Modifying Dining on Arrival Day

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

We are flying in around 2 pm on arrival day, and I made a 6:50 reservation at Chef Mickey’s. I purposely made it late to give us some cushion in case travel does not go as planned. If we arrive early/on time and check-in goes smoothly, can I modify this same-day ADR to an earlier time without penalty? If so, can I do this in the app, or will I have to call?

 

[Nancyg56]

I would just plan to arrive at the restaurant early if you end up having more time. You can ask if they will be able to seat you early, but if they cannot, you are in a great spot for first night Disney exploration. We like to hop on the monorail and just ride. Or hit the Grand lobby first and listen to the Grand Orchestra.

If you get settled in by 5 or 5:30, you still need to allow travel tiem to dinner, so I feel your timing is good at this point.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I would just plan to arrive at the restaurant early if you end up having more time. You can ask if they will be able to seat you early, but if they cannot, you are in a great spot for first night Disney exploration. We like to hop on the monorail and just ride. Or hit the Grand lobby first and listen to the Grand Orchestra.

If you get settled in by 5 or 5:30, you still need to allow travel tiem to dinner, so I feel your timing is good at this point.

Good to know our timing seems right! We are first-timers, so it is hard to grasp how long it will take for everything.

 

[Nancyg56]

Good to know our timing seems right! We are first-timers, so it is hard to grasp how long it will take for everything.

Everything takes longer than you think. I plan at least 90 minutes to arrive at the resort, but you never know. One trip DME was LONG! And it took longer. Check in can take time, even if you do online checkin you may need to go to the front desk. The last thing you want on an arrival day is pressure and stress, so it is way better to just keep your time and if you have a cushion, try to be seated earlier, or what we do: enjoy our arrival day by exploring the resort or the area in which awe are dining. Have a great first trip!

 

[sharonabe]

We are flying in around 2 pm on arrival day, and I made a 6:50 reservation at Chef Mickey’s. I purposely made it late to give us some cushion in case travel does not go as planned. If we arrive early/on time and check-in goes smoothly, can I modify this same-day ADR to an earlier time without penalty? If so, can I do this in the app, or will I have to call?

You can always modify without penalty as long as there is a time slot available. However, for popular restaurants, that availability is usually not there. If all goes well and you want to try to make it earlier, you can definitely use the app to see if there is an ADR at the new time.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I have not been able to modify a reservation for the same day using the app (I got a message telling me to call the dining line). When I called the dining line, all they could do was move me to a later slot if one was available, and one was not available.

I’ve seen mixed success with this and I wouldn’t count on being able to move the ADR on the same day, especially for a popular restaurant. I’d move the ADR now to a time you are certain you can be there.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I have not been able to modify a reservation for the same day using the app (I got a message telling me to call the dining line). When I called the dining line, all they could do was move me to a later slot if one was available, and one was not available.

I’ve seen mixed success with this and I wouldn’t count on being able to move the ADR on the same day, especially for a popular restaurant. I’d move the ADR now to a time you are certain you can be there.

I am hoping with an early afternoon flight, I have given us enough buffer to get checked in and head over to the restaurant by 6:50. After reading some of the transportation issues on this forum, it makes me nervous. For now I am going to stick with this time, and hope for the best on arrival day. So far, weather is looking great for the next few days, so hopefully no flight delays will occur.

 

[TOBS2010]

Keep in mind that if your plane arrives at 2 p.m. and by the time you walk across the airport (likely stop to use the restrooms) and get to ME, you are already at close to 2:45-3 p.m. It usually takes us about an 1-1.5 hours on ME to get to our hotel. That takes you to arriving at your hotel around 3:30-4 p.m. Give yourself some time to get to your room and settle in before you would be on your way to the Contemporary maybe around 5-530----if you are taking the bus to the MK and then either hopping on the monorail or walking over---now you are close to 6:15. At least this is how it plays out in my head from a planning standpoint. You could always check in a little early and find that you can easily get in, or you might have to wait. If you have to wait you can walk around the Contemporary a little bit. I would leave your reservation as is--what if your plane arrives late, then you are working on a tighter timeline. This at least gives you some wiggle room.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

Keep in mind that if your plane arrives at 2 p.m. and by the time you walk across the airport (likely stop to use the restrooms) and get to ME, you are already at close to 2:45-3 p.m. It usually takes us about an 1-1.5 hours on ME to get to our hotel. That takes you to arriving at your hotel around 3:30-4 p.m. Give yourself some time to get to your room and settle in before you would be on your way to the Contemporary maybe around 5-530----if you are taking the bus to the MK and then either hopping on the monorail or walking over---now you are close to 6:15. At least this is how it plays out in my head from a planning standpoint. You could always check in a little early and find that you can easily get in, or you might have to wait. If you have to wait you can walk around the Contemporary a little bit. I would leave your reservation as is--what if your plane arrives late, then you are working on a tighter timeline. This at least gives you some wiggle room.

Thank you! You guys are making me feel better about my timeline, for sure. I am definitely keeping the reservation for the same time, and hoping for a smooth arrival.