Arrival day and BOG lunch - timing issue?

[lacy1101]

Our flight is scheduled to land at MCO at 8:55 a.m. on our arrival day and we have a lunch ADR at Be Our Guest for 11:15 a.m. I am going to continue to try and get a later reservation, but if I am not successful, what are your opinions on whether we will make it into the park and to BOG by 11:15 a.m.? When planning our previous trips, I have always allowed 90 minutes for DME to get us from the airport to our resort. Is this still the standard? If so, that puts us getting to POFQ around 10:30 a.m. and that will not be enough time to check in, drop any carry-ons w/luggage services, catch the bus to MK, enter the park, and get to BOG by 11:15 a.m. I suppose we could save check in for later and simply drop our carry-ons and catch the bus to MK. I think that's the only way it would work. Thoughts?

 

[mom2rtk]

Too tight if using Disney transport.

 

[goofygal531]

Cutting it close.

I usually try to schedule lunch after 12 on arrival day to be safe. We take the 6am flight out of JFK and have been in the parks by 10:30 am (photo time stamp).

However, this last trip we got delayed! Our plane was delayed coming into JFK 2hrs due to a rain storm out West. We weren’t wheels up until 8:30 am.

You never know on arrival day. I personally stopped making any ADRs for arrival day. I like to keep the whole day open and just go with the flow.

 

[DWillowBay]

Very low success projection on this one. 3 hours from touch down is my rule of thumb.

 

[gharter]

While it is doable, even if you can make it, I think it would be too stressful to make it enjoyable.
Your timeframe only works if you have no delays in flights and no problems at the airport.
I would keep trying to get a later ADR or find a different place to eat.
Or take one of the shuttle companies that will get you to the resort faster than ME will.

 

[mom2rtk]

Very low success projection on this one. 3 hours from touch down is my rule of thumb.

Same here. I plan 3 hours touchdown to walking through MK gates.

 

[LilyWDW]

It would have to be PERFECT to even have a chance of making it. Even then it would be a very slim chance.

 

[Hopefully]

No. Too close. Based on years of travel experience I never make an ADR until 5 hours after scheduled arrival

 

[Pumbaa_]

You haven’t accounted for what if....

You are assuming everything will run smoothly. While I hope it does, there is no guarantee that your flight will be on time.

My personal policy is nothing non refundable on arrival day.

 

[Mich123]

I've cut it too close and survived, but it's a personal preference. The glitch is that if you have a dining plan, you technically need to check in at the resort first to activate it. On our last trip, we had a flight that landed at 10:30 a.m. and reservations at Skipper Canteen at 12:45 p.m. We did make it. We were heading to Port Orleans-Riverside on the bus, got off the bus early at Saratoga Springs, took a bus to MK, rented a locker for our carry ons, and went to our reservation, a little bit early. Our dining plan didn't work at the restaurant because it wasn't activated, so we paid OOP, however, I was able to sort it out at the resort later. I'd note that this was during a "value" season.

I am contemplating a similar situation for our next trip when we arrive late, but I hope to cram in a real dinner. I may just Uber or Lyft to the hotel and make a reservation on the road, but that's not possible with BOG. I think it's worth the $25pp risk, but that's just me, on a vacation budget and trying to fit EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD into my trip. Good luck!

 

[FCDub]

Too stressful for me! First day of vacation should be carefree.

Have you considered taking a cab/Uber/Lyft from MCO to save time?

 

[SG131]

It took us about 3 hours from touchdown to Epcot last year. I wouldn’t cut it that close. If there’s a delay anywhere in the process you’ll miss your reservation and do you really want to spend the start of your vacation stressing about trying to get to your reservation on time.

 

[happymommy]

Once DME took over 2 1/2 hours to get to the resort (BWI). It was then that I swore we'd never take it again (but alas, we have a few times, LOL).

The only way I'd even consider this is if you took an Uber or taxi straight to the MK upon landing. Even then, I agree that you need to consider the possibility of flight delays.

We also never make any dining reservations on arrival day, even for dinner.

 

[crabbygal902]

I agree with the PPs, your chance of success is small and could cause unnecessary stress on your precious vacation time. Check-in to POFQ, save room for those delicious beignets for dessert at the food court, stroll the grounds and enjoy your resort. It is so beautiful!

 

[Moliphino]

I've cut it too close and survived, but it's a personal preference. The glitch is that if you have a dining plan, you technically need to check in at the resort first to activate it. On our last trip, we had a flight that landed at 10:30 a.m. and reservations at Skipper Canteen at 12:45 p.m. We did make it. We were heading to Port Orleans-Riverside on the bus, got off the bus early at Saratoga Springs, took a bus to MK, rented a locker for our carry ons, and went to our reservation, a little bit early. Our dining plan didn't work at the restaurant because it wasn't activated, so we paid OOP, however, I was able to sort it out at the resort later. I'd note that this was during a "value" season.

I am contemplating a similar situation for our next trip when we arrive late, but I hope to cram in a real dinner. I may just Uber or Lyft to the hotel and make a reservation on the road, but that's not possible with BOG. I think it's worth the $25pp risk, but that's just me, on a vacation budget and trying to fit EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD into my trip. Good luck!

Did you do online check-in? I've used dining plan credits without ever stepping foot in the resort.

 

[sullyfam]

You could do it but I wouldn't rely on Disney Transport. I would take an Uber/Lyft from the airport to your resort, check in and drop bags and then take another Uber/Lyft to MK. Or save yourself the stress and let the ADR go.

 

[lacy1101]

Sounds pretty unanimous lol . . . and consistent with my own thoughts honestly. I will just keep trying for a later BOG ressie. I really don't want to be all stressed out before I even step foot into the park. Thanks, everyone, for your input!

 

[Mich123]

@Moliphino we did do online check in, but it didn’t register the dining plan points.

 

[Nancyg56]

Sounds pretty unanimous lol . . . and consistent with my own thoughts honestly. I will just keep trying for a later BOG ressie. I really don't want to be all stressed out before I even step foot into the park. Thanks, everyone, for your input!

It will be stressful, and what a way to enter the MK. No time to absorb that you have arrived, not time to enjoy the scenery, just grab and run.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Too close for me.

We land at 8:25 am and have BOG lunch at 1:45 pm. It gives us plenty of time to arrive at POFQ, look around if we want, get our carry on's checked with bell services, head on over to MK and time to soak in the atmosphere of Main Street.

We do have FP+ for Splash from 12-1 and BTMRR 1-2. This way we have about 4.5 hours to get to Splash.