Transportation time on ME... am I cutting too close?

[dimndgal1]

I hope this is the right place to post and hope to alleviate some confusion!!!

We are flying into MCO for our Sept trip at 150p and plan on taking ME to WL. We have a 630 ADR in DtD and when I was running our plans by a couple people they seemed to think we would be tight for time. When negotiating time, I tried to be generous: I figured 2 hours to WL, maybe 30/45 min to check in, then an hour to get to DtD... is that not enough time? should I push back ADR? Really want to avoid going too much later with two kiddos and the residual 'travel malaise'.

Would appreciate any help! TIA!

 

[Jimsig]

I think you will probably make it, baring no flight delays. Will you have to go to baggage claim? Even if you are sitting in the back of the plane and didn't get a bus until 3p you should be no later then 430 at WL. Checked in by 530 drop your bags and take next bus to DtD. If you can't make it to you room leave your carry ons with bell services.

I think another option would be to try and do it, but if it looks like it will be too close you could always skip checking in and leave any carry ons with bell services and grab the next bus to DtD.


By the time you are back from dinner you bags might even be there if using the luggage service.

 

[dimndgal1]

I think you will probably make it, baring no flight delays. Will you have to go to baggage claim? Even if you are sitting in the back of the plane and didn't get a bus until 3p you should be no later then 430 at WL. Checked in by 530 drop your bags and take next bus to DtD. If you can't make it to you room leave your carry ons with bell services.

I think another option would be to try and do it, but if it looks like it will be too close you could always skip checking in and leave any carry ons with bell services and grab the next bus to DtD.


By the time you are back from dinner you bags might even be there if using the luggage service.

We're on an ME 'affiliated' airline so I think that means once I put Mickey on my bags, I don't have to fret until my yellow-accentuated bags are sitting in my room... correct? (first time with ME) Hoping that will make things easier with time, too.
My other thought was to send DH, friend, and two kiddos down to DtD and I can check us in and join them once we're squared away but wasn't sure if that was a feasible option, either. Last trip we drove and were at POR so time wasn't an issue, we took the boat to DtD, and the rain from the tropical storm made everything crazy! Hoping since the first two things are different this trip, the last will be, too!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Timing sounds fine to me unless your flight is delayed. I would expect to be at the WL by 4:00 (probably sooner). Online check-in should help speed up your time at the front desk. 30 minutes is probably plenty of time to allow for check-in. You could spend about a half hour in your room getting freshened up for dinner and still have 90 minutes to get to DTD.

 

[Jimsig]

We're on an ME 'affiliated' airline so I think that means once I put Mickey on my bags, I don't have to fret until my yellow-accentuated bags are sitting in my room... correct? (first time with ME) Hoping that will make things easier with time, too.

Should def make things easier, especially the time. Just go from the plane to the ME bus. As I and another poster mentioned you should have plenty of time but I would not take your time in the airport either. No need to run from the plane to the bus but use the rest room if needed, but I would not stop for a bite to eat or shop etc.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just remember if you made a ADR reservation and you get delayed and don't show up for the reservation you will be charged $10 per person that is listed on the reservation. Reservations have to be cancelled no later that 24 hr before your ADR arrival time.

 

[purple figment]

Our rule of thumb is to make a dining reservation 4½-5 hours after arrival at MCO so you should be fine. As long as there are no flight or travel delays you should be able to check in at WL and make it to DTD. If you're running late you can save a little time by leaving your carry ons with bell services rather than going up to your room and/or taking a taxi to DTD.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just a note....doesn't matter what airline you arrive at MCO on....everyone can tag their bags with the yellow tags.

Ok...if you land at 1:50, you should be off the plane by 2:10, latest. From gate to DME area is 15 mins or so. Figure on 15 mins in line for bus, 15 mins on the bus waiting to leave. Then 35 mins to the resort (time depends on which stop you are). 15-20 mins to check in....could be less tho. If room is ready, 20 mins to freshen up. Then to bus stop....wait up to 20 mins. Ride to DTD about 15 mins. So..about 2.5 hrs after landing. If you land on-time you should be fine...time to spare.

 

[sam_gordon]

Worst case scenario you can always jump in a cab if you're running late at some point. If your plane is late, you can get a cab from the airport straight to DTD. If you get to your resort late, you can get a cab from there to DTD (not having to wait on a bus).

I think you'll be fine. You should be at your resort by 3:30, even allowing another TWO hours for any potential problem, you STILL have time to catch the bus to DTD.

 

[dimndgal1]

Thanks for all the great info and 'working out' - makes me feel a little easier! Appreciate the timelines, too!

DH thinks we'll be fine (and the advice about taking a cab if necessary is great!) I also figure if I need to send the group ahead it's no biggie but hopefully it won't come to that.

Also, our ADR is with a non-Disney restaurant we booked directly... and they didn't take a CC number so I assume there's no fee? I totally plan on SOMEONE being there (even if it's 4 our of 5) but it was one of the reasons someone suggested we go with a place like that on our arrival day - too many risks of losing the guarantee deposit if the flight is delayed!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

only problem I can see with you going to check in and rest to DtD is ressie may not be willing to check group in if all of party not there. that could be a problem if you plan to join after checking in. one other thing are you doing a dining plan? if so I think, not sure, you have to be checked in to use credits. also remember your plane is coming from somewhere else that could have weather delays causing you to be delayed. a nonDisney trip for my daughters baton group flight home was canceled in Orlando because of weather in Detroit. I would keep the ressie but have the phone number with so you could cancel if needed.

 

[bumbershoot]

We're on an ME 'affiliated' airline so I think that means once I put Mickey on my bags, I don't have to fret until my yellow-accentuated bags are sitting in my room... correct? (first time with ME)

That doesn't matter when coming into MCO. The staff picks up yellow-tagged bags from behind the scenes, and they get whatever bags have the tags.

The affiliated airline thing matters when going HOME. Not when arriving.

Also, our ADR is with a non-Disney restaurant we booked directly... and they didn't take a CC number so I assume there's no fee?

So someplace like Rainforest Cafe? Not an ADR, but a reservation, since you didn't book through Disney? I wouldn't worry about that, then.

And while I am a stickler for "reverse engineering" the time to get places when traveling (right now at this moment I'm ignoring that, and I'm going to be late for some place I'm supposed to be, LOL), I wouldn't have a problem with your timeframe.