Beak & Barrel: What would you do?

Walt Disney World
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I am enjoying a 4P1D adventure with a friend who is a very infrequent visitor. She has been before, but not even since Pandora opened. She wants to do and is very excited about 4P1D

I want to take her to B&B at the end of our day. We plan to finish at MK but may not arrive in time for the early parade; the later parade is preferable anyway because it is significantly less crowded.

We also would like to see HEA.

So our end of day lineup will include HEA, Starlight (prefer 1030), and B&B - the only guarantee is HEA at 930

I currently hold 2 B&B reservations: 1 at 1005pm and one at 1055pm. Help me decide which plan is more feasible/makes the most sense

Plan A:
9:30 Watch HEA from a hub=adjacent spot
9:50 HEA ends
1005 B&B, spend 30-40 minutes
1040ish leave B&B and head for the exit point of Starlight, which should arrive to the area around 1050

This plan allows plenty of time to get from HEA, viewed from a prime-ish location, to B&B to check in. However, if B&B is running behind, we risk missing the beginning part of Starlight. I am not familiar with their on-time record in the way I am with some other dining locations.

Plan B:
9:30 Watch HEA from hub-adjacent location
9:50 HEA ends - move into position for parade viewiong

  • In Frontierland near cut-through
  • 10:45ish Starlight arrives
  • 11:05 Starlight ends
    OR
  • Hub side of bridge where parade crosses into Lib Square
  • 1040ish Starlight arrives
  • 1100 Starlight ends

This plan leaves us at risk for needing to depart viewing location - whichever is chosen - before parade is over to be at B&B. I am not sure if I could check in from viewing location(s) or if I would get the dreaded “you’re too far away”. I am concerned that I would be turned away for being late given that they close at 11p.

Help me decide!! Which plan is our safest bet?

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I think having to duck out of B&B is probably safer than missing the end of the parade. But I suppose only you two can decide which is more important.

I haven’t heard anything about them running behind but that doesn’t mean it never happens. I kind of feel like 10pm may be quiet.

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Hm, this is a tough one. I think it depends on which of the two experiences are more of a must-do/can be compromised.

I would personally prefer Plan A, because I think Starlight is a high note on which to end MK and you’ll be exhausted from 4P1D so you’ll be ready to leave after that. I would think they can sit 2 people on time/close to it, and you’ll have enough time for a drink - but have only been once and haven’t really kept track of possible delays here (I was seated quickly). I’d be willing to drop BnB if there’s a delay and just head to Starlight.

Plan B has too much waiting time during which I fear you’d get tired after your long day. And I’d enjoy Starlight less knowing I was constantly checking the time. Though if you’re still full of energy, it could be nice exiting a near empty Frontierland after park closing time.

Either way, it sounds like a pretty amazing day - enjoy!!

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Make sure your Starlight times are right for the second parade, since it starts in Frontierland and finishes at Main Street. They made that change Feb 12.

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Good point. I tend to forget this piece!

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For real?

Can others confirm?

That absolutely turns those plans upside down if fact

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This. I think plan B:

Time to get from hub to a Starlight spot near the beginning of the parade and B&B

You should be able to cut through right after the parade over to B&B in time.

If you have extra time, grab a waffle or Dole Whip or something.

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The first parade starts on Main Street, but the second one runs the reverse direction.

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Thank you! Missed this entirely

It makes me lean to plan B but I’ll have to rethink.

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Yes. I was in Frontierland on a porch, and the parade started in Frontierland and passed out of Frontierland. I’ll see if I can find where I was sitting.

11

I saw that some of your trip days only have 1 Starlight at 8:30pm, the 10:30 show is added on the days later in your trip. Just wanted to make sure to say since the date of your planned 4P1D wasn’t mentioned in your post :blush:

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I will double check. TP offered that there were two. I believe I had cross checked to MDE but I’ll double check now thanks

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There’s two on your day, just not the rest of the week! Which is a little annoying for me.

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There is. Just checked.

Appreciate the heads up. Would rather double check now than not and find out at 9 pm that day that the only one was at 830!

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