Garden Grill & CP

[disneyw/kids]

I have Garden Grill for 5:40 and the Candlelight Processional at 8:15 pm. Do you think 5:40 is okay, I saw that others have dinner around 5:00, I don't want to run late.

 

[goofy4tink]

Shouldn't be a big problem. Just be sure to move your little tootsies on over to the American Theater area. Don't dwaddle. We did and almost didn't get decent seats!!! You may have to wait in the line for a bit. Figure, if you get seated at 5:45, it takes you about 45-60 minutes to eat (we took about 40), then it takes about 15 minutes to do the 'hike' over, you should be ready to hop in the line at about 7:15-7:20. We got there around 7:35 and were waaaay back in the line.

 

[disneyw/kids]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Shouldn't be a big problem. Just be sure to move your little tootsies on over to the American Theater area. Don't dwaddle. We did and almost didn't get decent seats!!! You may have to wait in the line for a bit. Figure, if you get seated at 5:45, it takes you about 45-60 minutes to eat (we took about 40), then it takes about 15 minutes to do the 'hike' over, you should be ready to hop in the line at about 7:15-7:20. We got there around 7:35 and were waaaay back in the line.

Do you know what time they release the seats to those who don't have packages?

 

[erikthewise]

They release the seats to all comers 15 minutes before showtime.

Although the line is intimidating, they do NOT sell more CP packages than the number of reserved seats! So if you have the dinner package and are there at least 30 minutes before show time, you'll be fine. Just make sure you get in the line to the left of the theatre (as you face the lagoon) -- that's the line for package seating.

From Garden Grill, I would suggest leaving the restaurant at least 50 minutes before showtime. An hour would be a good idea.

 

[toystorymom]

I was wondering about this same thing. We have the 8:15 CP with Garden Grill at 5:30. I think as long as we are seated close to our PS times we will be fine. As the last poster suggested, even if we try to leave GG by 7:15, that still gives us over an hour and a half for dinner. I would guess that's plenty of time.

Also (and since I've never done this before I'm completely speculating here ) I think we have good times for dinner. I think many people will be heading out for the 6:45 show and those coming after the 5:00 show won't arrive until after.

The other choice I was offered when I was booking was a 5:00 at the Garden Grill for the 6:45 show. That seemed like it was cutting it to close for me, so I took the later package. Hope I made the right choice?

Disney w/kids, what night are you going?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by toystorymom
...(snip)....The other choice I was offered when I was booking was a 5:00 at the Garden Grill for the 6:45 show. That seemed like it was cutting it to close for me, so I took the later package. Hope I made the right choice?......

I think you made the right choice. We wanted the 6:45 pm show and so had to rule out Garden Grill for the dinner portion - IMHO, GG just doesn't open early enough to eat and get to the theater in time.

Best wishes -

 

[disneyw/kids]

Originally posted by toystorymom
I was wondering about this same thing. We have the 8:15 CP with Garden Grill at 5:30.
Disney w/kids, what night are you going?

We are going Dec. 9th, how bout you.

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by toystorymom
The other choice I was offered when I was booking was a 5:00 at the Garden Grill for the 6:45 show. That seemed like it was cutting it to close for me, so I took the later package. Hope I made the right choice?

CarolMN is right. That's cutting it much too close. In 2002 we had a 4:30 PS at Garden Grill for the CP package. We are not particularly slow eaters, and service was not slow. As it turned out we reached World Showcase Plaza at 5:55, when the Christmas Tree Lighting was scheduled. DW wanted to stop and watch, but I insisted we keep moving.

Unless you rushed dinner, you might find yourself entering Showcase Plaza at 6:25, leaving no chance of reaching the Amphitheatre before your reserved seating is opened to the public at 6:30.

Last year when I called I was not able to get a 4:30 PS at Garden Grill. In fact they wouldn't give me a prior PS at Garden Grill at all for the 6:45 show. It seems they have stopped opening Garden Grill early for CP packages as they did in 2002.

 

[toystorymom]

Ok, glad I made the right choice. This is our first time at Disney for Christmas and I am more or less planning the whole thing. I am really looking forward to the CP, it sounds amazing!

We'll be going on Christmas Day. Those of you with earlier trips, I look forward to hearing your reports!!