Park hopping from AK to MK

[mi*vida*loca]

DD12 and I have plans to go to AK in the afternoon and then hop to MK for PM EMH. Right now EMH is from 9-11 but it is Veteran's Day weekend so I expect hours to be extended due to previous years.

So we want to stay at AK until as close to closing as possible which is 8 pm. We have a BOG ADR at 9:05 pm. HEA is scheduled at 9.

What would be your strategy to avoid the cluster that will be the crowds for HEA and not be late to our BOG ADR but also trying to stay as late as possible at AK (I love AK at night)?

We also have FOP FP for 6:30-7:30pm.

 

[Robo]

We have a BOG ADR at 9:05 pm. HEA is scheduled at 9.

I assume you don't intend to actually watch HEA.

Regardless, exit DAK at about 7:45-8:00pm and take the direct Disney bus to MK.

If it were me, I'd plan on making that trip earlier, but an hour may be OK.
Your biggest hurdle will be getting through the MK Hub that near HEA time.
(If you are a bit late to the ADR, you'll be OK (especially at that time of night.)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I assume you don't intend to actually watch HEA.

Regardless, exit DAK at about 7:45-8:00pm and take the direct Disney bus to MK.

If it were me, I'd plan on making that trip earlier, but an hour may be OK.
Your biggest hurdle will be getting through the MK Hub that near HEA time.
(If you are a bit late to the ADR, you'll be OK (especially at that time of night.)

We have a dessert party to watch HEA on arrival day. This is our last night so we aren’t worried about HEA this night.

Do they usually open the area behind the shops to walk through? I’ve walked out of MK that way after Wishes.

We could also try a Minnie van.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

That’s exactly what i keep picturing. Lol

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@mi*vida*loca - FWIW, I know this isn't related to your question but I really like watching HEA from behind the castle, especially since you will have already seen the "in front of the castle" version earlier in the week. I'd cheat a bit and watch HEA then head into BOG for your ADR a few mins late.

And yes, I'd recommend a Minnie Van to potentially shave some time.... or at least eyeballing the app to see if one is close by as you're making your way out. Also, the Minnie Van pick-up is in/near the bus station... so you can also check while waiting for the park-to-park and make a judgement call on the ground.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do they usually open the area behind the shops to walk through?

Generally not to walk in.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

@mi*vida*loca - FWIW, I know this isn't related to your question but I really like watching HEA from behind the castle, especially since you will have already seen the "in front of the castle" version earlier in the week. I'd cheat a bit and watch HEA then head into BOG for your ADR a few mins late.

And yes, I'd recommend a Minnie Van to potentially shave some time.... or at least eyeballing the app to see if one is close by as you're making your way out. Also, the Minnie Van pick-up is in/near the bus station... so you can also check while waiting for the park-to-park and make a judgement call on the ground.

I actually planned on watching it back there since it works out for us! I’ve always wanted to watch it from different points. Riding BTMR is another one. Maybe next time for that one.

I will definitely make a judgement call that day and do a Minnie van if it works out better.

 

[gharter]

i would agree with leaving AK at least an hour before, not knowing how long you will be waiting for a bus. Most likely Main Street will already be getting busy with people getting their spot for HEA. I would walk through the shops and miss the crowds on the street if the street is really crowded. The hub will be the difficult area to navigate unless they still have the street open.
Not sure if you will still be able to walk through the castle at that time. If not, one of the paths around the castle should be open.

 

[Mikey15]

i would agree with leaving AK at least an hour before, not knowing how long you will be waiting for a bus. Most likely Main Street will already be getting busy with people getting their spot for HEA. I would walk through the shops and miss the crowds on the street if the street is really crowded. The hub will be the difficult area to navigate unless they still have the street open.
Not sure if you will still be able to walk through the castle at that time. If not, one of the paths around the castle should be open.

It’s the long way around but depending on how close OP is to HEA and how bad the crowd is, they can “cut through” Tomorrowland Terrace and bypass the worst of the hub. It’s definitely not direct but may be faster at that time despite the added distance.

 

[Robo]

It’s the long way around but depending on how close OP is to HEA and how bad the crowd is, they can “cut through” Tomorrowland Terrace and bypass the worst of the hub. It’s definitely not direct but may be faster at that time despite the added distance.

Tomorrowland Terrace will be hosting two HEA Dessert Parties.

 

[Nancyg56]

@mi*vida*loca - FWIW, I know this isn't related to your question but I really like watching HEA from behind the castle, especially since you will have already seen the "in front of the castle" version earlier in the week. I'd cheat a bit and watch HEA then head into BOG for your ADR a few mins late.

And yes, I'd recommend a Minnie Van to potentially shave some time.... or at least eyeballing the app to see if one is close by as you're making your way out. Also, the Minnie Van pick-up is in/near the bus station... so you can also check while waiting for the park-to-park and make a judgement call on the ground.

May I tag along on this? My family has never seen HEA and will be in the MK on a non party night. I am not at all sure how crowded it is going to be in front of the Castle. Do you think it is a fair substitution if we see it from teh back for that first time? I have 7 of us so I cannot justify a dessert party for this show, but have been told you need to see the projections to appreciate it fully.

 

[Ben E N]

May I tag along on this? My family has never seen HEA and will be in the MK on a non party night. I am not at all sure how crowded it is going to be in front of the Castle. Do you think it is a fair substitution if we see it from teh back for that first time? I have 7 of us so I cannot justify a dessert party for this show, but have been told you need to see the projections to appreciate it fully.

I would just deal with the crowd if I were you. If you can't get in front of the castle, viewing from Main Street works just fine. About 60% of the show's appeal is the projections on the castle, so if you're seeing it for the first time, you really want a front view.

 

[Robo]

I would just deal with the crowd if I were you. If you can't get in front of the castle, viewing from Main Street works just fine. About 60% of the show's appeal is the projections on the castle, so if you're seeing it for the first time, you really want a front view.

Agreed.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would just deal with the crowd if I were you. If you can't get in front of the castle, viewing from Main Street works just fine. About 60% of the show's appeal is the projections on the castle, so if you're seeing it for the first time, you really want a front view.

That is what I figured. WE will just manage. Thank you for letting me know before we spread out from the Hub.

Agreed.

View attachment 348874

Thank you Robo. The map makes it easier for me to visualize.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

May I tag along on this? My family has never seen HEA and will be in the MK on a non party night. I am not at all sure how crowded it is going to be in front of the Castle. Do you think it is a fair substitution if we see it from teh back for that first time? I have 7 of us so I cannot justify a dessert party for this show, but have been told you need to see the projections to appreciate it fully.

I think for first time viewing, from the Hub/in front of the castle is best (in my opinion). It's the "whole" show as intended to be seen. It has only been after several viewings from the Hub that I'm now OK watching from other parts of the park, like behind the castle. FWIW, I am not one of those that thinks you "have" to see the projections for it to be good entertainment... it's still a great fireworks show (in my opinion). But still, if you can manage the crowds - I'd say stick to the front. Good luck!

 

[Mikey15]

Tomorrowland Terrace will be hosting two HEA Dessert Parties.

I've always been able to walk through the corridor (don't have to be doing a Dessert Party). You don't actually walk through a seating area,

 

[Ben E N]

I've always been able to walk through the corridor (don't have to be doing a Dessert Party). You don't actually walk through a seating area,

When I was there just over a month ago, they made us take that route from fantasyland in order to see the fireworks. It actually went even further, past where the number 1 is on the map. It worked really well, as we then filled in main street from the back to the front.
I would assume you could walk the same route in reverse if you told the CM watching it that you have an ADR.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Maybe a little bit of a long shot, but would it help to see if the train is running, and take it around to the back of the park, skipping the crowds entirely?

 

[Robo]

Maybe a little bit of a long shot, but would it help to see if the train is running, and take it around to the back of the park, skipping the crowds entirely?

MK shuts down the operation of the Railroad well before (about an hour before) -and during- the MK fireworks,
due to embers fallout along the train tracks near the north edge of MK property.