WWYD: Grandma might not arrive in time for dinner

[JJsmama]

My DMom is meeting us at WDW. Because of her flight schedule, she might not get there in time for our ADR the first night.
She gets in just before 3:00 and the ADR is for 5:20 at Garden Grill. She is planning to use ME. I keep trying to change the time, but can't get a later time. (This is in mid june) The kids really want to do GG (Mickey!) and it seems a good way to start the trip (all boys so Princess meals are out.)

Should we go on to GG and hope she gets there in time? Would they let us move it back if we show up in person to ask? Should we just do something else instead. I hate to start the trip stressing/ rushing...

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . time is going to be really close
. . . chances are she will be late or miss the meal

Should we go on to GG and hope she gets there in time?
. . . sure, why not?

Would they let us move it back if we show up in person to ask?
. . . probably not
. . . they are usually pretty well booked

Should we just do something else instead.
. . . keep the ADR
. . . she will be there for other meals

 

[squirrel]

She might make it if the flight is on time and everything goes smoothly with ME (no long lines) and check in at the resort (no long check in line).

Can you have her take a cab to Epcot? Will she have a cell to call you?

They usually allow 15 minutes for you to show up for your ADR after the booked time.


She could do the online check in and that might be faster.

 

[JJsmama]

She might make it if the flight is on time and everything goes smoothly with ME (no long lines) and check in at the resort (no long check in line).

Can you have her take a cab to Epcot? Will she have a cell to call you?

They usually allow 15 minutes for you to show up for your ADR after the booked time.


She could do the online check in and that might be faster.

Well, I will have already checked us in. She is in my room. I am hoping they can just hand her the room key so she can go put her things in the room and come on over to Epcot. I wonder if she would have to stand in the line for this.

Maybe if she only carries on a purse, she can just come straight to Epcot and I can go meet her at the gate? Would they let her take the ME to BC instead of POR?

 

[LindaBabe]

If ME took her to BC instead of port, she'd have her luggage with her at the wrong resort.

I, personally, being a grandma, would choose to have a break instead of rushing around to get to dinner! I suggest you guys go to GG and let Grandma go to the resort, get in the room, relax, have a bite if she wants it and choose whether she meets you later at EPCOT or chills at the resort until your return!

 

[purple figment]

Well, I will have already checked us in. She is in my room. I am hoping they can just hand her the room key so she can go put her things in the room and come on over to Epcot. I wonder if she would have to stand in the line for this. Yes, she would have to stand in line at the check in counter if there are already other people waiting. Once she has her KTTW card she could leave her carry ons with bell services because it'll be faster than going to the room. She can then catch a taxi to Epcot.

Maybe if she only carries on a purse, she can just come straight to Epcot and I can go meet her at the gate? I'm assuming you would meet her there because you have her ticket/KTTW card. You'll have to pick a time that is the latest you could wait for her and still make it back to GG in time for your reservation because you'll have to be there in order for your family to check in at the podium. In the meantime, if she arrives a little later, she won't be able to get into Epcot. Would they let her take the ME to BC instead of POR? She has to take ME to POR.

GG is a very popular restaurant. It might not be possible to walk up and ask for a later time or if they'll let you wait until your Mother arrives before you check in. Since your boys really want to eat there, I would set a time and if your Mother isn't there by then, check in because you don't want to completely lose the reservation.

If her plane arrives on time, she doesn't have to wait for ME, traffic on the road is moving smoothly, check in is quick...she'll be able to have dinner with you.

In the meantime, keep checking online as often as you can for a later reservation.

 

[Cafeen]

I normally estimate between 1.5 - 2hrs from landing to stepping into the room when using ME. Adding travel time from POR to Epcot and it makes it rather tight. There are a few things she can do to expedite it, but I wouldn't count on being able to make it to the reservation.

One thing to note though, since you're already going to be checked in, you can leave her information with Concierge at the resort, so she can skip the front desk and pick up her KTTW card there instead. This may save a few minutes as it's usually less busy at that desk. She can also leave her carry on with Bell Services and head straight to the parks instead of going all the way to the room first, but that's up to her really. It may again save some additional time.

Another thing to think about is getting a cab instead of using ME, it'll cost a little more (I think it's in the $30 range) and she'll have to get her own bags though, but again she can drop them at Bell Services and head straight to a park.

The last bit of suggestion is to keep in touch with her from the time she lands until your ADR time is approaching. If she's on her way to Epcot when it's nearing time, just hold off on checking in for a few minutes, if she's not there by 10-15minutes after the time, check in then and hope she makes it (note, I'd only do this if she was on the bus to Epcot by 10-15minutes prior to the ADR time).

In the end, I'd still do the GG dinner. If she can't get there in time, then she can relax and meet up with you afterwards. You'll have plenty of good quality time together throughout the trip, so missing one meal isn't going to be a big deal .

 

[TisBit]

The best plan would be to have her not take carry on's with her. If her flight gets in before 3pm, that gives her 2.5 hrs to get to Epcot. I don't see this as insurmountable, but as others have said, can be a bit tight. The other factor is that while you have the reservation at 5:20, if you don't check in right at 5:20 you will not lose your reservation. They will usually be ok with a +/- 10-20 minutes, depending on how the restaurant is doing. Someone being 10-15 minutes late rarely affects their service, because other parties have usually arrived a little early and can be seated. Outside of this time frame, they might consider you a no show and give up your table. Also, keep a number for the restaurant/disney dining and if you know yo uare going to be a bit late call and let them know! We got lost once and our reservation was held for us without a problem.

It will be a bit stressful, but try and relax. If the flight is delayed or it just doesn't look like it will happen, have her come meet you at Epcot after dinner to hang out!

 

[chartle]

Would they let her take the ME to BC instead of POR?

No

I would keep the res and if she is there she is there. Otherwise stop stressing over it unless this is the only time she can be with you.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Hopefully she can travel light on the carry-on side, maybe just a large purse? Then either leave her KTTW card at concierge or meet her at the gate to Epcot. You'd save time by taking a cab from POR to Epcot rather than the bus. And then she might make it. I've not done the ADR thing enough to know if they will let you check in if she isn't there yet and say she is coming and then can just join you if/when she gets there. I can't imagine that one extra chair could make a difference to them. You may have already started eating but she could order when she gets there. Maybe they won't let you do that but you could ask.

Definately keep the ressie and I would keep looking every day to see if anything a little later opens up. We get in at 3:20 and I did a CM ressie at 6:55 PM for us but we also have to check in etc and are a group of 8. One person can move much more efficiently than 8!

 

[JimmyV]

Again, as is the case so often, taking a taxi can be the solution to many, many seemingly insurmountable problems. If you check in for everyone and take her key with you, and she takes a cab to the resort to drop her bags with bell services and then takes the cab to Epcot and you meet her outside the turnstile to give her her card to get in the park, there is a 100% chance that she will make dinner (provided that the flight is on time. But you can check to see if it took off on time with a smart phone and will know well in advance.) If she drops her bags off and then has to obtain her own key from the concierge or front desk, that would probablys still work, but might slow her down. And the cab meter will be ticking. If you opt to stick with ME, the odds of her being seated by 5:20 are much smaller, but not impossible. But the stress level for both of you will be higher.

So if it is really important for her to join you in the least stressful manner possible, have her take a taxi in. She can still use ME for the return trip.

 

[gabzee]

I would keep the ADR. I would suggest subscribing to the June 2011 Cancellation Thread. She doesn't need to bring her bags to the room. She can leave her bags with Bell Service and simply get her KTTW and head to Epcot. I would still keep looking for openings at a later time at the Garden Grill. Good luck!

 

[DaisyMaisie]

If you will be in touch with her by phone to see how she is coming along you can play it by ear. If she is only going to be a little late, let them know your whole party isn't there and see if they can keep bumping your res along. If she is going to be way late, ask them if they have anything later available, and if not just go ahead and eat. If they are super busy they may actually be happy to seat you later, but if they don't have many early reservations and are booked solid later they just might not be able to oblige.

Of course keep checking to see if anything else opens up.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Is she dead set about having every meal together? She might like a quiet evening after travelling.
I would say no carry ons, leave her KTTW card at Concierge and she takes a cab to Epcot (less than $15)...then she should make it.

 

[JJsmama]

No

I would keep the res and if she is there she is there. Otherwise stop stressing over it unless this is the only time she can be with you.

Well that sounds a bit harsh. people have asked why we have to be together every moment. Maybe I should add: 5 years ago, I took her grandchildren and moved to China to support my husbands's career. while there, we had another child. This night in particular will be the first time she has seen any of us in a year. that is why it is a big deal. Unfortunately, I made the ADRs before I knew her flight schedule.

 

[JimmyV]

Then I wouldn't give it a second thought and would have her take a taxi. Heck. If it were me, I'd spring for a limo and have a private driver waiting for her. Honestly. You are going to WDW and will spend thousands of dollars. Not tens. Not hundreds. But thousands. Why would you even hesitate to spend $30 for a cab that would get grandma to Epcot in time to see their smiling faces?

 

[JJsmama]

Then I wouldn't give it a second thought and would have her take a taxi. Heck. If it were me, I'd spring for a limo and have a private driver waiting for her. Honestly. You are going to WDW and will spend thousands of dollars. Not tens. Not hundreds. But thousands. Why would you even hesitate to spend $30 for a cab that would get grandma to Epcot in time to see their smiling faces?

Yes, that is a good idea. I will ask her about it. Actually though, she does not travel alone very often and I think she feels more comfortable on the 'official' bus with other passengers. She has taken it before. Also, if she takes ME, can't she leave earlier because she won't be waiting for the luggage? I think she will have checked luggage.

I am just going to keep trying to move the ressie back.

 

[JJsmama]

There is a 4:10 ADR that day. Maybe the boys and I should just do a super early dinner and then be finished in time to meet her at the gate and we can get her something of her choice in WS. How does dinner at 4:00 sound? Let's face it, we aren't going to GG for the food...

 

[si-am]

If the first meeting in over a year is that important (and it sounds like it will be) then I'd cancel the ADRs and plan to meet her at the resort for dinner. Spend the evening catching up (not in a park) and then be refreshed for the next morning.

 

[squirrel]

I'd keep trying for a later ADR.

If you can't get anything then just keep in contact with Grandma after she lands. Then you will know approx. where she is.

She can still have the bags go with ME even if she doesn't use ME. If she feels more comfortable on the bus let her use it.

I would have her take a cab from the resort to Epcot as that will save so much time. The cab will be there in minutes after asking for one and it shouldn't cost very much $ ($10-$15).

GG should keep your ADR for 15 min after the time booked. So if Grandma phones from the resort you should know approx. how long she will be. You could check in a bit late if she is at the gate. At least it's closer to the gate than the WS.

I checked into a restaurant at DHS when my neighbours were not there. The CM said we could wait to check in and see if they showed up as I didn't have any way of communicating with them. My niece and I waited 10 min or so and then I told the CM that we didn't want to wait any longer for them. So she changed it to a table for 2 instead of 6.

There is no guarentee that you will be seated right away. Sometimes it takes 5 min or less, other times it takes 15 or more min.

Since this meal is important to the kids, don't miss it. Being in contact with Grandma over the phone will help in your plans on what to do. Worst case she misses the meal. Hopefully, that won't happen.