Enough Time?

[kamcole]

We are flying into MCO - arriving at 10:30AM to check-in to Animal Kingdom Lodge for 6 nights. Plan for that day is to hang-out at the resort and go to DTD for late lunch or dinner at T-Rex (for my 5 yr old little man). I have a reservation for 1:30PM or one at 4PM.

I would prefer to keep the 1:30 and hang-out at DTD for a little bit then have a low key evening at the resort. Do you think we'd have enough time to make the 1:30PM reservation without rushing too much? The 4 is ok - but kids will want to eat before that after flying all morning and wouldn't likely be very hungry if we ate lunch at the resort. There are no later reservations until 8:30 - which is too late. So I'm waffling over what might be the best choice.

 

[Katey Brown]

Always plan on an hour at the airport before actually departing on the Magical Express for your resort. So thinking that you probably won't pull out of the airport until 1130-12p, you'll get to your resort around 1245p - you won't have time to check in - you will need to jump immediately onto a bus for DTD - it will be tight - can't guarantee it. That's the perfect world scenario - if your plane isn't delayed at all and the bus leaves between that 1130-12p window. I would recommend the 4p - just so you aren't anxious the whole morning.

 

[marchingstar]

you could also try making a reservation for T. rex through opentable. they might have more times available that way (because I think ideally your meal would be around 2:30. that's what I would guess for my group anyways). plus if you miss the reservation time and you've booked through opentable, you don't have to pay the 10$ no show fee

 

[Pumbaa_]

you are assuming your flight will land on time.

My personal policy is nothing non-refundable on arrival day, YMMV

 

[tomatecerise]

If you have delay in flight or long waiting for the magical express you Will Stress out completely. We land at 10:30am and We have restaurant for dinner only.

 

[kamcole]

Thanks for the feedback. That's what I was thinking. Wishful thinking to make lunch...

 

[purple figment]

For T-Rex I would make the reservation through their website. That way, if you are delayed and know you won't arrive in time you can call and cancel without any penalty. If you make it through Disney you have to be willing to pay the $10 per person no show fee since cancellations without the penalty have to be made by the night before.

Our rule of thumb when flying and taking DME is to allow 3 hours from arrival at MCO to walking through the entrance of a park or Disney Springs. We used to allow an additional hour when booking a restaurant. With the no show penalty we have been making reservations at restaurants that we can book directly or through Open Table. We have also checked online after arriving at the resort to see what is available and have had very good results, especially at Epcot or at a resort restaurants.