Transport time cushion vs. Tight schedule?

[Raya]

We are planning an epic MNSSHP day. Schedule:

??? Leave Fort Wilderness
9:45, arrival at salon
10 to 11:30, Magical makeover
45 minute gap
12:15 to 1:45 lunch
2 hour gap
3:45, ride monorail to park

It's logical to think the Magical Makeover could run over by 30 minutes, and we do need to check in for lunch 15 minutes early...but 45 minutes sitting in a lobby could lead to boredom and crankiness. And then we have 2 hours, which isn't really enough time to get back to Fort Wilderness but is also a long time to sit in the GF lobby. I guess we could do a monorail tour with that time? I'm not sure though...thoughts?

Should I shift the schedule around to be tighter?

I could move up the magical makeover and lunch, so that we get done at 3:45, but we risk something going wrong/losing party time.

So ideally we could do:

??? Leave Fort Wilderness
12:15 to 1:30, lunch
1:30 arrival at salon
1:45 to 3:15, Magical makeover
30 minute gap
3:45, ride monorail to park

Drat! I've still got that gap. I feel like we're going to end up with someone sleeping in the lobby of the GF, in party clothes, like a DIS-newbie.

 

[holden]

Where is your lunch? I'm assuming the Magical Makeover is at GF?

Also, if you are getting the monorail from GF plan on it being packed. It's the last stop before MK and you are getting on it right before MK opens for the party.

 

[Raya]

Where is your lunch? I'm assuming the Magical Makeover is at GF?

Lunch is at the GF tea room, and yep, Magical Makeover is at the GF. So we'll be right there without much need for a cushion between those things.

 

[holden]

I think your second plan looks good. Also, I'd take the boat instead of the monorail. It will be crowded.

 

[NickC]

Plan B looks good. I would leave for the MK right after the makeover and wait at the gate if we were early.

 

[BK2014]

We are planning an epic MNSSHP day. Schedule:

??? Leave Fort Wilderness
9:45, arrival at salon
10 to 11:30, Magical makeover
45 minute gap
12:15 to 1:45 lunch
2 hour gap
3:45, ride monorail to park

It's logical to think the Magical Makeover could run over by 30 minutes, and we do need to check in for lunch 15 minutes early...but 45 minutes sitting in a lobby could lead to boredom and crankiness. And then we have 2 hours, which isn't really enough time to get back to Fort Wilderness but is also a long time to sit in the GF lobby. I guess we could do a monorail tour with that time? I'm not sure though...thoughts?

Should I shift the schedule around to be tighter?

I could move up the magical makeover and lunch, so that we get done at 3:45, but we risk something going wrong/losing party time.

So ideally we could do:

??? Leave Fort Wilderness
12:15 to 1:30, lunch
1:30 arrival at salon
1:45 to 3:15, Magical makeover
30 minute gap
3:45, ride monorail to park

Drat! I've still got that gap. I feel like we're going to end up with someone sleeping in the lobby of the GF, in party clothes, like a DIS-newbie.

I think the second option is beneficial in that it eliminates the 2 hour gap and allows for more flexibility in waking up and getting out the door in the morning. I wouldn't worry about a 30 minute gap at the GF. To me, time passes much more quickly at WDW. Using the restroom before heading to MK, browsing a shop or two will quickly pass the time. Or getting to MK early as others have suggested and taking photos outside the park before you enter.