Arriving on time

[First time disney]

We are coming to Disney this month, our travel agent has us flying with Delta. We live in Missouri and it shows our flight arrives at 11:36. We have a reservation at 1 pm to eat at the Wave.
We are 1 hr before Florida time. Would the flight arrival time be on my time or Florida time?
Want to make sure we get to the restaurant in plenty of time.

 

[LAKid53]

Please come back and give us an update after it all goes down, I would like to hear how it turns out.

Yes, please let us know.

 

[Rob562]

I agree with those that say that the 1:00 lunch is too close to the 5:00 dinner.

I also extra agree that arriving at 11:30am you *might* just get to the hotel in time. My average transport time for DME has been 70-75 minutes from stepping off the plane to stepping off the bus at my hotel, but my hotel has always been the first or second DME stop. If you end up being the 3rd or 4th then that adds more time.

The travel agent obviously was given a credit card number to book the vacation itself, so presumably that same card is linked to the dining reservations and will get dinged for any no-show fees.

My suggestions:
If you definitely want that lunch reservation, move it 30-60 minutes later. And in that case, you *really* need to move that dinner reservation later. On the Deluxe DDP you get a *ton* of food. 3 hours between meals is simply not enough time.

Alternatively, skip having a Table Service meal for your arrival. After you arrive and check in, head to the Contempo Cafe to pick up something Counter Service. Or even better, grab something to eat at Orlando airport before you even get on Magical Express. Yes, you'll have to pay out of pocket, but you can then use the dining credit you would've used at the Wave for another meal, or use it to double-up with another credit for a Signature dinner somewhere. Eating a quick lunch at noon at the airport would still allow you to eat the 5pm dinner.

-Rob

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I must admit the latest I've ever been for a dining reservation is 10 minutes. However, if you have a valid reason like she may have (late arriving flight), I would hope if they charged the late fee, the restaurant would happily void it. But the best bet is to cancel it, pick up something light and quick and then enjoy your 5:00PM ADR, rather than rushing around and getting stressed out trying to make a 1:00PM reservation.

Her MIL thinks that some other card was used to guarantee the ADRs? Is she going to be in for a rude awakening....

We were 30 minutes late because of Disney transportation once and still got charged but after 30 minutes on the phone they issued us a refund... it took a few days to get the money back and they didn't give us a hard time about refunding it either. I'm not sure it is a restaurant thing but it may be the way the system is set up, that after a certain time, they can no longer check you into your ADR so the $10 charge goes through even if you dined.

 

[LAKid53]

We were 30 minutes late because of Disney transportation once and still got charged but after 30 minutes on the phone they issued us a refund... it took a few days to get the money back and they didn't give us a hard time about refunding it either. I'm not sure it is a restaurant thing but it may be the way the system is set up, that after a certain time, they can no longer check you into your ADR so the $10 charge goes through even if you dined.

Nice to know about the 30 minute rule they don't publicize. I allow at least an hour to get to our ADR restaurant precisely because of Disney transportation - have had to sprint across parks/DTD too many times to make the reservation in time.

 

[Disdar]

this is going to be an interesting trip

 

[DVCPluto]

We were 30 minutes late because of Disney transportation once and still got charged but after 30 minutes on the phone they issued us a refund... it took a few days to get the money back and they didn't give us a hard time about refunding it either. I'm not sure it is a restaurant thing but it may be the way the system is set up, that after a certain time, they can no longer check you into your ADR so the $10 charge goes through even if you dined.

Wow. I don't think they gave you a hard time because this policy is insane. If you completely miss the reservation, and they can't fit you in when you finally arrive, then the charge is justifiable since that is their policy. However, if you're able to eat there, and pay for your meal, the charge is bogus. I'm glad they gave you your money back without a hassle!

 

[dreamfinder]

As already mentioned, 11:30 landing with a 1 PM meal is going to be awfully close. You haven't specified if you are taking DME, car service or rental car. Figure 10-15 mins to get from the gate, to the various transportation areas. If its DME you can head right to the DME pickup area, they will deal with your luggage (unless you are international?), but I'd plan on a 10-15 minute wait for the bus. Car service, figure 15-20 mins for your luggage. Rental car- same 15-20 min wait for luggage, plus the extra time to get the car. Any transportation method would take 30-45 mins to get to the hotel, DME might be a full hour depending on how many other resorts you are sharing with. So assuming best case, I'd figure an hour. That is assuming you are first off the plane, no bathroom or snack stops, you are taking DME so don't need to wait for your luggage, your DME bus leaves right after you board, and you are the first/only resort stop. Then any time from getting off the bus to finalizing check in, and getting to the restaurant. I'd suggest closer to 1 1/2 hrs to get to your hotel after landing.

 

[Cesar R M]

As already mentioned, 11:30 landing with a 1 PM meal is going to be awfully close. You haven't specified if you are taking DME, car service or rental car. Figure 10-15 mins to get from the gate, to the various transportation areas. If its DME you can head right to the DME pickup area, they will deal with your luggage (unless you are international?), but I'd plan on a 10-15 minute wait for the bus. Car service, figure 15-20 mins for your luggage. Rental car- same 15-20 min wait for luggage, plus the extra time to get the car. Any transportation method would take 30-45 mins to get to the hotel, DME might be a full hour depending on how many other resorts you are sharing with. So assuming best case, I'd figure an hour. That is assuming you are first off the plane, no bathroom or snack stops, you are taking DME so don't need to wait for your luggage, your DME bus leaves right after you board, and you are the first/only resort stop. Then any time from getting off the bus to finalizing check in, and getting to the restaurant. I'd suggest closer to 1 1/2 hrs to get to your hotel after landing.

I can confirm you that they deal with your luggage even if you're international too. My Experience (Mexico-Houston-Orlando) was rocky, they were very late with my bags (later than midnight when we arrived at 3:00pm)