Disney dining - does it really take an hour to get to the restaurants?

[Infamousmare]

Sorry for all the annoying questions! We're a month away from our WDW vacay (YAY!) and it's been 17 years since I set foot in the Magic Kingdom. We're on the DDP (is that the correct abbreviation for the deluxe dining plan?) and I've made reservations for each day we're at the park.

I did read here several times that two meals per day reserved is plenty, with options to do counter service/snacks filling in, so I made reservations most days for breakfast and dinner. I also made sure that our breakfast and dinner reservations are in the same park so that we're not traipsing all over the place trying to get where we need to go.

That being said, the agent I spoke with yesterday (had to amend a reservation) told me to allow 60 -90 minutes to get to restaurants. We're staying at the Wilderness Lodge, so is this how long it would take to get to MK or Epcot? Also, when in the park where our restaurant is, does it take that long to get there? (If we're in Epcot, should we allow an hour to get to Le Cellier, for example?).

Would love to hear your experiences with/opinions about Disney transportation!

 

[TDC Nala]

Deluxe dining plan is usually abbreviated DxDDP or DxDP.

When they tell you an hour, they usually mean between resorts. It will likely not take you an hour to get from WL to MK but if you want to be really safe you probably should allow at least 45 minutes. For WL to Epcot, you will need to wait for a bus at WL, get out at the Epcot bus stops, walk from there to the front of Epcot, enter Epcot, and cross the entire park to get to the World Showcase, so yes, that one will take awhile and I'd give it an hour.

If you are already inside Epcot it probably won't take you an hour to get to Le Cellier, but the time it will take depends on what part of the park you are in when you decide to head over there.

There is no direct transportation between resorts (except between the monorail resorts and between the Epcot resorts). If you are going from a resort to another resort, you need to add enough time to transfer at a park or Downtown Disney.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Moving to the transportation board for the best responses

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I think the give you an over-estimation to make sure you make it on time. If you are in the same park where you're dining, it certainly shouldn't take you an hour to arrive at the restaurant. Given your example of Epcot and Le Cellier, even if you were at the furthest point in the park away from Canada, I think you'd still be a 20-30 minute walk, tops, to get to Le Cellier.

The only times it's taken me close to an hour to get to a restaurant is if I'm using Disney transportation to get from one resort to another. Example: Lasts fall we were staying at the Beach Club with dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon Cafe in the WL. Many here will tell you to take a cab to arrive faster, but I don't mind taking Disney transportation. I build in enough travel time that I don't get stressed about being late. We took a bus from the BC to the MK. Then we took the boat from the MK to the WL. The bus from the BC was waiting at the bus stop when we walked up. We had to wait 15-20 minutes on the boat to the WL, though. Still made it in plenty of time and still had about a 10 minute wait after checking in at the restaurant.

Hope you have a great visit!

 

[Infamousmare]

Thanks! This is helpful to know...esp. since we're traveling with two little people (ages 3 and 5) who will need naps some days. I'll know to leave extra time if we're headed for a restaurant from the WL as opposed to being in the park. ;-)

BTW, I've heard talk of cabs at Disney - I don't ever remember this before. Do they have actual cab service at the parks?

 

[DebbieB]

They tell you that just in case of difficulties. I longest wait I've ever had is over an hour between BW and MK. First bus was full, next bus had wheelchairs on and off that took time. Another time it was over an hour between AKL and Fort Wilderness, I had to take a bus and a boat and just missed both.

 

[seashoreCM]

I think it is wise to avoid resort to resort trips like the plague. Unless you have a car.

Better to skip going back to your own resort to freshen up, etc. but rather go directly to the restaurant from the park you were at.

 

[skelooch]

Yes you can get a cab, just let bell services know when your ready to go. There are usually cabs at all the resorts. They are not part of Disney Transportation, so you do have to pay.
As SeashoreCM stated getting from resort to resort can be a pain, and it is best to give yourself at least an hour if not more. It will all depend on how long you have to wait for a buses or boats.

 

[Infamousmare]

Thanks so much for the info re: cabs...and for the helpful tips about resort-to-resort travel.

Most of our reservations are either in MK or Epcot, with only one restaurant booking at the Contemporary Resort (however, I think that's pretty central).

I am concerned now that if one or both of my kiddos needs a nap (the three-year-old still faithfully takes his nap each day!) it's going to be a pain to get back to WL from the parks.

Perhaps I should start a new thread about what parents do about napping kids... *weary laugh*

 

[dansyr2514]

You should be ok if you picked restaurants in the immediate area. However, I would plan on being in the park earlier than your adr. Even from Wilderness Lodge to Epcot can be a long ride. The boats from WL to MK can be awhile and then you'd have to catch the monorail from MK to TTC. Then from TTC to Epcot. So depending on crowds it can be a haul. Also the bus from WL to Epcot may be quicker if they do not stop anywhere else or if they are on schedule. That's why I say to plan on just being in that park earlier. That way you are already there when it is time for your adr.
Although I do have to say, the restaurants are usually very accomodating if you are late.

 

[joelkfla]

Thanks so much for the info re: cabs...and for the helpful tips about resort-to-resort travel.

Most of our reservations are either in MK or Epcot, with only one restaurant booking at the Contemporary Resort (however, I think that's pretty central).

Yes, the Contemporary is quick and easy. Just take the bus to the MK, and the monorail one stop to the CR. Or, if the little ones are in strollers, you can walk from the MK bus stop to Chef Mickey's in about 15 minutes.

If it's a breakfast ressie, there's a boat directly from WL to CR. (It may stop at Ft. Wilderness on the way.) Blue Launch service starts at 6:45 daily.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Even from Wilderness Lodge to Epcot can be a long ride. The boats from WL to MK can be awhile and then you'd have to catch the monorail from MK to TTC. Then from TTC to Epcot.

But, why - when there's a bus from WL to Epcot? Okay, the bus may also stop at GF, but that's it. No changing transportation, no added transfer time. Just board the bus at WL, stop at one other resort (maybe, maybe not), and go to Epcot.

 

[Inkmahm]

But, why - when there's a bus from WL to Epcot? Okay, the bus may also stop at GF, but that's it. No changing transportation, no added transfer time. Just board the bus at WL, stop at one other resort (maybe, maybe not), and go to Epcot.

Exactly. Unless you're looking at riding the monorail to Epcot as a ride in itself! DH and I took the monorail to Epcot in May when we stayed at BLT. It was fun taking the monorail instead of the bus. But from WL, I'd definitely just take the bus.

For the OP, the advantage to me of cabs is that if I'm running late, I can grab a cab to make sure we get there on time. Also, I once took a cab from the Contemporary back to VWL because it was pouring rain and I really didn't feel like getting soaked taking the boat back. The niece and nephew though the CAB ride was a treat as they'd never been in a cab before, either!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I can remember the aggravation of trying to get from WL to the Contemporary for an ADR @ Chef Mickey's one night in 2005. We had just checked into the WL for our stay and were headed to our first meal ever at WDW. The boats were few and far between and not enough people disembarked to allow new passengers to board. After about 45 minutes of waiting... we walked to the front of the WL and got into a cab. 5 minutes and $5.25 later, we were at the Contemporary. The next morning we rented a car and I have refused to visit WDW without one ever since!

 

[goofy4tink]

I can remember the aggravation of trying to get from WL to the Contemporary for an ADR @ Chef Mickey's one night in 2005. We had just checked into the WL for our stay and were headed to our first meal ever at WDW. The boats were few and far between and not enough people disembarked to allow new passengers to board. After about 45 minutes of waiting... we walked to the front of the WL and got into a cab. 5 minutes and $5.25 later, we were at the Contemporary. The next morning we rented a car and I have refused to visit WDW without one ever since!

Can't tell you how often I think of you when I'm sitting, and sitting, and sitting, on a bus, trying to get somewhere. My hero (heroine!!).

In any case...here's a horror story from last week. Not normal but shows it can happen. We were staying at BWV. We were at Epcot for dinner in the WS. We decided to take the monorail over to MK for the night..it was EMHs. Okay....shouldn't be an issue, right? Wrong. We left Teppan Edo, walked to the monorail platform. Well, the monorail wasn't running!! Seriously?? We were told to head to the bus area. Well.....way at the end were buses to take us to TTC. AGain....seriously?? There had to be more than 500 people waiting for that bus. We headed to the bus to DHS, and hopped on the bus to TTC (stupid me...should have taken the CR bus, but didn't). We got to the TTC and there had to be, again, over 500 people waiting for that ferry. We walked over to the Polynesian to take their boat to MK...about 60 ahead of us. Long story short...took 2 hrs. 30 mins to get from WS to MK. Yes, I should have just taken the bus to the CR but for some reason didn't..idiot. I should have known better.

This isn't a normal occurance, but it can happen. Last night, my dd and I arrived at the boat dock at WL, at about 7:15...we had a 7:50 ADR at Chef Mickeys. As luck would have it, we missed the boat by about 20 secs. We finally arrived at the CR at about 7:45. And of course, sat and cooled our heels for about 30 mins for a bad meal.

It can take longer than you might think...even when you know what you're doing. So, plan on it taking longer than you might expect..and be happy when it takes less time.

 

[joelkfla]

Yes, the Contemporary is quick and easy.

Last night, my dd and I arrived at the boat dock at WL, at about 7:15...we had a 7:50 ADR at Chef Mickeys. As luck would have it, we missed the boat by about 20 secs. We finally arrived at the CR at about 7:45. And of course, sat and cooled our heels for about 30 mins for a bad meal.

Oooh, sorry. Maybe not so quick and easy!

 

[dzorn]

Thanks! This is helpful to know...esp. since we're traveling with two little people (ages 3 and 5) who will need naps some days. I'll know to leave extra time if we're headed for a restaurant from the WL as opposed to being in the park. ;-)

BTW, I've heard talk of cabs at Disney - I don't ever remember this before. Do they have actual cab service at the parks?

Disney always wants you early, but I must say you are quite daring to get the deluxe plan. There is no way my DDs would have sat in restaruants for 1 1/2 - 2 plus hours a day for meals at those ages, let alone twice a day.

Denise in MI

 

[goofy4tink]

Oooh, sorry. Maybe not so quick and easy!

Nah...I just got unlucky. I'm really trying to pay attention to the boats this trip. They are my area of least expertise...I think I'm getting better with them. But they still confuse me at times. Sure do like that ride between WL and CR though...so pleasant.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It can take longer than you might think...even when you know what you're doing.

Ah, heck - it can take longer than you might think even when you do everything right and you're on the right transportation and the transportation is moving as scheduled...

I use an ECV - and I had a car on this particular trip, but I was at Epcot and the car was at my resort. I left in plenty of time for a reservation at Narcoossee's. I boarded the monorail, rode to the TTC, and transferred, all fine. The CM who put up the ramp asked where I was going, and when I told him said he'd call ahead to the GF to let them know I was coming.

Stop at the Polynesian, a CM came to the car and asked if I was exiting there; when I said no and told him the GF, he said he'd call ahead to let them know... Can you guess what happened next? Right. Nothing. The monorail stopped at the Grand Floridian - and nobody approached the car I was on. I was alone, so had nobody to send for assistance. The doors closed, and I waved goodbye to my dinner reservation.

Monorail stopped at the Magic Kingdom, CM asked if I was exiting, I said no, I was going to the Grand Floridian but nobody had let me out, he said he'd call ahead... repeat at the Contemporary, the TTC (again!), the Polynesian (again!)... and the only reason I got to exit at the GF the second time around was due to the kindness of a very nice - or very annoyed - couple. She stood in the doorway of the car to keep it from closing while he went and hunted down a Cast Member to let me out.

The CM who finally showed up claimed "Nobody called [him]". Interesting. SIX Cast Members said they'd call ahead, yet I almost had time and cause to rewrite "Charlie on the MTA" . Oh, I did make it to Narcoossee's - barely.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Something to keep in mind; the HDDR and Luau close out seating at a certain time and if you aren't there by that time you may not have your pre-paid price refunded.