Dinner vs. Park time

[DynamicDisney]

11 days until my FL arrival, and 12 days until POFQ check in! I had originally made reservations for dinner at Ohana for my first full day - this would allow me to use my dining plan. Now I am wondering if I should go the first night I get in to FL, as I do not have park tix, and that way I do not eat up (no pun intended) park time on Tues. I have a 9:35p reservation, and MK is open until 11p that night. Thoughts on using the dining plan for the cost vs. not losing park time? I am solo, and want to maximize park time, but also do not want to spend a bunch of extra meal money. Am I crazy for considering the additional cost to buy the meal out of pocket the night before check in for 2 more hours of park time? I have 3 day PH's, if that influences your suggestions. Thank you!!

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

I wouldn't change it. After dinner you can watch the Water pageant and Wishes from the beach at the Poly. I would bring your resort mug and grab a beverage on your way to the beach. Your close enough to MK that you could get back into the park rather quickly if you don't linger at dinner.

 

[sharonabe]

I wouldn't change it. After dinner you can watch the Water pageant and Wishes from the beach at the Poly. I would bring your resort mug and grab a beverage on your way to the beach. Your close enough to MK that you could get back into the park rather quickly if you don't linger at dinner.

I'm sorry, but none of this will work. OP's ADR is at 9:35 p.m. Wishes is at 8:00 and I'm pretty sure the pageant runs well before that time as well. AND I highly doubt they will be finished with dinner in time to get back to MK before the 11:00 closing, and even if they did, they wouldn't have time to do anything.

OP, Ohana is $40.46 plus your tip. So you're really the only one who can decide if those 2 hours of park time are worth that. It wouldn't be to me, but everyone's different.

 

[DynamicDisney]

I'm sorry, but none of this will work. OP's ADR is at 9:35 p.m. Wishes is at 8:00 and I'm pretty sure the pageant runs well before that time as well. AND I highly doubt they will be finished with dinner in time to get back to MK before the 11:00 closing, and even if they did, they wouldn't have time to do anything. OP, Ohana is $40.46 plus your tip. So you're really the only one who can decide if those 2 hours of park time are worth that. It wouldn't be to me, but everyone's different.

Thanks for the input. Yes, that is quite the price tag to get the 2 hours more in the park. I think I will stick with the original pla!

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm sorry, but none of this will work. OP's ADR is at 9:35 p.m. Wishes is at 8:00 and I'm pretty sure the pageant runs well before that time as well. AND I highly doubt they will be finished with dinner in time to get back to MK before the 11:00 closing, and even if they did, they wouldn't have time to do anything.

Wishes being at 8 pm really gives you quite a few options.

If you want to watch Wishes from inside Magic Kingdom, just head over to Polynesian after. You should be able to catch the water pageant at 9 pm from the Polynesian beach past the volcano pool.

If you would prefer to view Wishes from outside the park, leave about 7:15 and head to the Contemporary. Go to the California Grill check in desk on the 4th floor and ask if you can go to the Calie Grill bar/lounge area for a drink. Grab a nice glass of wine and watch Wishes from the observation deck. After it is over you will have plenty of time to catch the monorail over to Poly, grab a drink from the Tambu Lounge then head out to the beach for the end of whatever movie they are playing on the beach and wait for the water pageant (there really is no bad place to be to see it). Then, after the water pageant head up to Ohana check in for your ADR.

If park time if your premium, just be walking out of MK by 9 pm and you will be just fine.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I would bring your resort mug and grab a beverage on your way to the beach - See more at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3229120#sthash.0ozCR5fQ.dpuf

Unless you are a Polynesian resort guest and have purchased a rapid mug for that trip, this won't work.

 

[DynamicDisney]

Wishes being at 8 pm really gives you quite a few options. If you want to watch Wishes from inside Magic Kingdom, just head over to Polynesian after. You should be able to catch the water pageant at 9 pm from the Polynesian beach past the volcano pool. If you would prefer to view Wishes from outside the park, leave about 7:15 and head to the Contemporary. Go to the California Grill check in desk on the 4th floor and ask if you can go to the Calie Grill bar/lounge area for a drink. Grab a nice glass of wine and watch Wishes from the observation deck. After it is over you will have plenty of time to catch the monorail over to Poly, grab a drink from the Tambu Lounge then head out to the beach for the end of whatever movie they are playing on the beach and wait for the water pageant (there really is no bad place to be to see it). Then, after the water pageant head up to Ohana check in for your ADR. If park time if your premium, just be walking out of MK by 9 pm and you will be just fine.

Some great suggestions! I like the idea of the water pageant after watching Wishes from inside MK!

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

Unless you are a Polynesian resort guest and have purchased a rapid mug for that trip, this won't work.

A mug comes with the dining plan and can be used at any resort now.

 

[jensen]

Unless you are a Polynesian resort guest and have purchased a rapid mug for that trip, this won't work.

A mug comes with the dining plan and can be used at any resort now.

We ate at multiple resort food courts and our rapidfill mugs worked at all of them... not just our own.