Where to eat before MVMCP?

[kmacac]

Hi
We're staying at Poly and going to AK for the day the night we have tickets to MVMCP and not sure where to eat. Should we eat at MK and miss some of party at a TS restaurant? What time will they let us in to MK for MVMCP~ thinking of eating early dinner so as not to miss festivities. Should we eat at Poly or somewhere outside of MK to avoid the crowd? Any thoughts would be appreciated. It's my sister and I and our 4 kids (all under 9). TIA.

 

[autumnpalm]

I would go for an early TS dinner at the Poly or MK!

 

[tavettava]

We are having lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe at 12:30 and will then head over to MK.

 

[3agoria]

Liberty Tree is great....

 

[perriwinkleblue]

I would eat a late lunch or early dinner outside MK and then head to the park. Maybe Kona or GFC? I believe you can get in with just MVMCP tickets as early as 4pm (maybe someone can verify this?) I wouldn't use up park time eating at a TS as you'll want to have time to watch the special shows and such. If you get hungry later I would grab a snack...Main St. Bakery, anyone?

 

[Minniekins]

Yes, I can verify that you can get into MK with your Xmas party ticket at 4:00pm. Have done it each Mvmcp we've gone to. You could eat at Kona beforehand, that might be good and easy, you can go back to your room to change for the night, maybe get warmer clothes if needed. I recommend using your TS earlier in the day and a CS at night. We love to eat at Cosmic Rays on party night, you can use a CS if on the DDP. Last year we ate there, sat on the side where we could look at the castle and the beautiful Xmas icicle lights, it was awesome! Would have gone to their outside seating area, but it was way too cold. Plus, if you can eat more like at 7pm when the party officially starts, you really won't miss the party because this is where they have the Xmas dance party for the kids there at Cosmic Rays. One of areas there has the glass walls, so they have the party in there, but you can eat in relative peace until you go into the dance party. They usually have characters in there dancing, too. It always looks like the kids are having so much fun and I bet your kids would love it! Even my DD18 wanted to go in last year, but she wanted someone to go with, not me, and said she'd go this year if her cousin had gone with us, (that didn't work out). But, that way you aren't really missing the party since part of it is right there! Plus, they have great burgers, chili, ribs and chicken, chicken nuggets, among other things, and some great sides. Yummy! Hope you and the kids have a great time at the party!

 

[familyS]

I would plan to do a big late lunch at AK (maybe Tusket House), take a break at the hotel, and then snack though the evening at MK

 

[kmacac]

Thank you all~ I was thinking using the TS earlier for lunch or breakfast and CS later or an early TS dinner so we don't miss anything (it's our first time at the MVMCP~ 2nd time to Disney ever!) The tip about the Starlight Cafe sounds perfect~ the kids are going to LOVE the dance party!

 

[bnlbebes]

My family's been debating the same issue-

We wanted LTT for early dinner, but it's impossible to get since the cahracters are not going to be there after this calendar year. We finally found an early seating at Kona. I am just hoping that when we return to MK for the Party, we don't end up waiting in a long line to get in.

 

[keishashadow]

jmho, if u don't have a TS booked already for MNSSHP it's going to be a tuff ADR to get...i've been trying to find one for non-MNSSHP without success for weeks

 

[Mickey's biggest fan]

We ate at Kona Cafe last year (5:00pm) before going to MVMCP. This year we are eating at Crystal Palace (3:40pm) dinner. We found that a 5pm dinner left us so full that we didn't have room for the hot chocolate and cookies. This year we are eating a little earlier so that we will have room for the free goodies! Like some of the others, I would recommend an earlier dinner at MK or Polynesian! Have fun!

 

[Rpsemont]

I would plan to do a big late lunch at AK (maybe Tusket House), take a break at the hotel, and then snack though the evening at MK

I agree with familyS. I would do a late lunch - how about Rainforest Cafe and make it your "big meal of the day" maybe around 2:30 or 3PM, then head to MK and just plan to do a counter service or snacks.

 

[Minniekins]

Thank you all~ I was thinking using the TS earlier for lunch or breakfast and CS later or an early TS dinner so we don't miss anything (it's our first time at the MVMCP~ 2nd time to Disney ever!) The tip about the Starlight Cafe sounds perfect~ the kids are going to LOVE the dance party!

Oh good, I'm glad you like that idea! DD said that she remembers Chip and Dale in there last year during the time we were there. I'm getting excited now, talking about the MVMCP! We have been twice each of the last two years, and we bought our Xmas party ticket for the this Nov's trip last night! When will you be going? Hope you all have a great time at the xmas party, it really is fun and magical!

 

[princesswendy720]

We're getting a late lunch at Crystal Palace before the party. We're spending the day at Magic Kingdom and we have park hoppers so we don't really need to worry about wasting our ticket by getting there earlier than 4 pm.

I've never been there before, but I'm VERY VERY excited!!

 

[tgropp]

Our family debated this and we agreed on going to 1900 Park fair for a 4:30 (Earliest possible dinner reservation). That should get us to the MK by 5:45 to see the castle lights turn on and do a few things before the 7 P.M. party start

 

[kmacac]

We are going to MVMCP on Nov 10~ the first night. Thinking it will be crowded because it's the first night. Getting very excited~ it's getting close now!

Does anyone know if we can use DDS at Rainforest Cafe at AK? We are planning to do AK that day then MK for the party that night. Everything is booked up for times we want so thinking maybe we should do 'big meal' at lunch instead of early dinner....

 

[Tink888]

I would do an early TS at one of the monorail resorts and then go over to MK. The time at the party goes by so quickly and there is so much to do and see, you don't want to waste party time being stuck in a restuarant. JMO

 

[Karlzmom]

We are doing the last lunch (2:45) at Kona and then heading over to MK for MVMCP.