Please help w/ scheduling for Ohana & MK

[bamagirl@hrt]

I'm going to WDW for a conference in January w/out my family. I'm traveling with a friend from church who is attending the same conference. She is a grandmother several times over and has never been to WDW! We will have the biggest part of one day to go to the MK. The hours that day are 9-8. When we were talking about dining, I mentioned the menu at Ohana and she really liked it. So here is where I need advice. I want to make the most of our time at the park, so I kind of hate to leave early and miss the fireworks. But, we have to be back at CSR before 9:30 in order to check-in for the next day's portion of the conference, so eating after park hours is not an option.

Here are the two options I've thought of. Please make your recommendation of either or, maybe you've thought of another option I haven't. I expect we won't arrive at the park before noon-ish.

1. Spend the afternoon at the park. I don't think she'll be a "mountain" rider. I'm thinking she'll enjoy the classics, such as Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise, as well as the Fantasyland rides. Think she'll really enjoy the afternoon parade also. Leave the park about 6pm & take the monorail or water taxi to Polynesian for dinner at 6:30. Depending on time finished, either watch Wishes from Poly beach or try to see it from Town Square area at MK.

2. Leave park about 4:30 for a 5pm ADR at Ohana. Go back to MK afterwards to ride a few more rides and see Wishes.

What do you think? Thanks for your help!

Christy

 

[2giddy4wdw]

If it were up to me I would go with choice 2. I have never seen the fireworks from any other place than inside the castle and it just gives you a great feeling with all of your surroundings.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[bcsmom]

I would probably go with choice #2 also. I have eaten at Ohana during wishes, and they do dim the lights and play the music, but it is not the same. I have watched from the beach also, and you can see perfectly but no music. However, I do hate the crowds leaving the park after wishes.