45 minutes from the time we get off the plane, walk to ME, get in line, get on the bus and then drive over to POP. Once is was longer because we had to wait for people while the bus was loading. But otherwise, under an hour.

 

[Pills]

The monorail resorts share transportation many times. You could be on a bus with people heading to the Poly and GF, in which case you will be the first stop.

But sometimes CR shares with WL and the campground. If that's the case, you could be the last stop.

Last time we were at WL, we arrived around 1:00 PM, and shared ME with all of the monorail resorts. He dropped us off after the Poly and the GF.

 

[vettegirl]

Everytime we use it we are normally from the time the plane lands to walking into my resort about an hour. I the ME!!! I wish DL had it!

 

[elaw]

We had the absolute best case scenario our last trip in April. We arrived from LAX to MCO around 7:00am (Red Eye), Walked down to the ME counter (We were the only guests there), they immediately put us on the bus, (We were the only ones on the bus) and it immediately left for our resort. It was like having our own personal HUGE taxi cab!! It took about 25 mins from the time we got on the bus until we arrived at POR. POR even had a room ready for us (super early check-in).

 

[sndral]

Our flight is arriving at 9:50. What time should we figure on getting to our hotel (CR)? Hoping to do HS that day. It's our first time, so not sure how long the travel time is. Thanks!

9:50 am or pm? If 9:50 am you should have no problem going to DHS on your arrival day. If your room isn't ready, just leave your carry on @ bell services and catch the bus to DHS.
The only time we have been dropped first was when we stayed at the Poly, GF and CR were also on that bus. They usually have 3 resorts on any given bus, although last Dec. we ended up on a bus that stopped at Pop, all 3 AStars, CBR and CSR then finally AKL - it was the ME worst case scenario and still took only 2&1/2 hrs from deplane to arrival @ AKL (plus I saw a lot of resorts I'd never seen before
Sometimes the bus waits awhile @ the airport for more people to board. Sometimes people are slow to get off and the bus driver gets off at each stop and pulls out their luggage from below the bus - and some people have a lot of luggage to be off loaded.
If you post your question over on the transportation section you may get more answers.

 

[brernick]

Make sure your bags are taged to go to your hotel and pack a small carry on bag with necessities. This could save a half hour.

Buses always seem to be loading. So not much time is spent waiting for a bus.

Making stops to other hotels before yours can eat up a lot of time.

Most bus drivers try to make your trip to WDW fun so you forget about the time and distance.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

We stayed at CR in August of 2010. Our plane landed around 10pm. Our bus was shared with GF, Poly and WL and we were the last stop. We got to the resort around 11:15pm. It didn't bother us that it was the last stop, we were in no hurry, but we didn't have a park to get to that night. I don't know if they share with the other resorts earlier in the day.

I looove ME and I've never had a bad experience with them!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've probably used ME about 8 times and generally have very good service. The last time I used them I had to wait an hour for a bus. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a bus to arrive and then the line was so long we didn't get on that bus.

I now find it works for me to budget the $100 for round trip town car service which also includes a grocery stop. I can see how others love the free ME service and the luggage delivery service.

I check my luggage at the resort for return service. I really prefer the direct town car service to the airport than using ME. Even though they pick up 3 hours before the flight vs 2 hours with the town car I think I end up at the airport faster with the towncar. ME has to stop and load at other resorts along the way. I also prefer to cry in private as I say goodbye to Mickey.

 

[scootch]

Several years ago CR was the last stop. We got off the first stop and took the monorail around and beat the bus there.

 

[Minnesota!]

After we land, we hit the bathrooms to freshen up, then grab lunch/dinner at the fast food place in our concourse. THen another quick trip to the bathroom to wash up, etc. and go to ME.

Even with all of this, it has never taken us more than 90 minutes from gate to resort....and we have had to wait at times for long lines down at DME.

DME is an awesome service...even better that it's free.

 

[DummbGiRL]

We had the absolute best case scenario our last trip in April. We arrived from LAX to MCO around 7:00am (Red Eye), Walked down to the ME counter (We were the only guests there), they immediately put us on the bus, (We were the only ones on the bus) and it immediately left for our resort. It was like having our own personal HUGE taxi cab!! It took about 25 mins from the time we got on the bus until we arrived at POR. POR even had a room ready for us (super early check-in).

That's awesome! Cross my fingers I get this luck in Oct! Our Red Eye gets in at 6am. It probably won't, so definitely need to figure out a back up plan of what to do from 7:30am until Epcot opens. Maybe look into breakfast ADR at Kona with coffee!