Rethinking some of our ADRs... Need some advice, please!

[Wendy31]

After much thought and number-crunching, I think we're going to upgrade to the DxDP. We were already paying OOP for a couple of our meals, so, with the addition of the appetizers, extra snack/day, and refillable mugs, I think an upgrade makes sense for us.

Now, of course, I have the possibility of adding some more ADRs. Following is our current ADR schedule - w/ my possible changes in blue & questions in red.

Arrival Day/Night #1(Monday)

Lunch - Casey's
Dinner - Liberty Tree Tavern

Day #2/Night #2 (Tuesday)

Breakfast - poptarts in our room

* W/ the upgrade, will probably split an adult breakfast & a child breakfast at Roaring Forks & use 2 credits

Lunch - Garden Grill
Dinner - WS counter, thinking Cantina de San Angel for the outdoor seating

W/ the upgrade, should we change this counter-service meal to a table-service? I was a little worried about the food at the Cantina anyway - we like Mexican, but some of the reviews have me a bit worried, and I'm not terribly fond of the kids' choices. Anyway, I was choosing the Cantina because I thought it would be lovely to sit outside around the lagoon. So, I'm thinking of maybe Rose & Crown - if we could get patio seating - but the menu doesn't really entice me. Any thoughts? I've also thought of Spoodles since we were going to explore the Boardwalk area on this night anyway - but I'll miss the outdoor seating/atmosphere.

So, Question #1 - Would you change from WS counter to either Rose & Crown or Spoodles?

Day #3/Night #3 (Wednesday)

Breakfast - poptarts in room

W/ an upgrade, will split breakfasts again at Roaring Forks.

Lunch - Crystal Palace
Dinner - Columbia Harbour House

While DH & I like this counter-service location, especially the upstairs eating area, our kids do not really like the children's menu selections. So, I'm thinking of trying Pinnochio Village Haus or scheduling an ADR for either the Kona Cafe or California Grill. In regards to the Kona Cafe or California Grill, I'm only worried about taking up too much "park time" by making time for another sit-down meal - especially at California Grill, although I've been wanting to eat there for a very long time!

So, question #2 - Would you change from counter-service to either Kona or California Grill?

Day #4/Night #4 (Thursday)

Breakfast - poptarts in room/split breakfasts at Roaring Forks
Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine-In
Dinner - FDP at Mama Melrose

Day #5/Night #5 (Friday)

Breakfast - Chef Mickey's
Lunch - Sunshine Seaons
Dinner - Le Cellier

I was thrilled to get an ADR for Le Cellier, but, after I saw the menu changes, I'm less than thrilled and thinking about changing our ADR. I was worried about the crowded tables anyway, and now that the food is getting not-so-good reviews, I'm thinking we might have a better meal elsewhere. We are staying for Illuminations on this night, so I want a really great WS meal. I've been looking at Chefs de France and Marrekesh.

Question #3 - Would you change Le Cellier to either Chefs de France or Marrekesh?

Day #6/Night #6 (Saturday)

Breakfast - poptarts in room/split breakfasts at Roaring Forks or Main Street Bakery
Lunch - CRT
Dinner - Roaring Forks

We plan to spend the afternoon renting sea raycers & swimming & then watching the EWP from the beach at the WL - so I thought it might be nice to have an "easy" dinner w/o having to get ready. However, we could do California Grill on this night... Also could do Whispering Canyon Cafe on this night instead of the next...

Question #4 - Afternoon an afternoon of swimming, would you schedule a nicer restaurant like California Grill?

Day #7/Night #7 (Sunday)

Breakfast - poptarts in room/split breakfasts at Roaring Forks
Lunch - Flame Tree BBQ
Dinner - Whispering Canyon Cafe

After dinner, we plan to go into the MK, but we could do California Grill on this night & WCC the previous night.

Question #5 - Would you switch WCC & a possible California Grill? After an AK day, would we have time to get ready for a Cal Grill ADR & then, after dinner, still have lots of good park time in the MK?

Day #8/Night #8 (Monday)

Breakfast - poptarts in room/split breakfasts at Roaring Forks
Lunch - Coral Reef
Dinner - Ohana

Day #9/Departure Day (Tuesday)

Breakfast - Grand Floridian Cafe
Lunch - Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express

Wow! That's a lot! Thanks for taking the time to read all this! (DH says I ramble way too much... :rotfl: ) I appreciate any advice & suggestions! I'm really rethinking & second-guessing Le Callier and my counter-service/possible options, but I'm also worried that, w/ additional ADRs, we'll feel like we're rushing from ADR to the next. Anyway, I'm looking for opinions! :)

[Katiebell]

Wow, and I thought I was an obsessive planner :rotfl2:

Nah, jk...I understand wanting your vacation to be wonderful...just be prepared to have a little wiggle room... I always plan my ADR's around where I'm going to be that day. We have park hoppers, but I try to avoid as much unnecessary travel as possible.

Day 2 -- Cantina for dinner...the seating is good for Illuminations IF you get there really early. We didn't, and kind of had to perch on a fence with a lot of umbrellas in our way, and juggle our food in our laps. And we didn't really care for the Cantina, but we are the first to admit we are super-picky about Mexican food. It was about like...Taco Bell, but that's about what it's supposed to be, it's a CS. This year we are trying R&C, and we know there is absolutely no guarantee for outdoor seating, but they are supposed to let you come out to the patio to view from a standing area if you are there during the show. Never tried Spoodles, but lots of people love it.

Day 3 -- if you could score an ADR at CG during Wishes, it would be fabulous :goodvibes But, that's pretty tough to get. If you don't want to miss out on park time, but want something more than CHH, what about the Plaza? Their kids' menu looks pretty good, and they have some more upscale sandwiches and ice cream desserts.

Day 5 -- I personally wouldn't drop LC, at least not until you've given the new menu a shot. There are a lot of good reviews too, just a lot of people unhappy that their favorite items are gone, but most of them haven't tried the new items yet! If you are going to change, Marrakesh would probably be fun and the bellydancer is supposed to be very entertaining, but the menu is a bit exotic, might want to peruse it before making an ADR. We were torn this year, but went with Chefs de France; will probably try Marrakesh next trip :laughing:

Day 6 -- after playing in the water all day? You might want to stick with a more casual restaurant, rather than having to drag everyone back to the room to dress up. If you are going to be at WL anyway, you might do WCC if you think everyone will have a big appetite.

Day 7 -- Good night for CG, and the Contemporary is close to MK...but if you are there late (for Wishes) will everyone want to go to MK, or will they be ready to go back to the room and rest for the night? Maybe if you have dinner there earlier...

Have fun!

[septbaby]

Make the ADRs you need, but don't feel overwhelmed to plan every meal. Keep in mind that for 2 credits you can also get room service meals at your resort. So even if you miss a ressie you could still use credits to eat a relaxing meal "at home".

[GazerBeam]

So, Question #1 - Would you change from WS counter to either Rose & Crown or Spoodles?


Maybe. There is some real good CS at epcot, If it were me, I probably wouldn't.

So, question #2 - Would you change from counter-service to either Kona or California Grill?


I would. I really like Kona and love the CG.

Question #3 - Would you change Le Cellier to either Chefs de France or Marrekesh?

Not unless there was a time concern. I really like Le Cellier, I'm willing to accept a menu change.

Question #4 - Afternoon an afternoon of swimming, would you schedule a nicer restaurant like California Grill?

Sure, why not. Might be a better time to do something 'special' since you weren't in a park that day. And it takes a while to get through a meal at CG, and I think it should be savored.

Question #5 - Would you switch WCC & a possible California Grill? After an AK day, would we have time to get ready for a Cal Grill ADR & then, after dinner, still have lots of good park time in the MK?

I'd do this switch. you can get through WCC pretty quick, and you can go pretty casual there.

Hope that helps!

GB