Chef Mickey's and 3 hour parking problem

[mjkaferle5]

We are staying at POR and eating at CM the first night. We have ADR's for 7:10 pm and Wishes is at 10:00 pm (June) that night. We would like to watch Wishes from the Contemporary balcony. But if we have only a 3 hour parking pass (we are driving) do I have to worry about being towed? I figure we would be at the resort for 4 - 4 1/2 hours. It isn't like we are parking at the Contemporary to go to the MK. Since we are arriving in the evening instead of the morning I am hoping it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[curiouser]

Why not just use disney transportation? You can take the bus from POR to MK and then hop on the monorail (which is always fun) to the Contemporary. No driving and no worries about parking passes!

 

[heatherfeather24]

We've driven to CR a number of times for dinner at CG and never had any problems with a 3 hour limit -- and I know we were there for more than 3 hours.

That said, if you want to play it safe, as the previous poster suggested, take the bus to MK -- the walk to CR is probably even faster than waiting for monorail if you're in a hurry.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Also you can pay for valet parking at the Contemporary and then the time limit does not apply. But there is the fee as well as tips to the valets.

 

[mjmcca]

The last time I are at CM they didnt give me another parking pass. I had the one from my resort and thats it. This was on an EMH night when the MK was going to be open until 1 am I think.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I have heard that they are now restricting access to the California Grill to watch fireworks to people who are dining there due to the huge influx of people who wanted on the patio. Can anyone confirm who has been there recently during Wishes?

 

[mjkaferle5]

Why not just use disney transportation? You can take the bus from POR to MK and then hop on the monorail (which is always fun) to the Contemporary. No driving and no worries about parking passes!

But then at the end of the night going back to the resort we will have to get on a bus at the MK. It will be a lot quicker and less of a hassle taking the car back to the resort.

 

[mjkaferle5]

I have heard that they are now restricting access to the California Grill to watch fireworks to people who are dining there due to the huge influx of people who wanted on the patio. Can anyone confirm who has been there recently during Wishes?

Thanks for mentioning that, Princess. I found this in the resort section of the disboards -

"Please note: 15th floor access is reserved for California Grill patrons only. The Electrical Water Pageant that glides across Bay Lake nightly can be viewed from the beach area of the Resort."

That kind of throws a crimp in my plans! Maybe after Chef Mickey's then, we could take the monorail, see the other monorail resorts, and end up watching Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian!

How does that plan sound to anyone!?!?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Maybe after Chef Mickey's then, we could take the monorail, see the other monorail resorts, and end up watching Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian . . .

Wy not pay the admission and watch Wishes from inside MK?

 

[jessica52877]

We ate at CM in October and walked out as the fireworks were going off in the MK, it was beautiful from INSIDE the hotel, just looking out the window. We weren't even near the windows either, couldn't hear the music but still wonderful!

 

[nbodyhome]

My husband has mentioned a 4th floor balcony at the Contemporary, I don't remember going onto it, but that might be an option.

I would take the buses generally (I'm too cheap to pay for gas). I have never had a problem with a 3 hour parking permit, staying longer.

Denise

 

[jessica52877]

There is a 4th floor balcony. Friends were walking in from it when we were walking out of restaurant, said it got really crowded as soon as the fireworks started but before that barely anyone out there. So get a few minutes early and stand in front is a good option, they are so high that you are really looking up anyways.

 

[mjkaferle5]

There is a 4th floor balcony. Friends were walking in from it when we were walking out of restaurant, said it got really crowded as soon as the fireworks started but before that barely anyone out there. So get a few minutes early and stand in front is a good option, they are so high that you are really looking up anyways.

Excellent!! I will have to check that out!

 

[paras4ri]

There is a 4th floor balcony. Friends were walking in from it when we were walking out of restaurant, said it got really crowded as soon as the fireworks started but before that barely anyone out there. So get a few minutes early and stand in front is a good option, they are so high that you are really looking up anyways.

We've watched from there too. It does get crowded but we arrived about 1/2 our before Wishes and got to sit on the benches there. We got snacks from the candy shop just inside the lobby for the kids and a small bottle of wine for the adults from the gift shop.

 

[salmoneous]

That kind of throws a crimp in my plans! Maybe after Chef Mickey's then, we could take the monorail, see the other monorail resorts, and end up watching Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian!

Well, if you want to go that route, you could drive over to the Poly and get another 3 hour pass.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Well, if you want to go that route, you could drive over to the Poly and get another 3 hour pass.

Can you do that? I thought about it but was worried that you couldn't get a parking pass that late, because people would use the 3 hours to go to the MK.

 

[DisneyWisher]

We are staying at POR and eating at CM the first night. We have ADR's for 7:10 pm and Wishes is at 10:00 pm (June) that night. We would like to watch Wishes from the Contemporary balcony. But if we have only a 3 hour parking pass (we are driving) do I have to worry about being towed? I figure we would be at the resort for 4 - 4 1/2 hours. It isn't like we are parking at the Contemporary to go to the MK. Since we are arriving in the evening instead of the morning I am hoping it wouldn't be a problem.

The past few times we've eaten at Concourse Steakhouse the CR guard has just waved us in since we already had a parking pass from a different resort. You might consider making your ADRs for maybe 8pm. That way you aren't looking at 90min wait til the fireworks begin.