Need Opinions for Last Night (falls on Grad Night)

[Emme]

We were planning on spending our last day & night (me, dh, 23 year old ds) Friday May 7 in the MK. We figured we were leaving the next morning so we would just make the most of the park into the evening. I didn't realize it was Grad Night and MK closes at 7:00. We have our hearts SET on doing MK our last day and really don't want to change that. We do not have hoppers so that's out.

How should we end our vacation now? Should we just go back to the room and pack at 7:00? I tried 'Ohanas and it's booked thank God we have it for the Wed. before though. 1900 Park Fare is a bit much for us. So what are your suggestions...Thanks in advance!!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Yuck, I hear you! We moved a trip once due to Grad Night - although I sure did love it as a FL high school senior!

My first suggestion would be to switch your MK day. I know you said heart set for the last day, but if it's your favorite, would you rather have a longer time at that park?

But if that's out, could you do a late dinner reservation somewhere? If you go onto Disney's dining site, you can plug in a date and a time and then leave the restaurant selections as no preference. It'll pop up all the restaurants all over the World that have availability around your preferred time.

Third suggestion - you didn't mention where you where staying, but is a last swim or other activity at your resort an option? Or perhaps visiting the monorail resorts to see what they're like if you've never done that?

Fourth - what about Downtown Disney? At least it's still Disney and there are fun things to do and shop for.

Whatever you do, don't go back to your room at 7 and pack. Seems like much too early to end your vacation. Good luck!

 

[OhThePain]

If I were you and we really wanted to spend our last day at MK, even though it is a grad night, I would still go. The crowds should be on the lower side that day. Then when it's time to go, head over to the Boardwalk area. If you like seafood Flying Fish is one of our favorites, there is also Yachtsman Steakhouse (YC) and Cape May (also seafood) at BC. After dinner walk around the Boardwalk a bit and watch the performers that are out. It's a Friday so there should be a good number out.
If you are looking for more entertainment head over to Jelly Roll's, the dueling piano bar ($10 to get in). They can sing everything from Billy Joel to Garth Brooks to The Beastie Boys. They are a lot of fun and it is well worth the price to get in. Have a few drinks, reflect on the trip, then head back to your resort when your ready to go.

 

[kellzkidz]

I am in the same boat, we are there the same night and it is my son's 8th birthday and I wanted to make a special day of it in MK.
Not wanting to switch the park either (no hoppers here either) I decided to book a dinner ressie at Chef Mickey's after the park closes (characters at least!) and then we will go resort hopping/shopping since I never get to do that!

I was bummed I originally wanted to book a pirate & pal cruise but no fireworkd

Anyway I would say a late dinner after 7:00 and then do some exploring

Have fun and see you there!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I'd do a nice dinner someplace and then maybe finish up with a late round of mini golf. If you like Ohana's food maybe try Kona. Take the boat or monorail since you'll be right there and then taxi to Winter summer land (less than $12). It is our FAVORITE course of anywhere.

I think you'll enjoy the lower crowds during the day that come with grad night.

 

[Emme]

I am in the same boat, we are there the same night and it is my son's 8th birthday and I wanted to make a special day of it in MK.
Not wanting to switch the park either (no hoppers here either) I decided to book a dinner ressie at Chef Mickey's after the park closes (characters at least!) and then we will go resort hopping/shopping since I never get to do that!

I was bummed I originally wanted to book a pirate & pal cruise but no fireworkd

Anyway I would say a late dinner after 7:00 and then do some exploring

Have fun and see you there!

We were thinking Chef Mickeys too...lol. Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Agri]

We did our last night at Epcot (the fireworks are SO GOOD) and then did MK for the few hours we had before catching the ME the next day. We usually spend the last hours of our last day (literally maybe 3-4 hours in the park) doing our most favorite rides and picking up our last souvenirs and having breakfast or an early lunch at Crystal Palace.

Fridays are also usually EMH-evenings for Epcot.

If you're definitely set on MK, go to MK, have dinner at a nice signature restaurant at 7:30/8:00-ish and walk around and enjoy the grounds of your resort. (We had dinner at Yachtsman this trip and we'll SO do it again!)

 

[Lassie Lynne]

We were in the same situation last year where our last day was a grad night. We went to MK that evening, stayed till the end and then hopped the monorail over to GF and ate at the Grand Floridian Cafe - it was a last minute decision and we LOVED it - it actually was a nice way to end the trip.

 

[Quin]

I'd think Ohana would be the best choice. Go ahead and make other plans but keep checking the website, right up to the day you leave - people cancel all the time and you could get exactly what you want.

Dinner and an evening on the Boardwalk is a good suggestion.

Another suggestion for a Friday night is to go eat at POR (Boatwrights if you can get an ADR but the food court is good too) and then catch Yee-Haw Bob Jackson in the lounge. Great show, lots of audience participation, and no cover charge at all!

 

[BEIZAWDW]

Emme, I have read a lot about the graduation night at MK, as we too are trying to decide if we will do MK or HS that day. Even though we will have less time at MK that day, I am hoping that based on tourguide predictions, that lines will be very tolerable. If they are, then you may have less time, but you could actually do more. See the park, then head to downtown disney. Late night dinner reservations are also a good idea. We actually booked Ohana that night at 6:30. Sorry, keep checking and maybe some one will change the time and or date and you will get a ressie!