***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Lisa F]

Ok so I again rearranged my plans for my first 4 days with DxDP. (me, DH and DS2) Let me know what you guys think... I'll sprinkle a little more character dining on the 2nd half of the trip to make it up to DS2, LOL!

Dec 3- going to AKL from Universal around early afternoon
Dinner- Tusker House (hoping for ROL package)

Dec 4
Brunch 10am- California Grill (I got swayed by a review I read and DH seems to be interested as well)
Dinner- Minnie's Holiday Dine (F! package hopefully)

Dec 5
Breakfast- Akershus or Garden Grill
Dinner- STK

Dec 6- moving to CR
Lunch- Yak and Yeti or Sanaa (OOP)
Dinner 7:30pm- Narcoosee's (hoping to catch Holiday Wishes)

has it been confirmed that STK takes the DDP? I saw mixed stuff on that.

 

[Lisa F]

California Grill brunch looks SO good but I wouldn't go because I don't like giving up morning touring time unless you're using it as a break?
I would think Garden Grill would be an easier ADR to get than Akershus. (I honestly would prefer Garden Grill just based on food but DD wants Akershus for princesses).
What's STK?

Looks good and apart from Akershus I think those ADRs won't be too difficult to get!

CA Grill brunch DOES look excellent but with me alone with kiddo it will not be a relaxing leisurely thing. He won't find a whole lot to eat and will be bored. I am hoping to do Palo brunch myself on the cruise we do either in 2017 and 2018 since he is super excited about the kid club stuff there. But with a 2:1 adult to kid ratio and a toddler whose tastes probably do not figure into your decisions I might give it a try.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Anyone able to book F! dining packages today? I'm glad they released it already!

No, Fatasmic! packages were not available after November when my ADR window opened yesterday. I could see all the way through December 7 and the dates were all grayed out in December.

 

[Candycane83]

How was availability for Cali Grill brunch? Was it tough to get? I'm really hoping for this when my 180+10 opens.

My 180+10 is on June 6 so I'll let you know then. I'll be on my 2nd day so it'll be tight.

California Grill brunch looks SO good but I wouldn't go because I don't like giving up morning touring time unless you're using it as a break?
I would think Garden Grill would be an easier ADR to get than Akershus. (I honestly would prefer Garden Grill just based on food but DD wants Akershus for princesses).
What's STK?

Looks good and apart from Akershus I think those ADRs won't be too difficult to get!

Yes, it does take away from touring but we do have 9 days. It can serve as a break too if we get up early enough to go to MK first thing. DS2 seems to be more of a night owl although he gets up around 6-7am every morning.

Yes, I would have Garden Grill somewhere in my trip but it'll serve as a back up if I don't get Akershus. If not, I'll probably go there another morning.

STK is a steakhouse at Disney Springs. It's a high end chain (I was tempted to visit this when we were in LV and LA but never got a chance to) but it's getting very good reviews right now.

has it been confirmed that STK takes the DDP? I saw mixed stuff on that.

I'm seeing majority saying it is part of DDP. Only the Disney site seem to say DDP is not accepted.

CA Grill brunch DOES look excellent but with me alone with kiddo it will not be a relaxing leisurely thing. He won't find a whole lot to eat and will be bored. I am hoping to do Palo brunch myself on the cruise we do either in 2017 and 2018 since he is super excited about the kid club stuff there. But with a 2:1 adult to kid ratio and a toddler whose tastes probably do not figure into your decisions I might give it a try.

Yes this brunch is really for DH and myself. Although I looked at the offerings and see that DS2 has a few options too. I'd be happy if I can score this ADR (seems difficult too...)

 

[Candycane83]

No, Fatasmic! packages were not available after November when my ADR window opened yesterday. I could see all the way through December 7 and the dates were all grayed out in December.

Thanks for letting us know @Iowamomof4 Gotta love the people on this thread!!

 

[Mintycake]

Ah cool we only have 6 days so we have to be a bit strict with our schedule. No AK or ds on out trip. We also have a limited princess window as I'm not sure we will be able to go back to wdw and if we do, dd may no longer want to hang out with princesses. (That would make certain adrs easier though!)

 

[Candycane83]

Ah cool we only have 6 days so we have to be a bit strict with our schedule. No AK or ds on out trip. We also have a limited princess window as I'm not sure we will be able to go back to wdw and if we do, dd may no longer want to hang out with princesses. (That would make certain adrs easier though!)

Yes kids seem to outgrow things so fast... Enjoy the princess phase now while you can DS2 has limited ride capability too with his height so it's easy to limit the time in all the parks and leave for a meal or a break.

 

[21stamps]

CA Grill brunch DOES look excellent but with me alone with kiddo it will not be a relaxing leisurely thing. He won't find a whole lot to eat and will be bored. I am hoping to do Palo brunch myself on the cruise we do either in 2017 and 2018 since he is super excited about the kid club stuff there. But with a 2:1 adult to kid ratio and a toddler whose tastes probably do not figure into your decisions I might give it a try.

CA Grill brunch DOES look excellent but with me alone with kiddo it will not be a relaxing leisurely thing. He won't find a whole lot to eat and will be bored. I am hoping to do Palo brunch myself on the cruise we do either in 2017 and 2018 since he is super excited about the kid club stuff there. But with a 2:1 adult to kid ratio and a toddler whose tastes probably do not figure into your decisions I might give it a try.

So the Mexican Riviera cruise looks nice in October of '17....lol.

I am doing Palo brunch in November, and will do next year as well, our meet group here is completely silent, and although I love our FB group, it definitely looks like I'm the only single parent going on the cruise..at least within the people who chose to join the social media groups..which means I will be at Palo as a party of 1.

 

[SarBear]

Hi!!!

While we're anxiously awaiting the 180 day mark..and park hours to be released..

Let's strategize our ADRs, Park days, MVMCP, and other fun trip info!!




I'll be there Dec 3-10
Me, DH, DD (7) and DD (11 months)
My mom and dad
My friend who has never been

Staying at POR with the dining plan and attending MVMCP on the 6th!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Ok so I again rearranged my plans for my first 4 days with DxDP. (me, DH and DS2) Let me know what you guys think... I'll sprinkle a little more character dining on the 2nd half of the trip to make it up to DS2, LOL!

Dec 3- going to AKL from Universal around early afternoon
Dinner- Tusker House (hoping for ROL package)

Dec 4
Brunch 10am- California Grill (I got swayed by a review I read and DH seems to be interested as well)
Dinner- Minnie's Holiday Dine (F! package hopefully)

Dec 5
Breakfast- Akershus or Garden Grill
Dinner- STK

Dec 6- moving to CR
Lunch- Yak and Yeti or Sanaa (OOP)
Dinner 7:30pm- Narcoosee's (hoping to catch Holiday Wishes)

From an "ease of traveling" perspective, it would be easier to eat at California Grill when you are staying at CR then when you are staying at AKL. And it would be easier to eat at Yak and Yeti or Sanaa when you are staying at AKL. It takes extra time to get from one resort to another using Disney transportation.

 

[Candycane83]

From an "ease of traveling" perspective, it would be easier to eat at California Grill when you are staying at CR then when you are staying at AKL. And it would be easier to eat at Yak and Yeti or Sanaa when you are staying at AKL. It takes extra time to get from one resort to another using Disney transportation.

I thought about that but the reason I am doing California Grill brunch on the first part of my stay is because I would be on DxDP. We would probably just stay at MK that day and flip Minnie's holiday dine and STK. my only concern is how busy Disney springs would be on Sunday.... I would probably just use a cab or Uber fro AKL to CR that day if we're running late... Otherwise we would probably bus to MK and walk to CR.

 

[Mintycake]

argh. now that some preliminary crowd calendars are out (Kenny the Pirate, WDW Prep, Easy WDW is coming out tomorrow) I'm rejigging my park days and ADRs. We're hitting MK on 2 MVCP days (which hopefully translates to lower crowds) but also staying on a non party day to watch parades and fireworks on a MK not recommended day, and also planning Epcot on a not recommended day. Gah I'm so confused. We leave early Dec 9 so want to do an early night on Dec 8. I'm getting too wrapped up in this! I'm trying to move the Akershus breakfast later in the trip to increase my chance of getting PPO. The Albatross Pirate Cruise is throwing everything off - we are planning 3 MK days so I thought it made sense to put the Pirate Cruise on an MK day (so more like 2 1/2 mk days) and 2 days at Epcot. but then we will miss RD for Joy and Sadness. I am so confused.

 

[Lisa F]

argh. now that some preliminary crowd calendars are out (Kenny the Pirate, WDW Prep, Easy WDW is coming out tomorrow) I'm rejigging my park days and ADRs. We're hitting MK on 2 MVCP days (which hopefully translates to lower crowds) but also staying on a non party day to watch parades and fireworks on a MK not recommended day, and also planning Epcot on a not recommended day. Gah I'm so confused. We leave early Dec 9 so want to do an early night on Dec 8. I'm getting too wrapped up in this! I'm trying to move the Akershus breakfast later in the trip to increase my chance of getting PPO. The Albatross Pirate Cruise is throwing everything off - we are planning 3 MK days so I thought it made sense to put the Pirate Cruise on an MK day (so more like 2 1/2 mk days) and 2 days at Epcot. but then we will miss RD for Joy and Sadness. I am so confused.

with so many party days MK will never be recommended on a non party day - everyone is going to want to be there at night for the parades and fireworks only happening 2 or 3 days a week.

 

[Mintycake]

with so many party days MK will never be recommended on a non party day - everyone is going to want to be there at night for the parades and fireworks only happening 2 or 3 days a week.

Is it best then to suck it up? Legit question.

 

[Candycane83]

I agree and will just suck it up for 1 day unfortunately, the day I picked is Saturday too... I may need to re-think again...

ETA: Is it really worth it to watch regular wishes/ MSEP?

 

[Mintycake]

I agree and will just suck it up for 1 day unfortunately, the day I picked is Saturday too... I may need to re-think again...

ETA: Is it really worth it to watch regular wishes/ MSEP?

I don't know but I want to know if Elsa still lights the castle on non party nights. That would be something I'd love to see!

 

[Candycane83]

I don't know but I want to know if Elsa still lights the castle on non party nights. That would be something I'd love to see!

Won't Elsa light it on party nights too? Sunset is 5:30 everyday in December so castle lighting should happen before party starts? (I'm guessing of course )

 

[PrincessNelly]

I don't know but I want to know if Elsa still lights the castle on non party nights. That would be something I'd love to see!

Won't Elsa light it on party nights too? Sunset is 5:30 everyday in December so castle lighting should happen before party starts? (I'm guessing of course )

On non party nights the castle lighting is typically at 6:15 & 7:30. On party nights its 7:30 & 8:20.

 

[Candycane83]

On non party night the castle lighting is typical at 6:15 & 7:30. On party nights its 7:30 & 8:20.

That's great info! Thanks so much!!

 

[chasingthtdream08]

All this talk of ADRs is making me nervous. My day for ADRs is tomorrow.

Can someone give me an idea of which order I should be attempting to get my ADRs?

Below would be my dates for each ADR...

Nov 30 - None
Dec 1 - Le Cellier
Dec 2 - Ohana
Dec 3 - California Grill
Dec 4 - None
Dec 5 - Mama Melrose
Dec 6 - BoG Lunch & Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner

I went on today to see just how open the 29th is for reservations.....and I tried all of my choices and was only able to view times for Cali Grill, which was odd to me because I assumed that would be the hardest one to get?

HELP!