Help! Getting nervous about schedule!

[disneymom2twins]

On October 2nd, we have tickets for MNSSHP. I also have a dinner reservation at Japan in Epcot at 5:00. We were thinking of eating dinner, then just jumping on the monorail. I am assuming dinner will be done by 6:30, getting to MK around 6:45 or so. We are not dressing the my twin 1yros DD in costumes, I have halloween pajamas for them, so I figured if they fall asleep, I don't have to change them when we get back to the hotel.

Now I am reading that getting to the party around/after 7 is a nightmare? There are no other dinner reservations to be had from ADRs. Do you think I can do this, or should I try to change everything?

 

[disneymom2twins]

Shameless Bump!!

 

[ImagineEar]

Okay - here is my 2 cents...

Done with dinner by 6:30 and at MK by 6:45???? I think you need to reexamine that thought. Japan is a 15 min. walk from the monorail at best - and a double stroller and dinnertime WS crowds will only add to that.

So at best you are at the monorail platform at :6:45 - wait time, then on the Monorail by 7:00 - at the MK stop by 7:15 and not into the park until after 7:30 after waiting to get in. Yes it is a bit of a nightmare arriving around 7 because the masses think that is the earliest time they will be allowed in. ( you can arrive as early at 4 and pick up your wristband and be allowed in.) And once you're in Main Street will already be clogged with people holding spots for the first parade.

You have many options...
Why not try to book a late TS for Lunch? Say 4:30. Then have a leisurely meal, and take your time getting over to the MK? Most of the counter service places will be open during the party and you and DH can use your CS meal for a a little later if you wish?

Another option is to try and eat somewhere closer to the MK before the party. Like WCC at WL or Chef Mickeys / Concourse steak house in the CR. But I would still aim for a late lunch ADR.

OR - just eat counter service that night after you arrive at the MK and use your extra TS to either have a TS breakfast or upgrade one night to a 2TS credit restaurant as a treat.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

On October 2nd, we have tickets for MNSSHP. I also have a dinner reservation at Japan in Epcot at 5:00. We were thinking of eating dinner, then just jumping on the monorail. I am assuming dinner will be done by 6:30, getting to MK around 6:45 or so. We are not dressing the my twin 1yros DD in costumes, I have halloween pajamas for them, so I figured if they fall asleep, I don't have to change them when we get back to the hotel.

Now I am reading that getting to the party around/after 7 is a nightmare? There are no other dinner reservations to be had from ADRs. Do you think I can do this, or should I try to change everything?

Japan is deep within Epcot. It's near the very back. It's a very long walk to the mono from there. With the stroller, that's going to be 20 minutes. Plus you then have to wait for the mono, then have to transfer at the TTC. Dinner may not even be done by 6:30. It most likely will be but may not.

I would change that ressie.

 

[sugarpie]

It really doesn't sound like that plan will work well. I always figure 2 hours for a table service meal - it could be shorter or longer, but you never know. And I can't imagine making it from Japan to MK in 15 minutes. I'd stay on the safe side and change my plans if I were you.

You don't want to miss any of the party, and getting a good spot for the parade is important so the kids can see. We ended up holding our 2 year old on our shoulders during the whole thing last year. Have a great time!

 

[CharmedLife]

Another vote for changing your ressie. We ate at LTT last year at the beginning of the party (we did arrive at the park at 4:30 and were let in early with just our party passes, although since you already plan to be at Epcot, anyway, it won't matter for you if you have a park hopper). While it was nice, we both agreed that if we ever did a party again, we would eat CS at the party instead of a sit-down - we felt like we wasted too much time in what already felt like a short night.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested changing your sit-down meal to lunch somewhere, then get to the party early (anytime after 4, at least in past years) and have fun. Grab some CS food when you get hungry.

 

[DisneyOct05]

Not to pile on here, but I would recommend eating before you even get to MK. Leave as much time as possible for just walking around and taking everything in. I like the idea of a late lunch somewhere and then trying to get into MNSSHP as early as possible, especially with young kids. Regardless, it's so much fun, a nice dinner will be the last thing on your mind.

 

[disneymom2twins]

Thanks everyone - I changed my reservation to lunch at 1:15 at Japan. This way I can have a big lunch and get the girls to take a late nap so they can enjoy some of the Halloween Party. We can use the counter service meal for dinner that night.

One other quick question - does Disney Boardwalk have buses to other hotels? I was wondering maybe leaving Japan and exiting EPCOT through the boardwalk to go back to POR. Or, should I just stick with the monorail?

 

[ImagineEar]

The Disney Transportation system does not run from hotel to hotel. If you want to exit through International Gateway to enjoy the Boardwalk area you could always call a cab at Bell Services there to take you back to your hotel. We've done this on occasion. It should only cost about $12 - $15.
Or take the launch from BW to MGM and transfer to the bus back to POR from there.

Check out this link - it will tell you how to get to and from anything using Disney transportation.
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp?action=rts

 

[disneymom2twins]

Such a great link - thank you so much!!

 

[ImagineEar]

One other thing to be aware of: The busses / monorail / launches only service a particular park 1 hour after it closes. So if you plan to use a park for a transfer be sure the Transportaion will still be running. We've learned the hard way - by getting stuck.

Example: You go to Animal Kingdom for dinner and need to get back to POR.
Its now 9:30pm and AK closed at 5pm. You'll be sitting at AKL waiting for the AK bus a long time, because it's not coming. In this case, you could always catch the DTD (which is open late) bus and transfer to the POR bus from there - but a cab would be much less hassle, not to mention much quicker.