Is this possible and if so is it worth it?

Goofy'slady

When Life Gives You Lemons - SHOP!
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Jul 31, 2006
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For our upcoming trip in Sept our flight lands at 7:05pm. I figure by the time we get on board ME and check into CSR it will be around 8:30 maybe 9:00pm. We have ADR's for Ohana's for 9:30pm and I'm starting to wonder if we'll make it on time. I've heard lots of great things about it and I'd like to try it out but my question is should we try our best to make the ADR or should I cancell it now? Our other option is just to grab something at the Pepper Market and maybe take a quick dip in the pool before calling it a night. We're only gonna be there for four nights and I arleady have ADR's for the other three nights we're gonna be there and really have our hearts set on trying them out so canelling one of those isn't really an option for us.

Please give me your opinion is Ohana's really worth all the running around we may encounter that evening or could we pass this time and perhaps catch it on the flip side of another trip?

Toya
 
Hi,

In my opinion that's a lot of potential aggravation.

At that time of year late afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in Orlando. Unfortunately since you have a late afternoon flight there is a chance your flight will be late due to weather delays.

If your flight lands on time and if there is not a long line to check in at CSR and maybe if you take a taxi over to the Poly, you will make it. But there is not much margin for error.

As I said, it would be far too stressful a way to start a vacation for me.
 
Personally I hate to start a vacation fighting with my watch. It is possible that you could make the ADR without a hitch, but I wouldn't bet on it. If your flight is 10 minutes late, or if you have to wait 15 or 20 minutes for the ME bus, or if CSR is the 3rd or 4th stop instead of the first, or if there is a line to check in at CSR or if the bus to the MK doesn't come right away, etc, etc....too many if's.

Not to mention that by 9PM a fast sandwich and the pool may look a lot better than the long haul over to the Poly anyways. I would allow a minimum of 1 hour to get from CSR to the Poly....bus to MK, then monorail over to the Poly.

If it was me I would be much happier knowing I had the evening to explore the resort, grab a little dinner at the Pepper Market, swim, unpack, etc rather than running to make an ADR at O'Hana's....we like O'Hana's but it wouldn't make or break the trip IMHO.

If you prefer a nicer sit down meal try the Maya Grill...it is calm and never crowded.
 
It likely will be a bit of a rush, but if you have your heart set on eating there I'd make the effort. Just be flexible with your plans. If you seem to be cutting it close just call and cancel the ressie and head to the Pepper Market instead. No sense in cancelling now when you can keep the ressie open in hopes that the ME is especially fast that day.
 

I'd keep the reservation, but be prepared to cancel if necessary. 2 1/2 hours should be plenty of time to get there, and 'Ohana, with its view of the MK, would be a great start to a Disney trip. Last year, our flight landed at 4:45. We hopped ME to POFQ, checked in, waited for the boat to DTD (which was stopped due to thunderstorms), walked to the other side of the resort and caught the bus to DTD, then switched to a bus to the AKL and were there by 6:30. Of course, our Boma reservation wasn't until 8:00, and they were unable to get us in any sooner, so it was a long, hungry wait. If we had encountered flight delays (for any reason), ME delays, check-in problems or were simply too tired, we would have just called to cancel the ADR. But you might be kicking yourself if everything goes smoothly and everyone wants to go to 'Ohana, but you cancelled the ADR weeks ago.
 
I would just grab something from your resort. I think you should plan on resting after such a long day and just start bringt and early the next day. You may find that trying to make it to Ohana in such a short amount of time may become a stressful way to start a vacation. Just my opinion but I would relax at the resort. Settle in, maybe have that dip in the pool, take a shower and fall alseep watching TV :cloud9:
 
I am always tired after a day of travel. I would personally stay at the resort and just relax. That is of course up to you...but I know my family would rather start relaxed instead of rushed...then you can have an early start the next morning.
 
I don't know if you'd like this idea...
Since you say you don't want to cancel any other ADRs, and you're not talking about losing a TS credit.. I'm thinking you are not on the dining plan. If you are not on the dining plan, you don't need to check into your resort first, you can take the ME to the Poly instead. Your luggage should still go to your resort and be there waiting for you.
You can easily spend time at the Poly enjoying the resort and the beach, and having cocktails at Ohana's, or coffee at Kona's. Relax before dinner.

After dinner you can take the boat to MK and then the bus to CSR, it will be later and most likely be an easy check-in at CSR. Yes, it will be late, but you probably would have had a nice relaxing time at the Poly.. and a nice dinner at Ohanas.


We personally love Ohanas, it's a must every trip!


Whatever you decided.. you'll have a magical time.
 
I'm thinking that would cut it too close. If you get to the resort at 9:00, a half hour is NOT enough time to get to MK (especially if you have to wait for a bus to get there) and then take the Monorail or the boat to the Polynesian.


The only way I think this could work is if you took a taxi to the Poly, I think it would run around $15-$20. But that still seems like a lot of rushing to me!! Usually when I get to a resort I like to go out and explore a bit, and I think the Pepper Market dinner would be a great introduction to your vacation.

If you can get a reservation for 'Ohana for another night- DO IT! It is a great restaurant. And the Pepper Market is very good too- I loved it when I stayed at Coronado Springs when I stayed there in March 2004.
 
I don't know if you'd like this idea...
Since you say you don't want to cancel any other ADRs, and you're not talking about losing a TS credit.. I'm thinking you are not on the dining plan. If you are not on the dining plan, you don't need to check into your resort first, you can take the ME to the Poly instead. Your luggage should still go to your resort and be there waiting for you.
You can easily spend time at the Poly enjoying the resort and the beach, and having cocktails at Ohana's, or coffee at Kona's. Relax before dinner.

After dinner you can take the boat to MK and then the bus to CSR, it will be later and most likely be an easy check-in at CSR. Yes, it will be late, but you probably would have had a nice relaxing time at the Poly.. and a nice dinner at Ohanas.


We personally love Ohanas, it's a must every trip!


Whatever you decided.. you'll have a magical time.

What she said.
 
I think Ohana is a great way to start out your trip. Its one of our fave places. But you will be cutting it close. I would hate to rush and not make it. Or have a delay and miss it. If I was you, I would take it easy and just grab something at the hotel. And plan to do Ohana another night.
 
I agree with the poster who suggested keeping the ADR and seeing how it goes. If all works out in your favor you will be enjoying dinner at Ohana's. If you end up not making it then you could just go with your secondary plan of eating at the Pepper Market/swimming. It is my experience that Ohana's seating runs way behind. Our last September time frame ADR at Ohana's we checked in and waited at least 30+ minutes before being seated.
 
I would do what PPs said and go striaght to the Poly, and let me luggage go to my room without me. Keep in mind that you could be arriving during the same time frame that the parks ar closing, so bus service could be a nightmare with all the crowds.
 












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