1st timers ~ opinions please

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

It will be me, the hubby and our 5 year old son (turning six). This is our first trip to Disney in 15 years and our son's very first trip. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for 9 nights. We have never stayed on site before either.

I had originally thought the dining plan wouldn't be for us but then I started adding up the character meals and the reservations I had already made.

I really also have to say THANK GOD for this forum and the DIS members who post all the wonderful information! This has been where I run when I have my doubts or questions.

So now I am wondering if the places I picked for our Table Service credits sound good. Keep in mind that my son has mild Autism and need to really do kid friendly places. He is also very picky but can probably make up for his portion using our snack credits for soft pretzels and ice cream. My husband also isn't Mr. Adventure but wants a big meal when he eats.

We will be doing the following restaurants when we go in May:

Mickey's Backyard BBQ ~
My son's Autism may come into play here if it is overcrowded but I am willing to chance it. He really does thrive in high action - I just run around like mother hen.

Crystal Palace Breakfast

Prime Time Cafe Dinner

Artist Pointe ~
with son in Cub's Den for the night (hopefully)

Boma Dinner

Chef Mickey's Breakfast

Whispering Canyon Breakfast

Coral Reef Dinner


We have alot of breakfast meals because that is where my son will eat most. I also scoured the forums for reviews and pointers.

So how did I do? Would you change anything? Backyard BBQ and Artist Pointe are 2TS credits but I don't want to use the childcare and be too far from my son. I know, I know ~ Mother hen!

Any suggestions on Counter Service would be great ~ we will do those wherever we happen to be that day.
It can't get here fast enough!

 

[JimMIA]

It will be me, the hubby and our 5 year old son (turning six). This is our first trip to Disney in 15 years and our son's very first trip. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for 9 nights. We have never stayed on site before either.

Ohhh GEEZ!

Just get ready -- that's all I can tell you -- get ready!

(Have you looked at the pix of WL, perchance?)

We will be doing the following restaurants when we go in May:

Mickey's Backyard BBQ ~
My son's Autism may come into play here if it is overcrowded but I am willing to chance it. He really does thrive in high action - I just run around like mother hen.

Crystal Palace Breakfast

Prime Time Cafe Dinner

Artist Pointe ~
with son in Cub's Den for the night (hopefully)

Boma Dinner

Chef Mickey's Breakfast

Whispering Canyon Breakfast

Coral Reef Dinner

First of all, I know very little about autism, so please take that into account in reading my input.

If he likes high-energy, he will love Mickey's, Crystal Palace w/Pooh et al, Chef Mickey's (which is really high-energy -- motion, colors, loud music, BIG characters...wonderful!) and Whispering Canyon (read reviews to know what to expect, and have a ball).

Coral Reef is very tranquil, with underwater tank windows all along the main wall of the seating area.

We have alot of breakfast meals because that is where my son will eat most. I also scoured the forums for reviews and pointers.

So how did I do? Would you change anything?

I think you've made some great choices! You can potentially gain up to $.0047 per TS credit by changing to lunches and/or dinners...or you can use your TSs to maximize your son's enjoyment. Toughie...but I'd go with the kid.

Backyard BBQ and Artist Pointe are 2TS credits but I don't want to use the childcare and be too far from my son. I know, I know ~ Mother hen!

Well...if you use the child care, you might look back and say, "Gosh...that was a great meal!" Personally, I'd stick with your plan -- ain't no food I'd miss my Girlie for!

Any suggestions on Counter Service would be great ~ we will do those wherever we happen to be that day.

I'd look here http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#epc

Pick out an option or two at each park you plan to visit. Some of the CS options can replace a "big" meal for a day to make up for those Signature Dining choices you've made.

From WL with a 5 year old, you will probably be spending most of your time at MK. For heavy food, Cosmic Ray's at MK offers a Chicken & Ribs platter (or either) that is a major meal. There are other venues which also offer large meals similar to Cosmic Ray's. Some of these CSs can be more food than a TS.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Ohhh GEEZ!

Just get ready -- that's all I can tell you -- get ready!

(Have you looked at the pix of WL, perchance?)


Been getting ready by lurking and reading and reading and lurking and printing and planning and planning and printing and watching the virtual tour and reading ~ did I mention reading? Oh yeah and the virtual tour~As soon as the sound comes on it's like CHRISTMAS MORNING!

My work is gonna be so non-productive until this trip is over I keep the board minimized on my desktop and sneak peaks all day!

Thanks for your advice. I know we could get more for our money but really it is so MUCH food with the Counter Service alone I think we'll be okay.

 

[JimMIA]

Here's a link to Allears' pix of WL: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_wl.htm

Something else to look at without the music alerting your boss.

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Hi:

Take a look at www.allearsnet.com for menus and additional reviews.

When we were there in 2004 we enjoyed
Coral Reef - Epcot
50's Prime Time Cafe - MGM
LeCelliers - Epcot
CRT - MK - can't beat this for atmosphere - attempt to get first sitting for breakfast... - nothing like walking down Main Street with few people. Food was only average.
The Breakast in Norway - Epcot - food was better than CRT - nice character breakfast.
Hoop-Dee Doo Musical Revue is really fun to... You would need to see the reviews to see if this is something your family would enjoy.

We will be going in December this year and we are planning
CRT
50's Prime Time
LeCelliers
Yachtman Steakhouse - This probably is geared more for adults
Flying Fish - This probably is geared more for adults
Boma's
Jiko
Coral Reef - He should love this - request a table in row 2 or 3 to be close to the action.
Liberty Tree Tavern - MK - Dinner - Character Dinner
Whispering Canyon

As for as crowds go... maybe some of the other board members can tell you what times you may want to consider to avoid big crowds unless your child enjoys lots of people.

I've heard good things about the Trails End at WL

Have a Great Time,

Mark

 

[GC&S]

How exciting! You've picked some really great places. From experience, the character dinings are always kind of loud and chaotic. We did the CP breakfast and dinner and I would choose the breakfast if we did it again. Seemed a bit more calmer (lots of tired, cranky kids -including mine at dinner). CP does some interactive stuff where the kids can join in and march around the restaurant. If that is too much stim for your child, ask for a table in the corner or the outer table by the wall.

Chef Mickey we've only done dinner but it seemed a little more quiet that other character dinings we have done. Maybe because my dd was asleep when we got there. I did not find the characters rushed there and they were good with everyone at the table.

Coral Reef is wonderful and our dd could watch the fish for hours. It's a more calm restaurant, a little darker and service is not rushed.

Bomas is one of our favorites, even my extremely picky dd finds something there she likes. Get there a little early and go outside to see some of the animals.

As far as CS, we liked Columbia Harbor House at MK (It has an upstairs that was great because it was a lot more quiet up there). We also like Cosmic Rays but it can get crowded and really noisy. We usually get a table in the back or outside. We're not big fans of CS at MGM but if we have to eat there, we do the Backlot Express. At Epcot our favorite is Seasons at the Land. If you're son likes to bake, check out the Nestle Baking experience (right next to Seasons). They get to make chocolate chip cookies and the kids have a blast. They post the times - I remember we went at 1:30 and it lasts about a half hour.

 

[MAKmom]

We had our girls in the Kids Club at the WL & went to dinner at Artist Point. It is so close. We loved the Artist Point & the girls LOVED the Kids Club. we were only 1 1/2 hours & they were disappointed when we picked them up. What was really cool was the Arcade games they have a few in the club & they could play without using Quarters. They took great pictures of my girls, feed them dinner & gave them Giant Rice Crispy treats to take with them.