magical express chef mickey reservation

[shaunbabka]

hello all.
we'll be traveling next wednesday from Pittsburgh and will be flying through delta. our plane is scheduled to land in Orlando at 2:24. we are not flyers so help would be greatly appreciated
1. it's my understanding we do not need to wait for our luggage since taking magical express. is this correct?
2. we are staying at Art of Animation. approximately, how long will we wait at the airport for the bus to leave and get us to the hotel? around 90 minute?????????
3. we have our chef mickey reservation scheduled for 5:35. (and another at 6:55 just in case) Ideally, we really want to hit the 5:35. should I rely on disney transportation to get there or should I arrange for uber?
*if relying on disney transportation how will I get there? will I have to transfer buses or anything?


Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

1. As long as you use the yellow luggage tags, yes.

2. You should get to your resort about 90 minutes after you land. You definitely wouldn't be waiting around the airport for 90 minutes.

3. 5:35 could be cutting it close, especially if your flight is delayed. Getting to Chef Mickey's from AoA is easy using Disney transportation, though. Just take a bus to MK, then walk to the CR - the walk is about 10 minutes, then CM is on the 4th floor.

 

[minnie mum]

Agree with Siskaren. And unless you want to get nailed with the no show fee, you need to drop one of those ADRs at least a day ahead of time. With plane delays a possibility, I think it would be prudent to keep the later ADR.

 

[goofy4tink]

hello all.
we'll be traveling next wednesday from Pittsburgh and will be flying through delta. our plane is scheduled to land in Orlando at 2:24. we are not flyers so help would be greatly appreciated
1. it's my understanding we do not need to wait for our luggage since taking magical express. is this correct?
2. we are staying at Art of Animation. approximately, how long will we wait at the airport for the bus to leave and get us to the hotel? around 90 minute?????????
3. we have our chef mickey reservation scheduled for 5:35. (and another at 6:55 just in case) Ideally, we really want to hit the 5:35. should I rely on disney transportation to get there or should I arrange for uber?
*if relying on disney transportation how will I get there? will I have to transfer buses or anything?


Thanks!

1. Nope, no need to wait for luggage. As long as you have attached the yellow luggage tags, before checking the bags at your home airport, you're good to go.

2. Generally speaking, it takes, on average, about 80 mins from gate to resort. Here is a breakdown of possible times..
gate to DME area....15-30 mins, depending on which side of the airport you arrived on, and how long you wait for the tram.

wait to be scanned in at DME podium...0-15 mins, usually closer to 2 mins, depending on size of crowd

wait in bus line...0-25 mins, depending on when the last bus left

wait on bus...0-25 mins, again depending on where you are in the boarding process. Those boarding first will wait longer, those boarding at the end, have much shorter waits.

ride to resort...25-40 mins, depending on which stop your resort it.

I've had times of 55 mins, gate to resort, but all the stars aligned perfectly!! I've also had a time of 90 mins..nothing aligned correctly!!!

3. With an arrival time of 2:24, you'll probably be off the plane by 2:35, which gets you to your resort around 4ish (figuring on 90 mins or a bit less). Check in takes up to 20 mins, again depending on the crowd. You will want to go to your room and freshen up, another 30 mins or so. You are now late for that first ADR.
If you get to the resort by 4 and then drop all your carry on stuff with Luggage Assistance, and go directly to the MK bus? You could make it to that first ADR. But do you really want to start your stay off like that? I would cancel the first one, now (otherwise you could be charged a no show fee if you don't cancel at least 24 hrs prior), and keep the later one. That later time gives you time to get to the resort, get checked in, go to your room, relax and then go to MK and walk over to the CR. Notice I say 'walk'. I find it to be faster to walk vs taking the monorail. When you get off the bus, follow the crowd. When you get to the end of the bus area, the crowd will head to the left, to bag check and park entrance. You want to go right, and follow the sidewalk that is beneath the monorail line. You will cross a street....please use the pedestrian cross signal as it is a busy street, then you're pretty much at the CR. Go up to CM's and have a great time!!!

 

[Masonmj84]

Using Magical Express, you should have no problem making the 6:55 ADR, provided your flight isn't too delayed (the 5:35 one will be cutting it really close).

Just don't discount the possiblity of flight delays (every time I've booked an arrival day ADR, my flight has been delayed - Murphy's Law in action. Luckily, the flights weren't so delayed that we missed the ADR, but we cut it close a few times and it was stressful).