How long will it take from airport to hotel?

[marriedmarylander]

If the plane lands at MCO @ 12:30 PM. We are using the Magical Express Shuttle in may. How long do you think it will be by the time we get to the hotel? Right now I have MGM as the park to go to that day so I was thinking we could get there around 2?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Since this service has not started yet it's really anybody's guess. I would agree with you that 2pm sounds about right.

 

[ducklite]

I'm betting it will take longer than that. Unless you are in a front seat and quite familiar with MCO, by the time your plane lands and you deplane and find your way to transportation and "sign-in", it will be half an hour.

In all honesty, unless the stars and moon align, it's going to take 45 minutes for them to load the bus and get moving. When you're dealing with families with kids, strollers that have to be folded and stowed, possibly elderly Aunt Edwina who takes five minutes to climb aboard, etc., this is not going to be like hopping into a cab and zipping away.

Once you get on the road, it's a full half hour to WDW, and they will go to up to four resorts per bus, so if yours is last, it could be half an hour by the time you make it to WDW property until you're getting off the bus.

So now you've landed at your resort. Even if there's not a long line, remember that potentially five other parties have arrived there with you, so you might have to wait ten, fifteen, even thirty minutes to check-in.

Then you need to account for getting to MGM, which unless you are going to the BWV and can walk there in fifteen minutes, it could take another half an hour.

So worst case scenario it could take you almost three hours or more from when you land until you get to MGM.

Best case scenario is it takes fifteen minutes from landing to getting to the bus. You are the last person on and the bus leaves five minutes after you board. You are the first bus top, and there's no one in line. You are at the BWV and can walk to MGM. In that case, then you could make it if you hustle. But I wouldn't count on it.

Anne

 

[SB in KY]

When we rent a car I always allow 90 minutes from plane landing to hotel check in...add another 30 minutes after that to get to the park front gate...now ME might be faster than car rental (assuming you hit the bus timing exactly right), but then again it could be longer (if you are the first family on the bus and your resort is the last stop on the route and there is a line for check in at the hotel and you just miss the bus to MGM....you know how it goes some days)

I always tend to overestimate the time it will take to arrive, check in and get to the parks....if you plan on being there by 3:30 to 4 PM and you make it by 2 or 2:30 you will be really happy with a couple of extra park hours....however if you plan on being in the parks by 2PM and your plane is 15 minutes late and the bus loads slow, etc, etc you will be watching the clock and get all tenseand feel cheated if you don't get there until 4....I would schedule loose for arrival day. No point in stressing out on vacation!!

BTW...it never fails for us....on the times I have plans to be at the park by X time it will pretty well guarentee a late flight, a long line at the rental car counter and hotel checkin and then they will smile and tell you "Your room is ready now if you would like to check in"....and who among us would pass that up and hop on the bus....I ALWAYS have to go check out the room...and then everyone wants to check out the balcony and then they want to change clothes and I might as well unpack and ....before you know it we have spent an hour in the room....but hey it's vacation...just roll with the flow and have a great time!!

 

[marriedmarylander]

We have to be there by 4 for our Fantasmic Dinner Reservation. Do you think we'll make it in time? That's 3.5 hours to get to MGM after landing at MCO...

 

[Lewisc]

Next logical step would be to have resort check-in at the airport and bus guests directly to a theme park. Disney might have to add some larger lockers in the theme park entrances to accommodate your carry on luggage.

This has been speculated based on surveys Disney conducted.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Doesn't the luggage go straight to the hotel anyway with Magical Express? ANd check in is at 3PMor something, so if we got there before that we'd have to check in after returning from the park at like 10-11PM.

 

[Lewisc]

Doesn't the luggage go straight to the hotel anyway with Magical Express? ANd check in is at 3PMor something, so if we got there before that we'd have to check in after returning from the park at like 10-11PM.

3.5 hours is plenty of time. You can check in before 3:00p, your room may not be ready yet.

 

[ducklite]

We have to be there by 4 for our Fantasmic Dinner Reservation. Do you think we'll make it in time? That's 3.5 hours to get to MGM after landing at MCO...

You should be. But IMHO, I'd NEVER schedule a non-refundable event for my arrival day. Certain things just can't be controlled, bad weather could cause system wide delays for five or six hours, cancelled flights can happen due to an equipment issue, the bus could break down on the Greenway...

Anne

 

[marriedmarylander]

You should be. But IMHO, I'd NEVER schedule a non-refundable event for my arrival day. Certain things just can't be controlled, bad weather could cause system wide delays for five or six hours, cancelled flights can happen due to an equipment issue, the bus could break down on the Greenway...

Anne

I wouldn't have scheduled it but I'd have to change my whole itinerary. I'm planning to call back and see if they have any later dining times.

 

[marriedmarylander]

I'm wondering if I should have changed my flight time... but right now we'd have to get to the airport in our home town at 8AM... the next earlier flight we'd get to airport at 6 AM which means waking up and getting ready at 5AM - YUCK we might be soo sleepy by that night.

 

[SB in KY]

I really think you will be fine for a 4PM dinner ressie....if you don't mind going straight to dinner... and who does?? I wouldn't stress over the timing... it will all work out.

it is certainly possible that your flight could be late or whatever....but if all else fails you could keep the guest services number for your hotel and if you get delayed you could call them and beg for mercy (and a refund).... I am willing to bet they would accomodate you....we once had FDP ressies at HW&V for an early seating and my DD got sick midafternoon...I took her back to the room and about 15 minutes before we were supposed to be at HW&V I remembered, the ressie and the deposit. I just called guest services and told them my tale of woe....and they were very kind and said "no problem, we'll take care of it" and they did....no charge.