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

[Lisa F]

first night crisis: I have been checking reservations at DVC for that night for grand floridian since we've never stayed there.. but since cancelling my SSR weeklong ADR making reservation I have free points and right now i am holding that day at the following 3 resorts:
Bay Lake Tower
Animal Kingdom Jambo
Animal Kingdom Kidani

our flight lands at 5:10
we will have dinner OOP at the resort

so basically if we do bay lake tower it will be the wave and we can watch fireworks after
if we do AK Jambo it will be boma and I can maybe swap my breakfast later in the week at Boma for Kona Cafe, at the resort where we are staying (may also do it at Kona the day of our departure)
AK Kidani, we can do Sanaa, which has a less appealing menu to the kiddo but he will share the bread service with me (he'd be all over that) and a grilled chicken with side of mac and cheese even if I have to pay a few $$ more would appeal to him, plus great dessert choices.

I am holding all 3 right now, with dinner at Sanaa at 6:50

our flight lands at 5:10. I will assume we will be at the resort by then. If something goes terribly wrong I don't care so much about the $20, I'd rather be planned.

 

[Sdolores]

New to the posting thing. I am going 12/6-12/11 with arrival at GF after dinner on Tuesday.
Wed- Epcot then Dinner at Liberty Tree
Thur - HS , Lunch at Brown Derby (The Cobb Salad is a must) then AK at night. When do we think Yak and Yet will start taking dinner ressies?
Fri- AK during the day and HS at night. Trying to get a Fantasmic package. When will they be released?
Sat- MK- Lunch at CRT then Dinner at Tutto Italia followed by Epcot illuminations Cruise
Sun- Breakfast at BOG (8am) 10 am Family Magic Tour - Then MK until departure around dinner time

 

[Lisa F]

New to the posting thing. I am going 12/6-12/11 with arrival at GF after dinner on Tuesday.
Wed- Epcot then Dinner at Liberty Tree
Thur - HS , Lunch at Brown Derby (The Cobb Salad is a must) then AK at night. When do we think Yak and Yet will start taking dinner ressies?
Fri- AK during the day and HS at night. Trying to get a Fantasmic package. When will they be released?
Sat- MK- Lunch at CRT then Dinner at Tutto Italia followed by Epcot illuminations Cruise
Sun- Breakfast at BOG (8am) 10 am Family Magic Tour - Then MK until departure around dinner time

nobody knows the answer to that.

the jungle book show is running through september 5th, people are speculating it won't be til close to that date that any RoL or continued JB packages will be posted. They MAY extend nighttime hours at AK before then but they may not.

No clue about F! either, just keep checking like we all are. I assume whoever sees it first will post so follow this thread if you can stand the chatter, lol

how much is the illuminations cruise? I have been considering it but i think just too much for the two of us, lol

 

[Sdolores]

Thanks, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the F! window. The Cruise cost me around $350. Thanks again

 

[Sdolores]

Thanks, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the F! window. The Cruise cost me around $350. Thanks again

$371 +change to be exact

 

[Candycane83]

first night crisis: I have been checking reservations at DVC for that night for grand floridian since we've never stayed there.. but since cancelling my SSR weeklong ADR making reservation I have free points and right now i am holding that day at the following 3 resorts:
Bay Lake Tower
Animal Kingdom Jambo
Animal Kingdom Kidani

our flight lands at 5:10
we will have dinner OOP at the resort

so basically if we do bay lake tower it will be the wave and we can watch fireworks after
if we do AK Jambo it will be boma and I can maybe swap my breakfast later in the week at Boma for Kona Cafe, at the resort where we are staying (may also do it at Kona the day of our departure)
AK Kidani, we can do Sanaa, which has a less appealing menu to the kiddo but he will share the bread service with me (he'd be all over that) and a grilled chicken with side of mac and cheese even if I have to pay a few $$ more would appeal to him, plus great dessert choices.

I am holding all 3 right now, with dinner at Sanaa at 6:50

our flight lands at 5:10. I will assume we will be at the resort by then. If something goes terribly wrong I don't care so much about the $20, I'd rather be planned.

Where are you headed the next day and what are your plans? I think I would say BLT would be great way to start the trip and watch wishes from there. AKL would be good too but I would still keep Sanaa for dinner since you are doing Boma for breakfast later. AKL seems more unique and the hotel looks nice during Xmas.
I'm really trying to insert Sanaa somewhere in my trip but something else needs to give...

 

[Candycane83]

ADRs are really weird these days... I looked at Narcoosee's for Dec 4 and found an earlier dinner reservation this weekend for 5:25pm. A whole bunch of times showed up between 5:25 and 8... This was available on Saturday and Sunday. I checked again on Monday since I want a slightly later time but it all disappeared! So strange and crazy!

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the F! window. The Cruise cost me around $350. Thanks again

you haven't yet.

Thanks, yeah way too much for just the two of us!

 

[Lisa F]

Where are you headed the next day and what are your plans? I think I would say BLT would be great way to start the trip and watch wishes from there. AKL would be good too but I would still keep Sanaa for dinner since you are doing Boma for breakfast later. AKL seems more unique and the hotel looks nice during Xmas.
I'm really trying to insert Sanaa somewhere in my trip but something else needs to give...

I can always keep BLT and we can stop at AKL kidani direct from the airport for dinner then go to BLT. it just kind of drags things out a bit but i guess if I have extra time I can make a stop on the way to the parks. best of both worlds! AK the next day though which is why AKL is tempting.

 

[thetallone101]

holy moly! I went to see if I could tweak some reservations and there is virtually zero availability for every restaurant I chose. Glad I booked right at the exact second it opened...oiy!

Still trying to get ressies for Dec 2/16 but no availability so far. Perhaps I'll snag a last minute cancellation.

 

[Candycane83]

I can always keep BLT and we can stop at AKL kidani direct from the airport for dinner then go to BLT. it just kind of drags things out a bit but i guess if I have extra time I can make a stop on the way to the parks. best of both worlds! AK the next day though which is why AKL is tempting.

Hmm since its AK the next day, maybe you should consider AKL. Go to Sanaa for dinner, watch the animals and relax, have an early night since it's travel day. Wishes will be there once you move to Poly?

 

[Candycane83]

holy moly! I went to see if I could tweak some reservations and there is virtually zero availability for every restaurant I chose. Glad I booked right at the exact second it opened...oiy!

Still trying to get ressies for Dec 2/16 but no availability so far. Perhaps I'll snag a last minute cancellation.

I got to tweak mine a little from constant checking but it's crazy how little availability there is!

 

[Lisa F]

Hmm since its AK the next day, maybe you should consider AKL. Go to Sanaa for dinner, watch the animals and relax, have an early night since it's travel day. Wishes will be there once you move to Poly?

yeah I'm kind of thinking make it easier on myself, not harder, lol. Kiddo might be too tired for wishes by 9:30 (I think it is 9:30) with the whole day being a travel day. we can be low key, cuddle in bed, watch some tv. We did wishes one night on my trip in 2014 from the top of the contemporary and it was kind of a tiring end to a long day... it's not as simple as watching from your own balcony... you have to get dressed and you order food etc. It's an event.

But I don't know. BLT and fireworks lol. I really kind of wanted to try Sanaa and this would be the perfect way to do so. I think I get a DVC discount there too. I am holding a 6:45 ADR which will allow me to check in more like 6:30 if early and keep it up til 7 if running late from the airport. I don't know for sure but I also think they might be a little more flexible at a less traveled resort restaurant than a super popular one or park restaurant.

 

[Candycane83]

yeah I'm kind of thinking make it easier on myself, not harder, lol. Kiddo might be too tired for wishes by 9:30 (I think it is 9:30) with the whole day being a travel day. we can be low key, cuddle in bed, watch some tv. We did wishes one night on my trip in 2014 from the top of the contemporary and it was kind of a tiring end to a long day... it's not as simple as watching from your own balcony... you have to get dressed and you order food etc. It's an event.

But I don't know. BLT and fireworks lol. I really kind of wanted to try Sanaa and this would be the perfect way to do so. I think I get a DVC discount there too. I am holding a 6:45 ADR which will allow me to check in more like 6:30 if early and keep it up til 7 if running late from the airport. I don't know for sure but I also think they might be a little more flexible at a less traveled resort restaurant than a super popular one or park restaurant.

I think that it does make more sense to stay at AKL just because it might be too tiring to watch Wishes at 9:30. It might just be more stressful for both you and your kid. As I said, Wishes will be there when you move to Poly. It is also a great way to try Sanaa. I think they would be flexible. Although they are getting popular now, I find restaurants generally accommodating in being a little early or late.

 

[Lisa F]

I think that it does make more sense to stay at AKL just because it might be too tiring to watch Wishes at 9:30. It might just be more stressful for both you and your kid. As I said, Wishes will be there when you move to Poly. It is also a great way to try Sanaa. I think they would be flexible. Although they are getting popular now, I find restaurants generally accommodating in being a little early or late.

We are doing wishes 3 ways

first night, from the park, regular wishes
second night, during the party, holiday wishes
third night, from the room if we can or beach if we can't after 6:15 HDDR, holiday wishes. I think that should be enough, lol. and get a well-rested start to our trip. Maybe when packages are released I can book an earlier time for TH for breakfast than 9:45 although we could probably do the safari at RD with that time.

just having a hard time pulling the trigger on a decision.

 

[Candycane83]

So I re-adjusted some ADRs and it came out to this... Thoughts?

ON DXDP

Dec 3 (moving from Universal to AKL)
Dinner: Tiffins (reserved at 3:25 right now, waiting for ROL) 2 credits

Dec 4 (MK then AK at night if possible)
Brunch: California Grill 10am 2 credits
Dinner: Narcoosees 5:25pm 2 credits

Dec 5 (AK morning, break, then DHS)
Lunch: Yak and Yeti 11:15am (OOP)
Dinner: Hollywood & Vine 4:25pm 1 credit

Dec 6 (moving from AKL to CR)
Breakfast: Tusker House 10:35am (OOP)
Dinner: STK 6pm 2 credits

OOP

Dec 7 (DHS, hop to EPCOT)
Breakfast: Cape May 8:45am
Dinner: hoping for Coral Reef

Dec 8 (MVMCP)
Breakfast: Kona 9:35am
Dinner: Ohana 3:30pm (hoping for BOG)

Dec 9 (DS, break, EPCOT)
Lunch: T- Rex 11am (would probably change to Florida Homecoming Kitchen)
Dinner: Biergarten 5:55pm

Dec 10 (MK, break after lunch to before dinner)
Breakfast: Chef Mickeys 7:25am (to make RD)
Lunch: Skippers 11:30am (light lunch then break)
Dinner: Ohana 5:10 or BOG 7:30 (depends if I get BOG on Dec 8)

Dec 11
Lunch: Garden Grill 11:30am
Dinner: bluezoo 6pm (might change to Flying Fish)

Dec 12 (departure day)
Breakfast: Crystal Palace 8:10am (PPO)

 

[Candycane83]

We are doing wishes 3 ways

first night, from the park, regular wishes
second night, during the party, holiday wishes
third night, from the room if we can or beach if we can't after 6:15 HDDR, holiday wishes. I think that should be enough, lol. and get a well-rested start to our trip. Maybe when packages are released I can book an earlier time for TH for breakfast than 9:45 although we could probably do the safari at RD with that time.

just having a hard time pulling the trigger on a decision.

LOL, I totally get what you mean and I would say, you would feel better once you've made your decision final! I think that is enough. Honestly, I have my nights at parks planned but I do not know how my 2 year old will handle it. He is a night owl right now but you can never tell at that age. I'm crossing my fingers I would at least see Wishes once!

 

[Lisa F]

So I re-adjusted some ADRs and it came out to this... Thoughts?

ON DXDP

Dec 3 (moving from Universal to AKL)
Dinner: Tiffins (reserved at 3:25 right now, waiting for ROL) 2 credits

Dec 4 (MK then AK at night if possible)
Brunch: California Grill 10am 2 credits
Dinner: Narcoosees 5:25pm 2 credits

Dec 5 (AK morning, break, then DHS)
Lunch: Yak and Yeti 11:15am (OOP)
Dinner: Hollywood & Vine 4:25pm 1 credit

Dec 6 (moving from AKL to CR)
Breakfast: Tusker House 10:35am (OOP)
Dinner: STK 6pm 2 credits

OOP

Dec 7 (DHS, hop to EPCOT)
Breakfast: Cape May 8:45am
Dinner: hoping for Coral Reef

Dec 8 (MVMCP)
Breakfast: Kona 9:35am
Dinner: Ohana 3:30pm (hoping for BOG)

Dec 9 (DS, break, EPCOT)
Lunch: T- Rex 11am (would probably change to Florida Homecoming Kitchen)
Dinner: Biergarten 5:55pm

Dec 10 (MK, break after lunch to before dinner)
Breakfast: Chef Mickeys 7:25am (to make RD)
Lunch: Skippers 11:30am (light lunch then break)
Dinner: Ohana 5:10 or BOG 7:30 (depends if I get BOG on Dec 8)

Dec 11
Lunch: Garden Grill 11:30am
Dinner: bluezoo 6pm (might change to Flying Fish)

Dec 12 (departure day)
Breakfast: Crystal Palace 8:10am (PPO)

Why AK at night again rather than MK at night on 12/4? I do not expect AK stuff to be 2-3 nights worth of activities.

It may be too late to switch now but I would do breakfast on dec 8 at Chef Mickey's and Breakfast on Dec 10 at Kona before RD. Breakfast is much faster and more controlled at a non character meal. There is no reason you should feel rushed. Not sure if you can get chef mickey's on Dec 8 at this point but I would totally swap those. it does add more travel at the front end but I think that will be made up for by not feeling rushed with the characters.

edited to add, I just realized you can also walk from CR to MK. But it still seems a bit rushed to get there for RD. Any chance you can do the PPO CP that day and then Chef Mickey's your departure days?

 

[Lisa F]

LOL, I totally get what you mean and I would say, you would feel better once you've made your decision final! I think that is enough. Honestly, I have my nights at parks planned but I do not know how my 2 year old will handle it. He is a night owl right now but you can never tell at that age. I'm crossing my fingers I would at least see Wishes once!

I'm not ready to let it go yet. I had AKL Jambo then switched it for BLT and now I am holding AKL Jambo, BLT and AKL Kidani trying to decide. booooooo. But I think I can safely let Jambo go now, we will do either Sanaa or BLT (notice how I am pitting restaurant vs. resort lol).

 

[Candycane83]

Why AK at night again rather than MK at night on 12/4? I do not expect AK stuff to be 2-3 nights worth of activities.

It may be too late to switch now but I would do breakfast on dec 8 at Chef Mickey's and Breakfast on Dec 10 at Kona before RD. Breakfast is much faster and more controlled at a non character meal. There is no reason you should feel rushed. Not sure if you can get chef mickey's on Dec 8 at this point but I would totally swap those. it does add more travel at the front end but I think that will be made up for by not feeling rushed with the characters.

Hmm, that's what I'm trying to figure out. I can see evening being good if ROL is supposed to be as good as they make it sound... Plus, I would really want to watch the Tree of Life light up. During the day, we will have 2 mornings there basically (5th- 9-12/12:30 then 6th 10am-2pm including meals already?). I can see the boneyard playground/ triceratops spin being fun for DS2 and maybe do the safari and the train to rafiki's another morning... Any other suggestions?

EDIT: in regards to Chef Mickey's and Kona, I tried that but it seems impossible to find Chef Mickeys now for the 8th. I think Chef Mickeys is ok for RD day since 1- it's early enough for 9am opening and 2- we can walk to MK so we don't need to rely on Disney transportation