Dining advice

[heathpack]

We are 60 days out from a trip to the World.

We'll be driving down and arriving around 5pm. Our first night we're staying in an OKW studio near hospitality house (9 points!). Then we're staying 5 nights in a 1BR at BCV.

Our arrival day is a Monday, so I assume that will be Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT. We'll probably want to attend that.

I reserved Wine Bar George for dinner on that first day, my thought being we'd boat over to Disney Springs and it would be "relaxing". Now I'm thinking that the logistics might be daunting: we've got to wait for the boat, ride the boat, clear security (where do we do that? at OKW or at Disney Springs?), eat, then wait for the boat, ride the boat, then head to the car, then drive to EPCOT, then park, then take the tram, then enter EPCOT. I'd like to eat at Wine Bar George but can save that for another trip.

EPCOT festival booths is an option, but after a full day on the road, sitting at a table to eat would be welcome. I am wondering if it might be nice to drive over to Riveria and eat at Bar Riva, then take the Skyliner to EPCOT. Logistically, this seems simpler: drive to Riveria, eat, Skyliner to EPCOT, visit for Extended Evening Hours, Skyliner back to Riveria, then drive back to OKW.

Questions:
1. Does the Skyliner run back to Riveria at the end of Extended Evening Hours?
2. Is it a problem to get through the Riveria guard shack without a dining reservation?
3. Is Bar Riva an easy walk up, or is there typically a wait. This would be a Monday in a slow season.
4. How long should we leave to travel to EPCOT from Riveria, including wait time?

Thanks

 

[nomoretslt]

If you want to keep your reservation at Wine Bar George (I hear it’s excellent), I would take the boat (not sure where you get checked by security…but shouldn’t be a big deal. After dinner I would walk to the Disney Springs Bus depot and take the bus to Epcot (drop off at front entrance) or Boardwalk or Beach Club (could then walk from there to international gateway). When you are done with extra Magic, take the bus back to old key west. The bus depot at Springs is huge….but signage is good. I’m not a big fan of the bus, but it is a good option in this case.
Riviera is very strict about parking. You have to have a dinner reservation at Topolinos. Bar Riva does not take reservations as far as I know. But to answer your question, the skyliner should remain open for extra Magic guests. The ride back to Riviera is probably 10 minutes….it stops often to load scooters.
If you decide not to do Wine Bar, getting a dinner reservation at Topolinos, or flying Fish at Boardwalk or yachtsman steakhouse or Ale and compass at yacht and beach club would allow you to park there.

If it was me and I really wanted to do extra Magic, I would skip Wine Bar, purchase the quick service dining plan for the one night at OKW (two counter services including an alcoholic beverage and one snack that you can use at the food booths), drive to Epcot, get the brisket and spiked lemonade at regal eagle, find a really good food booth to use your snack credit (I got half a lobster tail once). You can use your other counter service the next day, even after you check in to Beach Club. Plus you get the mug that is good for two weeks. Each person on the OKW reservation has to purchase the dining plan.

But I like the wine bar/ bus scenario too. Since you are staying in the area. On the rare occasions that we go to Disney Springs, we will take the bus. Parking is challenging. We really like the new DVC “lounge” there.

 

[heathpack]

If you want to keep your reservation at Wine Bar George (I hear it’s excellent), I would take the boat (not sure where you get checked by security…but shouldn’t be a big deal. After dinner I would walk to the Disney Springs Bus depot and take the bus to Epcot (drop off at front entrance) or Boardwalk or Beach Club (could then walk from there to international gateway). When you are done with extra Magic, take the bus back to old key west. The bus depot at Springs is huge….but signage is good. I’m not a big fan of the bus, but it is a good option in this case.
Riviera is very strict about parking. You have to have a dinner reservation at Topolinos. Bar Riva does not take reservations as far as I know. But to answer your question, the skyliner should remain open for extra Magic guests. The ride back to Riviera is probably 10 minutes….it stops often to load scooters.
If you decide not to do Wine Bar, getting a dinner reservation at Topolinos, or flying Fish at Boardwalk or yachtsman steakhouse or Ale and compass at yacht and beach club would allow you to park there.

If it was me and I really wanted to do extra Magic, I would skip Wine Bar, purchase the quick service dining plan for the one night at OKW (two counter services including an alcoholic beverage and one snack that you can use at the food booths), drive to Epcot, get the brisket and spiked lemonade at regal eagle, find a really good food booth to use your snack credit (I got half a lobster tail once). You can use your other counter service the next day, even after you check in to Beach Club. Plus you get the mug that is good for two weeks. Each person on the OKW reservation has to purchase the dining plan.

But I like the wine bar/ bus scenario too. Since you are staying in the area. On the rare occasions that we go to Disney Springs, we will take the bus. Parking is challenging. We really like the new DVC “lounge” there.

Oh that is a good idea with the QS dining plan. I am going to check that out.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I’m not sure that the Skyliner does keep running after EEH, so I’d check that out, probably by posting a question on the DISboards Transportation forum. I do know that if you take the boat from OKW to DS, you go through security when you disembark at the DS dock.

I agree that you won’t be allowed to park at RIV if you don’t have an ADR at Topolino’s - Disney is strict about parking at Skyliner resorts just as they are at monorail or near-park resorts. If you want to eat at Bar Riva, you’d need to arrive via Disney transportation. That means, if you want to drive your car, either 1) parking at DHS and riding the Skyliner to CBR, then transferring to the Epcot line and getting off at RIV, and after supper taking Skyliner to Epcot, then reversing the journey after EEH, or 2) parking at Epcot, walking all the way through from front entrance to IG and then taking Skyliner to and from RIV.

BTW if you’re 60 days out from checkin, park hours including EEH are currently posted on the WDW MDE app and website. They post them on a rolling 70-day schedule for benefit of those who get to stay for 10 days. Park hours may be extended between now and then, but they won’t be reduced.

 

[heathpack]

I’m not sure that the Skyliner does keep running after EEH, so I’d check that out, probably by posting a question on the DISboards Transportation forum. I do know that if you take the boat from OKW to DS, you go through security when you disembark at the DS dock.

I agree that you won’t be allowed to park at RIV if you don’t have an ADR at Topolino’s - Disney is strict about parking at Skyliner resorts just as they are at monorail or near-park resorts. If you want to eat at Bar Riva, you’d need to arrive via Disney transportation. That means, if you want to drive your car, either 1) parking at DHS and riding the Skyliner to CBR, then transferring to the Epcot line and getting off at RIV, and after supper taking Skyliner to Epcot, then reversing the journey after EEH, or 2) parking at Epcot, walking all the way through from front entrance to IG and then taking Skyliner to and from RIV.

BTW if you’re 60 days out from checkin, park hours including EEH are currently posted on the WDW MDE app and website. They post them on a rolling 70-day schedule for benefit of those who get to stay for 10 days. Park hours may be extended between now and then, but they won’t be reduced.

I check 2 days ago and no hours. After your post, I checked and EEH are Wed at Hollywood Studios. I don't know if HS is a great location for EEH, but from the perspective of someone staying at BCV, its great!

I am currently leaning towards the suggestion of @nomoretslt: getting the dining plan for 1 day. I think it could work well with being so close to EPCOT. I need to look at menus though.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I check 2 days ago and no hours. After your post, I checked and EEH are Wed at Hollywood Studios. I don't know if HS is a great location for EEH, but from the perspective of someone staying at BCV, its great!

I am currently leaning towards the suggestion of @nomoretslt: getting the dining plan for 1 day. I think it could work well with being so close to EPCOT. I need to look at menus though.

Did you check for your Monday arrival day too? Usually EEH is Monday at Epcot and Wednesday at MK, but I think the Wednesday moved to DHS because of Halloween parties at MK. Epcot should still be Monday but bears confirming.

 

[heathpack]

Did you check for your Monday arrival day too? Usually EEH is Monday at Epcot and Wednesday at MK, but I think the Wednesday moved to DHS because of Halloween parties at MK. Epcot should still be Monday but bears confirming.

Yes Monday EEH are still at EPCOT.

Interestingly the online MDE still only shows park hours 60 days in advance whereas the app shows 70 days. Thats annoying because I was looking at the web version.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Yes Monday EEH are still at EPCOT.

Interestingly the online MDE still only shows park hours 60 days in advance whereas the app shows 70 days. Thats annoying because I was looking at the web version.

Yes, that’s a common complaint - the app seems to be consistently updated before the website is. Periodically I read posts asking for a DVC app as opposed to having to log into the member website via browser. It’s issues like this that make me happy DVC has only one to keep up to date.

 

[nomoretslt]

I don’t know if you all have this app or not. You can get it free at the App Store, WDW Food&Wine. It is not WDW sponsored. But it will have all the festivals listed, all the food booths, all of the food and wine at each booth, and as it gets closer to the date, prices will appear. And a map. Flower and garden is listed right now even tho it’s over, but prices are there so you can get an idea of the set up. For Food and wine it just says coming soon…..later this year than the last few years…August 28. Back when we would get the deluxe dining plan for a night or two at a studio before switching to a one bedroom, we would plot out which booths gave the best bang for our buck for our snack credits. When the app posts the prices, it will have a DDP symbol next to a food that qualifies for the snack credit. It is really useful even when paying out of pocket. You can see what you really want to try, find it in the map, and plot your course instead of wandering around.
Sadly the deluxe dining plan has not made a reappearance. It was great for a one night or 2 night studio stay. The regular dining plan is not worth it in my opinion. But we have done the quick service one for a night or two before changing rooms. The alcoholic beverage where offered makes if worthwhile money wise. Note: I don’t think they have alcohol at quick service in MK….or they resisted for a long time, may have changed,

 

[TheHolleys87]

WDW Food&Wine

Oh yes, let me offer another endorsement for this app. I’ve used it for years whenever our visit coincided with an Epcot festival. I especially love the map because you can mark the food booths you want to visit so that you don’t miss anything you wanted to try - unless you’re just too full to eat another thing, of course!

 

[heathpack]

I’m thinking we could spend $120 on the QSDP x 2 people
Mon PM: Split an entree at the Polite Pig + Sangria for me, pay OOP for a beer for Mr. H if he wants one, 50% chance he does. Then use a snack credit to split a HF sundae from Ghirardelli.

Tues lunch: Burger at Leaning Palms (for Mr H) + Paloma for me. Pay OOP for Tropical Salad for me. I’m guessing Mr H will prefer a soda from our cooler to an alcoholic Bev.

Tues dinner: Cantina de San Angel. Tacos + beer for Mr. H and Tacos + margarita for me. Snack credit for dessert which we can split. Then head over to the MK for the Halloween party.

This is around $155-$160 in food/drink value, for which we’d pay $120. The only trick in evaluating value is that without the plan, we’d probably pack a lunch at Typhoon Lagoon, and I wouldn’t have an alcoholic drink at lunch, and I’m not sure we’d have dessert after dinner. OTOH, without the QS dining plan we’d do Wine Bar George + probably GF Cafe or Steakhouse 71 dinner, which would be $250+ for the two meals. Different experiences of course over QS dining, but that $120 gain in the budget pays for our Topolino Terrace brunch, I suppose.

Question 1.: If we find ourselves eating at Cantina de San Angel around 5pm on Tuesday, does it make more sense to Monorail over to TTC, or walk back to Beach Club and bus straight to MK? I’m figuring from the Cantina it will be 90 min to get to MK main gate for the Halloween party.

Question 2.: Is it a mistake to arrive right at 7pm for the Halloween party? We don’t want to miss much party time but it will be hot and we really don’t want to arrive early for this. However we also don’t want to be in a long line in the blazing sun to enter the park for the party.

 

[jrb916]

Question 2—we always get into the park as soon as we can for parties. If it is warm head to a ‘cool off place’ such as Hall of presidents/carousel of progress. There are normally lines going out & coming in around 7 & you could miss things or be stuck in long lines. If you go early & get done, leave early. We were there from the earliest time & waited til the very end to leave. Enjoy your time as it will be a great night!

 

[nomoretslt]

Question 1: it is quite a distance to get to the front of the park. Then you have to go up that long ramp to get to the monorail and then switch to the express monorail to MK. My daughter and I did the same thing 2 years ago for the Halloween party. If I recall correctly the express monorail was packed. We were staying at Boardwalk but for some reason wanted to go to Epcot before the party. And it was really hot. I know you can take a chance with the bus too. We never seem to time it right on the rare occasions we take the bus. And it’s also a long walk back to Beach Club too. I’m a big help.

Question 2: we went in early…..I’m pretty sure they already will have separate turnstiles for the party. You can get your special program and plan your night, there are sometimes special instructions…. We were able to ride Tron twice… I think it was a virtual queue but I can’t remember how we got on twice…maybe at the end of the night. Best ride in WDW.

Tip for Ratatouille in Epcot: when we were there in January, they had a single rider line. We went in twice in a row, barely any wait. And both times we rode in the same car.

 

[heathpack]

Question 1: it is quite a distance to get to the front of the park. Then you have to go up that long ramp to get to the monorail and then switch to the express monorail to MK. My daughter and I did the same thing 2 years ago for the Halloween party. If I recall correctly the express monorail was packed. We were staying at Boardwalk but for some reason wanted to go to Epcot before the party. And it was really hot. I know you can take a chance with the bus too. We never seem to time it right on the rare occasions we take the bus. And it’s also a long walk back to Beach Club too. I’m a big help.

Question 2: we went in early…..I’m pretty sure they already will have separate turnstiles for the party. You can get your special program and plan your night, there are sometimes special instructions…. We were able to ride Tron twice… I think it was a virtual queue but I can’t remember how we got on twice…maybe at the end of the night. Best ride in WDW.

Tip for Ratatouille in Epcot: when we were there in January, they had a single rider line. We went in twice in a row, barely any wait. And both times we rode in the same car.

I am seeing the downside to the QS Dining Plan. It kind of forces you to be in a place where you don't really want to be at X time, and to drink alcohol when you otherwise might not. We might be better off just eating in our normal pattern.

 

[nomoretslt]

Yes, it does have a downside when you have other things planned….I didn’t know you had decided to do the Halloween party.
When I made that recommendation. It will work for us for our one night pre cruise because we will get our mugs that we can use after our cruise…8 nights at Disney. I will use an older mug for coffee as I hate to have coffee taste in my Gold Peak ice tea and Mr Nomore likes the Powerade to taste like Powerade and not coffee.

You will have a great time at the party….they used to do the parade twice, but check your schedule. You can’t miss the headless horseman.

 

[heathpack]

Yes, it does have a downside when you have other things planned….I didn’t know you had decided to do the Halloween party.
When I made that recommendation. It will work for us for our one night pre cruise because we will get our mugs that we can use after our cruise…8 nights at Disney. I will use an older mug for coffee as I hate to have coffee taste in my Gold Peak ice tea and Mr Nomore likes the Powerade to taste like Powerade and not coffee.

You will have a great time at the party….they used to do the parade twice, but check your schedule. You can’t miss the headless horseman.

We weren't sure on the Halloween party but now that we see there is no EEH at MK when we are visiting, I think that decides it. It will be hot and we want to be in parks at night, not during the day.

So we will have:
Mon: long drive, then EEH Epcot
Tues: sleep in a bit, check out of OKW by 9:30, Typhoon Lagoon free WP day, check in to BCV, then MNSSHP
Wed: sleep in, pool day, EEH Hollywood Studios. Maybe Fantasmic
Thurs: Topolino Terrace brunch, pool day on Thursday. Food and Wine festival booths for light dinner
Fri: rope drop HS or EPCOT, and hit up the opposite park in the PM, with pool time in between.
Sat: CakeBake for 8am breakfast and afterward check out and hit the road.

Right now, I'm thinking we'll keep WineBar George Monday night and I booked Grand Floridian Cafe for Tuesday before the party. We reserved for 5pm, which I think should put us at the Halloween party around 6:30pm. I just don't think we can get there any sooner, since its a check in day for us at BCV.

The mugs don't mean much to us- Mr. H drinks so much diet coke that going to get refills constantly would be annoying. I drink lots of decaf iced tea and hibiscus iced tea and currently have a year's supply of iced tea bags in my pantry. It just takes a couple of minutes to make tea in the room and then we'll have the convenience of having it in the room. Ditto for coffee.

Now my question is about Fantasmic: should we consider a dining package maybe for Friday ? It seems in the past that the dining package meals were not available in the 7pm range when we might want it. I'll have to look again.

 

[nomoretslt]

The dinner package is nice because you don’t have to wait in the humongous line….it can be really slow and very hot…the air does not move. Mama Melrose used to have one but I think they just closed it permanently. Maybe Brown Derby or Hollywood & Vine. We once did it years ago but it started pouring rain and lightning and they cancelled the show. It is a great show…they made some minor changes recently, but still worth going to see.

I love waking up early, getting my coffee in the Boardwalk Lobby or Contempto Cafe when staying at BLT and watch the world wake up.

 

[heathpack]

The dinner package is nice because you don’t have to wait in the humongous line….it can be really slow and very hot…the air does not move. Mama Melrose used to have one but I think they just closed it permanently. Maybe Brown Derby or Hollywood & Vine. We once did it years ago but it started pouring rain and lightning and they cancelled the show. It is a great show…they made some minor changes recently, but still worth going to see.

I love waking up early, getting my coffee in the Boardwalk Lobby or Contempto Cafe when staying at BLT and watch the world wake up.

Weirdly none are available and 4 days that week are X’ed out on the Fantasmic Dining Package schedule, although Fantasmic itself is listed on the HS entertainment schedule. I’ll keep checking but honestly we could take it or leave it on doing this. We’re already spending quite a bit on dining.

 

[nomoretslt]

You could also hang around until it is close to showtime and see if you can get a spot. We like the back row near the entrance. When the show is over it’s a madhouse, as I’m sure you know if you have been there. They sometimes open another exit….if you walk past where you entered the arena, there is a gate back there…..I find it easier to get out that way.

 

[heathpack]

The Fantasmic dining packages were available when I looked today. We booked SciFi because it was cheapest and we aren’t particularly interested in the food. Hoping it doesn’t rain! Fantasmic will be a nice “last night” activity.

 

[TheHolleys87]

The Fantasmic dining packages were available when I looked today. We booked SciFi because it was cheapest and we aren’t particularly interested in the food. Hoping it doesn’t rain! Fantasmic will be a nice “last night” activity.

We’re of an age to really enjoy the film trailers and other clips on the screen at Sci-Fi, so we’d have chosen the same! Hope y’all do too.

 

[nomoretslt]

Love the Sci Fi! It’s a fun place. Old monster movies are the best.

 

[heathpack]

Ok here’s another question:

Do we keep 8am Cake Bake breakfast reservation on our last day, or switch to Ale and Compass?

I was looking at the breakfast menu at Ale and Compass, and it looks pretty good. We have eaten there for dinner once.

My vibe is to keep Cake Bake, because we’ve never tried it and it’s a harder reservation to get. But Ale and Compass is tempting. We will be back to stay at BCV in March 2026, so can try the Ale and Compass breakfast then, I guess.

Also- I was checking out Rosa Mexicana and they have a breakfast buffet that looks fantastic- but it’s not offered any of the days we are there. Do any of y’all know when that brunch is offered?

 

[ljmiii]

Ok here’s another question:…

We always eat breakfast in our villa so I can only speak to the restaurants.

I see no reason to cancel Cake Bake since it serves a good breakfast and is quite nice. And while we’ve had many a fine meal at Ale and Compass it isn’t on the same level.

As for Rosa’s, I must say that the WDW location is shockingly good. The layout and atmosphere are a little weird, but the food was better than at any other Rosa’s we’ve been to outside NYC and actually even a little better than the last few we’ve had in the city.

 

[heathpack]

We always eat breakfast in our villa so I can only speak to the restaurants.

I see no reason to cancel Cake Bake since it serves a good breakfast and is quite nice. And while we’ve had many a fine meal at Ale and Compass it isn’t on the same level.

As for Rosa’s, I must say that the WDW location is shockingly good. The layout and atmosphere are a little weird, but the food was better than at any other Rosa’s we’ve been to outside NYC and actually even a little better than the last few we’ve had in the city.

I booked Rosa for our last night. We're doing the Fantasmic dining package that day but we're actually eating our Fantasmic meal early at 11am. The thought is to rope drop HS and then grab an early lunch. Then we can hang out at the pool, Rosa Mexicano for dinner at 6:30 pm, and then head on to Fantasmic. Had no idea this was a chain restaurant.