Will we make it?

[Hoolie99]

We land in Orlando at 3:30 and have a reservation to California Grill at 5:45. Will we make it? We are using ME and will not have a car. Contemporary is our home resort so we will be able to take ME directly. Thanks

 

[archdandy]

We land in Orlando at 3:30 and have a reservation to California Grill at 5:45. Will we make it? We are using ME and will not have a car. Contemporary is our home resort so we will be able to take ME directly. Thanks

It's about a thirty to forty minute drive from the airport to the Contemporary from the aiport. It really depends on all kinds of factors like if you land on time, how long it takes you to get to ME, how long of a line there is at ME etc. You should have enough time if nothing goes wrong and there isn't a very long line at the ME.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Assuming your flight actually lands and deplanes on time (I'd look at your airline's history for this flight to find out statistically what likelihood there is), you should make it the Contemporary resort in time for this ADR. It takes on average around 90 minutes from the time you deplane until you're walking in the lobby of your resort. If your plane lands at 3:30, figure another 10 minutes to deplane then 90 minutes to get to your resort, it's now 5:10. You haven't checked in to your resort yet. If there's a traffic problem then you might be later. This doesn't give much time to actually check in and then stow your bags in your room before or freshen up in any way before dinner. You could always skip checking in until later (assuming you're paying OOP for your meal; if you'll need dining credits then you have to check in first) but you'll have to shlep your carryons to the restaurant or wait in line at Bell Services to check them in there.

If even the slightest thing doesn't go as planned, you'll be late or miss it entirely. This will result in MAJOR stress, likely arguements between the adults and getting snappy with the kids (lets be honest, this is what happens to most people in this type of situation) all topped off by a $10 per person no-show fee. Obviously I'm suggesting cancelling the ADR. It's not worth the stress and potential of starting off your vacation on a very sour note.

 

[TaraPA]

If all the stars align & there are no glitches, then yes, you will just make it. I'd be way too stressed out worrying about it though, I'd move the ADR back by at least 30 min. if not more, if possible. Since this is a restaurant that charges for no-shows, I'd cancel it entirely if you can't get in later, if it were me. I just wouldn't want to take the chance that the flight got in late, or that the line for ME was long, or there was traffic getting to CR. Last time we stayed at CR it was the last stop on ME - we went to WL & Poly first. But that can change based on several factors.

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a possibility you might make it, because you are staying at the Contemporary. You should know that ANY delays are probably going to result in your being charged the $10 per person no show fee. Personally I'd move it a couple of hours back at least, or cancel it.

 

[Q-man]

If Disney is handling your bags, wear dinner clothes on your flight and take a cab/town car service straight to the Contemporary. But as mentioned with the new res. policy any travel delays and you're out $10 a head.

 

[KeroKero]

Sounds like you're cutting it really close, even if everything goes smoothly. Like it was previously suggested, I would try to move the reservation back an hour just to be on the safe side.

 

[Hoolie99]

Thanks everyone. I called Disney dining and the CM said we will be fine as long as there is no problem with the airline. (missing connection etc) She assured me just come when we get there and we will not be charged the fee. I really don't want to cancel California Grill! I think I will risk it.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks everyone. I called Disney dining and the CM said we will be fine as long as there is no problem with the airline. (missing connection etc) She assured me just come when we get there and we will not be charged the fee. I really don't want to cancel California Grill! I think I will risk it.

I don't believe she is the person to advise you. Disney CM's are infamous for giving bad info to callers. I think the folks here can advise you better. One there are folks who have actually done this trip and two, she is wrong you WILL be charged the no show fee if you don't make it.
Under no circumstances would i keep that ADR, Sorry
Good Luck

 

[MouseMomx2]

I don't believe she is the person to advise you. Disney CM's are infamous for giving bad info to callers. I think the folks here can advise you better. One there are folks who have actually done this trip and two, she is wrong you WILL be charged the no show fee if you don't make it.
Under no circumstances would i keep that ADR, Sorry
Good Luck

The CM told the OP to show up when they arrived at CR, even if it was late, and they wouldn't be charged...not that they wouldn't be charged if they didn't show up at all.

OP, I think you will be fine and if it were me I would keep the reservation. You may have to go straight to dinner once you arrive but you'll make it. My advice would be to bring the number for the CG with you and call them if you are running late.

Have a great trip!

 

[evnted]

As long as nothing unexpected happens, on paper you should arrive on time.

 

[vettegirl]

I agree with the last poster, if your flight lands on time you will have no problem making your ressie!

 

[KrazeeK120]

If all the stars align & there are no glitches, then yes, you will just make it. I'd be way too stressed out worrying about it though, I'd move the ADR back by at least 30 min. if not more, if possible. Since this is a restaurant that charges for no-shows, I'd cancel it entirely if you can't get in later, if it were me. I just wouldn't want to take the chance that the flight got in late, or that the line for ME was long, or there was traffic getting to CR. Last time we stayed at CR it was the last stop on ME - we went to WL & Poly first. But that can change based on several factors.

When I stayed there in March, we stopped at WL, Poly, AND GF first, on top of sitting on the bus for 20 min. before we even left the airport. By the time we landed (on time), got to the gate, waited on the bus (which was there when we arrived at the ME check-in) and went to 3 other resorts, it was over an hour.

I'd cancel the ADR.

 

[maxiesmom]

When I stayed there in March, we stopped at WL, Poly, AND GF first, on top of sitting on the bus for 20 min. before we even left the airport. By the time we landed (on time), got to the gate, waited on the bus (which was there when we arrived at the ME check-in) and went to 3 other resorts, it was over an hour.

I'd cancel the ADR.

This!

No one has any way of knowing before hand how long the OP's bus ride will take. We can give her averages, but not every bus ride is average. Heck, I've had it be 2 hours from landing to standing in my resort's lobby.

Also, Disney will not hold your ADR indefinitely. After a time you will be considered a no-show and charged the fee. Me, I wouldn't want to spend my whole flight stressing about getting to Orlando and making my ADR. And I would.

 

[MouseMomx2]

When I stayed there in March, we stopped at WL, Poly, AND GF first, on top of sitting on the bus for 20 min. before we even left the airport. By the time we landed (on time), got to the gate, waited on the bus (which was there when we arrived at the ME check-in) and went to 3 other resorts, it was over an hour.

I'd cancel the ADR.

The OP has more than two hours to get to the CR. it has never taken me that long to get from the gate to my resort via DME. The only issue would be if the flight was late. Otherwise they should be fine.

OP, I would simply speak to the bus driver, explain your situation and ask for the order of the stops. If you will be stopping at both of the other monorail resorts first you can always get off early and hop on the monorail.

 

[Wendybird55]

I would just make sure I have WDW dining reservation # programmed in my cell phone and your Cali Grille Reservation # on hand. So if something happens to delay you, you can call Disney dininng reservations (select prompt that you are in orlando area and have reservation that week/day) and let the CM know you are running late for your ressie and should be there by.....time. They may be able to directly connect you to Cali Grille.

I have often changed / cancelled dining ressies while at WDW as plans or situations change. Cell phones are VERY handy in taking care of such matters...what did we do before them?!?! Plus I think the charges for missed reservations are also there to curb people from making multiple reservations for the same day/time and waiting until last minute to decide which one to use. With dining being so popular it is inconvenient when people do this.

 

[Hoolie99]

Thanks everyone! I think it will be fine and its worth the 30 dollar gamble to try it. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[KrazeeK120]

The OP has more than two hours to get to the CR. it has never taken me that long to get from the gate to my resort via DME. The only issue would be if the flight was late. Otherwise they should be fine.

OP, I would simply speak to the bus driver, explain your situation and ask for the order of the stops. If you will be stopping at both of the other monorail resorts first you can always get off early and hop on the monorail.

That's assuming that the flight is on time.

Then, as another poster stated, it may not be just a matter of "getting to" the CR. If the OP needs dining credits, they'll have to check in first, which takes time. Then, I'm assuming that most people do not fly in the same type of attire that they would go to a signature restaurant in, so they'll probably have to change.

Flight landing late, deboarding a plane, walking through the airport, waiting for the ME to come, sitting on the ME bus, stopping at multiple resorts, checking in, and changing could reasonably push the OP past the time of their ADR.

Then again, everything may be completely on time and they would be fine.

I tend to worry so I wouldn't risk it, but that's just me.

 

[LilyWDW]

The CM told the OP to show up when they arrived at CR, even if it was late, and they wouldn't be charged...not that they wouldn't be charged if they didn't show up at all.

OP, I think you will be fine and if it were me I would keep the reservation. You may have to go straight to dinner once you arrive but you'll make it. My advice would be to bring the number for the CG with you and call them if you are running late.

Have a great trip!

The CM on the phone has no power to say if they will charge a no-show fee at California Grill. In fact, I believe the system does it automatically if the person has not checked in. As such, there is no way for the OP to "not be charged" by California Grill if they are late or do not show up for their reservation. They MIGHT still seat them if they are late, but the OP could then have to call and get a refund for any previously charged no-show fee.

Also, on the transportation boards, we always say that DME will be about 70-90 minutes. It is always better to give yourself extra time when it comes to flying and traveling. Last year we missed a connection flight due to our first flight being late... and that first flight had a very good record of being on time. We were lucky to get on standby on the next flight to MCO which was 1.5 hours later. After that, I will never make an ADR on the day of our flight, but especially one that has a fee if you are not there on time.

 

[bloodonthesaddle]

The CM on the phone has no power to say if they will charge a no-show fee at California Grill. In fact, I believe the system does it automatically if the person has not checked in. As such, there is no way for the OP to "not be charged" by California Grill if they are late or do not show up for their reservation. They MIGHT still seat them if they are late, but the OP could then have to call and get a refund for any previously charged no-show fee.

Also, on the transportation boards, we always say that DME will be about 70-90 minutes. It is always better to give yourself extra time when it comes to flying and traveling. Last year we missed a connection flight due to our first flight being late... and that first flight had a very good record of being on time. We were lucky to get on standby on the next flight to MCO which was 1.5 hours later. After that, I will never make an ADR on the day of our flight, but especially one that has a fee if you are not there on time.

I've walked right onto a dme at mco and I've waited in line at MCO to board the DME for 70-90 minutes as there were so many people in line for the boardwalk area resorts that we got on the 3rd bus that came. As many posters have said IF everything goes smoothly they may make it to the ADR or they may not. The OP knows full well that they run the risk of not being seated and/or charged the $10 per person fee ahead of time. I wouldn't keep the ADR if it were me because I wouldn't want to start me vacation stressed out like that, but that's me.