Magical Express Timing

[Red Wings Fan]

We have our reservations for the end of September to visit the Wilderness Lodge for the first time. I am debating whether or not to use ME this time because we arrive at MCO at about 2:30 PM and the MK closes that night at 6:00 PM due to MNSSHP. We have used ME before and loved it. However I am a little concerned about getting to WL as soon as possible.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get from MCO to the WL on ME?? I imagine there are trade-offs between the time it takes to get your luggage and drive there yourself vs. making stops at various resorts (as I recall, WL was the 2nd to last stop).

Any input would be helpful. TIA.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get from MCO to the WL on ME?? I imagine there are trade-offs between the time it takes to get your luggage and drive there yourself vs. making stops at various resorts (as I recall, WL was the 2nd to last stop).

The time from the Welcome Center at MCO to any WDW resort is around 60 minutes, plus or minus 15 minutes. That includes waiting to check-in, waiting for the motorcoach, the ride itself, and making zero, one, or two stops before your resort. Others on this board have posted that it takes around 70 minutes from the time that you get off the airplane (if you go directly to the Welcome Center) — that's another way to think of it.

Just because you were the 2nd stop last time does not mean you'll be the second stop this time. The motorcoaches are dispatched as needed and the resort groupings are flexible, to minimize the guests' waits at MCO. Although you'll be directed to a queue with around 3 resorts listed on a sign, your motorcoach will not necessarily go to those three resorts. If there are many guests waiting for two resorts and a family that's been waiting for a while for another resort, a motorcoach will be dispatched to those three resorts.

So, with DME, the timing is a matter of luck. The actual motorcoach ride from MCO to the first resort is about 30 minutes.

If you rent a car or take a towncar, the end-to-end timing is similar. You must go to baggage claim (which you bypass if you use DME) and wait for your luggage. Then, if renting a car, you have to allow for the time it takes to rent and obtain the car. Or, if using a towncar service, you have to wait while the towncar driver brings his car from the parking garage to the pick-up area.