Another MNSSHP question..Dinner?

[lauracitawita]

Hi,

We will be going to MNSSHP mid October.

We were thinking of doing a 5pm reservation for dinner at Ohana's and then heading over to Magic Kingdom for the party.

We have park hoppers and thought we might do MK in the morning...head to the resort for a swim and a rest...dinner...then the party.

My problem is I feel like we're missing out from 4pm - 7pm. I know the party doesn't officially begin until 7, but I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING!!!

Should I stick with my plan or change it up?

Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'd get one earlier than 5:00p, especially if you have any interest in meeting any of the uber-popular rare party characters (Seven Dwarves, Princesses and Princes, or Jack Sparrow). The best strategy for meeting them IMO is to get in line for them NLT 6:15p, so you're not wasting more party time by waiting in another long line.

Our usual strategy is to get a reservation around 4:15p-4:30p at Liberty Tree Tavern. When we're done, we're ready to party--even if most others aren't.

 

[cruisingkat]

4pm to 7 pm does not have any party activities. Except for some people walking around in costumes or getting in line at some non-labeled spot, you wouldn't know that it was a party day. Whatever you would miss is the same that you would miss during that time period any other day (parades, shows, etc).

 

[XYSRUS]

I felt the same way as the OP when we went. It was our first time and ended up keeping our ADR for 5pm @Chef Mickey's. We did it all at the party-didn't miss anything. I might go at 4pm if that was all I was going to do that day. If you're going to do one thing in the morning and rest and dinner I would stick to your original plan. Have fun! I know you will!!!

 

[ZoZo]

Hi,

We have park hoppers and thought we might do MK in the morning...head to the resort for a swim and a rest...dinner...then the party.

My problem is I feel like we're missing out from 4pm - 7pm. I know the party doesn't officially begin until 7, but I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING!!! Should I stick with my plan or change it up?

I guess my suggestion would be: if you're planning to go to a park in the morning on your "party day," I'd go to a different park than MK! Mix it up a litttle - you'll be at MK all evening, so why not go somewhere else in the morning? Might be a good morning for a water park!

And my strategy for when to arrive at the party is to get there at 4:00 pm. I've been to three MNSSHPs, and found that non-party guests start leaving in droves at 4:00. I usually grab a quick CS meal (Casey's or CHH) right at 4:00, then take advantage of the short lines for the rides (since there's a mass exodus of people leaving the parks). Once the party starts at 7:00, you can concentrate on the "party activities".

 

[gator girl]

You won't miss any "party activities" by doing this... but if you plan to meet any of the rare party characters, I'd recommend that you get in line for them no later than about 6:00 or soon thereafter. You will still need to wait for them for about an hour before they begin seeing guests, but you're not spending your valuable party time waiting. This way, you will be through seeing the 7 Dwarfs at about 7:15 or so, and moving on to other party activities.

If you have a resort ADR at 5:00 you probably will not be through and able to get in a character line until almost 7pm. Which means that you will then spend until about 8:30 in that character line, or miss the rare meet & greet altogether.

It's all about maximizing your 7pm - 12 am party time. Some people recommend waiting until late in the evening to see rare characters in the hope that the line dies down, but this plan risks that the line will be cut off before you get there, as cast members do cut it off before midnight & there's no way to predict when it will happen.

Also: I'm seriously considering just making a macro that says "I agree with mesaboy2. He's a genius."

 

[ThumpersWorld]

The day we went to MNSSHP we started off at the hotel pool followed by lunch on the Boardwalk. We made our way to the MK at 4 and stayed until it was almost over. This way our kids were well rested and able to make it until late at night. It was nice to get in the park and situated before the party officially started so we could figure out exactly what we wanted to do...because the time goes really fast.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Hi,

We will be going to MNSSHP mid October.

We were thinking of doing a 5pm reservation for dinner at Ohana's and then heading over to Magic Kingdom for the party.

We have park hoppers and thought we might do MK in the morning...head to the resort for a swim and a rest...dinner...then the party.

My problem is I feel like we're missing out from 4pm - 7pm. I know the party doesn't officially begin until 7, but I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING!!!

Should I stick with my plan or change it up?

Thanks!

Chacnge it up. I would go to a late lunch/ dinner at around 3 or 4. You can get into the party at 4 with the event ticket so save the park ticket and maybe eat at DTD. My suggestion. : Pool in the am, snack, rest, early dinner and then MNSSHP!

 

[lauracitawita]

Thanks for all the quick replies!!!

I have a lot to think about.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

We are currently booked at POFQ, but hoping to change to CR. If we do end up at CR we plan to do MK the morning of the party, go back to the hotel early afternoon, then eat dinner at Chef Mickey's around 3:30 or 4 and go to the party.

 

[Broncobilly83]

We learned from our last MNSSHP, and will be doing it this way for this year's MVMCP

We do a table service lunch wherever we might be, and then go back to the hotel to rest, head out around 4 or so to the MK, and then do a QS meal around 5 or so. Gives us time to get in line should we want uber hard pictures, and we can snack through out the night if needed

 

[smitch425]

Hi,

We will be going to MNSSHP mid October.

We were thinking of doing a 5pm reservation for dinner at Ohana's and then heading over to Magic Kingdom for the party.

We have park hoppers and thought we might do MK in the morning...head to the resort for a swim and a rest...dinner...then the party.

My problem is I feel like we're missing out from 4pm - 7pm. I know the party doesn't officially begin until 7, but I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING!!!

Should I stick with my plan or change it up?

Thanks!

Something you might want to factor into your decision is if you are planning to be in costume, you might want to get there early. For instance, last year we were dressed as characters from Toy Story 3. We knew that Buzz would not be available AT ALL during the party. Also, Jessie and Woody would not be available for a normal meet and greet during the party. They would only available to see at their dance party. We entered MK at 4pm and headed straight to Woody and Jessie, and then directly to Buzz. We also knew we would want to ride Buzz's ride prior to the party, so we didn't waste valuable party time on rides that we could do anytime (9 day trip). Our main focus of the party was meet and greets and the parade/fireworks. After doing all of our Toy Story stuff, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Cosmic Rays, and then got in line for our #1 party priority which was Rapunzel and Flynn. We got in the Princess line at 6:30 and were about 6 families from the front.

The best thing I can suggest is to make a list of anyone you want to see and the things you want to accomplish. As soon as the first party is complete, there will be posts made with schedules, locations, characters, etc. It will be much easier to make a plan once that first party is in the books.

You can read more about our special experience at last year's party here...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2835007

 

[mesaboy2]

You won't miss any "party activities" by doing this... but if you plan to meet any of the rare party characters, I'd recommend that you get in line for them no later than about 6:00 or soon thereafter. You will still need to wait for them for about an hour before they begin seeing guests, but you're not spending your valuable party time waiting. This way, you will be through seeing the 7 Dwarfs at about 7:15 or so, and moving on to other party activities.

If you have a resort ADR at 5:00 you probably will not be through and able to get in a character line until almost 7pm. Which means that you will then spend until about 8:30 in that character line, or miss the rare meet & greet altogether.

It's all about maximizing your 7pm - 12 am party time. Some people recommend waiting until late in the evening to see rare characters in the hope that the line dies down, but this plan risks that the line will be cut off before you get there, as cast members do cut it off before midnight & there's no way to predict when it will happen.

Also: I'm seriously considering just making a macro that says "I agree with mesaboy2. He's a genius."

Holy cow...that's very generous!

As to the bold, an excellent point. Waiting late might work, but is riskier.

 

[Steph2527]

We are currently booked at POFQ, but hoping to change to CR. If we do end up at CR we plan to do MK the morning of the party, go back to the hotel early afternoon, then eat dinner at Chef Mickey's around 3:30 or 4 and go to the party.

Unfortunately, i don't think Chef mickey's first seating is until 5pm.

 

[Chellymouse]

Given the quantity of food at Ohana, I wouldn't even think about eating there before a party unless it was breakfast. DH and I learned the hard way about 5pm ADRs and being outside MK...DON'T! We usally eat a large lunch and get CS in MK or we get a 4-4:30pm ADR at one of the restaurants at MK. We also tend to take a more relaxed day so that we can manage the party better. We went to 3 parties during our last Oct trip and are planning on doing 3 again this year because there is so much to see and do, it's hard to do it all in 1 night even though they're aren't mobs of other guests. If you happen to be at MK prior to your party, you can pick up a party map on your way out if you leave early enough and there are some good hints as to where rare characters may be so that you will be able to line up early. We did that for the Dwarves and were maybe the 8th family in line. Done by 7:20pm and had the rest of the night. It took us 3 of the 4 showings to see ALL of the villians. Not to mention the parade and fireworks (don't miss those!), the rest of the characters (and there are some good rare characters around), the trick or treating and the special photopass photos over by HM. We only rode HM and POTC the first party because we were busy doing other stuff.

 

[carrie6466]

I believe 'Ohana's first dinner seating is also 5:00 pm

 

[robinbutterfly]

I wonder what dinner places have seating at 3 or 4???

 

[BlueAurora]

I believe LTT starts at 4, and CP at 3:15

 

[krismusc313]

Hi,

We will be going to MNSSHP mid October.

We were thinking of doing a 5pm reservation for dinner at Ohana's and then heading over to Magic Kingdom for the party.

We have park hoppers and thought we might do MK in the morning...head to the resort for a swim and a rest...dinner...then the party.

My problem is I feel like we're missing out from 4pm - 7pm. I know the party doesn't officially begin until 7, but I don't want to miss out on ANYTHING!!!

Should I stick with my plan or change it up?

Thanks!

We actually are doing the exact same thing. The night of MNSSHP we made Ohana 5pm reservations. Im hoping being the first sitting we wont be there are long. Im still stressing over this night. I keep getting different answers and opinions from people. I do not want to eat in MK because nothing really appeals to me. I don't think any character is worth me waiting on a hour+ line. Me being 25 & BF 26 I feel like I can miss some of that. UGH so stressful! I have so many mixed feelings

 

[lauracitawita]

Thanks everyone! Disers are the BEST!!!!

We have decided to go to Animal Kingdom for rope drop. I made a lunch reservation at Tusker House for noon, and then we will head back to the resort for a swim and a bit of a break...then off to MK.

I feel much better about this scenario. (for now)