Arrival night meal

[mmouse50]

Arriving at MCO at 3:45pm after 2 hour flight with a 2 and 3 year in tow. Trying to decide where to eat the first night (everyone would have had large breakfast/lunch before plane), should we just go to hotel (POP) and eat dinner at food court or eat somewhere else (another resort or DS)? Will have car. Even if we eat somewhere other than food court it would be an "early" night (Disney standards). Any ideas?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Arriving at MCO at 3:45pm after 2 hour flight with a 2 and 3 year in tow. Trying to decide where to eat the first night (everyone would have had large breakfast/lunch before plane), should we just go to hotel (POP) and eat dinner at food court or eat somewhere else (another resort or DS)? Will have car. Even if we eat somewhere other than food court it would be an "early" night (Disney standards). Any ideas?

I would not plan any meal that requires a ressie because you never know when a delay will happen. with the age of kids I would just eat at the food court and call it an early night

 

[SteveH]

I agree with @Betty Rohrer - have a few options you can pick from once you get there and settle in. Usually after a lot of travel we generally grab something at the hotel.

 

[DaniPoppins]

I would definitely plan for the food court at Pop. Food there is good and you won't have to worry about time issues should delays happen! You can then walk around Pop and look at all the fun giant themed statues. Your kids will love them. Have a great trip!

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with the plan to eat at Pop's food court. If everyone seems to be full of energy, you could walk across the bridge and eat at the AoA food court instead, or eat at Pop and then walk across to see the themed statues at AoA. And you can always take a ride on the Skyliner to CBR, turn around and come back, or transfer to the DHS line and then come back, etc. Lots of fun ways to fill the time until early bedtime!

 

[farfaraway]

I concur with everyone else-eat at the food court or at a QC somewhere on property. Better safe than sorry with having to incur a no show penalty in case of travel delays or exhausted/tired children.

 

[_19disnA]

I wouldn't plan an ADR since you never know about flight/travel delays. Since you will have a car you can always drive to another Disney property or even eat off-site depending on your preferences. Depending upon when you normally have dinner with young children, your arrival time at the hotel will probably be in that range even if things go as planned.

 

[mmouse50]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - Truthfully I haven't traveled with childrend this young in a long time so I am having to put my patience to the test and hope that I can stop my obsessive planning, an go with their flow.

 

[Neurodude84]

Flying is stressful on younger kids. Whenever we tried a sit-down on arrival day, meltdowns ensued. They already have to sit still so long on the plane, at both airports, and on the drive to Pop.

I’d feed them quickly at the resort and then do something active. Pool or playground before bed.

 

[MediumSizedMermaid]

I'd eat dinner at Pop, AOA, or somewhere on the Skyliner loop quick service. Maybe eat dinner at Pop and if the littles have some energy go to Riviera for some gelato for dessert?

 

[wabbott]

I'd eat dinner at Pop, AOA, or somewhere on the Skyliner loop quick service. Maybe eat dinner at Pop and if the littles have some energy go to Riviera for some gelato for dessert?

This. Caribbean Beach Resort is also a good place to wander around and put everyone in a "Disney" mood. Also convenient to the Skyliner is Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk.

 

[sipnride]

I like to pack it in so I would probably try to do a walk up at a table service restaurant. You've got a car so you could just drive to Disney Springs. If Raglan Road is taking walk ups that's a great way to kick things off. Otherwise there are a ton of options both ts and qs. Worst case scenario everyone's tired or things get delayed and you eat at the POP food court, but if neither of those are true why limit yourself?

 

[jo-jo]

Since you have a car, are you doing a food curbside pickup on the way to resort? Maybe pick up something there for a dinner in room. When are you going? Will it be too cool for a swim? I like the idea of a spin on the skyliner.

 

[sponica]

I feel like we landed about that time last year with a 20 month old and 5.5 year old, we ate at the pool bar for our hotel. So for Pop, I'd probably just grab something at the food court and then hang out at the pool until bedtime

 

[MomOTwins]

We’ve been burned enough with flight delays we never book an ADR on arrival day if we are getting in in the afternoon. We have always had good luck with a same day ADR or walk up waitlist, just by opening the app after we arrive and seeing what is available. Obviously not a strategy that works on a major holiday (eg Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s) but on a regular day, same day options are really quite good as there are always last minute cancellations.

 

[gmi3804]

I like doing a DS reservation that I can make on OpenTable on my first night, so I can cancel it if something comes up or I find a preferable last-minute WDW ADR.

 

[Counting Stars]

With children that young I would definitely go with the food court- less stress on all. And there is so much eye candy at Pop and Art of Animation across the bridge I would encourage you to walkabout both resorts. Makes for some great pictures with the family.

 

[Moliphino]

I like to pack it in so I would probably try to do a walk up at a table service restaurant. You've got a car so you could just drive to Disney Springs. If Raglan Road is taking walk ups that's a great way to kick things off. Otherwise there are a ton of options both ts and qs. Worst case scenario everyone's tired or things get delayed and you eat at the POP food court, but if neither of those are true why limit yourself?

Or check for last minute ADRs or on Open Table. We've done a bunch of DS restaurants that way. See how you're all doing when you get to the resort and decide from there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd eat dinner at Pop, AOA, or somewhere on the Skyliner loop quick service. Maybe eat dinner at Pop and if the littles have some energy go to Riviera for some gelato for dessert?

Gelato? I love gelato-where at Riviera is gelato?
Just once I've had TS on check-in day. You're right-planes are notoriously unreliable, and so are little ones. However, one time I got in on time and feeling well, so I made reservations-at Narcoose's! I was so surprised because I'd been trying unsuccessfully to get an ADR there since 60 days out.

 

[MomOTwins]

Gelato? I love gelato-where at Riviera is gelato?
Just once I've had TS on check-in day. You're right-planes are notoriously unreliable, and so are little ones. However, one time I got in on time and feeling well, so I made reservations-at Narcoose's! I was so surprised because I'd been trying unsuccessfully to get an ADR there since 60 days out.

They have one or two flavors in the freezer case at primo piatto, but unfortunately the main gelato cart with all the flavors is inside the gated pool area that requires keycard access so is available to hotel guests only.