need help on timing--First time to WDW

[Wilsonfamily4]

I need help!! My flight comes in at 4:30 pm and I have no idea how long it takes to get all our luggage, catch the ME, get to SSR and checked in. I have reservations at Ohana for 7:55 but would like to see if I can change it to 7:30. (Fireworks show at 8:00) Do you think we will have enough time to do everything if I change the time?
PS trip is in mid January

 

[helenk]

Even if you have a reservation at 7:30 for Ohana there is no guarantee that you will be seated in time for the fireworks, people will sit and take their time as it gets closer to the time for the fireworks. Ohana is generally very busy and we have generally waited at least 20 minutes and that's not during the time before Wishes.
I would say you could make it to the Poly by 7:30
If your plane is on time, by the time you wait for luggage (which you do not have to do with ME) if you want to save time, eliminate that step. Get the ME bus to your resort you are probably looking at 6:00 by the time you get to your resort. By the time you get checked in and get your luggage to your room it will certainly be 6:30 or so. From the SSR you'll take the bus to the MK and then the boat to the Poly.
You can save time by 1) not getting your luggage and just taking ME right to your resort and 2) you can take a cab from the SSR to the Poly rather than using Disney transportation.

 

[knovak]

Are you planning on leaving to see the fireworks? If so - you won't have enough time to eat and make it for that. You can probably make it to the Poly by 7:30 though, you just may be rushing to get there.

 

[goofy4tink]

For those of us that do not have to go to claim our bags, it has taken an average of about 70 minutes to get from the plane to the resort. So, if you are picking up your own luggage your time frame could look like this...
4:30 flight arrives, about 10 minutes to get to baggage claim and 15 mins to get bags. Now, its about 5ish. Head to DME checkin desk, go to bus line...about 5:15/5:20 now. Bus to SSR is about 30 minutes, but you could be stop number 3 of 3 which would add about 10 mins or so to the time. So, it could be about 6:15ish. Checkin...another 20 mins...6:35ish. Freshen up....6:50ish. Bus to MK....possible wait of 20 mins, then 20 min ride, then boat or monorail to Polynesian, another 15 mins. It's now past 7:30.
Yes, you may make it in less time....I have given you the 'worst case' scenario...it could take only 2 hrs to get it all done. I never make an ADR for less than 3 hrs. after my MCO arrival. I hate having to worry.

If I were you, I would have DME handle my bags, deliver them to my room. This would cut off about 25 mins of time. Then, once I got checked in at SSR, I would take a cab directly to the Polynesian. This way you would need 70 mins to get to the resort and then only about 20 mins more to get to MK. So....arrive at 5:00, get to SSR by 6:15, then cab to Polynesian...arrive there at 6:35ish. But, you may want to freshen up at SSR, so add another 10 mins to that time. Waiting for luggage at the airport and then having to take WDW transportation to the Polynesian will add a ton of time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If anything, you might want to consider changing your reservation to AFTER Wishes, then watch them from the beach at the Polynesian and then head inside for dinner. While you can see the fireworks from many tables inside 'Ohana, you may not be seated at or even near one of those tables.

 

[goofy4tink]

If anything, you might want to consider changing your reservation to AFTER Wishes, then watch them from the beach at the Polynesian and then head inside for dinner. While you can see the fireworks from many tables inside 'Ohana, you may not be seated at or even near one of those tables.

Well, if you want to simplify, I guess they could do that!!!! Why the heck didn't I think of that??? Just too busy rambling away, as usual.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I give up - because I'm on the coast with all the pretentious overthinkers, while you're in the middle of the state with all the sensible people?