Last ADR dilemma: WWYD?

[nicolewi]

I still have one remaining ADR dilemma, if you'd like to weigh in. 

We are doing one long day at HS. This is the only day where I planned (barring a total breakdown from the kids) to go from rope drop to late with no break. The other days we start late or at least have the option to decide to take a break or go home early. I have two dinner ADRs. 

The HS park is predicted at a crowd level 8 now on TP. 

I have a SDD fast pass at 4:00.

5:00 Fantasmic package at H&V

5:25 Cape May

I am leaning towards Cape May, b/c
--we already have other character meals
--we would skip Fantasmic and get back in time to stake out a spot and wait for Star Wars fireworks, which seems much calmer than trying to get out of Fantasmic and rush through the crowd to try to see the Star Wars show
--Might be a nice "break" to leave the park for a bit, and the kids would probably actually enjoy taking the boat across. OR, I could be wrong, and this could be a frustrating hassle.
--Everyone loves seafood. Crab legs are like DS's favorite thing ever. 

HOWEVER, still wavering a bit b/c 
--of the convenience of just doing H&V. Time savings of not leaving the park. But, am worried it could be really loud and crowded and not relaxing to eat there. 
--do we make a mistake by choosing to skip Fantasmic? I think it looks scary for the littles and I know my son doesn't want to miss Star Wars (hopefully it won't rain), so I was thinking it was easier to skip it.

The timing is going to be tight either way with the SDD FP. Thanks for your thoughts.

[georgeglass]

We are doing Cape May again because of the crab legs (my DS' fave, as well). I would do Cape May in your situation because - even though the travel is a hassle - it would be a nice break from the park.

We don't love Fantasmic.

[alleinesein]

I'd stay in the park. It can easily take 30-40 minutes to get from the park to the Beach Club via boat; you have to walk to the dock, wait for the boat, and then you have the time it takes to get to the resort. If something happens with SDD and there are any delays, you will be rushing to make it to dinner on time. By staying in the park you wont have to go very far and you can always send one adult ahead to check in and let them know that the rest of the party is running late.

There really are no relaxing restaurants to eat at in WDW if you are eating at peak kid dinner time (5 pm).

[lacey]

We really, really enjoyed the character interactions at H&V. It wasn't a relaxing or quiet restaurant, but I don't think it was any worse than any of the others either.

I think you'll find within a couple days whether you enjoy leaving the park/taking a break or not. It sounds like HS is further into the trip; can you just wait to decide which to drop? If you enjoy leaving the park then drop H&V and if you don't drop Cape May. You can drop up until the day before.

[curbsideprophet]

Are there any other options available in the park that evening? If so I would consider dropping both, staying in the park and skipping Fantasmic.

Given your timing I think getting to Cape May will feel rush. It is also just okay. I mean the meal is fine, but I would not go out of the way for it. If you were going to Epcot afterwards I might consider it.

[mmmomof2]

The friendship boats are sloooow and I only take them if it's a million degrees or raining heavily. I agree that it will easily take you 30-40 minutes to get to your dinner if you don't walk.

Are there characters at H&V? It looks like they are only at dinner seasonally? If they are not I might consider it. I've actually heard decent things about the food there recently.

Sci Fi is really relaxing and so is Hollywood Brown Derby.

[nicolewi]

Nothing else is available in the park, except I think Brown Derby (signature). We had this ADR a long time ago. Oh, actually, I looked and now there's a Mama Melrose 7:45 but that doesn't work.

Dinner is "Minnie & Pals at Minnie's Seasonal Dine". We'll be there for "Glitz & Glamour of Hollywood" theme, just before they change to spring. Could be a cool theme.

Is it weird if we are seeing basically the same characters in different outfits at Tusker House 2 days prior?

Now I'm still torn. I thought the boats would be kind of fun, but sounds like not.

lacey, great point! I kind of forgot that I don't have to decide before we leave.  

[Zoly]

We were there a couple weeks ago, and I did find that the boat lines could get long, but we didn't have to wait too terribly long. In fact, one day I got into this super long line out past the gate and was surprised we were able to make it on. My son is 5 and loved riding the boat.

However, I would recommend being in line for SDD at 3:55 if you go that route just to be safe.

[dcrunnergirl52]

Feb 19, 2019 9:17:45 GMT -5 BirdGirl said:

If the construction is still going on getting from HS to Beach Club SUCKS. The path around the construction adds a lot of time and distance. It took us 20-25 mins to walk, and we walk fast. The boats were a non-starter because the lines were so long. If you go to Beach Club, consider an Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van. And make sure to ask where they pick up. I had a hard time finding it at HS.

Yes, this. The walk to and from HS is really long...like at least a mile or more (or maybe b/c we were doing it in August heat, it felt like that). I definitely wouldn't do that just for dinner and then have to go back again. I'd do H&V for sure. It will be convenient and a nice break. Plus, you don't have to go to Fantasmic if you don't want to even if you get the tickets. We had free dining and did the same package last year, and didn't end up using the tickets b/c we were all too tired to go back to the park that night.

[elcjet]

If you are really set on Star Wars fireworks over Fantasmic, you certainly have plenty of time to take the boat to Cape May for dinner. I have to admit, I made a similar plan thanks to my 4-5pm Slinky Dog fastpass, but ended up buying Early Morning Magic instead and then scrapping that. In a lurch, the walk isn't bad - we always say we'll take the boat, but then there's a line and we are so sick of lines that we just walk back to Boardwalk or Beach Club. 15 minutes with a 7 year old and a stroller.....slower if younger.

I would probably hold both reservations until you get there and have a grasp on what the kids will like the most. We enjoy Fantasmic but also loved the Star Wars Fireworks.....this trip I haven't really decided what we'll do. Fantasmic was three years ago when DD was only 4, and she was mostly fine with it but doesn't remember.

[nicolewi]

Now am leaning the other way again back to H&V. I looked at the H&V info and the Silver Screen theme looks cute. Maybe it's just easier overall on me and DH to keep the kids in one park and not shepherd them around. I will wait until I see how we are feeling while we are there. If they are loving the character stuff that would help make up my mind.

I do think that either way, we will go for Star Wars.

Thanks for the thoughts!

[abs]

I would keep H&V. There is no way I would leave HS, go eat at Cape May, and then go back to HS. Nope. You'd spend longer traveling there and back then actually eating and it wouldn't be relaxing at all.

I am not a fan of the friendship boats at all. They are slow, the lines can be long, and every time we have found it to be quicker to walk. It's a LONG walk though and with 4 kids I wouldn't do it. Hollywood and Vine is pretty fun. Also, you can eat crab legs at home but you can't eat with Mickey...