This is why

[maxiesmom]

you shouldn't plan anything less than 3 hours out of your scheduled time to land.

Sis flew in to Orlando today. Flight landed at 1:15. They were not allowed off of the aircraft as there was a storm approaching and it was dangerous for the ground crew to be out. Sis messaged me and said the sky was black! Half an hour later they were let off. Only to wait another hour for their bags.

You see all the time posts about "It takes 90 minutes to get to your resort". Yup, 90 minutes if everything runs perfectly.

I know we all want to squeeze in every ounce of fun we can. It is just a very bad idea to plan anything important for the day you land. And if you do, give yourself 3 hours minimum.

Today's PSA.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I always advise people to plan 3 hours. I think it's the best plan to have extra time. Personally I hate having to rush or feeling stressed to be on time for something.

 

[danielocha30]

I agree not to plan any ADR with money attached on arrival day, delays happens all the time

 

[mousehockey37]

Well, it's a small thing you can plan, but we always try to take the first flight of the day. DGF has a severe peanut allergy, so the earlier we can get on the plane in the day, the less trips it's taken and the cleaner it will be. As a side to that though, the earlier you can get to MCO, the better the chances you have of getting in before the storms start popping up.

 

[loveswdw]

I agree not to plan any ADR with money attached on arrival day, delays happens all the time

Totally agree. After an 8 hour delay on Southwest (yes, Southwest--they took our plane out of service and diverted a flight to pick us up), I don't ever book anything on that first day. A 5:30 pm arrival turned into a 1:30 am arrival and an hour's wait for luggage. Checked into hotel at close to 3 AM.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yup - We arrived just before a series of storms last October and although we did get off the plane our bags were delayed at least 2 hours. If we had used the luggage delivery feature of DME we would have been all set but the first few days of the stay were offsite!

I never plan anything that can't be canceled on arrival day - anything we do enjoy is a bonus

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Never book an ADR on arrival day because so much can happen.

 

[Dis703]

We had one trip where we ended up delayed taking off 45 minutes because of storms in FL that closed the airport. Then we arrived and there was some sort of traffic issue so the ME buses weren't able to get back to the airport. They ended up sending us on Mears vans instead but we waited well over an hour to get on one. Then we weren't the first drop off so it was more than 3 hours after we had anticipated being at the resort. I usually give myself a 4 hour minimum window but even then it's rare I plan anything for our first day that would require a payment if cancelled.

 

[georgina]

I believe in living dangerously - we once had MVMCP tickets on our arrival day. Arrival at MCO was around 11:30 I think, we had a rental car, it was fine. I know things can happen, but if you know ahead of time what the risks are, it's an individual choice.

 

[AnnaS]

My son flying this morning. He said four flights were cancelled and his plane was being delayed. No pilot & bad weather in Orlando............We don't usually plan anything anytime near arrival time. We try to take the earliest flight (6 am or so) and "might" make an ADR for the evening.

 

[LilyWDW]

I will only plan things that won't result in losing money if something were to happen. So I will do a resort day, or a monorail crawl, or Disney Springs with a reservation made on Open Table.

 

[maxiesmom]

My son flying this morning. He said four flights were cancelled and his plane was being delayed. No pilot & bad weather in Orlando............We don't usually plan anything anytime near arrival time. We try to take the earliest flight (6 am or so) and "might" make an ADR for the evening.

I'm taking my nephew to the airport today and his flight to Orlando has already been delayed. Hopefully it doesn't continue

 

[AnnaS]

I'm taking my nephew to the airport today and his flight to Orlando has already been delayed. Hopefully it doesn't continue

Good luck!! He is in the air!!

 

[DebbieB]

you shouldn't plan anything less than 3 hours out of your scheduled time to land.

Sis flew in to Orlando today. Flight landed at 1:15. They were not allowed off of the aircraft as there was a storm approaching and it was dangerous for the ground crew to be out. Sis messaged me and said the sky was black! Half an hour later they were let off. Only to wait another hour for their bags.

You see all the time posts about "It takes 90 minutes to get to your resort". Yup, 90 minutes if everything runs perfectly.

I know we all want to squeeze in every ounce of fun we can. It is just a very bad idea to plan anything important for the day you land. And if you do, give yourself 3 hours minimum.

Today's PSA.

I think 90 minutes is without bags.

 

[AngiTN]

We have no problems booking things for arrival day but never anything must do. I know how to move arrangements.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Good advice. I do have FPs scheduled for 6 hours after our plane lands, but no big deal if we miss out entirely

 

[maxiesmom]

Good luck!! He is in the air!!

Well, he should have been. Now his flight has been pushed back to 7 pm. And as he would have missed the last connection to Orlando in Baltimore, he now has to go thru Chicago. And won't arrive in Orlando until after midnight.

 

[charmed59]

On one of my daughter's long journeys back to college her 3rd flight after two were cancelled was finally in the air. I went to bed, only to be woken up by a call that no, the plane took off, got halfway there, and turned around. It took her three days to get back to college, one day after classes started. I loved her university, but not the long nights trying to get her there.

My home airport is now Orlando. This time of year if you plane is scheduled for the afternoon anything within an hour of being on schedule is a win. But we can't complain too much, we sure need the rain.

 

[jdisnut]

Never book an ADR on arrival day because so much can happen.

There's an important point that is always left unsaid in posts like these, and it's why I disagree with using such absolute language. Yes, a lot can happen. Every day, there are horror stories of diverted flights, cancellations and airport meltdowns that causes guests to miss most or all of the scheduled beginning of their trip. In the majority of cases, however, everything goes relatively smoothly.

That's why, like so many other things in life, this is a risk/reward proposition. The no-show fee for a dining reservation at Disney is $10 per person. You have to decide whether you're willing to stake that money, knowing it's possible you lose it. Your decision will depend on plenty of factors, including how many people are in your party. I might be willing to gamble $20 on a reservation for just my wife and me. I might not feel the same way with three kids in toe, upping that amount to $50.

I just think it's important that we lay out what we're talking about here. For some people, a coveted Be Our Guest or 'Ohana reservation on arrival day might be worth the risk. For others, not so much. There's no right or wrong answer here.

 

[keishashadow]

you shouldn't plan anything less than 3 hours out of your scheduled time to land.

Sis flew in to Orlando today. Flight landed at 1:15. They were not allowed off of the aircraft as there was a storm approaching and it was dangerous for the ground crew to be out. Sis messaged me and said the sky was black! Half an hour later they were let off. Only to wait another hour for their bags.

You see all the time posts about "It takes 90 minutes to get to your resort". Yup, 90 minutes if everything runs perfectly.

I know we all want to squeeze in every ounce of fun we can. It is just a very bad idea to plan anything important for the day you land. And if you do, give yourself 3 hours minimum.

Today's PSA.

I agree in theory but have booked ADRs on arrival day many times, especially on shorter trips.

I book 1st flight out & NS to try to avoid delays yet Can't do a thing re weather issues

If me and I was going to miss an ADR due to flight delay, would certainly give WDW a call & explain the situation. They very may be understanding work with you if you're lucky.