MM from PP Question?

[oldduhoski]

Arrived last night, and though I've "studied" this board for months, I'm feeling very unprepared!! We missed most of the shows we wanted to see last night, but did make it to the Parade of Dreams & Fantasmic (hooray!)

Tomorrow we have MM, since that would be at 8am, does the monorail take you, or is it better to walk? (which we haven't figured out which way to go yet). We really want to utilize the MM, with 4 kids age 7 & under the wait times are a bit daunting for rides, and we think that will really help. I was thinking if we left our room from the Paradise Pier at 7am we'd be there by opening?

Help much appreciated!

 

[avalon451]

You ought to be fine if you leave your room by 7 a.m. That should put you at security by what, 7:20? They probably won't even be open yet. You'll be in good shape! Anyway, if you get there any time before the gates open, you'll still be ahead of the non-MM masses and will enjoy the relatively uncrowded park. Sometimes they let you in a bit early onto main street, then do a rope drop at the hub.

I wouldn't take the monorail, it doesn't always start right at the opening time. (I could be wrong about that, but that's what I've heard) Also I've hear that a shortcut is to cross the street from PPH, go through the GCH lobby and follow the signs to the DTD exit. Cuts off a large corner of the DTD walk you'd normally need to do.

Are you trying for Nemo? If not, you'll be fine. After doing the Nemo stampede myself last month, I decided it was not worth the fuss. Cute ride but never again. On the other hand, we used the other MM to do Fantasyland, and that was so great! You know the order to do the rides, right? Peter pan first, then dumbo, matterhorn, teacups, Alice... then whatever else you feel like. Start collecting fastpasses right at 8 a.m. and pick up a new one as each availability window opens.

Have a WONDERFUL time with your family! Wish I was there, too!

 

[DLR29]

I wouldn't take the monorail, it doesn't always start right at the opening time. (I could be wrong about that, but that's what I've heard) Also I've hear that a shortcut is to cross the street from PPH, go through the GCH lobby and follow the signs to the DTD exit. Cuts off a large corner of the DTD walk you'd normally need to do.

Bingo!

 

[ballarinamom]

I was also thinking cut through GCH. Just cross the street and follow the driveway up to the hotel. Don't forget to breath!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Adding on....

When I walked into the GCH lobby, I make an almost immediate left. The first few times I went in there I didn't see any signs for DTD, and got myself quite turned around. In fact I don't even remember DTD signs until after you've started down the hallway (doesn't mean there aren't any). So make as immediate left as you can, down an insignificant looking hallway. Just follow the hallway until there's an automatic door to go outside to your right, follow the path around, and you'll emerge between Libby Lu and Sephora. Turn right, get to bag check pretty quickly.

Oh, and while you are inside PP, ignore ignore ignore the big signs to DTD. They are signs designed to keep you in the shopping zone, and it will be a long walk.

Just go out the FRONT doors of PP. Not the back/side doors like the lying signs tell you.


Also, beware the elevators in the mornings at PP! They are slow. SLOW. Did I mention slow? We were on the 10th or 11th floor, and it took hubby half an hour to get an elevator when he was taking our stuff out to the car. When an elevator did come by, it was packed. He's a big guy and he had a bunch of bags with him, so he was taking up size AND weight, so he had to pass them up. Even when it was just us going to the parks it could take a hefty amount of time.

I, personally, would shoot for leaving the doors of PP at about 7ish, not leaving your room at 7. But that's just me.

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!! And if you eat at PCH Grill during your stay, and if there are kids, we highly recommend the "decorate your pizza" thing. Good pizza and good fun.

 

[toocherie]

Adding on....

When I walked into the GCH lobby, I make an almost immediate left. The first few times I went in there I didn't see any signs for DTD, and got myself quite turned around. In fact I don't even remember DTD signs until after you've started down the hallway (doesn't mean there aren't any). So make as immediate left as you can, down an insignificant looking hallway. Just follow the hallway until there's an automatic door to go outside to your left, follow the path around, and you'll emerge between Libby Lu and Sephora. Turn right, get to bag check pretty quickly.

Just one small correction--the automatic doors are on your RIGHT. You will see a courtyard out to the right as you walk down the hallway. . .and just past that hallway are the automatic doors. Once you walk out then Bumbershoot is right that you walk a little ways, turn left and come out between Sephora and Libby Liu. And if you have a stroller or wheelchair there are ramps to use on the left of the hallway at the two places where there are stairs (but you have to look for those ramps--they're a bit hidden IMHO.) You will see everyone else walking that way and find it I'm sure! Have fun! (And I agree--get to security by 7:20 so when they open the gates at 8 you're near the front and don't take the Monorail)

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks toocherie, I appreciate that catch! Edited my post. Whew.

 

[toocherie]

Thanks toocherie, I appreciate that catch! Edited my post. Whew.

Only cause I was just there yesterday for a wine tasting . . . .otherwise I probably wouldn't remember either!

And it might be a good idea to also remind the OP that the private entrance to DCA from the GCH (which as a Disney hotel guest you also have the right to use) is in a different place--you have to go straight through the main doors through the lobby of the GCH, past the gift shop, outside the automatic doors on that side, past Storyteller's and Napa Rose restaurants and then turn left at the first place you can past Napa Rose (if you get to Whitewater Snacks you've gone too far!)

 

[bumbershoot]

That is so good to know.

And you continue ON to get to WWS? We only found the DCA entrance by mistake in September, and I've never even seen a *sign* for WWS in there.

But the place is pretty dark, and I've mentioned in other posts that ever since I had lasik done I have NO vision in the dark, and going from light/dark/light is really really hard on me. So I have just about the same vision in the GCH than I did before I had my vision corrected. NOT what I expected!

Makes it hard to find my way around sometimes.


OP and family gets to sleep at PP right now...lucky people.

 

[toocherie]

That is so good to know.

And you continue ON to get to WWS? We only found the DCA entrance by mistake in September, and I've never even seen a *sign* for WWS in there.


OP and family gets to sleep at PP right now...lucky people.

Yes--after you pass Storyteller's and Napa Rose you continue straight (don't turn left to the DCA entrance)--you will pass the health club/spa on your left and then Whitewater Snacks is at the end on the left--the pool will be on your right.

I've stayed at GCH a couple of times and I still get turned around sometimes . . . I find the signs very confusing. (And if you are on an ECV like sometimes I am it's even harder because the ramp access is hidden.)

And they are lucky people. And having beautiful weather . . . . not like the 102 degrees we had a week and a half ago!

I was really hoping for a miracle and that you would be able to come this weekend with the Ladies' Only trip . . . . I've learned so much from you in all of your posts and would like to meet you.

oh well-maybe another time!

 

[bumbershoot]