ADR for AK/Epcot Day

[AnjieNet]

Trying to figure out what to do for an ADR on our Animal Kingdom/Epcot day. We'll be at AK from 9-5 then to Epcot for EMH until midnight or someone drops. I've narrowed it down to four choices: Tusker House lunch (none of us are big breakfast eaters), Sanaa at AKL for a 6:00ish dinner or Via Napoli or Tutto Italia for dinner at Epcot at 7:00ish.

We've only done character meals with princesses so Tusker might be a nice change but not sure if I want to spend the park time at a TS meal. AK is a favorite park of ours.

Wasn't fond of Boma last time so not sure of Sanaa but we love the idea of eating with the animals right out the window.

No experience with either Italian options at Epcot but we all love our pasta and pizza. Which one has the best meaty lasagna?

Any opinions? We are on the dining plan, if that matters.

 

[jedi jen]

Sounds like you have selected great options. Personally, I try to be convenient, and would consider eating dinner at Epcot to eliminate one more place to go (AKL) to ease the pace of things (caveat, I love visiting AKL, but go to Jiko right now---I also am planing to go to AKL on a non-AK day so the kids continue to appreciate the animals, and I don't hear "another zebra....whatever" ). I also really like eating in the countries in WS. I have never gone to the two Italian restaurants, but am planning on Via Napoli next time, based on reviews. Not sure I am helping. Also, you might want to consider a breakfast at Tusker House before park opening. I am interested in that.....getting to go in the park and wander the oasis and to the tree of life practically to myself, eat at TH which is right next to Safari, finish before official opening, and be one of the first on Safari and get a fast pass (It is one of my favorite rides.) There are lots of good reviews about Yak & Yeti too. So I am more interested in that than lunch.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Not sure I have a choice but I would veto Sanaa just simply for the travel time factor

Edited to say==if this will be your first night at epcot, I would definatly eat before you arrive, otherwise the wow factor will take over and the fam will want to r ide rides, see sights and have no interest in siting for 1.5 hours to eat.

 

[aras4007]

I definitly wouldn't go Sanaa for the travel time. No point in going to yet another place. Both parks have great counter service too, so if you eat TS at one, it wouldn't be a dissappointment for CS at the other. With that said, Epcot has a ton of CS places, so it might be easier to find something there. On the other hand, if you aren't eating breakfast, you might want a big lunch for Tusker House would be good.

Sorry, I didn't really give you an answer, just some thoughts. Good Luck!

 

[gabzee]

Tutto Italia is currently being renovated so the new menu is not known as of now. We love going to the AKL to eat; however, in this case I would not do it. It would add so much more travel time. I would suggest going to Epcot to eat. You said that AK is one of your favorite parks so I would get the most out of it. Eat at a CS for lunch and then explore the park as much as you can! I would choose Via Napoli, 100%. It is a fantastic restaurant with some of the best pizza we have had (we are from NY originally). You won't be disappointed.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I voted for Tusker House because we loved our lunch there last May and are excited about going back there on our next trip, especially since now they added characters . However, since you said you really didn't care fore Boma's, I am not sure if this is the restaurant for you then, I find the two restaurants similar to each other. We have dined at both Tuto Italia and Via Napoli and both are very good, but we like Tuto Italia a little bit better due to the decor of the restaurant and the menu, but who knows after the refurb what it is going to look like and what the menu is going to be. I too agree that Sanaa should be out of the mix because of the travel time. Good luck deciding.

 

[wdwmike59]

I definitly wouldn't go Sanaa for the travel time. No point in going to yet another place. Both parks have great counter service too, so if you eat TS at one, it wouldn't be a dissappointment for CS at the other. With that said, Epcot has a ton of CS places, so it might be easier to find something there. On the other hand, if you aren't eating breakfast, you might want a big lunch for Tusker House would be good.

Sorry, I didn't really give you an answer, just some thoughts. Good Luck!

Ditto this, you don't want to waste any Epcot park time and you will need a break in AK so it works out perfect to eat at Tusker House.

 

[AppleSister1]

I'm going to be in the minority here, but I would choose Sanaa. We love it there. And I think getting out of the park to eat between AK and Epcot might be a nice respite. That's what I would plan if I were you.

Then again, we go a lot, so we don't feel so pressured to see everything. If that's a concern, you will obviously save time by eating in Italy. We enjoyed Via Napoli (altho it's loud in there!)

Have fun!

 

[AnjieNet]

Thanks for the input everyone. We'll be heading to Epcot for the morning on another day so I'm not too concerned with getting everything done there but we may not make it back to Animal Kingdom though we hope to. I've decided that we'll do CS at AK and make an ADR for Via Napoli in the evening. Maybe I'll check out the new menu for Tutto Italia when it comes available and see if I'd like to switch it over then. My DD and I have been several times to WDW but we are traveling with a couple others who have never been so I'd like to optimize our time however I can. We can save the Tusker House and Sanaa for another trip. Always looking for another reason for a return visit!