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

[etzmn123]

I went to book our flights for 12/1 on SWA and saw that we could save $70 each going on 11/30.... so of course we're going on 11/30. I actually booked using credit card points so we saved points instead of dollars but still a better deal.

So now I need to decide where to stay on 11/30. Our flight gets in at 8:30pm so I think I'll just pick a value resort since it's only for the one night and then we'll go to OKW in the morning.

 

[Mintycake]

@Mintycake
Dec 4- I think all the beaches are not open at night anymore? Maybe someone else can comment. if that's not an option, you can always watch at TTC. It's walkable from poly and they pipe in the music there. From there you can catch a cab or the bus to

Dec 5- maybe you could do a TS lunch somewhere your DD/DH would be interested in? Then just drop teppan edo?

Dec7/8- since you're doing a late night on Dec 7, maybe you could think about pushing back your Ohana breakfast to a slightly later time? Unless you're going for RD.. I think that lots of late nights and early mornings with no breaks would be very stressful, at least for my family. When it was just myself and DH, we couldn't really keep up with that pace either. I did PPO and late nights, we ended up crashing in the afternoons.

Love the idea of doing it from TTC possibly. It will depend how tired we are. I'm also fiddling with the idea of going to the Christmas party now LOL! I'm just worried as recent reports say it's gotten really crowded and still long lines for everything. Not sure if it would be a better idea to do the Wishes dessert party instead on our late MK night to avoid crowds?

I agree with @Candycane83 about the early mornings/late nights.

I worry about that too...though the only super late night/early morning is the MK night on Wednesday. (I'm not sure how late Star Wars Fireworks or Illumniations go?) I thought about doing an 'Ohana brunch but I thought it was silly to go to MK in the morning and then go back to Poly and then back to MK. The only way that would work is if we slept in and went straight to Poly. I didn't like this idea because a) I hear Ohana gets really backed up and b) I will miss prime touring time by not going early. My plan was to save Fronteirland for the last day so that we could do the big rides without much wait but I suppose we could fastpass them. Our park time will be condensed that day as well since it's a Christmas party night so we want to get the most of the day. Changing the plans will really depend if we can move 'Ohana up.

For the record, my daughter is usually in bed by 9-9:30pm (yes, I was blessed with a bad sleeper), and up by 6:45am on a regular day. I think using a cab/uber on the days we need to be at MK early will help as well (looks like a 10 minute drive with Google Maps).

 

[Mintycake]

oh and re the lunch, I think we're a lot better off with QS in Epcot with DD. I think we'll drop Teppan Edo regardless as DD won't have the patience to sit through that dinner. On 12/5 since we're mostly in Future world, we'll likely grab a bite at Sunshine Seasons (everyone says it's good).

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Ok, first off. take deep breaths.

second off, if you miss something, even if this is the only trip you ever take - it is not going to ruin your trip. Really, truly and I promise.

Part of the reason I am doing the split stay is that travel is a little difficult with my kiddo. If he is going to melt down, it is going to be at the end of the day waiting for transportation... so we are staying in boardwalk area for first half and MK area for second. I am planning some late nights but have some breaks built into my trip as well (2 of them). in 2014 when my son was your daughter's age he refused breaks and we went from park open til park close. we did no RD except for Jedi Training Academy day. we were just there within an hour of opening and stayed until close most of the time (fireworks). We did the Halloween party and we did AK in the morning then MK at 4pm and we stayed til just after fireworks. He is older now and has been up til midnight on special occasions so we'll see how that goes... he did stay up til the end of the DVC party (midnight) with his father in february. Throughout our trip I am gradually shifting his schedule later and later.

I also don't know that a "pool break" is much of a break. To me taking my kid in the pool is an activity. getting him dressed, getting me dressed, going down to the pool, going back up and doing it in reverse. For me this is a planned activity over two days. Between the travel back to resort and the prep time and the recovery time and the travel back to the parks that's a good 1/3 to 1/2 of a park day. Which is fine if that's how your vacation works but if you are going commando-like it's more effort than you may be imagining it is I think. That said i know it works for lots of people - for my son, the transitions are hard, so we just go til we can't anymore. All of that travel would not be relaxing for him.

Agree with @Candycane83 about the uber strategy of going to CR and walking.

I 100% agree with all your reasons for the mid-day break not being effective, at least not my family. I know some people swear by it though. We would have WAY more meltdowns trying to get everyone from here to there than staying in one place...those transitions get us too.
We do EITHER an early morning OR a late night each day, but not RD to close ever.

 

[Lisa F]

I 100% agree with all your reasons for the mid-day break not being effective, at least not my family. I know some people swear by it though. We would have WAY more meltdowns trying to get everyone from here to there than staying in one place...those transitions get us too.
We do EITHER an early morning OR a late night each day, but not RD to close ever.

you are right that you have to know your own family. Of course my kid was the kid who had to have books in his sleep space at preschool so he has never been into the mid day breaks. now all I want is a nap, lol.

 

[Lisa F]

Sorry for this post but I have to share with follow Disney fans. My DD is almost 5, she has a rare genetic disorder and really doesn't talk yet. She says a few words, but today she said "go see mouse" (meaning Minnie Mouse). I am so excited, I can not wait to get her there.

that is so sweet where are you planning to see Minnie? any character meals?

 

[Lisa F]

Love the idea of doing it from TTC possibly. It will depend how tired we are. I'm also fiddling with the idea of going to the Christmas party now LOL!

The boat dock is supposedly another good place to watch from (with piped music). I think the beaches are closed after dark even with the fencing keeping you away from the water.

 

[Lisa F]

oh and re the lunch, I think we're a lot better off with QS in Epcot with DD. I think we'll drop Teppan Edo regardless as DD won't have the patience to sit through that dinner. On 12/5 since we're mostly in Future world, we'll likely grab a bite at Sunshine Seasons (everyone says it's good).

QS lunch is much easier with two adults, one who can handle kid and one who can handle tray. my main objection to them is how hard they are to handle as a single parent with an ADHD child. Give me TS any day. Of course half of my TS are character meals and buffets, so self paced and the other half are restaurants he has requested. la hacienda? really? lol

 

[Candycane83]

Has anyone tried Artist Point here? Any opinions?

 

[Lisa F]

Has anyone tried Artist Point here? Any opinions?

I tried it years and years ago. it was not my favorite. I think pacific northwest type cuisine is just more earthy than I prefer. I wasn't crazy about the soup people rave about and the berry cobbler was not my thing either. I think we may have ordered both the bison and the salmon but I'm sure both have gone through several iterations since then - neither were life-changing. it was steak and it was salmon.

 

[Candycane83]

I tried it years and years ago. it was not my favorite. I think pacific northwest type cuisine is just more earthy than I prefer. I wasn't crazy about the soup people rave about and the berry cobbler was not my thing either. I think we may have ordered both the bison and the salmon but I'm sure both have gone through several iterations since then - neither were life-changing. it was steak and it was salmon.

Lol I think i will stick with my current plans then. Need to change my first day though. I would just go for the MSEP package since I'm on the dining plan.... And get rid of boathouse. Tony's instead of boathouse is not ideal but I guess we can have good seafood later on at Narcoosee's, lol

 

[Lisa F]

Lol I think i will stick with my current plans then. Need to change my first day though. I would just go for the MSEP package since I'm on the dining plan.... And get rid of boathouse. Tony's instead of boathouse is not ideal but I guess we can have good seafood later on at Narcoosee's, lol

omg stop taunting me with tony's lol

 

[Candycane83]

omg stop taunting me with tony's lol

Lol, last I saw there was openings on Dec3.

 

[Mintycake]

QS lunch is much easier with two adults, one who can handle kid and one who can handle tray. my main objection to them is how hard they are to handle as a single parent with an ADHD child. Give me TS any day. Of course half of my TS are character meals and buffets, so self paced and the other half are restaurants he has requested. la hacienda? really? lol

Agree, thank goodness there's two of us for TS - our problem is our DD isn't great in restaurants for long periods of time. The only one we've had success with here is Boston Pizza and that's because they give you colouring books, crayons, and have a "Kids corner" where the kids hang out and watch movies. I think with our TS restaurants, they are all character meals with the exception of 50s Prime time (which has a TV and some entertainment factor from what I've been told) so that should keep her busy. But her patience level is why I'm probably cancelling Teppan Edo and Skippers Canteen. QS is just easier. I know everyone rags on the Plaza but it's one place I was considering for MK dinner as well as it's well priced and the menu has something for my daughter. Also I hear BOG is pretty fast as long as you preorder lunch/breakfast (which we plan to do).

I think I might try to push back our 'Ohana meal on the last day (and also push back 1900 Park Fare) so we don't have a super early morning after the late night.

FYI my daughter went to bed at 10pm last night (we were visiting my mom) and woke up bright and early at 7am today.

 

[Candycane83]

Agree, thank goodness there's two of us for TS - our problem is our DD isn't great in restaurants for long periods of time. The only one we've had success with here is Boston Pizza and that's because they give you colouring books, crayons, and have a "Kids corner" where the kids hang out and watch movies. I think with our TS restaurants, they are all character meals with the exception of 50s Prime time (which has a TV and some entertainment factor from what I've been told) so that should keep her busy. But her patience level is why I'm probably cancelling Teppan Edo and Skippers Canteen. QS is just easier. I know everyone rags on the Plaza but it's one place I was considering for MK dinner as well as it's well priced and the menu has something for my daughter. Also I hear BOG is pretty fast as long as you preorder lunch/breakfast (which we plan to do).

I think I might try to push back our 'Ohana meal on the last day (and also push back 1900 Park Fare) so we don't have a super early morning after the late night.

FYI my daughter went to bed at 10pm last night (we were visiting my mom) and woke up bright and early at 7am today.

LOL, I think the way you plan things really depend on your family so if your daughter is not good with TS, then QS is definitely the way to go. There is still plenty of choices especially at EPCOT. My DS usually is ok at restaurants and we've taken him to plenty here in Toronto. He's changing though and it's a little harder to keep him pre-occupied while we eat. So time till tell...
With timing of sleep, it depends on the child too. Mine (at 2) has a similar schedule to your daughter with the exception of having a nap in between. Usually, we have to force him to sleep at a reasonable time at night. He normally sleeps around 9pm and is up around 6-6:30. So I think for us, having the mid day break might work unless he sleeps in his stroller. I think you will be fine as long with your plans. By the way, on the day you're currently planning to do Ohana (at 7:30) do you plan RD? The reason I'm asking is because I recently found out that for RD, you have to be there before 8:30?? and it might not be enough time to reach RD.

 

[Lisa F]

Lol, last I saw there was openings on Dec3.

nothing available for 2 the 2rd, 5th or 7th!

 

[Candycane83]

nothing available for 2 the 2rd, 5th or 7th!

It was there when I checked yesterday, for the 3rd... but it seems to have disappeared again... I find it really weird, it becomes available (I was checking for the 10th regularly and went to the 3rd randomly) then unavailable again?

ETA: it was available for all sort of times on Dec 3! I notice it stops being available after Nov 14 or 16 I think but any other day, there's plenty of availability

 

[Lisa F]

Agree, thank goodness there's two of us for TS - our problem is our DD isn't great in restaurants for long periods of time. The only one we've had success with here is Boston Pizza and that's because they give you colouring books, crayons, and have a "Kids corner" where the kids hang out and watch movies. I think with our TS restaurants, they are all character meals with the exception of 50s Prime time (which has a TV and some entertainment factor from what I've been told) so that should keep her busy. But her patience level is why I'm probably cancelling Teppan Edo and Skippers Canteen. QS is just easier. I know everyone rags on the Plaza but it's one place I was considering for MK dinner as well as it's well priced and the menu has something for my daughter. Also I hear BOG is pretty fast as long as you preorder lunch/breakfast (which we plan to do).

I think I might try to push back our 'Ohana meal on the last day (and also push back 1900 Park Fare) so we don't have a super early morning after the late night.

FYI my daughter went to bed at 10pm last night (we were visiting my mom) and woke up bright and early at 7am today.

yes, I think Skipper's Canteen for sure is going to bore her - there is a little bit of an entertainment factor but it is more "fans of the jungle cruise" type entertainment than something for little kids.

teppan edo might be a hit due to the show (most kids i know are enthralled by hibachi) but I see the pictures of the onion volcano and all I can think is "yeah yeah been there done that" (outside of disney). 50's PT does have the little tvs but not every table has them. It is entertaining in that the wait staff (if you get a good one) will interact with your daughter but it is not like what you are describing with the "kids corner." I have not heard anyone ragging on the plaza either.... it generally gets good reviews. the food is basic and has come up a lot in price from where it used to be but "Disney." they no longer take ADRs so it's a good place to play by ear.

 

[Lisa F]

LOL, I think the way you plan things really depend on your family so if your daughter is not good with TS, then QS is definitely the way to go. There is still plenty of choices especially at EPCOT. My DS usually is ok at restaurants and we've taken him to plenty here in Toronto. He's changing though and it's a little harder to keep him pre-occupied while we eat. So time till tell...
With timing of sleep, it depends on the child too. Mine (at 2) has a similar schedule to your daughter with the exception of having a nap in between. Usually, we have to force him to sleep at a reasonable time at night. He normally sleeps around 9pm and is up around 6-6:30. So I think for us, having the mid day break might work unless he sleeps in his stroller. I think you will be fine as long with your plans. By the way, on the day you're currently planning to do Ohana (at 7:30) do you plan RD? The reason I'm asking is because I recently found out that for RD, you have to be there before 8:30?? and it might not be enough time to reach RD.

yeah your kid is in that stage where they change so fast so you really are going to have to roll with it mine is an early bird and goes to bed at 8:30 but can stay up "as late as he wants" (not really my rule, but my boyfriend's rule with his kids so hard to have mine different when we are all together). When he is being entertained he does a good job of staying up late and his schedule will get later and later as he stays up later and sleeps in later. When it is just us alone he craps out around 9 or 9:30 left to his own devices, lol. I am doing the 'earlier end of the day' stuff earlier in the trip and the midnight stuff later in the trip so I can gradually transition him to later and later wakeup times.

 

[Candycane83]

yeah your kid is in that stage where they change so fast so you really are going to have to roll with it mine is an early bird and goes to bed at 8:30 but can stay up "as late as he wants" (not really my rule, but my boyfriend's rule with his kids so hard to have mine different when we are all together). When he is being entertained he does a good job of staying up late and his schedule will get later and later as he stays up later and sleeps in later. When it is just us alone he craps out around 9 or 9:30 left to his own devices, lol. I am doing the 'earlier end of the day' stuff earlier in the trip and the midnight stuff later in the trip so I can gradually transition him to later and later wakeup times.

Yes but rolling with it at Disney seems a little more difficult esp with ADRs and FP+. Oh well, I guess I will have to wait and see... and maybe eat out more to train him! LOL! We went to a Italian place on Friday night and we spent an hour or so there. That was about his limit. I think it's pretty doable with most restaurants. Napping is another issue... I need a test run on that too and try to be out all day one of these days.