Dining Before Epcot Party

[bbkangs]

My girlfriend and I are going to the DIS 20th Anniversary Party at Epcot on June 1st! We are so excited! We are supposed to be at the gates at 9:30 but I have a reservation at 'Ohana for 8:25.

Will we have time to eat and get there in time?
Would it really be an issue if we came a little late? (Like 9:45)
Should I park at Epcot and just use the monorail system or just drive from the Poly to Epcot?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My girlfriend and I are going to the DIS 20th Anniversary Party at Epcot on June 1st! We are so excited! We are supposed to be at the gates at 9:30 but I have a reservation at 'Ohana for 8:25.

Will we have time to eat and get there in time?
Would it really be an issue if we came a little late? (Like 9:45)
Should I park at Epcot and just use the monorail system or just drive from the Poly to Epcot?

Ohana is notorious for running late. I'd keep an eye out for an earlier ADR. If you were seated right at 8:25, you might be able to make it to the gates by 9:45. But there's a better than average chance you won't be seated on time. Personally, I'd choose to drive from the Poly to Epcot rather than use the monorail.

 

[Figmentmommy]

My girlfriend and I are going to the DIS 20th Anniversary Party at Epcot on June 1st! We are so excited! We are supposed to be at the gates at 9:30 but I have a reservation at 'Ohana for 8:25.

Will we have time to eat and get there in time?
Would it really be an issue if we came a little late? (Like 9:45)
Should I park at Epcot and just use the monorail system or just drive from the Poly to Epcot?

Not sure about the consequences of arriving late to the DIS party - but I do know that 'Ohana is not a meal I would want to rush through. Even if you are seated on time that's is pretty tight. I wound think that watching the clock to make it to your next stop would result in a less than enjoyable meal. If you have flexibility in your pre meal schedule I would suggest trying to get an earlier ADR for 'Ohana.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree. 'OHana usually runs anywhere from 15 - 45 or more minutes late seating guests.
None of us knows what the consequence of arriving to the party 15 minutes late might be. You need to ask that of the DIS Party organizers.
I would not keep the 'OHana reservation.
Can you get a dinner ADR in Epcot?

 

[Cinderella94]

I agree too. With an 8:20 ADR I would plan to be seated around 8:40, and leaving the restaurant around 9:50 really. We love Ohana and wouldn't want to rush.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Honest opinion - you won't make it. I don't know how the party will be run, but I have been to other private events at WDW where you really need to be at the appointed place at the appointed time to check-in and get into the event. You may want to contact the organizers of the DIS party to see if you have any leeway. Otherwise, I would reconsider your O'hana reservation. It will take at least an hour to eat at O'hana and then figure at least 30 - 45 minutes to get to EP and go through security. There are so many great places to eat in EP and at the EP resorts. Maybe consider eating somewhere around there?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Ohana's almost always runs late and is a long duration meal...I would cancel the res and look for anything there 6:30pm or earlier if you want to ensure that you enjoy the meal and get to the party on time...