This may sound stupid, but could I not evolve a Charmander until level 98 then get it to Charizard by level 100, and save some time training?
Actually,yes all pokemon from the same evolutionary chain require the same amount of EXP needed to reach lvl 100 http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dragonite http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dragonair http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Dratini if you check the EXP needed to reach lvl 100 you'll see that it's the same
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Experience