Using DME and timing for lunch

[eeyoreali]

Hello!

We are using DME and our flight is due to arrive about 10am. I've read it can take up to 1 1/2 to get from the airport to the resort - depending on which stop you're at. My question is, in your opinions, what would be the earliest to try and make a reservation for lunch?

Thank you!

 

[tjmw2727]

Honestly I don't make any reservations with a cancellation fee on our arrival day. You never know if your flight will be delayed, DME will take a few extra minutes or if you have issues at check in.

I don't know what of year or where your flying from but we have had snow cancellations, late flights and a few really long check in lines so I don't risk it. I would rather make loose plans for a park with a counter serve meal or a pool day than plan for an ADR that may end up costing me $50 or more if we have travel issues.

 

[minnie mum]

When we fly we usually arrive in late morning. I would never risk making an ADR before dinner. If we're travelling in winter months, I don't make an ADR at all for arrival day, in case our flight is delayed or cancelled. There are lots of tasty CS options.

 

[maxiesmom]

At the very earliest I would be semi-comfortable making an ADR for 1 pm. 2 pm would be even better.

 

[karly05]

Count me in with those who say No ADRs for Arrival Day. As Minnie Mum says, there are plenty of tasty CS options. Where are you staying? Is CS at your resort an option? Do you have park plans for arrival day? I love going to Epcot and getting CS from the World Showcase: fish & chips, lamb shawarma, bakeries at France and Norway, lots of good choices - and Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion is good, with lots of selection.

I don't know how big your party is or when you're traveling, but if you really want TS - I'd wait till you're at the resort then get on the MDE zpp and look for last-minute ADRs. I've been checking them out periodically for fun, and there are often lots of places available - not CRT or Chef Mickey's or whatever, but always some choices at Epcot, and options at DTD and the resorts. (There are also some highly recommended CS choices at DTD.)

I guess only you can decide if it's worth losing the deposit to have an ADR - but if you make an ADR and miss it, you're out the deposit AND you still have to find somewhere to eat.

 

[Hopefully]

Im among the majority that won t make an ADR on travel day. Too many potential delays

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I too would not make at ADR. If you miss it then you are wasting $10 per person for a no show/cancel reservation. Just plan to go to counter service for lunch.

 

[Polydweller]

I'm with the majority that don't make any ADRs on the arrival days. Too many points of delay. We've had 1hr delays leaving the home airport due to airline equipment problems, 20 minute takeoff delays due to long lineups of planes waiting in line to take off, and last year at MCO a ten minute taxi in followed by 15 minutes waiting for the arrival gate to be available. Add to that that if you arrive as a thunderstorm approaches the ground grew may not be allowed to work delaying gate arrival. In other words, none of this is likely but things like this do occur.

 

[eeyoreali]

I did make an ADR for dinner. Hopefully we'll be there plenty of time before. We'll just figure out lunch when we get there.

 

[wdwrich]

I agree with the previous posters. Don't make an ADR for lunch. Plan on counter service. However, once you land at MCO and can fire up your smart phone, check for available ADRs at least two hours out. You might find something you can make at that time.