Things to do between Ohana and fireworks?

[1m1b]

If we do the Ohana at 4pm, what would we do between then and the fireworks at 8? We want to mini-golf at Fantasia, which we're hoping will be open in January. I'm hoping we can do the mini golf *before* the Ohana. Our plane arrives at 11 at MCO. I don't know if that's realistic. If it's not, we could mini-golf after dinner. If we leave the Polynesian parking lot, will it be a mess to come back later for the fireworks view from the beach?

None of us have been to Disney before, and one member of the party is older and unable to walk a lot. Some will be ok (putt putt, 20 minutes), but not a lot. That person won't even do the parks but will be doing other excursions.

 

[Hopefully]

If we do the Ohana at 4pm, what would we do between then and the fireworks at 8? We want to mini-golf at Fantasia, which we're hoping will be open in January. I'm hoping we can do the mini golf *before* the Ohana. Our plane arrives at 11 at MCO. I don't know if that's realistic. If it's not, we could mini-golf after dinner. If we leave the Polynesian parking lot, will it be a mess to come back later for the fireworks view from the beach?

None of us have been to Disney before, and one member of the party is older and unable to walk a lot. Some will be ok (putt putt, 20 minutes), but not a lot. That person won't even do the parks but will be doing other excursions.

I think your understanding of the size of WDW and the distance between things is unreasonable.
Will you have a car? Are you staying at the Poly or somewhere else?
If you are staying at the Poly, flying into MCO and have a rental car you will need to collect your luggage at baggage claim at MCO, pick up the rental car, and drive to WDW. That will take a minimum of 2 hours - maybe longer depending on how long it takes to get your luggage and the car.
It is highly unlikely that your room will be ready before 3 PM if in the Resort and 4 PM if in a DVC Villa.
That leaves very little time before your 'OHana ADR to try to get to Fantasia Gardens for minigolf.
Fantasia Gardens is near the Boardwalk - a bit of a drive from the Poly.
Whether or not parking at the Poly before fireworks is problematic or not depends on whether you are a guest of that resort or not. If not, they may not allow you back in before the fireworks unless you pay to Valet Park. I think trying to get to Fantasia Gardens after 'OHana dinner and before 8 PM is also not enough time. Mini golf will take more than 20 minutes to complete
Good Luck

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Sit in the lobby? Drinks at Tambu? Otherwise, you're mostly looking at walking around.

I don't think you'll have time for golf before your ADR, and moving between Ohana, golf, Poly again is not reasonable in 4 total hours including dining.

 

[1m1b]

Yes on the rental car. We're staying at PO Riverside. If we have the bands and are pre checked in, then we just go to our rooms whenever we want, yes? So we could, in theory, go directly to mini-golf when we get to WDW, then do dinner, then go to our rooms, whatever.

Yeah, that's what I'm concerned about. If it were a group of women, walking to the other resort and back, shopping along the way, would make a lot of sense. But I'm going to be with dh, my dad, and ds8, not exactly a great mix for shopping. And you're saying if we leave the resort, poof not getting back in. Sigh.

I have the two park days for me and ds figured out just fine I think, well at least for the ADRs. It's just this first, partial day where I keep going in circles. I thought about Hoop Dee Doo, but I'm not sure if it would drive us crazy? The mini golf is the only thing I'm REALLY trying to squeeze in that day, as dumb as it sounds, because it's something that is really perfect with this mix of ages. Ds likes Fantasia and my father would enjoy doing it with him. So if you know we're staying at POR and you know we want to mini-golf Fantasia, where would you eat dinner? Honestly, even the fireworks that night are optional. My dad starts winding down about 6pm and doesn't need to be out late like that. It will already have been a long day. He'd be just as happy going back to the resort and maybe doing the singing guy in the lounge or something. I thought about Boatwrights for dinner, but that was my plan for Sunday evening for the guys. I don't know if it's good enough to eat twice?

 

[1m1b]

So our itinerary so far is

Thurs--fly in, mini-golf, dinner, bed
Friday--group splits, 2 men going to Cocoa and 1 mom and 1 boy going to Disney

Saturday--wedding

Sunday--1 mom and 1 boy at Disney, while grandpa naps

Monday--breakfast and fly out

So that's what I've got. We're actually here for a wedding and just squeezing things in. Date is end of January.

I don't need to be out too late Thurs because we'll have an early start Friday. I have the dessert party for Wishes Friday and VIP for Fantasmic Sunday . The men will probably eat Boatwrights Sunday evening while ds and I do the parks. So I just have this Thursday night dinner thing to figure out. And the mini golf would be really nice if I can get it in.

I thought about going to Disney Springs for dinner. Like would we have time to mini-golf Fantasia, go to Disney Springs for dinner, maybe bowl, and then go back to POR? Would that be crazy? We do have the car, but we could in theory drive to Fantasia, park at POR, and ride the water taxi to Disney Springs.

 

[1m1b]

Are we ok on time to mini-golf *before* Ohana, then just leave and go back to POR? I was assuming maybe 1 1/2 hours for the mini-golf and then 1/2 hour to get from there to Ohana. Does that sound on track?

 

[Hopefully]

So our itinerary so far is

Thurs--fly in, mini-golf, dinner, bed
Friday--group splits, 2 men going to Cocoa and 1 mom and 1 boy going to Disney

Saturday--wedding

Sunday--1 mom and 1 boy at Disney, while grandpa naps

Monday--breakfast and fly out

So that's what I've got. We're actually here for a wedding and just squeezing things in. Date is end of January.

I don't need to be out too late Thurs because we'll have an early start Friday. I have the dessert party for Wishes Friday and VIP for Fantasmic Sunday . The men will probably eat Boatwrights Sunday evening while ds and I do the parks. So I just have this Thursday night dinner thing to figure out. And the mini golf would be really nice if I can get it in.

I thought about going to Disney Springs for dinner. Like would we have time to mini-golf Fantasia, go to Disney Springs for dinner, maybe bowl, and then go back to POR? Would that be crazy? We do have the car, but we could in theory drive to Fantasia, park at POR, and ride the water taxi to Disney Springs.

Yes I think this plan is crazy!!! (See Bold above)
Travel day is very tiring for even young adults. You said on a normal day your Dad is winding down around 6 PM. What time will you all need to be up in order to make your early flight? I think you are trying to do way too much. Either mini golf and dinner on travel day or dinner and bowling on travel day sounds like too much for your group. We do an early morning flight usually arriving at our resort around 11 AM. We may do a park for the afternoon - may not. Depends on whether we have a room to rest in or not - usually not.
We then have an early dinner and early night to get ready for the days ahead.
Maybe Fantasia mini golf on your way to your resort while you wait for your room. Even if you do check in ahead, you can NOT "just go to your room anytime". They will need to notify when it is ready and most likely that will be later in the afternoon.
Good Luck

 

[sharonabe]

I agree with Hopefully on this one. I don't think I'd make any hard and fast plans for this day, and definitely not an ADR.

Once you land and are headed to the rental car, take the pulse of the group. If they're up for mini-golf, then head there and enjoy. Once golf is done, I'd head to POR. Your room should be ready and you can freshen up for dinner. I think I'd try something over at Disney Springs then get back for an early bedtime. You can check for available ADRs through the app or ask at guest services when you get to POR. There are also a lot of great QS options over at DS, so you may not even need an ADR for a TS.

 

[1m1b]

Ok, I'm listening! I reviewed the January 2016 calendar for POR and realized there's actually quite a bit there. I can't go ALL the way to unplanned, because I've got multiple people with ADHD and ASD. There's really got to be stuff to do and a plan, lol. So it looks like we could be really happy either with dinner at Boatwrights or DS. I was thinking I would call and ask them to have the room ready early, if possible, for my dad. He typically naps in the afternoon for several hours, and, like you're saying, it's hard to predict whether he'll want that nap or be so excited he wants to stay up and do things and just go to bed early. But either way, I agree that the flexibility of just planning to be at the resort, do things at the resort, and then only mini-golf or bowl if it strikes us makes sense. I think I can keep my ds busy with the pool, maybe the game time (iffy), walking to POFQ, or the boat to DS to bowl. He just has a LOT of energy, so I have to have things to do with him.

I'm a little bummed because the T-Rex is full till like 9pm, sniff. I was told it's very loud, which is not an absolute dealbreaker but could be overwhelming. Still, it looks amazing! Is Boatwright's actually good? Is the gumbo good? I don't eat shrimp or beef, so it's the only thing only the menu that was calling to me. I'm going to go look at the DS restaurants.

If we eat dinner at POR Boatwrights, then we could do the campfire, the movie in pjs (is that something people do?), and then off to bed with him. It's actually really slick, hehe. It's a really good argument in favor of just eating at POR, though I could probably work it out at DS too.

Does that seem like a more sane plan?

 

[sharonabe]

Does that seem like a more sane plan?

I think so.

 

[mickeygirl78]

I'm a little bummed because the T-Rex is full till like 9pm, sniff.

try calling T-Rex directly if you haven't already. They only release a portion of their reservations to Disney. I've had good luck calling the restaurant directly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

try calling T-Rex directly if you haven't already. They only release a portion of their reservations to Disney. I've had good luck calling the restaurant directly.

Agreed.

Also, you can get a Landry's Select Card on the Landry's website. It's $25, but that $25 then goes toward your dining check. If it's someone birthday month, you get another $25 toward the check as well. With the Landry's Card, you don't even need a reservation for T-Rex (or Rainforest Cafe or Yak and Yeti). Simply show your card to the CM checking people in to the restaurant and you will get priority seating.

If you end up going to mini-golf at Fantasia, you may also want to consider simply eating at a Swan or Dolphin resort restaurant (Swan/Dolphin is right across the street from Fantasia). The Garden Grove at the Swan has a very nice character buffet. If you want to eat at a Swan or Dolphin restaurant, you can call the restaurant directly for reservations. No CC hold required.

 

[1m1b]

Ooo thank you!!! These are good tips!!!

 

[Hopefully]

Yes this is definitely a better plan for y our family.
Don't call the hotel directly to request early checkin - those calls go to an off site CAll Center, not the hotel. Call the main reservation number and ask them to add the request to your reservation. You should make that your only request if it is important to you. But it is only a request and they may not be able to grant it. So you need to plan as if you won't have a room before 3 and then if you do it is a bonus. But think about all the families with young children who also want room early for a nap.
Good Luck

 

[Pumbaa_]

Keep in mind you are SCHEDULED to arrive at MCO at 11. Things happen. I don't do non-refundable activities on arrival day. Did I mention things happen?

Also, there is just the magic of Disney. Everything is themed, it is gorgeous and just taking the monorail to the different resorts and a store or two is fun

Good to have backup things in your arsenal, but scheduling too many things sets the tone for a rushed experience

have a good trip!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Definitely call TREX....as someone stated, they only release a portion of their reservations to Disney. I've always called and had luck getting whatever I want.

In your shoes, I'd honestly have dinner at Disney Springs. Take the boat from POR, its a nice ride. So many dining options at Disney Springs now.

 

[K Gragg]

I would hang around and explore Port Orleans, maybe hop a boat over to Disney Springs...

 

[1m1b]

Definitely call TREX....as someone stated, they only release a portion of their reservations to Disney. I've always called and had luck getting whatever I want.

In your shoes, I'd honestly have dinner at Disney Springs. Take the boat from POR, its a nice ride. So many dining options at Disney Springs now.

Yup, that's what I've concluded. I'm going to see how much walking Disney Springs is. If it's too much or my dad is tired, we could pick up dinner at the Wolfgang Express and take it back to POR I think. There seem to be so many yummy options at DS, oh my.

Is House of Blues very loud? It says music starts at 5. To me the menu there looks like a good fit for our group. Boathouse also looked nice, and I think it would be quieter, yes? I showed my ds the TRex videos online. We're both blown away! I just don't know if it's all fun or if it's so loud that it's TOO much. It would definitely be memorable!

 

[Pumbaa_]

HoB is on the opposite end of Disney Springs. There are ECVs that you can rent for your Dad. Gives him some independence and mobility option. My mom rents one, she felt funny the first time, but so appreciated it when she was able to do so much more

 

[goofyintoronto]

Yup, that's what I've concluded. I'm going to see how much walking Disney Springs is. If it's too much or my dad is tired, we could pick up dinner at the Wolfgang Express and take it back to POR I think. There seem to be so many yummy options at DS, oh my.

Is House of Blues very loud? It says music starts at 5. To me the menu there looks like a good fit for our group. Boathouse also looked nice, and I think it would be quieter, yes? I showed my ds the TRex videos online. We're both blown away! I just don't know if it's all fun or if it's so loud that it's TOO much. It would definitely be memorable!

WGPE is so YUMMY!!! Its consistently delicious every single time I go there. I've tried and loved the following dishes: bacon wrapped meatloaf with crispy onion straws and mashed potatoes (MY FAVE!), pizza, mac n' cheese pasta (not your typical mac n' cheese....so good), roast chicken, spaghetti and meatballs (omg so delish).

If your DS is sensitive to noise, TRex might be a bit of an issue to be honest. Especially in the ice room...its loud! HoB, i didnt find the live band too loud....its quieter than TRex at least. (I think?).

HoB is on the opposite end of Disney Springs. There are ECVs that you can rent for your Dad. Gives him some independence and mobility option. My mom rents one, she felt funny the first time, but so appreciated it when she was able to do so much more

I totally agree, renting a ECV is a great idea.