Arrival day and other questions

[firefly1010]

Hi all,
So, 17 year old DS and I are flying in and arriving on a Wednesday afternoon in late April for the weekend. Staying at the Contemporary. We might be going into MK when we get there, since it is so close. (Chillaxing at the hotel or going to DS are also options) We have reservations for Whispering Canyon at 5:40. But, MK closes at 6, so I would imagine we would have to leave MK at 5 to get to Wilderness by 5:40? Does Going into MK at 1 and leaving at 5 even make sense?! Another thought is that since we will have been up since WAY before dawn, we might be really dragging, so maybe go back to our room after MK and just order pizza delivery??? If so, from where? I see that the quick service at CR has flatbreads, but would that fill up my growing boy?!
Secondly, my brother and his family (SIL and 2 boys) will be joining us on Friday and Saturday. Friday Going to MK and eating at Skippers for an early dinner. (Hopefully, they will like the food ) my TA couldn't get reservations for all of us on Saturday night. They are staying in DS, so plan B to go to T-Rex after AK?? I'll probably get the Landry's card beforehand. Other ideas? I'm pretty sure my TA is plotting my demise as I have had her change and add things quite a few times.
Finally, how do you stay 'in the moment' while at Disney? I don't want my face to be in my phone following our touring plan, checking wait times and worried about 'getting to the next thing'. I struggle with ADD and anxiety, so that has been a lifelong challenge of staying in the moment vs. worrying about the next thing.
TIA for your advice!

 

[ChiGirlMom]

I know others can help with your dining options better than me.

As far as staying in the moment, I plan out our days on a spreadsheet. Location, times, even transportation to/from are included. I found that if I plan things out and know about when/where we have to be that I can relax and enjoy myself more. I check the spreadsheet several times a day but at least I am not searching for info while in the parks, etc.

 

[tzeitel]

If it were me - we would stay in MK the whole time and eat inside the park, or like you said order a pizza after the park closes. OR spend the day at the pool and then go to WCC for dinner.
For your AK day you can also go to Y&Y if you have the Landry's card. I would ask them what the latest seating is and try to get there a little before that. DS is super crowded on the weekends from what I've read.

I usually plan the heck out of our WDW trips, but since there are no FPs etc and things are wonky I am just making a few ADRs and the necessary park reservations and just going with the flow (ok, the flow of 3 girls telling me what they want next ). I think checking wait times on the app is the norm now, the thing is to not be glued to it.

 

[MomOTwins]

First thing, MK does not necessarily close at 6pm. Those are the “fake hours” that post initially and the “real hours” post around 2 weeks ahead. For example MK was saying it would close at 6pm for our March trip but on Friday, that changed to 9pm every day that week.

Second, when they extend hours for the in-park restaurants (usually a few days after they extend park hours), you should be able to pick up a reservation in whatever park you’ll be in on Saturday.

 

[Rockbro]

I would suggest that you would be cutting it awfully close leaving MK for wilderness at 5 for a 5:40. In fact, unless you are driving, it might be downright impossible. And, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but busses stop at different resorts before getting to what is your final destination. Your other option is an Uber. But I think your best option is quick service in the park (My opinion only, but I think that MK has the worst table service restaurants at Disney World).

 

[No.1000]

I would suggest that you would be cutting it awfully close leaving MK for wilderness at 5 for a 5:40. In fact, unless you are driving, it might be downright impossible. And, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but busses stop at different resorts before getting to what is your final destination. Your other option is an Uber. But I think your best option is quick service in the park (My opinion only, but I think that MK has the worst table service restaurants at Disney World).

There is a boat to Wilderness Lodge and it is a quick trip across the lake.

 

[Rockbro]

There is a boat to Wilderness Lodge and it is a quick trip across the lake.

Oh. OK. Before we lived here and travelled, we would rely on bus service. Never took a boat anywhere. Thanks for the correction.

Actually, I just realized we rented a boat once at one of the resorts,

 

[person]

Oh. OK. Before we lived here and travelled, we would rely on bus service. Never took a boat anywhere. Thanks for the correction.

Actually, I just realized we rented a boat once at one of the resorts,

Boat, interesting alternative...

 

[dledger]

Your touring plan sounds very similar to what I typically would have. Personally, what I would do is go to MK and then head over to wilderness lodge for dinner. I almost always regret that after a long day of travel. And every time I say “next time we will just enjoy the pool our first day!” With a shorter trip, I’d say, skip MK and relax by the pool so you can go full force the next day and enjoy dinner at Whispering Canyon. I also agree with the poster that said if you’re planning on a Landry’s card anyways, go to yak and yeti!

 

[loves to dive]

If you are going to MK the next day, I probably wouldn't go arrival day. Just me, but I try to get all the parks in at least once during a trip. Staying at CR does make it easier to get to MK but I would hop on a bus and either go to Epcot or HS, whichever one is open the latest for that day, I'm thinking the teenager might enjoy HS more than Epcot but who knows. I would skip WL supper, with so little time there, I would probably try to eat at a park.

As far as staying in the moment, we plan nothing in advance. Gasp, I know that is unheard of but there you go. I have a solo trip coming up for mid-April and all I've done is book my park reservations and even that hurt to have to do. I will decide what to eat when I'm hungry and have park hoppers so will be hopping to whatever park is open after 2. I am going during F&G so am going to try to be at Epcot every afternoon/evening to eat at booths but if I can't hop over there, no biggy I'll find somewhere else. I don't check the app. for wait times, it's not always that accurate, if I want to check an app I using the touring plans one, it seems to be a little better. Most of the time I just go to the ride and look.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi all,
So, 17 year old DS and I are flying in and arriving on a Wednesday afternoon in late April for the weekend. Staying at the Contemporary. We might be going into MK when we get there, since it is so close. (Chillaxing at the hotel or going to DS are also options) We have reservations for Whispering Canyon at 5:40. But, MK closes at 6, so I would imagine we would have to leave MK at 5 to get to Wilderness by 5:40? Does Going into MK at 1 and leaving at 5 even make sense?! Another thought is that since we will have been up since WAY before dawn, we might be really dragging, so maybe go back to our room after MK and just order pizza delivery??? If so, from where? I see that the quick service at CR has flatbreads, but would that fill up my growing boy?!
Secondly, my brother and his family (SIL and 2 boys) will be joining us on Friday and Saturday. Friday Going to MK and eating at Skippers for an early dinner. (Hopefully, they will like the food ) my TA couldn't get reservations for all of us on Saturday night. They are staying in DS, so plan B to go to T-Rex after AK?? I'll probably get the Landry's card beforehand. Other ideas? I'm pretty sure my TA is plotting my demise as I have had her change and add things quite a few times.
Finally, how do you stay 'in the moment' while at Disney? I don't want my face to be in my phone following our touring plan, checking wait times and worried about 'getting to the next thing'. I struggle with ADD and anxiety, so that has been a lifelong challenge of staying in the moment vs. worrying about the next thing.
TIA for your advice!

Since you are traveling so early in the day, I would cancel Whispering Canyon and just play arrival day by ear. You can always do QS either in MK or back at CR. I, too, have a growing boy and I find we can find enough at QS to fill him up - you could always order more flatbread!!

We love the Landry's Card, but are not huge fans of TRex -it's super loud!! I would suggest still getting the Landry's Card and consider eating at Yak & Yeti or Rainforest Cafe right in AK - the card will get you priority seating at both of those restaurants. Same quality food as TRex, IMHO (though I think Y&Y is slightly better than the others) with less travel to DS.

 

[tzeitel]

I would suggest that you would be cutting it awfully close leaving MK for wilderness at 5 for a 5:40. In fact, unless you are driving, it might be downright impossible. And, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but busses stop at different resorts before getting to what is your final destination. Your other option is an Uber. But I think your best option is quick service in the park (My opinion only, but I think that MK has the worst table service restaurants at Disney World).

Resorts have dedicated buses.

 

[Rockbro]

Resorts have dedicated buses.

I think I remember that. But I stand by my remembrance that busses are not very steady in terms of time frame. I remember being exhausted standing in line waiting for a bus and nodding off on the ride back while my wife passed out on my shoulder. Disney is a very tiresome place to visit