How long from MCO to Resort?

[hershey4]

If I have a 4:30 flight out of MCO, what time will Magical Express want us to leave from POFQ?

Also, if my flight lands at MCO at 10:23pm, what time will I most likely arrive at POFQ using Magical Express, keeping in mind that I'll have to collect my own luggage since it's after 10pm?

 

[sam_gordon]

Plan on your ME bus leaving POFQ @ 1:30P (I assume afternoon) +/- 15 minutes. So the bus could leave as early as 1:15 or as late as 1:45. You need to be AT the ME pickup spot, WITH all associated carryons, luggage, etc AT LEAST 15 minutes ahead of the stated time.

Assuming flight lands at MCO @ 10:23, I'd guess you'd be on the WDW grounds around midnight, at your resort by 12:30. Figure by the time you get your luggage, and get to the ME area, it's 11. Let's say you have to wait 20-30 minutes for the bus to fill & leave, 30 minute ride + 30 minutes for other stops (assuming yours is the last of 3 or 4 stops). IMO, this is a "worst case scenario", but what I would plan on (so if it happens quicker, I'd be happy).

 

[hershey4]

Thanks, Sam. I think I might try to look for different flights. I didn't think we'd be getting to FQ quite so late. I'm also trying to salvage part of the last day, but with a 4:30 pm flight, it would ultimately give us very little time in any park that day.

 

[sam_gordon]

Another option for you...

Fly in the night before you check into POFQ. Stay at the Airport Hilton. Get up the next morning and hop on ME to POFQ (of course, making reservations for that morning).

I'm not sure if this part is possible, but if you DO put the luggage tags on your checked luggage, arrive late, but don't pick up your luggage, will DME deliver the next morning (when they "open")? Then just have overnight clothes in your carryon(s). Just a thought.

 

[hershey4]

Thanks, but we're stuck with not leaving home until mid-afternoon. My teens will already be missing 2 days of school, and I'm trying to avoid a full 3rd day. It was MUCH easier when they were younger! I ended up booking a flight that doesn't leave until 8 pm, so at least we don't have to leave Disney until about 5:00.

 

[magicaldisney]

This last trip in March we landed at 10:00. I'm not sure I would ever do that again. One of the problems was that not very many people were landing that late so we sat on the ME bus for 45 minutes waiting for enough people to fill it up to make a fuller bus. It was after 12:30 when we finally checked into our resort.

Now, that being said, there are a lot of variables that could change that scenario. Getting your own luggage could go faster. You could be the last group getting on the bus and head out right away. You could be the first bus stop on the route. All of this working in your favor could put you at your resort close to 11:30, but not likely.

 

[hershey4]

I booked at flight that LEAVES Orlando at 8pm, but will ARRIVE at 6:15pm...much better than arriving after 10pm!!

 

[magicaldisney]

MUCH better!!