In all the trips we have done we have never wanted a big meal the evening we arrive, usually its just pick up a few snacks from publix, most we have ever eaten is McD's. I certainly wouldn't want a ressie, we have had far too many delays on flights, it would never go to plan if I had a time to stick to
I agree that it might be tempting fate to bok something in the hope that everything will run smoothly on your arrival. The only time we went out for a meal on arrival night was a bit of a nightmare. We didn't enjoy the meal at all as we were too tired, and every little problem seemed like a big deal.
You said that DTD places are booked up but remember that they only book something like 10% of the tables out in advance, so you may be able to get a walk up without too many problems. Also bear in mind places like Earl of Sandwich which is ideal for an arrival night snack.
We never have ressies for the first night for the reasons already mentioned.
We usually eat at the QS at the resort or head to Wolf Gang Pucks express at DTD.
If you still want to book some where you will very probably still get a ressie at T-Rex at DTD if you call them direct,I called yesterday and got a table for next Monday at 7pm.
We're the opposite we always make an ADR for our first night the last few years it has been Rainforest at DTD (youngest DD always requests this, she loves it!). I don't think that you'd have a problem getting an ADR there, but you'll have to phone them directly.
Good luck!
we too have always had a meal on the first night- at Kona Cafe.
we usually just about manage it as we're tired. However this year with the longer Virgin flight we were totally exhausted and hardly ate anything.
next time weve decided on a quick service meal.
How about trying a hotel restaurant?
Like catherine says its probably worth calling direct-not sure where youre thinking of eating though.
this is the first year i made an ADR for our first evening there - but we didn't make it...
DS and DDIL were late getting in - our flight (DH, me, DD and DSIL) got in at noon, and their's (DS and DDIL) was supposed to be in at 3, but they were 2 hours late...
so they only got to the hotel at 6.....by then we were all starving, but it was too early for our 8 pm ADR and too close to dinner to just snack..
so we ate dinner in the food court, then headed over to the MK for a few hours there (got to see Wishes on our first night there - perfect beginning to a perfect holiday)..
i don't think i'll bother with an ADR the next time...dinner at the food court was perfect...i think we would all have been annoyed at spending too much time at a TS meal on our first evening anyway...
i forgot to mention, before this year, our typical first evening was spent at DTD - dinner at Earl of Sandwich first, then window shopping..
but i liked eating at the resort and heading over to MK...i think we'll do that again in the future...