BOG or Kona Cafe on July 3rd for dinner

calablovedisney · Apr 18, 2015

Thinking of switching our July 3rd plan. As of now we have ADR for BOG at 6 on July 3rd. We will not spend the day at MK, but go in for the evening and stay for late night EMH. I am not sure I am crazy about the menu at BOG and it is pretty pricey. So thinking of switching to Kona at the Poly. I think we can get a 5:15 there for that night. My only thought was that we should maybe be in the MK earlier to assure we will be there for the fireworks, just in case it is so crowded it goes to level 4 closing. And, thought having the BOG ADR might give us a better chance of entrance as well.

We have been to BOG for lunch so we have already seen the inside of the castle, otherwise I would keep the ADR so we could get in there. Thoughts on BOG dinner vs. Kona Cafe?
Also we are driving a car and I really don't mind parking in MK lot, but if we ate at Kona could we just leave our car there and take the monorail in? We will be at MK until after 2 or 3 a.m. depending on if the closing time changes or not. Just thinking it would save time getting in to MK. But, that's an afterthought at this point anyway.

MomiTo2SwtGuys · Apr 18, 2015

I like the food at Kona better. But, everyone has their own preferences. As far as parking at Poly, you can valet park and leave your car. If you are not valet, I don't think you can leave it to get over to MK. Good luck! We'll be there that week too!

B-Ride · Apr 18, 2015

We love Kona and never miss it. Not sure you want to be in MK if they end up with a level 4 closing. If they don't it is a quick trip from the Poly.

kastoney · Apr 18, 2015

I'm in the BoG is overrated club so I would definitely do Kona, provided you would be ok watching fireworks from the poly if MK closes

pixarmom · Apr 18, 2015

I get the hype for BOG - the theme is cool, the difficulty in getting an ADR makes it all the more interesting, the "newness" in general is appealing. But we've now been to BOG for dinner once and lunch three times. BOG is definitely festive. But in our opinion, Kona is better. Lower key, more relaxing, generally better food and definitely better prices. It's tough to give up a BOG ADR - I just gave up one for breakfast over spring break. But for us, it was the better choice.

Good luck with your decision!

calablovedisney · Apr 18, 2015

B-Ride said:
We love Kona and never miss it. Not sure you want to be in MK if they end up with a level 4 closing. If they don't it is a quick trip from the Poly.

We really just want to be there for the fireworks and then for The late night EMH til 2 or 3 a.m. Depending on park closing time. So, let's say we eat at kona and get stuck at the Poly due to a closing, can we get into the MK once the crowds thin out? Will they start letting people in after the bulk leave after the fireworks?

MomiTo2SwtGuys said:
I like the food at Kona better. But, everyone has their own preferences. As far as parking at Poly, you can valet park and leave your car. If you are not valet, I don't think you can leave it to get over to MK. Good luck! We'll be there that week too!

What is the difference with valet as far as being able to keep our car there? And will we be able to pick it up after 2 or 3 a.m.? This question assumes valet means handing over car keys for someone to park the car for us and later retrieve it as well.

Thanks for replies

purple figment · Apr 19, 2015

calablovedisney said:
What is the difference with valet as far as being able to keep our car there? And will we be able to pick it up after 2 or 3 a.m.? This question assumes valet means handing over car keys for someone to park the car for us and later retrieve it as well.

Thanks for replies

You can park at a resort for 3 hours while enjoying the amenities of the resort - shopping, dining, walking around. Resort lots are NOT for parking while going to a park unless you pay for valet parking ($20 + tip). Valet is open 24 hours so coming back at 2 or 3 AM is fine.

When it is very busy even valet may not be available and you will be directed to park in the MK lot at the TTC. You can walk to the Poly or take the monorail from the TTC and after dinner, take the monorail or boat to the MK. Since they usually do the 4th of July MK fireworks show on July 3 as well, I would be prepared to park at the TTC or whichever lot CMs direct you to.

Sargeant Tibbs · Apr 19, 2015

I would not leave the MK. You risk not being able to get back in! I love BOG, I also enjoy Kona breakfast. Never had another meal there. Dinner is different enough from lunch at BOG that it's worth trying once.

I'll be in the MK on July 3.

Are we crazy?

ETA: the Plaza still has ressies on the 3rd.

calablovedisney · Apr 19, 2015

Sargeant Tibbs said:
I would not leave the MK. You risk not being able to get back in! I love BOG, I also enjoy Kona breakfast. Never had another meal there. Dinner is different enough from lunch at BOG that it's worth trying once.

I'll be in the MK on July 3. Are we crazy?ETA: the Plaza still has ressies on the 3rd.

We will not go into the MK until the evening either for or after dinner depending on where we eat.

We did this 2 years ago as well. We went in for dinner at Tonys at about 6 I think and stayed.
Crazy?? Maybe,probably, but we just stuck around Main street until the fireworks. Met some nice people. We really enjoyed the late night EMH until 3 in the morning. DD can't wait to stay up so late again this year.

Thanks. I can't consider any more options. WE already have ADR at BOG. Just need to decide do we go in, park there and just have dinner, or do Kona at Poly, then in to the MK. I guess we could also just watch the fireworks from the Poly and then head in. I was wondering if MK closes, does it open up for more people once the crowds thin out. For example, after the fireworks a lot of people will leave so I was thinking if it closes we could just go in after the fireworks to still enjoy the late night. Too much thought for one night's strategy. So, on second thought, yup, crazy!

samsteele · Apr 20, 2015

I'd be reluctant to give up the BOG dinner ressie. I've tried for 2 years now, and have never been able to get dinner. I've done the lunch 3x via the old website fastpass trial, but would jump at the chance for dinner. I have also done Kona for dinner and absolutely loved it. One of the best dinners ever for a 1 credit restaurant on property. You have a tough decision! Personally, I'd keep the BOG dinner because you could easily get Kona another night or time. In time to come, you may regret not keeping it.

Dis703 · Apr 20, 2015

Well, since July 3rd is my birthday I'd have to choose BoG and say have a cupcake for me! But really between the two BoG would still be my choice. But we loved it there and are going back again in a couple weeks for both lunch and dinner because we enjoy it so much. Kona we only did breakfast and it was good but the ambiance is nonexistent. It was like eating in any hotel lounge/restaurant to me.

newdeal · Apr 20, 2015

I was going to book BoG for dinner but then I looked at the menu and realized it is pretty similar to lunch and decided that I would rather not eat both lunch and dinner there

calablovedisney · Apr 20, 2015

I should say that I also have a reservation for Kona at the beginning of our trip also. So, if I stay with BOG we still have the opportunity to eat at Kona. We will eat at Kona either way, but BOG does get mixed reviews for the value of its food. It's the ambiance that gets the great reviews. I am going to look at our calendar again tonight and think this through with all your advice in mind. Thanks

Sargeant Tibbs · Apr 20, 2015

If you're already dining at Kona earlier in the trip, then keep the BOG and watch the fireworks from the MK.

I'm pretty sure if you went with Kona and fireworks on the beach on the 3rd, you'd be able to get back into the MK for EMH. I know we'll be leaving after the parade (which is at 10), and I'm sure many have this same gameplan.

Dinner at BOG is fantastic, if you order the right thing. I prefer it over lunch. Stick to the braised pork or the steak. Both of these are heavenly.

BOG or Kona Cafe on July 3rd for dinner

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