ADR Planning Feedback for Sept 2019 Trip...

[AuntJamelle]

I've been going over and over the options. Very frustrated that Disney doesn't officially post park schedules until 6 months out - the exact same time we'll be making our ADRs. Our travel agent has looked at weeks leading up to our trip (as far as we can) to see what the pattern seems to be. So we can make a guess at what parks will have what hours each day.

We're staying at WL - flying in on Tuesday - should be there and checked in by early afternoon.

We're doing the deluxe dining plan - primarily because DH (who has never been to Disney) is firm on sitting down for breakfast and dinner each day.

Tuesday, Sept 17th (arrival day) - Thinking we'll head into DSRA for Homecomin'

Wed, Sept 18th (Epcot day) - Would be ok with either Akershus or Garden Grill for earliest ADR possible IF the park opens at 9AM that day! Idea is to eat and get in line for either Frozen or Soarin ASAP.

We're planning to graze Food & Wine booths using our snack credits for lunch.

Coral Reef for dinner.

Thurs, Sept 19th (AK day) - Boma buffet for breakfast. QS for lunch (hearing good things about Flametree) and then back to AK lodge for Jiko for dinner OR maybe stay in park and do Tiffins/watch River of Lights. Thinking of doing a late mid-day break this day then returning to AK in which case Tiffins would be better I guess?

Friday, Sept 20th (MK day) - For breakfast thinking of The Wave at Contemporary - then walking to MK. Something QS for lunch if/when needed. If we do mid-day break back to hotel we'll eat there at Roarin Forks or Geyser Point - as needed!!! Then Skipper Co. for early dinner. This is the night we're doing MNSSHP.

Sat, Sept 21st (HS day) - Whispering Canyon for early breakfast. QS for lunch. Brown Derby for dinner as part of Fantasmic Package. BUT we are also tempted by SW Galactic Dessert Party/Fireworks package!!! Could we really do/eat all that in one night??? The desserts are great and all but we are mainly tempted due to the reserved viewing area for fireworks show. Too many choices!!!

Sun, Sept 22nd (MK day) - Up in the air for breakfast. QS for lunch. Really want BOG for dinner.

Monday, Sept 23rd (Water Park day) - Ohana for breakfast. Water park fast food for lunch. Storybook Dining at Artist Point for dinner.

Tuesday, Sept 24th (Departure Day) - Roarin Forks for breakfast...

I know, I know, a LOT of TS. I'm trying to please both DS and work with my sister and her BF who are going with us to make these plans. Trying to pick things we'll have easy access to on that given day. We're totally open to taking taxis or Uber instead of bus system when that will make it easier.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

It is definitely a lot of food and a lot of time will be spent sitting in restaurants. But that said, you have some great choices and I like that you’ve planned the meals around where you’ll already be to minimize the travel time.

 

[evlaina]

I love Deluxe Dining and don't think it's too much at all. We ate at 19 table service places on our last trip, and I am planning 15 for our next! Food is part of the experience and we didn't miss a thing in the parks because we're open to close people. I advise against using credits for Quick Service, though - I would replace those with Signatures/2 credit meals and you can snack for lunch, if you even need to. Don't get me wrong, we have a day or 2 with 3 table service meals, too.

We're also going in September. I use Kenny the Pirate's 2018 calendar for the week I'm going to guesstimate hours for this year until they're released. A Wednesday you should be okay with a 9am opening, I don't see that changing.

 

[bphilb]

Looks like fun. I would suggest on the 20th maybe just eating a cinnamon roll at Gaston's tavern for breakfast and not using the Wave as a TS credit (not that the Wave isn't good). That would allow you to either get a TS lunch or maybe use two credits for a Signiture dinner that night at BOG, California Grill, Narcossee's etc. It looks like you are in for a long day if you are going to MSSHP and may want to consider getting there a little later in the day. Just a thought, your post is making me hungry.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've been going over and over the options. Very frustrated that Disney doesn't officially post park schedules until 6 months out - the exact same time we'll be making our ADRs. Our travel agent has looked at weeks leading up to our trip (as far as we can) to see what the pattern seems to be. So we can make a guess at what parks will have what hours each day.

We're staying at WL - flying in on Tuesday - should be there and checked in by early afternoon.

We're doing the deluxe dining plan - primarily because DH (who has never been to Disney) is firm on sitting down for breakfast and dinner each day.

Tuesday, Sept 17th (arrival day) - Thinking we'll head into DSRA for Homecomin'

Wed, Sept 18th (Epcot day) - Would be ok with either Akershus or Garden Grill for earliest ADR possible IF the park opens at 9AM that day! Idea is to eat and get in line for either Frozen or Soarin ASAP.

We're planning to graze Food & Wine booths using our snack credits for lunch.

Coral Reef for dinner.

Thurs, Sept 19th (AK day) - Boma buffet for breakfast. QS for lunch (hearing good things about Flametree) and then back to AK lodge for Jiko for dinner OR maybe stay in park and do Tiffins/watch River of Lights. Thinking of doing a late mid-day break this day then returning to AK in which case Tiffins would be better I guess?

Friday, Sept 20th (MK day) - For breakfast thinking of The Wave at Contemporary - then walking to MK. Something QS for lunch if/when needed. If we do mid-day break back to hotel we'll eat there at Roarin Forks or Geyser Point - as needed!!! Then Skipper Co. for early dinner. This is the night we're doing MNSSHP.

Sat, Sept 21st (HS day) - Whispering Canyon for early breakfast. QS for lunch. Brown Derby for dinner as part of Fantasmic Package. BUT we are also tempted by SW Galactic Dessert Party/Fireworks package!!! Could we really do/eat all that in one night??? The desserts are great and all but we are mainly tempted due to the reserved viewing area for fireworks show. Too many choices!!!

Sun, Sept 22nd (MK day) - Up in the air for breakfast. QS for lunch. Really want BOG for dinner.

Monday, Sept 23rd (Water Park day) - Ohana for breakfast. Water park fast food for lunch. Storybook Dining at Artist Point for dinner.

Tuesday, Sept 24th (Departure Day) - Roarin Forks for breakfast...

I know, I know, a LOT of TS. I'm trying to please both DS and work with my sister and her BF who are going with us to make these plans. Trying to pick things we'll have easy access to on that given day. We're totally open to taking taxis or Uber instead of bus system when that will make it easier.

I like dining, but three meals in WDW is a lot of dining. A LOT of dining. My DH likes a real breakfast as well, so I like to plan them at least a few days on our trip. So here goes my feedback, take it with a grain of salt.

18th looks good. We like both meals for breakfast and book them often.

19th that is a lot of traveling to eat. Even Uber takes time, If you choose Boma for breakfast, i woudl stay in the park for dinner. I actually woudl book Tusker House for breakfast and Jiko if you are leaving the park for the day. Boma for breakfast and TIffins for dinner if you stay for ROL. You will not need Flametree (my favorite) if you have a buffet for breakfast IMO.

20th: I would skip the Wave, and book the Plaza in the MK if still available. It is delicious and convenient. Skippers fro an early dinner.


22. Book BOG dinner if possible. Have you considered Crystal Palace for Breakfast? It is fin and pretty good for breakfast, and you are in the park.

 

[AuntJamelle]

Thank you all so much for the feedback!!! It is VERY helpful!

Nancyg56 - I've been struggling with AK day frankly. Boma sounds outstanding for breakfast - and I agree we're not going to need lunch if we do it! Maybe a snack for DS since he barely eats anyway and we have to make sure he consumes enough throughout the day! I was thinking of Tiffins but honestly I don't think the menu looks up our alley

Tusker House tempted me for breakfast until I read how loud it is? DH will not enjoy that - but if it is just moderate noise I'm sure we'd be fine. And I really, really want to do Jiko if we can!

Great tip on The Plaza - they were on my radar too but didn't think of them for breakfast! Hearing such great things on Skipper!

Crystal Palace is also one I've gone back and forth on...still totally "in the running". I was going to go for it as a way to get into the parks early - but then read somewhere that new opening show at MK has messed that up? Does anyone know more about that?

bphilb - I hear you on the loooong day aspect of our MNSSHP day. My "plan" was to start early and then take a mid day break - go back to the hotel, nap, lounge, swim, whatever - and then return to the park mid to late afternoon. I'm hoping that will do the trick!

evlaina - I honestly think that with big meals for breakfast and dinner we are NOT going to need lunch. A snack if anything. That's how it works when we camp with this same group. I will still try to be prepared mentally - know which QS are best and where they are - have more research to do on best snacks at which places and so on. But if we are going to save those credits and are able to book another Signature Meal I need to know ahead of time. So I have some talking to do with my group! Hopefully they agree!

ENJDisneyFan - You are right about a lot of time in restaurants! I think with the group we have it will be okay - they all love food, myself included!!! Fingers crossed!

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Agreed, it is a lot of eating/ TS plans but if DH insists then I get it. Sometimes we just have to choose our battles.

I would probably swap Coral Reef for something in the World Showcase on Epcot day but that's a matter of personal preference (I just don't love it there and I've given it a few chances). I'd consider Via Napoli for something a little more casual but still a sit-down.

Sunday 22nd, consider Kona Cafe at the Poly or Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast. That keeps you near MK. I've had nice breakfasts at both of those places and now one or the other is a must-do on each trip.

The opening show at MK has changed to be at the castle. So where you used to wait for rope drop outside of the main entrance, by the train everyone is now let into the park up to the castle starting about an hour before the park opens for the day. A PPO breakfast has thus lost a little of its appeal. BOG PPO breakfast remains popular because it's the only ADR that gets you past the castle before the park opens.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you all so much for the feedback!!! It is VERY helpful!

Nancyg56 - I've been struggling with AK day frankly. Boma sounds outstanding for breakfast - and I agree we're not going to need lunch if we do it! Maybe a snack for DS since he barely eats anyway and we have to make sure he consumes enough throughout the day! I was thinking of Tiffins but honestly I don't think the menu looks up our alley

Tusker House tempted me for breakfast until I read how loud it is? DH will not enjoy that - but if it is just moderate noise I'm sure we'd be fine. And I really, really want to do Jiko if we can!

Great tip on The Plaza - they were on my radar too but didn't think of them for breakfast! Hearing such great things on Skipper!

Crystal Palace is also one I've gone back and forth on...still totally "in the running". I was going to go for it as a way to get into the parks early - but then read somewhere that new opening show at MK has messed that up? Does anyone know more about that?

bphilb - I hear you on the loooong day aspect of our MNSSHP day. My "plan" was to start early and then take a mid day break - go back to the hotel, nap, lounge, swim, whatever - and then return to the park mid to late afternoon. I'm hoping that will do the trick!

evlaina - I honestly think that with big meals for breakfast and dinner we are NOT going to need lunch. A snack if anything. That's how it works when we camp with this same group. I will still try to be prepared mentally - know which QS are best and where they are - have more research to do on best snacks at which places and so on. But if we are going to save those credits and are able to book another Signature Meal I need to know ahead of time. So I have some talking to do with my group! Hopefully they agree!

ENJDisneyFan - You are right about a lot of time in restaurants! I think with the group we have it will be okay - they all love food, myself included!!! Fingers crossed!

TH was a bit noisy IIRC, however most character meals do have a louder noise level. You could Have an early QS breakfast on your DAK day, and then shoot right to the park, have a light lunch at Flametree, and then book Jiko for a lateish dinner. I know DH wanted ts breakfast, however the CS meals are pretty good IMO. Not the best use of a credit, but when you consider travel time over credit value, for me, the time counts a lot.

Personally, I would not worry about PPO meals in MK unless you really want to jump start the morning. If you do want a PPO meal, BOG is the one to choose. It is CS but requires an ADR. Personally, unless I was invested in that early breakfast I would hit the park and enjoy a few attractions, have breakfast and then go back to touring.

 

[pooch]

We loved TH for a character breakfast, one of our favorite meals that trip. I don't remember it being noisy and the character interaction and breakfast selections were terrific!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We always do the deluxe dining plan-yes it's a lot of food, yes it's a lot of time spent on dining, but it's also nice to sit down and get out of the heat.

We are also going in September, the week of Labor day, I feel your pain of trying to plan out parks and ADRs. It's just too many choices and not enough time, lol. We are staying 8 nights, planning 9 days of dining-we will have 2 meals most days with one day having 3 very spread out meals.