To do or not to do an arrival day dinner PS?

[jmet]

Our flight is set to arrive at MCO at 5:17 p.m. Nov. 26 - that is the day after Thanksgiving. I'm so torn about making a PS for dinner that night at a WDW restaurant. On the one hand I think maybe we'd be better off just playing it by ear, and planning to eat off site - because it's hard to know what time we'd be able to make a PS for and I don't want to stress about it. And we COULD always even order pizza if it was crazy busy everywhere or late....on the OTHER hand, I have SO many places I am dieing to try I would love to sneak one in this night! I just can't decide if it would be worth it to try. I assume everything (even off site) will probably be very busy that night, so maybe having a PS would actually be BETTER than wandering around trying to find something without a long wait. DH is kind of in the "let's just order pizza" camp, and that would be OK, but not my first choice, if ya know what I mean. I just don't know how to calculate what time to make a PS for - considering getting the car driving to our resort (Cypress Pointe), unloading luggage and then getting to the restaurant - (I'm thinking Whispering Canyon) - any suggestions or thoughts about this?
Thanks! Jamie

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I think I would probably do the pizza. Just because by the time you get your car and get to the resort, who knows what time it will actually be. I say, get a early bedtime and start off in the morning with a bang. That's just mo.

 

[Shelly S]

We had a PS on our first night last December on the candle light processional dinner package at EPCOT which was pre paid. We thought we had plenty of time when we made our PS at Rose and Crown, but we were wrong. First of all, our flight was late. We did not rent a car and took the Mears to BWV. We ended up waiting a long time for the mears to leave for our resort and then we had a line to check in. We were able to call Rose and Crown and we were able to get seated late, but it was very stressful trying to make our PS. If you do decide on a PS, please give yourself plenty of time in case an unexpected delay comes up. For our upcoming trip, I did not schedule any PS's on the first night. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[bethzfl]

If anything, I'd just do counter service in WS (open later). You don't know if there may be a flight delay, as someone mentioned, or any other unexpected events. That being said, it doesn't hurt to make one.. if you're running late, just cancel it. I was torn by this same situation on a previous trip.. we ended up doing my first suggestion, counter service.. because you can still sample the country's food Good luck!

 

[jmet]

Thanks for your thoughts...I definately see the wisdom in not having any PS's to stress about getting to. I was thinking if I do make one I would leave plenty of time and then just cancel if it just doesn't work. I still haven't made up my mind, but I may defer to DH on this one because he's pretty much given me free reign to plan whatever I want, whenever I want the whole trip - which works for ME! LOL! Any other opinions are welcome!


Jamie

 

[gigi1313]

maybe make a late ps for one of the restaurants in a resort or dtd? if you are running late, you could always cancel (i am sure they will have no problem filling your spot w/stand-bys)... i'm thinking somewhere that you could watch fireworks or electrical water parade would be fun... of course it also depends on how late you want to be up, kids' schedules, plans for next morning, etc...

 

[Scrubjay]

....... if I were you ..... I would make a late PS at Whispering Canyon (latest seating). If you get there too early stop by the Territory Lounge (right across the lobby) for drinks, if you get there on time .... great, if you get there late eat at the Territory Lounge ...... they have a limited menu but it is very good and the atmosphere is great.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

Our flight arrives late as well - 5:49 pm. Although I've already arranged to be picked up at the airport, I think we'll be lucky if we get to our resort, BWI by 7:00 pm. Then who knows how long it will take to check in?

Then I'm sure no one will want to turn around the exact minute we get into the room to rush out for dinner. But we will probably be hungry. I'm hoping just to head out to the Boardwalk and get whatever everyone's in the mood for. No stress, get a good night's sleep and hit the parks early!

There are so many great restaurants, that I also wanted to get one more in, but I just don't need the stress of rushing. Instead, I've made a PS for every day we're there, so at least we get to try a few more on this trip.

 

[Terk-1]

I'd do a PS at the Whispering Canyon Cafe for 7pm and just head there first. Have a great dinner, then head to your hotel to check-in, unpack and relax. This way you don't have to get the car, go to the hotel, unpack the car, unpack your room, then turn around and leave the room to run to a restaurant, then turn around and go back to the hotel.

 

[Northwoods]

I'm also toying with the same decision. We arrive at 5:17 also - same flight from MSP I'm sure but we arrive on Dec 18th.

We are staying at VWL so I was thinking it would be easy to go have dinner at Artist Point. I think this is the only night we would be able to eat there and we loved it the last time.

I can't remember how long should you plan for luggage claim, car rental, and driving there?

I was thinking that if we are delayed we will just eat something quick or in our room. But hate to miss an opportunity to eat at Artist Point.

 

[jmet]

Well, I really appreciate all the opinion's and idea's! Now I'm leaning towards making the PS - that way I've got it and I can still toy around with the whole thing and if we decide it isn't worth it I can always cancel. If it weren't a holiday weekend I wouldn't even worry about it, but like I said I'm afraid our choices might really be limited due to the crowds and personally, I like to have options...still mulling it all over, but I've enjoyed the input, so thanks again!
Jamie