Will we make it on time

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Our May Trip:
We land at MCO around 7:50Pm and are taking ME to AKV.
We have dining reservations at Boathouse at 10PM.
Should we take the bus to DS or use Uber or Lyft??. Very stressed right now.
TIA

tigger2ntinkerbell

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

It would be very tight if you rented a car but I don't think you'd even be close to making this if relying on Disney transport.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You won't make it, realistically.

You have to get from your gate to ME, and then ME needs to leave. Allow at least 75 minutes from plane down to AKV; 90 is more likely. So there you are, and it's already 9:20 at AKV, best case scenario.

An Über might get you there on time, Disney bus almost certainly not. But I think you're creating way too much stress trying to make a reservation the night of arrival on a late landing. I'd suggest canceling and either trying to call/book when you're in the lobby at AKV, or hit the bar.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree that it seems pretty unlikely that you'll make it to the Boathouse on time. The general rule of thumb is to allow three hours from when you get to ME (at MCO) to when you're walking into a theme park/DS. I would forgo making a reservation at this point and see what has last minute availability when you get to AKV.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would skip it.

 

[supersnoop]

Very stressed right now.

If you're stressed now, how are you going to feel if your flight is delayed? Or while you're sitting on the DME bus while they slowly fill it with more people?

Don't be stressed on vacation. Catch an earlier flight or cancel the reservation.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

I would not schedule a reservation so close to landing. Our flight was delayed almost two hours on our trip. I was talking to another traveler and she was nervous about missing a chef Mickey reservation. I was glad I did not have any reservations that night.

 

[Cinderella94]

Not worth the stress. I would be a wreck all day. Just cancel.

 

[happymommy]

I wouldn't even consider doing this.

I've had it take well over 2 1/2 hours twice using ME to get to the resort (once it was Pop, once BWI).

Plus, arriving at that hour of the evening, I would retrieve my luggage myself and bring it on the bus rather than have Disney transfer it. It can take 4 or 5 hours otherwise, so your luggage may not show up at your room until very late that night.

First night, I'd walk over to the Mara for dinner, or sit at the bar at Jiko and eat.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm going with, no way. Even if your flight lands on time. We just went this weekend. Our flight arrived at 1:20 pm and we got to BC at 2:45 pm using DME (we were the second stop). We landed at a very busy time when they could fill buses rather quickly and we still waited 15 - 20 minutes just to get on a DME bus. Plus, even if you take uber to DS, uber drops off at the taxi stand near La Nouba and you still have to walk a bit of a way to the Boathouse. If you were renting a car and going directly from MCO to DS, maybe. I still wouldn't even attempt this. Why start your vacation with stress?

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with everyone else. No Way
I never make an ADR sooner than 5 hours after scheduled arrival.
Travel day is full of uncontrollable delays.
In your case I would not make an ADR for dinner.

 

[Chrelaine]

As much as I love the Boathouse, I agree with the prior posts. It's way too tight a timeline. ME isn't just waiting for you to leave. We sat on the bus for a good 30 minutes before it left on our trip last summer, and it can make multiple stops on the way to your resort. I would save the stress and either see what is available once you check in, or plan on eating at a quick service or lounge for that night.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I wouldn't even try it. I hate having reservations on arrival day if we are getting in later.

For our upcoming arrival day, we are going to make 'Ohana dinner reservations, but our plane lands at 9 am....and we are staying at the Poly, so I think we'll be good.

 

[Robyn Vetter]

I would cancel too. You'll be too stressed and tired from traveling.

 

[jdisnut]

I'll be the dissenting voice: If you're renting a car or taking an Uber, you will not only make your reservation, but you'll make it easily. Assuming your flight arrives on time, it shouldn't be remotely close to a problem. Over MLK weekend, we went from touching down at the airport to opening the door to our room at the Swan in about 45 or 50 minutes.

I say that with a few caveats:

1) If you're planning on taking Disney transportation, cancel the reservation. You won't make it.
2) If your flight is delayed, of course you will miss the reservation. There's nothing you can do about that.
3) If you think you'll be super stressed about the possibility of missing your reservation, cancel it. There's no reason to feel anxiety over it. If you have the right attitude -- I hope we make it, but I won't be heartbroken or upset if we don't -- I don't see any problem in having the reservation booked. It's a dinner reservation. Who cares if you miss it?
4) Consider making your reservation on OpenTable, not through Disney. That way you won't be subject to the 24-hour cancelation policy.

I'm not quite sure why everybody is telling you that a 2 hour, 10 minute buffer is too short. Could something wrong that would cause you to miss the reservation? Absolutely. But if everything goes smoothly, it'll be super easy, so why not try?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm not quite sure why everybody is telling you that a 2 hour, 10 minute buffer is too short. Could something wrong that would cause you to miss the reservation? Absolutely. But if everything goes smoothly, it'll be super easy, so why not try?

1) Each resort "stop" takes about 15-20 minutes.
2) There are up to four stops on a DME route.
3) That can waste an hour.
4) All of a sudden
. . . arrive: 7:50pm
. . . deplane, walk to tram and walk to Disney desk: 8:20pm
. . . get bus assignment and walk to bus: 8:35pm
. . . board and wait for bus to fill/leave: 8:45pm (doesn't count if you have to wait for the next bus)
. . . drive to Disney property: 9:20pm (assuming you are the first stop on the route ... add 15-minuts for each additional stop)
. . . walk immediately to internal bus stop: 9:25pm
. . . wait for next bus: 9:35pm
. . . board and ride to DS: 9:50pm
. . . walk to eatery: 9:55pm
5) You are "tight" on time, even if everything goes well.
6) And, no, there is no Grace Period on ADR's. (see below)
7) At best, I would take Uber from airport to DS.

**********************************************************************************
ADR Times and Tardiness "411":
1) WDW advises you to be at the ADR 15-minutes early.
2) You are expected to meet your ADR time, just like any other appt.
3) Being on-time is your responsibility, not that of WDW.
4) If late, they *can* cancel the ADR.
5) Under normal conditions, they usually allow up to a 15-minute lateness, but this is kindness, not a Grace Period.
6) If really busy, (eg, Free Dining, Holidays), there might be no Grace Period.
7) If you miss the ADR, you *might* have the ability to wait for a table.
8) For waiting times, there is no estimate, waits of 1-1½ hrs are common.
. . . if the eatery is not too busy, wait times could be minimal
. . . just depends upon the individual day-time-etc
9) They also have the option of canceling and just sending you away.
10) These options are at the discretion of the SEATER on duty at the podium.
11) Plus, it is up the eatery manager to decide if you get charged the $10/person no-show fee.

 

[Marthasor]

I'll be the dissenting voice: If you're renting a car or taking an Uber, you will not only make your reservation, but you'll make it easily. Assuming your flight arrives on time, it shouldn't be remotely close to a problem. Over MLK weekend, we went from touching down at the airport to opening the door to our room at the Swan in about 45 or 50 minutes.

I say that with a few caveats:

1) If you're planning on taking Disney transportation, cancel the reservation. You won't make it.
2) If your flight is delayed, of course you will miss the reservation. There's nothing you can do about that.
3) If you think you'll be super stressed about the possibility of missing your reservation, cancel it. There's no reason to feel anxiety over it. If you have the right attitude -- I hope we make it, but I won't be heartbroken or upset if we don't -- I don't see any problem in having the reservation booked. It's a dinner reservation. Who cares if you miss it?
4) Consider making your reservation on OpenTable, not through Disney. That way you won't be subject to the 24-hour cancelation policy.

I'm not quite sure why everybody is telling you that a 2 hour, 10 minute buffer is too short. Could something wrong that would cause you to miss the reservation? Absolutely. But if everything goes smoothly, it'll be super easy, so why not try?

Everyone is telling OP they won't make it because he/she stated they are taking DME to their resort. Taking DME vs. taking private transportation are two different animals. Even with private transport, if you have checked luggage, you then have to factor in the time it will take to get the luggage. And if you rent a car, you have to factor that in as well. If they were taking private transportation to the resort and DS and they only had carry-ons, maybe they would make it but they'd still be rushing the whole time. Why would anyone want to do this? If OP really wants to try it, I agree, make the reservation on opentable so there is no no-show penalty and then go forward with the expectation that they may not make it in time.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

I cancelled the reservation. We might grab something at the bar, I don't for the flavor African food . Maybe something will be on the bar menu I can eat.
THANKS Everyone

 

[goofyintoronto]

You'll probably be late even with Uber to be honest. I wouldnt risk it. Its not worth the stress. Instead, i'd just try to do a walk-up somewhere. If it doesn't work out, at least there's quick service. Come to think of it ...im not sure what time Restaurants or QS locations close at Dis.Springs? Its been a while since i've been there around closing time. im usually there during the day.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I cancelled the reservation. We might grab something at the bar, not to crazy about the African food . Maybe something will be on the bar menu I can eat.
THANKS Everyone

Boathouse has a bar (or two?). You could go when you get there and try to go to THAT bar.