Plane lands at 1:15 Sat what time for dinner?

[birmantaz]

This is our first trip and I am wondering how long on a Sat it will take us to get luggage (SW airlines), wait for the Magical Express, get to and register at OKW? I want to make dinner reservations at the Garden Grill in Epcot as early as time allows without being rushed. We are going in the beginning of June and we will have 4 adults and 4 kids ages 9 mo to 5 yrs.

 

[tinkbutt]

with magical express it is hard to say i've heard stories saying that they got to the resort in 45min to 4 hours so its hard to say you might wanna make your first night counter service/ food court at your resort just so you don't have that rushed feeling but if ya wanna go for it I would try a little later in the dinner window maybe 6:30. just have a late small lunch after the flight to hold you and your party over

at least thats what i'd do hope this helps

 

[DW-Admin]

I agree with making the ADR after 6:30. Thats safe, but the latest that you would allow would be the safest obviously.

 

[CleveRocks]

This is our first trip and I am wondering how long on a Sat it will take us to get luggage (SW airlines), wait for the Magical Express, get to and register at OKW? I want to make dinner reservations at the Garden Grill in Epcot as early as time allows without being rushed. We are going in the beginning of June and we will have 4 adults and 4 kids ages 9 mo to 5 yrs.

Using DME, the average reported time from airplane exit to resort drop-off is 70 minutes. I never, EVER read anywhere of anyone taking 4 hours to get to their resort. If it ever happened, it was a truly one in a million event. In reality, it's ridiculous to even consider 4 hours from airplane to resort as a possibility, in the same way that it would be ridiculous to think a car service could take you 4 hours just because there have been rare car service driver no-shows or car mechanical breakdowns, know what I mean?

I also wonder why you are planning to get your own luggage. If it is by choice, then so be it. But are you aware that you don't have to? Everyone on every airline gets the full DME treatment upon arrival -- that's the bus ride AND the automatic luggage delivery.

If you are landing at 1:15 p.m., and you land on-time, it could take you 15 minutes just to get rolling, since you have so many little ones and there could be bathroom stops, and so on and so on. Remember, you said you don't want to rush, so I'm padding the time herre for realism and relaxation.

So you get to the DME counter by 1:30 (this is assuming you are letting DME handle your checked bags). Assume you will be at your resort no later than 3:00 p.m. In all likelihood, you will be there earlier, but let's just say 3:00 p.m.

Hopefully, you will be checked in by 3:30, at your room by 3:40. Unwind, use the bathroom, relax for a few minutes, then out the door by 4:15 p.m. (is a half-hour to relax in the room enough???). Let's say you get a bus by 4:30 p.m., you're at Epcot by 4:45 p.m., into the gate at 4:50 p.m.

Again, assuming you don't want to rush, I think you'd be safe to make a 5:30 p.m. or later reservation.

Again, I spelled this all out so you can see all the padding I added into the time frames, to assure a non-rushed experience on your part.

Of course, you could experience delays such as a flight delay. This could certainly happen, but I wouldn't let it stop me from making a dinner ADR. If your flight is delayed and you'll see it'll be an unpleasant rush to try to make it, either cancel the ADR or call from your cellphone and see if you can possibly arrange a later time (there may be cancellations, just like yours!).

 

[tinkbutt]

on the podcast a woman wrote in an email or voicemail saying it took her four hours I can't remember who said it but thats where I heard that

 

[SoonipiLady]

on the podcast a woman wrote in an email or voicemail saying it took her four hours I can't remember who said it but thats where I heard that

I'm all for comfort, but you CAN travel comfortably and still be appropriately dressed for a restaurant that evening, if your bags don't arrive! Not to mention, like to admit it or not, the service you receive by both the airport and airline personnel is much better when you don't travel in your pajamas or your sweats! I am continually amazed at the state in which some people travel. I have seen women who obviously haven't even brushed their hair, let alone throw on some lipstick standing on the airport counter checking in! (I wouldn't drop my kids off at the school in the condition that some poeple travel, and I don't even get out of the car to drop them off, let alone sit in an enclosed space with 150 people for 3 or 4 hours. ) And this is coming from a gal who only wears make-up 2 or 3 days per week!

We also always have bathing suits, toiletries and fresh "unmentionables" in our carry-ons. That way, if we want to go to dinner, we can get to the hotel, take a quick swim, shower and "pretty-up", if our bags still aren't around, a quick steam treatment in the bathroom, or a fluff in the on-site dryer of our travel clothes means our schedule isn't tied to our suitcase arrival.

Or in the words of DH on our first cruise when at 9:00pm we still had not a single bag delivered to our stateroom.....

"Baggage?? We don't need no stinking baggage!!" Apparently from the very confused look on our stateroom attendent's face, he was not a fan of ""Treasure of the Sierra Madre" or "Blazing Saddles"

 

[lovetoscrap]

You personally should be at the resort within an hour or 2. The busses run continuously and I have never had a problem getting on one within about 20-30 minutes. It is your luggage that may take 4-6 hours to make it to the resort and into your room. I would plan to not see your luggage until after dinner. It could get there earlier, but just assume that it won't and be thrilled if it does!

 

[wezee]

We always take the same AM flight each trip, which lands around 11:30am. We have always gotten to our resort (via ME) and checked in by about 1pm. WDW is very efficient with their ME transportation, but depending on which day of the week you are arriving...the checkin process for that many people could be lengthy. If your room is not ready, you can store your carryons with the bell captain, and venture to the parks, pool etc.

I agree with the OP...do not expect your luggage for several hours. It will prolly be in your room when you return from dinner.

Depending on which resort you are staying, I would agree that 5:30 or 6pm should be just fine.

 

[birmantaz]

thanks for the info. I forgot about the luggage maybe not making it with us. I thought I read that Southwest Airlines didn't let you check luggage for ME, or maybe that is coming home? I'm confused on that. I think I will make the res for 6. Thanks again!

 

[CleveRocks]

thanks for the info. I forgot about the luggage maybe not making it with us. I thought I read that Southwest Airlines didn't let you check luggage for ME, or maybe that is coming home? I'm confused on that. I think I will make the res for 6. Thanks again!

Everyone on every airline gets the full DME treatment. There's no such thing as an airline that prevents you from using the in-bound DME luggage delivery to your room.

It's only for the trip home that airline makes a difference.