Timing matters

We pull into the MGM bus stop and make a beeline for the entrance, not stopping to inspect the Christmas tree or have our picture taken by PhotoPass. As we approach the turnstiles, we let the boys know in no uncertain terms that “Hey, I don’t have my Key to the World card” jokes are not funny and will not be tolerated. Maybe after we get some food in us, but not before.

I guide the group partway up Hollywood Boulevard before turning left for Hollywood and Vine. It’s not as far from the park entrance as I was thinking it was, for some reason, but that’s a good thing. We’re hungry.

I approach the CM at the reservation stand and give her our name, ressie number, and apology for being late. Not a problem, we’re told, and just a minute later we are being escorted in to our table. Yay.

Because this is a buffet, we’re able to get eating quickly, thankfully. And it is good stuff. There are many wonderful dishes to choose from, and we sample them all. I’m especially happy with the carved prime rib.

While we eat Benjamin reviews his copy of our itinerary. As in the past, I’ve printed up booklets with our general schedule, travel info, and reservations, and given a copy to everyone in our party. This time, partly because of the extended hours and extra shows of the season, I’ve included on each day a sunrise to midnight schedule with color-coded bars showing the hours at each of the four parks and icons on those bars to indicate parades and fireworks. It makes it easy to tell at a glance what’s going on all over the World and when we specifically want to be somewhere.

And Benjamin, who is our calendar / TV guide / scheduling savant, loves it. That’s the other reason I created the itinerary this way.

And so as Benjamin reviews the itinerary, he notes that it’s now 7:30, we’re only beginning to wind down our meal, and the park closes at 8:00. For real? I know we got here late, but I’m still surprised that I scheduled the meal for so close to park closing.

Oh, yeah, I remember now. I tried to get us into the Fantasmic! Dining Plan so we’d have reserved seats for one of the shows tonight, but the slots were all taken, so I just got what I could for a regular reservation at Hollywood & Vine.

We’re okay not riding anything necessarily, but we really wanted to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. With the park closing at 8:00, I guess we’ll have to finish up here pretty soon.