California Grill/Wishes or HDDR for last night (kids are 7 & 9)?

[kimkim]

I have been out of sorts trying to plan our last night. It is me, DD9 and DS 7 (their first trip). It will be E EMH at MK and we definitely want to end up there for it. The rest of the day will be open, so no early morning RD or park ADRs have been made. We will try to sleep in late so we can stay up late that night!

At first I was going to keep the evening wide open and not plan anything. Then I started thinking about the 5:00 HDDR because it's the only night we could go and we could get to MK easily afterwards. Then today a 7:30 time opened at California Grill. Wishes is at 9:00 that night, so an OK time. I'm on DxDP so the 2 credits will be no problem and neither will the 'cost'.

So what do you think my kids would enjoy more? Trekking over to HDDR (we are staying at Beach Club) and then to MK afterwards. Or having a relaxing day at Storm Along Bay and going to a nice last night dinner at Cali Grill and watching Wishes? I'm worried that they won't want to sit for 1 1/2 hours at CG just eating and waiting for the fireworks.

Thanks!
Kim

 

[jlm]

I have went back and forth on this same issue in previous trips. We opted to leave the evening open. My kids like to pack as many rides as they can in to hold them until our next trip.
With the travel time to the resort, eating, etc. It can eat up 2-3 hours easy. But-if you feel it is something you and they would really enjoy, go for it. Never been to either...I would chose HDDR simply because it would be more appealing to the kids~
Hope this helps~
Jen

 

[magicmommy]

With the kids I would do HHDR and the night at MK!

 

[thesupersmartguy]

You should give the California Grill a try. I eat there at least 3 times a month and the meal lasts as long as you need it to.

 

[itradehilton]

With the young children will they be overtired on the last day? Do you need to travel early the next day? If not you could do MK until it was time for dinner and then enjoy a meal at CG. When our kids were this age we had toys or other diversionary devices in a backpack ready for them if they finished dinning before we did.

 

[distherapy]

What kind of food do your kids enjoy? HDDR has very, very, very basic food. CA Grill's was more refined. HDDR is also by no means a quick meal, especially when you take into account travel time. You do have tip/alcohol included there, though. Personally, I would have a lazy morning, then go to MK in the early afternoon. Walk over to the Ca Grill around 7, enjoy a lovely dinner and fireworks and walk on back for EMH.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I like to make a celebration of my last night in Disney, so I would do both!

If you have the dining credits available, I would spend the morning by the pool and then go to my room around 2 or 3 p.m. to get ready for the evening. I might take a taxi to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, to make it quick and easy, or a bus to the MK and a boat to Fort Wilderness.

I would enjoy the entertainment at the Hoop Dee Doo, and let my server know that we would be eating light that night.

Then, I would take the boat back to the CR and enjoy Wishes from the California Grill. We might just order appetizers or dessert and pay OOP. With the Deluxe Dining, though, you might even have the extra credits available so that it does not matter.

Then I would go enjoy the rest of the evening at the MK. If doing both was too much, though, I would probably choose the HDD and then watching the fireworks from the park. Hey, have you thought about the Wishes Dessert Party? That would be fun, because Tinkerbell would fly right by where you are standing. I want to give it a try on my trip this July!

 

[kimkim]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions!!

My kids are pretty adventurous eaters, especially DD9 who is VERY upset that she has to order the kid's meal all week (and is a big reason I went with DxDp, so I could share my apps and entree with her!). We are going to sleep 'in' that day and not do much in the earlier part, so I think they'll be fine for a late night. Our flight the next day is at 5:00 PM, so we can sleep in that day as well.

I had not thought of doing both, but that is an idea to just do OOP at CG for a light meal. I don't think we'll eat much if we got to HDDR. The food sounds OK, but I was definitely thinking about it for the 'show'.

I am worried about transit time to HDDR. The taxi is a good idea so we don't have to worry about catching the 'next' bus or 'boat'. I am also worried about DS7 'getting' HDDR (he has some delays with comprehension and speech in general). The CG appealed to me because we want to be at MK that night anyway and it seems like such a neat place to go.

Thanks again to you all! I have lots to think about!
Kim

 

[jlhill4444]

I would do HDDR, my kids love the food and show. You can then go down to the beach and watch the fireworks from the beach after the show and if you are up to it go and enjoy the EMH or go back to the boardwalk and stroll around. CG is a very unique dinning experience and for the last night it might be a bit of a bore. I would go out with a bang!