Time from Mine Train to Chef Mickeys?

[Spoiledraf]

Now the timing problems begin. Hit the 60 day window yesterday but got on late so our best 7DMT time was 1:35. Months ago, with 11 people, I was thrilled to get a lunch time of 2:15 for Chef Mickeys, considering we didn't decide to go until two weeks after free dining came out. Anyway, will we have enough time to get from 7DMT (1:35) to lunch (2:15) in time? Will they give us some leeway. Both are so hard to get. I don't want to cancel either.

 

[Klayfish]

You would be cutting it close, but I think you'd make it. If you're standing at the entrance to 7DMT right at 1:35, you'll probably get off the ride around 1:50 to 1:55 at the very latest (maybe a bit sooner). If you hustle down Main Street, you're at the resort monorail by roughly 2:00-2:05pm. You may be 5 minutes late, if that, but you'll make it.

 

[mom2rtk]

You can enter 5 minutes early for your FP so be ready to go at 1:30.

And don't take the monorail. Just walk over.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

Yes, that is tight-- esp with 11 people to ride and the move to Chef Mickey's. Keep trying for different times of each, something will likely pop-up.

You do have a 15 min grace period after your ADR time, but best not to push it.

I agree with walking to the Contemporary unless your group has any mobility issues.

 

[Robo]

You do have a 15 min grace period after your ADR time, but best not to push it.

I agree with walking to the Contemporary unless your group has any mobility issues.

There is no set "15 min. grace period" on ADRs. Everybody is late at WDW.
If they didn't try to seat guests more than 15 min. past their ADR time, there would be a huge uproar.

"Well, looks like you're 18 min. late. Get out!"

Just try not to be too late, especially with a huge group like 11 people.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

There is no set "15 min. grace period" on ADRs. Everybody is late at WDW.
If they didn't try to seat guests more than 15 min. past their ADR time, there would be a huge uproar.

"Well, looks like you're 18 min. late. Get out!"

Just try not to be too late, especially with a huge group like 11 people.

Agreed. I personally wouldn't encourage folks that its OK to be late to dining consistently here in my answers to others, but wanted to add reassurance that there is a grace period. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[maxiesmom]

Contrary to what Robo has stated, not eveyone is late at WDW. And yes, they do on occasion turn guests away if they are late. I agree I wouldn't try to be too late, because also as Robo stated, there is no set grace period. They will seat you late if they can, but it is not guaranteed. Especially as you are asked to arrive 10 minutes prior to your ADR time.

I think you can make it, but it will be very tight. As has been pointed out, you can use your FPs 5 minutes prior to the time you have. Make sure everyone is ready to get in line right when the clock hits 1:30. No waiting to use the restroom, or going for a quick drink. You need to get in that line as soon as you can. And after it needs to be a march out of the park. Again, no stopping for restrooms. There is one right at Chef Mickey's if needed. Even if you do all of the above you will be cutting it close.

 

[Nancyg56]

Agreed. I personally wouldn't encourage folks that its OK to be late to dining consistently here in my answers to others, but wanted to add reassurance that there is a grace period. Thanks for clarifying.

Yes, there is no grace period. On occasion parties who run late will be seated, but that is not a given. WHen you look at the size of this party and the time they are scheduled to arrive, this ADR in particular is one that the OP needs to be on time for. 11 people times $10 is one expensive mistake.

I have read more stories lately about people being turned away for arriving late for an ADR. I think that a lot of popular restaurants may be suffering from guests who simply HAVE to dine there but not being able to either secure an ADR that works with their plan or a FP that works with their ADR time, arriving late and throwing the whole schedule off.

 

[RLGNC]

You can enter 5 minutes early for your FP so be ready to go at 1:30.

And don't take the monorail. Just walk over.

Yes, that is tight-- esp with 11 people to ride and the move to Chef Mickey's. Keep trying for different times of each, something will likely pop-up.

You do have a 15 min grace period after your ADR time, but best not to push it.

I agree with walking to the Contemporary unless your group has any mobility issues.

I have a similar timing issue with FP and Chef Mickey's. Curious about walking over. Where do you exit to do that and which direction do you go? (I know I could figure this out when we're there, but I like knowing in advance. )

 

[mom2rtk]

I have a similar timing issue with FP and Chef Mickey's. Curious about walking over. Where do you exit to do that and which direction do you go? (I know I could figure this out when we're there, but I like knowing in advance. )

There's only one exit. Head out the gates and go left.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

I have a similar timing issue with FP and Chef Mickey's. Curious about walking over. Where do you exit to do that and which direction do you go? (I know I could figure this out when we're there, but I like knowing in advance. )

You leave the Magic Kingdom from the main gates, turn left, and continue on the walkway towards the Contemporary. Chef Mickey's is upstairs once you enter the resort.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As PP's have mentioned, try to be at the front of the 7DMT FP+ line ready to tap your MB's at 1:30 pm. You should be off the ride by 1:50 - 1:55 pm and then high tail it out of there. Exit MK, make a left and walk to CR. If you have some fast walkers, let them go ahead and start the check in process. The CM hostess will ask if the whole party is there. If they aren't, just say no, they are on their way. At least then, they will know you are showing up. (We did this with a big party last year when 3 people were delayed on the monorail). They will seat you once everyone is there. You will be fine.

 

[RLGNC]

You leave the Magic Kingdom from the main gates, turn left, and continue on the walkway towards the Contemporary. Chef Mickey's is upstairs once you enter the resort.

Thanks!

 

[Spoiledraf]

Thanks all. This is pretty much what I thought. I planned to walk over. I got as late a reservation as I could because I knew it would be an issue. I know we waited a while to be seated the last two times we ate there. I hate to be late but you can only work within the system. Here's hopin!! 59 days!

 

[Spoiledraf]

Looked to change the reservation. 2:30 is as late as they go so we may be the last group seated. Now I just hope they have some decent food left for us.

 

[kwdw]

The hardest part with 11 people is making sure they all understand they need to be READY to walk onto Mine train at 1:30 - and afterwards walk fast to Chef Mickey's. Someone ALWAYS has to pee, or stop and buy this, or insist on xyz. This will work if you are all on the same page and you don't have any super slow walkers. Also - if you get split onto different trains - you should know in advance if everyone is waiting for everyone before heading over - or if some folks need to start walking while the rest catch up. You might put the slow walkers ahead in line - so maybe they are on first and could start moving towards Chef Mickey's sooner. I also wouldn't worry about your group being on the same train unless that's important to you.

 

[tobikaye]

I would actually have 2-4 of the faster walkers be at the front of the group with the instructions that as soon as they get off of the ride, they leave everyone and head for Chef Mickey's. They can at least check in and let them know that the rest of the group is on the way.

 

[EdmondD]

Haven't been in awhile, but I don't think the Mine Train goes to Chef Mickeys. Can anyone confirm?

 

[nllarson]

I would also keep checking the FP+ times. I usually book some at 60 days out, but really re-arrange / nail them down at about inside of 15 days out.

 

[DavidNYC]

I can walk Mine Train to Contemporary in about 20 minutes so you should be fine if no delays happen (i.e. you're late for Mine Train, too long a FP wait, really slow walk over, etc). But you don't have a lot of leeway if you introduce more than 5-10 minutes of extra time anywhere in the process.