Need PERFECT Place to Dine B4 MNSSHP, Please Help

[copperbrick]

Help please? We need the perfect place to dine before Mickey's Not-So-Scarry-Halloween-Party on Oct. 2. This is our first time at MNSSHP - all tips appreciated.

Hubby and me, 50's. No kids this time. No charater meals this time around.

We currently have reservations at Sanaa at 5:00 and plan to be at the party around 7:00 or 7:30 (have already purchased tickets). We are not renting a car and using the bus for our stay.

This will be our first day at Disney, and we want it to be as wonderful as possible.

I hear that 7-ish is a crazy time to arrive. Is this true?

If so, should we plan on dining earlier . . . or elsewhere?

If it were YOU and you were celebrating a first night together in Disney since 1994, and it was an anniversary celebration for marriage in 1977 (honeymoon there) . . . and you were on the dining plan with one table service a day . . . and you want the Halloween Party experience to be the BEST . . . what restaurant would YOU choose? (And why?)

Theme park? Resort? MONORAIL resort? Magic Kingdom only?

We are staying at AKL, and the thought of going to Sanaa the first night seemed so appealing. Hubby has never seen AKL or AK. I am hoping for a table with a view.

I have Sanaa booked twice, however . . . so if we decide to cancel it on the first night, we can.

We are foodies and a really, really good meal is important to us.

This night needs to be just the best and I need all the help I can get. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[MTW]

I would change to the Wave or Kona Cafe based on your post. I have heard that it can take a long time to get to the Magic Kingdom from "bus" resorts on MNSSHP nights. The Wave and Kona will be on the monorail...plus you can get in to MK as early as 4pm (as long as they continue to do what they have in past years) with your park ticket.
Best of luck and Happy Anniversary!

 

[copperbrick]

We would want to dine as close to 5 PM as possible so we can get dinner rather than lunch -- those credits are precious to us. Can we go to the park, get our passes, leave to go to dinner, and then get back in without a problem?

 

[Singinglizzie]

First, congratulations on your anniversary. Although I think Sanaa will be a great restaurant, I think the timing for the MNSSHP is too involved. You should plan at least 90 minutes for dinner, then at least 90 minutes to travel from AKL to MK (using disney transportation), so that would place your ETA at around 8:00, assuming all goes as scheduled. Considering tickets are approx. $58, that's a steep price for 4 hours at MK. You probably know that you can enter MNSSHP as early as 4:00 pm? How about the California Grill at CR (2 credits if you are on DDP) or one of the Grand Floridian restaurants - like Citrico's (also 2 credits) which would be lovely for an anniversary and would be on the monorail. The Kona cafe at the Poly is nice, but definately more casual. If your heart is set on Sanaa, maybe you could take a cab (which would take you more like 1/2) once you factor arriving at the TTC then needing to take the boat over. What about a late lunch there instead?? Good luck with your decision.

 

[Singinglizzie]

We would want to dine as close to 5 PM as possible. Can we go to the park, get our passes, leave to go to dinner, and then get back in without a problem?

Yes, you can get your wristbands as early as 4:00 pm, you could leave have dinner then return, provided you have your wristbands. Since you prefer eating at 5:00, I would recommend one of the hotels on the monorail. Lots of "perfect" choices.

 

[djp0630]

Well, at this point, you might not have much options as some of the restaurants could be booked since it's so late. Personally, I would try for California Grill for 4:30 (if they are open) or the Wave, since Contemporary is within walking distance of the MK. However, you might not have a lot of options. I would recommend either a restaurant on the monorail or something in the MK.

 

[copperbrick]

First, congratulations on your anniversary. Although I think Sanaa will be a great restaurant, I think the timing for the MNSSHP is too involved. You should plan at least 90 minutes for dinner, then at least 90 minutes to travel from AKL to MK (using disney transportation), so that would place your ETA at around 8:00, assuming all goes as scheduled. Considering tickets are approx. $58, that's a steep price for 4 hours at MK. You probably know that you can enter MNSSHP as early as 4:00 pm? How about the California Grill at CR (2 credits if you are on DDP) or one of the Grand Floridian restaurants - like Citrico's (also 2 credits) which would be lovely for an anniversary and would be on the monorail. The Kona cafe at the Poly is nice, but definately more casual. If your heart is set on Sanaa, maybe you could take a cab (which would take you more like 1/2) once you factor arriving at the TTC then needing to take the boat over. What about a late lunch there instead?? Good luck with your decision.

So much to consider! Great tips, thanks.

I am wondering just how crazy it is to arrive at MK at 7PM for the party. I know a lot of people are leaving MK at that time, but what about those arriving?

 

[Dsunny]

I didn't know you could walk to the MK from the Contemporary. How long is the walk?

 

[djp0630]

I didn't know you could walk to the MK from the Contemporary. How long is the walk?

I think it's estimated at 8 minutes. There's a walking path and it's really convenient.

 

[Dsunny]

Thanks djp! We have ADR for Chef Mickey's at 5, and we want to get back to MK asap for the MNSSHP. It sounds like walking back would probably be the quickest way. Thanks again!

 

[vcgirl925]

We are eating lunch at Kona Cafe' at 2:30 pm. I figure between our meal and transportation we'll arrive at the gates around 4pm. That's when i think they start letting people in for the party.

 

[Dustmouse]

I've heard great things about Sanaa, so I think I would keep it and just budget money for a cab to the party. (I think you may have to go to the TTC or a MK resort.)

See you on the 2nd!

 

[schewy]

Since you are going to the MK for the party anyway, I like the Liberty Tree Tavern. No characters now. I am going to the MVMCP in November and have made my reservations for the Liberty Tree Tavern prior to the party starting.
You can enter the park at anytime during the day, with normal admission, just carry your MNSSHP tickets with you and have them scanned when the proper time comes and you will receive the wrist band for the party. This way you can already be in the park and enjoy a good meal prior to the party. Don't eat too much, save room for lots of candy.

 

[zscfan]

We are going on Sept. 15th and have reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern for 2:50PM. I figured that having a hearty, late lunch would tide us over for the rest of the day. And we will already be in the MK!

 

[JJZMgailey]

My reccommendation would be CA Grill or Narcoossees, if you can still get an ADR. Both are completely amazing IMO! I'd go for a very early dinner or very late lunch so you don't take up valuable MNSSHP time eating! Have so much fun!!! You'll have to let us all know what you decide!!

 

[tinks_1989]

Hello

We are going to MNSSHP on the 20th and we plan to go to Ohana at 5 then make our way over to MK for the party. In the day we arent visiting a park so we are planning on having a late breakfast probably just a snack before Ohana then if we are feeling a bit hungry later we have all our candy

 

[Rhonna]

None of the restaurants IN the MK park are great for "foodies" or a perfect anniversary dinner. Sanaa is going to be too far away. Sanna isn't getting perfect reviews - yet. Jiko's has a really solid reputation to rely on but it also is too far for your needs.

I'd pick a monorail resort as it will be sooooooo much easier to get into the park.

As other's have mentioned:

1) CA Grill at the Contemporary

2) The Wave at the Contemporary (seafood)

2) Citrico's at the Grand Floridian

3) Narcoose's at the Grand Floridian (seafood)

Kona Cafe at the Poly is great food but we found the resort REALLY packed with kids - including a lot of loudness at even that nice restaurant at dinner.

From your description it didn't sound like you wanted buffet type food, family style or run of the mill theme park food.

Any of the monorail resort restaurants will be easy to get to the park since you can use the resort monorail instead of the TTC monorail (you probably know that).

I don't know about the dining plan or credits, just thought the above choices would fit what you were asking for.

 

[Tink_Kel]

Personally, since that's the day you are arriving, I'd just make it casual before the party, and save your "perfect" dinner for another night, so you'll be less rushed, and can dress nice, without worrying about changing clothes or anything. But that's just me! We are going to grab something at Cpt Cook's at the Poly (My Hubby LOVES the Aloha pork sandwich), and then be at the MK for 4:00 pre-party entrance....and then snack the night away! We consider ourselves "foodies" too, but sometimes the day just screams for something more casual. Also, unfortunately, it's kind of late to be able to get ressies in somewhere nice.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I agree with PP - the party and fine dining don't work for me. You can enter the MK at 4pm. DO IT!

Get to some of the rides you want, grab more of a quick bite, and then be ready when 7 comes along to enjoy all the special activities of the party. Getting there at 7 is arriving with the herd. Doable, but if you have choices, take them!

ANother caution - if this is your arrival day, what happens if you arrive late? I assume you are flying, is it direct? I only caution because my last few business trips have all involved several hours delays and cancelled flights. Last one instead of getting to my destination at 7pm, it was 1am.

You are also going during Hurricane season, bad weather may delay you.

We don't schedule anything that has a penalty with it for our first day.

Schedule another great night out for your anniversary celebration and have a great trip

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Congratulations on your anniversary! We dined at Sanaa in July and loved most of the dishes! (Definitely get the Naan and some dipping sauces! Ask your servers for dishes that you might like and they are very accommodating to make sure that you don't walk away hungry.) We loved our server and the front desk is so sweet. The restaurant is colorful and charming, kind of like an enchanted forest, and we thought the animals were even better at Sanaa than at Boma. I would say Sanaa can be a romantic restaurant.

Since Sanaa is part of the DVC area of AKL, it may not have the same frequency of cabs as the main lodge, so just ask the CM's to call for a cab if you need one.

Since you may be eating at AKL twice, I would suggest trying Boma for dinner one of the other nights. We love the variety of food there too, but the restaurant can be a little loud and family-oriented for a truly romantic anniversary dinner.

My other suggestion is to get you to the Halloween party... Dine at a lovely and relaxing TS for lunch so you can enter the party by 4pm. That's what we (two adults) normally do, and we have time to change into costumes!

Have a happy anniversary and a fantastic time at MNSSHP!