ADR question

[hdrolfe]

I am planning to take my son (he'll be 6) to Disney April 30 - May 7th. I have managed to get all the ADR's I want, I think. But I not 100% sure of two things. We are going to have the DDP and I plan on quite a few character meals. We have been to AK once and had breakfast at Tusker's, he really enjoyed it (both because he could eat lots of what he wanted, and to meet the characters). I do want to use all 7 table service, and get some value from them. Since we will have 8 day tickets, and I only have real plans for 6 days, I think we'll have lots of park time, and I don't plan for this to be our only trip.

My two questions are, I have Hollywood and Vine for pre-park opening on our HS day, and then Mama Melrose F! for dinner that day, but should I maybe move the H&V to later in the morning? I will (hopefully) get a fastpass for Toy Story, he does not want to do the Jedi training, or the roller coaster.

Second, I booked Akershus for dinner in Epcot, but he's not at all into princesses, so is there somewhere else I should try and get? We have Garden Grill booked for dinner already another day.

Our plans:
April 30 - arrive, no real plans
May 1 - BOG 4:55pm
May 2 - Garden Grill 5:15pm
May 3 - H&V 8AM & F! Mama Melrose 5:05PM
May 4 - Tuskers 11:15AM (want to try lunch as we enjoyed breakfast last time)
May 5 - BOG 8:05AM & Crystal Palace 5:05PM
May 6 - Akershus 5:10pm
May 7 - fly home

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Does your son have any characters he is particularly fond of that would be good for that last meal who he wouldn't have met already?

For your HS day, my question would be WHY would you want to move the ADR? Are you thinking about starting the day later? You probably don't need a whole day in HS, but I would be tempted to break it up - do what you can in the morning, go back to the room for swimming in the afternoon, and then return for dinner/repeating favorites/Fantasmic. When I have two table services in one day, I like to space them as far away as possible. We would probably "snack" for lunch.

 

[shortnsassy730]

Do they all need to be character? There's Biergarten in Epcot that has great food and they do a stage show that kiddos seem to enjoy quite a bit. Also, Via Napoli is wonderful. Or if you definitely want character you could take the boat over from Epcot to Cape May at the Beach Club.

 

[kaybird]

I wouldn't make your HV any closer to the MM. Think you will be plenty stuffed. Agree that maybe switching Akershaus to Cape May could be a good move.

 

[crabbygal902]

My boys are not into princesses either, but they both enjoyed Akershus. I have some fun pictures from the meal! It is a great value on the dining plan and the food is very good. I love that food bar! Having said that, I agree with the PP that Cape May seafood buffet would be a good replacement if Akershus just isn't your thing. We also love Biergarten and you son would probably enjoy the entertainment during dinner.

 

[hdrolfe]

Thanks everyone. I will look into Cape May, I didn't really look at anything outside of the parks. But my son is obsessed with boats so boat ride over might be fun for him.

 

[tabrizia]

As a suggestion for another meal though not character meal, maybe try for Sanaa after your Animal Kingdom day, you can explore Animal Kingdom Lodge, see the animals on the savannah there and have a nice dinner.

 

[cassie58]

I know this is not at Epcot, but Whispering Canyon is a fun meal also over at Wilderness Lodge. No characters, but they do a lot of fun stunts, like if you ask for ketchup, they bring all the ketchup in the whole place to you. Then when the next person asks, you guys have to bring it to their table. Also antics when you ask for straws, extra napkins, large water, etc. They also have wooden horse races around the tables. You can take the ferry over from MK dock if your son likes boats, and if you time it right, after dinner can take the boat next door to Fort Wilderness where they do a Campfire Sing-a-Long with Chip and Dale and you can roast marshmallows(extra charge for the kit) and they show an outdoor movie. It's also a fun way to see other resorts, and the lodge is gorgeous inside.

 

[sndral]

...Or if you definitely want character you could take the boat over from Epcot to Cape May at the Beach Club.

OP if you are replacing your Akershus dinner w/ a Cape May Buffet dinner you won't have characters as they only have characters at the Cape May breakfast buffet. I enjoy the dinner buffet at Cape May and it's super easy to get to - just walk out the back exit of Epcot (between England and France) and boat or walk (5 minutes max walking, boating a bit longer) to the BC.
Another possibility in Epcot for dinner that I suspect a young boy would love is Coral Reef - tell them when you check in that you're willing to wait for a table next to the aquarium.
If your son likes boat rides there are lots of options using boats to get from place to place - sit near the front and the Captain or first mate may be happy to chat w/ your son if they aren't too busy, some possibilities are:
To/From the front of DHS to the back of Epcot w/ stops at Swan/Dolphin, BW, & YC/BC.
To/From MK to Poly/GF - fun way to get to Ohana @ the Poly which has a character breakfast and a fun kid participation race @ dinner. Even if not eating at the Poly, it's a nice break to head over via boat and maybe go the the QS, Captain Cook's for a Dole Whip. Or a quick visit to the Basin White store in the GF for a bath bomb or 2 for mom.
To/From MK to FW - fun way to get to Hoop Dee Doo (2 TS.)
To/From MK to WL - fun way to get to Whispering Canyon @ WL.
Note there are boats to/from the Contemp - I just don't know that route.
To/From Disney Springs to POFQ/POR. Note there are boats to from OKW & SSR too, I haven't ridden them tho'.

 

[hdrolfe]

Some great suggestions, thanks!

Thanks for the information on all the boat rides too My son is in love with boats, he has told his teacher that we have one and go out on it every weekend... very active imagination lol, she actually asked me about it and was surprised to learn we do not have one, he was so detailed in his stories. Any way! We are currently booked with a magical deal at POP, but I was considering moving up to POFQ as it's the same price as I'd pay rack rates for POP, and then we could take the boat over to Disney Springs at least once. Just not sure since he seems to really want to stay at POP, however he's 6 so he can be convinced otherwise.

 

[bridgetmck]

I have two boys ages 5.5 and 8 YO. We will be trying San Angel Inn in Mexico for our Epcot day. They love Mexico when we do the WS. You can see the boat ride, dine near the volcano and eat tacos. Sounds like fun to me! But my guys wouldn't enjoy Akershus. But we are doing BOG at dinner to meet the Beast.

 

[Baklava]

If the kids aren't into princesses and you want a fun meal, we've booked Raglan Road for the dancers, Splitsville for the bowling, T-Rex for the dinosaurs and Sci-Fi for the ambiance. Maybe you'd rather end that day in Disney Springs for dinner. There's good stuff over there for the younger set that will also be fun for grown ups.