Magical Express from airport to resort--how much time?

[slickpoetry]

Let's say your flight lands at the airport at 2:00 PM. What time would the latest do you think you would be all checked in and standing in your room? Is 4 PM about right? We're staying at AoA, if that matters.

 

[katt789]

I would say 3:30 4pm would be a great assumption.

I always say it will take at LEAST half an hour to get from the plane to the bus, maybe more if you're stopping to collect your own luggage.

It's about a half hour ride from the airport to Disney property, then add in whether you leave right away from the airport or not, and which stop AoA would be on the list, and it'll probably take you til 4pm.

 

[LaurenT]

Assuming your flight lands on time and you checked your luggage through (some people claim their luggage and them head to ME, that would take longer), 4 pm is a decent estimate if your room is ready. Official check in time is 4 pm, so there is an outside chance that you'd get to your room closer to 4:15.
But, yeah, figure 30 to 40 minutes actual driving time and a potential 20 minute wait for the bus... And let's say 30 minutes to taxi to the gate, unload the plane, get to the terminal and walk down to the bus / that would be an hour and a half - then wait to check in and actually get to your room - 4 pm sounds pretty safe.

 

[Khara]

Also keep in mind that if you didn't get a decent boarding position for your flight, you may be forced to check your carry-on bag at the gate. This happens to me every time because I don't pay those upcharges for priority boarding, so I always factor in another 40 minutes for baggage claim.

 

[Sco]

Most ME buses stop at several resorts. Last time I took it it was 2:30 hours after landing that we were in the lobby at ASSports. But the time before, we were at PO in an hour of landing.

 

[figment_jii]

The general rule of thumb here on the Disboard it allow about 90 minutes from when you de-plane to when you're walking into your resort. This allows for time to wait on the bus (before leaving MCO), travel time to WDW, stops at other resorts, etc.).

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I agree with Sco.

You really can't safely 'assume'. Between flight delays and variability on ME, it is hard to predict. (thunderstorms?)

ME buses often don't leave until they are relatively full. If you are last to board, the bus will leave right away, but the time between bus departures can be substantial. The last time I used ME, I spent well over 45minutes waiting to depart. Also, each bus makes multiple stops. Your resort could be the third stop, which adds quite a bit of time.

Also, if you are not familiar with MCO, the distance between your gate and the ME terminal can be quite far.

Odds are good it will be about 100 - 120minutes from the time you land to the time you are at your resort, but it could also be quite a bit longer. The last time I took ME, I was supposed to land about 4pm. The flight was delayed about 20minutes, I waited some time for a bus to arrive, then for the bus to fill. The drive was 30minutes, and my hotel was the third stop. I did not get to my hotel until after 7pm! (7:20pm, I think)

So odds are pretty good you will be at your resort by 4:30pm, and likely you will be there by 4pm. The shortest I've ever seen was about 45mintes from gate to a park. So you might also get very lucky.

 

[ArmyVet80]

We always prepare for 1.5 to 2 hours but it has taken roughly and hour each time we have visited WDW. We have gotten lucky and our longest wait after we have gotten on the ME was 15 minutes then the 30 minute ride to the resort. We typically stay at POFQ which has been the first stop most of our trips. We usually get to POFQ earlier in the day (10 am) and leave our luggage at the luggage drop area. We'll go to a park for lunch then leisurely walk around until we get the text that our room is ready.

Hopefully this is helpful.

 

[slickpoetry]

Thanks everyone!

 

[michelle996]

When we travelled to Orlando last time it took at least 1 1/2 hours to get through customs, didn't help that a plain had landed literally 10 minutes before ours. Xx

 

[figment_jii]

When we travelled to Orlando last time it took at least 1 1/2 hours to get through customs, didn't help that a plain had landed literally 10 minutes before ours. Xx

Oh, I think when people talk about average travel times, they're referring to domestic flights. I know that when I say it takes on average 90 from when you deplane to when you're walking into your resort, I'm talking about average time when get off of a domestic flight (no customs to deal with).

 

[BudgieMama]

The general rule of thumb here on the Disboard it allow about 90 minutes from when you de-plane to when you're walking into your resort. This allows for time to wait on the bus (before leaving MCO), travel time to WDW, stops at other resorts, etc.).

Is that estimate only for domestic flights? Or is the boarder control pretty good?

 

[figment_jii]

Is that estimate only for domestic flights? Or is the boarder control pretty good?

Domestic flights only.

 

[BudgieMama]

Domestic flights only.

Thanks. I thought that was a bit optimist... Crossing the boarder at Newark took AGES last year. We got grilled! Hopefully it'll be quicker this time as its not my first entry to the US. It was a weird experience as I'd only ever travelled in the EU before, so a quick passport glance is normally all it takes!

 

[gdrj]

Also keep in mind that if you didn't get a decent boarding position for your flight, you may be forced to check your carry-on bag at the gate. This happens to me every time because I don't pay those upcharges for priority boarding, so I always factor in another 40 minutes for baggage claim.

One way to help this is to have extra Disney yellow luggage tags with you. I will order extra from Disney and have it in the outer pocket of carry-on, if they offer courtesy bag "check-in" at gate I just put the tag on. I will usually have a back pack with me for the items we need upon arrival so we can go right to the parks etc.

 

[michelle996]

Oh, I think when people talk about average travel times, they're referring to domestic flights. I know that when I say it takes on average 90 from when you deplane to when you're walking into your resort, I'm talking about average time when get off of a domestic flight (no customs to deal with).

Ok yeah we're coming from London Gatwick. Xx