MVMCP Questions???

[Merry Mickey]

10 days and counting until we are at The World! This will be our first trip during the holidays and we are incredibly excited.
Here's the dilema.
We have tickets for MVMCP. We are going to the Magic Kingdom all day. Then we want to leave and go to the Contemporary Resort's California Grill for dinner at 5:30. We're going to walk back to the Magic Kingdom hopefully around 6:45.
Can we get our wristbands before we leave the park for dinner?
Will we have a huge wait to get back in at 6:45?
Is it good to leave the park for dinner or a mistake?
We're on the dining plan so we'd like to check out some of the nicer restaurants but we don't want to mess up the evening.
Thank you for your help with this. I tend to worry too much.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Since they started staggering entry to the parties, by allowing people in 3 hours in advance, it's not too bad at the official start time.

I kind of wish we'd go in some time at the official start time... it is a bit more magical, to enter the park with the decor up and the special music going, the special lighting. Heck, one time we never got to see the snow on Main St. because they turn it off for the parades, and every time we were up that direction it was around parade time. That bummed me out that I missed it!

I think your plan sounds lovely.