Midnight Arrival at MCO: Magic Express or Car Service?

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

Our flight to MCO next month will be arriving just before midnight on a Tuesday. Should we take the Magic Express to Wilderness Lodge or arrange to be picked up by a car service? Since it's so late, I would hate to be stuck waiting at the airport a long time (we will not have checked bags), or have to stop at several other resorts first to drop other guests off before getting to WL.

 

[kandb]

We are getting into MCO late for our next trip to WDW. We are staying at a Marriott close to MCO (less than $100 night) and having the Marriott shuttle pick us up at the airport and then take us back early in the morning for the magical express to bring us to the Yacht club. Since Disney resorts are expensive, we are saving a lot of $$$ and don't want to pay for the wdw resort when we are getting in late.

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

I considered doing that myself, but since it's just a 4 night trip I didn't want to waste time switching hotels, and I definitely want to wake up already at WDW on our first full day.

 

[mickeynut1]

Our flight to MCO next month will be arriving just before midnight on a Tuesday. Should we take the Magic Express to Wilderness Lodge or arrange to be picked up by a car service? Since it's so late, I would hate to be stuck waiting at the airport a long time (we will not have checked bags), or have to stop at several other resorts first to drop other guests off before getting to WL.

I'd use a car service, but we never use DME. We either rent a car or use a service.

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

Any idea how long DME would take to reach DWL after a midnight arrival? How often does it depart?

 

[heidijanesmith]

Car service, so much faster and easier.

I have not use DME that late, so no experience there. I have used a car service late and it was great!

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

I just Googled and found this blog. Looks like we'll book a car service. I don't want to risk it taking up to two hours after we land to check in.

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneys-magical-express-review/

 

[bumbershoot]

Any idea how long DME would take to reach DWL after a midnight arrival? How often does it depart?

No way to tell. It will take *at least* as long as the drive from MCO to your resort. You might not be the first resort. You might have to wait on the bus until it goes. You might have to wait in line to get on the bus. You just don't know.

The bus departs when it's ready. Not on a schedule, but it doesn't always wait until it's totally full, either!

The once or twice we've landed very late it hasn't been a horrible experience on DME.

 

[GoGoBeans]

One time we got in late, like 10ish and didn't even think to not check our bags. Fast forward to us not having toothbrushes and needing to call for stuff and sleeping in our tees and underwear. Definitely car service and handling of your own bags!

 

[alliecat523]

I would collect your own bags if you do check them. I doubt the wait will be that long at that hour. But if you want super fast arrival at the hotel then book a car service.

 

[caliope]

We always do a car service regardless of when we land. It's worth it to us for the efficiency.

 

[AngiTN]

No matter when you land DME's goal is to have you on your way within 30 min after you check in. Be it at noon or midnight. 30 min or when the bus is full, whichever comes first. It's 30 min to Disney, no matter if you are on a bus or in a car. Now, one variable that is hard to determine is stops. Will there be more stops? So hard to know. I'd say the avg is 90 min, from landing to walking in you room. A car will save about an hour.

I'm still toying with flights but right now it's looking like we are going to land about 11:30 PM next month. I think we'll still take ME. If we don't we'll use Uber. I may just make a last minute decision based on how I feel when we land.

We are staying at an All Star that night, cheaper than any off site I found elsewhere. I'll let them move us the next morning.

 

[skuttle]

We arrived at 11:30pm a couple of weeks ago. Several buses were waiting when we arrived at ME. We walked right on our bus. On our bus, Another couple was on the bus, but not sure how long they were there. We waited for about four other families (maybe 15 min) before we left. We only had carry on luggage. We seemed to wait only long enough for the other Disney people on our flight to get their bags from baggage claim it seemed. Our bus made three stops. Ours was the second.

 

[lala5176]

Car service. We arrived last year at 8:30 and didn't get checked in until almost. 11:30. We would have gotten there a lot faster if we took a car service. Normally we don't mind the bus ride but when it's late it's a whole different story.

 

[bellebud]

we've landed at 11:30pm the past couple of times. About 2 hours using DME.

 

[DisTXMom]

I would do the car because I would be irritable if I found myself waiting 2 hours after midnight to check into the hotel. If you do MDE, get your bags- I think their delivery window can be 3-4 hours and you don't want to wait up on luggage.

 

[dansdad]

If you do MDE, get your bags- I think their delivery window can be 3-4 hours and you don't want to wait up on luggage.

OP would have to get their own bags as DME stops picking up luggage for flights that land after 10PM and before 5AM.