I'm holding out hope...but I'm guessing it probably won't happen

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Our flight gets into Orlando around 2:20 and we're staying at AKL. What are the chance we can make it to a 4:30 reservation at T-Rex? Its the only one they had...

Doable? Not Doable?

We'll be renting a car - which will take more time at the airport, but we won't be relying on Disney transportation.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Yes you can because you are renting a car. If you were doing Disney ME then there would be no way to make the reservation. If your flight gets in on time taking normal time to get luggage and pick up rental car you can be on the road by 3:20, go straight to DTD and you should make with ease, even with traffic. But you won't have time to make it to AKL to check in and then go to DTD. Also to cut some time if you can have one party get luggage and the other get the rental car, and meet up where you pick up the car.

Even if you are a few minutes late for your reservation, it is no big deal.

 

[richmo]

You have a shot...a few things to keep in mind:
- Of course, forget about going to AKL first.
- With your car rental, sign up for the agency's Insiders, Express, Fastbreak, whatever and see if you can do an online checkin before you leave. Basically, set up something so you can at least bypass the counter and maybe even a garage agent. If you do need to visit the counter, have the driver do that while the rest of you wait for baggage to come out. You can also do the same with an Alamo kiosk.
- Traffic at Downtown Disney has been miserable lately, sometimes gridlock. And the garage they'll probably have you go in is still a pretty good walk from T-Rex. I haven't been there since March, so someone else might have more updated info.
- Also, did you make your T-Rex reservation thru Disney or did you call T-Rex directly? If you did it thru Disney, give T-Rex a call. They hold back a LOT of their reservations from the Disney system. You might be able to get something a little later.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

thanks for your thoughts! I called directly at 180 days and then again the other day. Either 4:30 or 8:00 and no way my kids will make it that late!

 

[momto4obkids]

another idea would be to sign up for their Landry's CLub. It's $25 but you get a $25 dollar credit on the club card to use.

I have gone to trex and rainforest cafe with it and had no ADR. My party of 8-10 people have never waited more than 5 minutes. You get taken in ahead of people with ADR's.

Last time in June at TREX, there was a 45 minute wait and we were seated in less than 5 minutes.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

before you do anything else call T-Rex directly as Disney Dining gets very few ressies from T-Rex. I have gotten times I wanted by calling them directly even just a few days before I wanted to dine. you might make your current time but what happens if you flight is delayed or baggage is slow coming off plane and that happens a lot. if you are using the DDP you do need to stop at resort from what I understand. you can still use DDP with calling them directly. good luck

 

[hsmamato2]

frankly, take the other pp's advice and call directly.... who wants to begin a vacation with that much stress? I have been about a million times, and wouldn't be confident of getting there by then.... I also like to check into my hotel first....

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

yep! I did call directly, they're just not having much availability! I do have a backup reservation at Rainforest Cafe, but was hoping for T Rex.

 

[bumbershoot]

thanks for your thoughts! I called directly at 180 days and then again the other day. Either 4:30 or 8:00 and no way my kids will make it that late!

It's just so unlikely to have that low availability. Are you 100% sure you called trex? Like go to the trex website and get the phone number that way sort of direct?

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

It's just so unlikely to have that low availability. Are you 100% sure you called trex? Like go to the trex website and get the phone number that way sort of direct?

Yep! got the number right off of google and called em up.

 

[Jon84]

Also worth checking if your Car Rental company has a 'Pre Checkin' Where you can fill out all the boring insurance and license details and go directly to the garage to pickup your car.

Also, Check if T-Rex is on OpenTable.com. Several DTD Resturants can be booked on there

 

[anonymousegirl]

I also suggest that you get a car with a trunk versus a hatchback. I wouldn't want to leave all my luggage exposed in a car at DTD (or any parking lot). If you have the time, you might swing by AKL to drop off the bags with bells services first.

 

[burne99]

Think about using valet, you will have less walking

 

[a742246]

If you can not change the time for T-Rex I would just go with Rainforest Cafe. The stress is not worth it!

 

[Traveliz]

Both TRex and Rainforest have told me no reservations between 4:30-8:30 - meaning they won't make them for that time period - it may vary by a half hour or so but I have found them to be true to their word.

Liz

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

I think we've decided to get situated at akl and proceed to dtd for or 6 oclock rainforest reservation. ..but stop at trex first to see if there's availability. Airport to restaurant i think is just going to be too crazy!!

 

[richmo]

I think we've decided to get situated at akl and proceed to dtd for or 6 oclock rainforest reservation. ..but stop at trex first to see if there's availability. Airport to restaurant i think is just going to be too crazy!!

Probably a good plan. If you have your heart seat on T-Rex, you could still go for it, but not with stopping at AKL first. Also, since you're going to AKL first, you could just go to the AK Rainforest rather than make the much longer drive to DTD. Unless, of course, you plan on doing some wandering around DTD after dinner.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

do you need a park pass to get into the AK Rainforest?

 

[Brenda Kim]

Nope don't need a park ticket, they have an entrance outside the park right before the park entrance on the right hand side.

 

[richmo]

Nope don't need a park ticket, they have an entrance outside the park right before the park entrance on the right hand side.

Actually, its on the left hand side.

They take reservations, like the other Rainforest, however, it closely mimics the park hours. For example, if AK closed at 6, I wouldn't expect to get an 8:00 reservation. If you're looking to eat around 6, you should be fine.

Also, while you don't enter the park, you do have to go thru the parking entrance. Since you're onsite and will have already checked in at AKL, you'll have a parking pass.