Magical Express question

Vickie46

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 26, 2000
Messages
3,970
I am curious if plane lands around 11:30 how long does it take to get on magical express and get to Disney resort??
 
Figure on about 90 mins from gate to resort. Here's a breakdown of my times...
Landing to gate....5-15 mins
Gate to tram...3-8 mins
Tram to DME area...10-20 mins (depending on wait time for tram)
DME....wait to check in...1-10 mins
in bus line....0-20 mins
wait on bus to leave...0-25 mins
ride to resort.....25-40 mins (depends on which resort stop you are)

The longest time I had was about 85 mins, shortest was 55. If everything aligns perfectly, the time will be around an hour. But, that doesn't happen very often. Best to figure on 90 mins and then be thrilled when it's not that long.
 
I am guessing typical is around 90 and sometimes a little longer. If you have a further gate, stop for restroom after the flight, wait a while for the bus or have a further resort then it can be a little longer.
 
Lots of variables.
Lots.


Make no unalterable WDW plans timed too near the estimated arrival time.

Plan on about a 90 minute time-frame.
Be happy if it takes less than 90 minutes.
But, do not be surprised if it takes longer than 90 minutes.
 

As an aside to just the DME trip time...

We had to sit on the plane and wait an extra 20 min. for a Jetway to become available
so that we could exit the plane to the airport gate.

Lots of unpredictable variables that can alter your arrival time.
Lots.
 
Rule of thumb is to not plan anything for at least 3 hours after your plane is supposed to land. DME typically takes around 90 minutes. But I've had it take over 2 hours before.
 
My average DME trips are also about 90 minutes after getting to the check in area but like stated above there are other variables including flight delays of all sorts. We don't make any reservations that can't be canceled without penalty on the first day.
 
I have used DME more times than I can remember since it started. Most of my times, gate to resort, have been about 80 mins. I have never had a time when it took more than 90 mins...can it happen? Sure, but it's not the norm.
 
I just plan for 2 hours. I've never timed it because when I make an ADR, I make it an evening one, giving me the best chance of not missing it.
 
Last two trips we've been between 90 mins-2 hours from the time we got off the plane to the resort. We just missed a bus and had to wait for a new one, then had to wait for it to fill, then had two other resort stop before ours.
 
Last two trips we've been between 90 mins-2 hours from the time we got off the plane to the resort. We just missed a bus and had to wait for a new one, then had to wait for it to fill, then had two other resort stop before ours.
Well, that doesn't sound like much fun!!! I've, also, just missed a bus, but it took only about 20 mins for the next one to get there. By the time it got there, there was a sizable line waiting to board. I think we sat on the bus about 10 mins before departing, and then, of course, my resort was the last of three stops. But it still took only about 85 mins.
 
Well, that doesn't sound like much fun!!! I've, also, just missed a bus, but it took only about 20 mins for the next one to get there. By the time it got there, there was a sizable line waiting to board. I think we sat on the bus about 10 mins before departing, and then, of course, my resort was the last of three stops. But it still took only about 85 mins.

Yeah, I guess it just depends on how things land. For us, it took probably a good 20 minutes for the next bus to arrive, plus the time to board everyone, then we hit some construction/rush hour traffic on the way to WDW, and then the time it took to unload everyone at the two stops before ours. Was closer two hours for us.
 
This will be our first time getting in later than 10 am lol.. We arent arriving til 525 pm!! I am expecting a less than speedy event this time.. But hey, I'll be at Disney so I'm usually pretty relaxed and easy going at that point. Will also be our first time flying out at 3pm on a friday.. No clue what to expect as far as lines.
 
In regards to setting up the ME back to MCO on the night of departure, I remember when booking the hotel since we didn't have the exact flight details available, we need to call the hotel and advise them of our flight details? After this do we get a confirmation number or boarding pass for the ME?
 
In regards to setting up the ME back to MCO on the night of departure, I remember when booking the hotel since we didn't have the exact flight details available, we need to call the hotel and advise them of our flight details? After this do we get a confirmation number or boarding pass for the ME?
Nope, you don't call the hotel. You can wait until you get there to make your return trip booking. You will receive a letter in your room, the day before you leave. That's what you will take to the bus with you.
You can always call whomever you booked your stay with and give them the info, but it's really just as easy to do it when you get there, on your first day!
 
Nope, you don't call the hotel. You can wait until you get there to make your return trip booking. You will receive a letter in your room, the day before you leave. That's what you will take to the bus with you.
You can always call whomever you booked your stay with and give them the info, but it's really just as easy to do it when you get there, on your first day!

One problem with waiting until you get there to call DME to make the reservation is that you get busy being on vacation and forget. You don't want to wait too long to contact DME. Calling on your first day there (like @goofy4tink suggests) is smart; calling or reserving on-line now might be smarter. One less thing to worry about later.
 
Tonight's DME time. Touched down 5:23 walked off bus at wilderness lodge 6:50.
 
We landed October 14, at 10:51 am, and were at Port Orleans Riverside by 12:20pm. (Just in time for the lunch rush ;) )
 


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