Dinner before HEA dessert party?

[Pdollar88]

Hi all,

I managed to snag the character dinner at Artist Point in January for 5:20. I then decided I'd like to experience the Plaza Garden viewing dessert party at HEA that night, rather than fighting the crowds once again.

Is it a mistake to eat dinner immediately before a dessert party? I hadn't planned on eating an inordinate number of desserts, as I'm mostly paying for the experience and the view, but I would like to sample some of them. It looks like the dessert party begins at 6:30, with HEA beginning at 8.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are doing dinner at BOG at 4:15 before our 7:30 dessert party (HEA at 9 pm). We got the dessert party for the view and a space to sit without a million people cramping my space.

You may be cutting it just a bit close when you include transportation.

 

[Pdollar88]

We are doing dinner at BOG at 4:15 before our 7:30 dessert party (HEA at 9 pm). We got the dessert party for the view and a space to sit without a million people cramping my space.

You may be cutting it just a bit close when you include transportation.

I was also worried a bit about transportation times. I am going to stalk the reservation times and see if I can't bump it up to 5.

Do you have to check in right at 6:30? I had planned on getting there around 7 and checking in, grabbing a bite or two, and then heading to the plaza area.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Timing may be your biggest issue.
Figure seated by 5:30
No idea how long dinner will be with new character meal, at least an hour so let’s say finish dinner by 6:30
If no long wait to pay you leave ap around 6:30
Head to the boats. If lucky, no wait. Not lucky 20 minute wait
Make it to mk around 7ish
Get through security
Make it to dessert party at 7:30

Do not underestimate travel time!

Wherever you decide to eat, I personally would plan on being done with eating around 5 or so.

 

[Pdollar88]

Timing may be your biggest issue.
Figure seated by 5:30
No idea how long dinner will be with new character meal, at least an hour so let’s say finish dinner by 6:30
If no long wait to pay you leave ap around 6:30
Head to the boats. If lucky, no wait. Not lucky 20 minute wait
Make it to mk around 7ish
Get through security
Make it to dessert party at 7:30

Do not underestimate travel time!

Wherever you decide to eat, I personally would plan on being done with eating around 5 or so.

Thank you for your advice! I hate to give up the character meal. The menu sounds quite lovely.

I might just try to find a spot for HEA again, sans dessert party.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you do decide to try to do it all, which of course we all want lol, there are a few things you can do to try to expedite the timing

Show up early. Be there a little before 5
Once the menus are out, decide what you want before you arrive so you can order immediately
Are you prepared to miss a character for timing?
Let your server know your timing
Ask for your check when dinner arrives
Cash is king. If you pay cash you can leave when you are ready.
If not, have your payment method ready and give to server ASAP

Those tips could save you 30 minutes maybe. Tough call

 

[Pdollar88]

If you do decide to try to do it all, which of course we all want lol, there are a few things you can do to try to expedite the timing

Show up early. Be there a little before 5
Once the menus are out, decide what you want before you arrive so you can order immediately
Are you prepared to miss a character for timing?
Let your server know your timing
Ask for your check when dinner arrives
Cash is king. If you pay cash you can leave when you are ready.
If not, have your payment method ready and give to server ASAP

Those tips could save you 30 minutes maybe. Tough call

Those are awesome tips, thank you! I'll debate a while longer - I'll keep everything booked as is and have an inner struggle for a month or two.

I am willing to miss a character for timing. I'm most interested in the Queen, of course, and would be less than thrilled if she was the one I was going to miss.
I will definitely stalk the menu, though, as I usually have my entire trip's dining selections picked out months in advance.

 

[Elle23]

We are doing CRT at 5:30 before the dessert party.

We did end up switching to the after fireworks party just to give us some more time. So that may be an option to consider.

 

[Lisa F]

I did 'Ohana first seating before the christmas party last year and it was 2 hours from ADR time to being inside the park past security, and there weren't even any characters involved nor was there a wait for the table since we were first seating. Food came quickly, it was about as efficient a MK resort TS meal as you could have had. I would not plan on being in the park any earlier than 7:20 with a 5:20 ADR.

I think the dessert party is a waste in this case. Maybe you could try for the after party instead, that would space your dessert out a bit and although reports are mixed, if you arrive by 7:20 you should be able to get a good viewing spot.

 

[Pdollar88]

We are doing CRT at 5:30 before the dessert party.

We did end up switching to the after fireworks party just to give us some more time. So that may be an option to consider.

I had missed that they were doing an after fireworks party! That sounds like it'll give me the best of both worlds, and I won't have to worry about getting back quite as quickly. I'm going to switch the after fireworks option.

Hopefully I can still make it to MK by 7:20-7:30 to get a spot in the viewing area. It's my understanding that you still get Plaza Garden viewing?

 

[Elle23]

I had missed that they were doing an after fireworks party! That sounds like it'll give me the best of both worlds, and I won't have to worry about getting back quite as quickly. I'm going to switch the after fireworks option.

Hopefully I can still make it to MK by 7:20-7:30 to get a spot in the viewing area. It's my understanding that you still get Plaza Garden viewing?

Yes! It’s exaxtly the same, just after the fireworks instead of before. The before and after parties have the same viewing spot.