Suggestions for dinner during (or before) MNSSHP

[marlaine]

Anyone have any suggestions for dinner during or before mnsshp? We've always done CP in the past, but last year we decided it would be the last time-my DS isn't into the Pooh characters anymore and the food wasn't that great.
We always plan to get to the party at 4:00, and like to eat around 4:30.
We prefer a TS restaurant because we stay all the way until midnight.

TIA

 

[kari B.]

Why not try the Plaza? It's nothing fancy, but the food is always very tasty!

 

[baler31]

The Plaza or if you are open to CS Columbia Harbour House.

Really the only other choices for TS dinner are Tony's and LTT and he do not care for Tony's at all and while we love lunch at LTT we think dinner there is liking eating frozen dinner.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

We did CP at 4:30 of MNSSHP in Sept and, like you said, never again. NOt bad, just not real good and lots of empty pans on the buffet.
Plaza is good, that's what we did for MVMCP in '09. We were in and out in 45 minutes. Best reuben I've ever had, and I've had a lot of reubens.
This year we may take the boat and eat at GFC. We'll be at MK already, so head over there for an early dinner. Best NY strip on property.

 

[purple figment]

The TS at the MK is limited: two character meals (CP and CRT),, LTT is a set family style menu, Plaza is basically hamburgers and sandwiches, and Tony's is Italian.

Have you considered going to one of the monorail resorts where there are a lot of restaurants with a wide range of offerings. You could still eat an early dinner and get to the MK around 5 or 5:30.

 

[OhThePain]

This year will be our first MNSSHP. Our plan right now is to spend the day at MK before the party since I have read that for the most part crowds at MK are low those days. We plan on taking care of the rides durring the day this way we can explore the party more at night. Right now we are planning on going to 1900 PF for the last breakfast ADR of the morning (which is at about 11:20 AM). We figure this should hold us over for the day and when we get hungry later we plan on just heading to Casey's for a couple of hot dogs while we wait for HalloWishes for dinner. I have no clue if this plan will work, but right now thats the direction we are heading. It is just me and my girlfriend so we are a little more flexible as far as being able to hold off on eating. I am sure a family with younger kids would have a harder time waiting all that time between the ADR and HalloWishes.

 

[snykymom]

The Plaza or if you are open to CS Columbia Harbour House.

Really the only other choices for TS dinner are Tony's and LTT and he do not care for Tony's at all and while we love lunch at LTT we think dinner there is liking eating frozen dinner.

Last year, Harbor House was closed well before the party.

 

[baler31]

Last year, Harbor House was closed well before the party.

It usually closes at 6 on party nights (usually but you never know with Disney) We do two parties each year and we the Plaza on one night and CHH on the other. OP I would stick with your 4-4:30 plan even though that is early. We typically eat at that time before MNSSHP at that way we are done and ready to get in line (usually for the dwarfs) by 6ish.

 

[shellybaxter]

It usually closes at 6 on party nights (usually but you never know with Disney) We do two parties each year and we the Plaza on one night and CHH on the other. OP I would stick with your 4-4:30 plan even though that is early. We typically eat at that time before MNSSHP at that way we are done and ready to get in line (usually for the dwarfs) by 6ish.

We went into CHH just before 6 last year and it was perfect. We ate and got out right before 7. We headed to the hub to wait for the nights festivities.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

One year, we had a late lunch (@ 3:00) at Whispering Canyon Cafe and arrived at MNSSHP at 4:00. We were so full, we didn't need to eat again! We just snacked on Dole Whips later. Oh and we stayed the whole time.

This last year, we ate a late breakfast at Boma, then ate at Columbia Harbor House before they closed at 6:00. It was perfect!

I wouldn't waste valuable party time eating at a TS restaurant. I would do that BEFORE 4:00.

 

[seadd67]

We also are doing 2 shows this year, right now tentevly we have CP and Ohannas. We or should say I(my ds does not care where we eat,he just says Dad,pick what ever). Personaly I like CP,its not great,breakfast Is better but I enjoy it. My other option Is Chef Mickeys,never went there for Dinnier and Its close?

 

[snykymom]

Two years ago, Harbor House closed at 4:30. Who knows what they'll do this year?

 

[pixie08]

We usually chose an MK restaurunt during MNSSHP just so we are there and ready to go. Two years ago we ate at CP and really disliked it (for dinner). last year we chose LTT and liked it because of the location. When we were done, we were right in the thick of it so to speak and by HM!

 

[seadd67]

I know everyone has diffrent tastes and likes but why all the dislike of CP?. I am I just miss something?, we had dinner there twice and lunch once over the years and remeber just loveing it. Just seems like alot here on this thread not likeing it. I am not here to say your wrong,i do belive all of you but was it a dish? or the food all together.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Well, if you want to be sure you are at the MNSSHP well before 7pm, I would NOT go to places that can have a long wait or take a long time (Ohana, 1900 Park Fare, etc..). You could get stuck and having to make a choice, switch to counter service or be late for the MNSSHP.

But, we ate at 1900 Park Fare with a 4:30pm ADR (time restaurant opens) and were seated right away and made it to the MVMCP with time to spare. But... people have reported long waits there sometimes. I figured if we had an ADR when it first opens, shouldn't be a problem.

Another thing is.. many restaurants don't start seating for dinner until later.

If you didn't want to eat in MK, then I'd have a late lunch at Epcot (2 or 3pm).... or have dinner at one of the restaurants that are less likely to be crowded. The resort restaurants seemed to open up earlier for dinner (Grand Floridian Cafe, for example).

 

[OhThePain]

I know everyone has diffrent tastes and likes but why all the dislike of CP?. I am I just miss something?, we had dinner there twice and lunch once over the years and remeber just loveing it. Just seems like alot here on this thread not likeing it. I am not here to say your wrong,i do belive all of you but was it a dish? or the food all together.

For us it was the experience as a whole the last couple of times we were there (most recently this past May). The selection of food has gone down quite a bit over the last couple of years. We found many of the "hot dishes" were cold the last time, and overall execution of the food has been pretty subpar. The service our last 2 times has been pretty awful (couldn't get refills, couldn't get our plates taken, couldn't get a check). Several times characters would not only skip our table (it happens, we understand) but would skip entire sections of the restaurant. We understand its a buffet and that they need to serve mass quantities of food quickly, but for what they charge, we expect a little more. If they are going to be limited on the quality food offerings, then at least make sure the character interaction is worth visiting. To us, neither the food nor the characters can justify the price, so we no longer go. There are much much better options around WDW that we don't need to keep going to a place that does nothing but disappoint.

 

[nkereina]

Is there a benefit to arriving at MK/MNSSHP before it starts at 7? Just curious because I'm going to be making dinner ADR's prior to the party too. Thanks!

 

[disneyquestions]

Sorry to ask a stupid question, but have the dates been set for the party? I've looked, and can't find anything.

 

[juliebug1997]

I called last week and the dates have not been set but the CM told me that the dates will probably be available by the end of April.

My brother and I did CRT at 5:15 before our MVMCP (different, I know but somewhat relevant). It was perfect! We were done by 6:30 and walked right into the line for Rapunzel and Flynn. By the time they got there, it was a little after seven and the wristbands were checked before any of us could get in.

 

[nkereina]

You can *usually* guess what days MNSSHP will be held on when they release park hours which will be in March, due to the days MK closes at 7pm - especially if it matches the days it was held on last year. Nothing is official though of course.