ADRs before MNSSHP?

[MaleficentRN]

I would do a CS. When we went to MNSSHP in 2009, we ate at 'Ohana before and didn't get to MK until 6:30 or so. I felt rushed. Since you can get into MK with your ticket at 4PM, I would go to MK at 4PM and eat CS there. That way you don't miss out on anything with MNSSHP.

I agree. We arrived at 5, went straight to Cosmic Ray's and were in and out in 45 minutes.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I would book either a very early dinner either in MK or one of the monorail resorts, because you really want to be at MK by the start of the party. I think a better idea would be to sleep in, have a late TS lunch, and just eat CS for dinner at the party.

 

[cruisingkat]

We usually do a late breakfast at the resort and then grab a CS meal at MK before the party.

 

[Sleepyhappyandgrumpy]

I would book either a very early dinner either in MK or one of the monorail resorts, because you really want to be at MK by the start of the party. I think a better idea would be to sleep in, have a late TS lunch, and just eat CS for dinner at the party.

Is there something great at the beginning of the party?

We've never been and don't really know what to expect.

 

[TheRatPack]

We usually make ADRs before the party at LTT but last year it was SOooooo crowded that we were all sitting with our elbows touching trying to eat. The tables were all so close together, it wasn't a nice experience. So this year we made ressies at The Plaza, hopefully it'll work out. We also ate at Tony's once, but the kids didn't really care for the food.

 

[DLo]

We have done both and what works for our family is CP around 4:30. We have learned the hard way not to cram to much in the day of the party. We will hit park in the am then pool/relax time before the party. We put our costumes in a locker then change after we eat. There are people already in their costumes when we are eating - we just prefer to wait. We love the party - lots of fun trick or treating and seeing all the different costumes, great parade, cool fireworks.

 

[meredith1]

We are taking DD3.5 to MVMCP and will be doing California Grill prior to the party about 5:00.

 

[cruisingkat]

Is there something great at the beginning of the party?

We've never been and don't really know what to expect.

No there isn't anything great at the beginning of the party - it is just that if you are going at a more sold out party, there is still lines to deal with - especially for pictures. There are pictures and autographs with many characters that are not normally seen - for example: all 7 dwarfs, and many specialty shots including the addition of the hitchhiking ghosts or a ghost with carriage near the Haunted Mansion. There is also trick or treating - as well as the rides. The parade is not to be missed again with many characters not normally seen including the villians and the headless horseman leads off the parade. Both the parade and Hallowishes (the fireworks show) are special ones just for the parties. There is also a special stage show at the castle featuring the villians.
So there is a lot to see and do and there really isn't enough time to see and do everything during the party.

 

[frannn]

We wake up a little later, have a quick breakfast at the resort. Usually we use snack credits for bagels, and our refillable mugs for coffee and tea. Then we head over to BBB (this year and last at DTD) for DD8. After BBB, we have lunch at PH, then head over to the MK for an early TS dinner (CP or CRT if we are on DXDP). After dinner, we get our bands and the party is about to begin!

 

[Sleepyhappyandgrumpy]

No there isn't anything great at the beginning of the party - it is just that if you are going at a more sold out party, there is still lines to deal with - especially for pictures. There are pictures and autographs with many characters that are not normally seen - for example: all 7 dwarfs, and many specialty shots including the addition of the hitchhiking ghosts or a ghost with carriage near the Haunted Mansion. There is also trick or treating - as well as the rides. The parade is not to be missed again with many characters not normally seen including the villians and the headless horseman leads off the parade. Both the parade and Hallowishes (the fireworks show) are special ones just for the parties. There is also a special stage show at the castle featuring the villians.
So there is a lot to see and do and there really isn't enough time to see and do everything during the party.

Thanks. It's our first time at WDW, so all of it is new to us! I am not sure how late DD4 will make it. I decided on Whispering Canyon Cafe at 5. I figure that should get us there not too long after the party starts. Hopefully she will sleep in that morning and the next day, after a Disney Junior breakfast we head home. I am assuming the excitement will carry her through!

Is there anything at the party that is absolutely not-to-be-missed?