Is it possible to get to dinner on time?

[musketeer]

Timing question. I've done the magical express thing many times, but never this exact combination, so I'm not sure if our dinner reservations are possible.

We land in Orlando at a few minutes before 3pm. Have to get to Caribbean Beach resort to check in, won't even go to the room, just right on the bus to the Magic Kingdom where we have dinner reservations at 5:40 at Tony's. Is this possible to make?

We've stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort 2 other times, but once we rented a car, and once we took the magical express but at around midnight, and I don't recall the timing of it.

The additional factors are fastpasses for immediately after dinner, so I don't want to push dinner back if I don't have to. And I purposely picked Tony's because it's right in front.

Tough problems to have, I know.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Depending on the timing, I'd check in at CBR then walk outside and take a taxi over to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then take the monorail or ferry to the MK. Another option would be to take the taxi to the Contemporary and then walk to the MK.

It may be possible via bus from CBR, but you will need to make that call on that day.

 

[musketeer]

Depending on the timing, I'd check in at CBR then walk outside and take a taxi over to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then take the monorail or ferry to the MK. Another option would be to take the taxi to the Contemporary and then walk to the MK.

It may be possible via bus from CBR, but you will need to make that call on that day.

No plans to take a taxi. Relying strictly on disney transportation.

 

[TXDisney]

It's definitely cutting it close. Generally CBR resort is a 1st stop though from the airport which will help. But how long the bus takes to take you to the resort and how long the bus will take to pick you up to get to MK is in question. I'd try and get a later reservation somewhere if I was you. Keep checking to reservations that night for places you like. Something might come up later in the evening.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If I were a gambling man I'd have to say that the odds are stacked against you (unfortunately).
There is too much that could so easily go wrong -
Flight delays, customs/baggage reclaim delays, traffic problems to CBR, Disney buses delayed, etc etc etc.

You don't say how long you're at WDW for, or at what time of year - but it has also been pointed out that you're using a full days ticket for what can't be much more than 5 hours in the park (if you're lucky). Wouldn't it be wiser to get a later dinner sitting at say DTD where you can experience the shops etc without burning a days park ticket ?

 

[CaptainShortty]

You're cutting the timing REALLY close as there are a ton of variables you have to deal with...will your flight land I time, how long you have to wait for your DME bus to leave the airport, traffic getting to the hotel, check-in line, wait time for a bus to MK from CBR, line for the monorail...there are a lot of factors that you truly can't determine that could make you late.



Hope that helps! Have a great trip!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Bare in mind your DME Bus will take Multiple stops at other Hotels..It's a hit or miss chance if yours is the first stop...And there is construction going on just outside of the airport so it will slow it down for a bit...

 

[gooftroop5]

I would have to agree with pp's and say that the odds are stacked against you. Too many things can go wrong. Too many variables at play. All things aside.......if you must go to MK that day just grab counter service when you have a break between FPs. Just my 2 cents. Plus a sit-down meal will burn valuable park time.

 

[Victor Kelly]

I am in agreement with variables being stacked against you. Landing, getting off the plane, baggage claim, getting on the bus, the ride to property, then ride to park, then getting in the park. A lot is against you. A later reservation would be appropriate to be on the safe side.

 

[Nemo14]

Not only will your DME bus make multiple stops, but your bus from CBR will make several stops within the resort too, and you will more than likely have quite a wait for the bus then anyway. Then once you do get to MK, there's bag check to go through before you can enter the park. It's not impossible, but it is highly unlikely that you'll get there on time.

 

[Tom]

No plans to take a taxi. Relying strictly on disney transportation.

I can't offer any help if you're not willing to take a cab. You're probably safe with DME, since you're not landing later in the day. They'll hold the DME bus until it's almost full after dark, so you could sit at the airport for 30+ minutes like we've done...twice.

But assuming Disney takes your bags, you could be on the road within 30 minutes of landing. Worst case, it's a 60-min ride to the last resort on that DME's stop. That puts you at about 4:30.

It will take time to check in, depending on the lines. Since you're getting there right around popular check-in time, assume 30 minutes from the moment you step off the DME bus until the moment you're all re-grouped and ready to walk back out the front door of the lobby. That's 5:00pm.

At this point you MUST make a decision. Take a cab to the MK (or as close as possible....Contemporary would be best, so you can just walk from there), or wait on an MK bus. You're REALLY risking it with the bus, because worst case, you will just miss the bus as you walk out to the stop, meaning at least a 20-min wait. Plus the 10-15min ride. That gives you 5 minutes to get through security, and turnstiles. Fortunately, Tony's is just inside the gate, so you don't have to cross the park.

So, you MIGHT be able to do it, but you'd want to keep checking your watch to see that you hit these milestones. If even one is missed, you'd have to fall back on a cab.

 

[marni1971]

Please tell me you're domestic.

 

[BigRedDad]

If everything falls into place correctly, you will make it. Why even eat at Tony's? You can eat a quick service meal at any time. There are plenty of good options at MK as well. I would think about what is more important: FPs or Tony's.

 

[Rob562]

While I agree with everyone that everything would have to line up exactly right for the plan to work using only free transportation and that the OP should be willing to take a taxi to the Contemporary if it doesn't.



To the OP: If it's approaching 5:00 and you're still at the CBR, take a taxi.

-Rob

 

[Tom]

While I agree with everyone that everything would have to line up exactly right for the plan to work using only free transportation and that the OP should be willing to take a taxi to the Contemporary if it doesn't

To the OP: If it's approaching 5:00 and you're still at the CBR, take a taxi.

-Rob

Back on the transportation - our motto is to never trust Disney transportation. Good rule Rob....if you are checking in after 5pm, hail a cab.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Several thoughts. Although odds do not appear to be in always in your favor, why the heck not push the envelope, especially if eating at Tony's is not going to make or break your vacation. If you make it, awesome, if not, oh well. Also, is there any way you can communicate with Tony's before your ADR time (not 24 hrs, I know) to let the know you may be delayed a few minutes by (fill in the blank)?

 

[SkipperButler]

Another suggestion is to eat at Shutters, the table service located at Caribbean Beach. That way you don't have to worry about all the transit time. It would also give you a chance to get settled in from the flight.

 

[Tom]

Another suggestion is to eat at Shutters, the table service located at Caribbean Beach. That way you don't have to worry about all the transit time. It would also give you a chance to get settled in from the flight.

And probably better than Tony's....

 

[musketeer]

Another suggestion is to eat at Shutters, the table service located at Caribbean Beach. That way you don't have to worry about all the transit time. It would also give you a chance to get settled in from the flight.

Never eaten there, but from what I've read, it's not very good, maybe that's not true.

 

[Texas84]

No chance.