Hiya, Katie. Welcome to planDisney!
Firstly, put tissues on your packing list if they aren't already. When I saw
Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney, I found it visually stunning and incredibly moving. The story, the performances, the artistry...it's just truly a match made in heaven when it comes to 2 companies working together to make a truly unforgettable show. And since it's quite touching, let's just say I needed a few tissues. Okay, okay, I needed a bunch! Just take my word for this one!
If you would like to enjoy a nice, leisurely dinner before your showtime, I would suggest seeing if you could move up your reservation to at least 6 p.m. While you could probably make a 6:30 p.m. dining time work, in my experience, if you're going to stress about it, change it. Peace of mind holds value! If you can't change it, though, don't panic. Firstly, the
My Disney Experience mobile app currently allows you to check in for reservations 20 minutes before your scheduled dining time. While this doesn't guarantee you'll be able to eat earlier, it certainly doesn't hurt your chances. Also, you can explain to your server your situation and they will do their best to get you in and out as quickly as possible. When I'm in a rush, once my dinner arrives (or dessert should I be ordering that too), I usually ask for the check. This way, you can pay for your meal while you dine on your last delicious bites!
One piece of additional advice I'd like to bestow upon you is to give yourself plenty of time to get to
Disney Springs...
especially if you're driving. This shopping and dining district can get pretty busy on Friday and Saturday evenings. You just want to make sure you've accounted for local traffic. And, worst-case scenario, you arrive way too early and have to do some
shopping or catch some live
entertainment! And that, my friend, is an example of a really amazing and delightful worst-case scenario!
Katie, be sure to
reach out again if any other questions come up. Enjoy that dinner, the show, and the rest of your visit to the
Most Magical Place on Earth!
Happiness is a state of mind,
Matt