Late LTT ADR on MVMCP night strategy?

[ptrbryant]

Okay, this is our first December trip ever...DH, DS12 and myself. We've got tickets to MVMCP for Tues. Dec. 16th. We really wanted LTT--esp. since it's the last month they'll have the character dinner available.

The only opening they had was for 8:15 p.m. That's okay...I mean, DS is 12 and we can have a late lunch. BUT, the 1st Christmas Parade starts at 8:15 and DH is wondering how much time we need to allow to get through the pre-parade crowd to get to LTT on time for our reservation.

Again, since this is our first December trip, I have no idea. Any suggestions from those who have been there then? What's the latest you'd arrive at MK?

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[BriarRosie]

I go to the Magic Kingdom and enter at 4pm on my party ticket and grab counter service at Pecos Bill's or Cosmic Ray's. I never would do a dinner ADR on a party night, especially the Christmas party.

The "best" plans I've heard were to go early like I do, so you're already in the park and not fighting the crowds entering or leaving. Then go to the first show at the Galaxy Theater in Tomorrowland to catch the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" show.

Then you have a lot more flexibility for parade and fireworks times. You can choose whether you want early or late parade, and also give yourself time to view the special fireworks.

I would never recommend a dinner that goes on during the party. You never know if you'll be seated on time, if the restaurant is running late or not. I find that a bit stressful.

 

[DLo]

I agree with BriarRose. Don't waste party time at dinner. LTT is not a quick meal and you will end up missing a lot of the party. We either eat a very early dinner or late lunch. Did you try any of the monorail resorts or wl ? This year we have the last adr lunch time at kona. Last year , I think it was 4 or 4:30 at the Plaza.

Are you just using your MVMCP ticket to get in that day or do you have park hoppers? If just MVMCP ticket then I would say get there at 4:00. If not, why not go in a little earlier .

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, you already know from PP that most would say to cancel it. You spend SO much money to attend why would you waste over an hour of party time eating?

Anyway, if you have your heart set on eating there, I'd get to MK at 4:00p at the lastest since they start letting party goers in then. I'd do as much as I can until I had to head to the restaurant. I'd get to the restaurant at 8:00p since they will be VERY crowed and busy that night. So if you get to MK at 4:00p, that gives you 4 hours before your meal to enjoy MK, with one of those hours having party festivities (from 7:00p to 8:00p).

The parade starts in Frontierland so that is where you'd encounter any parade traffic, trying to get to LTT.

If you want to catch the fireworks, you better run after your meal to the castle/Main Street as they start at 9:30p. Then I'd stay for the Castle show and then see the second parade. Then after the parade, either do a couple more rides, see some characters or leave.

If I were you, I'd try to fit in the "Twas the Night before Xmas" show in Tomorrowland, either before LTT or after the second parade.

Good luck!

 

[ptrbryant]

Here's the thing: DH esp. dislikes non-stop crowds or commando style touring. I've warned him that it WILL be crowded at MVMCP. Since we have an older child, it's better for us to try to catch the later parade @ 10:30. We could catch the Night Before Christmas show at 7 p.m., before our ADR. And, we could still see the fireworks right outside LTT at 9:30 (it's okay if we don't have a special viewing area). None of us are planning on catching the Character Dance Parties or Belle's Enchanted Christmas Storytelling. I'm hoping the general atmosphere will be festive and a little different from the usual.

With an 8:15 ADR, it seems that it would still give us time to see some of the highlights prior to and after dinner, but would give DH some respite from the crowds.

I understand what you're saying about how expensive it is, I'm just trying to find some balance.

 

[MinnieNurse]

I go to the Magic Kingdom and enter at 4pm on my party ticket and grab counter service at Pecos Bill's or Cosmic Ray's. I never would do a dinner ADR on a party night, especially the Christmas party.

The "best" plans I've heard were to go early like I do, so you're already in the park and not fighting the crowds entering or leaving. Then go to the first show at the Galaxy Theater in Tomorrowland to catch the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" show.

Then you have a lot more flexibility for parade and fireworks times. You can choose whether you want early or late parade, and also give yourself time to view the special fireworks.

I would never recommend a dinner that goes on during the party. You never know if you'll be seated on time, if the restaurant is running late or not. I find that a bit stressful.

What about if the dinner is an early dinner at 4pm? We have a LTT ADR for 4pm and just wandering if we will miss anything.

 

[bigbabyblues]

What about if the dinner is an early dinner at 4pm? We have a LTT ADR for 4pm and just wandering if we will miss anything.

No, you won't miss any of the party. You may not get to ride as many rides with little wait before the party actually starts, but you should be done well before it starts.

 

[BriarRosie]

No, you won't miss any of the party. You may not get to ride as many rides with little wait before the party actually starts, but you should be done well before it starts.

I agree with this post. Meals at 4pm would be fine.

And the original poster did put a new perspective on things.

 

[Pumbaa_]

how long are you willing to wait for dinner? If your ADR is at 8:15, you may not be seated until 8:45 or later. It happens

If that happens, you will miss the fireworks, are you ok with that? Seeing the shows and if you can find a spot to grab a curb or sit can also give you that break you need

good luck and let us know what you decide

 

[pilferk]

What about if the dinner is an early dinner at 4pm? We have a LTT ADR for 4pm and just wandering if we will miss anything.

Ditto. We're at 4:15 PM....figuring we'll eat BEFORE we're paying to party!



When I made the ADR's I asked around...everyone said if you're going to do a sit down dinner, that's the time to do it.