Flight lands at 6 pm, fireworks at 9, ADR for 8:30?

[collegejunkie]

Pretty much what it says - our flight lands at 6 pm then we're taking DME to Animal Kingdom Lodge. From there, we have dinner reservations at 8:30 at Narcoossee's for fireworks at 9. Will we be able to make it? We can take an Uber from AKL to GF to shorten time on transportation, but I'm hoping to start things off right.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

IF you land on time and your gate is ready, assume 15-20 minutes to DME from your gate. Then check in, possible wait for your bus to leave. Best case scenario is 60-75 minutes to AKL, and no, you can't take DME to the GF if you are booked to AKL. More likely is 90 minutes-2 hours, depending on original gate.

That puts you at 7:15-7:30 walking in at AKL in best case scenario, 7:45-8 being more pragmatic. Want to freshen up before dining at a Signature? Add 15-20 minutes before Ubering to GF (walk to room and back is included, even assuming low maintenance freshening).

It just seems stressful to me for the timing.

 

[collegejunkie]

Ack.. we love fireworks and we are going to be on the DxDP, so want to make good use of our credits. We probably won't need to freshen up - just drop our bags in the room then head out

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Ack.. we love fireworks and we are going to be on the DxDP, so want to make good use of our credits. We probably won't need to freshen up - just drop our bags in the room then head out

There are a lot of moving parts and you're relying on all of them syncing up. If you're okay being late to your ADR (and possibly not being seated), or being charged no-show, that's going to be the best way to approach this.

O'Hare and LaGuardia both had massive delays this past week. Any airport can have gate availability issues, jet bridge problems, you name it.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Pretty much what it says - our flight lands at 6 pm then we're taking DME to Animal Kingdom Lodge. From there, we have dinner reservations at 8:30 at Narcoossee's for fireworks at 9. Will we be able to make it? We can take an Uber from AKL to GF to shorten time on transportation, but I'm hoping to start things off right.

I think you'd be pushing it. If your flight is delayed, that's going to be an issue. You never know how long it's going to take you to load on the Magical Express bus. I've been lucky a few times and have walked on the bus fairly quickly after entering the ME area in the airport. The last time I flew, they were having major computer issues and the lines for ME were backed up all the way through the airport. It was over an hour wait just to get to the check-in area where you board. I never plan any ADR's for my arrival day, especially if I'm flying because you never know about flight delays.

Please let us know how this works out for you and Good Luck!

 

[collegejunkie]

I think you'd be pushing it. If your flight is delayed, that's going to be an issue. You never know how long it's going to take you to load on the Magical Express bus. I've been lucky a few times and have walked on the bus fairly quickly after entering the ME area in the airport. The last time I flew, they were having major computer issues and the lines for ME were all the way through the airport. It was over an hour wait just to get to the station where you board. I never plan any ADR's for my arrival day, especially if I'm flying because you never know about flight delays.

Please let us know how this works out for you and Good Luck!

Hmm.. maybe we'd be better off not booking and show up to eat at the bar instead if it works out?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hmm.. maybe we'd be better off not booking and show up to eat at the bar instead if it works out?

I think this would be a good plan, yes.

Relying on airports to work as planned is always risky, in my experience, and I am a preferred member in more than one frequent flier program.

 

[B-Ride]

Many years ago a gentleman named Murphy came up with a law why this sort of thing never works.

 

[OhhBother]

I'd take a cab or Uber from the airport instead of Magical Express -- would save a ton of time that way.

 

[Hopefully]

You would need to collect your luggage at baggage claim taking a fair amount of time. Even if you are letting DME take your bags even though you don't check in at the bus you will likely have Carry Ons to deal with.
I agree with PP. Too much stress to start a trip.

 

[ktlm]

That is going to be hard. We have had it take 2 hours from the time we got off the plane to the time we stopped off ME at the resort more than once (including our trip a few weeks ago). Unless it has changed, I think The AKL ME stops at 2 other resorts first. If it takes 2 hours, that would not put you at AKL until 8. The drive between AKL and GF is usually 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic. If everything went perfectly, you were able to jump right on ME and do online check in (and get your room without having to go to the front desk- which doesn't always happen), you might be able to make it, but it will likely be stressful and close. Typically we go straight to a park after we drop our carry one in the room and we usually find ourselves walking in the park about 3 hours after we land.

 

[DLgal]

Ok, not sure if this helps , but our flight landed at 5:40, we used DME to GF, had to do real check in,which took a LONG time, dropped off stuff in our room then headed to Epcot. We were walking through the entry turnstiles at 8:30, after activating military salute tickets and getting a DAS at guest services before going in.

I think you can make the reservation.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

After not making it to a reservation on an arrival night, I've now gotten into the habit of making our arrival night ADR as soon as I get in our transportation heading from MCO to the resort. You may not get Narcoosee's, but there is sure to be a signature available somewhere for your arrival night dinner.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Don't do it. It's not worth it.

I like the suggestion above.

 

[Nancyg56]

I woudl never begin my vacation racing from place to place, and stressed at teh get go to make any dinner ADR> I would either make my ADR at the last minute or choose not to make one at all.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Heck--just getting your luggage can take a half hour-as we found out at MCO just last week!

Eat at the bar is a good idea--MOST times there are seats, but you never know until you arrive.

 

[Cinderella94]

I would not try this. Way too tight.

 

[collegejunkie]

Okay, we will cancel dinner and see if we can make it to the bar. If we book DME, but then decide not to take it (for the sake of a better chance of fireworks), do we need to alert anyone ahead of time or can we make the decision when we get to the airport?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would ask on the transportation board, they are the pros!