Where to eat before MVMCP?

[bffdisney]

We are attending the Christmas party first week of December and don't have regular tickets that day. We would like to leisurely check out the monorail resorts, get something to eat, then head in to the party. I'm thinking eating outside of the park before 4PM is the best use of the party ticket, but now, where to eat? Ohana and 1900PF don't serve lunch, so we would be eating earlier than ideal. I'd like to eat a big meal at like 2 and then snack later.

Any suggestions where we should eat? Or eat in MK at like 4:30 before the party really starts?


PS we are on the dining plan so getting the most "bang for our buck" would be a bonus!

 

[Barbydoll8]

Kona Cafe for TS, Captain Cooks for QS in Poly.
Grand Floridian Cafe at GF for TS.
Contempo Cafe for QS and The Wave for TS in at Contemporary.
Whispering Canyon at Wilderness lodge
Trails End (not buffet for lunch) at Fort Wilderness.

 

[mbgrace]

I would do Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge for lunch around 2:15. You can get to the Lodge via boat after exploring monorail resorts. Maybe even save the Contemporary for after lunch, if it makes the timing work better.

 

[knlasv]

Last time before the party we ate at Kona. This time we are doing Whispering Canyon. Both were around 2pm. We plan on getting to the gate at MK around 3:30.

 

[crabbygal902]

To get the biggest bang for your buck on the DDP, I'd have brunch at Chef Mickey's. I checked a few dates here and there throughout Nov/Dec, and it appears that they are taking ADRs at the time of day you want to eat.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have done parties a couple times. We usually eat a late breakfast buffet and then head to MK right at 4. About 5:30 or so (before any of the "party" things start), we have a QS dinner somewhere.

 

[DISNEY1975]

We always do Grand Floridian Cafe before a party. 5pm reservation and we are out by 6. Quick monorail ride and the PARTY TIME! I dont go to the parties at 4, but you could do an earlier lunch/dinner. GFC is super quiet during the day. I have no idea what its not so popular. The food is delicious.

See...empty! This was lunch one day around 12:30pm (late October). It was just us and one other family!

 

[WhoDatDisney]

I recommend whispering canyon so you can explore the lodge and then take the boat to MK

A few years back we ate at Trails end at the campground, arrived early and had fun at the playground with the kids

Food was good too

 

[Figmentmommy]

We are attending the Christmas party first week of December and don't have regular tickets that day. We would like to leisurely check out the monorail resorts, get something to eat, then head in to the party. I'm thinking eating outside of the park before 4PM is the best use of the party ticket, but now, where to eat? Ohana and 1900PF don't serve lunch, so we would be eating earlier than ideal. I'd like to eat a big meal at like 2 and then snack later.

Any suggestions where we should eat? Or eat in MK at like 4:30 before the party really starts?


PS we are on the dining plan so getting the most "bang for our buck" would be a bonus!

If you think you would like to eat before heading into MK for the party then I would suggest Captain Cook's for Quick Service or Kona Cafe for Table Service, both at the Polynesian Resort. Our family normally eats an early sit down dinner in the park before the party gets going - usually at Liberty Tree Tavern or Crystal Palace. We've eaten as early as 3:30 or as late as 5:00, but have found 4-4:30 to be our favorite time. We always have park hopper tickets for our entire stay so eating in the park earlier is not a problem for us. If you only have party tickets you could most likely make an ADR for 4:15 and still make it on time. The last couple of years when we attended the party they started allowing guests to enter with party admission at 3:45. In addition to deciding on what meal you would like to eat before the party, you may want to consider any special characters you will want to meet during the party and if you will want to use that extra time to line up as early as possible, or maybe even take advantage of booking some Fast Passes to ride some of your favorites, rather than eating your meal during that time.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Any time we do party nights we enter at 4 pm, ride a couple rides and eat between 5:30 - 6 pm. We always end up at Cosmic Rays because of the variety and speed...

 

[Nancyg56]

If you want to check out the resorts before the party, I would think about the Grand for an early dinner. The Grand Floridian Cafe is nice and bright and you can enjoy the lobby before you dine. The Grand Pianist plays every afternoon at 3 PM I believe. You can also eat at Gasparilla's if you prefer CS>

I am not a fan of the WCC, but I do love the WL lobby. This resort is also worth a trip to visit, it is gorgeous.

The Poly is pretty, and the CS options are good. WE like Kona before a party and will eat there when we stay at teh Poly.

You could also just eat in the park. Enter at 4, hit a few attractions, and have your dinner at a CS before the party starts.

 

[Faldred]

If it's a Sunday you could consider the brunch at Narcooses or California Grill. Assuming you feel like devoting 2-3 hours to hours of the late morning/early afternoon to it. But especially the CG one is enough food to be your one meal for the day.

 

[bffdisney]

Thanks for all the feedback!! I was thinking sit down before the party, then CS during the party when we are hungry. We would like the meet the dwarfs, so I know that will take up time.

Right now I have a reservation at Whispering Canyon for around 2, but still deciding. I like the idea of seeing the resorts, eating at GF Cafe, and then just being one monorail stop away from the park. I have a breakfast reservation at 10 for 1900 PF in case we want to start there, then do the loop again. Going to consult with the other travelers.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'm also struggling with this....I currently have a 4:30 ADR at Skipper Canteen, but not sure if I want to use park time to eat (although I really want to eat here). I like the idea of Whispering Canyon and taking the boat to MK. Staying at CBR, what's the best way to get to WL?

 

[HopperFan]

We had the best day when we went to MVMCP and that was important to me because it was our "Christmas Day" with our DD who was on DCP. Early we opened gifts and had big breakfast (at WBC). We all got ready and headed to TTC. We arrived at Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch at 2 pm. We had a wonderful lunch, pictures by the big tree, gingerbread house etc. Monorail to see Contemporary etc. Entered park at 4 pm and had a great great night. DS1 wore Santa tshirt and hat, rest of us were in Elf tshirts and hats. Festive from start to finish.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm also struggling with this....I currently have a 4:30 ADR at Skipper Canteen, but not sure if I want to use park time to eat (although I really want to eat here). I like the idea of Whispering Canyon and taking the boat to MK. Staying at CBR, what's the best way to get to WL?

You could manage this well if you planned your FP well. My DD said their meal at sc was really a favorite.

 

[bffdisney]

I'm also struggling with this....I currently have a 4:30 ADR at Skipper Canteen, but not sure if I want to use park time to eat (although I really want to eat here). I like the idea of Whispering Canyon and taking the boat to MK. Staying at CBR, what's the best way to get to WL?

I would think Bus to MK, then boat to WL.

 

[crabbygal902]

If it's a Sunday you could consider the brunch at Narcooses or California Grill. Assuming you feel like devoting 2-3 hours to hours of the late morning/early afternoon to it. But especially the CG one is enough food to be your one meal for the day.

This...why didn't I think of it first?? GREAT idea!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You could manage this well if you planned your FP well. My DD said their meal at sc was really a favorite.

I have FPs for 3:30 at Jungle Cruise, 4:30 at POTC, and 5:30 at SM....I'm hoping I can do Jungle Cruise, head to dinner, then hopefully get to POTC before the end of the FP window....which will be cutting it close but I think we have a shot with the 15 minute grace period.

 

[pigletgirl]

It may be a bit out of the way for some, but we're going to eat in DS prior to the party.