Will I make it to Le Cellier?

[jen26]

Hoping someone can help me out here...

We have reservations for a 4:20 dinner at LeCellier on the day we will be at the Magic Kingdom. We want to stay for the parade at 3pm. And we are taking Disney transportation (we are not renting a car during our stay).

Will we make it to Le Cellier in time? How long will it take to get from MK to Canada in Epcot? Is there a place that we should stand for the parade to make our exit from MK easier/faster?

TIA
I hope I am posting this in the right place

 

[lumpydj]

IMHO - I think you'll be late.

However, for your quickest exit, watch the parade by the train station, that way you can turn around and leave as soon as it's done. Also, I would take the bus to Beach Club or Boardwalk (where ever the bus drops you off first - but don't get off at Dolphin or Swan) and walk to the International Gateway in EPCOT. As soon as you walk through the gates, go left and Canada will be on your left (although I can't remember if Englad is before Canada or not. I think you hit England first going that way). Good luck.

FWIW - I don't think it would be a big deal if your 10-15 min late though.

 

[GovieMom]

I agree with the above post ... stand by the train station for the parade, then take the Y&BC bus and enter Epcot from the World Showcase side.

 

[DisneyAdventurer]

Keep in mind that the parade starts at 3pm at the back of the park and works its way forward. It will not reach the train station/main street until around 3:30. Then, an additional 15-20 minutes for the parade itself, you won't be exiting the MK until around 3:45-3:50. That gives you limited time to get to Le Cellier. I agree with the PP idea of taking a bus to the Epcot Resort area and walking to the International Gateway. If you were to take the monorail to Epcot, you'd have to walk through FW first before moving on to the WS, plus wait time for the monorail. The buses are probably best.

 

[TDC Nala]

You're likely going to be late to Le Cellier.

The fastest way to go is probably to walk out to the Contemporary and take a cab to the Beach Club, then walk into Epcot by the International Gateway.

You could take the bus, but at midday the bus may stop at the Swan and the Dolphin before going to the Yacht Club and then the Beach Club. If you can stand a bit longer walk, take the bus to the Swan (which is usually the first stop), walk through the Swan, exit at the rear where it faces the Dolphin, and walk from there across the Boardwalk to Epcot. When you exit the Swan, cross the bridge to your right and cut through between the Atlantic Dance Club and Jellyrolls to reach the Boardwalk. If you're more than 15 minutes late for your ADR you might lose it.

 

[Nadjalu]

Most likely you will NOT make it on time.

And here is where I disagree with PP, it has not been our experience to be seated if late to an adr. Yes it happens that they will seat you if you are late, but they don't HAVE to.

With a popular place like LeCellier or Ohana I have seen people turned away that are late. My advice is to do the parade another day or have back up plans where to eat.
If everything runs according to plan you will be late by 10-15 mins....the slightest delay and you will lose that adr.
And your whole party has to check in or they won't seat you. Can't send a "runner" to check in....would be nice if it happened but if the whole party isn't there they won't seat you or check you in until they arrive.

 

[treehugnmama]

our first tripped I stressed about beeing 15 min early to all adr;s buy our 5th trip I try but if I am late I am late I have always been seated I don;t think you will have a problem.

I am sure I will get flamed I never intend to be late and I have never beenmore than 15 minutes late but sometimes it happens.

 

[catne]

I don't think you'll make it...you will not be the only people watching the parade from the train end of the park...that's a popular strategy for a "fast" getaway, so naturally it's not a fast getaway. Also, many people exit MK while the parade is going on (hoping to beat the crowds) and then scores join them immediately after the parade. It's a natural "stopping" point for a lot of people so all the transportation will be swamped right then...there's a good chance you'll join a long line, and won't get on the first bus/monorail. We've left during the parade and joined hundreds of people on the monorail ramp. The bus lines were also full. It could easily take you 40-45 minutes to get to Epcot or one of the Epcot resorts. And then you have a 10-20 minutes walk to Canada, depending on where you get transported to.

And yes, Le Cellier is the one place I have seen latecomers turned away. Including a woman in tears because they'd been on a monorail that was stuck for 15 minutes. The just said "we're very sorry m'am, you were not here on time and now we simply do not have a table for you." They offered to call Disney Dine and find the family another table in Epcot, but no Le Cellier that night.

 

[Sandisw]

IMO, I would not chance it with the ADR being at Le Cellier. That is a very hard to get ADR and would hate to see anyone lose it because of delays.

Even with the buses, you have to hope that you catch the first bus that arrives. If there is a long line and you can't get the first bus, you have to wait for a 2nd one. That extra 10 - 15 minutes could make a huge difference in getting you where you need to be.

I would rearrange things to watch the parade or go to MK a different day. Good luck!

 

[jen26]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the advice! I honestly didn't think that it would take that long to get to Epcot from the Magic Kingdom . We had park hoppers the last time we stayed on property years ago when the kids were still in strollers, but we never used them like we plan to this time.

Since we don't want to give up the reservation ( I tried for a long time to get these ADRs and we are really looking forward to trying LeCellier out after the reviews we have read), I think that we will do the parade another day in order to head to Epcot earlier. Maybe do a half day at MK, go back to the resort and then to Epcot for dinner...??

That night is Fantasmic, and after dinner we are heading over to DHS. A lot of traveling for one day, but at least we won't be rushing and worried that we will lose our ADR. Hopefully, our boys will be up to it!

Again, thank you all!

 

[maggiew]

Personally I think that is a lot of travelling in one day. I would rearrange my schedule, if I were you. I would either drop Fantasmic that night or MK that morning.

Why do you have so many things scheduled in one day at such different places? Make it easier on yourself and do one, or at most 2 parks (one morning, break, one evening.)

Maggie

 

[DISNEY1975]

Just throwing out there...

At all my ressies to Le Cellier (3 or 4), WE had to wait at least 1/2 an hour to get seated..our latest (because I was with a large group) was a 1 1/2 hour wait. We missed the beginning of the Candlelight Procession due to this.

I recently read somewhere (Birnbaums Guide)that is takes 30 minutes to walk to World Showcase from the monorail. Im not sure how true that is, I never timed it, but Canada is your first country to the right. I agree with PP about trying to get to the Beach Club and going through IG.

 

[DISNEY1975]

That night is Fantasmic, and after dinner we are heading over to DHS. A lot of traveling for one day, but at least we won't be rushing and worried that we will lose our ADR. Hopefully, our boys will be up to it!

Again, thank you all!

If you dont have fantasmic dinner ressies (which I assume you dont because you have late day Le Cellier ressies) you will have to get to DHS and in line quite early to see the show. If you get seated before 5 at Le Cellier and get out at about 6:00..you will not have time to get to DHS and in line to get seats for the show.

 

[jen26]

Just throwing out there...

At all my ressies to Le Cellier (3 or 4), WE had to wait at least 1/2 an hour to get seated..our latest (because I was with a large group) was a 1 1/2 hour wait. We missed the beginning of the Candlelight Procession due to this.

I recently read somewhere (Birnbaums Guide)that is takes 30 minutes to walk to World Showcase from the monorail. Im not sure how true that is, I never timed it, but Canada is your first country to the right. I agree with PP about trying to get to the Beach Club and going through IG.

Oh...I guess I just figured since it was such an early reservation, that the wait would be very short . Thanks for letting me know this.

Personally I think that is a lot of travelling in one day. I would rearrange my schedule, if I were you. I would either drop Fantasmic that night or MK that morning.

Why do you have so many things scheduled in one day at such different places? Make it easier on yourself and do one, or at most 2 parks (one morning, break, one evening.)

Maggie

You're right...it is a lot of traveling.
I am not sure how I let it get so busy...just excited to fit everything in I guess . We have early resevations for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, so I thought we could make it to MK rope drop that day. Since we are going in Sept, Fantasmic is only showing 2 nights we are there. The other night we are going to MNSSHP. When I got the LeCellier reservation I had no idea how long it takes on Disney transportation to park hop.

If you dont have fantasmic dinner ressies (which I assume you dont because you have late day Le Cellier ressies) you will have to get to DHS and in line quite early to see the show. If you get seated before 5 at Le Cellier and get out at about 6:00..you will not have time to get to DHS and in line to get seats for the show.

Oh. I really thought I had worked this out...live and learn. I think I might have to drop Le Cellier. Maybe I can get a reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe before the Fantasmic show. The kids might enjoy that. I did try for the Fantasmic package, but they were gone on the first day I was able to get reservations! Thanks for the advice

 

[Sandisw]

Oh...I guess I just figured since it was such an early reservation, that the wait would be very short . Thanks for letting me know this.


You're right...it is a lot of traveling.
I am not sure how I let it get so busy...just excited to fit everything in I guess . We have early resevations for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, so I thought we could make it to MK rope drop that day. Since we are going in Sept, Fantasmic is only showing 2 nights we are there. The other night we are going to MNSSHP. When I got the LeCellier reservation I had no idea how long it takes on Disney transportation to park hop.



Oh. I really thought I had worked this out...live and learn. I think I might have to drop Le Cellier. Maybe I can get a reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe before the Fantasmic show. The kids might enjoy that. I did try for the Fantasmic package, but they were gone on the first day I was able to get reservations! Thanks for the advice

We just got back and ate at Le Cellier. We had a reservation at 4:50 pm. We arrived right on time and were seated within 5 minutes of checking in at the podium. Matter of fact, the tables were not even 1/2 full at that point.

I think with a 4:20 pm reservation, you will be seated pretty quickly. And, the walk from there to the boat for DHS (through the IG) is pretty quick.

While it is a lot, I think doing MK in the morning, heading back to the resort, Epcot for dinner and then to Fantasmic is doable, especially since it sounds like you are giving yourself plenty of time to do it!

Have a great trip!!

 

[ccgirl]

What time is Fantasmic showing? Since it is only a few times a week people line up 1 hour in advance without the package. I think you probably need to figure out what is your top priority and make sure you can do that. I know when I stay in the park now I rent a car. I just can't justify it taking 45 minutes to get to a park when you are staying "in" the park.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[jen26]

We just got back and ate at Le Cellier. We had a reservation at 4:50 pm. We arrived right on time and were seated within 5 minutes of checking in at the podium. Matter of fact, the tables were not even 1/2 full at that point.

I think with a 4:20 pm reservation, you will be seated pretty quickly. And, the walk from there to the boat for DHS (through the IG) is pretty quick.

While it is a lot, I think doing MK in the morning, heading back to the resort, Epcot for dinner and then to Fantasmic is doable, especially since it sounds like you are giving yourself plenty of time to do it!

Have a great trip!!

Thank you! Hopefully, our dinner (hubby really wants to check it out, so we are not going to cancel) will work out like yours did!

What time is Fantasmic showing? Since it is only a few times a week people line up 1 hour in advance without the package. I think you probably need to figure out what is your top priority and make sure you can do that. I know when I stay in the park now I rent a car. I just can't justify it taking 45 minutes to get to a park when you are staying "in" the park.

Good luck and have fun.

Fantasmic is showing at 8pm that night. We will try LeCellier (hopefully it will live up to its reputation that night!

We did think about renting a car, but only to go to Universal for one day if we decide to. I guess we will see what the buses are like this time. When we stayed at AKL back in Oct. 2004, we found the buses to be great. Then again, we weren't really park hopping at all...we didn't really take breaks, and since our kids were still in strollers, we called it a night very early back then.

We are hoping to really use those hoppers this time and enjoy some evening hours!

Thanks again, everyone, for the advice. I have become quite addicted to these boards...everyone on here really knows their way around the World!

Jen

 

[Harlemgirl720]

You have time to make Fantasmic. If you are seated by 4:30pm. Done by 6:00- 6:30 and at DHS by 7-7:15pm you are fine. Problem will be seating. They are usually lined up by 6:30 and letting people in at 7pm. Some come as late as 7:30 and still find seating but sometimes it may be SRO.