How long after plane arrival for reservation?

[DazzleT]

We arrive at 3:30 at MCO. I know we will be super hungry when we arrive. I was thinking something at Disney springs, using open table for reservations so no huge fees if we don’t make it. But what time is reasonable? We are a group of 6 and two of us will be getting Gold scooters before we can go anywhere. We are taking the Disney bus. Thanks!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Somewhere around 6:00 -6:30 PM sounds about right to me.

 

[Master Fastpasser]

3 hours.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I don’t think 3 hours is long enough. I don’t know what day of the week you are arriving, but if weekday you are dealing w rush hour. Plus you are assuming your flight will be on time.

Your room will most likely be ready when you do arrive. Plus do you want to check out your resort
.
Bus to DS, allow a minimum of 60 minutes. More if there is an ecv already in line, since buses can only load 2 per trip.

I would do 7 or 8. And if you are early grovel a little
Or just eat at your resort and enjoy the pool

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We arrive at 3:30 at MCO. I know we will be super hungry when we arrive. I was thinking something at Disney springs, using open table for reservations so no huge fees if we don’t make it. But what time is reasonable? We are a group of 6 and two of us will be getting Gold scooters before we can go anywhere. We are taking the Disney bus. Thanks!

Where are you staying? If you are going to be super hungry when you arrive, I would just eat at your resort. By the time you arrive in WDW, get the scooters and then turn around to get on a bus to DS, you are probably looking at a 7 pm arrival at DS at the earliest. Then you have to walk to the restaurant, so 7:30? That's 4 hours after landing before you eat.

 

[jdisnut]

We arrive at 3:30 at MCO. I know we will be super hungry when we arrive. I was thinking something at Disney springs, using open table for reservations so no huge fees if we don’t make it. But what time is reasonable? We are a group of 6 and two of us will be getting Gold scooters before we can go anywhere. We are taking the Disney bus. Thanks!

To be safe, I'd probably say 7 or 7:30. Since you're planning to book an OpenTable, there's no penalty if you have to cancel at the last minute. If your plans go awry, you can always pivot to eat at your hotel.

 

[Meglen]

If your gonna be really hungry I would opt for quick service at your resort. But if Disney springs is a must than I would say atleast 7pm

 

[DazzleT]

If your gonna be really hungry I would opt for quick service at your resort. But if Disney springs is a must than I would say atleast 7pm

Hmm- Maybe snack at hotel when arrive and then dinner at 7.

 

[OhThePain]

Just check Open Table or MDE when you get on the bus to DS. You should have a couple of options and no stress about if you will or won't make it on time.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Just check Open Table or MDE when you get on the bus to DS. You should have a couple of options and no stress about if you will or won't make it on time.

This has worked well for us most of the time at DS except weekends and holidays; then we always book in advance.

 

[DazzleT]

We are staying at Pop, so could eat at either animation or pop. We are coming from the west coast and last time I did a Florida trip for work, I had a horrible time adjusting to Florida time (awake until past midnight despite 7am meetings) so I am hoping to exhaust everyone so that they fall asleep at reasonable times. The trip is in September with all those early magic mornings.

 

[disneycat321]

We landed at 3:55, took DME to YC, and had a 7:20 reservation at 50s Prime Time. We got there about 10 min before without having to rush at all. We did end up having to walk to HS from YC because there was lightning in the area so the boats were down, and we missed the bus without enough time to spare. I'd say allow 3.5-4 hours. Transportation to DS can take awhile, though, so I'd probably say 4 hours at least. We also come from the west coast; I wish we could land earlier!

 

[OhThePain]

We are staying at Pop, so could eat at either animation or pop. We are coming from the west coast and last time I did a Florida trip for work, I had a horrible time adjusting to Florida time (awake until past midnight despite 7am meetings) so I am hoping to exhaust everyone so that they fall asleep at reasonable times. The trip is in September with all those early magic mornings.

The food courts at Pop and AoA tend to get pretty good reviews (although I must admit we have never eaten at either). Eating at the food court when you arrive and deciding what to do after might be your best, most stress free solution. After dinner you can decide if you want to hang out at the resort, maybe have a drink, enjoy the pool, etc... Sometimes lounging around not doing anything can be more draining than running around. Or if you all decide you are up for it you can go and spend time in DS for a bit.