1st Family Trip - Critique My ADRs

[DisneyDad1974]

Hi everyone,

This is my first posting but I was hoping to get some opinions on My ADRs. This is our first family trip and I worry that I’m making the wrong choices or trying to pack in too much. We are travelling in May and it will be four of us, my wife, 7 year old son, and 6 year old daughter. Your opinions are truly appreciated. I have a learned a lot from these boards!

Arrival Day – Wishes Dessert Party (Still waiting for May ADRs to open up)
Day 2 – Hollywood Studios – Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package
Day 3 – Animal Kingdom followed by Hoop Dee Doo Revue
Day 4 – Epcot beginning with breakfast at Akershus Banquet Hall
Day 5 – Magic Kingdom – Ohana for Dinner
Day 6 – Spirit of Aloha
Day 7 – Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s

We are on the DDP with 7 TS credits. We plan on paying for Mama Melrose OOP. Thanks again. I can't wait to get your thoughts!

 

[SFreelove]

You have some great choices lined up. Some people say the spirit of aloha show isn't that interesting for the kids besides the fire parts, I guess you may just want to keep that in mind, this may be less interesting to them than something else. But if you ask me it sounds like a perfect different idea for your family since you do have some disney character meals planned as well.

Ohana for dinner I heard was nice but I have been told the breakfast there is much better and you get Lilo and Stich at the breakfast, but not at dinner.

The mama melrose fantasmic package will be great if you can snag it! I was on the phone at 7AM when the lines opened up and wasn't able to get it at our 180 day mark. Thats a very popluar reservation because people like it so they have a reserved seating at the show and don't need to waste time standing in line when they could be eating or riding attractions. I would say make sure you do that reservation first or close to one of your firsts. If you come across the same issue I did, and are unable to get it- still do that day at Hollywood Studios and still see Fantasmic thats a can't miss but make a reservation at Moms Diner or the SciFi drive in to take its place if its unavailable- if you can't get the fantasmic package.. but also keep in mind Hollywood Vine is supose to be very very good so you can always try that one for the package as well.

Your epcot reservation sounds great for your daughter and is much cheaper than paying for a dinner at cinderellas castle and still get the princess' but if you think your son might want a different meal because he doesnt care for the girly encounters- keep in mind epcot has the Garden Grill, this resturant actually moves while your sitting also.. and it has Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale.

Chef Mickeys- awsome, great choice.. dinner and breakfast are both good there!

Ive never done the hoop dee doo revue but always have wanted to, so I think thats a great idea as well.. let us know how it goes!

**I don't know if your kids care for winne the pooh and his friends, but the crystal palace is also an awsome choice if you have any space for it.

ENJOY

 

[WC*123]

Funny...your choices are similar to mine for our upcoming trip. We booked H&V/Fantasmic package, eating dinner at Akershus, MK followed by Ohana, and HDDR.
Just make sure you review travel needs when going to the resort ADRs from your home resort...especially the HDDR. It doesn't appear easy unless you are already at the MK!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We took our kids to Spirit of Aloha back in 2008. My kids were 5 & 6 at the time. Overall, they LOVED it. In fact, they asked for us to go again for our Dec trip

 

[stargazertechie]

Honestly, I think doing Spirit of Aloha AND HDDR in one trip is too much, especially since you'll be eating at Ohana as well.


I also would not spend money on the Wishes Dessert party. The view of the fireworks is not that great, you miss the opportunity to see the parade, and it's near a designated smoking area.

Have you thought about replacing the Spirit of Aloha with dinner at Crystal Palace? I really enjoy that meal, and it has always had great character interaction. Or how about Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge or 1900 Park Fare at GF? (I'm just throwing out MK area suggestions)

 

[Disfan20]

I think you have some really great choices. The only one I would change is the Spirit of Aloha. In my opinion, after HDDR it will be a little bit of letdown for the kids, plus these shows take up a lot of park time. I personally would schedule another character meal and check out T-Rex in DTD(awsome restaurant) or pick one and just use the dining plan for the Fantasmic package.

 

[scdufek]

Just for another view of the Wishes Dessert Party. This is a family must do every trip for us. We loved the desserts, not fighting for a spot to view the fireworks, and thought the view was fabulous. Plus, Tinkerbell flys right above you! I also enjoyed Ohanas for dinner. Love the bread pudding! Yum!

 

[shannonstar]

Arrival Day – Wishes Dessert Party (Still waiting for May ADRs to open up) - Haven't ever done this. Husband isn't supposed to have a whole lot of chocolate, so it seems cruel.
Day 2 – Hollywood Studios – Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package - We love this.
Day 3 – Animal Kingdom followed by Hoop Dee Doo Revue - We love this too. Son laughed so hard he fell out of his chair.
Day 4 – Epcot beginning with breakfast at Akershus Banquet Hall - This is good for girls. My son liked the food, but really isn't into princesses.
Day 5 – Magic Kingdom – Ohana for Dinner - Not our favorite, but so many people love it. Hopefully you will be able to see the fireworks.
Day 6 – Spirit of Aloha - Every time we try, it gets rained out.
Day 7 – Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s - Many people love this, but it's my least fav character meal.

 

[amym2]

For your first family trip I would choose either HDDR or Spirit of Aloha not both. They both take time to get to and time to experience, and that limits your park time. Our kids loved HDDR last year at ages 9 and 7.

Definitely keep the Ohana ADR- it was our favorite when we went for the first time last year.