MCO to Contemporary Resort

[Phillip Williams]

We will be arriving into MCO around 230pm on September 18th. Is being at the resort around 330pm a possible goal or should I expect something later.

 

[maxiesmom]

Are you using DME, renting a car, getting a town car, or using Uber? Will you have checked bags?

In general allowing 90 minutes from touch down to room is a good place to start.

 

[FCDub]

^^ Spot on. 90 minutes should account for any delays.

 

[Phillip Williams]

Are you taking the Magical Express? Renting a car? Arranging other transportation? That will factor into how long it will take.

Oops forgot. I will be using the DME!!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Oops forgot. I will be using the DME!!!!

90 minutes is the average. It could be quicker, it could take longer. If you are planning an ADR or other even it is wise to schedule it at least 3 hours after you are to land.

 

[Phillip Williams]

Ok thanks for the information.

 

[Charleytiel]

We will be arriving into MCO around 230pm on September 18th. Is being at the resort around 330pm a possible goal or should I expect something later.

That time of day you can figure there will be 700 to 1000 other people going in that same 2:00 to 3:00 hour so you may not be getting on the bus as soon as you arrive. And depending on your resort, you could be the 4th stop so just the ride could be as much as 75 minutes. Chances of getting there in an hour after landing on DME are zero. Figure later. The 3 hour window another suggested seems right.

 

[goofy4tink]

We will be arriving into MCO around 230pm on September 18th. Is being at the resort around 330pm a possible goal or should I expect something later.

Landing and being off the plane are two entirely different things!!! When I landed at MCO a week or so ago, it took us over 15 mins to taxi to the gate, then another 10 to get off the plane! Drives me nuts! Once off the plane, it should be about 70-80 mins to your resort. A number of things can change your timing...
1. the number of people heading in the same direction as you!!! You could face a wait at the tram, or the elevators going down to level 1. Could take 10 mins fro gate to DME area, or it could be 20.
2. how many people are in the bus line in front of you and when did the last bus to your resort leave. Could be a 1 mins wait, or a 25 min wait to get on the bus.
3. how long the bus sits at the airport..could be 5 mins, could be 25.
4. which stop your resort is. CR is probably stop number 2, possibly 3. If a lot of people get off at each stop, and need to gather up their bags from under the bus, it could take over 8 mins at each resort stop.

So, I usually figure on it taking me 90 mins from the time I step into the terminal, off the plane. It seldom takes me that long, usually more like 75 mins, but better to have extra time than not enough!!! Don't make any ADRs for within 3 hrs of your MCO arrival.

 

[Phillip Williams]

Ok thanks for the information. Just trying to plan ahead so I can make dinner reservations for later that afternoon / evening.

 

[Charleytiel]

Which resort? Grand Floridian is always first stop, unless there are guests on board for Polynesian. In the daytime, WL, BLT and CR are also grouped with GF and PR. But you may not even be going to the Mk resort area.

 

[Phillip Williams]

I am staying at the Contemporary Resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Which resort? Grand Floridian is always first stop, unless there are guests on board for Polynesian. In the daytime, WL, BLT and CR are also grouped with GF and PR. But you may not even be going to the Mk resort area.

I hate to be argumentative, but I have never, ever seen a DME bus go to WL,(and FtW as well since that's usually on the same run as WL) CR/BLT, GF and Poly...ever. And GF isn't always the first stop. It's too hard for the buses to make a turn to go back the way they came...they would have to go all the way back out to World Dr, get off and then back on again. It is usually the last stop, for that reason.

 

[Charleytiel]

GF is last stop before going to airport but it is mandatory first stop from the airport, unless there are guests for Poly. Next time you go, ask the motor coach operator. Ask if GF is mandatory first stop. Ask if WL ever gets grouped with CR. Then get back to me.

 

[goofy4tink]

GF is last stop before going to airport but it is mandatory first stop from the airport, unless there are guests for Poly. Next time you go, ask the motor coach operator. Ask if GF is mandatory first stop. Ask if WL ever gets grouped with CR. Then get back to me.

Actually, I have...multiple times. And every single time I was told that buses can not make the needed turn to go back to other resorts if they stop at GF first. But, they could all have been fibbing to me. I have been on a bus with the GF....those guests going to the GF were not happy that they were not the first stop. But, that could have been an aberration.

 

[alliecat523]

We stay at WL frequently and are always grouped with CR, Poly and GF. I've been the first stop and the last.

OP, in all my visits the longest (one time) was 90 minutes. I usually average about an hour.

 

[CarolMN]

Whenever we've stayed at BLT/CR, the ME bus stops at the Poly, then the GF, then BLT/CR (last two are known because bus driver announced the order just before we arrived at the WDW entrance). Since we never have luggage under the bus, we get off at the Poly and take the monorail around. We always beat the bus.