Tambu Lounge .... hard to get in for a quick dinner/drinks before HEA?

[KEadler]

We will be at MK on the Sunday before Easter. I think we can be done in the park after the parade (we have a 2nd half day planned at MK on our last day). Would it be possible to go back to AllStars for a quick nap/dip in the pool and then go to Tambu Lounge for a quick dinner/drinks before going back to MK for HEA? My adult daughter and I would love to get a Lapu Lapu, and we are all fond of "bar-type" food! Thanks for any thoughts you can share with me!

 

[lovin'fl]

i will just describe our recent experience but YMMV. We were there on Jan 2 and Jan 5. Jan 2, we had late, like 9something, dinner resies at Kona. It was during the horrible cold spell. We checked in 30 mins early and waited about 30 mins past our ADR time. The whole upstairs there, Kona and Tambu and seating and the shop and sushi counter, was packed. Dinner service was slow and we didnt like the food at Kona but I digress.

Because we really wanted Ohana type food we kept searching for ADR and got one for the 5th. That was at 8:30. The upstairs was less busy but Tambu was hopping. We got there early again and were seated about 15 mins past ADR time....and it took DH that entire 40 mins to get us two beers at Tambu. Crazy!

It would be best if you went close to 4pm. I'd think 7-10 is super busy.

 

[Garebear]

I don't see why not but you could be pushing it. Parade starts at 3 and usually last like 25 minutes. Fireworks start at 9 so as long as you get in the park at a reasonable time and depending on how busy Tambu Lounge is (which is usually busy from when I went), I'm sure you can make it after having some down time.

 

[mckennarose]

I agree with the previous poster, it gets crowded in the evening! We had dining reservations for 8 pm one evening and the whole upstairs was packed with people waiting. We checked in early and had to wait to find a seat. They had a server from the bar bringing drinks, though. (lapu lapu is tasty!)

 

[KEadler]

Thanks for your thoughts! We might try it to see if it's possible. If we can't manage to get something to eat there, is there somewhere else you would recommend getting something quick to eat?

 

[lovin'fl]

The quick service is really good there. Its downstairs. Or you could monorail to the Contemp and do the Wave Lounge.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

There is no such thing as "quick" anything at WDW. If you plan on doing this, I would highly recommend taking an uber/lyft/cab at the very least to Poly from All Stars. If you rely on Disney transportation, it could take you up to 90 minutes just to get from your resort to Poly.

The parade is at 3:00 pm. If you see it from Frontierland/Liberty Square, it will be over by about 3:25 pm, but then you have to walk all the way to the MK entrance. If you watch it along Main St. or near the entrance, it won't be over until about 3:45 pm. You then need to walk to the bus, wait for the bus and go back to your resort. If you are lucky, you'll be back at your resort by 4:30 pm. Personally, I would be getting into a cab/uber/lyft by 6:30/6:45 pm to get to Poly at attempt Tambu so you can be at the monorail station by 8:15 pm at the very latest (even earlier if you want a better spot for HEA). It will most likely be very crowded and chaotic up there. If it's really bad, I would step up to the bar and get the Lapu Lapu's and head down to Capt. Cooks to get some actual food.

Personally, if you can skip going back to the resort and just find some relaxing things to do in the MK resort area, I would do that. Take a boat to WL and relax in the lobby, head out to Geyser Point for a drink and just chill out there (It's really lovely). Or do a monorail tour and go to Poly earlier (Trader Sam's opens at 4 pm and it's super fun in there. They have great apps as well.)

 

[kniquy]

You might be better off or have a back up plan to go to trader sams. You will likely not get inside but they do have an outside sitting area - you can get drinks and bar food out there too.

 

[KEadler]

I just booked Kona Cafe for 6:20. That should give us plenty of time to eat and get to MK for HEA, right? What time do I need to leave AllSTar Sports to get to Poly for ADR? Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I just booked Kona Cafe for 6:20. That should give us plenty of time to eat and get to MK for HEA, right? What time do I need to leave AllSTar Sports to get to Poly for ADR? Thanks!

What time is HEA?

I would allow 2 hours that time of night at Kona, then you have to clear security to transport to MK.

 

[KEadler]

What time is HEA?

I would allow 2 hours that time of night at Kona, then you have to clear security to transport to MK.

Park hours are listed as 9-9. HEA is listed at 9:00. What security is there to clear to transport to MK?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Park hours are listed as 9-9. HEA is listed at 9:00. What security is there to clear to transport to MK?

They make you go through security to get on either the monorail or boat from Poly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I just booked Kona Cafe for 6:20. That should give us plenty of time to eat and get to MK for HEA, right? What time do I need to leave AllSTar Sports to get to Poly for ADR? Thanks!

If you are taking a cab/uber/lyft, I would be in the car no later than 5:40 pm. If you are using Disney transportation, you should be at the bus stop to MK by 5:00 pm as you'll then need to transfer to the Poly boat or the monorail. Yes, a 6:20 pm Kona reservation should be fine for 9 pm HEA.

 

[KEadler]

If you are taking a cab/uber/lyft, I would be in the car no later than 5:40 pm.

Does it take that long to get from AllStar Sports to Kona Cafe? I thought if I used Uber I wouldn't need to leave until about 6?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Does it take that long to get from AllStar Sports to Kona Cafe? I thought if I used Uber I wouldn't need to leave until about 6?

If you are in the car and it's leaving ASSp at 6:00 pm, you should be ok (it's about a 15 minute drive). That leaves you 5 minutes to get out of the car and get up the stairs to Kona. I've used both uber and lyft at WDW and it has taken up to 15 minutes for a car to show up. I would be outside of ASSP, on whatever app you're using, calling the car at 5:40 pm at the latest. With anything at WDW, guesstimate how long it's going to take you to get somewhere and then add 30 minutes for waiting and for traffic.

 

[lovin'fl]

Yeah and i always like to check in 10-15 mins early. I, personally, would be in uber car by 5:50. I would order it at 5:40.