So We Won't Be "Late, late, for a very important date!"

[whogirl'smom]

Here's a transportation and timing question. We are going to the Wonderland Tea Party at 1:30 p.m. at 1900 Park Fare on 10/13. : If we are already in MK that morning, how early should we leave the park (monorail) to get to the Grand Floridian by 1:00 (check-in time for WTP)?

OR, if we wait and come to MK that afternoon, how much time to allow from parking at TTC to get to the tea party? I am supposing it will be busier parking, getting tram, etc. at this time? Planning this trip is definitely like being down the rabbit hole!

Thanks to all you time wizards!

 

[Tinker74]

We just did this tea party for my dd6 a couple of weeks ago. We arrived at the MK for 8am because we had an early adr for crystal palace. This worked out great ...as we were ready at the rope drop to fantasyland for 9am...dd even got to wake up tink! ..It also meant we didn't have to stop for lunch before the tea party as were full from our large breakfast.
We had a great morning and got loads done...dd got to ride barnstormer with goofy at the toon town opening.

We planned to leave the MK by 12.45..as i wanted to make sure we arrived at the GF by 1.15pm to check into the tea party.
On leaving the MK we picked up our bag from the lockers that contained dds Alice dress....We then got the boat over to the GF...one was there waiting to leave as we arrived at the boat dock.
I highly recommend getting the boat instead of monorail...The monorail stops at the GF last after leaving the MK and this can take 20 mins oro.
The boat took about 5mins and was lovely relaxing and breezy.

So we ended up arriving at the GF by 1pm...we went straight to the lobby and flopped down in the big comfy couches. I took dd to the restrooms..whist DH and Ds relaxed..changed her into the Alice dress and then checked in at about 1.15pm.
We were given a beeper and I waved goodbye to dd as they all went in..after taking a couple of pics of her sitting at the table...she got lucky and Alice ended up sitting next to her!
Whilst she was there Me dh and DS went to Gasparilla grill (GF food court)..got some lunch and relaxed outside with our food and drink.
We picked dd up at 2.30pm and she had LOVED the tea party.

It was a perfect start to our holiday!

 

[SnwflkCts]

Oh Tinker74 - it sounded like you had a wonderful day!! I wish I had a little dd! I decided my nephews better start families soon and better give me a little princess to spoil -- I'm not into the pirate stuff!

The boat is a good idea! The monorail is fast but the boat is faster!

 

[mickaholic4077]

If you are a resort guest,you could park at the GF if you're not going to MK in the morning.

 

[Tinker74]

Thanks Snwflkcts...It was a perfect first day. ..I had planned and planned for over a year..I had agonised over timings and meals..and it all came together perfectly...it all unfolded exaxtly how I planned. It is SO worth the time putting together a good plan..and researching.
The icing on the cake was things i hoped DD might get to do but I didn't thing we would have a chance...like waking tink...riding with goofy...being Chip in belles storytime...asked a question by crush..up front on the monorail.
Sitting next to Alice...she loved that..especially as the mad hatter kept geiing her mixed up with the real Alice..she still talks a lot about that.

 

[whogirl'smom]

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip, Tinker 74!! Thanks for your detailed report--it's nice to talk to someone who is as into planning as I am. I woke up at 4:30 this morning, wondering how arrange our day around the tea party!
Just one more question, so I won't wonder this, too--Where is the boat dock located exactly?

Thanks, again!

 

[Tinker74]

Hi.. ..As you leave the MK ...turn to your right..you will see the ramps for the resort monorail and the express monorail...the boat dock fot the GF is next to this...on the lake obviously ...you will be able to see the GF across the water from it.
I was the same ..wondering were everything was ...the first coulpe of days I was constanly asking CM..Exuse me where is the ... ..It doesn't matter how many maps you pour over sometimes you just need to be there to understand.
But trust me the Boat dock is easy to see..Leave MK turn right on the lake and there it is.
Have a great time.