Time from MCO to dinner? And CBR question.

[Nicole]

I am planning a trip for next month where I will meet my sister and her family. They are flying in, we are driving and will get there a day before they do.

They booked their flight a long time ago using frequent flyer miles and recently got a call from the airline that the times have changed. Instead of arriving at 4:20 now they arrive at 6:30.

They will have been flying all day (and are using the Dining Plan) so we want to have a table service meal that night. I have a 7:20 at 'Ohana or a 7:50 at 1900 Park Fare booked, but I'm thinking that there is no way they can get from the airport (via ME) and to their hotel (CBR), get checked in and issued their tickets and everything in that time frame.

What do you think is a reasonable time for me to book their dinner reservation? Even 8:00 is a stretch...

Should we just plan to eat at Shutters? I haven't eaten there before, it it worth giving up 'Ohana and/or Boma??

 

[surfsupdon]

If you weren't staying at Caribbean Beach, you wouldn't really travel there to eat at Shutters, it isn't "destination dining."

However, I've eaten there several times and it's always very, very good. The apps. are always a plus and the steak has never let me down!! I just don't think logistically you'd be able to make the other reservations in time. Also, would your family want to be running around trying to make a reservation after a day of travel?

Take your time checking in, eat at Shutters, and then relax with your family. Shutters is good. Granted Ohana is better and I'm sure that Boma is too, but I wouldn't want to be running around playing beat the clock after a day of travel.

 

[cj2me]

I agree, eating at Shutters is your best bet. You don't want to be rushing around or worrying if you'll get to your Ressie on time especially if the flight gets delayed for weather or something.

 

[octoberbarry]

one other possibility that you could explore with the magical express folks, assuming that's how they're getting over from the airport, if you really wanted to eat at Boma or 1900, would be to see if they could have their bags taken to CBR, and await them at the check-in desk, while they caught the ME bus to either AKL or GF to meet you there for dinner. Either way, you'd still probably have to make the ressie's for later, like 8:00 or 8:15.

 

[TrentMom]

Time from MCO to All Stars Movies and then to Chef Mickeys

one other possibility that you could explore with the magical express folks, assuming that's how they're getting over from the airport, if you really wanted to eat at Boma or 1900, would be to see if they could have their bags taken to CBR, and await them at the check-in desk, while they caught the ME bus to either AKL or GF to meet you there for dinner. Either way, you'd still probably have to make the ressie's for later, like 8:00 or 8:15.

Hi. I have a similar queston. On our first day, we arrive at MCO at 3:15 pm. We are using Magical Express, to go to All Stars Movie. We have dining reservations at 6:10pm for Chef Mickeys. Does this sound doable? How long will it take approximately to get from MCO to my hotel? When would I need to be on a bus to the TTC in order to make my reservations at Chef Mickeys?

Thanks for the info

Trentmom

 

[fredtom]

I would allow them at least an hour and a half, or two hours to be comfortable, for their arrival to meet you-- provided the flight isn't late. They would need to consult ME to be certain, but it's true that since their bags will already be tagged for CBR, they could in fact board a bus for dropoff at the Poly or GF and their luggage would still be delivered to their room at CBR. If all goes well, and they meet you earlier than planned-- all the better.
Good luck and enjoy your dinner... wish I was joining you at 'Ohana.

-- Freddie
"An Adventurer's life is best!"

 

[Nicole]

Trouble is they won't have their MYW tickets with the dining plan until they check in to their hotel, right? I'm thinking we may just have to stick with the Shutters thing (though I hate for them to "waste" a table service meal on Shutters that could be spent on Boma!!)

 

[Justa' BigKid]

Why not save the table service for another day and just use the couter service for dinner. That way they can either eat quick and crash in the room, or eat quick and hit the parks. And if you save the first day table service for some other day, it could be used on some resturant that requires 2 vouchers (some place like Jiko).

 

[wannabeBelle]

I am planning a trip for next month where I will meet my sister and her family. They are flying in, we are driving and will get there a day before they do.

They booked their flight a long time ago using frequent flyer miles and recently got a call from the airline that the times have changed. Instead of arriving at 4:20 now they arrive at 6:30.

They will have been flying all day (and are using the Dining Plan) so we want to have a table service meal that night. I have a 7:20 at 'Ohana or a 7:50 at 1900 Park Fare booked, but I'm thinking that there is no way they can get from the airport (via ME) and to their hotel (CBR), get checked in and issued their tickets and everything in that time frame.

What do you think is a reasonable time for me to book their dinner reservation? Even 8:00 is a stretch...

Should we just plan to eat at Shutters? I haven't eaten there before, it it worth giving up 'Ohana and/or Boma??

Hey Niocole, I agree it is a stretch and if you have a line at check in your are dead in the water!!! I would probably go along with the whole counter service thing for the night of arrival. On the day of Departure could they do an early dinner and that would balance out the Dining plan allowances?? Belle

 

[swimmom]

I agree on the counter service idea. On our last trip our flight was delayed about 4 hours due to weather. That made me realize never to plan anything too close to our arrival time.

 

[amykissangel]

Hi. I have a similar queston. On our first day, we arrive at MCO at 3:15 pm. We are using Magical Express, to go to All Stars Movie. We have dining reservations at 6:10pm for Chef Mickeys. Does this sound doable? How long will it take approximately to get from MCO to my hotel? When would I need to be on a bus to the TTC in order to make my reservations at Chef Mickeys?

Thanks for the info

Trentmom

Well, just from experience, in May my friends and I got to MCO at 4:25, and were checked in and IN our room(All Star Music) by 5:30 (using the Magic Express, so no baggage, etc. and we dawdled around by the pool and gift shop for a bit too). Granted we didn't get our baggage for a few more hours (there were still kinks in the system in May:lookaroun ) but we were waiting for a DTDisney bus by 6 p.m. In your case, I would guess you'd get all checked in, etc. by 4:15, catch a bus to the TTC @ 4:30(I'm guess at the LONGEST it would take 20-30 min to get there if you're going at a busy time), and then the monorail to the Contemporary...I say you could easily be there by 5:00 if you wanted to, so 6 shouldn't be a problem. Have fun...so jealous!!!:lol:

 

[dumboflyer]

Disney is a TRIP, not a VACATION! Push it so you can do it all!

Boma and Ohana will allow you have a reservations as late as 9:30-10pm. Do it. You'll be happier and so will your stomaches. Rest and sleep when you get home.

Also, call Disney and tell them your situation and ask IF you could maybe have the Disney Plan stuff worked out from another hotel somehow (ie maybe you could set up the Dining Plan stuff at the front desk of the Polynesian if you are eating at Ohana and then after eating, you can actually check in at Carribbean) Or maybe there is another way they could make it worth. It's worth a shot and if they say there isn't really a way, ask to speak with their manager (nicely!). If you get the right person, I'm sure they can make it happen so you can spend more money at Disney and make more magic too! Try, try, try!

 

[Nicole]

Actually I think what I am going to have them do is use their table service meal for a Character Breakfast their last morning. We'll just either eat seperately (they can do the food court at CBR) or else get together. If we didn't both have young kids (3,5,6 between us) I'd drag them to 'Ohana at 9:30 but for the sake of the other diners I think we'll skip that.

Thanks for all the advice. I never realized how hard it is to plan a trip for someone else!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Nicole,
I would advise against any formal plans for dinner that night. Flight delays, travel time to WDW, check-in, plus unless they are very resilient, they wouldn't be able to enjoy the dinner anyway. Save the fun dining experience for when it can be enjoyed. As for the meal plan, there are many ways to use the allotment so it won't be wasted. You can do two "dinners" in one day, splurge and do one of the "2 point" meals or as Wannabebelle suggested, use it on the last day.

The way I understand the system (unless it has been changed) is that you get a point "allotment" for your trip. So for a five day trip, you get 5 of each. You could technically get all five snacks in one day, two lunches etc. That does give you some flexability in your planning.

 

[Nemo14]

This really sounds like the best solution. Planning for others is really difficult, especially when little kids are involved. I've always felt that if you keep kids' tummys happy, they're a lot easier to deal with. You might want to just take them over to ride the monorail, or just hang around at the pool or DTD if they're up to it that first night, then hit the parks bright and early the next morning!

 

[swimmom]

Actually I think what I am going to have them do is use their table service meal for a Character Breakfast their last morning. We'll just either eat seperately (they can do the food court at CBR) or else get together. If we didn't both have young kids (3,5,6 between us) I'd drag them to 'Ohana at 9:30 but for the sake of the other diners I think we'll skip that.

Thanks for all the advice. I never realized how hard it is to plan a trip for someone else!

Thanks for thinking of others. A late dinner with young kids can be a train wreck. And the kid(s) just arriving on the flight might be too excited to sit down patiently for a dinner anyway. The kids would probably be much happier exploring or riding the monorail than sitting in a restaurant. You could even ride the MK ferrry.

 

[surfsupdon]

Actually I think what I am going to have them do is use their table service meal for a Character Breakfast their last morning. We'll just either eat seperately (they can do the food court at CBR) or else get together. If we didn't both have young kids (3,5,6 between us) I'd drag them to 'Ohana at 9:30 but for the sake of the other diners I think we'll skip that.

The CBR food court is very good. They make excellent "homestyle cooked" dinners, aside from the generic yet tasty burgers, pizzas and pastas.