ADR opinions/reviews please!

[gregrmike1]

We are scheduled for next trip to WDW in May 2012 and have decided to go with deluxe dining plan this trip. Please provide any opinions and reviews for us please. We will be celebrating my daughters' 12th
birthday. I have indicated what places we are trying that are new for us.

Day 1
Lunch: Plaza 1:15 pm
Dinner: CRT 7 pm

Day 2
Breakfast: Chef Mickeys 7 am (New)
Lunch: Via Napoli 11:30 am (New)
Dinner: Lecellier 6 pm

Day 3
Breakfast: Whispering Canyon Cafe 9 am
Dinner: Citricos 5:30 pm

Day 4
Lunch: Pizzafari
Dinner: Jiko 7:10 pm (New)

Day 5
Breakfast: Crystal Palace 8:35 am
Dinner: Narcoosee's 7:05 pm (New)

Day 6
Lunch: 50's Prime Time 12:40 pm (New)
Dinner: Mama Melrose 7:15 pm

Day 7
Lunch: Yak and Yeti 11 am (New)
Dinner: California Grill 7:20 pm

Thanks in advance for your responses regarding all of the places listed.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

If I read that correctly you got the DxDDP. You have several counter services listed and if you want to get your money's worth you will want to change those to TS ressies. TS means more time eating but if you have small children it gives everyone a rest. We have included DxDDP in our ressies in August and except for the meals that count as 2 TS where we being balancing that with a couple of OOP CS meals we, I should say me since I'm doing the planning , are eating at nothing but TS restaurants.

Enjoy, bon appetite!

 

[Colleen27]

You don't actually have to eat every meal at TS for the DxDDP to make sense. We always leave a couple of credits free for CS, mostly at our resort food court, and we always come out way ahead with the plan. At 2012 pricing you need to use about 3/4 of your credits for TS and the OP has way more than that so she's fine, value-wise.

OP - I think day 2 will be a tough one. You have three big, heavy meals all packed into one day. At the very least you'll want to take it easy at Chef Mickey's, which I know can be done because we do it - character breakfasts are a DxDDP splurge for us because we'd never pay that price OOP for the continental-type breakfast we eat, even with Mickey & friends.

You have a lot of good choices, including some of our favorites. Jiko was a hit with my whole family, and California Grill is at the top of our must-do list. It looks like a great line up overall!

 

[gregrmike1]

Thanks for the opinions and input. All advice is very helpful therefore please keep them coming.

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

We love Chef Mickeys breakfast. This is always a must do ADR for our DD. Alot of people complain about it on here but personally we have never had a bad meal and Mickey & Gang make it all the more magical. Enjoy!!

 

[gregrmike1]

Thanks to the advice I have cancelled our reservation for Via Napoli on Day 2 and swithced our dinner on Day 6 from Mama Melrose to Hollywood Brown Derby. Any recent reviews for any of the places we will be eating would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Missyrose]

Dinner: Lecellier 6 pm

We did Le Cellier for lunch but really enjoyed it. Cheese soup and mushroom fillet were as good as advertised. Just sorry we didn't have room left for the maple creme brulee we've heard so much about.

Dinner: Citricos 5:30 pm

Citricos was one of our favorite dinners of our last trip. Very tasty food in an upscale setting. They are great for celebrations. Veal shank was well-seasoned and tender. The blue crab appetizer was out of this world! Random fact, if you like hot tea, they have a phenomenal hot tea menu!

Breakfast: Crystal Palace 8:35 am

Food was very good, everything was hot and fresh on the buffet. If this is a pre-opening ADR, make sure you take your time taking pictures on an empty Main Street. We stopped at every Photopass photographer before checking in for our breakfast. And if you get to the end of your meal and you haven't seen all the characters, just let one of the attendants know and they'll take you to whomever you've missed.

Lunch: 50's Prime Time 12:40 pm (New)

Milkshakes, fried chicken, pot roast and brownie sundae all get two thumbs up. Cousin Cooper is a hoot, best server we've ever had there.

Dinner: California Grill 7:20 pm

Like many of the reviews on here, this is the most chaotic of the signatures, but the food is well worth it. Spicy Kazan roll is the best sushi we've had at Disney. Three-cheese flatbread was incredible. Duck two ways and the salmon were both cooked to perfection.

My only suggestion would be to get a post-fireworks ADR, check in early and head up to the bar/observation deck for the fireworks. Then, as the crowds depart from the restaurant, you can enjoy a quiet meal.

 

[msminnieears]

I like your recent changes. We loved the Brown Derby the last time we ate there. Fantastic.ENJOY!!

 

[gregrmike1]

Thanks for the input! We are really excited for our upcoming trip and continued advice/recommendations are welcome!