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

[Mrs. Inc]

WOOT WOOT! Touring Plan strikes again!! I swear, it NEVER gets old to snag a stalked ADR! Just got a 3:50 'Ohana dinner for our last day! There's a but! lol

I know there's no shortage of great opinions here, so I'm hoping I can get some from you guys. Could you pretty please with a Mickey bar on top help me think through plan A and plan B? This is for our last park day, a Saturday, and we plan on MK all day.

Plan A
CP at 10:15
Spirit of Aloha 5:15 dinner show
Wishes Dessert Party*

Plan B
CP at 10:15
'Ohana 3:50
Wishes Dessert Party*

*I stole @Lisa F's sorta recent great idea to get a dessert party for this night to be sure we have good Wishes viewing considering it's a Saturday.

I'm a little torn between 'Ohana and SOA. What should I consider to help make this decision?

This is probably it for tweaking ADRs! (Hmmm...that sounds familiar, like maybe I made a really big deal about being done before??) I do have a couple extra Yak and Yeti's, completely dependent on what RoL does. I feel hopeful about RoL though. Like everyone, I'm hoping those much-discussed soft openings really ARE right around the corner!!

Went to SOA back in 2000...guys in our group weren't really impressed. My DS6 and DS8 couldn't wait to get out of there and get back to the parks. DH thought it was OK, but we've seen better shows in real life. DD3 loved it...so much so that she volunteered the two of us to get up on stage....maybe it's better now..that was a long time ago

 

[JamieOak]

Nevermind I got one!

 

[SilSprBea]

WOOT WOOT! Touring Plan strikes again!! I swear, it NEVER gets old to snag a stalked ADR! Just got a 3:50 'Ohana dinner for our last day! There's a but! lol

I know there's no shortage of great opinions here, so I'm hoping I can get some from you guys. Could you pretty please with a Mickey bar on top help me think through plan A and plan B? This is for our last park day, a Saturday, and we plan on MK all day.

Plan A
CP at 10:15
Spirit of Aloha 5:15 dinner show
Wishes Dessert Party*

Plan B
CP at 10:15
'Ohana 3:50
Wishes Dessert Party*

*I stole @Lisa F's sorta recent great idea to get a dessert party for this night to be sure we have good Wishes viewing considering it's a Saturday.

I'm a little torn between 'Ohana and SOA. What should I consider to help make this decision?

This is probably it for tweaking ADRs! (Hmmm...that sounds familiar, like maybe I made a really big deal about being done before??) I do have a couple extra Yak and Yeti's, completely dependent on what RoL does. I feel hopeful about RoL though. Like everyone, I'm hoping those much-discussed soft openings really ARE right around the corner!!

I don't know. I've never done either (only Ohana breakfast) and would want to try Ohana. Do you eat outside for the Spirit of Aloha? If so, it could be chilly and you might prefer to be inside. Are they the same price? I would think Ohana would be a bit cheaper. If you were on meal plan Ohana is only credit, right?

 

[areno79]

WOOT WOOT! Touring Plan strikes again!! I swear, it NEVER gets old to snag a stalked ADR! Just got a 3:50 'Ohana dinner for our last day! There's a but! lol

I know there's no shortage of great opinions here, so I'm hoping I can get some from you guys. Could you pretty please with a Mickey bar on top help me think through plan A and plan B? This is for our last park day, a Saturday, and we plan on MK all day.

Plan A
CP at 10:15
Spirit of Aloha 5:15 dinner show
Wishes Dessert Party*

Plan B
CP at 10:15
'Ohana 3:50
Wishes Dessert Party*

*I stole @Lisa F's sorta recent great idea to get a dessert party for this night to be sure we have good Wishes viewing considering it's a Saturday.

I'm a little torn between 'Ohana and SOA. What should I consider to help make this decision?

This is probably it for tweaking ADRs! (Hmmm...that sounds familiar, like maybe I made a really big deal about being done before??) I do have a couple extra Yak and Yeti's, completely dependent on what RoL does. I feel hopeful about RoL though. Like everyone, I'm hoping those much-discussed soft openings really ARE right around the corner!!

Oooh, that's a tough one! Have you ever done any dinner shows before? Did you like it? I've heard mixed reviews on SOA because it's outside, and iffy reviews on the food. If you're looking for experience, I'd go for SOA. If you're going for food, I'd do 'Ohana. Does that help?

That would be a sweet surprise! I read somewhere that Biergarten smells like sauerkraut...I have never been, but that would be a HUGE problem for me. Maybe someone else in the group has experience eating there.

YES, that's what I'm afraid of...I hate sauerkraut!! I've been trying to read reviews that show some of the other food they have there, but haven't had much luck. I'm a visual person so I really need pictures to decide for me!

 

[Mintycake]

WOOT WOOT! Touring Plan strikes again!! I swear, it NEVER gets old to snag a stalked ADR! Just got a 3:50 'Ohana dinner for our last day! There's a but! lol

I know there's no shortage of great opinions here, so I'm hoping I can get some from you guys. Could you pretty please with a Mickey bar on top help me think through plan A and plan B? This is for our last park day, a Saturday, and we plan on MK all day.

Plan A
CP at 10:15
Spirit of Aloha 5:15 dinner show
Wishes Dessert Party*

Plan B
CP at 10:15
'Ohana 3:50
Wishes Dessert Party*

*I stole @Lisa F's sorta recent great idea to get a dessert party for this night to be sure we have good Wishes viewing considering it's a Saturday.

I'm a little torn between 'Ohana and SOA. What should I consider to help make this decision?

This is probably it for tweaking ADRs! (Hmmm...that sounds familiar, like maybe I made a really big deal about being done before??) I do have a couple extra Yak and Yeti's, completely dependent on what RoL does. I feel hopeful about RoL though. Like everyone, I'm hoping those much-discussed soft openings really ARE right around the corner!!

I'm leaning towards plan b. I have heard mixed reviews about SOA and I think you'll be hungry enough for 'Ohana if you have a light snack/lunch. It also gives you more time in the park. Just my 2 cents.

 

[pigletgirl]

12 more days for us too! It looks like we have similar plans as you.... split stay with YC and AKL!

Nice! We're at the Beach Club for the first two nights and then we move to AKL for the remainder 8 nights.

 

[Mintycake]

okay help me decide on the dining plan (I know, I know, I decided against it, but I'm considering it again).

On the regular DDP I will have 21 QS, 21 TS, 21 snacks.

On arrival day, we're planning to go to the boardwalk - either bakery or pizza (I know @Lisa F said pizza window is yuck but DD is picky or we'll get her fries from the to go cart). So probably 2-3 QS credit there.

12/3 - H&V = 3 TS, 50s PT = 2 TS (we'll split an entree since we have Jbjb right after), and I figure another 2-3 QS for lunch (at Pizza rizzo maybe)
12/4 - MK = breakfast at EMM, lunch ? QS, Dinner = Kona = 2 TS (DD at kids club and that includes her dinner there)
12/5 - Epcot = Cape May = 3 TS, lunch QS (Sunshine Seasons), dinner QS (Katsura grill)
12/6 - Epcot breakfast Les Halles = 3 QS, lunch Akershus = 3 TS, dinner = snacks around WS (DD at kids club)
12/7 - MK - breakfast ?, Lunch BOG (3 QS), Dinner = Skippers Canteen = 3 TS
12/8 - MK - Ohana breakfast = 3 TS, lunch ?, Dinner = 1900 Park Fare - 3 TS
12/9 - depart. QS at hotel for breakfast

So the way I look at it, our TS credits are all taken care of, and our QS should be taken care of with the meals we have planned for QS. The snacks we'll just pace as we go. Can anyone weigh in (sorry for the pun...LOL)

 

[pigletgirl]

okay help me decide on the dining plan (I know, I know, I decided against it, but I'm considering it again).

On the regular DDP I will have 21 QS, 21 TS, 21 snacks.

On arrival day, we're planning to go to the boardwalk - either bakery or pizza (I know @Lisa F said pizza window is yuck but DD is picky or we'll get her fries from the to go cart). So probably 2-3 QS credit there.

12/3 - H&V = 3 TS, 50s PT = 2 TS (we'll split an entree since we have Jbjb right after), and I figure another 2-3 QS for lunch (at Pizza rizzo maybe)
12/4 - MK = breakfast at EMM, lunch ? QS, Dinner = Kona = 2 TS (DD at kids club and that includes her dinner there)
12/5 - Epcot = Cape May = 3 TS, lunch QS (Sunshine Seasons), dinner QS (Katsura grill)
12/6 - Epcot breakfast Les Halles = 3 QS, lunch Akershus = 3 TS, dinner = snacks around WS (DD at kids club)
12/7 - MK - breakfast ?, Lunch BOG (3 QS), Dinner = Skippers Canteen = 3 TS
12/8 - MK - Ohana breakfast = 3 TS, lunch ?, Dinner = 1900 Park Fare - 3 TS
12/9 - depart. QS at hotel for breakfast

So the way I look at it, our TS credits are all taken care of, and our QS should be taken care of with the meals we have planned for QS. The snacks we'll just pace as we go. Can anyone weigh in (sorry for the pun...LOL)

Does your DD eat enough to warrant her own meal? If you find yourself splitting most things, then paying OOP is probably the way to go.

On the flip side, if you find yourself full and not using many QS credits, you can turn 1 QS credit into 3 snacks.

What it all boils down to is if you think your family can eat enough to get the benefit from the dining plan (saving money), is really how to determine if it's the right thing or not.

 

[areno79]

okay help me decide on the dining plan (I know, I know, I decided against it, but I'm considering it again).

On the regular DDP I will have 21 QS, 21 TS, 21 snacks.

On arrival day, we're planning to go to the boardwalk - either bakery or pizza (I know @Lisa F said pizza window is yuck but DD is picky or we'll get her fries from the to go cart). So probably 2-3 QS credit there.

12/3 - H&V = 3 TS, 50s PT = 2 TS (we'll split an entree since we have Jbjb right after), and I figure another 2-3 QS for lunch (at Pizza rizzo maybe)
12/4 - MK = breakfast at EMM, lunch ? QS, Dinner = Kona = 2 TS (DD at kids club and that includes her dinner there)
12/5 - Epcot = Cape May = 3 TS, lunch QS (Sunshine Seasons), dinner QS (Katsura grill)
12/6 - Epcot breakfast Les Halles = 3 QS, lunch Akershus = 3 TS, dinner = snacks around WS (DD at kids club)
12/7 - MK - breakfast ?, Lunch BOG (3 QS), Dinner = Skippers Canteen = 3 TS
12/8 - MK - Ohana breakfast = 3 TS, lunch ?, Dinner = 1900 Park Fare - 3 TS
12/9 - depart. QS at hotel for breakfast

So the way I look at it, our TS credits are all taken care of, and our QS should be taken care of with the meals we have planned for QS. The snacks we'll just pace as we go. Can anyone weigh in (sorry for the pun...LOL)

Have you tried one of the cost benefit calculators of getting the dining plan? I really wish I had seen that BEFORE I booked the dining plan. But for us the big draw is having the dining paid for ahead of time. When I go again, I likely will not get the dining plan....as it is I'm going to have an extra QS I think.

 

[Mintycake]

Does your DD eat enough to warrant her own meal? If you find yourself splitting most things, then paying OOP is probably the way to go.

On the flip side, if you find yourself full and not using many QS credits, you can turn 1 QS credit into 3 snacks.

What it all boils down to is if you think your family can eat enough to get the benefit from the dining plan (saving money), is really how to determine if it's the right thing or not.

You know, mostly DD doesn't eat too much and I'd likely be doing a bunch of mix and match at restaurants to feed her. I think my leaning towards DDP is that DH is a steak guy (he will always order the steak) and although I'm a pescatarian, I do like fish (I plan to try the lion fish at SC) which tends to be pricey. Then there's all the character meals, which in some cases are the same cost as DD's entire day alotment. And even though DD and I don't drink soda/pop, DH is a bit of a fiend with it and I know he'd get his money's worth on the refillable mug.

But honestly, I think I'm going to pay oop, just because of the way DD will eat at QS meals. Plus we usually split a dessert.

 

[Mrs. Inc]

okay help me decide on the dining plan (I know, I know, I decided against it, but I'm considering it again).

On the regular DDP I will have 21 QS, 21 TS, 21 snacks.

On arrival day, we're planning to go to the boardwalk - either bakery or pizza (I know @Lisa F said pizza window is yuck but DD is picky or we'll get her fries from the to go cart). So probably 2-3 QS credit there.

12/3 - H&V = 3 TS, 50s PT = 2 TS (we'll split an entree since we have Jbjb right after), and I figure another 2-3 QS for lunch (at Pizza rizzo maybe)
12/4 - MK = breakfast at EMM, lunch ? QS, Dinner = Kona = 2 TS (DD at kids club and that includes her dinner there)
12/5 - Epcot = Cape May = 3 TS, lunch QS (Sunshine Seasons), dinner QS (Katsura grill)
12/6 - Epcot breakfast Les Halles = 3 QS, lunch Akershus = 3 TS, dinner = snacks around WS (DD at kids club)
12/7 - MK - breakfast ?, Lunch BOG (3 QS), Dinner = Skippers Canteen = 3 TS
12/8 - MK - Ohana breakfast = 3 TS, lunch ?, Dinner = 1900 Park Fare - 3 TS
12/9 - depart. QS at hotel for breakfast

So the way I look at it, our TS credits are all taken care of, and our QS should be taken care of with the meals we have planned for QS. The snacks we'll just pace as we go. Can anyone weigh in (sorry for the pun...LOL)

12/7 breakfast on 12/7...how about sleepy hallow waffles? DELICIOUS! and Huge! DD and I get one with fruit and it's plenty to share. Might be OOP...don't know, never done the dining plan. Can't eat enough at one time...we tend to be grazers.

 

[Mintycake]

Have you tried one of the cost benefit calculators of getting the dining plan? I really wish I had seen that BEFORE I booked the dining plan. But for us the big draw is having the dining paid for ahead of time. When I go again, I likely will not get the dining plan....as it is I'm going to have an extra QS I think.

I did. I ended up coming out $50 ahead with DDP but to be fair, the calculator I don't think was up to date with 2016 restaurant pricing so I'm not sure if the $50 is moot. But I'm leaning against it. I love appetizers more than desserts and we split and share a lot of meals. I think the cost of the character meals is just freaking me out.

 

[JamieOak]

If anyone is still helping look for ADRs, I just realized that I dropped my Wishes fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing to pick up a BOG dinner and never picked it back up when I changed my mind back. Now it's sold out

It's 11/30 for 2 people...
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...d-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party-plaza-view/

 

[Mrs. Inc]

Have you tried one of the cost benefit calculators of getting the dining plan? I really wish I had seen that BEFORE I booked the dining plan. But for us the big draw is having the dining paid for ahead of time. When I go again, I likely will not get the dining plan....as it is I'm going to have an extra QS I think.

I used the calculator...says we're even either way. Not using DDP because I want the flexibility of OOP. Eat when I'm hungry, small snack if I'm not. Also, not a red meat eater, at least not in a theme park...too heavy a meal. Hard to get your money's worth unless you want to eat A LOT of steak and seafood, from what I've read.

 

[Mintycake]

I used the calculator...says we're even either way. Not using DDP because I want the flexibility of OOP. Eat when I'm hungry, small snack if I'm not. Also, not a red meat eater, at least not in a theme park...too heavy a meal. Hard to get your money's worth unless you want to eat A LOT of steak and seafood, from what I've read.

Yeah. I think OOP and sticker shock is just the way we'll roll. LOL!

 

[2009CAN]

so roll call on who is still tweaking ADRs?
I still have a bunch of backups I can't let go. Not sure what i am hoping for though lol.

I have an ADR for BOG on 12/4 at lunch for 2 people. I REALLY need it for 5. I haven't cancelled it yet, but may have to pull the trigger soon

 

[Mintycake]

Ok I'm going to do it. Anyone want an 8:25am or 10:50am Akershus breakfast for 3 on 12/6? Posting here first before I put it on the December cancellation thread.

 

[Mrs. Inc]

I did. I ended up coming out $50 ahead with DDP but to be fair, the calculator I don't think was up to date with 2016 restaurant pricing so I'm not sure if the $50 is moot. But I'm leaning against it. I love appetizers more than desserts and we split and share a lot of meals. I think the cost of the character meals is just freaking me out.

I agree on the character meals comment. I keep questioning no DDP because of character meals, but calculator keeps telling me it will save me nothing. Also, DD only drinks water, and I NEVER order dessert with a meal. I would much rather have a dessert two or three hours later. Also, planning on soup and salad for a meal or two, or apps and salad. Not trying to be cheap...that's as much food as I usually eat in one sitting.

 

[Mrs. Inc]

If anyone is still helping look for ADRs, I just realized that I dropped my Wishes fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing to pick up a BOG dinner and never picked it back up when I changed my mind back. Now it's sold out

It's 11/30 for 2 people...
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...d-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party-plaza-view/

Giant dose of pixie dust needed!!! Good Luck!

 

[Mintycake]

I agree on the character meals comment. I keep questioning no DDP because of character meals, but calculator keeps telling me it will save me nothing. Also, DD only drinks water, and I NEVER order dessert with a meal. I would much rather have a dessert two or three hours later. Also, planning on soup and salad for a meal or two, or apps and salad. Not trying to be cheap...that's as much food as I usually eat in one sitting.

Yes this is how I eat too...I mix and match and DH and I share stuff. We are moderate eaters. The other thing is (and this is not meant to be offensive at all) is just we find in the US the portion sizes are really big so we do share meals if we are stateside. Otherwise it's a lot of wasted food.