Arrive at 4:30 PM

[Philadelphiafan]

We land at 4:30. We then need to take ME to CSR. If we arrive ontime, what time could we expect to be at the resort?

We are trying to figure out when to make our reservations for that night.

Also what would be a great first night meal for us. We arrive on Sunday, June 3?

 

[MACfamily4]

I can't help with the ME question, but I would suggest Chef Mickey's for your "kick-off" dinner - it will really get everyone into that fantastic Disney spirit!

 

[CleveRocks]

We land at 4:30. We then need to take ME to CSR. If we arrive ontime, what time could we expect to be at the resort?

We are trying to figure out when to make our reservations for that night.

Also what would be a great first night meal for us. We arrive on Sunday, June 3?

First of all,

I'll be different and suggest NOT making a meal reservation for your first night. You could have flight delays, etc., and if it were me I'd be stressing about it at PHL and in the plane and at MCO and on the DME bus and .... Of course, if you are not the type that stresses about such things, then ignore the above.

The average time from leaving the plane to DME resort drop-off is 70 minutes. Figure on 90 just in case. So you arrive at CSR at 6:00 p.m. Your check-in process could take 10 minutes, it could take 45 minutes. So let's say it's 6:45 p.m. (could be earlier).

So do you want to go to your room and drop-off your carry-ons and get your bearings and "freshen up," or do you just want to head out quickly and see your room later? Well, let's say you want to go to your room first. It could take 5 minutes to walk there, then 10 minutes in the room. So now it's 7:00 p.m.

You then go to a bus stop and wait for a bus. Are you planning to eat inside a park or at another resort? If it's at another resort, then plan on it being a good hour to get from CSR to any other resort (since you'll have to switch buses at a park or DTD). So then it's 8:00 p.m.

But again, if your flight is delayed or anything like that, you'd be at another resort later than 8:00 p.m.

Just my opinion, I'd go to Downtown Disney from CSR, take it easy, stroll around, maybe get a counter-service dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich, then some ice cream at Ghiardelli's. Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to feel rushed on my travel day, when I'm not in control of when I get where.

Whatever you decide, good luck from this native of Northeast Philadelphia!

 

[Philadelphiafan]

Does downtown disney require a ticket? Does it count as a day off of our 10 day base ticket?
I never thought of being delayed. Downtown disney sounds like a really good idea.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

I would hang out at the hotel and get a good night sleep. Then your first full day I would start with Chef Mickey's for breakfast. I agree with the first poster. It is a great way to start your Disney trip!

 

[bgirl29]

We often go to Downtown Disney on our first night too. There is a Rainforest Cafe there too. No you do not need a ticket or anything to get into Downtown Disney.

 

[Philadelphiafan]

We often go to Downtown Disney on our first night too. There is a Rainforest Cafe there too. No you do not need a ticket or anything to get into Downtown Disney.

Is the Rainforest Cafe a TS or CS?

 

[beth_cam]

Rainforest cafe is a table service type restaurant but is not included on the ddp.

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

I would hang out at the hotel and get a good night sleep. Then your first full day I would start with Chef Mickey's for breakfast. I agree with the first poster. It is a great way to start your Disney trip!

That is exactly what we are doing!!!
We arrive at 530pm and then the ME is taking us from the airport to the CBR. I figure we will get settled and eat at the resort that night and just enjoy the resort.

 

[nessz79]

I agree with the posters that said to rest at your resort the first night and then get an early start the next morning. That way, you're rested and ready to go!

 

[Princess Roo]

Earl of Sandwich is a delicious, relatively low-cost food option at DTD that I would highly recommend. I don't *think* it's on the dining plan, but it's counter-service style. Unless you get there quite late, lines at Rainforest are often VERY long.

 

[FayeW]

I would just plan on a counter service meal for the first night, and not have to worry about making it to a restaurant in time for an ADR. That way, if things go quicker than you planned you could go to DTD, have a bite to eat and walk around a bit. You could have something at CSR counter service and take the opportunity to explore the resort and have a nice swim at the cool pool. You could take a bus to the TTC, and take a monorail ride. You might be able to get off at the Poly or Grand Floridian and see the Electical Water Pagent or Wishes from the ferry dock.

You have lots of options, so I wouldn't restrict or stress yourself by worrying about making it to a dinner reservation.

 

[Schachteles]

Earl of Sandwich is a delicious, relatively low-cost food option at DTD that I would highly recommend. I don't *think* it's on the dining plan, but it's counter-service style. Unless you get there quite late, lines at Rainforest are often VERY long.

Earl of Sandwich is NUMMY...definitely recommend that...and it IS on the dining plan

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

We went about two years ago, and had tickets, etc. for the first night - planned to hit the parks after we got there at 11:30. After a two hour delay because of transponder issues, a longer-than-usual wait for ME, and a late lunch stop for two VERY hungry small children, we ended up not getting to the parks until almost 5. We scrapped what I had planned to do and headed to DTD. It ended up working out great!! We were able to tour some of the stores, get our kids all excited just looking at the giant Disney store there, and enabled us to be back at the hotel early to get a good night's sleep for what ended up being EMH at the MK the next morning. Think about not scheduling a dinner this night - or at least not a park. It is much less crazy!

 

[dahrjo]

We didn't get to our room and settled to go out until about 7:30. Our plane landed about 4:30pm. We went to DTD and thanks to the DIS boards, I remembered the Earl of Sandwich. The kids really loved it. We even went back a few days later. It was a nice evening. We all looked around and got excited for our next big day!