10 Night Disneymoon DP! ADR Critique Pls! I helped review yours, now please help me!

[Jessica527]

So I need your help! I have spent hours on these boards reviewing others dining plans and writing reviews of my own. But this time I need your help! Below is my dining plan for our honeymoon in May, 2012.

Some background:
2 adults. DFi and I are not picky eaters at all and love everything. Our favorite thing to eat is sushi.
Staying 5 nights at POR/5 nights at AKL
We are not on the DDP (due to CM discount)

Love to hear your suggestions! I have a lot with ???, so any help is much appreciated!

Day 1 - Travel Day – Sunday, May 6th:
D- Columbia Harbor House or Earl of Sandwich
(Depends if we do MK EMH or take the boat to DTD)

Day 2 - EP/HS (EMH) – Monday, May 7th
B – Undecided??
L – Le Cellier
D – Sci Fi Restaurant or Kimonos ???

Day 3 - MK – Tuesday, May 8th
B – Crystal Palace (before park opens)
L – Tony’s Town Square (Hoping to get outdoor table for parade)
D – Tomorrowland Wishes Dessert Party (Yes, dessert for dinner)

Day 4 - Seaworld – Wednesday May 9th
B - Chef Mickey’s (taking transportation to Seaworld from CR)
L – Somewhere in Seaworld
D – Raglan Road

Day 5 - Typhoon/EP – Thursday May 10th
B – Kona Café
L - ???
D – Tokyo Dining

Day 6 - AK/Travel from POR to new AKL – Friday, May 11th
B - ???
L – Yak & Yeti Restaurant
D – Jiko or Boma ???

Day 7 - EP – Saturday, May 12th
B – Mara Quick Service (AKL) or ???
L – Coral Reef Restaurant
D – Cape May Café or Captains Grille ???

Day 8 - HS/MK (EMH) – Sunday, May 13th
B - ???
L – 50’s Prime Time Café
D – Ohana

Day 9 - Blizzard Beach/?? – Monday, May 14th
B – Boma
L - ???
D – Hoop de Doo Review

Day 10 - MK – Tuesday, May 15th
B – Main Street Bakery
L – Whispering Canyon
D – California Grill


Day 11 - AK/Travel – Wednesday, May 16th
B – Mara Quick Service ​

 

[OhThePain]

I'm on my way out of the door right now (I'm at work) and wasn't fully able to give your plan a big look over. However, since you are staying at AKL, it is your Disneymoon and you are still debating between Jiko and Boma on that first night there, I must suggest the Wanyama Safari at AKL. It is a safari that is only available to AKL guests (you don't have to be staying CL to go on it). My now-fiance (I proposed to her literally 20 minutes before we had to meet for the safari) and I did it on our arrival day the end of last month and it was a fantastic experience. Yes, it is pricey (runs about $190 per person) but it was so well worth it. The safari takes you around the savannahs of the lodge (not the park) and you can get real upclose and personal with the animals (a giraffe literally stuck its head into our safari vehicle). You get to hear all about all the different animals that you will get to see from the lodge. Then they take you to a feast at Jiko. It is all served family style but there is the bread offerings with like 4 different spreads, 3 or 4 appitizers, the filet with the mac and cheese, a fish dish and a chicken dish and a dessert sampler, all courses paired with wines. A totally worth while experience that would be great for a Disneymoon. I can't speak highly enough of it. If you can budget it, DO IT!

 

[Jessica527]

I'm on my way out of the door right now (I'm at work) and wasn't fully able to give your plan a big look over. However, since you are staying at AKL, it is your Disneymoon and you are still debating between Jiko and Boma on that first night there, I must suggest the Wanyama Safari at AKL. It is a safari that is only available to AKL guests (you don't have to be staying CL to go on it). My now-fiance (I proposed to her literally 20 minutes before we had to meet for the safari) and I did it on our arrival day the end of last month and it was a fantastic experience. Yes, it is pricey (runs about $190 per person) but it was so well worth it. The safari takes you around the savannahs of the lodge (not the park) and you can get real upclose and personal with the animals (a giraffe literally stuck its head into our safari vehicle). You get to hear all about all the different animals that you will get to see from the lodge. Then they take you to a feast at Jiko. It is all served family style but there is the bread offerings with like 4 different spreads, 3 or 4 appitizers, the filet with the mac and cheese, a fish dish and a chicken dish and a dessert sampler, all courses paired with wines. A totally worth while experience that would be great for a Disneymoon. I can't speak highly enough of it. If you can budget it, DO IT!

Amazing suggestion! I always thought that you had to be at CL to experience that. Thank you so much for letting me know! I think we will be able to pull it off for our honeymoon

 

[Pakey]

I would definitely do Kimonos over Sci Fi. (I'm a sushi lover too asnd Kimonos is decent and reasonably priced). Many times when we have been a party of 2, we've been seated as hitchhikers at Sci Fi and it's not near as fun in the back of the car behind strangers, especially since the food isn't that good.

Jiko over Boma. The safari is nice but not romantic, not sure what you are looking for. I prefer to dine in the Wine Room at Jiko; there's only a few tables in there and it's very quiet. My concern on this day is that Yak and Yeti portions are HUGE and after lunch there, you might not be hungry for your dinner that evening. Since you are paying OOP, you might want to share an entree at Yak/Yeti. At least look around at the other tables before ordering and see the size of their dishes.

On that same day, I would skip breakfast, maybe grab a small CS item to share since you are doing Yak for lunch and then a large dinner at either Boma/Jiko.

Typhoon has some counter service choices there. We always get a cabana so I think the menu might be different. I know we had about 5 choices on the cabana menu. I only remember chicken wrap, chicken caesar salad, cheeseburger. I've had all 3 of these and they are okay, not great.

On your Blizzard Beach day, I'd also just go for something light at the water park since you are having a huge buffet breakfast and the amount of food served at Hoop De Doo is way too much.

I prefer Captains Grille over Cape May.

I could no way do 50s PTC for lunch and OHana dinner on same day. That's a lot of food, definitely heavy on the meat for that day.

 

[Jessica527]

I would definitely do Kimonos over Sci Fi. (I'm a sushi lover too asnd Kimonos is decent and reasonably priced). Many times when we have been a party of 2, we've been seated as hitchhikers at Sci Fi and it's not near as fun in the back of the car behind strangers, especially since the food isn't that good.

Loved all of your suggestions, and I agree with them.

My only question is did you need to reserve a table at Kimonos? I see that you can't make it on the WDW website.

 

[OhThePain]

Amazing suggestion! I always thought that you had to be at CL to experience that. Thank you so much for letting me know! I think we will be able to pull it off for our honeymoon

While I agree with Pakey that it is not the most romantic experience (neither are some of your other choices), since you will be sharing the safari and meal with 10 other people, it was still a great experience. You do have to check in at 3:45, which might be difficult to do given your schedule that day between checking out of POR, going to AK and checking in at AKL, wash up and get to the Jiko podeum. The Sunrise Safari is the safari that is only available to CL guests. That takes you around KS (much slower than the ride the average guest experiences) and then for breakfast at Pizzafari and while we are glad we did it, we didn't feel it was really worth it.

I also agree with Pakey that 50's and 'Ohana in the same day could be tough. The only way I could suggest to do both is if you skipped breakfast, did a early lunch at 50's (at like 11) and then had a later 'Ohana ADR for 8:30 or so and really spaced out the reservations.

 

[Pakey]

Loved all of your suggestions, and I agree with them.

My only question is did you need to reserve a table at Kimonos? I see that you can't make it on the WDW website.

We have never had a reservation at Kimonos. We frequently stay at Beach Club and have always just walked in. I don't even know if they take reservations.

 

[Jessica527]

While I agree with Pakey that it is not the most romantic experience (neither are some of your other choices), since you will be sharing the safari and meal with 10 other people, it was still a great experience. You do have to check in at 3:45, which might be difficult to do given your schedule that day between checking out of POR, going to AK and checking in at AKL, wash up and get to the Jiko podeum. The Sunrise Safari is the safari that is only available to CL guests. That takes you around KS (much slower than the ride the average guest experiences) and then for breakfast at Pizzafari and while we are glad we did it, we didn't feel it was really worth it.

I also agree with Pakey that 50's and 'Ohana in the same day could be tough. The only way I could suggest to do both is if you skipped breakfast, did a early lunch at 50's (at like 11) and then had a later 'Ohana ADR for 8:30 or so and really spaced out the reservations.

Yea I think that day is going to be a little crazy for the safari. But now I have looked at our plans and I want to fit it in! I will have to figure something out

We have never had a reservation at Kimonos. We frequently stay at Beach Club and have always just walked in. I don't even know if they take reservations.

Ok great, we are going to switch to Kimonos then!

 

[Pakey]

Loved all of your suggestions, and I agree with them.

My only question is did you need to reserve a table at Kimonos? I see that you can't make it on the WDW website.

We have never had a reservation at Kimonos. We frequently stay at Beach Club and have always just walked in. I don't even know if they take reservations.

 

[Jessica527]

Talked to DFi about the safari tour and he is all for it! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Jessica527]

Please take a look for me ADRS are tomorrow!!!

 

[summermac]

Hey did you get this ADR?
Day 3 - MK – Tuesday, May 8th
B – Crystal Palace (before park opens)


Asking b/c we'll be there that morning too!

 

[Jessica527]

Hey did you get this ADR?
Day 3 - MK – Tuesday, May 8th
B – Crystal Palace (before park opens)


Asking b/c we'll be there that morning too!

Normally you can get it for 8:05am, and the park opens at 9:00am. I haven't reserved yet but have done this in years past. I would check it out!

 

[summermac]

I had my choice b/t 8:05 and 8:30. I chose 8:30. FYI, I'd get online and make those ADRs today.

 

[Jessica527]

I had my choice b/t 8:05 and 8:30. I chose 8:30. FYI, I'd get online and make those ADRs today.

Wish I could! My ADR windown opens tomorrow! Can't wait

 

[akeogh]

Congratulations on your upcoming Disneymoon!!!!!! I enjoyed looking at your reservations & thought it looked like you had picked lots of great places to eat. I did have two itty-bitty concerns. One is, I was curious why you park hopped so much. Just when you are deep into one park after a few hours, you have yourself reversing course and taking transportation to another park. It think it is fun to do this on a few days (it adds energy and excitement), but to do a lot of it might be tiring and eat into your park time with transportation time. I especially think you should devote one full day in Epcot. The other thing is, I also think you may want to consider a brief period of "planned leisure" where you sleep in, enjoy the resort, and don't go anywhere until later in the day!! After five or six days of hitting the parks religiously from sun-up to sun-down, you will thank yourself that you planned a 1/2 day off!!!

So, given those thoughts, I am focusing on your plans around Epcot. Like, for Epcot right now, you have planned three half-days, but I think Epcot is a very romantic and relaxing place to spend a full day without park hopping. It seems stressful to me to go into Epcot just until lunch, and then go to HS for the rest of the day, but maybe that's just me. Epcot is sooooo romantic! And it may be more romantic and less frantic to do a full day there on Day 2, then go back to EP on Day 5 (like you have planned now) for dinner after a day in the water park, and then on Day 7, take the morning off at AKL hotel, and then plan to go back into Epcot in the late afternoon (whenever you feel like "getting back into the parks") for dinner and Illuminations.

Here is what you have now:
Day 2 - EP/HS (EMH) – Monday, May 7th
B – Undecided??
L – Le Cellier
D – Sci Fi Restaurant or Kimonos ???

Day 5 - Typhoon/EP – Thursday May 10th
B – Kona Café
L - ???
D – Tokyo Dining

Day 7 - EP – Saturday, May 12th
B – Mara Quick Service (AKL) or ???
L – Coral Reef Restaurant
D – Cape May Café or Captains Grille ???


And here is what I would suggest:

Day 2 - EP – Monday, May 7th
B – just pick up some coffee and sweets from Karamelle Kuche in Germany
or Creme Brulees and Cappuccinos from Boulangerie Patisserie in France
L – Asherkus in Norway - lunch with the princesses OR Coral Reef Restaurant
D – Le Cellier

Day 5 - Typhoon all day/EP for dinner – Thursday May 10th
B – Kona Café
L - quick service in the water park
D – Via Napoli - then stay for Illuminations

Day 7 - 1/2 Day OFF then EP in late day/evening – Saturday, May 12th
B – Mara Quick Service (AKL)
L – at resort (AKL)
D – time reservations at UK restaurant so you can get outside table overlooking Illuminations


A couple of other thoughts:
You might enjoy dinner at 1900 Park Fare on Day 1 (the characters are hilarious), then enjoy the romantic full orchestra band in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, then watch the light parade. This is a hop from MK, so you could combine with MK if you wanted to.

For snacks: everyone talks about the Kusafiri Bakery in AK (brownie paws, elephant cupcakes, cappucinos); the Boulangerie Patisserie in France (creme brulee and cappucinos); Karamelle Kuche in Germany; Hollywood Scoops near the HS Tower of Terror for ice cream; the Dole Float in Adventure Isle in MK; the cinnamon funnel cakes at Sleepy Hollow in MK Liberty Square; the sundaes at Mrs. Potts Cupboard in MK

 

[Jessica527]

Congratulations on your upcoming Disneymoon!!!!!! I enjoyed looking at your reservations & thought it looked like you had picked lots of great places to eat. I did have two itty-bitty concerns. One is, I was curious why you park hopped so much. Just when you are deep into one park after a few hours, you have yourself reversing course and taking transportation to another park. It think it is fun to do this on a few days (it adds energy and excitement), but to do a lot of it might be tiring and eat into your park time with transportation time. I especially think you should devote one full day in Epcot. The other thing is, I also think you may want to consider a brief period of "planned leisure" where you sleep in, enjoy the resort, and don't go anywhere until later in the day!! After five or six days of hitting the parks religiously from sun-up to sun-down, you will thank yourself that you planned a 1/2 day off!!!

So, given those thoughts, I am focusing on your plans around Epcot. Like, for Epcot right now, you have planned three half-days, but I think Epcot is a very romantic and relaxing place to spend a full day without park hopping. It seems stressful to me to go into Epcot just until lunch, and then go to HS for the rest of the day, but maybe that's just me. Epcot is sooooo romantic! And it may be more romantic and less frantic to do a full day there on Day 2, then go back to EP on Day 5 (like you have planned now) for dinner after a day in the water park, and then on Day 7, take the morning off at AKL hotel, and then plan to go back into Epcot in the late afternoon (whenever you feel like "getting back into the parks") for dinner and Illuminations.

Here is what you have now:
Day 2 - EP/HS (EMH) – Monday, May 7th
B – Undecided??
L – Le Cellier
D – Sci Fi Restaurant or Kimonos ???

Day 5 - Typhoon/EP – Thursday May 10th
B – Kona Café
L - ???
D – Tokyo Dining

Day 7 - EP – Saturday, May 12th
B – Mara Quick Service (AKL) or ???
L – Coral Reef Restaurant
D – Cape May Café or Captains Grille ???


And here is what I would suggest:

Day 2 - EP – Monday, May 7th
B – just pick up some coffee and sweets from Karamelle Kuche in Germany
or Creme Brulees and Cappuccinos from Boulangerie Patisserie in France
L – Asherkus in Norway - lunch with the princesses OR Coral Reef Restaurant
D – Le Cellier

Day 5 - Typhoon all day/EP for dinner – Thursday May 10th
B – Kona Café
L - quick service in the water park
D – Via Napoli - then stay for Illuminations

Day 7 - 1/2 Day OFF then EP in late day/evening – Saturday, May 12th
B – Mara Quick Service (AKL)
L – at resort (AKL)
D – time reservations at UK restaurant so you can get outside table overlooking Illuminations


A couple of other thoughts:
You might enjoy dinner at 1900 Park Fare on Day 1 (the characters are hilarious), then enjoy the romantic full orchestra band in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, then watch the light parade. This is a hop from MK, so you could combine with MK if you wanted to.

For snacks: everyone talks about the Kusafiri Bakery in AK (brownie paws, elephant cupcakes, cappucinos); the Boulangerie Patisserie in France (creme brulee and cappucinos); Karamelle Kuche in Germany; Hollywood Scoops near the HS Tower of Terror for ice cream; the Dole Float in Adventure Isle in MK; the cinnamon funnel cakes at Sleepy Hollow in MK Liberty Square; the sundaes at Mrs. Potts Cupboard in MK

This is perfect! I really appreciate the feedback. I am going to switch some ADRS around now