Input: Arrive 1 day before rest of party?

[Disney Anna]

Hi Gang,

Here's my dilemma. My sister and her 2 kids will be going to WDW from Oct 13-18. They are travelling from Chicago Midway. Will be staying at Contemporary Resort. She is planning on renting a car I believe.

I will be joining them, I live in San Diego. My flight on Southwest Airlines is $50 cheaper if I fly on Oct. 12. I could save money and have one more day of my trip to boot.

I was thinking of coming in on Oct. 12 and staying at either an outside hotel or the All-Stars.

If I stay on-site, I could use Magical Express and save transportation charge. The next day, my luggage and I could get on All-Star bus to Magic Kingdom and I could easily make it to Contemporary lobby and check-in, have them hold bags till 3.

Does this sound like a good plan?

What are people's experience with Magical Express bus? I will be landing at 6 p.m.. Was wondering how long it will take till I'm at All-Star.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

From what I have read about ME I would guess you should be at your hotel around 7-7:30pm. I'm sure others will have better ideas.
I really wanted to add that Disney will move your luggage for you. No need for you to drag them on a bus to the MK and on to the Contemporary. Disney will transfer the luggage from the All Stars for free so you can go over and check in and do what you want until the rest of the family arrives.

 

[dznyntnh]

A friend and I had to do that several years ago when meeting my family at WDW. Switching hotels is very easy. They will move your luggage for you, you can go to hotel to check in even before the rest of your party arrives and then spend the day enjoying the sites.

We actually did the opposite, we were staying at POR (when it was still DL) and took the extra night to splurge and stay at GF.

 

[LeftCoaster]

I think it's a good plan you have. Arrive a day earlier, take ME to WDW, and stay at All Stars or Pop for the night. I've changed resorts at WDW many times and it's an easy, painless process.