PTN dining issue

[maleficent55]

I reserved a PTN dining package at WCT but the only time we got for DINNER on Tuesday 8/7 is 4:20pm! Blasphemy! That's so so early for dinner to me. I called the dining reservation line and apparently the latest seating for the PTN dining package is 4:30pm. Seems crazy to me. Also, further complicating this is that we have a Lamplight lunch reservation the same day at 1:35pm. I can't change that at all, it's booked through September 7th is what the vast member told me I believe. that's a short interval between lunch and dinner!

The other option is this: our first night is Monday 8/6. I was planning on trying to watch the fireworks but we can perhaps try for PTN instead, grabbing a pot length route and if we do and our view is good I can cancel our PTN dining reservation.
so the our plan would be:

Monday: PTN no dining reservation (PLAN B would be fireworks)
Tuesday: Fireworks (PLAN B would be PTN dining package)
Wednesday: Fantasmic! (we already have a BB dining package, stay seated for fireworks)
Thursday: Fireworks

that's 3 nights of fireworks but I'm a little traumatized from our last trip, they were cancelled our first 3 nights until we finally saw them on our 4th and final night!

Has anyone else had such an early PTN dining package, WCT can be slow, so maybe we wouldn't be eating until almost 5:30 anyway?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Keep checking daily for a later time for WCT. It is possible that you could grab a cancellation for a later time slot. You can check online and by phone. Also, you should have no problem finding good viewing spots for PTN without a super long wait. That parade route is long, so even if you see certain areas along the route that look full, keep walking along the whole route. You will find other areas that aren't full further along the route. If you do view fireworks on more than one night, try to view from different areas so that you can experieince the show from different angles. You're already going to get the ROA view on the Wednesday night, so go for Main Street (our current favorite), the castle, or IASW on the other nights.

 

[SeattleMom]

I reserved a PTN dining package at WCT but the only time we got for DINNER on Tuesday 8/7 is 4:20pm! Blasphemy! That's so so early for dinner to me. I called the dining reservation line and apparently the latest seating for the PTN dining package is 4:30pm. Seems crazy to me. Also, further complicating this is that we have a Lamplight lunch reservation the same day at 1:35pm. I can't change that at all, it's booked through September 7th is what the vast member told me I believe. that's a short interval between lunch and dinner!

The other option is this: our first night is Monday 8/6. I was planning on trying to watch the fireworks but we can perhaps try for PTN instead, grabbing a pot length route and if we do and our view is good I can cancel our PTN dining reservation.
so the our plan would be:

Monday: PTN no dining reservation (PLAN B would be fireworks)
Tuesday: Fireworks (PLAN B would be PTN dining package)
Wednesday: Fantasmic! (we already have a BB dining package, stay seated for fireworks)
Thursday: Fireworks

that's 3 nights of fireworks but I'm a little traumatized from our last trip, they were cancelled our first 3 nights until we finally saw them on our 4th and final night!

Has anyone else had such an early PTN dining package, WCT can be slow, so maybe we wouldn't be eating until almost 5:30 anyway?

Have you considered the Sonoma Paint the Night Reception? It’s a little pricey but so worth it, in my opinion, for the front row unobstructed views and the 8pm reservation.

 

[maleficent55]

Keep checking daily for a later time for WCT. It is possible that you could grab a cancellation for a later time slot. You can check online and by phone. Also, you should have no problem finding good viewing spots for PTN without a super long wait. That parade route is long, so even if you see certain areas along the route that look full, keep walking along the whole route. You will find other areas that aren't full further along the route. If you do view fireworks on more than one night, try to view from different areas so that you can experieince the show from different angles. You're already going to get the ROA view on the Wednesday night, so go for Main Street (our current favorite), the castle, or IASW on the other nights.

The latest time IS 4:30, and we have 4:20. A little ridiculous that the latest PTN “dinner” is that early, but they were anticipating WOC dining after that I think...

So other than 10 minutes later we DO have the latest reservation

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The latest time IS 4:30, and we have 4:20. A little ridiculous...

A little ridiculous and a lot odd... Well, as you noted, WCT can definitely be slow, so go ahead and take it even slower! E.N.J.O.Y. every single second of your meal and relax. And if you decide to cancel your reservation, know that you still should be just fine as far as finding good viewing spots.

 

[maleficent55]

A little ridiculous and a lot odd... Well, as you noted, WCT can definitely be slow, so go ahead and take it even slower! E.N.J.O.Y. every single second of your meal and relax. And if you decide to cancel your reservation, know that you still should be just fine as far as finding good viewing spots.

I think our best bet remains trying for a curb spot on Monday night and if we score and all is well I will cancel the reservation. If not, we will keep it on Tuesday and order and eat S L O W

I like that the reserved area of WCT PTN has a bench (or two?) in it.

 

[calilou]

We just got back from a trip that included PTN reservations at WCT at 4:20 and had a great experience. We were two adults and five kids/tweens. We all enjoyed our dinner on the covered patio and were able to take a nice, leisurely break before doing more rides prior to the parade start. Service was slow, but in a good, relaxing way. Adults got to enjoy a glass of wine... it was wonderful! I had low expectations because the last time we dined at WCT several years ago, I wasn’t impressed with the food or atmosphere (I recommend sitting outside as opposed to inside). Additionally, we did the Carthay Circle PTN dining package in May and loved it. And although that parade seating is the best (you get directors chairs), the WCT was a very close second for significantly less money. As for your 1:35 Lamplight Lounge reservation, I would try showing up early for that and just sticking with a cocktail and light app and keep your WCT PTN reservation. At least you’ll get to try it!

 

[Jnjtrio]

You really do not need to reserve dining for the PTN parade. The route is long in DCA and you can find prime viewing spots up to 30 min before hand. If you really want to eat there just get a normal reservation for the time you would like to eat. I did the WCT PTN and better viewing was available from other areas. The people on other side of our viewing area were less crowded. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I like that the reserved area of WCT PTN has a bench (or two?) in it.

Posters have reported getting benches along the parade route with about a 90+ minute wait, if that helps.

 

[KPeterso]

Interesting that is the last dining time. I am doing the Carthay Circle premium PTN package next week and our dinner reservation is for 5 PM. So at least some places have the reservations available a little later.