How long from MCO to POP??

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Assuming our flight is not delayed , how long should I expect it to take from the airport to the lobby of POP?

We arrive Saturday, Dec 12 at 4:30 on SW.

I'm considering TS vs CS meals for arrival night and would like a feel for what time I should try to get an ADR. Still don't know where we'll eat, likely a resort and not park.

Also, we leave Sunday, Dec 20 at 6:30 PM. What would be our absolute latest time to leave a park and not feel rushed getting to MCO?

Could someone explain to how ME works with SW? Can we just leave our bags with an attendant in the lobby of POP in the AM and expect them to make it to MCO to fly home with us? Or do we have to return to POP, claim our bags from luggage storage, then grab ME to airport?

Just wondering if we could catch ME from a resort that is closer to whatever park we end our visit in, rather than take Disney bus back to POP, and then ME?

Thanks for the tips. This a first for us and we ALWAYS have lollygaggers.

 

[Missytara]

I would figure ninety minutes from the time you get off the plane, to the time when you are checking in at the resort.

You will need to check into the resort to get your KTTW cards. You won't be able to get into any of the parks until you do this.

On the ride home, you must board the bus three hours before your departure time. Your reservation for the ME will be from your resort, so you must be back there in time. For instance, if your flight leaves at 6:30 pm, you board the bus at 3:00 pm. They leave at the top of each hour.

Since POP is doing a test with SW, you will be able to utilize the check out counter at the resort. You will need your KTTW card and a photo ID, along with your confirmation number for your flight. They will tag your bags and send them off to the airport. I believe they open at 6:00 am.

If you need assistance getting your bags to the lobby, like me, since I travel by myself, you want to go to Guest Services about two days before you leave. They will send a golf cart around to your room; I usually tip them a couple of dollars a bag.

Enjoy. I fly Airtran every year and stay at POR. This is one of the greatest services. It really makes your vacation.

 

[Missytara]

Oops, I think the desk is open 6 am to 1 pm, therefore you will have to check your bags on the way to the park.

The check-out desk will be a temporary desk set up in the lobby......

I have a similar situation. My plane leaves at 6:15 pm, so I have to be on the bus at 3:00 pm. I leave the park by 2:00 pm, so I have plenty of time when I return. That is still pretty good.....nice to get an extra half day in.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm going to assume that the test phase of RAC and SW at POP is going to be a permanent thing...so, you should be able to check your bags right at the resort that morning and say goodbye to them. You can do that as early as 5am I believe..that's what time the counter opens at the other resorts.

For your arrival..if your flight is ontime at 4:30, you should be at POP by 6, at the latest. You will want to check in, and freshen up before heading out to eat. The biggest issue you will have is the best way to get to another resort to eat. You may want to just head to DTD and grab something there. Otherwise, you'll have to take a bus from POP to a park, and then transfer to the other resort bus. Then reverse it going back to POP.

For your departure at 6:30...you will be given a pickup time of about 3:30, give or take a few mins either way. That means you need to be back at POP, carryon bags in hand, ready to go at the DME bus stop, about 15 mins before that stated pickup time. That time is the departure time, not the time you should start heading to the bus stop! If you are in a park prior to that, I would plan on leaving the park by 2:15ish...just to be safe.
I have a 7pm flight, going home next month...I'm not using DME but still plan on being back at my resort by 4:30 or so...with the 30 min ride to MCO, I should be there by 5-5:30.

You are not allowed to leave from any other resort..your ride on DME is tied to your resort reservation. Means you have to be at your resort in time to get on the bus. If you miss your assigned bus, you may be out of luck. The buses do not automatically stop at each resort. So, it could be another hour before a bus comes along...and it may be too full to accomodate your group.

 

[pennymom]

I agree with everyone above, especially being a bit early for your scheduled bus time. The last thing you need on your last day is to miss the bus!

We'll be at POP Dec 12-19 too...have fun!