Ohana during MNSSHP... HELP!

[ssrox]

First things first - we are usually DCL Cruisers so the making a park and dining schedule is ALL NEW TO ME!

Okay, so I am playing the rotating ADR game and I keep screwing up! HAHA Doesn't help that we booked 3 weeks out! So anyways, I scored Ohana! I had a breakfast first, then cancelled it when I got a dinner. Then I found a better dinner time, so i cancelled the one before it. and NOW I realize why people hold onto their ressies!! We added MNSSHP at the last minute. Our Ohana dinner is the same night at 5:30pm. Would you keep it or cancel it to go to MNSSHP earlier??

I was JUST able to book another Ohana dinner. The only problem is that its the same day as our BVA Breakfast and BOG Lunch.. SO.. MUCH.. FOOD!!

Someone adult for me, please.. What would you do?
Keep Ohana (5:30) and go to MNSSHP after?
Cancel Ohana and get to MNSSHP at 4?
Cancel Ohana that falls on the same day as MNSSHP and do it the other day you have booked even though you might explode from ALL THE FOOD? hahaha

I value your opinions
and obviously, I will keep looking for a different Ohana dinner, which will get me out of this mess, but just in case..... I want to hear the pros opinions

 

[momto3pirates]

I would not do Ohana at 5:30 on a party night. The meal itself takes a while, plus travel time, you most likely won't even make it to MK by 7.

The other day with Bon Voyage, BOG and Ohana is not only a lot of food and time eating, but a lot of travel time.
it would be too much for my family, but everyone is different. It depends on your priorities.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I would definitely not do Ohana during MNSSHP. People definitely start lining up for characters by 4pm. I would do Ohana on the day you have Bon Voyage breakfast and cancel BOG lunch. We just ate at Bon Voyage and it was delicious. We also love Ohana so wouldn't want to miss that. BOG is fine but not a must for us.

You can also keep trying - about 3 weeks out we got Ohana for 3:30pm - that is when it opens for dinner. You will be a little late to MNSSHP but not that bad.

 

[DIShawn]

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 5:30 ADR at O'hana, but the difference is we are spending the entire morning and afternoon in MK as it is, and figured dinner would be a nice break before the party. If we arrive at MK at 7:30 will we have a long wait to get in? Is there any other value in getting to MK early besides the opportunity to hit some attractions before the party starts? Won't it be busy because of the mix of party and non-party guests?

We're 2 adults so meet and greets aren't our thing... which from what I've read those have the biggest lines and might be a reason to get there early. I also snagged a 4pm ADR at O'hana yesterday in case we want to change strategies.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 5:30 ADR at O'hana, but the difference is we are spending the entire morning and afternoon in MK as it is, and figured dinner would be a nice break before the party. If we arrive at MK at 7:30 will we have a long wait to get in? Is there any other value in getting to MK early besides the opportunity to hit some attractions before the party starts? Won't it be busy because of the mix of party and non-party guests?

We're 2 adults so meet and greets aren't our thing... which from what I've read those have the biggest lines and might be a reason to get there early. I also snagged a 4pm ADR at O'hana yesterday in case we want to change strategies.

We always go to the park earlier than the 4pm check in time...
But we only go at say noon to 1 pm, because 12 hours in the park is too tiring for me.
If I were in your place I would take the 4 pm ADR, then head to MK afterwards.
I would also (and always do) make my FPs for the times prior to the party. (You are allowed to make up until 6:30 pm on a party night.)
Whether you go to MK prior to your ADR is up to you, but it would bed a nice break from what will turn out to be a very loooong day at MK.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You won't make it to Magic Kingdom before 7-7:30 with a 5:30 'Ohana. I would drop it entirely, go to MK at 4, and eat QS in park.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I have never gotten out of Ohana's dinner in under 2 1/2 hours. That's a lot of party time to lose.

 

[Nancyg56]

OP- I would drop 'Ohana and go to the party. You are going to miss a lot of party time for a meal.

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 5:30 ADR at O'hana, but the difference is we are spending the entire morning and afternoon in MK as it is, and figured dinner would be a nice break before the party. If we arrive at MK at 7:30 will we have a long wait to get in? Is there any other value in getting to MK early besides the opportunity to hit some attractions before the party starts? Won't it be busy because of the mix of party and non-party guests?

We're 2 adults so meet and greets aren't our thing... which from what I've read those have the biggest lines and might be a reason to get there early. I also snagged a 4pm ADR at O'hana yesterday in case we want to change strategies.

Two things are problematic to me. First, any monorail line restaurant is going to be busy on a party night. People going to parties book them and people getting out of the MK before the party book them. 'Ohana runs late and long on a good night, so I would not count on it running on time on a party night. This may wind up being one of your most expensive meals given the cost of the party and the time you are losing there. Under the best of circumstances I cannot see you getting to the MK before 8 PM the earliest.

I also wonder at the length of time you plan for park time. Tha tis going to be one long day, and longer still if you keep that 'Ohana ADR. 'Ohana is not the least bit relaxing, that place is loud and chaotic, and it is intended to be so.

If you want to have a respite before the party I would book the Grand Floridian Cafe for an early dinner, if possible. You could relax in the Grand Lobby for a while, and then have a nice quiet meal. This is a lovely place to escape the frenzy that is party season in Disney.

 

[Disneylover99]

Cancel Ohana and get to MNSSHP by 4pm. Trick or treat at 7pm and eat candy for dinner.

 

[DIShawn]

OP- I would drop 'Ohana and go to the party. You are going to miss a lot of party time for a meal.



Two things are problematic to me. First, any monorail line restaurant is going to be busy on a party night. People going to parties book them and people getting out of the MK before the party book them. 'Ohana runs late and long on a good night, so I would not count on it running on time on a party night. This may wind up being one of your most expensive meals given the cost of the party and the time you are losing there. Under the best of circumstances I cannot see you getting to the MK before 8 PM the earliest.

I also wonder at the length of time you plan for park time. Tha tis going to be one long day, and longer still if you keep that 'Ohana ADR. 'Ohana is not the least bit relaxing, that place is loud and chaotic, and it is intended to be so.

If you want to have a respite before the party I would book the Grand Floridian Cafe for an early dinner, if possible. You could relax in the Grand Lobby for a while, and then have a nice quiet meal. This is a lovely place to escape the frenzy that is party season in Disney.

Thanks for the advice. I've moved our ADR for Ohana to 4pm with the hope of getting to the party by 7pm. Since Ohana doesn't open until 3:30pm hopefully they won't be running too late at that point.

As far as length of time goes... we'll be ok. Last year we did the After Hours until midnight after a full park day... we weren't tired. It's only two of us in our early 30s... we still have the energy for a full day... for now anyway. . If we do start to get tired we'll bounce out of MK a bit early when the crowds get busy around 1pm and relax before dinner.