michelepa
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
- Messages
- 672
I had the same concern as OP as far as taking ME and making it in time for our lunch reservation at Crystal Palace in August.
I have always taken a car service to our in-park hotels but decided this time to try ME since I'm paying for it through my very expensive hotel cost and was looking to save $ where I could. I'd only heard good things about ME from friends who travel frequently to Disney who assured me I'd be in plenty of time for our lunch. They were right!
10:40 our plane landed and we went directly to ME area (didn't need to get luggage since I put the ME tags on it) bus stopped at Poly then GF and then dropped us off at WL at 11:50. We'd done on line check-in and I'd gotten an email that we could go directly to our room so we dropped carry-ons in room, took boat to MK, bag check (no line at this time of day), guest services for 1st time pin and activation of our magic bands for the parks and we were in the park by 12:30. Now what??!! Lunch wasn't until 1:20. (I didn't plan on being this early;!)
I'd be more worried about flight delays then ME delays. (Our flight was delayed 30min but we made up some time in the air and only arrived into MCO 10 minutes late.)
As for your other question, I'm not sure what time of year you are going. We went the end of August -beginning of Sept and had no crowds so we were able to ride RR with no wait. If you are going at a crowded time of year I would not count on a 4th fast pass for a popular ride so that should be Plan B, however you may get some pixie dust.
Have a great time!
I have always taken a car service to our in-park hotels but decided this time to try ME since I'm paying for it through my very expensive hotel cost and was looking to save $ where I could. I'd only heard good things about ME from friends who travel frequently to Disney who assured me I'd be in plenty of time for our lunch. They were right!
10:40 our plane landed and we went directly to ME area (didn't need to get luggage since I put the ME tags on it) bus stopped at Poly then GF and then dropped us off at WL at 11:50. We'd done on line check-in and I'd gotten an email that we could go directly to our room so we dropped carry-ons in room, took boat to MK, bag check (no line at this time of day), guest services for 1st time pin and activation of our magic bands for the parks and we were in the park by 12:30. Now what??!! Lunch wasn't until 1:20. (I didn't plan on being this early;!)
I'd be more worried about flight delays then ME delays. (Our flight was delayed 30min but we made up some time in the air and only arrived into MCO 10 minutes late.)
As for your other question, I'm not sure what time of year you are going. We went the end of August -beginning of Sept and had no crowds so we were able to ride RR with no wait. If you are going at a crowded time of year I would not count on a 4th fast pass for a popular ride so that should be Plan B, however you may get some pixie dust.
Have a great time!
