Dinner Reservations before MNSSHP

[alex9179]

You'll love the ride from the Ferry, it's one of the best "free" things you can do, and very relaxing!! Just wanted you to know the timing. Is there a reason you want to go to Via Napoli on that night in particular? Will that be your only EPCOT day. Oh, also, there is face painting at EPCOT, if you're interested in something like that for your kids costumes.

Well, F&W is a priority for our other EPCOT day and I'm afraid my kids won't last a full day in the park in order to have dinner there, not to mention that the thought of eating a full meal after all of that snacking makes me feel ill! I'll play with it and work on my time management.

Thanks for your help!

 

[BriarRosie]

For those who don't think they should arrive to enter the party at 4pm, you might want to re-think that. Especially if you don't like mass hordes of people all trying to get through bag check and the turnstiles at the same time. From 6-7pm, it will be crazy crowded with people trying to enter the Magic Kingdom.

If you arrive at 4pm, you won't get the sea of humanity waiting to enter the park. Last time I did the party, I didn't go for a full service meal. I entered the park early and chose a counter service place. For the prices they are charging for the party tickets, you should maximize the amount of time you are getting from your park ticket. You can even save a day's use from your multiday park ticket if you don't enter any other park that day and use the party ticket to get in.

I think those who have ADRs 6pm or later are doing themselves a disservice, since time is money when it comes to the party. You never know if the restaurant is falling behind on ADRs. Earlier dining around 4-5pm would be better, if you can get it. But I think saving yourself the hassle by eating a counter service dinner might be the way to go.

 

[Wendy31]

Last year, we had a 5:10 ADR at the Plaza. I think we got to the MK sometime between 4:00 & 4:30ish & checked in early for our ADR.

I felt stressed the entire time we were eating dinner - the service was incredibly slow - we skipped dessert. (It was our 1st party &, from reading different reviews & tips, I knew we needed to get in line early for the 7 Dwarfs.)

We left the Plaza just in time for the last "Move It! Shake It!" Parade - which was perfect. We were in "The Incredibles" costumes, & we got to dance w/ Mr. Incredible & Frozone!

After the parade, we headed to the 7 Dwarfs & stood in line until 7:00 pm - at 6:15 pm, we were about the 5th family in line.

Because we didn't enjoy our dinner ADR at all & hurried through dinner & were really just wanting to go have fun in the park, this year I am not making a ADR for dinner & just planning counter-service - hopefully, Columbia Harbor House (but I don't know how late they stay open).

 

[blackdogg]

I did a reservation for CRT at 5.30... I didn't think that would be too early and was thinking that would be right on. Any thoughts there??? Now I'm a little concerned I should have made it earlier

 

[carrie6466]

Last time we went to MNSSHP it was on a Friday night and it was Halloween. We had a 5:00 pm ADR at Chef Mickey, got seated on time and were out of there by about 6:15. We changed in the bathroom at the restaurant and still made it into MK before the party started.

We have ADR's at Tony's at 5:00 this time and will be spending the day at MK from about mid-morning on. We'll either not dress up and just put dd's costume in backpack or locker, or all dress up and rent a locker for the day and change in the bathroom or something. I'm kind of leaning towards not dressing up this time, myself I don't have a real plan yet other than dinner.

 

[adamki]

We went last year on October 10th and had a 5:15 ADR at Sanaa at AKV.

We had time to eat, go back to Jambo to turn our 4 year-old into Batman and drive over to the MK parking lot (the busses to/from AKL were not running soothly for whatever reason).

Made it to the party before 7:00, the entry was crowded, but not crazy and Batman had a blast. Fireworks were @ 8:30 that night. Batman fell asleep on Dumbo at 9:02 (just checked the photo!), wife and I got to roam the park with a sleeping child for a while before we all headed back to bed.

It really depends on how early you want to arrive and how late you plan on staying.

 

[krismusc313]

I'm confused as well. No idea what to do. I was thinking a 430 or 5 oclock dinner at a resort near MK. Now Im not so sure. The only problem is none of the restaurants in MK interest us & its our last night so I kind of wanted a nice dinner. Ugh! Decisions Decisions!

 

[alex9179]

I'm confused as well. No idea what to do. I was thinking a 430 or 5 oclock dinner at a resort near MK. Now Im not so sure. The only problem is none of the restaurants in MK interest us & its our last night so I kind of wanted a nice dinner. Ugh! Decisions Decisions!

It is difficult to figure out when you haven't done it before! Do any of the restaurants at the Contemporary look good to you? It sounds like anything with direct transportation would be an OK alternative to dining in the park so you have CR, Poly, GF and WL as options to the park.

One thing to keep on the back burner is the opening of Be Our Guest. There is a chance it might be taking ADRs when you go. You could make plans for one place then cancel them if BOG is open. Although, you have NO idea if the food will be good

 

[smitch425]

Just wanted to give everyone something else to think about when making your dining reservations...

Make sure that you allow yourself extra time before the party for any M&Gs with characters that you want to get your photo with that won't be available during party hours. This is especially important if any of your costumes or your children's costumes are related to the daytime characters. Last year, we went as Toy Story characters so we knew we had to get Woody, Jessie and Buzz before they were gone for the day. As it turned out, we got a special task given to us by Woody and Jessie, and it made for an extra magical night! So keep this info in mind when planning so you don't miss out on something special before the party starts, and you lose your chance to see someone you wanted to see.

(and if anyone is curious as to what Woody had us do, you can read about it here... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2835007 )

 

[Kelli Pooh]

I'm confused as well. No idea what to do. I was thinking a 430 or 5 oclock dinner at a resort near MK. Now Im not so sure. The only problem is none of the restaurants in MK interest us & its our last night so I kind of wanted a nice dinner. Ugh! Decisions Decisions!

Think about Ohana(sometimes takes awhile so get 4pm adr's). We love it and it would make me happy as a last night restaurant.