We will be going to an After Hours event at Magic Kingdom in March (Spring Break). My thought is that we will go to dinner at a MK resort at about 5 in order to be done and on the way to MK for the 7pm entry. I plan to leave the car at the resort for easy access at the end of the night. My kids will be 12 and 15 and are not that into characters, so I am not looking for a character experience, but would like something fun and unique. Right now I have a reservation at Whispering Canyon in Wilderness and at 'Ohana at the Polynesian, both at 5pm. We went to Whispering Canyon once years ago when the kids were younger and enjoyed it, have never been to 'Ohana (or the Polynesian). I am trying to decide which reservation to keep, or if somewhere totally different would be better. Here are my current thoughts.
Wilderness - less expensive as my super picky 12 year old could order a burger from the kids menu, and the overall prices are less than 'Ohana. Fun atmosphere (maybe? Heard it has been toned down?). - Downside, have been before so not a new experience, though my son doesn't remember it from before. Have to wait on the boat. Does the boat run at 1am when the event is over??? Do you have to bus it if it is storming? I don't want to get stranded at MK at 1am.
'Ohana - never been. Will be much more expensive as all will be charged as adults and my son will eat very little of what is brought. So basically paying $60 for him to eat noodles and maybe ask for something quick service for him, which I hear they will do. My daughter will enjoy the food. Never been to the restaurant or the Poly. On the monorail so should be easy in and out of MK. Downside - Cost - Is it too "young" an experience for my kids to enjoy? They are not going to get up and do the races and dance and that kind of thing. Is it a waste of $180 if they aren't interested in participating?
Other ideas for an enjoyable, unique experience? We are only doing 1 or 2 after dark experiences, no regular park tickets and staying offsite, so this will be the only Disney dining experience for us this trip. We have been 2x before though and they are at an age they like Disney but prefer Universal.
Wilderness - less expensive as my super picky 12 year old could order a burger from the kids menu, and the overall prices are less than 'Ohana. Fun atmosphere (maybe? Heard it has been toned down?). - Downside, have been before so not a new experience, though my son doesn't remember it from before. Have to wait on the boat. Does the boat run at 1am when the event is over??? Do you have to bus it if it is storming? I don't want to get stranded at MK at 1am.
'Ohana - never been. Will be much more expensive as all will be charged as adults and my son will eat very little of what is brought. So basically paying $60 for him to eat noodles and maybe ask for something quick service for him, which I hear they will do. My daughter will enjoy the food. Never been to the restaurant or the Poly. On the monorail so should be easy in and out of MK. Downside - Cost - Is it too "young" an experience for my kids to enjoy? They are not going to get up and do the races and dance and that kind of thing. Is it a waste of $180 if they aren't interested in participating?
Other ideas for an enjoyable, unique experience? We are only doing 1 or 2 after dark experiences, no regular park tickets and staying offsite, so this will be the only Disney dining experience for us this trip. We have been 2x before though and they are at an age they like Disney but prefer Universal.
