Stressing about schedule

[Megamazing]

We’ll be at WDW December 3rd-10th. We’re going to MVMCP on the 6th, it’ll be my first time (my husbands too but he’s not a Disney person so he could care less.) One of my must dos for our trip in general is dinner at Be Our Guest, and I managed to get us reservations at 7:45 on the night of the 6th. I know we’ll most likely be missing a Frozen Holiday Wish (according to last years map schedule) but now I’m worrying that the chances of making it back to the castle area for Mickey’s Merriest Celebration at 9:25 (again, according to last year). Am I stressing for no reason or am I right to be concerned? I obviously understand that trying to adhere to any kind of schedule at Disney is a fools errand and I should just enjoy the experience. But as someone who plans way far in advance (499 days to be exact ) I like to make sure I’m at least seeing everything I want. I tried to change the reservation to an earlier time but of course there’s no availability. Any tips?

 

[Think Tink]

It's easy to get caught up in the stress of planning! Honestly, I think you will be fine to make the Mickey's Merriest Celebrations. We ate at BOG our ADR was at 8:00 and we were out of there by 9:15 or so. We even waited to try the Gray Stuff! (Personally I preferred their lemon cupcake - but that is neither here nor there lol)

I think the only thing that would make it long is if you had a very large group of 7 or more. I know they tend to take longer to service.

Just relax and soak in the dining experience. Have a blast!

 

[Megamazing]

It's easy to get caught up in the stress of planning! Honestly, I think you will be fine to make the Mickey's Merriest Celebrations. We ate at BOG our ADR was at 8:00 and we were out of there by 9:15 or so. We even waited to try the Gray Stuff! (Personally I preferred their lemon cupcake - but that is neither here nor there lol)

I think the only thing that would make it long is if you had a very large group of 7 or more. I know they tend to take longer to service.

Just relax and soak in the dining experience. Have a blast!

Thanks! It’s just the two of us so hopefully we don’t take as long as 7 people hahaha.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

If possible, I would change that reservation to another day of the trip. There are a lot of special things going on during parties that you don't want to miss because you're having a table service meal.

 

[Megamazing]

If possible, I would change that reservation to another day of the trip. There are a lot of special things going on during parties that you don't want to miss because you're having a table service meal.

Unfortunately, we’re only doing 4 park days and I’ve got reservations for every other day of our trip. My husband isn’t a Disney person so he’s insistent on doing non park days as well, so if I suggested a 5th day he’d stage a mutiny. Plus I can’t find any other availability at BOG

 

[epcotisbest]

We’ll be at WDW December 3rd-10th. We’re going to MVMCP on the 6th, it’ll be my first time (my husbands too but he’s not a Disney person so he could care less.) One of my must dos for our trip in general is dinner at Be Our Guest, and I managed to get us reservations at 7:45 on the night of the 6th. I know we’ll most likely be missing a Frozen Holiday Wish (according to last years map schedule) but now I’m worrying that the chances of making it back to the castle area for Mickey’s Merriest Celebration at 9:25 (again, according to last year). Am I stressing for no reason or am I right to be concerned? I obviously understand that trying to adhere to any kind of schedule at Disney is a fools errand and I should just enjoy the experience. But as someone who plans way far in advance (499 days to be exact ) I like to make sure I’m at least seeing everything I want. I tried to change the reservation to an earlier time but of course there’s no availability. Any tips?

Why do you consider BOG a must do? It is ok, and we have been a couple of times, but for us, we would never waste party time sitting in a restaurant. I can't even wrap my head around that idea. You can eat anywhere, any time. You can't enjoy all that is MVMCP at any other time except when you are there during party nights.
I have nothing against BOG, and recommend it when you have nothing else to do, but during a party night when you have paid extra? Seems like a poor use of your time and money.
I do think you are stressing for no reason, but you are stressing for the wrong reason. If it were me, I would be stressing about why I would even consider sitting in a restaurant, any restaurant, during party time.
Again, BOG is OK, but is not a good trade for party time. Now, this is just my simple opinion, because for us, BOG does not come even close to being a must do.

 

[Megamazing]

Why do you consider BOG a must do? It is ok, and we have been a couple of times, but for us, we would never waste party time sitting in a restaurant. I can't even wrap my head around that idea. You can eat anywhere, any time. You can't enjoy all that is MVMCP at any other time except when you are there during party nights.
I have nothing against BOG, and recommend it when you have nothing else to do, but during a party night when you have paid extra? Seems like a poor use of your time and money.
I do think you are stressing for no reason, but you are stressing for the wrong reason. If it were me, I would be stressing about why I would even consider sitting in a restaurant, any restaurant, during party time.
Again, BOG is OK, but is not a good trade for party time. Now, this is just my simple opinion, because for us, BOG does not come even close to being a must do.

It’s a must do because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and have never done. Period. We are only going to MK for one full day, the day of the party.

 

[The4mousekeeters]

I’m not sure if dinner is a must for you at BOG, but if it’s just BOG in general might I suggest lunch there instead? Even w/o an ADR we’ve been able to walk up at 10:45-11ish and get in a few times. You’ll get the experience but not miss any of the party.

Worst case you keep your ADR for dinner and just go enjoy it and don’t worry about what you may miss because the dinner means something to you.

 

[awhit066]

Availability for dining can pop up randomly (as others change their plans). If you are concerned about cutting it close for Merriest Celebration then keep checking Disney's site for an earlier booking. You can also try touring plans reservation finder to help you.

 

[Megamazing]

Availability for dining can pop up randomly (as others change their plans). If you are concerned about cutting it close for Merriest Celebration then keep checking Disney's site for an earlier booking. You can also try touring plans reservation finder to help you.

I’ve been looking and so far nothing, but we all know things can change quickly at WDW. Thanks!

 

[Megamazing]

I got a notification from Touring Plans that a 4:05 reservation had opened but by the time I went to book it (10 minutes later) it was gone.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

I got a notification from Touring Plans that a 4:05 reservation had opened but by the time I went to book it (10 minutes later) it was gone.

Just keep trying. They send out the notification to everyone that is inquisitive about that time so you have to jump fast. I would recommend keeping your phone close to you and bookmarking the dining page so as soon as you get the text you can jump on it!

 

[Megamazing]

Just keep trying. They send out the notification to everyone that is inquisitive about that time so you have to jump fast. I would recommend keeping your phone close to you and bookmarking the dining page so as soon as you get the text you can jump on it!

I check pretty regularly. I was just on a call (at work) when I got the email or I would have been able to jump on it.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

I check pretty regularly. I was just on a call (at work) when I got the email or I would have been able to jump on it.

Oh I totally know the struggle! It seems that anytime I need to stay by my phone, I will get pulled away just at the wrong moment.

 

[HwdStudio]

I got a notification from Touring Plans that a 4:05 reservation had opened but by the time I went to book it (10 minutes later) it was gone.

They go quick. Hopefully you will catch one!

 

[DarthVader]

I got a notification from Touring Plans that a 4:05 reservation had opened but by the time I went to book it (10 minutes later) it was gone.

I feel your pain, I was trying to snag some discounts on a resort and lost out. I was kind of counting on those discounts to help with my budget, but no go.

 

[Shouldigo12]

We’ll be at WDW December 3rd-10th. We’re going to MVMCP on the 6th, it’ll be my first time (my husbands too but he’s not a Disney person so he could care less.) One of my must dos for our trip in general is dinner at Be Our Guest, and I managed to get us reservations at 7:45 on the night of the 6th. I know we’ll most likely be missing a Frozen Holiday Wish (according to last years map schedule) but now I’m worrying that the chances of making it back to the castle area for Mickey’s Merriest Celebration at 9:25 (again, according to last year). Am I stressing for no reason or am I right to be concerned? I obviously understand that trying to adhere to any kind of schedule at Disney is a fools errand and I should just enjoy the experience. But as someone who plans way far in advance (499 days to be exact ) I like to make sure I’m at least seeing everything I want. I tried to change the reservation to an earlier time but of course there’s no availability. Any tips?

Oof. That would be cutting it a bit tight for me. In general I find meals take about an hour for me to eat (not sure if that's the case for you). With dessert it's more like an hour and twenty minutes. That leaves twenty minutes to get to the party. Of course, that's assuming everything goes right. You get seated on time, the service isn't slow, etc etc. And I think we all know things always go wrong when we absolutely can not afford for things to go wrong haha. Like others said, keep trying for an earlier ADR. If nothing comes up, just relax and enjoy the evening. Like I said if everything runs smoothly you shouldn't have a problem, but if things do go south I would start thinking about what sounds worse to you- rushing through your must do BOG dinner or missing part of the party.

 

[righttrack]

The Candlelight Processional is beautiful at Epcot if you've never done it. If you do the dinner package, you won't stress about getting a seat. Like many things Epcot, it's a celebration of the human endeavor so that even if you don't celebrate Christmas or aren't religious, the sheer musical talent will amaze you. I believe your dates include Neil Patrick Harris and/or Whoopi Goldberg as the narrator if I'm correct.

 

[Megamazing]

The Candlelight Processional is beautiful at Epcot if you've never done it. If you do the dinner package, you won't stress about getting a seat. Like many things Epcot, it's a celebration of the human endeavor so that even if you don't celebrate Christmas or aren't religious, the sheer musical talent will amaze you. I believe your dates include Neil Patrick Harris and/or Whoopi Goldberg as the narrator if I'm correct.

I love NPH and Whoopi. I’m hoping I can catch one of them

 

[MickeyCB]

I would ask if it is dinner your heart is set on or just eating at BOG?
If it is dinner, keep the reservation for dinner, and just keep trying to move it up.
But, if it is only to eat at BOG and get the experience of the castle, lunch is much more casual as you get your own drinks but they still bring your food to you. You also get to pick the room you would like to sit in. Dinner is now very expensive compared to lunch with the new prix fixe menu.
I have had the pleasure of eating dinner when it first opened, lunch several times and breakfast there last year. I think lunch is a resonable way to go and will not cut into your party time that is fairly expensive itself with lots of things to see and do.