Magical Express

[KellyKittens]

This is the first trip I’m planning and also my first time at Disney... so please bare with me.

Hypothetically speaking, if my flight lands around 12ish and I have a lunch reservation in Disney Springs around 2:30, would I make that late lunch reservation? I’m absolutely okay with switching stuff around but am curious.

I’m asking because I’m not quite sure about travel time regarding Magical Express. Like the time from the airport after loading guests to being in the WDW area. I know buses between parks take awhile (from what I read) but what about ME? I’m also staying at French Quarter and arriving Christmas Day ... yeah yeah I know it’s a bad time but the only time we both could attend due to our jobs and vacation time through them.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Using DME to get from MCO to WDW can take anywhere from 50-90 minutes, depending on wait times. If you immediately take a boat to Disney Springs, you will have no issue. If you need to check in at the resort first to activate a dining plan, that will slow you down some.

 

[KellyKittens]

Using DME to get from MCO to WDW can take anywhere from 50-90 minutes, depending on wait times. If you immediately take a boat to Disney Springs, you will have no issue. If you need to check in at the resort first to activate a dining plan, that will slow you down some.

Ahh gotcha. So even with checking in online for my resort doesn’t activate my dining plan?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Ahh gotcha. So even with checking in online for my resort doesn’t activate my dining plan?

It should, and in most cases there are no issues, but we have had clients that still have issues with dining and tickets so we usually recommend that they check in at the front desk. If there are no lines it should only take 8-10 minutes.

 

[Worldlover71]

This also assumes your flight is on time. Between regular delays and December weather you never know. I would skip the reservation so you aren't stressed about it. There are many good places to eat at DS and the resorts where you won't need a reservation.

 

[Minnie Mum]

I think it's quite likely you would be late for your ADR. Even assuming an on time arrival, it can easily take half an hour just to deplane and get to the DME check in counter (add more time if anyone needs a bathroom stop.) It can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes for the bus to reach your resort, depending on whether yours is the first or last drop off. But you could also have quite a wait while that bus is loaded and ready to leave the airport. You would also likely have a wait for the boat before heading to DS. Of course, you could skip the bus altogether and take a taxi or Uber straight to DS.

I never make an ADR on arrival day earlier than 4 hours after our ETA.

 

[daisyduckie]

I don't think you will make it. You have no room at all for any delays.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Like Minnie Mum said we give ourselves 4 hours before an ADR on arrival day.

 

[HwdStudio]

This is the first trip I’m planning and also my first time at Disney... so please bare with me.

Hypothetically speaking, if my flight lands around 12ish and I have a lunch reservation in Disney Springs around 2:30, would I make that late lunch reservation? I’m absolutely okay with switching stuff around but am curious.

I’m asking because I’m not quite sure about travel time regarding Magical Express. Like the time from the airport after loading guests to being in the WDW area. I know buses between parks take awhile (from what I read) but what about ME? I’m also staying at French Quarter and arriving Christmas Day ... yeah yeah I know it’s a bad time but the only time we both could attend due to our jobs and vacation time through them.

I doubt you would make you ADR. Holidays are notorious for flight delays. You are going at a very busy time of year. The parks will be standing room only. I would make a later ADR if possible.

 

[LeighM]

When we stayed at Riverside in October 2016 we landed about 11:30am and it took about 30 minutes to get from JetBlue gate to the Magical Express area - mainly because there were long lines at every women's restroom and skipping it was NOT an option. Then we got to the bus area and waited about 5 minutes to get "checked in" there. Luckily, we only had a 10 minute wait to get on a bus. It took almost an hour to get to Riverside because of traffic plus we were the last stop. We went to Old Key West, French Quarter, and then Riverside. I can't remember whether the first stop was Saratoga Springs or not. But it was a loooong time to get to Riverside being the last stop. We had our room notification while on the bus so we were able to go to the room and drop off our bags and change clothes. That took at least 45 minutes. We took the boat to Disney Springs but we had just missed one so we had to wait about 15 minutes and it takes close to 15 minutes to get there. If you take the bus to Disney Springs, you do get dropped off closer to the restaurant because we had a nice walk from the boat dock in Market Place. We had a lunch reservation around 3:00 and maybe had 15 minutes to spare. I was stressed about being late to it but it turned out to be fine - because my friend was stuck in I-4 traffic LOL. You could possibly make it if everything aligned perfectly.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

I would change your ADR time to maybe 4:30. Then you don’t have to stress. And if you get to DS earlier, great, you can walk around and relax from the hustle of traveling.
There are so many factors that are out of your control regarding timing. Weather or mechanical delays with your flight. There could be weather issues on in another area of the Country that could end up delaying your flight if your plane arrives late from its previous destination. ME is a crapshoot. Sometimes I’ve walked right into a bus without waiting in line at all, and I’m at the resort 40 minuets later. Other times you have to wait in line for a bus, then wait some more on the bus. Once you get to your resort you still need to get to DS, and to the restaurant.
Move your ADR time if you can. It will be less stress for you. You won’t have to worry about missing your meal.

 

[KellyKittens]

Thank you for all the replies. I will definitely take everything into consideration.

 

[DarthVader]

I was disappointed in the wait time I had to endure for DME. At this point, I forget the details, but it was well over 45 minutes of just waiting in line for my bus to show up. We weren't alone many other people were waiting for their respective busses. I'd recommend rescheduling the reservation if at all possible

 

[KellyKittens]

I was disappointed in the wait time I had to endure for DME. At this point, I forget the details, but it was well over 45 minutes of just waiting in line for my bus to show up. We weren't alone many other people were waiting for their respective busses. I'd recommend rescheduling the reservation if at all possible

We are considering taking a Uber or Lyft to the resort due to wait times and stuff for DME

 

[dreamfinder]

I don't think you would make it. It would require your flight to land on time, your DME bus to leave almost immediately after you get on, and the transportation to DS to leave as soon as you get there. You could do a Lyft/Uber direct to DS and should be ok timewise. Schlepping your luggage through DS would be pain, so you could have them swing through FQ and drop it as bell services on your way.

 

[KellyKittens]

I don't think you would make it. It would require your flight to land on time, your DME bus to leave almost immediately after you get on, and the transportation to DS to leave as soon as you get there. You could do a Lyft/Uber direct to DS and should be ok timewise. Schlepping your luggage through DS would be pain, so you could have them swing through FQ and drop it as bell services on your way.

Yeah I think that is exactly what we are going to do. Get a Uber/Lyft and drop off our luggage and take a boat to Disney Springs.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Yeah I think that is exactly what we are going to do. Get a Uber/Lyft and drop off our luggage and take a boat to Disney Springs.

One other option to consider - arrange for a town car service - while it will cost more than Uber/Lyft, there would be no waiting (using the app and waiting), the town car driver would meet you at baggage claim, help you with your luggage to the car, and take you directly to your resort.

 

[DarthVader]

One other option to consider - arrange for a town car service

I'm thinking that might be the way we go the next trip. I'm considering a long weekend trip (to minimize the kids from missing school), and we'll fly out Wednesday evening. Getting into Orlando late at night, I think the easiest option will then be just get a town car. I was really disappointed with DME the last time we went, it took too long for my liking