Magical Express to Downtown Disney?

[sara1215]

My flight arrives at 5:40 (assuming it's on time). We are going to be staying at ASMusic. I'd like to take the kids right to Downtown Disney and maybe grab some dinner. No park on the first day. How is this best accomplished? Am I correct in understanding that Magical Express will collect my luggage and deliver it to the hotel (I think I read that somewhere)? Then can we take the Magical Express right to Downtown Disney or does it not go there? And if not, what would be the best way to get there? Also (and this question may be better for another thread), I was looking at the T-Rex restaurant and thinking of making a later reservation for arrival day. Is it too unreasonable to think we could be there by 7:30?

 

[RMAMom]

ME will only take you to your resort. Once at your resort you can catch the bus to DTD The average arrival time is 90 minutes from landing to check in at the resort and then it could take 45 min to an hour to get to DTD. If it were me and I was getting in that late I would head to the resort and check in, grab a bite at the food court and explore the resort and maybe swim. Then everyone will be in bed at a decent hour and rested for our first day. I think it's reasonable to assume you will be at your resort by 7 or 7:30 and thats only if your plane lands on time.

 

[sara1215]

Thank you. I wondered if I might be overplanning that first evening.

 

[goofy4tink]

If your flight lands, on-time, at 5:40, you should be at the gate by 5:50. We figure about 75 mins from gate to resort. So, you should be at ASMusic around 7:15ish.
If you've put the yellow luggage tags that DME sends you, on your checked bags, they 'should' arrive in your room before 10:30.
As you've already been told, DME won't get you to DTD. So, by the time you get to the resort, and get checked in, it will be 7:30ish. You won't get to DTD much before 8:15. It makes much more sense to stay at the resort, eat at the food court, to for a swim and get a good night's sleep. If you don't want to wait up for your bags to arrive, tell them that when you check in. Then stop at Luggage Assistence and let them know they need to hold your bags until the next morning. To be sure you aren't disturbed, hang put the privacy hanger on your door. When you wake up in the morning, there should be a message on your phone saying your bags are there...just call to have them delivered to the room.

 

[sara1215]

Thank you for the great advice! I wasn't aware it could take so long for the luggage to arrive. So I'll be sure to pack pajamas in the carry on!

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely pack essentials for the night. Most of us here recommend packing for the next morning as well......just in case the airline misdirects any luggage.

 

[joelkfla]

Thank you for the great advice! I wasn't aware it could take so long for the luggage to arrive. So I'll be sure to pack pajamas in the carry on!

.. and swimsuits!

 

[goofy4tink]

.. and swimsuits!

Yup....especially is planning on swimming that night!!! Dopey me!!!

Oh, and Sara1215....welcome to the DIS...and especially to Transportation!!!