Magical Express and 7:30pm arrival

[nal1980]

We arrive in MCO at 7:30pm next Thursday and we will be taking the Magical Express to the POP. I have no idea what I should expect for arrival time at Disney(I've heard approx 2hrs?). Would it be crazy to make a 9:30 or 9:45 dinner reservation for that night? We have extra dining credits to use up and I know we'll be hungry, just don't know timing wise if that could even work.

If you think its feasible, what area would be closest and easiest to get to from POP, DTD? Boardwalk?

This is my first trip, so advice is much appreciated!

 

[Alesia]

You can expect to arrive at pop about 90 minutes after your plane lands, so that would put you there about 9:00, plus you still have to check in and drop off your carryons, which will probably take around 30 minutes. It would probably take you about 45 minutes to get to DTD or the boardwalk, so that already puts you at 10:15.

I wouldn't make an ADR for arrival night. You are supposed to check in for your ADR 15 minutes before, so you're already pushing it if you make one before 10:30 - and that's if everything goes according to schedule. I would just plan on eating dinner in the food court at Pop.

 

[dudspizza]

You can expect to arrive at pop about 90 minutes after your plane lands, so that would put you there about 9:00, plus you still have to check in and drop off your carryons, which will probably take around 30 minutes. It would probably take you about 45 minutes to get to DTD or the boardwalk, so that already puts you at 10:15.

I wouldn't make an ADR for arrival night. You are supposed to check in for your ADR 15 minutes before, so you're already pushing it if you make one before 10:30 - and that's if everything goes according to schedule. I would just plan on eating dinner in the food court at Pop.

agreed

 

[nal1980]

Glad I asked! Food court it is, Thanks!

 

[Girlie1]

We will be arriving around the same time you are next Thursday but we are staying at VWL. I decided the easiest and least stressful alternative was to get something at the quick serve (Roaring Forks). Enjoy your trip

 

[dpmfloyd]

i'm gonna throw a wrench in these gears - slightly

i had this same issue on our trip back in may. but we landed around 6:30pm. after getting off the plane, we were on a ME bux by 6:50 and on the road by 7:05. got to POP at 7:45. I did the online check in before my trip, so my packet was ready and waiting. we were out of the lobby with packet in hand at 8pm. we got to our room in the 80s section just after 8, took a minute to freshen up, then headed for DTD to use a quick service credit at earl of sandwich.

in short, if you're starving - settle for the Everything Pop Food Court. But if you can hang in there, for just a little longer -- Hold out for DTD!!

side note, earl of sandwich is amazing as well as the wolfgang puck express.

 

[maxiesmom]

My last trip we had an ADR in Epcot scheduled for 3 hours after out flight landed. We made it with maybe 10 minutes to spare. So you do need to leave plenty of time to make your ADR if you want one on arrival night.

 

[Polydweller]

We will be arriving around the same time you are next Thursday but we are staying at VWL. I decided the easiest and least stressful alternative was to get something at the quick serve (Roaring Forks). Enjoy your trip

Girlie1, I think you've put absolutely right about less stressful. A vacation is supposed to be a stress reducer. Start it off in a nice relaxed way rather than immediately having the pressure of time to make an ADR. I agree with others don't make a first night ADR and enjoy your trip!