Making a full day of MK strategy suggestions please

[Lisa Pesce]

We’ve never been able to make the fireworks at MK because we are always so tired! Looking for suggestions on how people make it work without exhaustion.

We are staying off property and MK is the furthest park for us. Also given the additional parking time and getting in and out, I was hoping to find a way to make it work without going back to resort. We have a breakfast at 8:20 in hopes to put us in a good place to jump on mine train that morning. I have a dinner reservation at 6:30 at Liberty right now.

Has anyone left MK and had dinner at Contemporary, and moved vehicle at that time over to contemporary for dinner and then walked back in later for fireworks? I assume they let you park at resort if you have dining reservations? My thought was have dinner at contemporary, which will get car and us closer to park for re-entry and exit, and maybe just relax in lobby there for a bit. Like bring some cards to play with kids? Is this a bad idea? Any things to consider with this plan? Or any suggestions for a nice break where we can sit in air conditioning to take break and still stay in park?
TIA!!

 

[NashvilleMama]

When we're trying to make a long MK day work, we don't ever leave the park - the transportation process honestly wears my kids (and us) out more than anything. Instead I just build in LOTS of downtime that day. A lunch ADR that we take nice and slow in the air conditioning, sitting on benches in the shade and people watching (I Spy is a great game for this), recharging stations, Tom Sawyer Island wandering.

I think your plan to move your car is a good one in theory though if one person doesn't mind doing the moving. As far as I've heard, they let you do park there with a dining reservation and the walk after fireworks is super easy.

 

[Lisa Pesce]

Thank you!! I can’t believe we’ve never explored Tom Sawyer Island!! Great ideas!! And I will add a ADR lunch for break!

 

[CTDisneygal]

Thank you!! I can’t believe we’ve never explored Tom Sawyer Island!! Great ideas!! And I will add a ADR lunch for break!

Tom Sawyer island was always one of my favorites for downtime with my kids. They loved exploring it

 

[ClapYourHands]

What about going to the Contemporary rather than the TTC that morning and paying the $33 for valet parking?

 

[holden]

If you need a break from the park you can ride the monorail around and visit all 3 resorts. Check out the lobbies, shops, treats (dole whip!, cupcakes!, cookies!), etc.

 

[mkla2015]

See the shows- Tikibirds, Country Bears, Carousel of Progress, Mickey's Philharmagic- those will let you sit in A/C for a while and are nice breaks. Trader Sam's at the Poly is a fun late afternoon park break too.

 

[Lisa Pesce]

If you need a break from the park you can ride the monorail around and visit all 3 resorts. Check out the lobbies, shops, treats (dole whip!, cupcakes!, cookies!), etc.

Great idea!! Thank you!! Maybe after dinner we will ride around for desert before re-park entry.

 

[Lisa Pesce]

What about going to the Contemporary rather than the TTC that morning and paying the $33 for valet parking?

Question.. do you have to pay for parking if you have reservations? Is it valet only? Thanks for suggestions!!

 

[holden]

Question.. do you have to pay for parking if you have reservations? Is it valet only? Thanks for suggestions!!

I think if you have reservations you can park there 1) only if they have room and 2) for a limited amount of time (maybe 2 or 3 hours).

 

[ClapYourHands]

Question.. do you have to pay for parking if you have reservations? Is it valet only? Thanks for suggestions!!

My understanding is you can park for free (non valet) with reservations, but it’s subject to availability, and some say there’s a time limit. The length of time allowed (or possibly just enforced) seems to be debated, so not sure if it is, but I know they will turn you away if they’re running out of room.

However, if you valet park, it’s good for the day, and they will give you a voucher to valet park at the other deluxe resorts so you only pay once. I was thinking you could pay for valet parking and skip the TTC (and that $25 fee) completely. Maybe it’s just me, but the difference in price seems worth it to avoid having to move the car, and chance a full parking lot in the evening.

 

[Lisa Pesce]

My understanding is you can park for free (non valet) with reservations, but it’s subject to availability, and some say there’s a time limit. The length of time allowed (or possibly just enforced) seems to be debated, so not sure if it is, but I know they will turn you away if they’re running out of room.

However, if you valet park, it’s good for the day, and they will give you a voucher to valet park at the other deluxe resorts so you only pay once. I was thinking you could pay for valet parking and skip the TTC (and that $25 fee) completely. Maybe it’s just me, but the difference in price seems worth it to avoid having to move the car, and chance a full parking lot in the evening.

Ahhh, that makes more sense!! I think this is worth trying if they let us!! Thank you!!

 

[DisLiss]

If you need a break from the park you can ride the monorail around and visit all 3 resorts. Check out the lobbies, shops, treats (dole whip!, cupcakes!, cookies!), etc.

Find yourself a patch of beach or shady spot outdoors and just chill out for awhile, too!

 

[Twitterpaited]

Is the purpose of parking at the Contemporary so you can walk back there after the fireworks and avoid the long lines for all of the transportation options?

 

[Lisa Pesce]

Is the purpose of parking at the Contemporary so you can walk back there after the fireworks and avoid the long lines for all of the transportation options?

I was thinking leaving park for dinner would make the re-entry and exit seem easier from the contemporary and provide us a place to take a break from park.