Will We Make Our Lunch Reservations?

[LJSquishy]

From your first post, I thought you'd definitely make it in time provided no big delays happen with your flight or ME.

Then, after you just mentioned how large your party is and a wheelchair-needing individual, absolutely cancel your reservation. There is no way you'll make it in time with that many people (let alone someone who needs assistance). Many times when I've flown, I've witnessed people having to wait on the plane for someone to bring a wheelchair over to the gate so they can be on their way...hardly ever is a wheelchair sitting there waiting before the plane lands. I can imagine there will be at least one individual in your party who needs to use the restroom when you land, you have to drag all of your luggage around, and usually there is a small wait to board a bus for ME. We waited 20-30min to board last time (this was after checking in with ME). You also have to think about the size of your party and waiting for a bus to DHS...needing 9 seats on a bus might not be an issue, but if there are already people waiting before you, your entire party might not fit. Unlikely, but possible. And, since you're arriving earlier than 4pm, there's a small chance your room won't be ready and then you'll have to leave your luggage with bell services.

I just don't think you should give yourself a headache like that on Day 1! Make it to your resort, find your room, freshen up if needed, eat a CS meal there, then casually make it over to DHS. Not being in a rush will set the mood for a great trip.

 

[Wish_I'd_known_Walt]

Thanks everyone. This decision now appears to be a 'no-brainer'

Now my challenge is to find another TS for 9 people at this late of a date. Am I out if luck on this one??

 

[MakiraMarlena]

No way to know unless you check for some later reservations. It's hard with a large party. You will find something probably, but it may not be a place you want.

Maybe try some of the Disney Springs restaurants that accept reservations on Open Table...there's no penalty if you miss them.

 

[GPC0321]

Thanks everyone. This decision now appears to be a 'no-brainer'

Now my challenge is to find another TS for 9 people at this late of a date. Am I out if luck on this one??

Do you HAVE to have a TS meal that day? Why not just hit up the resort food court?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

with your party's size I would look for early dinner ressie at a resort, not a major place and then head to HS after dinnerif you really want to go to HS on your first day.

 

[Wish_I'd_known_Walt]

No, we don't have to use a TS credit, but since we upgraded our FD to include TS, it would be nice to use.

 

[tinka-belle]

You can use the TS credit anytime during your stay. A 2 credit signature or dinner show, a character buffet breakfast (TS) and a TS dinner on the same day, or a breakfast buffet (character or not, but character is fun!) on your departure day. No need to use 1 TS credit every night.

We never book an ADR for our arrival day, just hit the food court at the resort or a QS in the parks. There are many to choose from! And some have dinner type food. We just don't need the stress of an appointment to eat after a busy travel day.

Wheelchairs at the airport are usually there as people disembark, but they often ask wheelchair guests to wait until last since it really slows up the rush to get off the plane. Airport bathrooms are usually pretty busy after a flight, but there are also some "hidden" ones downstairs in the DME area if you can wait that long. They are just to the left of the head of the line area before you walk through the doors to the buses, never crowded.

Keep in mind if someone is using an ECV there might not be room for it on the first park bus that comes to pick you up at the resort. Might have to wait a while for another bus.

Besides a flight that runs late (very common), there are too many times that you can be slowed up. Cancel the reservation. Enjoy the trip without starting you first day stressed out.

 

[BeerMe]

We're meeting our son for lunch at Teppan Edo in early December. His flight comes in at 9:20 and the reservation is at 12:20. His daughter will be with us and he's bringing another daughter with him. If he doesn't make it, oh well. At least we tried.

 

[wareagle57]

Why does it take 90 minutes to get to your resort once the DME arrives? I've never been far enough to fly. Is it because it stops at ALL the resorts, not just yours?

 

[jvncnt]

We will arrive at MCO at 12:10pm on a Sunday next month. We will take DME to All Star Sports Resort, then get on the bus to HS. We have lunch reservations at Prime Time Cafe at 2:50pm. Does anyone think we can make it in time?

My vote is not likely. The DME is the hang up, as I have had quick (45 mins after arrival at MCO) and not so quick (1.5 hours after arrival at MCO) service to the resort. And you then have to get to HS. I just think it is too cramped and will make for a miserable, clock watching, arrival. Would make me stressed for the whole first day!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you really want to do a TS at DHS that day, I would look for a dinner time perhaps between 6-8 pm depending on when you like to eat. Instead of rushing to a lunch, you could use some snack or QS credits to tie you over to dinner. Or if you are afraid of flight delays, simply plan on doing QS somewhere on arrival day and saving that TS credit for another day.

As another PP mentioned, you could also make a reservation at a DTD restaurant that you could book by calling directly or using opentable so you would have a reservation but wouldn't have to do a cc hold. You can do this at Rainforest Cafe at AK as well. If you go that route (Rainforest Cafe or TRex), get a Landry's card so you'll get priority seating. Just a couple ways to secure a reservation without a cc hold!

 

[maxiesmom]

Why does it take 90 minutes to get to your resort once the DME arrives? I've never been far enough to fly. Is it because it stops at ALL the resorts, not just yours?

Each bus stops at multiple resorts. There isn't a set route, so you don't know if your resort will be the first stop, or the fourth. Plus if it is busy you may have to wait in line before even boarding the bus. And sometimes the buses sit a bit before beginning their route.