Park hopping, dinner and timing.

[jennygirlmt]

This is our first time planning to hop and I have no idea how to handle timing. This is a wish trip for our daughter(4) and her sisters (6 and 1).

Our first day we are doing HS first and then hopping to MK, goal is fireworks at 8.

I just grabbed a 4pm reservation at 1900 park fare on feb 27. This would be our only sit down/character meal.

Do you think this is good timing to do everything at HS then head over to the TTC, dinner 4-5, then play in the park until wishes? We have a full MK day as well with BoG and BBB.

We have the genie pass, so I'm more concerned with getting everything done and then not being able to head into MK bc we have to do our dinner. Would you keep it? Worth it? Or would it be easier to keep ourselves unbound?

Thank you!

 

[siskaren]

Why would you go to the TTC?

 

[jennygirlmt]

Why would you go to the TTC?

Oh sorry, I just meant driving over and hopping the monorail. Are you allowed to Park at the GF even if you plan to go into the park after until after wishes? I assumed no.

 

[siskaren]

Oh sorry, I just meant driving over and hopping the monorail. Are you allowed to Park at the GF even if you plan to go into the park after until after wishes? I assumed no.

Why not just drive to GF for dinner and then drive to the TTC for MK afterwards?

 

[jennygirlmt]

I thought the whole point of convenience of monorail resort dinner reservations was being able to easily access the park by jumping on the monorail. Is it actually better to drive back and forth? Clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about...one thing I never bothered to research bc I never planned to eat there and grabbed the reservation last night.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I thought the whole point of convenience of monorail resort dinner reservations was being able to easily access the park by jumping on the monorail. Is it actually better to drive back and forth? Clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about...one thing I never bothered to research bc I never planned to eat there and grabbed the reservation last night.

Whatever is more convenient for your family is what you should choose. If it's easier to take the car to GFla, after dinner only the driver has to move the car to TTC. The rest of the family can tour GFla and wait for the driver or everyone can meet up in MK.

 

[siskaren]

I thought the whole point of convenience of monorail resort dinner reservations was being able to easily access the park by jumping on the monorail. Is it actually better to drive back and forth? Clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about...one thing I never bothered to research bc I never planned to eat there and grabbed the reservation last night.

The issue though is that you would be parking at the resort and then going to the park.

 

[rwdavis2]

Or you can pay to valet park and leave the care there while you go to MK.

 

[hiroMYhero]

@jennygirlmt is already paying to park at DHS in the morning so no additional charge to move the car to TTC as long as they show their parking receipt from the DHS lot.

 

[JohnneeO]

Shouldn't be an issue to drive directly to the GF, and then to leave your vehicle there after your meal. After you eat, just use Disney Transportation (monorail or boat) to the MK, and then head back to the GF when you leave the MK. Normally, you cannot park at the GF and then head directly to the MK, but you are covered b/c you are parking at the GF for your meal at 1900 PF. Of course, you may choose to drive to the TTC and take the monorail over to the GF just for the experience. Just make sure the resort monorail is running at the time you are planning to take it.

Obviously there is no issue that you are trying to scam WDW out of the MK Parking Fee since you have already paid for the day to park at DHS.

For the record, we had this exact scenario last year, when we visited the MK after a Chef Mickey breakfast at the CR. We left our vehicle at the CR while we were at MK without any issue.

 

[siskaren]

For the record, we had this exact scenario last year, when we visited the MK after a Chef Mickey breakfast at the CR. We left our vehicle at the CR while we were at MK without any issue.

Having a meal at a resort doesn't entitle you to park there all day.

 

[jennygirlmt]

@jennygirlmt is already paying to park at DHS in the morning so no additional charge to move the car to TTC as long as they show their parking receipt from the DHS lot.

Thanks! We actually have free parking anyway due to this being a wish trip, it's a "gift" from disney. So the parking fee is a moot point. I'm trying to limit the chaos of what will be a long day for littles. I thought a monorail/boat ride would be less annoying than them getting buckled into a car and traffic again.

My goal is no tears before wishes!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

OP, your plan of going to HS, TTC (parking), and hopping the monorail to GF is sound, but will eat some of your HS time because you'd need to leave there between 1430 and 1500 to make it to your 1600 reservation on time. Driving from HS to the GF for dinner and then TTC for parking after will preserve some of your HS time but be kind of a hassle after dinner - but you will make it in time to see fireworks. In this instance I might be inclined to say what the heck and stay parked at the GF after dinner.

 

[gap2368]

I would park at the TTC and ride the monorail over to the GF then ride the monorail back after wish/ the new night time show and after just get on the boat or monorail and head back to your car. I would give about 60 to 90 minutes to head over to GF for dinner if you get there early they may take you or you can look around the hotel.

 

[hiroMYhero]

DIS and especially the Resorts and Transportation Boards, do not promote parking at the Resorts and then entering parks as it is against Disney Resort parking guidelines.

Because the OP has a "special" parking placard, perhaps she can ask if they can park Valet rather than take up a regular spot at GFla. If they are denied Valet parking, then TTC is the best recommendation.

Another option is to watch Wishes at GFla after dinner. There should also be an outdoor movie showing somewhere on the grounds.

 

[Lynzer4]

I don't think hoping will be an issue and I think the dinner will be a nice break before Wishes. I think your girls will love it. Its one of my favorite places. The sisters are amazing!!!

With the Genie pass you should be able to get on all the rides. I would just plan ahead via the shows as will be the challenge. I would plan like so...

HS - arrive by 8:30am
Rides - Not sure what you kids will/can ride but I would go Rock-n/Tower first. Look at show times and plan those. I would say with your girls you will want to see Beauty, Frozen and Disney Jr.

I have been able to get those shows plus all the rides in at HS by 1pm. I think you should be able to get see everything you want by 2pm

Leave HS by 2pm
Drive to TTC - 2:30
Park and get on Monorail - 2:30-3:15
Get to GF by 3:25ish

We had a 4pm at 1900 last year... Cinderella and Prince Charming do a "walk" before dinner. Kids can join. My kids loved it. I believe its at 3:45 but double check... We got to GF around 3pm to have some downtime and it was great so if you get their early that's okay. There's a lot to see.

I would plan for at least an hour and 20 mins for dinner. Character meals can take more then an hour.

Leave around 5:30 via monorail. You should be in MK by 6pm.

Have fun! Hopefully the weather is wonderful (as I will be there during that time too)!

 

[piccolopat]

As long as the cost is not prohibitive for you, I would pay valet and park at the GF. After dinner you can go straight to the MK by monorail. This way you avoid the hassle of parking at the TTC before or after dinner and save some time for having fun. Enjoy your trip!