Help with ADR for 1st night at MK

[Bettie]

First I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone here who is so helpful! I've been to WDW once 30+ years ago, before Epcot even opened! -- so this trip is pretty much like my very first time since I don't remember much, and everything has changed anyway!! This is my first time posting, but I have learned SO much. So thank you!

We are going to WDW with our 6yo twin daughters in April (the dreaded week before Easter...thank you spring break gods). We will arrive in the afternoon on Sunday the 17th and would like to do a character dinner and then fireworks at MK for their first night.

Wishes is at 10pm that night. The available ADR times right now are:

Grand Floridian (Cinderella dinner) @ 7:40pm
Crystal Palace @ 8:20pm
Chef Mickey's @ 8:50pm

Do any of those seem feasible to make it to find a place for the fireworks? I am assuming Chef Mickey's is definitely out. I also think CP would probably be OK, but I think for the girls my preference for 1st meal would be either princess Mickey since that is what they think of when they think Disney. Definitely want to go to CP as they do love all the Pooh characters, but I feel like for the 1st meal that would be less "Disney" for them.

So does Grand Floridian @ 7:40 and heading to MK for fireworks afterward seem possible? And what would be the best way to get to MK at that time? The only earlier reservation is sooo early, at like 4:45, which I don't think will be feasible with our travel schedule.

 

[Wendy31]

Have you thought about doing CRT on your 1st night instead? This way, you'll already be in the MK. Plus, it's a princess meal in the castle - a wonderful "first night" experience for your girls!

Otherwise, I'd probably go w/ 1900 Park Fare... it's in the Grand Floridian, a very lovely resort! Plus, you'll see Cinderella & Prince Charming.

You might try checking in a little early & seeing if they can seat you early. Regardless, w/ an ADR time of 7:40 pm, I'd plan for at least an hour (possibly more - depending on how crowded the restaurant is).

If you're out by 9:00 am, that should give you plenty of time to get into the MK before the fireworks at 10:00 pm.

From the Grand Floridian, just get on the monorail & get off at the MK.

The MK will be crowded, but you should still be able to get a good viewing spot!

(And try Chef Mickey's for breakfast at some other point during your stay!)

 

[Bettie]

So far I have not been able to get an ADR for CRT or that would be our first choice! I have been checking regularly, so that is definitely still on the table, no pun intended!

 

[o2bnoz]

You are going to have a blast! So much fun to be going for the 'first' time!

I also would vote for CRT for that first day, but if not that day, maybe for your last?

If you don't get to the park until the afternoon, your children may not want to do a long dinner. Maybe you'd be better off to do something a bit quicker, since they will undoubtedly be very eager to see everything! Just a thought... There are plenty of places that would be suitable, and then you could save those character meals for breakfasts and maybe Askershus at Epcot. Although, as the previous poster said, 1900 Park Fare would be great!

Don't stress about getting the perfect reservation. You'll all be so excited to be there! And remember to leave a bit of time in there in case your travel plans are a bit delayed (don't know if you're flying or driving). If you're getting there early afternoon, then you might still want to do a big sit down dinner.. but if it's late afternoon, I'd skip it and just do the fun stuff at MK!

Enjoy yourselves!

 

[Quin]

I agree that of those choices, 1900 PF is the best. The girls get Cinderella & her Prince, and you get the Steps (VERY funny interactions with the guests; they really stay in character).

But could I make some other suggestions? You are talking about a large and late dinner followed by a pretty late night for 6 year olds; that is going to make an early morning the next day mighty difficult, especially if they are tired from the travel day. You are also talking about using a full day's park admission on no more than 1 hour in the park for that first night.

If the late dinner time is not a barrier, how about taking that late Chef Mickey ressie, then just going back to the hotel to bed so you'll all be fresh in the morning to start your first full day? If the lateness of the dinner is a barrier, how about some other classic-Disney type experience that would not include a park admission? I'm thinking of Mickey's BBQ over at the Ft. Wilderness campground. And several of the Disney resorts also offer outdoors Disney movies at night, out by the pool. Or the Luau at the Poly?

If the MK fireworks the first night are a must, I'd skip the TS dinner. If you're on the dining plan, use the extra credit another day for a TS breakfast buffet as well as a TS dinner someplace. Once you've settled in to your hotel, go straight to MK and let them spend some time there. Explore the Castle area. Ride the Carousel. Get a good spot for the parade. For food, grab a hot dog from Casey's to eat as you walk. Later, have big ice cream cones for the parade. Pick out fancy pastries from the Bakery to take back to the room for breakfast in the morning. Lots of little "special treats" rather than the one big dinner.

 

[haPevraftr]

You have gotten some great ideas from others here. I am going to throw a totally different one at you. You didn't mention where you were staying. Assuming that it is a great resort with a fun pool, you could get checked in and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the pool, and then (if you have a car) drive to the GF for your 7:40 ressie. The Cinderella dinner at GF is our favorite character dinner! Your girls will feel very "Disney-fied" being there. The stepsisters are a hoot! You can then relax through dinner and watch the Wishes Fireworks from the beach at GF. Shortly prior to that, you can also catch a sighting of the Electrical Water Pageant as it goes by. Then head back to the resort for a good night's sleep, ready to hit rope drop for a park the next morning. Since you mentioned that you haven't been there recently, let me suggest that the best way to avoid the major crowds during Easter Week is to be at the park at rope drop. You will get more done in the hours before lunch then others strolling in later will get done all day. It's a great way to make the Easter madness manageable. We did it two years ago and it was a great week, despite the busy timing!