Need an experienced opinion

[webairs]

I don't know if this should be posted on this board or the Disney Tip board, but here goes. First family trip, so the first day at Magic Kingdom ending with the fireworks is a must. (Shame on me, because I don't know the names of the various fireworks shows at each park ...Sorry)

We are going in September and it shows the park closing at 8:00 that night.
1) Is the closing time a for sure or does it depend on the crowds?
2) Do the fireworks begin at 8:00 or do they end at 8:00?
3) What options do I have for transportation from MK to Whispering Canyon after park closing?
4) We will have our van if need be, so what would be the game plan there? Can you drive from MK to Whispering Canyon?

I was able to get a reservation at the Whispering Canyon at 8:40. Will I be able to get there in time and most importantly, will we be able to get back to our room at ASMo after dinner?

Sorry for all the questions, but I currently have a reservation for Sci-Fi and don't want to cancel it, if I am going to be unable to make the WCC time.

Thanks
ds15 ds9 ds5 dd7

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I just went to the WDW site and it says that the park closes at 8 BUT that Wishes also begins at 8... I'd call WDW and see what they say about it. Whenever I have a question, that's the best thing to do. I've found that when they say the park closes at a certain time, there are crowds going all in the same direction so we either leave right before the park is supposed to close or we hang out and walk around or sit and watch the crowds leave... When the crowds lessen, we then get up and walk out. I'd think you'd make WCC because the busses are going to continue to roll as long as there are people at the bus stops waiting to go back to their hotel. That is, as long as you don't lollygag around so long that everyone who was in the mad crowds waiting to get back to their hotels is gone. I've never been left behind. For options on how to get to WCC from MK, you can go by bus to the WL or you can take the boat ride (which is lots of fun also).

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

If the park hours state that Wishes is at 8, that means it starts at 8. If closing time is 8, then the rides will close then. Main St and it's stores are open a half an hour to an hour later.

If you have driven to MK, I would move my car to WL after the park closes. You can park in the self parking lot or valet park for & dollars, not inc. tip.

WDW transportation runs for 2 hours after park closing. If you have taken Disney transportation to MK, then you can take the boat to WL and then the bus or a cab back to your resort. If you take the bus, you can transfer at DownTown Disney.

 

[lexmelinda]

1) Is the closing time a for sure or does it depend on the crowds? Closing for sure.
2) Do the fireworks begin at 8:00 or do they end at 8:00? Begin at 8.
3) What options do I have for transportation from MK to Whispering Canyon after park closing? It's always easier to take Disney buses to the MK because if you take your car, you will have to park at the Ticket & Transportation Center and you'll have to take the monorail from there. (So you'll have to take the monorail, then the tram to your car, etc. to get to WL) I like the idea of taking your car to the WL and taking Disney bus or boat back/forth to the MK but not sure they'll let you park your car at WL all day. Maybe someone else knows this.
4) We will have our van if need be, so what would be the game plan there? Can you drive from MK to Whispering Canyon? Of course! But not sure you'll get there on time. Crowds leaving the fireworks can be very heavy and the wait for the monorail, then wait for the tram, then getting over to WL...you'll be cutting it very close to 8:40.

 

[jimmytammy]

1) Is the closing time a for sure or does it depend on the crowds? The closing time is for sure at 8:00, although the stores and bakery do stay open while guests linger out.

2) Do the fireworks begin at 8:00 or do they end at 8:00? If the fireworks have a specific time, that means they will begin promptly at that time. You can set an official time by fireworks at Disney unless the weather or some unforseen thing causes delay.

3) What options do I have for transportation from MK to Whispering Canyon after park closing? Head to the boat ramp that is just about straight out the entrance from MK. This boat will take you to WL and FW. If I am correct, it still takes you to WL 1st after park closing then on to FW. Its about a 15 min. ride total.
4) We will have our van if need be, so what would be the game plan there? Can you drive from MK to Whispering Canyon? Yes, but you need to allow enough time for the parking lot to clear. WL isnt far from MK but in a jam, it might take 30 mins or more. I would opt for the boat. But verify how long transportation will run from WL back to MK after closing.

 

[richard_andmel]

If it were me, I'd go to the WL in your van before you go to the MK and Valet Park it. Then you can leave your van there the whole time, and it will be waiting for you after dinner.

I do have some doubts about you making it to that 8:40 ADR after watching Wishes. At the very least you need to watch it from right in front of the train station and then beat it to the WL boat the minute it ends. So make sure you are familiar with where the area to catch the WL boat is when you come out. Good luck.

 

[Mickey1122]

I would try to make a later ADR. They do give you a 15 minute late period, but Wishes is not a short show, and there is a stampede toward the exit. We usually walk around for a little bit to let this calm down. Getting your car/taking a ferry take a while. Everything always takes a little longer than people expect, so I'd change the time.

 

[GIOny]

Well I think all your questions have been answered by the previous posters, I do agree probably the best way to get to WL is the boat . But now I have a question for you. What did you mean by you have a reservation for the Sci-Fi and didn't want to cancel if you were unable to make WCC? Do you mean you were going to try and make Wishes and go to MGM or just not go to Wishes at all ? Just curious

 

[webairs]

Well I think all your questions have been answered by the previous posters, I do agree probably the best way to get to WL is the boat . But now I have a question for you. What did you mean by you have a reservation for the Sci-Fi and didn't want to cancel if you were unable to make WCC? Do you mean you were going to try and make Wishes and go to MGM or just not go to Wishes at all ? Just curious

When my TA made my original ADRs I requested the Sci fi for that day. The reservation is for like 5:00 or something, so we were going to hop over to eat and then hop back for the fireworks. But after reading about the sci fi food, my dh wants to do something different, so I called the WCC to find out what they had available and I'm thinking the latest reservation available was the 8:40. I do not want to miss the fireworks, so we may have to decide on something in MK instead. Especially since this will be our first night of our first trip. We haven't learned all the tricks yet!

I appreciate all the feedback! While I'm add it, can anyone recommend their favorite place (TS or CS) to eat in the MK. I might make the WCC another night because it really looks good!

 

[GIOny]

Your right, that much hopping is not worth it for the Sci-Fi . I mean it's fine when you happen to be in MGM for lunch (I don't like it for dinner), you should go just for the experience (it's fun and unique) but I would not make a special trip for it . If you have your heart set on seeing Wishes that night then you would be better off either staying in the MK or a monorail resort for dinner. But I would try to make ADR's well before Wishes. In the MK, the Crystal Palace has a pretty decent buffet with the Pooh characters. The Liberty Tree Tavern has some pretty good basic American fare

. On the monorail, The Contemporary has a good steak/prime rib place called Grand Concourse. There is also Chef Mickeys

but since it is so popular it may already be booked. The Polynesian Resort has Ohana, I have never eaten here but people seem to really like it. The Grand Floridian is also on the monorail with 1900 Park Fare being their family restaurant. Your best bet is to look at all the menus and decide what you like to eat http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm and maybe it would be easier to just call yourself and make the ADR's so in case they don't have a time for one place then you can ask for another.