Veterans, help estimate the travel time for me please?

[Vipper of Vipp]

Arriving 6PM on a Friday. How long to get from Orlando airport to Disney resort, check in, drop off bags and then use Disney transportation to get to Downtown Disney (using the following options from the airport):

Magical Express

and

Towncar Service

Thanks,

 

[Jestocost]

The only variable there is the form of transport from the airport. DME will get you to your resort anywhere from 60 minutes to 90 minutes after you get off of the plan (if you use the luggage transfer service). A town car will take 45 minutes to 60+ minutes, mostly depending on how quick your bags make it on to the carousel.

Check in should take 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on how many people are in the line ahead of you. Getting to DTD via bus should take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on how long you wait for a bus.

You don't say where you are staying to take into account the fact that some resorts share bus service with other resorts or the fact that some have alternate forms of transportation to DTD.

All told, I would plan on 2.5 hours from getting off of the plane to getting to DTD either way. If you have only carry-on bags, a town car probably will save you 30 minutes on that time. If you have checked bags, a town car MIGHT save you 15 minutes.

 

[Vipper of Vipp]

Pop for the first night.

Are checking bags.

So you think that 15 minutes is all we'll save? That's all?

 

[CarolA]

Pop for the first night.

Are checking bags.

So you think that 15 minutes is all we'll save? That's all?

I haven't checked bags in a while at MCO, but the last time I did it was VERY slow. Took about half an hour AFTER I got to the claim area (and I figure thats 10 to 15 minutes after landing depending on where you are on the plane and the luck of the "tram" at MCO)

So while you might get lucky and waltz right to your bags, you might have to wait and wait and wait. That's the unknown with the town car. The unknown with DME is the wait there and the number of stops.

If I rent a car and don't check I can beat DME. Otherwise.. probably close to a toss up.

 

[goofy4tink]

These are my experiences, to date, with various transportation options, going to various resorts...

DME....average of 70 mins from plane to resort. Most times were around 60 mins, but one time it took almost 90 mins. That is with 5 or 6 trips on DME.

Towncar...carryon bags only, 45 mins.

Towncar...checked bags, 60 mins

Mears shuttle.....(last Sept, so the newer shuttle not of yesteryear!!), 80 mins.

As you can see, the towncars are faster, but when you add in baggage handling, it is close to the same timing. Here's the thing...if I'm paying for a ride to my resort (i.e. a towncar), I want my checked bags with me. I don't mind waiting those 4 hrs or so to get my bags delivered if I ride the DME bus because I'm not paying oop for it.
But, if I'm paying $100+, I want those bags. So, that will add about 15 mins to my time...hence the 60 mins vs 45.

So, let's say your flight arrives on time, at 6pm. If you use DME, and tag your bags, you should be at POP by about 7:15, at the latest. I've taken DME to POP 3 times now and only one time was POP not the first stop. So, plan on it taking you until 7:15-7:30 to get from your gate to POP...then, when you arrive at 7:10, you'll be thrilled.
You should be able to be at the bus stop, waiting for the DTD bus, by 8pm. Your bags may not get to your room until 9-9:30, but your room will be available so you can head there, freshen up, head out to DTD and your bags will be there waiting for you when you get back to the room later on.

If you use a towncar, your timing will be similar....you may be able to knock off 10 or 15 mins but not much more than that.

 

[Lewisc]

A car rental will give you the ability to go directly from MCO to DTD and check in at your resort after you have dinner in DTD.

Bus service from the resorts to DTD isn't always that great. If you just missed the DTD bus at POP you might save 30 minutes (or more) if you take a cab from POP to DTD.

 

[Vipper of Vipp]

So $100 buys me 15 minutes and my bags are with me. Big whoop.

Our problem is a result of the airline changing our flight to a later time and now we're not able to make a dinner reservation at DD.

Was hoping that a towncar would turn a 75-90 min ME trip into a 40 min trip.

Apparently not. Waiting for luggage seems to be the sticking point.

Thanks for the answers.

 

[Jestocost]

So $100 buys me 15 minutes and my bags are with me. Big whoop.

Our problem is a result of the airline changing our flight to a later time and now we're not able to make a dinner reservation at DD.

Was hoping that a towncar would turn a 75-90 min ME trip into a 40 min trip.

Apparently not. Waiting for luggage seems to be the sticking point.

Thanks for the answers.

For planning purposes, that's what I would assume. You will hear reports froms people who say that their bags hit the carousel five minutes after they got there and if that happens you'll save more time. I have no doubt that sometimes the baggage gets to the carousel very quickly, but it's not the norm and at the other end of the spectrum I have waited almost two hours for my baggage in on extreme case.

A town car service certainly is a different experience and some people find it worth it to pay for that experience vs. the DME bus. A town car also typically allows you a grocery stop, which is important to some people as well. I personally would not consider time savings a reason to use a town car service unless I was doing carry-on bags only, however.

 

[Lewisc]

POP is generally the first stop. You should get to POP 7-7:30p. Skip check in if you see a long line, grab a taxi to DTD and you should be able to make a 8p ADR.

 

[Endeavour105]

All of the above answers seem to assume there are no traffic problems on Rt 528 - The Beachline - west bound and/or I-4 west bound.

If arriving at 6pm on a Friday, allow extra time and anticipate delays on Rt 528 or I-4 or both.

Good luck!