Strategy for MK/Chef Mickey's

[meded70]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here but have learned a lot by lurking! Question for you all: we will be visiting MK the same day we have reservations at Chef Mickey's at 11:20 am. MK open at 9 am that day. Is it worth going to MK before heading over to Chef Mickey's? How much time will we need to get from MK to Chef Mickey's? We will be there in November. Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well I guess it depends on how many attractions you can see before you need to leave and factoring in their wait times. Now when going from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary you can take the Resort Monorail just 1 stop or use the walkway which goes there, so you won't have a long time getting there.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you can BE there at rope drop, it would be worthwhile. You can often get more done in the first hour a park is open than you can the rest of the day! That said of course, November is less busy (except Thanksgiving).

It also depends on how much other time you will have in the Magic Kingdom on your visit whether it is worthwhile or not.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Personally, I wouldn't stress yourself out of getting in the park at 9 and getting back out for your reservation. I'd do a nice relaxing morning, take a swim, take your time and head over in time for your reservation and then stay at the park as late as possible.

We have the same situation, sort of. Our lunch isn't until 2 and it's our first day so we are planning on doing lunch and then heading to MK. We might get to WDW earlier than I thought and if we do, maybe we'll do DTD until it's time.

 

[dolphindan1]

I think that will depend on what part of Nov...if going Thanksgiving or even Jersey week I would see about finding a dinner seating or late afternoon sitting for CM....even Mid Nov i dont think I would stick with the sitting and we went last mid nov. to empty parks and hoping to see the same this year...try and search again for an 8am seating or even earlier.... I think CM starts at 7ish...I just did a search for family of 4 for Chef Mickeys on 11/16 and came back with a 7am and 720am seating...like I said if you can change it i would...Use the online feature and you can really fix it to your schedule...why not Crystal Palace in the park it would be easier

If you stay with it...you should get all of FL or whatever land you choose...you wil have to start heading out by about ten to 11 or 11 for a 15 to 20 min walk....and take the path to Contemporary not the monorail...I just think at 1120 its still lower crowds do an early dinner and come back for parade and fireworks...

 

[lpereira]

If you can be at the park in time for rope drop do it. Most if not all of Fantasyland can be accomlished by 10 am. Then either walk over to FRontierland and take the train to the entrance and boat to Contemporary OR walk from Fantasyland to entrance and walk over to Contemporary. If you go out via Frontierland you can grab a FP for later use on the way.

 

[Robo]

either walk over to FRontierland and take the train to the entrance and boat to Contemporary OR walk from Fantasyland to entrance and walk over to Contemporary.

Sorry, but there's no guest boat from MK to the Contemporary.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here but have learned a lot by lurking! Question for you all: we will be visiting MK the same day we have reservations at Chef Mickey's at 11:20 am. MK open at 9 am that day. Is it worth going to MK before heading over to Chef Mickey's? How much time will we need to get from MK to Chef Mickey's? We will be there in November. Thanks!

 

[disnee4mygirls]

I would definitelly get there at rope drop as you can get a ton done before lunch! Although you have to get up early, it helps get some of the more popular attractions out of the way before the park gets crowded. And why waste perfectly good park time unless you are there an extended period of time.....I'd go then go out to eat lunch! My favorite times are the mornings and late nights! Have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would be there at rope drop, get some FP's and ride a few rides.

 

[miamiredhawk827]

If there is EMH you can get there at 8 lol... It depends what transportation you wanna take, walking could be quicker than taking the monorail with all the people coming to the park from the parking lot and the other resorts

 

[Robo]

It depends what transportation you wanna take, walking could be quicker than taking the monorail with all the people coming to the park from the parking lot and the other resorts

Not necessarily so, in this specific case.

The RESORT monorail will have reached MK while coming FROM the Contemporary and the TTC/MK parking lot (after interim stops at the Poly and GF) and that monorail will have significantly emptied most of its guests at MK.

Boarding should be very easy.
AND- the next stop will be at the Contemporary at the station that is just a one-floor escalator ride (plus a few steps around the corner) from Chef Mickey's.

Walking is fine, but you will still be 4 floors and the distance from the main lobby doors away from Chef Mickey's when your walk takes you to the Contemporary.

Again, walking is a fine choice, but in the circumstance of heading directly to Chef Mickey's from MK when it's still pretty early in the day, the Resort Monorail can offer some special benefits.

(Not the least of which is Air Conditioning. )

 

[Music City Mama]

I would go to MK. At the very least, you can pick up some FPs -- you'll probably get a couple of rides in, as well. Everyone will be heading into the park as you're heading out to CM's -- shouldn't take you long at all to hop the monorail over there (or walk if you feel like it).

 

[susieQzee]

Not necessarily so, in this specific case.

The RESORT monorail will have reached MK while coming FROM the Contemporary and the TTC/MK parking lot (after interim stops at the Poly and GF) and that monorail will have significantly emptied most of its guests at MK.

Boarding should be very easy.
AND- the next stop will be at the Contemporary at the station that is just a one-floor escalator ride (plus a few steps around the corner) from Chef Mickey's.

Walking is fine, but you will still be 4 floors and the distance from the main lobby doors away from Chef Mickey's when your walk takes you to the Contemporary.

Again, walking is a fine choice, but in the circumstance of heading directly to Chef Mickey's from MK when it's still pretty early in the day, the Resort Monorail can offer some special benefits.

(Not the least of which is Air Conditioning. )

Robo is right on target, as per usual. If you decide to visit MK in the morning, take the resort Monorail. It's a quick, fun ride into The Contemporary, and the escalator downstairs is immediately as you exit the Monorail. Piece of cake!

One other point that's not being mentioned: Be sure to arrive at Chef Mickey's for check in at least 20 minutes before your reservation time. Once you're checked in, they hand you one of those vibrating buzzers and direct you to the family photographers for a quick paparazzi session. After that, you sit in a lounge seating area to wait for your buzzer to summon you.

Have FUN!

 

[meded70]

Thanks, everyone! This will be our second day at MK, so we'll have the lay of the land and know what we want to see right away. I like the idea of changing to the 7:20 reservation, but we aren't exactly morning people. Getting there at rope drop will be challenging enough! Thanks again for all the great responses.