Hopping just to see Star Wars fireworks- worth it?

[frannn]

We have park hoppers but don't like to jump around too much. Our days and meals were planned 180+ days ago but Disney decided to make things interesting by making HS fireworks at 8:45 in August/Sept. I currently have FDP for our first night at HS and Cape May at 8pm for our second. There's no earlier ADR's for CM for that night, so in order to be able to see the SW fireworks but still eat at the same restaurants we will have to do the following:

Spend the day as planned at MK, leave MK after last FP at around 3:30/4pm
Bus back to resort for 1 hour shower/break
Either drive or bus to CM for 6:30 dinner
Either drive or boat to HS for not so great spot for SW fireworks plus late night EMH

We will also have to hop the next day from HS to MK for the dinner we were supposed to have at Skipper's Canteen the night before, just too late to see MSEP (but we've seen it before). So, just sound like too much, or just a regular do-able day at Disney? Advice?

 

[Snurk71]

To answer the general question of whether it's worth it to park hop, if you're any kind of SW fan - yes, it is.

Given your 6.30 ADR, I'd be a little worried about making it in time. Get Seated a little after 7,take an hour or so to eat if you want to see all the characters, and I don't think you're at high risk of not making it in time.

Forgot to mention, we were scheduled tight at O'hana July 3rd fir the MK fireworks. We had a 7.00 ADR and thought we'd go early and check in at 6.30. Well, I think disney has changed their system over the years and we didn't even hit the seating queue until our time (we saw people check in after us get Seated before us). So trying to go early may not improve your time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

The SW fireworks were the reason we bought park hoppers for our trip last month, but I agree with the above poster, I don't think you have enough time with a 6:30 ADR. Chef Mickey's is always packed, and I wouldn't count on being seated on time. You will definitely want to drive from the Contemporary instead of using the bus.

 

[frannn]

I apologize- I meant Cape May, not Chef Mickeys. Does that change your opinion?

 

[AJA]

If you're a big Star Wars fan and If you've eaten at Cape May before then I would skip CM this trip and make the day easier in order to see the Star Wars fireworks. If you are open to other ADR's (no one has their heart set on a favorite meal) then keep checking the website a few times each day, people change reservations all the time. I've gotten plenty of 2nd or 3rd choice restaurants within weeks of a visit.

 

[Mikie]

My general opinion is that people should always pick what they can do easily/leisurely and not cram things together to try to do something that may only work out if everything goes perfectly smoothly. I can't always make myself stick to that philosophy either, but it seems that for the most part, *nothing* at Disney (or any vacation) is worth scrambling and stressing (it would be stressful to me, maybe not bother you) to get to something on time. WDW dining is a major element of our trips - though I'd be loathe to remove any long-planned ADRs, it really isn't worth it to keep one and then spend it rushing or checking your watch.

Personally, I've heard such great things about SW fireworks (and they're NEW) I'd choose an option that allowed me to see them without also rushing an ADR. (i.e. switch to lunch, just have CS that day, etc)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

This is why we hop. freedom to do whatever we want and when.

 

[WhitneyMB]

Different opinion here-- 1) because Cape May is so close to HS, just a nice easy boat ride from BC and 2) because it's a buffet so you won't have to wait to be served--I think it's doable.

If you arrive early and are seated on time, you can eat from 6:30-7:45, take 30 minutes to travel and still arrive at 8:15 for the fireworks. It does mean you can't take lots of time at dinner, but 75 minutes is often fine for buffets.

 

[Keyser]

Different opinion here-- 1) because Cape May is so close to HS, just a nice easy boat ride from BC and 2) because it's a buffet so you won't have to wait to be served--I think it's doable.

If you arrive early and are seated on time, you can eat from 6:30-7:45, take 30 minutes to travel and still arrive at 8:15 for the fireworks. It does mean you can't take lots of time at dinner, but 75 minutes is often fine for buffets.

I was going to say the same thing. Cape May is actually the most doable table service restaurant other than one in DHS if you wanted to go to both with that timing. It does depend a bit on how you eat dinner, though, and you will need to keep an eye on the clock and leave right after dinner. When my family eats at a resort, we often like to relax afterward and explore the resort itself a little bit, but that might not be an option in your case. If you'll feel too rushed to enjoy dinner (I mean, at Disney prices, dinners are an event in themselves), then you should skip one or the other.

Although you won't be able to get seated super early, you should try to arrive a little bit early for your ADR. They will give you a pager and call you, and I get the impression that they at least prioritize by arrival among the parties that have the same ADR time as far as which gets seated first (maybe not, but it seemed that way).

 

[RustManFan]

Watched the live stream of the new SW fireworks/laser show and it was amazing! I would hop to see them!!

 

[MuttonJeff]

The Star Wars fireworks are amazing, whether you love Star Wars or not. In my opinion this is the best show at Disney just now!

 

[Nancyg56]

My general opinion is that people should always pick what they can do easily/leisurely and not cram things together to try to do something that may only work out if everything goes perfectly smoothly. I can't always make myself stick to that philosophy either, but it seems that for the most part, *nothing* at Disney (or any vacation) is worth scrambling and stressing (it would be stressful to me, maybe not bother you) to get to something on time. WDW dining is a major element of our trips - though I'd be loathe to remove any long-planned ADRs, it really isn't worth it to keep one and then spend it rushing or checking your watch.

Personally, I've heard such great things about SW fireworks (and they're NEW) I'd choose an option that allowed me to see them without also rushing an ADR. (i.e. switch to lunch, just have CS that day, etc)

I agree. I try to plan meals around activities, rather than the activities around a meal, so in this case, I would decide if I wanted to chance rushing through a meal to get someplace else. Cape May is close and it is a buffet, but I am not sure if the timeing would be too close for me. I do not like to look at my watch during dinner to be sure I am out in time. That ads undue stress for me.

Personally, I would choose a meal in DHS if I wanted the fireworks, and I woudl wnat the fireworks.

 

[lynch34]

Its the best fireworks show Disney has.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

If it was the fireworks prior to the summer I would say yes do it! However the new show is 80% projections/effects, 20% fireworks which are off to the right of the theater. I saw them in April & there were amazing, saw the new show in June & despite waiting 1 hour for a good front and center spot at 5'0" I could not see the projections & the fireworks were lack-luster compared to the earlier show. I'm not saying don't go but you should know if you don't get in front of the big boxes holding the projectors you will miss a lot of the show.