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

[JamieOak]

I'm having a little dining decision dilemma. Last trip we missed our breakfast at Kona because I screwed up the transportation plan and I've been bummed about it ever since. I have a 9:30 breakfast scheduled there for 12/3 this trip but now I'm wondering if we even want to go. He doesn't generally eat sweet breakfast foods and I know I wouldn't be able to eat more than a few bites of the Tonga Toast even though I really want to try it. And I can't really eat macadamia nuts so the pancakes are out too. I'm thinking about switching to Boma or Trails End instead. We've done Boma before for breakfast and both really liked it but the TE weekend brunch buffet looks really good too and we've never been to WL before so I want to check it out this trip.

From menu only (never been there!), I would pick Boma or TE over Kona. Others can probably advise you more there.

I just wanted to note that Trails End is at Fort Wilderness, not Wilderness Lodge.

 

[CaleCakes]

I made the mistake of asking DH to look at the magic bands that were on sale last night. I had 2 of the safari Mickey ones in the cart and of course he picked the Jack Skellington one. Really? All of a sudden he has a say in this trip. Ugh, why did I even ask. Now we don't match.
I grabbed a few things for the baby as well, pj's and 2 cute sweaters. Our trip is just around the corner getting so anxious for it to hurry up and be here.

 

[Candycane83]

I made the mistake of asking DH to look at the magic bands that were on sale last night. I had 2 of the safari Mickey ones in the cart and of course he picked the Jack Skellington one. Really? All of a sudden he has a say in this trip. Ugh, why did I even ask. Now we don't match.
I grabbed a few things for the baby as well, pj's and 2 cute sweaters. Our trip is just around the corner getting so anxious for it to hurry up and be here.

I just have to laugh because I had the exact same complaint a couple weeks ago about DH and have to keep reminding myself not to keep asking for his opinion!

 

[SilSprBea]

I just have to laugh because I had the exact same complaint a couple weeks ago about DH and have to keep reminding myself not to keep asking for his opinion!

My husband doesn't care about Disney (he actually hates Disney) and thankfully has no real opinion on what we do or ride or eat, which is great! I can do what I want, as long as I don't buy him anything too cutesy to wear. I'm just hoping the kids Disney happiness washes off on him and he isn't too grumpy while we are there (maybe I should buy him a Grumpy t-shirt, LOL!)

 

[Candycane83]

My husband doesn't care about Disney (he actually hates Disney) and thankfully has no real opinion on what we do or ride or eat, which is great! I can do what I want, as long as I don't buy him anything too cutesy to wear. I'm just hoping the kids Disney happiness washes off on him and he isn't too grumpy while we are there (maybe I should buy him a Grumpy t-shirt, LOL!)

Hahaha! We have about the same situation but my DH is just indifferent to Disney. (or maybe he hates it but I love it so he doesn't want to tell me, LOL) I would usually get him shirts that can be passable for everyday wear like grumpy shirts. I hope my love for Disney passes to my son though so it'll be 2 against 1!

 

[JamieOak]

I made the mistake of asking DH to look at the magic bands that were on sale last night. I had 2 of the safari Mickey ones in the cart and of course he picked the Jack Skellington one. Really? All of a sudden he has a say in this trip. Ugh, why did I even ask. Now we don't match.
I grabbed a few things for the baby as well, pj's and 2 cute sweaters. Our trip is just around the corner getting so anxious for it to hurry up and be here.

Oh yeah, I've been there with my DH too on certain things! Regarding MBs, my DH said "Why isn't there a camouflage one?" So he's just getting orange and a camo MB skin from Etsy. I'm still debating if I want a camo MB skin or not for mine (I do love camo too!), but I have a purple MB. Our 2nd set of MBs for FPs are red and green and I'll get Holiday skins for those. He has no say there.

Lesson here is: Don't ask the DH (or DW in some cases) for advice unless you are willing to cooperate with it when it doesn't agree with your vision.

 

[JamieOak]

My husband doesn't care about Disney (he actually hates Disney) and thankfully has no real opinion on what we do or ride or eat, which is great! I can do what I want, as long as I don't buy him anything too cutesy to wear. I'm just hoping the kids Disney happiness washes off on him and he isn't too grumpy while we are there (maybe I should buy him a Grumpy t-shirt, LOL!)

Yes! You need a Grumpy shirt for him.

 

[JamieOak]

I'm suddenly picturing a group of us at the SW dessert party and all the DISsers on one side chatting away excitedly about their trip so far and SDFPs they scored, and all the significant others grumbling and comparing notes about who has the craziest planner spouse.

 

[CaleCakes]

I just have to laugh because I had the exact same complaint a couple weeks ago about DH and have to keep reminding myself not to keep asking for his opinion!

I need to stop asking too!

 

[Candycane83]

I'm suddenly picturing a group of us at the SW dessert party and all the DISsers on one side chatting away excitedly about their trip so far and SDFPs they scored, and all the significant others grumbling and comparing notes about who has the craziest planner spouse.

Hmm,, I could totally picture this! DH1 asking 'how many hours does she spend on looking at stuff related to Disney', DH2 says every minute she's awake... It'll make an interesting comedy

 

[Lisa F]

I'm having a little dining decision dilemma. Last trip we missed our breakfast at Kona because I screwed up the transportation plan and I've been bummed about it ever since. I have a 9:30 breakfast scheduled there for 12/3 this trip but now I'm wondering if we even want to go. He doesn't generally eat sweet breakfast foods and I know I wouldn't be able to eat more than a few bites of the Tonga Toast even though I really want to try it. And I can't really eat macadamia nuts so the pancakes are out too. I'm thinking about switching to Boma or Trails End instead. We've done Boma before for breakfast and both really liked it but the TE weekend brunch buffet looks really good too and we've never been to WL before so I want to check it out this trip.

If you really want to try Tonga toast, they have it in the quick service place at the Poly too... so you would not need the ADR. But your DH might not be so into a "bounty platter" served on a paper plate if you are thinking about Boma as an alternative though. To be perfectly honest though, I do not think the tonga toast is anything to write home about. I had it once years ago and could only manage a few bites myself, it just was not my thing. I am never quite sure what the hype is about and now I am reading they changed suppliers of bread and it isn't even as good as it was before.

TE weekend brunch DOES look really good and I wish I could fit it in. the reviews are great on it. It is not at WL though, it is at Ft. Wilderness which is a different place entirely. It is more difficult to get to than WL - you either have to park at the entrance to Ft. Wilderness and take an internal bus or you can take a boat directly from the MK to Ft. Wilderness. So if you are doing it on a MK day you would park at TTC, monorail or boat to MK, boat to Ft. Wilderness but then come directly back to MK for the day.

 

[etzmn123]

If you really want to try Tonga toast, they have it in the quick service place at the Poly too... so you would not need the ADR. But your DH might not be so into a "bounty platter" served on a paper plate if you are thinking about Boma as an alternative though. To be perfectly honest though, I do not think the tonga toast is anything to write home about. I had it once years ago and could only manage a few bites myself, it just was not my thing. I am never quite sure what the hype is about and now I am reading they changed suppliers of bread and it isn't even as good as it was before.

TE weekend brunch DOES look really good and I wish I could fit it in. the reviews are great on it. It is not at WL though, it is at Ft. Wilderness which is a different place entirely. It is more difficult to get to than WL - you either have to park at the entrance to Ft. Wilderness and take an internal bus or you can take a boat directly from the MK to Ft. Wilderness. So if you are doing it on a MK day you would park at TTC, monorail or boat to MK, boat to Ft. Wilderness but then come directly back to MK for the day.

Good thoughts, I've heard that as well about the Tonga Toast not being as good as it used to be. The more I think about it, I just don't think we'd enjoy Kona breakfast as much as I initially thought. We did really enjoy their dinner 2 years ago though!

I knew Ft. Wilderness was different but I guess I just assumed they were relatively close together so we could hit them both up the same morning? The breakfast in question is on an EPCOT day so we'd probably just drive to Ft. Wilderness and take their bus (or drive to AKL if we decided on Boma).

 

[JamieOak]

Good thoughts, I've heard that as well about the Tonga Toast not being as good as it used to be. The more I think about it, I just don't think we'd enjoy Kona breakfast as much as I initially thought. We did really enjoy their dinner 2 years ago though!

I knew Ft. Wilderness was different but I guess I just assumed they were relatively close together so we could hit them both up the same morning? The breakfast in question is on an EPCOT day so we'd probably just drive to Ft. Wilderness and take their bus (or drive to AKL if we decided on Boma).

I think it depends on how much time you have to dedicate to seeing them both. My understanding is that you currently cannot walk between the two because the nature trail is closed due to the construction at WL. So you would have to drive between them, which might make more sense anyway.

 

[CaleCakes]

I'm looking over my plans and attempting to make them somewhat finalized. How does this sound? Just as an fyi we are styaing 4 nights at SOG then 3 nights at AK. We have a rental car and plan to do 1 day at Universal. Also this is our 1st trip 1) in more than 20 years since we were kids for both DH and I, and 2) traveling with a 17 month old.

Day 1- Sunday
Early flight arriving at 830am. Get rental car from airport, head to target or Walmart for a few items, check into SOG.
12:35 brunch at Trail ends
Go to Disney Spring
6:15 Raglan Road

Day 2- Monday
Magic Kingdom
1:25 Liberty Tree Tavern lunch
6:30 Tony's Town Square dinner
8:30 Pirate and Pals fireworks voyage from Contemporary

Day 3- Tuesday
Check out the decorations at other resort, hang out by the pool maybe.
4pm head to MK for Party.
620 Be Our Guest dinner ( I know this will take away from some party stuff I'm hoping to move it earlier)

Day 4- Wednesday
7:35 Ohana breakfast (I might cancel this)
Head to Epcot
1:20 Biegarten lunch
6:30 San Angel Inn dinner

Day 5- Thursday
8:50 Kona breakfast
10am first haircut at MK barbershop
Move from SOG to AK
1:40 Tusker house lunch
Spend day at AK park. Should we do the safari at dusk or wait until the next morning?

Day 6- Friday
12:20 Hollywood and Vines Play n' Dine (may have to cancel this because I could only get it for 2 people and we need 3)
Spend some time in HS then back to AK for
5:30 Yak and Yeti dinner

Day 7- Saturday
Head to Universal

Day 8- Sunday
9am flight home

It seems like alot of eating. I didn't want to miss out on some places but it just seems like alot to me. I might want to snack more than sit down.

What should i change?

 

[etzmn123]

I think it depends on how much time you have to dedicate to seeing them both. My understanding is that you currently cannot walk between the two because the nature trail is closed due to the construction at WL. So you would have to drive between them, which might make more sense anyway.

Thanks! I was just looking at a map of them trying to figure that out. It looked like there was a trail but I wasn't sure if it was a case of "looks close on the map but is actually really, really far" and if the trail is closed that nixes that idea anyway. But we might just end up popping over to WL after MK on a party night when we have to leave the park at 7 anyway (which was actually my original plan before I started thinking about going to Ft Wilderness.... actually no, my original plan was to eat at Whispering Canyon... I think... I can't even remember now).

 

[SilSprBea]

I'm looking over my plans and attempting to make them somewhat finalized. How does this sound? Just as an fyi we are styaing 4 nights at SOG then 3 nights at AK. We have a rental car and plan to do 1 day at Universal. Also this is our 1st trip 1) in more than 20 years since we were kids for both DH and I, and 2) traveling with a 17 month old.

Day 1- Sunday
Early flight arriving at 830am. Get rental car from airport, head to target or Walmart for a few items, check into SOG.
12:35 brunch at Trail ends
Go to Disney Spring
6:15 Raglan Road

Day 2- Monday
Magic Kingdom
1:25 Liberty Tree Tavern lunch
6:30 Tony's Town Square dinner
8:30 Pirate and Pals fireworks voyage from Contemporary

Day 3- Tuesday
Check out the decorations at other resort, hang out by the pool maybe.
4pm head to MK for Party.
620 Be Our Guest dinner ( I know this will take away from some party stuff I'm hoping to move it earlier)

Day 4- Wednesday
7:35 Ohana breakfast (I might cancel this)
Head to Epcot
1:20 Biegarten lunch
6:30 San Angel Inn dinner

Day 5- Thursday
8:50 Kona breakfast
10am first haircut at MK barbershop
Move from SOG to AK
1:40 Tusker house lunch
Spend day at AK park. Should we do the safari at dusk or wait until the next morning?

Day 6- Friday
12:20 Hollywood and Vines Play n' Dine (may have to cancel this because I could only get it for 2 people and we need 3)
Spend some time in HS then back to AK for
5:30 Yak and Yeti dinner

Day 7- Saturday
Head to Universal

Day 8- Sunday
9am flight home

It seems like alot of eating. I didn't want to miss out on some places but it just seems like alot to me. I might want to snack more than sit down.

What should i change?

I'm by far not an expert, but this does seem like a lot of eating to me! I remember @Lisa F suggesting that you keep meals 6 hours apart, and in many cases you are too close. It also seems like a lot of running around between parks for meals.

On day 2 I would drop the Tony's dinner (i have heard not so great things anyway) and eat snacks or a light quick service since you will have lots of desert on the on the Pirates and Pal cruise.

You also have a lot of meals on day 3. Is a character meal important for you for your 17 month old? If so, I would drop one of the two WS sit downs (they seem really close together anyway) and keep the 'Ohana breakfast, or maybe consider swapping Garden Grill for Ohana. You could drop a sit down and just snack in the WS.

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks! I was just looking at a map of them trying to figure that out. It looked like there was a trail but I wasn't sure if it was a case of "looks close on the map but is actually really, really far" and if the trail is closed that nixes that idea anyway. But we might just end up popping over to WL after MK on a party night when we have to leave the park at 7 anyway (which was actually my original plan before I started thinking about going to Ft Wilderness.... actually no, my original plan was to eat at Whispering Canyon... I think... I can't even remember now).

lol I am rotating between the same restaurants. I ended up with WCC on one morning so I could see the WL done up for xmas... and then I am doing Boma on my last day before the airport. I am doing HDDR so will see Ft. Wilderness (might do a sleigh ride if time) too but not trail's end.

 

[jillyh]

@LisaF In my experience RD for Soarin is going to be shortest wait. During EMH even on low crowd days waits won't be really short until the last 1/2 hour. Personally I have scheduled all my FP+ for as early as possible as SDFP availability for headliners seems to be mostly for later in the day. Figure I have better chances for getting 4th, 5th FP that way also.

@etzmn123 My husband and I shared an order of Tonga toast at Kona and LOVED it, however I also tried it at Captain Cooks and it is not as good there. Doesn't have the strawberry compote there.

 

[Lisa F]

I'm looking over my plans and attempting to make them somewhat finalized. How does this sound? Just as an fyi we are styaing 4 nights at SOG then 3 nights at AK. We have a rental car and plan to do 1 day at Universal. Also this is our 1st trip 1) in more than 20 years since we were kids for both DH and I, and 2) traveling with a 17 month old.

Day 1- Sunday
Early flight arriving at 830am. Get rental car from airport, head to target or Walmart for a few items, check into SOG.
12:35 brunch at Trail ends
Go to Disney Spring
6:15 Raglan Road

Day 2- Monday
Magic Kingdom
1:25 Liberty Tree Tavern lunch
6:30 Tony's Town Square dinner
8:30 Pirate and Pals fireworks voyage from Contemporary

Day 3- Tuesday
Check out the decorations at other resort, hang out by the pool maybe.
4pm head to MK for Party.
620 Be Our Guest dinner ( I know this will take away from some party stuff I'm hoping to move it earlier)

Day 4- Wednesday
7:35 Ohana breakfast (I might cancel this)
Head to Epcot
1:20 Biegarten lunch
6:30 San Angel Inn dinner

Day 5- Thursday
8:50 Kona breakfast
10am first haircut at MK barbershop
Move from SOG to AK
1:40 Tusker house lunch
Spend day at AK park. Should we do the safari at dusk or wait until the next morning?

Day 6- Friday
12:20 Hollywood and Vines Play n' Dine (may have to cancel this because I could only get it for 2 people and we need 3)
Spend some time in HS then back to AK for
5:30 Yak and Yeti dinner

Day 7- Saturday
Head to Universal

Day 8- Sunday
9am flight home

It seems like alot of eating. I didn't want to miss out on some places but it just seems like alot to me. I might want to snack more than sit down.

What should i change?

3 a day TS for me is a lot and 2 a day is even a lot IMO if both are lunch and dinner. I would do the following:
sunday looks ok
Monday: keep LT lunch, do QS in MK for dinner, if you want italian Pinocchio's looks pretty good nowadays with their flatbread pizzas and garlic knots and pasta alfredo. I do not love the QS personally because it is so hard as a single mother but if I were doing 1 TS a day I would def keep LT over Tony's.
Tuesday: fine
Wednesday: If you don't want to be all over the place but still want character breakfast, I'd consider one of two:
cape may breakfast
garden grill breakfast
I think both are more convenient to epcot. it depends on what you are trying to achieve though.
then I would pick either Biergarten OR San Angel Inn for dinner, you shouldn't have trouble getting either at a reasonable time. Both have QS choices that are decent if you want to have both cuisines. That is too much food in one day IMO. I would pick biergarten because they decorate it for xmas and save San Angel for another time. Also with a little one I think biergarten is a better fit than dark and very close together seats.
Thursday I'd try to move TH to dinner from lunch, even an early dinner
Friday
I'd try to move H&V to late breakfast instead of lunch. Give yourself a couple of hours to do some rides then a lateish breakfast seating.

 

[Lisa F]

@LisaF In my experience RD for Soarin is going to be shortest wait. During EMH even on low crowd days waits won't be really short until the last 1/2 hour. Personally I have scheduled all my FP+ for as early as possible as SDFP availability for headliners seems to be mostly for later in the day. Figure I have better chances for getting 4th, 5th FP that way also.

@etzmn123 My husband and I shared an order of Tonga toast at Kona and LOVED it, however I also tried it at Captain Cooks and it is not as good there. Doesn't have the strawberry compote there.

I was maybe not clear. my two choices are this:

Choice 1:
Tuesday night, head to HS for my 4:30 H&V dinner with F! package, then fill the time between H&V and F!, I thought maybe with TSMM FP+ (currently booked), maybe go there earlier and do ToT before dinner. then after F! take the boat to Epcot and get an ice cream at la glaces in france and park on the international gateway bridge and chill out and wait for illuminations... after illuminations go back to room at BWV. The next morning RD Soarin' (maybe 2x), living with the land and then do Garden Grill @10am and finish up whatever tier 2 rides I need to do in Epcot before transferring to the Poly, dinner at Narcoossees and evening and EMH at MK (holding FP+ that day for MK as it will be quite crowded)

Choice 2:
Tuesday night, head to HS for my 4:30 H&V dinner with F! package, then fill the time between H&V and F! with whatever SDFP I can pick up, maybe go there around 3:30 and do a couple of things and get a SDFP for after dinner... then after F! take the boat to Epcot and hit an 8-9pm for Soarin', get a spot for Illuminations and do evening EMH at Epcot to finish up whatever we were missing from the day before. The next morning sleep in and then do Garden Grill @10am and finish up whatever tier 2 rides I need to do in Epcot before transferring to the Poly, dinner at Narcoossees and evening and EMH at MK (holding FP+ that day for MK as it will be quite crowded).

The problem I see with choice 2 is right now is 1) more walking 2) less time to find a good spot for Illuminations 3) if they extend HS hours and move F! to 8pm this pretty much blows that plan out of the water.

the problem with choice 1 is it is a very long day with RD Epcot and EMH at MK but the next morning we are doing nothing but a lateish breakfast and swimming then early dinner at 'Ohana before MVMCP, so we could push a little... and my "long two park day" is surrounded by "rest days" on both sides where we're not doing much til the evening.

I just feel like RD Soarin (maybe 2x one after the other) and living with the land and garden grill will work so well together rather than trying to do that stuff before and after illuminations.

so now help! lol. I think I am going to have to wait until hours are mostly finalized at HS, there is a chance they will bump the close time and F! to 8pm, in which case what I might end up doing is just calling it a night after F! and definitely doing the RD thing the next day (how I have it planned now). I'm guessing if I can get a FP+ for Soarin' later that 8pm will be what's left.