Magical Express Timing for ADR?

[albertamom]

Hi Everyone. Planning our first trip to WDW in February. If our flight lands at MCO at 4:47pm, and we are taking Magical Express, will we be able to comfortably make a 7:30 dinner ADR at our resort (BLT)?

 

[goofy4tink]

If you land, on-time, you should be at BLT by 6:30. However, sometimes 'stuff' happens, making your time longer.
The one time I had a function to go to at CR, my flight was delayed by 3 hrs!! I was staying at BLT, so figured I would have plenty of time. The function was scheduled about 2 hrs after I was 'supposed' to arrive. Sadly, I missed it.
So be prepared, just in case.

 

[22Tink]

I'd be nervous to book an ADR that close to arrival time, unless you don't mind paying the $10 cancellation fee. Flights are so unpredictable!! Our flight lands at 4:47, too! We're going in November. (Are you flying Westjet out of Calgary by chance? Lol) We're just planning on a QS dinner on our arrival night.

 

[albertamom]

I'd be nervous to book an ADR that close to arrival time, unless you don't mind paying the $10 cancellation fee. Flights are so unpredictable!! Our flight lands at 4:47, too! We're going in November. (Are you flying Westjet out of Calgary by chance? Lol) We're just planning on a QS dinner on our arrival night.

We most certainly are! That's hilarious! I LOVE that it's a direct flight...makes it worth the outrageous price they charge.

QS is probably the better choice. goofy4tink definitely agrees! I wasn't planning on going to the parks that night, just exploring our resort and resting up for a week of 8:00 am openings (when we're running on Mountain Standard Time).

We'll just grab something at Contempo Cafe! The menu looks quite good!

 

[jec6613]

To add to the above, later in the day flights tend to be delayed more often than earlier in the day flights, as they're subject to delay cascades from early flights. That's why I'm hauling myself the 90 minute drive to JFK for a 7 AM flight for my December trip!

 

[dis_guy]

We just don't do Adrs on travel days anymore. Just missed too many for various reasons and that was before the cancellation fee came into effect. The exception is if DW and I fly in on different days. We have a reservation for the day she arrives if I'm already there. If she's late I'll just order her meal "to go" and have it in our room when she arrives. Otherwise it's counter service or just grab something at the airport.

 

[n2mm]

I also don't do ADRs on arrival day. In October our Flight was 4 hours delayed out of BWI (SW). In November our flight was 2 hours delayed out of IAD (Frontier). And in April our flight on United out of IAD was only 1 hour delayed. Things like this have convinced me that there's no way I'm going to get stuck with a $10 per person no show. Of course I would try to explain this to the dining folks, but who wants to start their trip out with that kind of stress.

Good luck OP in whatever decision you make.....just had to share the downside of making ADRs on arrival day.

 

[jec6613]

I have an ADR scheduled on my arrival day, but it's nearly seven hours after we've landed.

 

[dis_guy]

I have an ADR scheduled on my arrival day, but it's nearly seven hours after we've landed.

Even I'd be comfortable with that one.

 

[albertamom]

We just don't do Adrs on travel days anymore. Just missed too many for various reasons and that was before the cancellation fee came into effect. The exception is if DW and I fly in on different days. We have a reservation for the day she arrives if I'm already there. If she's late I'll just order her meal "to go" and have it in our room when she arrives. Otherwise it's counter service or just grab something at the airport.

I also don't do ADRs on arrival day. In October our Flight was 4 hours delayed out of BWI (SW). In November our flight was 2 hours delayed out of IAD (Frontier). And in April our flight on United out of IAD was only 1 hour delayed. Things like this have convinced me that there's no way I'm going to get stuck with a $10 per person no show. Of course I would try to explain this to the dining folks, but who wants to start their trip out with that kind of stress.

Good luck OP in whatever decision you make.....just had to share the downside of making ADRs on arrival day.

You've all convinced me to stick with Contempo Cafe. I think we'll be just fine with that!