ADR dilemma - Please offer your advice!

[TPCShauna]

DH and I are going in December and will be celebrating our 10th anniversary. We are on the DxDP and have extra credits to play with. My current ADRs for our trip have us eating at Boma for dinner on our first night and at O'hana on our last night so we can see the Fireworks and Electric Water Parade from the Poly beach.

I've been seriously second guessing O'hana lately due to the high number of poor reviews I've seen. We enjoyed it quite a bit last time but the best part of the evening was viewing stuff from the Poly beach. I can most likely massage our itinerary to allow us to do this on another day if we change this ressie.

I'd like to book Narcoosee's instead of O'hana and DH seems to be OK with this. I'm thinking of doing Narcoosee's on our first day instead of Boma but I was concerned about the attire issue. I'm the type of person who likes to dress up for nice meals but this is our first day on property and we most likely won't have a chance to change unless we make a very late ADR (and we'll be up very early that morning.)

The alternative is that we do Narcoosee's on our last night but we won't have a place to change then either because we will have already checked out. Another option is to move our Jiko ressie to our first night and do Narcoosee's on our Jiko night instead but then that brings up the attire issue again.

Jiko seemed less formal to me than the other signatures. Could we get away with "park attire" of jeans, polos and sweaters at this restaurant more easily than Narcoosee's?

What would you do in this situation? TIA for any input!

 

[HookdonWDW]

If I was choosing to cancel Boma's or 'Ohana, I'd definitely keep the Boma reservation.

 

[BCV23]

I'd certainly pick Narcoossee's over 'Ohana.

I don't find Narcoossee's any dressier than Jiko. What you propose to wear is within the guidelines but since you like to dress up a bit perhaps comfy slacks instead of jeans...I'm guessing you're flying out that evening? Not that jeans aren't fine...I just don't see that many people wear them at the signature restaurants. More common in cold weather though and that's when you'll be there.

 

[TPCShauna]

Yes, I was definitely thinking we would cancel O'hana and do Boma instead. In fact, we are thinking of doing the following:

Arrival night: Jiko (wearing jeans, polos and sweaters)
Anniversary dinner: Narcoosee's
Last night: Boma (early dinner then go to Poly beach for fireworks/parade)

 

[TPCShauna]

I'd certainly pick Narcoossee's over 'Ohana.

I don't find Narcoossee's any dressier than Jiko. What you propose to wear is within the guidelines but since you like to dress up a bit perhaps comfy slacks instead of jeans...I'm guessing you're flying out that evening? Not that jeans aren't fine...I just don't see that many people wear them at the signature restaurants. More common in cold weather though and that's when you'll be there.

We aren't flying out that night but we will have already checked out of our hotel so won't have anywhere to change after being at AK all day. After dinner, fireworks and parade, we will leave property and stay at a hotel close by the airport so it is easier to make our 6:00am flight.

 

[lady_hlh]

We just had our anniversary dinner at Narcosees last week and had a great dinner. We got to see the Electric Water Pagent for the first time but we ended up watching the fireworks from the monorail because my DH didn't want to leave my DD in the Neverland club for more than 3 hours. Last year we went to Narcosees as a family without changing out of our park clothes and we didn't feel out of place. I definitely think it is a better choice for your anniversary dinner than Ohana. We had a very mediocre meal there last week, even my DH who loves grilled meats said it was all terribly tough and said that he wouldn't want to eat there again.

 

[SoonipiLady]

We just had our anniversary dinner at Narcosees last week and had a great dinner. We got to see the Electric Water Pagent for the first time but we ended up watching the fireworks from the monorail because my DH didn't want to leave my DD in the Neverland club for more than 3 hours. Last year we went to Narcosees as a family without changing out of our park clothes and we didn't feel out of place. I definitely think it is a better choice for your anniversary dinner than Ohana. We had a very mediocre meal there last week, even my DH who loves grilled meats said it was all terribly tough and said that he wouldn't want to eat there again.

our last night. I am really looking forward to it.

By the way, I was born in Niskayuna! Lived there for a while right after DH and I were married too! Got married at the Mohawk Club! It sure has gotten built up in the last few years. I hardly recognize it whe I go back to visit the family!

 

[castle ball hat tree]

As a meatatarian, I love 'Ohana in spite of the menu changes, tendency for sub-par service, and ever increasing prices. I could eat the wings and that awesome grilled turkey every day. The atmosphere is fun and there's games for the kids.

However, given the opportunity to instead go to Narcoossee's or Jiko (or Citricos), that's the way I would go. These places are a step above normal restaurants and completely worthy of the title "signature". The good news is, none of them could care less if you're in jeans and a polo. Go in whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

We aren't flying out that night but we will have already checked out of our hotel so won't have anywhere to change after being at AK all day. After dinner, fireworks and parade, we will leave property and stay at a hotel close by the airport so it is easier to make our 6:00am flight.

If you haven't looked into the hotel "AT" the airport...DO!!! We TRY & get bumped, so they will put us up in the hotel ( I think its the Hilton). Roof Top pool. Just a wonderful place.

 

[lady_hlh]

our last night. I am really looking forward to it.

By the way, I was born in Niskayuna! Lived there for a while right after DH and I were married too! Got married at the Mohawk Club! It sure has gotten built up in the last few years. I hardly recognize it whe I go back to visit the family!

My DH was actually born and raised in Niskayuna. I like this area better than PA where I grew up, especially old niskayuna where we live. I guess every area has really been built up because I always think that too about the suburbs in PA where my parents still live.

Did you let them know that you will be celebrating your anniversary at Narcosees? I had them note that on our ADR and they did a personalized menu for us plus gave us a champagne toast.

 

[TPCShauna]

This isn't our anniversary meal per se, but I do want to do an anniversary cake here. I do have it noted on the ADR.

Here are our plans:
First night: Narcoosee's with anniversary cake
Non-park night: Jiko (we kept this the same)
Last night: Boma (this will give us enough time to head over to the Poly for fireworks/parade)

We are looking into hotels near the airport but were afraid the Hilton AT the airport was too noisy. Thanks for that input!