Our first night at Disney, which restaurant should I keep?

[OllieDannyandMe]

We arrive at Orlando Airport at 1:50 p.m. on December 13th and will be taking the Magical Express to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Once we drop off our suitcases, we want to go straight to the Magic Kingdom.

Which character meal should we keep?

• a 4:30 ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern
  
• or an 8:15 ADR at Crystal Palace

My heart says Mickey for the first night, but I am worried about timing. Will we make it to the Magic Kingdom by 4:30?

We love Pooh, and the Crystal Palace looks beautiful. We have never dined at either location.

What should we do?

Will 8:15 dining give us enough time to see the fireworks that first night?

Should I cancel both our ressies and try for something different?

 

[TakeMe2Disney]

Neither restaurant had earlier/later times? I'd call back and check. If not I would recommend going with CP just because it would be less stress worrying about getting to MK in time.

 

[eeyore913]

ohhh I don't know if you arrive at 150 and have to check in at DME, get to the resort, check in and get a bus to MK if you'd make it by 430. You probably would but it might be stressful. You could keep both and try to make the 430 and then if you realize you wont call and cancel so they can seat someone else and go to CP for the late dinner. If fireworks are at 9 I doubt you'd be done in time since it usually takes a hour to see all the characters. Good Luck!

 

[Alva218]

I would try to keep the Liberty Tree reservation. This may be your last opportunity to eat there while the characters are still there (it will no longer be a character meal next year). This restaurant will also be more relaxing than the CP because the meals is served to you (family style) vs. having to wait in line for a buffet. Keep checking to see if you can get a later reservation, but you should have adequate time to make it.

 

[troynkasey]

I'm not sure you could make it to MK by 4. You never know with Disney Transportation. The say once you leave the plane, it's 75-90 hours to get to the resort. Especially if you don't have to grab your bags. If you do, then it will be that much longer. Then the bus ride from AKL to MK is about 20 minutes. That's pushing it. Plus, you never know if the flights will be delayed. I'd go with the late ADR and know you'll have a great meal. Plus...you can get to MK and expereince it a little before eating.

I'd say CP it is! But if you want to see Wishes...you may be cramped for time, but you can always view Wishes one other night.

 

[Misty89]

I'm not sure you could make it to MK by 4. You never know with Disney Transportation. The say once you leave the plane, it's 75-90 hours to get to the resort. Especially if you don't have to grab your bags. If you do, then it will be that much longer. Then the bus ride from AKL to MK is about 20 minutes. That's pushing it. Plus, you never know if the flights will be delayed. I'd go with the late ADR and know you'll have a great meal. Plus...you can get to MK and expereince it a little before eating.

I'd say CP it is! But if you want to see Wishes...you may be cramped for time, but you can always view Wishes one other night.

Sorry....had to.

thats a really LONG time to get to the resort

OP - i would try to see if you can get LTT a little later. I agree for the same reason that the Chartacters are only there for a few more weeks. 4:30 is really pushing it.

and then cancel that CP right away so someone else can have that ressie.

 

[princesswendy720]

There's no need to be disrespectful to the original poster, here.

I think as long as the OP cancels the ADRs they won't go to ahead of time, that will allow someone (perhaps even a walk-up guest) to get seated.
No harm, no foul.

That being said, it's a shame the OP couldn't get an ADR time somewhere between those two times. I don't think either time works for what they want to do.

Agreed...OP even said they were going to possibly cancel both of the ADRs...so I don't believe they're intending on keeping them from someone.

As others have said, I don't think I'd risk trying to make it to the LTT ressie. I didn't schedule any TS meals on our arrival day (and we're landing around 10:30 am!) because I don't want to have to stress and drag Dbf around after a flight. If you are really hoping for LTT, try calling for a later reservation there or at another character meal.

 

[TPCShauna]

just want to say once again that i disagree with holding multiple adrs for the same meal. it may keep someone else from getting an adr and they can be hard enough to get as it is. in fact they have been know to cancel people who try to do this as they consider it unacceptable.

While I agree that holding multiple ressies is not an ideal situation, I just wanted to point out that there have been no first hand reports of ADRs being cancelled by Disney due to multiple ADRs for the same meal time. I don't think the OP needs to worry about having either of these cancelled for her.

To the OP - I don't think it is very likely that you will make that 4:30 ADR. Doing so would require absolutely no delays - no late flight, ME running on time, no line at check-in, no wait for a bus from AKL to MK.

If you have your heart set on dinner with characters followed by Wishes, I would continue to call Disney Dining to see if you can get a later LTT or earlier CP. Cancellations happen every day.

That being said, please, please, please cancel your unneeded second ADR ASAP so someone else can get a little sprinkling of magic.

Good luck!

 

[rstamm]

My heart says Mickey for the first night

Just wanted to point out that Mickey isn't at either of the restaurants you've got ADRs for. LTT features Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale. CP features Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet.

 

[tiger4me2]

If you heart is set on LTT take a cab

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

It is good to know that Crystal Palace has better food. That helps quite a bit. Also, it is great to know that Mickey is not at Liberty Tree Tavern. That helps to make my decision, too.

I didn't intend on keeping both reservations for more than 24 hours. I just wanted to keep them long enough to ask for recommendations from here. It didn't seem unreasonable to sleep on the decision for one night before I cancelled one of the ADR's.

I must say that my feelings are hurt by TheRustyScupper. I know that I am a sensitive soul, but for someone to heap shame on me kinda brings a few tears to my eyes.

I have been around here long enough to know about the controversy of double booking ADR's. And I agree that it's inconsiderate to do it. Anyone who has experienced not being able to make an ADR would agree that double booking is wrong.

I have seen many posts from TheRustyScupper over the years. The name stands out, and I have always thought of TheRustyScupper as a trusted and respected member of the DIS. That makes the post hurt all the more.

(Thanks to Misty89 and troynkasey for cracking me up with the 75-90 hours to get to your resort. It does feel good to laugh through your tears.)

 

[Pumbaa_]

please stick to the topic, no need to add snarkiness to anyone's post

tough times, try calling to see if you can get something more in the 5-5:30 range. Or, grab a taxo and not worry about the bus schedule

Have a great time!!

 

[Celestia]

I think that the CP time is really late for an arrival day. I agree with PPs, keep trying to get something earlier at CP or later at LTT.

My DH loves LTT and since this is the last chance to eat with the characters before they are gone I would lean towards LTT. If you are a little late they will still take you.

We are eating at LTT in December - we are also eating at CP for breakfast one day too.

 

[bkfree]

If it were my family on your schedule, I would have to feed them something before 4:30. I also think trying to make that time would be really iffy.
We love CP and it is a must do for us everytime. Great food and great characters.(we have never liked LTT food).
So I say grab a snack at Mara at AKL, hit MK then enjoy a fun and tasty meal at CP.
CP is always our first night or last night. A great start or ending to any trip.