magical express from airport

[misscassiecass]

I was wondering how long it takes from arriving at the airport to get to the resort. Our flight lands at 2:30 and I wasn't sure how feasible it would be to check in and get to a 5:15 dinner reservation at Spirit of Aloha.

 

[Pine View]

I was trying to time my first ADR too. We will get there to early to check in but, will check luggage and go hit a park to eat.

 

[MariDisney]

I was wondering how long it takes from arriving at the airport to get to the resort. Our flight lands at 2:30 and I wasn't sure how feasible it would be to check in and get to a 5:15 dinner reservation at Spirit of Aloha.

Which resort are you staying at?

 

[Alesia]

Assuming everything goes well, you should expect to get to your resort by 4:00. Checking in is going to take some time, too. Getting to the GF by 5:00 would be next to impossible unless you are staying at a monorail resort. Even then, it would require quite a bit of rushing around.

If your plane is late - or any other slight delay occurs - you won't make it. I would never make a pre-paid ADR for arrival day. There are just too many things that can go wrong. That would be a lot of money to pay for a dinner show you didn't get to go to.

 

[Alesia]

I was trying to time my first ADR too. We will get there to early to check in but, will check luggage and go hit a park to eat.

You can check in as early as 6:30 am. Your room may not be ready, but you can definitely get checked in.

 

[DodgeHall97]

I was wondering how long it takes from arriving at the airport to get to the resort. Our flight lands at 2:30 and I wasn't sure how feasible it would be to check in and get to a 5:15 dinner reservation at Spirit of Aloha.

It can be tight, but if all goes well you should be able to make it. There are some things you can do to give yourself extra time or be flexible. If you can do online check-in, you will speed up your check-in process. If you are worried about time, you can just leave your carry-ons with Bell services and then head over to the Polynesian. Then, check-in when you return to your resort after dinner.

The fastest way to the Polynesian would be a bus to the MK and then a launch to the Polynesian if one is waiting. If not, just head to the monorail. Otherwise, I would take a cab. I would probably do that anyway, unless you're staying at a monorail resort.

All that said, it probably is a good idea to move your reservation to another night if you can. Airline delays are too common to not be taking a risk with this.

Good luck!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't know that I would risk this if I was driving. As others have pointed out airline delays are not that uncommon.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The last time we went the table next to us was about 20 minutes late and it was not big deal. They did not miss much.

 

[Pixieflip]

The last two times we have flown we've had two different experiences. One time we waited over an hour for the DME bus to our resort - must have just missed one when we walked up. The other time we walked right on the bus and it drove away. So, it's really hard to promise that you'd make it.

We have a very close time frame on a reservation for Tea at the GF on our arrival day, but as soon as we recognize we won't make it, we'll call and cancel. There's a chance we'll make it, but really it could go either way. I'd only do this with a non pre-paid reservation. It would be really upsetting to start a vacation by missing a meal we'd already been charged for.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you are cutting it too close.

If your flight is on time, it lands at 2:30. Depending on where you are seated, and how large the plane is, it could take a half hour or more to get off. So 3:00. Then a 15 minute hike to DME. Where you may or may not have a line to have your tickets scanned, and then may or may not have a wait for a bus. So if you are lucky enough to get right on a bus and go you are now at around 3:15 and just departing the airport.

If you are really lucky and your resort is the first stop you are now at around 4:00. Only an hour ahead of when you should be checking in for your ADR. And you still have to check in to your resort, take care of your bags, and catch a ride to the Poly. A taxi would be best, but if you are planning on using a Disney bus you first have to ride to the Magic Kingdom and then either monorail, water taxi, or walk over to the Poly. So conservatively it is now already 5:00. And that is if everything goes your way.

 

[helenk]

My rule is to never make an ADR on the day you arrive that will will result in a loss of money.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled and you do not make it to the Spirit of Aloha you will be charged a fee.
I have had good luck with ME, generally I have been able to check into my resort within 70 minutes of landing at MCO. BUT, I have had flights that have left 2 hours later than we were suppose to have so I just hate to take a chance with an ADR.