ADR time and I am stuck..

[lisatx04]

I just booked our trip for July. This trip will be me, DD (19), DS (17), my boyfriend (53), his DS (13) and possibly his DD (18) and my DD friend (19). My kids and I travel to WDW frequently. My boyfriend has not been in maybe 16 years and his son has never been. His daughter says she is "18 and why would she want to go to Disney?" So taking the age ranges and the Disney experience level into account, I am trying to plan ADR's. We will arrive on a Sunday morning and leave on Friday morning.

Trying to make the most of this trip. I know it won't be the only trip we take together, but since it is the first for his son, I am trying to hit the places I think he will really like while giving the best experience.
We are going to Chef Mickey's on Sunday night as I figure it will be an easy intro to the main characters. (Plus, my kids and I go every year and I just love the character interaction there). I am planning on being in MK part of the day that day so it will be easy to get to the Contemporary.
Tuesday night is Raglan Road.
That leaves Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Suggestions??
My boyfriend loves German food and beer, but the kids and I not so much.
If you were taking "newbies", where do you think the "must have" meals are?
I am not a fan of any of the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants, so those are off my list.
We are staying at Old Key West.

Thank you!!

 

[disneyktee]

I would definitely hit Beaches & Cream over at the Beach Club, super fun and great food, plus you can watch Illuminations after! I would also do some snacking around the world (then the BF could get some Germany time!), especially with newbies so they get to see more of WS. Kona Cafe and Dole Whips over at the Poly would be great too. Maybe do one night at a signature too since everyone is on the older side and would probably enjoy it! Since you have a lot of older teens, I would do more time in Disney Springs too, we haven't gotten to try all the new places yet so I can't recommend any particular one but they all seem amazing so decide what kind of food the group would like. Your group might also enjoy the theming at 50's prime time or sci fi over in HS. Last thought would be Whispering Canyon Cafe over at WL, it's also on our "next trip" list but the fun factor seems like it would appeal to everyone. Mostly I would try to strike a balance between classic Mickey/Disney experiences and showing the newbies that Disney is more than just cartoons.

Oh and of course plenty of Main Street Popcorn and MICKEY BARS!

 

[alliecat523]

How about Via Napoli in Epcot/Italy? Can't go wrong with Italian food and pizza!

 

[crabbygal902]

My personal favorites that have something you just can't get just anywhere else AND would appeal to teens:

Sci-Fi for burgers, fries, and shakes in a "drive-in" theater

Biergarten I know you said you don't like German food/Biergarten, but there are plenty of options that would appeal to most everyone: pretzel bread, rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, apple strudel, and salads (that basil tomato salad is my FAVORITE.) The entertainment and atmosphere are terrific! If that still doesn't appeal to you, you could take your boyfriend to Sommerfest QS where he can get pretzels, bratwurst, and a beer.

'Ohana: Teenage boys...unlimited meat on a stick = happiness

 

[tarheelmjfan]

As you know, 13 is a tough age. My DS didn't want anything to do with characters at that age. He did enjoy 1900 PF breakfast, because the Mad Hatter is hilarious. Other than that, he didn't want to go to any character meals. A 13 yr. old boy would probably love Sci-fi. I agree the Ohana meatfest would probably also be a hit. DS enjoyed Biergarten the one time we ate there. His mom, not so much. He loved LCdF & all the signatures, because eating at those made him feel like an adult. That would be the same for the girls as well. All of the kids would probably find the atmosphere at San Angel Inn special. You really can't find that experience anywhere else. Every teenage girl I've been with has wanted to eat at CRT. If you don't want to pay that much for everyone, maybe just send the three girls. That would give your & your BF's DDs some bonding time away from the parents. That is, if the other two girls go. My second choice for MK would be BOG. At AK, RFC is always a hit with teens, if they've never been to one. I, personally, wouldn't plan many meals outside the parks. First timers will want to spend as much time in the parks as possible.

ETA: If his DD doesn't want to go, don't take it personally. I know quite a few teens that don't want to go to WDW. Fortunately, they eventually outgrow that. Most teens I know prefer Universal. Maybe, you guys could plan a trip there next. That may be more tempting to her.

 

[JenMac10]

Our absolute favorite is the HOOP DEE DO REVUE!! That be my vote...

 

[minnie mum]

If you're going to make the newbies eat dinner at Chef Mickeys, I hope you are planning a very early ADR before the buffet becomes totally gross. Otherwise, that's not a great first exposure to WDW food IMO. I will only conflict CMs on our family for breakfast.

I'd throw your BF a bone and go to Biergarten. He can have his German food and beer, and since its a buffet there's plenty to choose from if your family is picky.

San Angel Inn might be a choice if everyone likes Mexican food.

I agree that the kids would get a kick out of Sci Fi.

If you wanted to do a TS lunch one day, LTT or the Plaza would be good.

And for another resort restaurant, Ohana is probably a safe pick. HDDR would be fun for everyone.

 

[eastendlights]

My kids- 19 and 15-love House of Blues, Sci-Fi, San Angel, Yak &Yeti, '50s Prime Time, Hoop Dee Doo, T Rex, HDDR.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

My 18 yr old niece loves Kona and CRT(for breakfast), BOG, Sci-Fi, Via Napoli, CF and LC.

 

[Mikie]

I like a lot of the other discussion above, but if they're meat eaters, Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge could be one to consider - good food, fun atmosphere. We enjoyed it as a breather taking a boat ride there, wander the lodge a bit, eat, boat back before heading back into MK. But some families would consider all that time out of the park a big negative. . .

 

[lisatx04]

Thank you all for your suggestions and thoughts! I booked Ohana for Thursday night.
That now leaves Monday and Wednesday open. Wednesday the MK is open until midnight, so I am torn. My DD wants to eat in France and I could book it for Wednesday, and take the monorail over but I heard the service will be spotty so I am not sure. I really don't love any of the MK restaurants. My son already vetoed BOG. I am not going to bring the boys to CRT. Been there, done that with my son and he said no to that as well. I could book The Plaza…
Or, I could book a late lunch in Germany, and then head to MK for the evening. Let's face it…with 5 teenagers, rope drop is not an option but staying up late is definitely the plan. I might look into the lunch option.
I think I am making myself crazy over this...

 

[lovin'fl]

Last summer we planned a trip for DDs-16 and DS-18 and his GF-18. DS and his GF broke up before the trip but I chose ADRs with them in mind and it was going to be the GF's first trip too. We booked Sci-Fi but DS had a tough time choosing between that and 50's Prime Time as he really likes that place. I booked BOG for just the 2 of them (ended up cancelling that). Booked the kids at Coral Reef while the adults went to Cali Grill. Also booked Sanaa, Ohana, Boatwright, Tappan Edo and Biergarten. We ended up doing day of ADRs at TRex , Raglan Road, Yak and Yeti and Spice Road Table. We were there for 12 nights. Another fave amongst my crew is Beaches and Cream. We did a breakfast at Ohana too... got a little character fix. I'd say Boatwright and Tappan Edo would be my least recommend of the bunch.

The places my kids always ask for: Ohana, Biergarten, 50s Prime Time, Liberty Tree Tavern, Beaches and Cream, Coral Reef, Yak and Yeti, Boma, TRex/Rainforest Café. DDs and I also, in Oct, went to Whispering Canyon and they LOVED it and will likely ask to go back again.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

So for a 13 yr old I would attempt to get an ADR to Be Our Guest. Who wouldnt love getting to meet the beast! Beaches & Cream is good for like an ice cream break but I wouldnt go there again for a meal (theres nothing wrong with the food its just very very cramped in there). In Epcot Garden Grill and Coral Reef are always fun plus any place is World Showcase you really can't go wrong. Teppen Edo is great if you go in with the attitude that its "disneyfied" hibachi, lol. For Hollywood Studios 50s Prime Time Cafe and Sci Fi Dine In are really awesome. Animal Kingdom doesn't have too many places to eat but Tusker House is pretty good. For the resorts Whispering Canyon Cafe was a ton of fun but it can get loud in there, lol. There are a ton of other awesome places but with the age ranges not sure how many character dinings you want to experience. We love the characters so we usually do at least 1 or sometimes 2 character meals a day, lol

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Have you considered LTT for your MK day?

 

[sharona]

Thank you all for your suggestions and thoughts! I booked Ohana for Thursday night.
That now leaves Monday and Wednesday open. Wednesday the MK is open until midnight, so I am torn. My DD wants to eat in France and I could book it for Wednesday, and take the monorail over but I heard the service will be spotty so I am not sure. I really don't love any of the MK restaurants. My son already vetoed BOG. I am not going to bring the boys to CRT. Been there, done that with my son and he said no to that as well. I could book The Plaza…
Or, I could book a late lunch in Germany, and then head to MK for the evening. Let's face it…with 5 teenagers, rope drop is not an option but staying up late is definitely the plan. I might look into the lunch option.
I think I am making myself crazy over this...

Sounds like a perfect day to take a dinner break out of the park at Whispering Canyon. Good food, fun atmosphere and just a quick boat ride away from your late night at MK.

 

[lisatx04]

Looks like I will book Germany. France is out. That leaves one night open. There are plenty of options for CS. Plus, if the kids want to go and do something, they can. Everyone will have their bands with charging privileges.

Now I wait until its time to get tickets and magic bands...