Arrival Day...

[bcbsmom]

We got an earlier flight than anticipated and will be arriving around 12:00 (September trip). I’m assuming we would be to the resort & checked in by 2ish. Do you rely on QS your arrival day or like to book a late lunch/early dinner. As of now thinking we will just visit Disney Springs & not go to a park that day. Paying out of pocket as we added an extra day and our package starts the following day.

 

[nuclearturtle]

That’s exactly what we’re doing 9/14...

 

[bcbsmom]

That’s exactly what we’re doing 9/14...

Funny! Same date as well.

 

[DISNEY1975]

When we fly early in the morning and arrive at the resorts by 11, we book a lunch, since we hadnt really eaten all day at that point, other than snacks. We check in, but usually room is not ready, but we drop our luggage, go to lunch and usually by the time that is done, our room is ready. We unpack, take a swim, then spend a few hours in the parks while everyone is having supper! Early bedtime, as we wake up around 4am on those days with the early flights.

When we have later flights, we dont even stay at Disney the first night. I dont like spending the $$$$$ for 1/2 day or less stay, so we book a hotel for about $100 on Hotel Plaza Blvd and walk over to Disney Springs for supper/little shopping/watch entertainment. This trip we booked Raglan Rd for our first night (5pm). Its very reasonably priced (we're paying OOP too) and there is entertainment.

 

[Nomad70]

We will be at the resort by 2pm as well on September 6th. Traditionally we check in and head over to DS and eat at Earl of Sandwich. But, since we will have tickets for all the days we are there this trip, arrival and departure days, we will probably head to Epcot. I only booked one sit down this trip because September is pretty easy to get into sit downs without reservations. We play it by ear, I guess once we get to Epcot we will decide what we're in the mood for.

 

[rg35]

We usually arrive around noon, head to the pool for a bit and then have a TS dinner at Disney springs or go to Hoop Dee Doo Revue for dinner on our arrival day.

 

[10CJ]

I would wing it for lunch and book a resort or DS dinner.

 

[bcbsmom]

We usually arrive around noon, head to the pool for a bit and then have a TS dinner at Disney springs or go to Hoop Dee Doo Revue for dinner on our arrival day.

Hmmmm, we've only been to Disney a few times & that’s something we’ve never did. That may be our plan if any availability!! Thanks!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Hmmmm, we've only been to Disney a few times & that’s something we’ve never did. That may be our plan if any availability!! Thanks!

If you do DS, you can use OpenTable to make your reservations once you get settled. Typically most restaurants have same same day availability enjoy!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you do DS, you can use OpenTable to make your reservations once you get settled. Typically most restaurants have same same day availability enjoy!

Exactly this. OP, there are so many DS restaurants on opentable and, if you book through that site, there is no credit card hold and zero penalty for canceling even minutes before the reservation. I would opt for that in case of a travel delay.

 

[nuclearturtle]

We usually arrive around noon, head to the pool for a bit and then have a TS dinner at Disney springs or go to Hoop Dee Doo Revue for dinner on our arrival day.

We're doing the Hoop Dee Doo Revue our second night... I originally had it booked for our first night but our flight got changed by the airline and it would of been too hectic.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Our 1st day tradition is to hit something at DS and then do a bit of shopping. We're usually pretty travel weary early that 1st day so we try and keep it low key. Raglan Road has always been our go to for table.

 

[ttintagel]

After the long plane ride from New York, waiting for the Magical Express, and the long bus ride from the airport to the resort, we're usually too tired to go anywhere but the resort food court!

 

[TOBS2010]

If your plane arrives around noon, based on my personal experience on several occasions I wouldn't count on arriving to your room until around 3 p.m. if you are using the Magical Express. We never do a park on the first day we arrive---however, we usually do head over to Disney Springs for dinner. This past trip, we were scheduled to arrive to our hotel by 3:30-4 p.m. at the latest, however due to weather in the Orlando area our flight was several hours delayed. So we did not even get onto the Magical Express until 6:30 p.m. and did not arrive to POR until 9 p.m. Luckily, I had made our 6 p.m. Ragland Road reservation that night via Open Table and was able to cancel it prior to our actual take-off without penalty since I knew there was no way we would make it at that point. I would have a plan and then know you have a back up plan in case you need it. Most of the food courts are great options and then you can enjoy your resort or head over to Disney Springs for dessert somewhere.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

We usually do a park even for a few hours because we are too excited to stay away. However given the risk of delays I wouldn’t book anything with a credit card hold. We land at 1 and are going to the parks of all goes well. We will eat QS.