Dinner on Arrival Evening

[MegRuss626]

For our upcoming trip in October, I have two dinner reservations for now at 1900 Park Fare. Our flight lands at 3:10 and we are staying at the Grand Floridian. Our ideal time would be 6:00/6:30 but so far all I can find is 5:15 and 7:05. Is the first reservation too ambitious with riding the Magical Express and traveling with a one year old? Thanks!

 

[sxeensweet]

I would do the 7:05pm. The 5:15pm would be cutting it way too close for comfort. Delays happen so even though you are staying at GF as well I would do 7:05pm no earlier.

 

[Epcotfan21]

Try the touring plans reservation finder and put that you’d like to find a reservation between 6-7. You have to give them an hour window. Then they’ll text or email you when a reservation during that window becomes available at 1900 Park Fare. From there it’s your responsibility to log into your Disney account and book the reservation. It’s very simple and efficient and they’ve always been able to find a dining reservation I’m looking for.

 

[Dave B]

Definitely do the 7:05, it will be so more relaxed, you are on vacation, don't start by stressing if you will make it, worse case scenario you get there early and explore the hotel or go to the pool for a bit

 

[Nottamus]

You can show up 30 minutes before your reservation anyway. So do the 7:05 one, and show up early.

 

[Dave B]

You can show up 30 minutes before your reservation anyway. So do the 7:05 one, and show up early.

You can show up 30 minutes early, but I don't think I have ever been sat early? maybe 5 minutes, but not 30 minutes, just my own experience

 

[righttrack]

Get everyone a bar or a snack at the airport, and let them eat it while waiting for transport and do the later reservation. That way they won't be hangry. As others have said, sometimes you can get in early, especially at these buffets. Sometimes people eat too fast at them and peter out more quickly than expected.

 

[Tuvalu]

You can show up 30 minutes before your reservation anyway. So do the 7:05 one, and show up early.

Many restaurants will not check you in until 10-15 minutes prior to your ADR time. And there is never a guarantee that you will be seated at your ADR time....most times you will wait past your ADR time to be seated.

 

[Nottamus]

You can show up 30 minutes early, but I don't think I have ever been sat early? maybe 5 minutes, but not 30 minutes, just my own experience

Many restaurants will not check you in until 10-15 minutes prior to your ADR time. And there is never a guarantee that you will be seated at your ADR time....most times you will wait past your ADR time to be seated.

We have gotten lucky then. We have showed up 30 minutes early and have gotten seats quick.

AND times we showed up on time and had to wait for awhile.

Timing is the key I guess. Its all luck. How busy the place is, season, etc.

 

[RememberWhen]

With a 1 year old I would keep trying for your preferred time. Touring Plans reservation finder is great. And keep checking the website. People adjust plans as their trip gets closer.

 

[JohnD]

Agree with everyone for the 7:05. You can check in, go to your room, have some downtime, get refreshed, change clothes, etc. If you want to venture out earlier you could explore the lobby / gift shops or ride a circuit of the monorail. Don't push it.

 

[MegRuss626]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! I agreed with keeping the 7:05 one for now so we didn’t have to rush buuuuuut I found a 6:40 reservation time today!! Pays off to be persistent in checking everyday!

 

[crxbrett]

For our upcoming trip in October, I have two dinner reservations for now at 1900 Park Fare. Our flight lands at 3:10 and we are staying at the Grand Floridian. Our ideal time would be 6:00/6:30 but so far all I can find is 5:15 and 7:05. Is the first reservation too ambitious with riding the Magical Express and traveling with a one year old? Thanks!

Ooh, that's definitely cutting it super close. I would definitely do what others said and shoot for 7:05 or even 7:30 if that is available. You will be less stressed and more relaxed as well.

Many restaurants will not check you in until 10-15 minutes prior to your ADR time. And there is never a guarantee that you will be seated at your ADR time....most times you will wait past your ADR time to be seated.

Yeah, more often than not, I find this to be the case when I arrive for my ADRs. I will say it also depends on the location, whether it is popular or not and what time it is. I've been able to check-in and be seated 15-25 minutes early at places like Jiko when my ADR was at 10p. But then on the same trip I had an ADR for Sci-Fi Drive-In at 5p, showed up 15 minutes early, and still didn't get seated until maybe 5 or 10 min after my ADR time.

We have gotten lucky then. We have showed up 30 minutes early and have gotten seats quick.

AND times we showed up on time and had to wait for awhile.

Timing is the key I guess. Its all luck. How busy the place is, season, etc.

100% agree with everything you said.