Desperate Need for Help

[sarahsmom3]

I have booked all our dinner reservations (prior to parade hours posting, of course) and have a problem with fitting it all in so see it all. PLEASE HELP!!!

Here is my schedule, Please tell me if my times are OK or what you would do differently. The problem I am having is all dining reservations being taken.

Wednesday, 8/31 - Magic Kingdom

8:05am - Crystal Palace
2:20pm - CRT
3:00pm - Share A Dream Come True Parade

(will we be finished at CRT in time to see the parade???)


Thursday, 9/1 - MGM

5:00pm - Stars & Motor Cars Parade
6:40pm - Chef Mickeys
8:30pm - Fantasmic

Friday, 9/2 - Animal Kingdom

4:00pm - Mickeys Jammin Jungle Parade
6:30pm - Ohanas

Will these parades only be once a day??? And if these times are cutting it to close what would you suggest??? Do not want to cancel any of this.

 

[ahappydisneymommy]

I'm no expert but I think you may have problems on your second day. Chef Mickey's is at the CR so you will have to leave MGM and go to the CR, then come back to MGM. I think it will be really hard to get back and get a good seat at Fantasmic.
On your first day you may want to move your CRT res up to give you some time to get a good seat for the parade.

 

[angietuck2]

I agree with previous message about the day at MGM, did you check out the Fantasmic Dinner package instead of going all of the way to Chef Mickey's??

Yes the parades that you are talking about are only at the time that you quoted. And from our many trips I have to say that the Jammin Jungle is at the top of the list. (It was voted the #1 parade in the Disney Parks a few years a go)

Angie

 

[doodle]

I feel your pain!! It is so hard (make that impossible) to fit in all there is to do AND fit in all the great dining experiences. I think it is one of the reasons so many go back again and again - there are always things you need to plan the next trip for!

I also would suggest getting CRT at an earlier time. I think you need to allow almost an hour for the meal - to be seated, eat, greet, etc. and you will want to be done in time to get if not a seat then at least a place to watch the parade.

Can you switch Chef Mickey's to the first day? Or maybe breakfast the 2nd or 3rd day? I would not leave MGM to go to the Contemp. to eat and then have to go back to MGM.

You will have a wonderful time and try not to worry!!!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I have booked all our dinner reservations (prior to parade hours posting, of course) and have a problem with fitting it all in so see it all. PLEASE HELP!!!

Here is my schedule, Please tell me if my times are OK or what you would do differently. The problem I am having is all dining reservations being taken.

Wednesday, 8/31 - Magic Kingdom

8:05am - Crystal Palace
2:20pm - CRT
3:00pm - Share A Dream Come True Parade

(will we be finished at CRT in time to see the parade???)


Thursday, 9/1 - MGM

5:00pm - Stars & Motor Cars Parade
6:40pm - Chef Mickeys
8:30pm - Fantasmic

Friday, 9/2 - Animal Kingdom

4:00pm - Mickeys Jammin Jungle Parade
6:30pm - Ohanas

Will these parades only be once a day??? And if these times are cutting it to close what would you suggest??? Do not want to cancel any of this.

Personally this is my thought........Wednesday for lunch is cutting it close due to a few reasons. Your CRT time is at 2:20, then give them about 10 minutes more to actually seat you. That puts you at 2:30. Then you get seated and order. another 10 minutes. Now we are at 2:40. Start eatting at 2:40 for 15 minutes eatting time. Now your at 2:55. You have 5 minutes to FIND a spot to see the parade.

Thursday....Well it's doable BUT it's cutting it close for time due to people telling me that you need to stand in line for the show for at least an hour prior and the travel time between this meal back to MGM is a minimum of 25 minutes and that's pushing it. That's not including wait times for dinner to get in or wait times for the bus which is the fastest transportation for you at this time. And again you will PROB. be having a 15 to 20 minute meal again.

Friday looks to be okay.

If I can help you out anymore let me know.

 

[robinb]

I have booked all our dinner reservations (prior to parade hours posting, of course) and have a problem with fitting it all in so see it all. PLEASE HELP!!!

Oh man . Do you only have 3 days and are you really planning to stay in the parks all day with a 4 year old? I hate to be a wet blanket, but my 4 year old couldn't get to the parks in the morning and go, go, go all day.

On your MK day, you will not be able to eat at CRT at 2:20 and see the parade at 3:00. A meal at CRT lasts more than 40 minutes. If you can't get an earlier AR, then you will have to choose one or the other. I would probably choose the parade and plan on seeing the princesses at Toontown. I would then go back to your resort to rest and return to the MK around 8:00 for Wishes.

Your MGM day seems just as bad. I don't see how you can see the parade, hoof it over to Chef Mickey's and then back in time for Fantasmic! IMO, the parade isn't worth staying late for. Skip it and relax back at your hotel until your Chef Mickey's reservation. Arrive at 6:00 and ask to be seated early. If you're driving you should have just enough time to slip into MGM and get an OK spot for Fantasmic! ... be aware that it can be pretty loud. My DD dod not like it when she was 4.

Your AK day seems the best out of the lot. I kinda like the AK parade and having dinner at 'Ohana means that you can catch Wishes again from the Polynesian. FWIW, I think there are more things for a 4 year old to do at Epoct than AK. If you go to Epcot, you can try to book the Princess dinner in Norway and see IllumiNations at 9:00 and be home "early".

Good luck!

 

[rascalmom]

On a limited time schedule, the heat & traveling with a 4 year old, I would recommend skipping all of those parades. People stack up on the curbs an hour or more along the parade routes. I think your little one would enjoy the time with the princesses at CRT more than the parade. During a cooler time of the year my recommendation might be different, but during the August afternoon heat I would skip those parades. Do Spectromagic -it's after dusk & the temps start to go down. This would allow you to back to your resort of a nap or swim.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

These meals are too expensive to rush through them. Relax and enjoy them. It is hard to pick and choose what to do. That is why we keep going back

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was looking at the first day and thought you might not even be hungry for lunch after your Buffet at CP. On mornings that we do Character breakfasts, we skip lunch and eat an early dinner. I'd skip the lunch, watch the parade instead because it really is rather nice. Then maybe eat a dinner instead. The Jammin Jungle parade is kind of loud. The Stars and Motorcars isn't my favorite.

 

[sarahsmom3]

I did manage to call today & get CRT for 1:30 instead of 2:20. that should give us more time.

 

[disgal1]

I have to agree with what has been posted.
I have been many times, and I wouldn't attempt it.

It takes twice as long as you think it will to leave 1 park, and get to another.
Here's what I would do....for what it's worth

When you are at MGM, stay, do the fantasmic dinner package. If you really want to go to chef mickeys, do it for breakfast before going to mgm.

I think wed is emh at MK. you may want to switch that . Go to chef mickey's for breakfast, then over to mgm. do MK on thursday, with a CP res for 815., that way you'll have a few minutes for pix in front of the castle with no one else in the picture! we were able to finish by 910, just as MK was opening up. You need to check that for sure. I'd pick one or the other, either go for early entry or go for early breakfast .

You Don't want to waste going for an early breakfast at CP on an early entry day.

AK day will be long., be sure to see all the shows, and have a long lunch in the AC, Ohana's will be great...

good luck! I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

That's great you got your CRT reservation changed! I am in agreement that you are fine with your AK day/plan. I really agree that bouncing between MGM and Chef Mickey's is tricky. I think your 4 year old would absolutely love Chef Mickey's so maybe you can either do breakfast or an earlier dinner (which would mean skipping the Stars and Motorcars Parade). I think parades are great and I know that my kids (especially at that age) have always loved them. I know it is so hard to get the schedule set in a way that makes sense and still gets everything in! Good luck with your planning and have fun on your trip!

 

[sarahsmom3]

Is Chef Mickey's better (as far as food & characters) at breakfast or dinner? I am trying to decide whether to change to breakfast or eat dinner there Tuesday night when we arrive.

 

[sarahsmom3]

Tell me how this looks!!

Tuesday, Aug 30th (leaving for Disney)
Breakfast - on the road
Lunch - on the road
Dinner - Chef Mickey's 8pm (table service)

Wednesday, Aug 31st (Magic Kingdom)
Breakfast - Crystal Palace 8:05am (table service)
Lunch - Cindy's 1:30pm (table service)
Share A Dream Come True Parade - 3pm
Dinner - Cosmic Rays (counter service)
Fantasmic - 8:30pm

Thursday, Sept 1 (MGM)
Breakfast - in room
Lunch - ???? (counter service)
Stars & Motor Cars Parade - 5pm
Dinner - ???? (counter service)
Fantasmic 8:30pm

Friday, Sept 2 (Animal Kingdom)
Breakfast - in room
Lunch - ???? (counter service)
Mickeys Jammin' Jungle Parade - 4pm
Dinner - O'hanas 6:30pm (table service)

Well, do you think this works??? Can you give suggestions for the counter service meals?? DH does not care for hamburgers & hotdogs, so need suggestions for "real food".

 

[Mom2three]

You could try Pizza Planet. The pizza is not to bad and they have a decent salad. I liked the fact that there was lots of seating inside out of the sun. If you are looking for something sit down we really like the 50's Prime Time. It just takes more time there. As you have probably found everyone likes certain places we have always had good luck at these two, but, you will find people who haven't. Just remember the most important thing is to have a good time and enjoy the trip. We have been many times and still have not seen or done it all. That is the fun of planning the next trip. Have a great time and don't forget to rent a stroller it will be a life saver.

 

[LeesyUD]

I think Backlot Express is a good option for counter service at MGM. Aot of the counter service there seems to serve the same things. Did you look into doind the fantasmic dinner package? its a set price for each person but you get a full dinner and you don't have to be at fantasmic as early. Waiting for the motorcar parade and then waiting for fantasmic is alot. A sit down dinner in between would be a nice rest for you. I've done the Mama Melrose package and I thought it was great!

 

[sarahsmom3]

I think Backlot Express is a good option for counter service at MGM. Aot of the counter service there seems to serve the same things. Did you look into doind the fantasmic dinner package? its a set price for each person but you get a full dinner and you don't have to be at fantasmic as early. Waiting for the motorcar parade and then waiting for fantasmic is alot. A sit down dinner in between would be a nice rest for you. I've done the Mama Melrose package and I thought it was great!

Where can I find info on the Fantasmic pkgs???

 

[Jockaroo]

I hope you have a wonderful trip. You might want to visit http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm and view menus from the various restaurants. It could save your hubby from hot dog heck.

 

[blueangel]

Backlot express and the ABC Commissary are both counter service with something different - curries and wraps and such.

 

[paladin]

Here's info on the Fantasmic dinner package. http://www.allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm

Also, did I read it wrong or are you showing that you are going to Fantasmic two nights in a row? Is that correct? Or while in MK, do you mean Wishes?