MK worth going to before 10:10 'Ohana ressie?

[MommyRobin]

We have a 10:10 ressie for 'Ohana in mid-August (only one I've been able to get). Can I get anything done @ MK (with dh and 2 kids, 3 and 7) before we need to leave to eat? The idea of showing up just before noon is KILLING me! Especially because we can't stay late at MK that day (Cirque tickets @ 6, and I want to give the kids a rest before that and have time to look around DTD). I'm thinking of going for 9, getting a FP for later and riding 1 ride, at least then a park day won't be a total write-off. We can use the FP when we return from eating and ride a few more rides. Am I too ambitious?

 

[kirby428]

Tough call! The first hour after rope drop provides the most crowd free touring. During the last week of Aug, DW and I raced from rope drop at Adventureland bridge and rode Splash twice in a row without a line then got on BTM with only a tiny line just to give you an idea. If you skip Dumbo, you might be able to get on the Peter Pan, Snow White, Pooh rides without much of a line. These rides are not cyclic like Dumbo. Your challenge with be travel time. Most guest will be moving into the park. The monorail will take on bunches going to both Epcot and MK. The TTC will take on more going to MK on the local rail. Might be faster to take the boat to the Polynesian. The ferry to TTC is another option. The walk from TTC to Ohana is 5-8 min.

 

[nanalisa]

Does MK open at 8:00 am that day? If so, you could get in a few rides then hop on the monorail for Ohana. Getting FP's is a good idea too. If the park opens at 9:00 am by the time you get your purse and diaper bag checked by security, get into the park (do you rent a stroller?) time just goes really fast. I would keep checking to see if you can get an earlier time to eat. Sounds like a fun day!

 

[MommyRobin]

Unfortunately, it is not an EMH morning so the park opens @ 9. We are bringing our own stroller, so that saves a bit of time. I don't want to be late for Ohana so I figure to be safe we'll start making our way to the monorail around 9:30. I just don't know if 1/2 hour is enough time to ride a ride and get a FP (say, in Tomorrowland).

 

[USAswimmer626]

You might not be able to ride any attractions, but perhaps you can catch the show at the park opening when the characters on the train. Make sure you do have some time to check out the Poly before your ressie, it's a great hotel!

 

[Big Kid]

If it was me, I would make it a relaxing day to sleep in or give up the 'Ohana reservation. Hurrying to make rope drop in order to ride one ride and grab a FP and then rush back out of the park and across the Lagoon to eat is more trouble than it's worth imo, particularly with younger children along.

If this is not one of the first couple of days of your trip, it may even turn out that your family will be ready for a slightly slower pace one day.

I'm also guessing that our three-year-old would not be too keen to leave the Magic Kingdom after 45 minutes.

Good luck with your planning and have a wonderful trip.

 

[nanalisa]

Another thought. What about breakfast at the Crystal Palace? They have Winnie the Pooh caractors. Myself? I can't get down Main Street USA in 30 minutes. But I think if you focus, you can do it.

 

[Janell]

We had a later Res at Chef Mickeys(I know not ohanas but simular issue) We slept in got to CM at 9:30 and got to MK about 11:00. The park was busy,but we were okay with it as it was the day we were doing things like Tom Swayers island and other things that were not major attractions. With a Res at Epcot at 5:00. We enjoyed a slow day. If this will be a slow day for you or Ohanas is very imporant to you then I say go for it and keep the res. If not like PP have said, Crystal Palce maybe the way to go. Even if its a late res. Because you wont be running around so much. I found out on the last trip that I got tried of running to places for ADR. So this trip we only eat where we are going to be. Which means we will miss out on a lot of resorts locations, but we spent to much time last time getting to one meal to another, it cut into our time in the parks. And on somedays that can be fine. Slow days are nice.

kirby428, when they let you go on Splash Mt twice, did you have to get off the ride and get back in line or did they send you around again? At a Princess and Pirate party we got sent for a second ride with out getting off on Thunder Mt. Its so much fun when that happens.

 

[pluto77]

For me, it would depend on how many days I was staying. Is there another day where you will be getting a lot done at MK? If there is, then I would maybe sleep in a little and explore the Polynesian before my meal. I love the atmosphere at the Polynesian. I've learned that it's a lot more fun to slow down and relax a little rather than trying to fill up every second of the day (I'm all for maximizing your time at the parks, but in a relaxing way). So if Ohana is really important to you I would make it more of a relaxing morning. Maybe you could send one person to the MK just to get a fast pass if that would make you feel better.

 

[MinnieMommy]

I would go to the Poly early... just in case you can get in for your 'Ohana ressie earlier than your ADR time. There are often no shows, and you might luck out. Having said that, I wouldn't go with the "expectation" of getting in, just the hope.

We have gone early for ressies before on occassion (for various reasons) and just asked nicely at the check-in desk if there was a chance to get in early... and always expressed that if it wasn't possible, it was ok.. just checking.

 

[MommyRobin]

I would go to the Poly early... just in case you can get in for your 'Ohana ressie earlier than your ADR time. There are often no shows, and you might luck out. Having said that, I wouldn't go with the "expectation" of getting in, just the hope.

We have gone early for ressies before on occassion (for various reasons) and just asked nicely at the check-in desk if there was a chance to get in early... and always expressed that if it wasn't possible, it was ok.. just checking.

That's a good idea! I definitely want to keep Ohana, I keep hearing such good things about it and both kids love all the characters. I like this plan, if all else fails. But do you think that we might stand a chance, considering we are going during FD?

 

[MinnieMommy]

That's a good idea! I definitely want to keep Ohana, I keep hearing such good things about it and both kids love all the characters. I like this plan, if all else fails. But do you think that we might stand a chance, considering we are going during FD?

I would try.