Downtown before MNSSHP

[mrd7896]

Next week we are starting our day at Epcot and then have MNSSHP tix. At first we were going to buffer in about a three hour break for a resort nap in the afternoon, but this is an extended weekend trip and DH thinks a nap will 'waste time'
We don't believe we will need/want to stay at Epcot until about 5 ish, and we don't think we need to get to MK early (with our hopper tickets) or at the 4 PM start time. We are shooting to stay at Epcot until potentially 2:30/3 and then heading to MK within the 5oclock hour for the party.
So instead of going back to our room at coronado for two or three hours, what would you do with that time?

At first i thought Disney Springs but I'm not looking to hop to another park necessarily or walk around more, since we will be out until midnight at the party.
Then i thought of resort hopping, is there a great casual non-reservation restaurant that you like to hit or has some fun items or underrated?
Maybe we head to Poly for some boozy dole whips and hang out there for a while?

I don't remember the last time we spent Disney time NOT at a park, that isn't our touring style so this is all new for us!

WWYD?

 

[dizneegirl]

I don't know... I'd have an early dinner at the food booths at Epcot before the party, personally.

If you just want a way to waste time, maybe take a round trip on the Skyliner from Epcot to a resort/DHS, and then back, then head to the front to go to MK? It'd be down time, but you'd still be doing something...

 

[Her Dotness]

Although it's a bit off the beaten path, I'd hop the boat from MK to WL and kill time at Geyser Point--the open-air lounge. It's an easy walk from the boat dock, no need to go into the main lodge.

Great sandwiches and snacky stuff, such cushy lounge chairs you could nod off for a bit.

And another relaxing boat ride gets you back to MK when you're ready to party with Mickey.

Gasparilla Island Grill at the GF is also easy to get to without going into the building. Just take a hard right around the right side from the main entrance. It has an outdoor entrance with tables on the terrace.

Terrific sandwiches here, too. The chicken and brie is fantastic, weird though the description sounds.

If you get bored there, several lovely shops. I actually prefer the Basin White to the Basin shop in DS. It has some GF-only scents in bath products and excellent shampoo and conditioner bars. DH and I use those year-round but especially for travel.

From the GF, it's only about a 10 minute monorail ride to MK. Or there's the boat, too.

 

[Marthasor]

I would head to Poly and do a monorail crawl - you could even try to get into Trader Sam’s. Lots of good QS at Poly and GF. Either monorail to MK or finish the crawl at CR and walk from there. WL is lovely too. You could bus there and then boat to MK.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Next week we are starting our day at Epcot and then have MNSSHP tix. At first we were going to buffer in about a three hour break for a resort nap in the afternoon, but this is an extended weekend trip and DH thinks a nap will 'waste time'
We don't believe we will need/want to stay at Epcot until about 5 ish, and we don't think we need to get to MK early (with our hopper tickets) or at the 4 PM start time. We are shooting to stay at Epcot until potentially 2:30/3 and then heading to MK within the 5oclock hour for the party.
So instead of going back to our room at coronado for two or three hours, what would you do with that time?

At first i thought Disney Springs but I'm not looking to hop to another park necessarily or walk around more, since we will be out until midnight at the party.
Then i thought of resort hopping, is there a great casual non-reservation restaurant that you like to hit or has some fun items or underrated?
Maybe we head to Poly for some boozy dole whips and hang out there for a while?

I don't remember the last time we spent Disney time NOT at a park, that isn't our touring style so this is all new for us!

WWYD?

I agree, for such a short trip, I'd bypass going back to CSR. I think you have a ton of options. You could stay at Epcot and enjoy the food booths some more or hit rose and crown for a nice outdoor meal, or a number of other options too like Via Napoli, Spice Road Table, the list goes on. You can hit the boardwalk area and pick from a number of good options, the Ale & Compass lounge at YC has some nice drinks a good menu for being pretty limited or you could eat at Ale & Compass in the main dining area. You could do Poly and do a little monorail crawl and get some food there at Kona Island or even the QS. I like the Grand Floridian cafe as that's pretty casual and has some nice options too.

 

[mrd7896]

since we have another evening at Epcot during our trip we aren't too concerned about hitting all of our F&W list in one go. Which is why we probably will cut out of there early afternoon.

I think we are leaning towards Poly--mainly because i don't think we've ever walked around that resort, and to grab a bite or some drinks.
We LOVE Grand Floridian Cafe and if a ressie was available for our preferred time we would totally do that.

There are so many disney resorts that are wonderful for some down time and we can't decide!!!