ADR Changers - We still don't know what we want for dinner!

[amandaw]

Hi all. We just returned from a nice BWI stay this past week. Our first experience at California Grill happened on a bad night. Any ADRers making ressie at California Grill in the next 180 days, please beware: the hostesses on the 2nd floor told us when we checked in that the ADR system messed up ROYALLY and overbooked Cali Grill for up to 180 days. They said the most recent ADRs are most affected but it still could linger for months with some overbooking.

We were seated for dinner in the lounge, as they took all lounge tables/chairs and re-assigned them for diners to help alleviate the overbooking. We really felt rushed, probably due to staff trying to accommodate the overbooked folks. The bar area and waiting areas were like a zoo with people spilling very close to where we were sitting. I really wish they would have called us to advise us of the situation so we would have had the opportunity to keep, cancel or reschedule our ADR.

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience at Cali Grill. I would definitely expect more from a signature restaurant and agree with you that they should've called prior to your trip.

Thank you for letting everyone here know about the overbooking problem.

 

[chinarider]

Okay, so now I'm 3 months out and pretty happy and settle with my ressies ( added on a BK at Olivias OOP, want to try the Banana Bread French toast). Spoke with my aunt and uncle who live in Florida. They want to drive down and have lunch with us at DTD. They asked about Sunday ( that would be a 1st full day and have it all booked out , CP- 8;15 , Ohana 5:20 evening EMH, preferred AAA viewing for fireworks), had to try and explain it to them that these were too hard to change. That went pretty well until they said they would take work off Friday ( our last full day ) and come. Well , this was the date of the scored Le Cellier lunch ressie!!!! Well, 3 days later, I actually was able to find two others for lunch and now I have to revamp my schedule, park plans and other ressies accordingly.

The first scenario is a full, full day at Epcot. Evening EMH
Le Cellier at 11:55 and then R & C at 7;40 ( Illuminations )
It's just myself and my DD17 so, this could be easily possible. However, with these two great meals in one day at Epcot, it would eliminate the need ( not desire) for all of the wonderful worldly snacks that I have read so much about
This wouldnt change too much for us because it was going to be Olivias BK, DTD shopping, Epcot snack or CS and then dinner

2nd scenario
Morning MK EMH (as planned ), leave around 11 for 12:15 Le Cellier, hang and finish stuff at Epcot, snack, play by ear, AK parade??DTD ?? Leave open, wing it , Boardwalk?? CS dinner somewhere
(this would mean eliminating the LTT lunch and switching Boma to the previous day)
Impact on previous day
Morning HS (as planned ), changing Epcot and Chefs 6 pm to Boma and AK?? DTD?? not too sure

We're staying at POP, dont want to be doing too much running back and forth just for meals. Neither day in scenario two has an evening EMH so, the evenings in sceario two are somewhat flexible.

Our first two days are so heavy and long that the first scenario impacts our first downish and more leisurely day. The second scenario rushes us out of MK after 3 hours ( however, that will be our 2nd time there that week )

UGH!!!, each time I look, I think I like the other option better than the other..... What I really need is a lunch available at Le Cellier for the other day in between these two. That would be the easiest to change around

Any thoughts would be great.

WHOOO HOOOO- scored a ressie for Le Cellier for the in between day. This was the day were planning to do either Chefs of Captains for dinner- we have the morning EMH at HS and then were going to have B & C (ice cream only) for lunch. This ressie is for 2:45 so, I think we will have to bypass B & C ( at least for then , wanted to try before it got crowded )
So now we have more leisurely time and I will let someone else be extremely happy as I release two Le Cellier lunches

 

[creativeamanda]

I can't believe this. . .I went back to the Deluxe Dining Plan this week.

And this is what I have now:

Breakfasts:
Crystal Palace
Akershus
Cape May
Tusker House
Grand Floridian Cafe

Lunches:
Rose and Crown
Teppan Edo

Dinners:
Cinderella's Royal Table
Fulton's
California Grill
Cape May Cafe
Captain's Grill

New for us:
Breakfasts:
Cape May
Tusker
Grand Flo

Lunch:
Rose and Crown

Dinners:
CRT
Fulton's
Cali Grill

 

[creativeamanda]

Oh, and next question: Do I do a Dining Report?

 

[amandaw]

WHOOO HOOOO- scored a ressie for Le Cellier for the in between day. This was the day were planning to do either Chefs of Captains for dinner- we have the morning EMH at HS and then were going to have B & C (ice cream only) for lunch. This ressie is for 2:45 so, I think we will have to bypass B & C ( at least for then , wanted to try before it got crowded )
So now we have more leisurely time and I will let someone else be extremely happy as I release two Le Cellier lunches

That is so great!!! Congrats on getting what you were really wanting!

I can't believe this. . .I went back to the Deluxe Dining Plan this week.

And this is what I have now:

Breakfasts:
Crystal Palace
Akershus
Cape May
Tusker House
Grand Floridian Cafe

Lunches:
Rose and Crown
Teppan Edo

Dinners:
Cinderella's Royal Table
Fulton's
California Grill
Cape May Cafe
Captain's Grill

New for us:
Breakfasts:
Cape May
Tusker
Grand Flo

Lunch:
Rose and Crown

Dinners:
CRT
Fulton's
Cali Grill

I really want to try the Deluxe Dining Plan one day just to see what it's like. It sounds like you have some really great ADRs! Enjoy!

Oh, and next question: Do I do a Dining Report?

Definitely! And let us know when you start it so we can follow along!

 

[stitch34]

Well, I still can't decide. am 110 days out. Going to rework things tonight... our first 4 days of our trip am totally redoing our park days and switching dining around - just didn't like our schedule and the flow of it. So now have written out Plan A, B and C.. and trying to figure out which will go with.

 

[amandaw]

Well, I still can't decide. am 110 days out. Going to rework things tonight... our first 4 days of our trip am totally redoing our park days and switching dining around - just didn't like our schedule and the flow of it. So now have written out Plan A, B and C.. and trying to figure out which will go with.

I know how that goes....I just reworked a lot of our stuff this past weekend. Hope you can figure out something that works best for y'all!

 

[creativeamanda]

Okay, so I dropped the Tusker House for a lunch at Rainforest Cafe, which we have done in Maryland, but I think it would be fun at Animal Kingdom.

I think I might even start a dining PTR this weekend. I'll let ya'll know. I've started thinking of snack options already!

 

[chimommy]

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it! I keep changing m mind for our sept adr's... This is what I'm thinking. We have a villa so I want to try and eat some meals at "home" mostly lunch since we will go back so the kids can nap/go to the pool.

1: 430ish ADR at CRT before mnsshp
2: possible ADR at biergarten for dinner
3: 1010 (last breakfast ADR) at Hollywood and vine Disney jr
4. 1030 (last breakfasts ADR) at Tusker house
5 maybe mama melrose fantastic package... (might skip bc not sure my 1&3yr olds will like the show)
6. Ohana 5pm ADR or just getting cs (we have never been to ohana... It's our last night on vacation and mk is open till 11pm. I was also thinking about making a 11am ADR at le cellular instead ... We are planning on going to Epcot in the am and mk at night.. We have not been to le cellier either) but maybe I should just leave the whole day open?

We have been to CRT and biergarten... The rest are new for us. Any input would be great... My family just tells me whatever I think is best... They all think I'm crazy for making these adrs... But always expect me to have it all planned

 

[amandaw]

Okay, so I dropped the Tusker House for a lunch at Rainforest Cafe, which we have done in Maryland, but I think it would be fun at Animal Kingdom.

I think I might even start a dining PTR this weekend. I'll let ya'll know. I've started thinking of snack options already!

Definitely let us know when you get started on the dining PTR! I get so overwhelmed when I start thinking of snack options.

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it! I keep changing m mind for our sept adr's... This is what I'm thinking. We have a villa so I want to try and eat some meals at "home" mostly lunch since we will go back so the kids can nap/go to the pool.

1: 430ish ADR at CRT before mnsshp
2: possible ADR at biergarten for dinner
3: 1010 (last breakfast ADR) at Hollywood and vine Disney jr
4. 1030 (last breakfasts ADR) at Tusker house
5 maybe mama melrose fantastic package... (might skip bc not sure my 1&3yr olds will like the show)
6. Ohana 5pm ADR or just getting cs (we have never been to ohana... It's our last night on vacation and mk is open till 11pm. I was also thinking about making a 11am ADR at le cellular instead ... We are planning on going to Epcot in the am and mk at night.. We have not been to le cellier either) but maybe I should just leave the whole day open?

We have been to CRT and biergarten... The rest are new for us. Any input would be great... My family just tells me whatever I think is best... They all think I'm crazy for making these adrs... But always expect me to have it all planned

It sounds like you have some good ADR choices there!

I'm torn about doing the F! package as well since my son will be 4. It's so hard to tell at these young ages if they'll like Fantasmic or not. I say, if Mama Melrose is somewhere you would like to eat at regardless of the F! package, then still go. But, if there's somewhere you'd rather have dinner, then book there.

As for Ohana vs. Le Cellier - I would say go with Ohana. Now, I have yet to eat at either place. We are hoping to try Ohana for both breakfast & dinner on our upcoming trip. The reason why I choose Ohana is because it just comes across to me as more "family friendly". I know it's Disney so you'll have kids at pretty much every restaurant. But, I do like that Ohana has entertainment (music & the coconut races) for kids....even if your kids don't participate, it may be nice to have something to capture their attention. But, both places get great reviews, so I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

 

[stitch34]

12 emails later from last night's switch of ADRs.... lol! ugh!
and yes....
I STILL don't know where I want to eat!

okay, we do know... but issue is fitting it all in!

9 nights... 24 ADRs. Really is tough timing everything right, making sure everything flows and makes sense and we don't waste time going from place to place and out of our way (the less walking, the better), and allowing in some break time and time to do split stays... while alternating our park days just right....

Anyway... well, we still don't know where we will eat our first night. Have Park Fare booked - but after many times there, have kept saying we are DONE with it. But hungry our first night, want a buffet. Now it's down to that... or Cape May (a second time), or Crystal Palace - which eh, offerings there don't impress fussy me much.
Wanted to switch to Cape May and do DHS first night for a change... but see, if do that then the next days after that I just CAN'T get schedule to work right.
okay... vent over, lol!

 

[amandaw]

12 emails later from last night's switch of ADRs.... lol! ugh!
and yes....
I STILL don't know where I want to eat!

okay, we do know... but issue is fitting it all in!

9 nights... 24 ADRs. Really is tough timing everything right, making sure everything flows and makes sense and we don't waste time going from place to place and out of our way (the less walking, the better), and allowing in some break time and time to do split stays... while alternating our park days just right....

Anyway... well, we still don't know where we will eat our first night. Have Park Fare booked - but after many times there, have kept saying we are DONE with it. But hungry our first night, want a buffet. Now it's down to that... or Cape May (a second time), or Crystal Palace - which eh, offerings there don't impress fussy me much.
Wanted to switch to Cape May and do DHS first night for a change... but see, if do that then the next days after that I just CAN'T get schedule to work right.
okay... vent over, lol!

I don't know how you're doing it.....working out plans for 9 nights, split stays, 24 ADRS.....

I may not be of much help....but you can always come here & vent!

 

[creativeamanda]

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it! I keep changing m mind for our sept adr's... This is what I'm thinking. We have a villa so I want to try and eat some meals at "home" mostly lunch since we will go back so the kids can nap/go to the pool.

1: 430ish ADR at CRT before mnsshp Great choice--it's one we have never done and if I could get a breakfast here, I would.
2: possible ADR at biergarten for dinner [COLOR="Magenta)"]You're starting with favorites--that's a great idea[/COLOR]
3: 1010 (last breakfast ADR) at Hollywood and vine Disney jrThis is one where I don't think the character interaction makes up for the subpar food. We did this one before and it's permanently off of my places to go.
4. 1030 (last breakfasts ADR) at Tusker houseI'm told the food is similar to Boma, which is awesome--I think this is a great choice
5 maybe mama melrose fantastic package... (might skip bc not sure my 1&3yr olds will like the show) Mama Melrose's is a great meal choice, but I don't know about F! for your kids, either. It's late, and I think perhaps you might want to look at a lower key restaurant somewhere. In that area, my favorite low key place is Captain's Grill at the Yacht Club. The boat will take you right there from Hollywood Studios.

6. Ohana 5pm ADR or just getting cs (we have never been to ohana... It's our last night on vacation and mk is open till 11pm. I was also thinking about making a 11am ADR at le cellular instead ... We are planning on going to Epcot in the am and mk at night.. We have not been to le cellier either) but maybe I should just leave the whole day open?

We have been to CRT and biergarten... The rest are new for us. Any input would be great... My family just tells me whatever I think is best... They all think I'm crazy for making these adrs... But always expect me to have it all planned

I am putting my recommendations in pink up there.

Now the whole Ohana/Le Cellier debate--my vote is for Ohana. Le Cellier is dark, whereas Ohana is right there in the view of Cinderella's castle, is wonderful for your children.

12 emails later from last night's switch of ADRs.... lol! ugh!
and yes....
I STILL don't know where I want to eat!

okay, we do know... but issue is fitting it all in!

9 nights... 24 ADRs. Really is tough timing everything right, making sure everything flows and makes sense and we don't waste time going from place to place and out of our way (the less walking, the better), and allowing in some break time and time to do split stays... while alternating our park days just right....

Anyway... well, we still don't know where we will eat our first night. Have Park Fare booked - but after many times there, have kept saying we are DONE with it. But hungry our first night, want a buffet. Now it's down to that... or Cape May (a second time), or Crystal Palace - which eh, offerings there don't impress fussy me much.
Wanted to switch to Cape May and do DHS first night for a change... but see, if do that then the next days after that I just CAN'T get schedule to work right.
okay... vent over, lol!

Gosh--I thought I had an email mess over 5 nights on the DxDP. I can't imagine 9 nights! We have half that number of ADRs, but we have a good number of signatures in there. We were going to do either a late breakfast or early lunch, then dinner. We also are using the 2 snack credits daily for breakfasts (can you say cupcakes at Starring Rolls for breakfast?).

Where are you planning really to go after Cape May? I have done Magic Kingdom three times after dinner at Cape May. It was honestly a great choice for us. We had enough time on the bus to rest. I'm just guessing that you were planning on Magic Kingdom.

The Beach Club gets a non-deserving bad rap for bus service. But if I may lend a machete to your intellectual thicket, you can do something we did last summer on our first night: we stayed at the Beach Club, so that was our starting point. We walked through Epcot to the monorail and took the monorail over. It was a very nice way to start off our trip and we were glad we did it.

 

[chinarider]

on no, I did it again!!!!! Not sure but now I have myself double booked for days 5 & 6, will think about it and figure it out.( this will be our 2nd days at all parks)... choices are:

Day 5 option 1
HS morning EMH-
AK or whatever for the afternoon
CS lunch somewhere
Boma dinner 6:15

Day 5 option 2
HS morning EMH-
Epcot afternoon
Le Cellier lunch 2:30
Dinner wherever CS

Day 6 option 1
MK morning EHM
Epcot afternoon
Le Cellier lunch 2:15
dinner wherever

Day 6 option 2
MK morning EHM-
Lunch Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30
AK or wherever in the afternoon
Boma dinner 6:30

Pros and cons???
Really not sure which one I prefer????
I loose my LTT if I switch and was looking forward to fried cheese and sticky toffee pudding - I could switch to early lunch at at 50's or PT but not too sure I want to do either or those again. Thinking maybe do Yak and Yeti lunch (heard good things) but then I would have to rush to another park to eat and then I would want the Boma ressie to be later( and I dont too well eating too late) Day 6 option 1 seems to give us more flexibility and leisure time at MK ( but if we dont have to leave until 1 for lunch and we have been there since 8, that should be enough)
According to crowd levels, Epcot is the preferred park on day 6. I also want to squeeze in sometime to check out the boardwalk etc. and my On day 4 we are spending the afternoon/evening (EMH) at Epcot with a 7:40 ressie at Rose and Crown so, if we go with option 2 we are visiting Epcot two days in a row. We are staying at POP and it's myself DD17-

 

[chimommy]

Thanks to everyone who offered advice! I love this board... I'm sure I'll be posting more once I can make my adr's. One last question... I keep going back and forth between an 8am breakfast or late 10 or 1030 breakfast. I really don't want to make my kids get up at 6 but I wonder how much we will actually get done before breakfast since openings are at 9. ... Any advice?

 

[chinarider]

Thanks to everyone who offered advice! I love this board... I'm sure I'll be posting more once I can make my adr's. One last question... I keep going back and forth between an 8am breakfast or late 10 or 1030 breakfast. I really don't want to make my kids get up at 6 but I wonder how much we will actually get done before breakfast since openings are at 9. ... Any advice?

If you can get a breakfast ressie before the park opens ( be careful it's not an AM EMH) then I would suggest that. Granted you would need to get your kids up earlier but, you would get into the park before it opens and it wont be as hectic and pushy etc

 

[amandaw]

on no, I did it again!!!!! Not sure but now I have myself double booked for days 5 & 6, will think about it and figure it out.( this will be our 2nd days at all parks)... choices are:

Day 5 option 1
HS morning EMH-
AK or whatever for the afternoon
CS lunch somewhere
Boma dinner 6:15

Day 5 option 2
HS morning EMH-
Epcot afternoon
Le Cellier lunch 2:30
Dinner wherever CS

Day 6 option 1
MK morning EHM
Epcot afternoon
Le Cellier lunch 2:15
dinner wherever

Day 6 option 2
MK morning EHM-
Lunch Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30
AK or wherever in the afternoon
Boma dinner 6:30

Pros and cons???
Really not sure which one I prefer????
I loose my LTT if I switch and was looking forward to fried cheese and sticky toffee pudding - I could switch to early lunch at at 50's or PT but not too sure I want to do either or those again. Thinking maybe do Yak and Yeti lunch (heard good things) but then I would have to rush to another park to eat and then I would want the Boma ressie to be later( and I dont too well eating too late) Day 6 option 1 seems to give us more flexibility and leisure time at MK ( but if we dont have to leave until 1 for lunch and we have been there since 8, that should be enough)
According to crowd levels, Epcot is the preferred park on day 6. I also want to squeeze in sometime to check out the boardwalk etc. and my On day 4 we are spending the afternoon/evening (EMH) at Epcot with a 7:40 ressie at Rose and Crown so, if we go with option 2 we are visiting Epcot two days in a row. We are staying at POP and it's myself DD17-

On day 5, I would choose option 1 since y'all will be in Epcot the day before. And I would probably go with option 2 for day 6, especially since you're wanting certain dishes there.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice! I love this board... I'm sure I'll be posting more once I can make my adr's. One last question... I keep going back and forth between an 8am breakfast or late 10 or 1030 breakfast. I really don't want to make my kids get up at 6 but I wonder how much we will actually get done before breakfast since openings are at 9. ... Any advice?

I usually try to get breakfast ADRs for before the park opens. The only exception I am making to this rule for our upcoming trip is at Hollywood & Vine. I think we're going to do either a late breakfast or early lunch there.

If you can get a breakfast ressie before the park opens ( be careful it's not an AM EMH) then I would suggest that. Granted you would need to get your kids up earlier but, you would get into the park before it opens and it wont be as hectic and pushy etc

I completely agree with all of this!

 

[chinarider]

On day 5, I would choose option 1 since y'all will be in Epcot the day before. And I would probably go with option 2 for day 6, especially since you're wanting certain dishes there.

Sorry for the confusion... it's option 1 for day 5 and day 6 or option 2 for day 5 and day 6. Basically it all revolves around the Le Cellier lunch. I'm think I'm leaning more towards the option 1 so that we dont have Epcot two days in a row. I will also probably make a early ressie for 50's or Sci Fi unless we decide to stop at CSR for the lunch buffet. My daughter is really no help and says she will find something to eat at either place

 

[chinarider]

Ok, I swear I'm done now!!

 

[amandaw]

Sorry for the confusion... it's option 1 for day 5 and day 6 or option 2 for day 5 and day 6. Basically it all revolves around the Le Cellier lunch. I'm think I'm leaning more towards the option 1 so that we dont have Epcot two days in a row. I will also probably make a early ressie for 50's or Sci Fi unless we decide to stop at CSR for the lunch buffet. My daughter is really no help and says she will find something to eat at either place

I gotcha! In that case, I'd also choose option 1. Like you said, I wouldn't want to do Epcot 2 days in a row. Have y'all ever done Sci Fi? We are considering trying it out on our next trip for the 1st time.

Ok, I swear I'm done now!!

Famous last words of a changer!