Park on arrival day? Getting there help.

[NicholeB630]

Hi there. We plan on getting to WDW on Sunday Dec 7th and staying for a full week. I want to go to Epcot the day we get there so that way we get a full rest day in the middle of the week and a little extra time at epcot rather than one day. We went last Feb and got in later in the day and by the time we got to epcot it was already dark and our kids were 4 and 9months so it was tough. If we get an early flight and arrive at Orlando airport before 11 how likely is it we'll get a decent amount of time in at Epcot. I remember it taking awhile to get to the Contemporary since it was last drop off we used the Disney Express. But we also didn't have to wait to get on the bus. It was empty because it was a Wed late day. This time it will be Sunday and in Dec so I am assuming there will be a lot more people going to the resorts. Not sure how early we can check in to the hotel either. Would getting a town car be quicker possibly then waiting on the bus. I know we have to wait for our luggage but we wont have to make a bunch of stops at other resorts. I just want to make sure we get a decent amount of time in at Epcot that day.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You are going at the beginning of Dec and the crowd level will be very low. You need to a lot 90 minute from the time you plan lands to the time you arrive at the resort. This is what WDW quotes as the allotted time to get there. Then you will need to do check in. I would higher recommend doing online check in which you can do 60 days before your arrival date.. It makes checking in at the resort less than 10 minutes.

Then you will need to plan another 30 -45 minutes to arrive at Epcot. You will also need to grab a bit to eat too.

hope this helps.

 

[laughinplace199]

If you land by 11:00 and take ME, you should be at your resort by 12:30. Your room may not be ready at that time, but you can check in and Bell Services can store any carry-on bags that you have.

If you're checked in by 1:00, you could be in Epcot before 2:00. With small kids, you may want to bring some lunch for them, eat at the airport before getting on the bus, or eat at your resort before heading to Epcot.

 

[NicholeB630]

Well you need to a lot 90 minute from the time you plan lands to the time you arrive at the resort. This is what WDW quotes as the allotted time to get there. Then you will need to do check in. I would higher recommend doing online check in. It makes checking in at the resort less than 10 minutes.

Then you will need to plan another 30 -45 minutes to arrive at Epcot. You will also need to grab a bit to eat too.

hope this helps.

I dont remember if I did online check in last time or not. So I can just go online and check in and then when we get to the resort it shortens the time. I wonder how many people will be checking in at the hotel since it will be a Sunday. Last time we didn't have to wait in line or anything. So guessing it would probably be around 3 hours by the time we were able to get to Epcot. That is if we move pretty fast to get our luggage get to hotel, maybe get a quick bite to eat. I am thinking we will get a town car so we can stop for a few items real quick. If we get in by 11 I think we could get to Epcot by 2/3 and that would be a good end of the day amount of time

 

[NicholeB630]

If you land by 11:00 and take ME, you should be at your resort by 12:30. Your room may not be ready at that time, but you can check in and Bell Services can store any carry-on bags that you have.

If you're checked in by 1:00, you could be in Epcot before 2:00. With small kids, you may want to bring some lunch for them, eat at the airport before getting on the bus, or eat at your resort before heading to Epcot.

I think we would maybe pack a small lunch or grab something at the airport. I want to schedule a ADR for that night at Epcot so depending on what time that is we'll def need to eat before the park and than maybe have a snack there. I wish Dec wasn't so far away! I am ready for summer to come!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you are using the DME Disney will take your luggage to the resort for you. No need to collect it at the airport.


Yes if you do online check you will stand in the Online Check In line at the resort and often times I have had no one else in line with me. I just walked up to the counter. Yet the regular line for those that did not do online check in had 10 -20 people in it. Just look for the Online Check In sign at the resort. Or there might be a CM that greets you just tell them you need the online check in line and they will point you in the right direction.

Do you have a My Disney Experience acct? If not sign up for one online. Take your room reservation number and link it to that acct. Then 60 days before your arrival sign into your My Disney experience. On the right side of your room reservation will be a button to do online check in.

When you sign into your MDE acct. on the far right side you will see a mickey icon and the words My Disney Experience hoover your mouse over it and a drop down will appear. Click "My reservations and tickets" you room reservation will populate - it might take a full minute for everything to load. On the right side of your room reservation you will see "online check in" just click that and follow the prompts to check in online. Online check in only appears next to your reservation when it 60 days from your check in date.

 

[smbowtie]

Hi there. We plan on getting to WDW on Sunday Dec 7th and staying for a full week. I want to go to Epcot the day we get there so that way we get a full rest day in the middle of the week and a little extra time at epcot rather than one day. We went last Feb and got in later in the day and by the time we got to epcot it was already dark and our kids were 4 and 9months so it was tough. If we get an early flight and arrive at Orlando airport before 11 how likely is it we'll get a decent amount of time in at Epcot. I remember it taking awhile to get to the Contemporary since it was last drop off we used the Disney Express. But we also didn't have to wait to get on the bus. It was empty because it was a Wed late day. This time it will be Sunday and in Dec so I am assuming there will be a lot more people going to the resorts. Not sure how early we can check in to the hotel either. Would getting a town car be quicker possibly then waiting on the bus. I know we have to wait for our luggage but we wont have to make a bunch of stops at other resorts. I just want to make sure we get a decent amount of time in at Epcot that day.

Sounds like you are planning on collecting your own bags. I would let DME take care of that, then your bags will be in your room when you get back after EPCOT, otherwise you might have to store them at bell services if your room isn't ready when you check in at around 12:30. You just need to have what you really need in your carry on.

 

[NicholeB630]

Sounds like you are planning on collecting your own bags. I would let DME take care of that, then your bags will be in your room when you get back after EPCOT, otherwise you might have to store them at bell services if your room isn't ready when you check in at around 12:30. You just need to have what you really need in your carry on.

Well I was thinking we'd only get our bags if we used DME. But if we did a town car we'd get them ourselves. Can you use DME to transport your bags if you do not ride on the bus?

 

[siskaren]

Well I was thinking we'd only get our bags if we used DME. But if we did a town car we'd get them ourselves. Can you use DME to transport your bags if you do not ride on the bus?

You're not supposed to. Personally, I don't think the cost of a town car is worth the small time savings you might get out of it. I agree with lauginplace199's estimates, which will give you a lot of time at Epcot.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Now....the only issue you may run into is this....
You tagged 3 bags. You get to your resort, using a towncar or rental car. You do not checkin at the DME welcome counter. You get to your resort, get checked in, and then head off to a park. You return to your room, many hours later, assuming your bags will be there, waiting, in your room. But, you find only 2 bags in your room! So, you call Bell Services and start the search. The airlines have a window in which you should be submitting a claim for missing/misdirected bags....this window may have passed by the time you realize you have missing bags. Of course, WDW/DME may have just sent your missing bag to the wrong resort.

Should you do it NO.

 

[NicholeB630]

Ok thanks. If you all really don't think that much will be saved than maybe we will do the Express. I just remember being on the bus a long time since our resort was I believe last. I remember there being a store in the contemporary but I don't remember what all it had. I have no intention if cooking but does it have milk/cereal or some lunch items? Fruit?

 

[siskaren]

Ok thanks. If you all really don't think that much will be saved than maybe we will do the Express. I just remember being on the bus a long time since our resort was I believe last. I remember there being a store in the contemporary but I don't remember what all it had. I have no intention if cooking but does it have milk/cereal or some lunch items? Fruit?

DME routes can change, so there's no guarantee that you'd be the last stop again. You can buy food items at Fantasia Market - check out the pictures in post #4 of this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3248210

 

[NicholeB630]

DME routes can change, so there's no guarantee that you'd be the last stop again. You can buy food items at Fantasia Market - check out the pictures in post #4 of this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3248210

Thanks!! I'll look at those. I think with us getting there at 11 (flight gets in) we'd have plenty of time to spend a good amount at Epcot

 

[NicholeB630]

That link was perfect. Shows so much of what they have and def all we would need for the week.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just to remind you (because its something I literally have to find myself for the late Fall or Winter trips)... It gets dark early then. You'll have hours and hours in Epcot before it closes, but about half that time it won't be the daytime.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Also keep in mind there is not a lot for a 6 yr old and a 2 yr old to do at Epcot and they may become bored. Plus I would not waste the money on a towncar. What if the weather is terrible and you don't want to go to Epcot and you shelled out the extra money for a towncar only to realize the weather is no so great. I would stick to the DME

 

[goofy4tink]

A Towncar service will take about 60 mins, or so, when you have checked bags. So, you're only saving 30 mins...probably less. This time of year is no longer slow. This is most likely Pop Warner time at WDW, so there will be a fair amount of people at the airport. Figure on being at the CR by 12:30ish. Checkin should take less than 30 mins. If the room isn't ready yet, just head to a park. You should be in Epcot by 2:30, latest. That gives you about 6.5 hrs in there....unless its an EMH night that night.

 

[maxiesmom]

Also keep in mind there is not a lot for a 6 yr old and a 2 yr old to do at Epcot and they may become bored. Plus I would not waste the money on a towncar. What if the weather is terrible and you don't want to go to Epcot and you shelled out the extra money for a towncar only to realize the weather is no so great. I would stick to the DME

I agree I wouldn't waste the money on a towncar, but I disagree there is not a lot for kids to do at Epcot. The whole Seas pavillion with nemo and all of the fish and dolphins and manatees and Crush is perfect for kids. So is the boat ride in the Mexico pavillion and all of the performers. Lots for kids to do.

 

[Gracie09]

I agree I wouldn't waste the money on a towncar, but I disagree there is not a lot for kids to do at Epcot. The whole Seas pavillion with nemo and all of the fish and dolphins and manatees and Crush is perfect for kids. So is the boat ride in the Mexico pavillion and all of the performers. Lots for kids to do.

Not to mention innovations east and west. My girls spent hours there when they were three doing the piggy bank challenge and the other activities. And there are lots of characters