Need help on timing for dinner on arrival day

[CrabbyPatty]

Hi - our flight gets into Orlando around 3:30 p.m. on the 26th, and I'm trying to figure out the timing for our first dinner reservation that evening.

I'm a newbie, so I'm not sure how long it will take us to get from the airport to the hotel, and when our bags will arrive in our room. We'd like to do a later ADR that evening and see that 1900 Park Faire has dinner until 8:30 and Ohana or Kona Cafe is open for dinner until 10:00 p.m, but basically since we don't want to use a park ticket that evening, we want to eat at a resort hotel.

So, how much time should I allow for getting to the hotel and getting bags so I know when to make dinner ADRs? Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you are using DME from the airport it will take on average about 90 minutes to get to the resort. Then you will need time to check-in and find your room. Then make your way to the restaurant.


If my flight was landing at 3:30 I would not book anything until about 6:30 at the earliest but more likely I would go with a 7pm ADR or later.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Thanks for the info. I thought I'd read somewhere on DIS that it can take up to 2 hours to get your bags in your room after you arrive. But it looks like we might try to get a 7:30 or 8:00 reservation that evening. Coming from Minnesota, we get an "extra hour" (from CST to EST) so hopefully it won't seem too late for the girls.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks for the info. I thought I'd read somewhere on DIS that it can take up to 2 hours to get your bags in your room after you arrive. But it looks like we might try to get a 7:30 or 8:00 reservation that evening. Coming from Minnesota, we get an "extra hour" (from CST to EST) so hopefully it won't seem too late for the girls.

It can take a few hours for your bags to be delivered to your room but you don't have to be in the room. They will put them inside for you.

If you need the bags right away then bring them on the DME bus yourself.

 

[budbeerlady]

Dont sit around and wait for your bags!!!!
#1 your at Disney, go play
#2 it could take a while, its been well over 2 hours before for us.

7 is a safe bet.

I figure land at 3:30, at ME at 4, at resort around 5ish, check in get to room by 6, change and head out the door by 6:30.

 

[Halle]

7:30 PM arrival at MCO, bags arrived to our room at 12:15AM!!!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Wow - looks like we might want to pack a change of clothing into a carry-on bag in case those bags don't arrive in a timely manner -- so we can change clothes before going to dinner. After travelling, it's nice to change into a fresh set of "resort clothes" instead of wearing the "travelling clothes".

 

[budbeerlady]

Always a good idea to pack pjs and 1 set of clothes in the carryon. I have NEVER lost luggage on the way down but it has happened on the way home, I got my bag 32 hours later coming from Disney.

We will be down there the same time, have a fun trip!!!!!! (It will be hotter than the face of the sun but still better than being at home!)

Maybe you want to do a buffet the 1st night if you are worried about the family being starved. Then they are not waiting for their food to come while seeing/smelling everyone elses.

 

[bleeps]

How old are your kids? I made the mistake -- only once -- of booking a dinner ADR on our arrival night when DS was about 6. It wasn't that we didn't make it to the dinner on time (although I heartily agree with all the advice to carry on your change of clothes, pjs, and swimsuits, too), but that it was torture for DS to have to go and have a sit-down dinner when he really wanted to be out and about and moving around (recovering from the day of travel). Just another piece to keep in mind!

 

[kaytieeldr]

7:30 PM arrival at MCO, bags arrived to our room at 12:15AM!!!

Ah, but it doesn't matter what time the Guest arrives at MCO. What matters is what time the Guest arrives at and checks into the resort.

Magical Express documentation advises Guests that it may take up to about three hours after one's room is available for luggage to be delivered.

7:30 arrival + 90 expected minutes to resort = 9, plus three hours = luggage arrived fifteen minutes "late".

Wow - looks like we might want to pack a change of clothing into a carry-on bag in case those bags don't arrive in a timely manner

Always always always, when you fly!

Carry-on luggage should hold: valuables, medications, travel documents, and whatever items one will need for the first 24 hours at the destination - in case the airline misdirects luggage.