I need a MNSSHP night dinner suggestion please!

[dpugrad03]

We arrive on our MNSSHP day at 9:15 to MCO. It will be DH and I, our sons - 3 1/2 and 15 months, and my parents. We are staying at Kidani and will not have a car.
Our plan is to head to Kidani on ME, then go to AK for the day and have lunch at Flame Tree and ride a couple things. But then what? I have a reservation at Boma at 5, but hate to miss out on the MK hours from 4-7. I've been trying to get 'Ohana or 1900 Park Fare as early as I can, but no luck so far. But again, not sure I want to waste the time. No dining plan. Should we do quick service in MK? Thanks!

 

[mumto2]

I'd stick with a CS for dinner that night, unless you get a walk-up at one of the sit-downs. If the CS menus in the park don't thrill you (and they don't me), check out the menu at Captain Cooks at the Poly, or the Contempo Cafe. Still a little tough logistically with your little ones, but you might find some healthier options.

 

[Havana]

The Plaza in MK is where we are going. A quick sit down restaurant for a nice sandwich before the party starts. It is fairly priced

 

[Jeanieblue114]

I would really rethink doing AK the arrival day if you are doing the halloween party at night with the little ones. Relax at the room, check out the animals at your resort (soooo much fun) and unwind, do the pool, have a nap.
the halloween party is late and is sooo much fun with all the characters out and the parade and special fireworks and decorations and extra characters floating around. It would be terrible to miss out on the evening special events because they are exhausted or having meltdowns...or the adults are.

The food at Mara is very very good if you want quick service at AKL (take the shuttle over from Kidani).

Or head over to MK at the 4pm time and go eat at the Plaza...usually easy to get a reservation there and you would be where you wanna be and not cutting into the party times.

AK park is a bit exhausting (nothing covered and mostly unairconditioned so the entire park runs up to 10 degrees hotter than other parks) and i don't think it would be worth is to ruin the SUPER FUN evening halloween events. I really think you should skip it that day.

you are staying at an amazing resort (that isn't exactly cheap even by points standards), ENJOY SOME TIME THERE!

 

[Havana]

I would really rethink doing AK the arrival day if you are doing the halloween party at night with the little ones. Relax at the room, check out the animals at your resort (soooo much fun) and unwind, do the pool, have a nap.
the halloween party is late and is sooo much fun with all the characters out and the parade and special fireworks and decorations and extra characters floating around. It would be terrible to miss out on the evening special events because they are exhausted or having meltdowns...or the adults are.

The food at Mara is very very good if you want quick service at AKL (take the shuttle over from Kidani).

Or head over to MK at the 4pm time and go eat at the Plaza...usually easy to get a reservation there and you would be where you wanna be and not cutting into the party times.

AK park is a bit exhausting (nothing covered and mostly unairconditioned so the entire park runs up to 10 degrees hotter than other parks) and i don't think it would be worth is to ruin the SUPER FUN evening halloween events. I really think you should skip it that day.

you are staying at an amazing resort (that isn't exactly cheap even by points standards), ENJOY SOME TIME THERE!

I agree with taking it easy before the party and enjoying AKL. The party is so amazing, I would hate for you and your family to be tired from your long day. Be sure to see the parade and fireworks, they are the best! Have fun trick or treating!

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

I'm brining my 15 month old daughter to MNSSHP on Oct. 2nd. We're not going to any parks during the day. We're taking it easy during the day, swimming at Wilderness Lodge pool then eating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 5pm before the party. I don't want my daughter wiped out before the party even starts.

 

[OhThePain]

The Plaza in MK is where we are going. A quick sit down restaurant for a nice sandwich before the party starts. It is fairly priced

This is what we are doing as well. We scored a 4:30ish ADR which will give us enough time to get our bracelets (we'll be in MK that day), have dinner and head over to get in line for something (probably the dwarves).

I would really rethink doing AK the arrival day if you are doing the halloween party at night with the little ones. Relax at the room, check out the animals at your resort (soooo much fun) and unwind, do the pool, have a nap.
the halloween party is late and is sooo much fun with all the characters out and the parade and special fireworks and decorations and extra characters floating around. It would be terrible to miss out on the evening special events because they are exhausted or having meltdowns...or the adults are.

I also agree with this. After a morning of travel (which probably includes a pretty early wake up), I wouldn't rush to do a park. For the price you are paying for tickets, it's not worth risking a meltdown or exhaustion. Hang out at Kidani or Jambo, watch the savannahs, rest, swim, nap, etc. If you can't get an ADR for The Plaza at MK for your party night, maybe try for an early dinner at Sanaa then head to MK after. If you get hungry later you can either get a snack or just have some candy if you plan on Trick or Treating.

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

I would really rethink doing AK the arrival day if you are doing the halloween party at night with the little ones. Relax at the room, check out the animals at your resort (soooo much fun) and unwind, do the pool, have a nap.
the halloween party is late and is sooo much fun with all the characters out and the parade and special fireworks and decorations and extra characters floating around. It would be terrible to miss out on the evening special events because they are exhausted or having meltdowns...or the adults are.


!

I agree 100%! Especially with the ages of your kids, I think you are REALLY pushing it to arrive that day, do a park, go to eat AND do MNSSHP! You may want to rethink your plan!

Even with a 5 year old, we sleep in the day of the party, swim at the pool for an hour or so, get a quick CS meal around 3:00 and then head to the party at 4 pm. Then, I just get him snacks later on when he gets hungry! He's usually having too much fun to want to sit down and eat a full meal anyways! Last year, even after doing this, he was passed out in his stroller about 11:15 pm. Can't imagine expecting toddlers to go all day like that!

Also, I really think it's a waste for people to plan a big sit down meal at 5:00 when you could be enjoying the party already! Why pay extra for party tickets and then waste 1-2 hours eating somewhere you can eat any other day!

 

[hbehrman]

We arrive on our MNSSHP day at 9:15 to MCO. It will be DH and I, our sons - 3 1/2 and 15 months, and my parents. We are staying at Kidani and will not have a car.
Our plan is to head to Kidani on ME, then go to AK for the day and have lunch at Flame Tree and ride a couple things. But then what? I have a reservation at Boma at 5, but hate to miss out on the MK hours from 4-7. I've been trying to get 'Ohana or 1900 Park Fare as early as I can, but no luck so far. But again, not sure I want to waste the time. No dining plan. Should we do quick service in MK? Thanks!

I would only do the party on the day of the party (esp with children those ages). The park allows party goers entry at 4pm.

I would suggest take a morning rest and get to know the resort and the pool at Kidani and your kids will love it, especially the splash zone area. Nap in the early afternoon with a plan to go to leave the resort at 3pm to go to the party. Also, a ressie at Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pook and Friends) for 5pm would be perfect given a 1.5 hour meal to get out around 6:30pm to get in line for free stuff (i.e face painting in Adventureland, if they still do that) or ride some rides before the first parade. With kids that young I would the first parade as they may no make it to the second (and it frees you up to do rides and parties during the second parade).

This was our plan when we went (twice) and it worked marvelously. Also, I don't know if they still do it, but they used to give out strollers for free starting at the beginning of the party (7pm).

 

[hbehrman]

Also, I really think it's a waste for people to plan a big sit down meal at 5:00 when you could be enjoying the party already! Why pay extra for party tickets and then waste 1-2 hours eating somewhere you can eat any other day!

Another point of view:

None of the party activities take place until after 7pm so you are not really missing anything about the party. Anything you experience that is non-party can be experienced on a non-party day. For a family with young children, just getting to the park is sometimes exhausting. Eating at a TS before the party starts (4pm-7pm) allows an hour or so of rest for the family while getting oriented for the party. Also the TS (especially character meals) allows the children to have that experience as well.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I would choose either a TS dinner OR AK park that day, not both. You day is sounding very packed! You don't want to over-do it on your first day or the rest of your trip is likely to be pretty miserable.
If you can get an early CP, that would be fun, but prob diff at this late hour. We have done the Plaza several times pre-party and it worked out wonderfully. It is quicker than a character meal.
Otherwise, arrive, do AK for a few hours and then let the kiddos nap. Head to Mara for a QS dinner or grab something once you get to MK. There are some pretty good QS places in the park to sit and relax at a table in the a/c and you don't have to worry about doing it at a certain time.
PS- my kids are about the ages of yours and we have been there done that, so I hope my advice helps

 

[nkereina]

It's only beneficial to get to the party between 4-7 if you only have a party ticket and no park ticket, so then you can get there early to do rides, etc on just a party ticket. For instance, people doing short trips that don't have another MK day planned, it would benefit them to get there at 4 to maximize their time. But PP is correct that none of the party activities start until 7. However, if you're interest in certain character meet & greets, I believe you can start lining up for that well before 7.

I would also re-consider AK that day. We are doing AK that day however we are 2 adults, it's in the middle of our trip (not arrival day) and we plan to leave around 3pm to go back to the resort and clean up/rest a little before heading to MK, where we plan on eating CS so we don't have to rush through a TS.

 

[megreg]

We will have been at WDW for a few days, but We are doing an early Character breakfast and then a few hours at MK on our MNSSHP. We will head back to the Poly early (noon ish) for swimming and then naps for everyone! We'll head back to MK around 6 for QS and the Party....

 

[dpugrad03]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice. We'll do Animal Kingdom during the day for several reasons - one being that check in isn't until 3 and we'll get there close to 10. We'll only stay a short while at AK, but it is our only visit. We don't love it like some, so we'll hit FOLK, the Safari, and Everest and then head back to hotel to change and rest before the park. I think you're right about not doing a TS. Maybe we'll just grab something at Mara or MK.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are doing the party on Oct 6. I made ADR's at The Wave at 5:00. People discouraged me against that because they said if I wanted to have pictures with the 7 dwarves and some of the more popular things, I wouldn't be able to do it, but I am not willing to stand in line for an hour or more before the party even starts just to get a picture, so I figure if we are there by 7:00 all will be good.

 

[DisneySarah80]

You already paid so much $$$ for the tickets - don't spend more $$$ to miss the party! Have a good (and late) lunch before the party, and then grab something quick at a CS location while you are there.

Have a great time!!!!