Magical Express and Pirates and Pals

[sarahvanessa123]

We will be flying into Orlando at 5:30 pm and staying at Bay Lake Tower. We are wanting to do the Pirates and Pals Voyage that evening at 8:30 (leaves from the Contemporary). Are we cutting things to close?

 

[wdwrich]

We will be flying into Orlando at 5:30 pm and staying at Bay Lake Tower. We are wanting to do the Pirates and Pals Voyage that evening at 8:30 (leaves from the Contemporary). Are we cutting things to close?

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. Too many things could happen that could make you miss the P&P, not the least of which are flight delays. Can you book it another night?

 

[Alesia]

Magical Express is the least of the possible issues.

If everything goes perfectly, you'll make it. Unfortunately, there's always a pretty good chance that there will be delays.

I wouldn't book anything that is not refundable on arrival day unless I was totally comfortable with the prospect of losing that money.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I agree that you are cutting it fine. If your flight is on time, you go straight to the buses (not stopping for luggage), and have a bus leave immediately after you board, and have a quick check in at BLT, you would probably make it.

But flights are often delayed due to weather, you won't have your bags until after the cruise, the buses often take awhile to fill and you have multiple stops (BLT may not be the first stop).

I once arrived on time at 6pm and had a 9pm Chef Mickey ressie. I was doing a rental car and carryon bags. I barely made it. I had to go straight to the dinner still in my rumpled plane outfit and my bags locked in the trunk. Eventually checked in around 11pm.

 

[sarahvanessa123]

Hmmm, well that is a bummer! The only other night we could do it we have a 7pm reservation at 'Ohana and I'm afraid we would be cutting it close on that night as well

 

[Lewisc]

We will be flying into Orlando at 5:30 pm and staying at Bay Lake Tower. We are wanting to do the Pirates and Pals Voyage that evening at 8:30 (leaves from the Contemporary). Are we cutting things to close?

I sort of agree with PP. Not a relaxing way to begin a vacation. But

Plane arrives on time, DME should get you to your hotel by 7 p. Plane is delayed 2 hrs,.lands at 7:30. Let Disney get your bags. Have enough cash to take a taxi directly to the Contemporary. Use the bathroom on the plane.

Not my choice but it should work.

Can you take am earlier flight?

 

[sarahvanessa123]

I sort of agree with PP. Not a relaxing way to begin a vacation. But

Plane arrives on time, DME should get you to your hotel by 7 p. Plane is delayed 2 hrs,.lands at 7:30. Let Disney get your bags. Have enough cash to take a taxi directly to the Contemporary. Use the bathroom on the plane.

Not my choice but it should work.

Can you take am earlier flight?

Well we are all flying as a big group so that limits our choices. Wish we could start our vacation sooner!

 

[purple figment]

Our rule of thumb is to allow 3 hours from arriving at MCO to starting our first fun activity of the vacation...but that is dependent on everything going smoothly and on time. Unfortunately there's no way to guarantee that there won't be some kind of problem that will throw a wrench in the plans and result in a delay.

Considering how expensive the Pirates and Pals cruise is and there's no refund if your family doesn't get there in time I would not schedule it on arrival day.

Likewise, 'Ohana is known to run behind schedule so assuming it's an 8:30 cruise it's possible you'll have to rush through dinner or not even be finished in time. Keep checking online multiple times a day to see if you can find an earlier 'Ohana reservation. You can also subscribe to the cancellation thread for your month:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1802381