PSA: think twice before booking "must dos" on arrival day

[Brian Noble]

We often see folks asking how long it will take them to get from the airport to a park or resort so that they can make use of every minute. That's not such a bad thing, but be careful about scheduling anything that is a "must do" for your travel party, and *especially* careful about booking things that are pre-paid or have no-show penalties.

My flight this morning (for business, not to Disney) was canceled. I was rebooked immediately on the very next flight---lucky, given load factors these days---but even so, I will miss the first part of my meeting today.

So, keep in mind: these things happen, and it's easier to roll with the punches if you don't have a deadline for your arrival.

 

[Missytara]

I learned this the hard way a few years ago.

We were upgraded from POR to SSR in Dec. 2009 with the 4/3 deal.

I always stay at regular resorts and not DVC. Even though it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, normally I get my room around 2:00 pm or so. I always arrive around 10:30 am.

We set up our first night dinner at Kouzzina's at 6:00 pm. Plenty of time to get our room, shower and change, and get to the resort and wander around the BW for a bit before dinner.

We were checked in by 10:45 am and we gave our cell phone number to the front desk to be called. By 1:30 pm, I was very concerned about our room. I got back up to the front desk and was told they don't even start doling out rooms until 4:00 pm at DVC. I had no idea.

I called Kouzzina's to get a slightly later time and they were booked solid for the week. They had extended free dining a few months before and ressies were hard to come by.

We finally received our room at 4:50 pm. Did not have any idea how long it would take the luggage to get there.

Luckily, the manager of the resort took pity on us; dispatched our bags immediately and then sent a DVC van with a delightful young woman working as an intern who told us all about her experience eating there just one week before.

What could have been a disaster did turn out, but I don't think I would put myself through that again.

I just take it easy my first day.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I totally agree. I won't book anything with a cancellation penalty or anything non-refundable for our first day. I'm way too paranoid about delays

 

[LWQuestie]

I learned this the hard way a few years ago.

We were upgraded from POR to SSR in Dec. 2009 with the 4/3 deal.

I always stay at regular resorts and not DVC. Even though it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, normally I get my room around 2:00 pm or so. I always arrive around 10:30 am.

We set up our first night dinner at Kouzzina's at 6:00 pm. Plenty of time to get our room, shower and change, and get to the resort and wander around the BW for a bit before dinner.

We were checked in by 10:45 am and we gave our cell phone number to the front desk to be called. By 1:30 pm, I was very concerned about our room. I got back up to the front desk and was told they don't even start doling out rooms until 4:00 pm at DVC. I had no idea.

I called Kouzzina's to get a slightly later time and they were booked solid for the week. They had extended free dining a few months before and ressies were hard to come by.

We finally received our room at 4:50 pm. Did not have any idea how long it would take the luggage to get there.

Luckily, the manager of the resort took pity on us; dispatched our bags immediately and then sent a DVC van with a delightful young woman working as an intern who told us all about her experience eating there just one week before.

What could have been a disaster did turn out, but I don't think I would put myself through that again.

I just take it easy my first day.

While I think that Brian's comment is well taken, I don't know that this story is a good example. You don't need to wait in the resort for the room assignment or for the luggage to be delivered.

 

[dudspizza]

Excellent comments, Brian. It is amazing the number of people who book ADR's for the day they arrive.

My plan is always to do "something" on the day of arrival, but it doesn't require a reservation. Riding the monorail, shopping at DTD, thing like that.

Travel safe everyone.

 

[chartle]

While I think that Brian's comment is well taken, I don't know that this story is a good example. You don't need to wait in the resort for the room assignment or for the luggage to be delivered.

I think they planned on changing for dinner.

So this is a combo plan ahead to be late and also carry what you need for that day post.

 

[Cricket2]

Our first day last trip was set up to try Vero Beach resort and needless to say with our delay we didn't get to the resort until after 11 PM. It looked great at night though! from what we did get to do the next morning, I'm sure we would have loved it.

 

[crashbb]

For example, don't plan on arriving in Boston on the day of your daughter's wedding. And don't show up at check-in after the cut-off of time. On an airline with only 2 flights a day to that city.

Not me - the person checking in beside me on Saturday (I swear I wasn't eavesdropping - she was yelling). The flight was delayed, so her showing up late didn’t really matter (though she would have missed the flight, had it been on time), and she was insisting that the airline get her there in time for the wedding (she had about a 2 hour cushion). This is a small regional carrier, flying out of a tiny airport – no options available.

Now, it is possible that she had a very valid reason for only leaving a two hour cushion, but she never gave one (and since she yelled at everyone and gave pretty much her life story, I’m sure she would have mentioned the reason, if she had one).

 

[Brian Noble]

It is amazing the number of people who book ADR's for the day they arrive.

I often book one, but it is always something I am happy to skip at the first sign of trouble, and I leave a lot of cushion, even then.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Totally agree! My first trip back to the World in 15 years was in July 2008 and I made an ADR at Chef Mickey's for 9pm. We were due to arrive in Orlando at 5:30pm. Well, thunderstorms in Atlanta, and a long rental car line meant that we arrived at POR with just enough time to toss our bags out the moving car towards a uniformed bell hop and zooming over to the CR. We had been traveling from the West Coast for more than 10 hours including our delay in Atlanta and we certainly felt grubby. Luckily, Mickey didn't care (although Donald turned up his bill at us).