ADR near cut off time for party night - will they rush us & will we see spoilers of the shows?

[girls1st2016]

I want to maximize my park day at MK and was able to switch my CP reservation to within 10 minutes of the cut off time where you are required to purchase a party ticket (we will not have one). The times listed are up to 6:30 without a party ticket required and I have a 6:20 ADR. Due to us not having a ticket, will we be rushed through our dinner? CP is a buffet, but it's possible that the waiter/waitress could try to encourage us to hurry maybe. If it would be better to get a slightly earlier reservation to give us plenty of time, I'd be willing to switch times. We usually take forever at buffets with the kids.

We do have party tickets for a later date and I'm slightly excited about getting a sneak preview while we eat, but also worried some of the magic may be spoiled if we see too much. It's probable that the first castle show will be starting when we leave. What time do they light up the castle? I expect we will take at least a full hour for our meal, which means we could be about 7:30 leaving.

A third question, how are the crowds getting out of Main Street at that time and will we have an escort out? To be clear, I am not going to try to sneak anything, but just wanting to know what to expect. We intend on heading out as soon as we finish dinner, not trying to watch any of it. Which goes back to my fear of being rushed, as I'm sure there are some who intentionally drag out their meal for this reason.

Thanks

 

[HopperFan]

They shouldn't rush you, and yes you may be escorted out at the end of your meal. I don't think you would see anything other than the snow coming down on Main Street and light projections on the buildings. I believe the Castle Lighting (Frozen Holiday Wish) happens every night at about 6:30 pm so day guests can see it before they leave.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

have party tickets for a later date and I'm slightly excited about getting a sneak preview while we eat

1) Nope.
2) No real views from the eateries.
3) And, "being escorted out" after the meal allows no time to see other things.
4) WDW got wise to those folks trying to eat late and either sneak-in the party, or sneak-a-peak at the party, without paying.

 

[Nancyg56]

You will not be rushed out of the restaurant. Take your time and enjoy uyour meal. You will probably be escorted out and will not have any time for sneak previews.

You will enjoy your party when you go, nothing will be spoiled because you left the MK while one was in progress.

 

[girls1st2016]

Thanks for the replies. I feel much better about taking the later time. When I said "sneak preview" I meant possibly through the windows during dinner, not after and while walking on the way out. I am not going to try to stick around afterwards and an escort out is fine with me.

I anticipated some negative feedback from the question. What I really am concerned about was being rushed and it looks like that won't happen based on the responses so far. I'm definitely not a rule-breaker by nature, so I'm very sensitive to that. Obviously, if my late ADR gets me some preview of the party, I am going to be happy about that though. I was under the impression that the CP had large windows looking out over the hub so that's where I anticipated to be able to see some things.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Buy anything you want before dinner, you will not be allowed in the stores on the way out

enjoy your dinner!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for the replies. I feel much better about taking the later time. When I said "sneak preview" I meant possibly through the windows during dinner, not after and while walking in the way out. I am not going to try to stick around afterwards and an escort out is fine with me.

I anticipated some negative feedback from the question. What I really am concerned about was being rushed and it looks like that won't happen based on the responses so far. I'm definitely not a rule-breaker by nature, so I'm very sensitive to that. Obviously, if my late ADR gets me some preview of the party, I am going to be happy about that though. I was under the impression that the CP had large windows looking out over the hub so that's where I anticipated to be able to see some things.

The CP has large lovely windows, but at the time you are dining I doubt that there will be much within your range of vision, and that is if you are seated by the windows.

I do not see any reason for negative feedback, you have every right to use as much of your park time as possible. Just be sure everything is done when you leave the restaurant. You need to make sure you wont need a bathroom break or to purchase anything. The CM's are serious when they walk you to the gate.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Just a wild guess that they'll walk you out through the employee parking lot behind CP, and not down Main Street. I've seen it happen before.

 

[girls1st2016]

Just a wild guess that they'll walk you out through the employee parking lot behind CP, and not down Main Street. I've seen it happen before.

Interesting! That in itself is a cool idea. I could say I've been able to see "back side" of the Magic Kingdom.

And that's a good point about the bathrooms - I will def take the girls potty before we leave.

 

[Nancyg56]

Interesting! That in itself is a cool idea. I could say I've been able to see "back side" of the Magic Kingdom.

And that's a good point about the bathrooms - I will def take the girls potty before we leave.

This is the one time you need to ask them to "try" LOL!

 

[cgattis]

Interesting! That in itself is a cool idea. I could say I've been able to see "back side" of the Magic Kingdom.

And that's a good point about the bathrooms - I will def take the girls potty before we leave.

Are there restrooms inside CP, or only outside? Just wondering--if outside only, you might need to go before! I have seen them doing the bathroom roundup at party time and they're serious! LOL

 

[ArielSRL]

Are there restrooms inside CP, or only outside? Just wondering--if outside only, you might need to go before! I have seen them doing the bathroom roundup at party time and they're serious! LOL

Definitely inside....

 

[Fabooliss]

Where did you see the times for a ticket required? Now I'm worried about my 5:50 BOG reservation on party night!

I want to maximize my park day at MK and was able to switch my CP reservation to within 10 minutes of the cut off time where you are required to purchase a party ticket (we will not have one). The times listed are up to 6:30 without a party ticket required and I have a 6:20 ADR. Due to us not having a ticket, will we be rushed through our dinner? CP is a buffet, but it's possible that the waiter/waitress could try to encourage us to hurry maybe. If it would be better to get a slightly earlier reservation to give us plenty of time, I'd be willing to switch times. We usually take forever at buffets with the kids.

We do have party tickets for a later date and I'm slightly excited about getting a sneak preview while we eat, but also worried some of the magic may be spoiled if we see too much. It's probable that the first castle show will be starting when we leave. What time do they light up the castle? I expect we will take at least a full hour for our meal, which means we could be about 7:30 leaving.

A third question, how are the crowds getting out of Main Street at that time and will we have an escort out? To be clear, I am not going to try to sneak anything, but just wanting to know what to expect. We intend on heading out as soon as we finish dinner, not trying to watch any of it. Which goes back to my fear of being rushed, as I'm sure there are some who intentionally drag out their meal for this reason.

Thanks

 

[DisBuckMan]

Where did you see the times for a ticket required? Now I'm worried about my 5:50 BOG reservation on party night!

On the reservation page. You're fine with a 5:50 at BoG. BoG's cutoff is at 6:20.

 

[girls1st2016]

Where did you see the times for a ticket required? Now I'm worried about my 5:50 BOG reservation on party night!

Yes, Disbuckman is right. Go to your restaurant, then change the date to the date of your reservation and the times will show under the search box. It will give times for Dinner and then under that will give separate times for Dinner with the notation that it is a ticketed event. Different restaurants have different cut off times.

 

[Fabooliss]

Yes, Disbuckman is right. Go to your restaurant, then change the date to the date of your reservation and the times will show under the search box. It will give times for Dinner and then under that will give separate times for Dinner with the notation that it is a ticketed event. Different restaurants have different cut off times.

Thank you. I wonder if it wasn't there when I booked, or I just didn't notice? Either way, it is nice to have it confirmed that we are ok for dinner!

 

[sonogal]

Question- I have an ADR for CP on 12/8 at 7:40pm. We're annual passholders but have no tickets nor intending to buy for the party. The system let me book it no problem. Are we able to get in for dinner or do we need to cancel?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Question- I have an ADR for CP on 12/8 at 7:40pm. We're annual passholders but have no tickets nor intending to buy for the party. The system let me book it no problem. Are we able to get in for dinner or do we need to cancel?

You will need to cancel, as the cutoff time for CP is 7:00.

The system doesn't care if you don't have tickets to the party when you book, since many people don't buy tickets until well after their 180 day window.

 

[purple figment]

Question- I have an ADR for CP on 12/8 at 7:40pm. We're annual passholders but have no tickets nor intending to buy for the party. The system let me book it no problem. Are we able to get in for dinner or do we need to cancel?

You will have to cancel. Your reservation is during the party so you will not be able to stay in the park after 7:00 without party tickets. Having an annual pass will not make a difference.

The reservation system will let anyone book dining reservations on party nights without regard to party tickets because many won't buy party tickets until long after they make their dining reservations. On the front page for CP the dining hours are listed. For Dec 8 it lists Dinner as 3:15 - 6:30; then Dinner 7:00 - 8:00 Special Ticketed Event so the last reservation time you can make is 6:30.

 

[bumbershoot]

The reservation system will let anyone book dining reservations on party nights without regard to party tickets because many won't buy party tickets until long after they make their dining reservations. On the front page for CP the dining hours are listed.

FWIW, when they first put things up on the site for December they didn't have it as obvious. I was booking for early December 180 days out and nothing showed like you're describing and info only popped up AFTER I made the ADR. They didn't do it quite right at the very beginning, from what I experienced.