Looking for a couple of opinions/suggestion please!

[dawnandnala]

Hi - a couple of quick questions.

1) Our plane is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 5:15pm and we are taking ME to POFQ. Our plan is to take the boat to DTD and have dinner at T-Rex. What do you think would be a reasonable time to make a reservation for? I was thinking 8:15??? Do you think this would give us enough time? Should we grab a cab to DTD instead of taking the boat on the way there? Also this is a Sat. night if that makes any difference.

2) Sunday we have tickets for MVMCP - I am having a hard time deciding what to do for our big meal that day. A couple of thoughts I have:
Have a late lunch early dinner at Ragalan Road in DTD and then head to MK (this is one restaurant on my BFF's wish list but I haven't really figured out where to fit it in with our park days)
Crystal palace in MK again late luch or early dinner before the party gets started
Or Tony's - same senario

Thanks for your thoughts!
Dawn

 

[kmk1180]

Hi - a couple of quick questions.

1) Our plane is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 5:15pm and we are taking ME to POFQ. Our plan is to take the boat to DTD and have dinner at T-Rex. What do you think would be a reasonable time to make a reservation for? I was thinking 8:15??? Do you think this would give us enough time? Should we grab a cab to DTD instead of taking the boat on the way there? Also this is a Sat. night if that makes any difference.

2) Sunday we have tickets for MVMCP - I am having a hard time deciding what to do for our big meal that day. A couple of thoughts I have:
Have a late lunch early dinner at Ragalan Road in DTD and then head to MK (this is one restaurant on my BFF's wish list but I haven't really figured out where to fit it in with our park days)
Crystal palace in MK again late luch or early dinner before the party gets started
Or Tony's - same senario

Thanks for your thoughts!
Dawn

1. It's recommended if your flying in and want to make an ADR that day to make it no earlier than 3 hours after landing. We used this advice and found it to be just about right by the time you deplane, get on ME, get to resort, check in then get to meal.

2. I would choose Crystal palace over Tony's anyday.

 

[Jenngoofys]

I agree 3 hours is about right. But maybe you could fit in your friends meal that day depending on what else you are doing. You can enter the park at 4 pm with the MVMCP ticket. Have a great trip.

 

[dawnandnala]

Thanks for the replies so far - anyone else want to give an opinion??
Thanks!

 

[pozey]

I think that as long as your flight is not delayed and you arrive on time at 5:15, you should be able to make it to T-Rex by 8:15.

However, the one suggestion I would make - and just MY opinion - I would take a bus to Downtown Disney. We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside before...and the boat that goes from POR and POFQ seems soooo sloooow. Maybe it just seemed that way, but it seemed like for us, the bus was quicker.

 

[Sandy321]

I'd skip Tony's for sure!!

Do enter the park at 4 pm - so maybe an early lunch at Raglan would work...

Taking the boat or the bus to DTD - honestly for us it was hit or miss - if we hit the boat coming just right - it was a nice fun ride -

the busses may be faster - but it depends on how they run - if you just miss a bus then you may wait 10 - 25 min for the next dtd bus! It was a "game" of "Murhy's Law" when we stayed at POR!!

 

[Pats Dragon]

2.We love all of your choices but of the 3, I think Raglan is the best. You don't want to upset anyone by letting them miss their choice and it is a lot of fun.

1. I wouldn't cut the time so close. I have heard about lengthy delays etc. and you will arrive stressed out from watching your watch. Why don't you pick a walk up instead?

 

[Uno Mas]

I would go to Raglan Road the day you arrive - you can stop in and check out T-Rex, but it's just a chain restaurant owned by the same people who own Rainforest Cafe, so I didn't think the food is worth the visit. Also, if you're worried about a reservation, why not just eat at the bar at Raglan Road, assuming you don't have young kids with you? That's always an option that works out well for us and then we don't have to worry about planning so much, we can play it by ear.

 

[DisneyGrampa]

I stayed at POFQ last week. We had lunch at Raglan Road-I recommend it over anything in MK.
The boat is the fastest way to DTD. While you're over by Raglan Road, check-out the balloon ride-Great view!

 

[dawnandnala]

I would go to Raglan Road the day you arrive - you can stop in and check out T-Rex, but it's just a chain restaurant owned by the same people who own Rainforest Cafe, so I didn't think the food is worth the visit. Also, if you're worried about a reservation, why not just eat at the bar at Raglan Road, assuming you don't have young kids with you? That's always an option that works out well for us and then we don't have to worry about planning so much, we can play it by ear.

We'll have a thirteen year old with us so the bar's out - plus she LOVES Rainforest Cafe so I had wanted to do TRex with her in mind - outherwise that would be a good idea!

I stayed at POFQ last week. We had lunch at Raglan Road-I recommend it over anything in MK.
The boat is the fastest way to DTD. While you're over by Raglan Road, check-out the balloon ride-Great view!

So glad to hear good things about Ragalan! I definatly want to check out the Characters in flight at some point too!

 

[dawnandnala]

I think that as long as your flight is not delayed and you arrive on time at 5:15, you should be able to make it to T-Rex by 8:15.

However, the one suggestion I would make - and just MY opinion - I would take a bus to Downtown Disney. We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside before...and the boat that goes from POR and POFQ seems soooo sloooow. Maybe it just seemed that way, but it seemed like for us, the bus was quicker.

I'd skip Tony's for sure!!

Do enter the park at 4 pm - so maybe an early lunch at Raglan would work...

Taking the boat or the bus to DTD - honestly for us it was hit or miss - if we hit the boat coming just right - it was a nice fun ride -

the busses may be faster - but it depends on how they run - if you just miss a bus then you may wait 10 - 25 min for the next dtd bus! It was a "game" of "Murhy's Law" when we stayed at POR!!

I think depending on the time we arrive at the resort we might just grab a cab to DTD and then take bus or the boat back!

 

[takemetomickey]

We ate lunch at Tony's two days ago and it was DELICIOUS! I split the baked ziti and chicken parm w/ my mom and it was great! Food there is way better than the Crystal Palace, IMHO. I would go for Tony's rather than Crystal Palace b/c at CP you could end up being there for awhile waiting for all of the characters to come around, and might miss part of the christmas party. Plus, there are so many opportunities to meet characters at MVMCP that it might be best to save CP for another day when you won't see as many characters. Good luck!

 

[BriarRosie]

Hi - a couple of quick questions.

1) Our plane is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 5:15pm and we are taking ME to POFQ. Our plan is to take the boat to DTD and have dinner at T-Rex. What do you think would be a reasonable time to make a reservation for? I was thinking 8:15??? Do you think this would give us enough time? Should we grab a cab to DTD instead of taking the boat on the way there? Also this is a Sat. night if that makes any difference.

2) Sunday we have tickets for MVMCP - I am having a hard time deciding what to do for our big meal that day. A couple of thoughts I have:
Have a late lunch early dinner at Ragalan Road in DTD and then head to MK (this is one restaurant on my BFF's wish list but I haven't really figured out where to fit it in with our park days)
Crystal palace in MK again late luch or early dinner before the party gets started
Or Tony's - same senario

Thanks for your thoughts!
Dawn

1. I'd just hop on the Downtown Disney bus. Yes, the bus does make all the stops around Riverside, but it's a quick ride. If you're really pressed for time, then take a cab. The boat is nice but very slow.

2. Keep in mind that Downtown Disney does not offer transportation to theme parks, only resorts. If you want to get to the party, you'd need to hop on the bus that leads to the Contemporary/Polynesian/Grand Floridian and go to the party from there. I'd get off at the Contemporary and walk to the Magic Kingdom.

They allow you into the park on the party tickets after 4pm, and I would definitely advise you take advantage of it. The closer you get to "official" party time, the more crowded the turnstile entrances get. You'll get a wristband at the turnstile that allows the cast members to recognize guests who paid for the party when they close the park to non-party guests. They'll tend to herd party guests into one section of the park for a short time while they herd the non-party guests out.

 

[dawnandnala]

2. Keep in mind that Downtown Disney does not offer transportation to theme parks, only resorts. If you want to get to the party, you'd need to hop on the bus that leads to the Contemporary/Polynesian/Grand Floridian and go to the party from there. I'd get off at the Contemporary and walk to the Magic Kingdom.

They allow you into the park on the party tickets after 4pm, and I would definitely advise you take advantage of it. The closer you get to "official" party time, the more crowded the turnstile entrances get. You'll get a wristband at the turnstile that allows the cast members to recognize guests who paid for the party when they close the park to non-party guests. They'll tend to herd party guests into one section of the park for a short time while they herd the non-party guests out.

Oh good point - I'd forgotten about getting to MK from DTD - I'll definately remember to take the bus to the Contemporary!

Thanks!