ADRs, advice, criticism, suggestions?

[Montegut]

We have our 30th anniversary trip planned during October, from a Saturday through the following Sunday. We will fly in mid day on Saturday, non stop flight, and fly out the following Sunday in the afternoon. We are staying at the Contemporary and have the Deluxe Dining Plan, with Park Hopper passes.

So far, this is what I have:

Day of arrival, late dinner at California Grill, then probably to bed

Next day, Magic Kingdom Day, with a late breakfast at Crystal Palace. I LOVE TIGGER AND EEYORE! Only ressie that day, but plan to spend the whole day, with EMH, at Magic Kingdom.

Next day, Hollywood Studios Day, with an early dinner at Brown Derby, and reservations for the Fantasmic show as part of our package. No other ressies that day.

Next day, our anniversary. Dinner reservations at Narcossee's, hoping to see Wishes and Electric Water Pageant before or after dinner. No other ressies that day and will probably do some of Food and Wine Festival and use lots of snack credits to save room for Narcossees.

Day after anniversary, Epcot day. Only ressie that day is dinner at Coral Reef. Our honeymoon was the opening week of Epcot, and I was looking forward to Living Seas, and we'll love looking at the Aquarium and seeing some of Future World instead of the rowdy crowd of Food and Wine in the evening.

Next day, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Artist Point. I do not want to miss this restaurant, and don't want to wait until our last day there to go.

Next day, again, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Spirit of Aloha. Again, special occasion trip, want to treat ourselves to this, and have the Deluxe Dining Plan, so why not?

Only one full day left at the parks, and then fly out Sunday afternoon. I'm assuming we'll have to check out of the hotel Sunday morning, and perhaps will be able to do some Magic Kingdom before we leave for the airport.

We're doing Magic Express, so don't know how much time we'll have on Sunday to do things, and what we can eat and where.

I'd like to spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom, but hesitant to make reservations there, unless you can suggest some and times. We're old and will not be able to walk the whole time, so I'm figuring we can do some quick service meals for lunch, or walk ups at restaurants.

Am I correct that even though we're on the Deluxe Plan, we can eat at a quick service, or will we have to out of pocket those?

Husband is diabetic, so he can't do buffets and starve all day until dinner. We'll have to get something to eat during the day, but don't want to be confined to reservations all the time.

I've tried for Chef Mickeys breakfast, all booked, and tried for Cinderella's Palace for dinners on non Halloween party nights, all booked, so those are the only two left on my Wish List. We will not attend any of the Halloween party nights, and want to avoid Magic Kingdom dinners on those nights.

We will be staying at the Contemporary, and other than my Pooh breakfast at Crystal Palace, we'll probably want to just eat breakfast at the Contemporary and head to the parks for the day.

I've heard of the Wave, and hope we don't need reservations for that. If we do, I guess I'll have to make them for just about every breakfast then, unless there's a quick service option at the Contemporary that will give us a good filling breakfast.

I'd like to see some of the other resorts, like Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness, and eat at their restaurants, but again, I don't want to have to leave a park because of a dinner reservation. Are the resort restaurants available for walk up? Since we'll be on the Deluxe plan, even a signature would be fine for last minute walk up, if available.

Sorry for the length of the post, but hoping for some feedback, criticism, suggestions, advice.

We are both over 50, overweight, will be traveling as a couple only. Husband likes fireworks, so we'd like to see Illuminations and Wishes whenever possible, but don't necessarily want to make dinner reservations to coincide with that. Because of Husband's diabetes, we really have to have some flexibility with eating, and because of the new credit card restrictions, I don't want to be out a lot of money because we had to eat someplace earlier for his sugar needs and were not hungry for our dinner reservations. Hoping to use those snack credits that come with the Deluxe to help out with that.

Thanks so much for any input!

 

[jcieutat]

Unfortunately, Disney does not have enough sit down restaurants. You are not going to be able to walk up to many table service locations without a reservation. You will have better luck walking up to the signature locations. You will notice that their are not too may signature locations at the parks, so you will have to leave for them. You can use your table service credits towards table service but why would you pay for the deluxe dining plan to do that? We always do the regular dining plan so we can eat a counter service for lunch and then at the end of the day have a nice sit down dinner. We don't mind paying out of pocket for breakfast since it is the cheapest meal of the day and we always eat breakfast early before getting to the park. As ridiculous as it sounds, a Disney vacation is pretty much planned around ADR's for most people. Good luck and enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it is a shame that you are paying for the Deluxe Dining Plan, you are probably not going to get your money's worth. I would do as the previous poster suggested and go to a nice signature meal at the end of the day. I wish you had a firmer plan so that we could narrow down restaurants that you visit on those days.

On Day two I would suggest leaving for a little bit and having dinner at either Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge or Kona Cafe at the Poly. Transportation from the Mk to either resort is easy and you will not spend that much time on travel. I know you planned AP for later in the week but I would move it.

On your Animal Kingdom days I would suggest an early breakfast at the Tusker House and perhaps dinner at Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. AK does not stay open as late as the other parks so you could leave at the end of the day and take a bus to AKL. It is a beautiful resort and well worth visiting.

On an Epcot Day why not have dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club? Great meal and again, not that far out of the way. Also the Boardwalk area has some good restaurants. We are trying Flying Fish for the first time this trip. This is also accessible from Epcot easily.

You have two MK days, maybe have breakfast at Kona Cafe or try for 'Ohana breakfast. Both at the Poly.

 

[Cafeen]

As mentioned by others, ADRs are really recommended for any TS meals, especially in the parks. On the DxDDP, this becomes even more important, as you certainly don't want to spend more on a plan than you would out of pocket!

While you can use your Dx credits at either QS or TS, aim to spend at least 80-85% of your credits at TS locations (I aim a bit lower, but since I don't eat chicken, or fish, or pork, or vegetables, I tend to order from the higher end of the menu...e.g. steaks) to hit that break even point (and that's including most of the entitlements at each meal).

I'd look into filling those holes, and possibly more the 1 TS dinners over to lunches and throwing in more signatures in there. I have really enjoyed Citrico's (GF, good for MK day), Jiko (AKL, good for AK day), and Flying Fish (BWI, good for Epcot/DHS day) in the past. Other places that I've enjoyed are Kona Cafe (Poly), The Plaza (MK, good for later in the trip since it's lighter), Liberty Tree Tavern (Lunch only, but that's just due to menu), both of the restaurants in Mexico, Via Napoli, Boma, and Sanaa.

The days where you have no definitive plans may make things difficult, but if you're flexible in locations, then you can call that morning and see what's available. Again, you'll have to be flexible, and possibly with times as well, but there will be something open. It just may not be inside a park or at a popular spot.

 

[dizbee]

wow, that's a lot of information. I hope you get to do what you want, but also remember that you can find something fun and spontaneous to do even if it's not on your schedule. good luck.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We have our 30th anniversary trip planned during October, from a Saturday through the following Sunday. We will fly in mid day on Saturday, non stop flight, and fly out the following Sunday in the afternoon. We are staying at the Contemporary and have the Deluxe Dining Plan, with Park Hopper passes.

So far, this is what I have:

Day of arrival, late dinner at California Grill, then probably to bed

Next day, Magic Kingdom Day, with a late breakfast at Crystal Palace. I LOVE TIGGER AND EEYORE! Only ressie that day, but plan to spend the whole day, with EMH, at Magic Kingdom.

I'd add in a TS supper at MK somewhere.

Next day, Hollywood Studios Day, with an early dinner at Brown Derby, and reservations for the Fantasmic show as part of our package. No other ressies that day.

Next day, our anniversary. Dinner reservations at Narcossee's, hoping to see Wishes and Electric Water Pageant before or after dinner. No other ressies that day and will probably do some of Food and Wine Festival and use lots of snack credits to save room for Narcossees.

Day after anniversary, Epcot day. Only ressie that day is dinner at Coral Reef. Our honeymoon was the opening week of Epcot, and I was looking forward to Living Seas, and we'll love looking at the Aquarium and seeing some of Future World instead of the rowdy crowd of Food and Wine in the evening.

I'd either add a TS lunch maybe at San Angel Inn OR I'd change my Coral Reef to an lunch & walk to Flying Fish for supper.

Next day, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Artist Point. I do not want to miss this restaurant, and don't want to wait until our last day there to go.

Maybe book a late breakfast at Kona or Ohana

Next day, again, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Spirit of Aloha. Again, special occasion trip, want to treat ourselves to this, and have the Deluxe Dining Plan, so why not?

Only one full day left at the parks, and then fly out Sunday afternoon. I'm assuming we'll have to check out of the hotel Sunday morning, and perhaps will be able to do some Magic Kingdom before we leave for the airport.

We're doing Magic Express, so don't know how much time we'll have on Sunday to do things, and what we can eat and where.

I'd like to spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom, but hesitant to make reservations there, unless you can suggest some and times. We're old and will not be able to walk the whole time, so I'm figuring we can do some quick service meals for lunch, or walk ups at restaurants.

Am I correct that even though we're on the Deluxe Plan, we can eat at a quick service, or will we have to out of pocket those?

Husband is diabetic, so he can't do buffets and starve all day until dinner. We'll have to get something to eat during the day, but don't want to be confined to reservations all the time.

I've tried for Chef Mickeys breakfast, all booked, and tried for Cinderella's Palace for dinners on non Halloween party nights, all booked, so those are the only two left on my Wish List. We will not attend any of the Halloween party nights, and want to avoid Magic Kingdom dinners on those nights.

We will be staying at the Contemporary, and other than my Pooh breakfast at Crystal Palace, we'll probably want to just eat breakfast at the Contemporary and head to the parks for the day.

I've heard of the Wave, and hope we don't need reservations for that. If we do, I guess I'll have to make them for just about every breakfast then, unless there's a quick service option at the Contemporary that will give us a good filling breakfast.

I'd like to see some of the other resorts, like Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness, and eat at their restaurants, but again, I don't want to have to leave a park because of a dinner reservation. Are the resort restaurants available for walk up? Since we'll be on the Deluxe plan, even a signature would be fine for last minute walk up, if available.

Sorry for the length of the post, but hoping for some feedback, criticism, suggestions, advice.

We are both over 50, overweight, will be traveling as a couple only. Husband likes fireworks, so we'd like to see Illuminations and Wishes whenever possible, but don't necessarily want to make dinner reservations to coincide with that. Because of Husband's diabetes, we really have to have some flexibility with eating, and because of the new credit card restrictions, I don't want to be out a lot of money because we had to eat someplace earlier for his sugar needs and were not hungry for our dinner reservations. Hoping to use those snack credits that come with the Deluxe to help out with that.

Thanks so much for any input!

Above are just a few of my suggestions. You get 3 TS credits each day & aren't using many of them. I'd add some more in if I was you.

 

[Montegut]

We may do a Polynesian breakfast one day, or perhaps even a Grand Floridian, since both are on the Monorail line.

Which do you suggest? Prefer not a buffet, doesn't have to have characters, and would really like a place that has omelets.

A nice view wouldn't hurt, though!

Most interested in a Polynesian breakfast, though, so which would be more appropriate for an older middle aged couple?

We will probably do TS for all breakfasts, even if it's The Wave every morning at the Contemporary, so between breakfast and dinner, we're using two, sometimes 3 of our table service meals, so we won't be wasting many of our TS. And I think just getting soda or water will use plenty of our snack credits.

 

[shannonstar]

Here are my thoughts:

So far, this is what I have:

Day of arrival, late dinner at California Grill, then probably to bed Sounds like a great plan!

Next day, Magic Kingdom Day, with a late breakfast at Crystal Palace. I can understand why you would want to do a late breakfast on your first day in. We prefer 8am so we are out before the park even opens.

Next day, Hollywood Studios Day, with an early dinner at Brown Derby, and reservations for the Fantasmic show as part of our package. No other ressies that day. Good choice! We never do Fantasmic without a package. Love the Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake

Next day, our anniversary. Dinner reservations at Narcossee's, hoping to see Wishes and Electric Water Pageant before or after dinner.

Day after anniversary, Epcot day. Only ressie that day is dinner at Coral Reef. This one I cannot give any background on. I think you will enjoy it for the nostalgia.

Next day, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Artist Point. I do not want to miss this restaurant, and don't want to wait until our last day there to go. It's okay to leave things open. You don't have to know what park, Artiste Point sounds awesome, but we haven't been.

Next day, again, not sure what park that day. Only ressie that day is Spirit of Aloha. Again, special occasion trip, want to treat ourselves to this, and have the Deluxe Dining Plan, so why not? Every time we try for this it rains, so I can't tell you about it. My friend loved it though (although that could be bc she drank the 7 Dwarves).

Only one full day left at the parks, and then fly out Sunday afternoon. Might I suggest Kona for Breakfast? It's so yum!

I'd like to spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom We don't eat at Animal Kingdom, but rather head to Boma for dinner at 5 when we are done with the park. It's my DH's favorite. Flame Tee is a good QS choice in the park though.

Am I correct that even though we're on the Deluxe Plan, we can eat at a quick service, or will we have to out of pocket those?Yes you can.

I've tried for Chef Mickeys breakfast, all booked Not missing anything in my opinion, and tried for Cinderella's Palace for dinners on non Halloween party nights, all booked, so those are the only two left on my Wish ListI it's about characters not the castle, you could do the Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare (not that I've been, but I have heard the character interaction is great!).

We will be staying at the Contemporary, and other than my Pooh breakfast at Crystal Palace, we'll probably want to just eat breakfast at the Contemporary and head to the parks for the day.Since you are on the monorail, you could take advantage of the Poly and GF breakfast offerings without too much trouble.


I'd like to see some of the other resorts, like Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness, and eat at their restaurants, but again, I don't want to have to leave a park because of a dinner reservation. Are the resort restaurants available for walk up? Since we'll be on the Deluxe plan, even a signature would be fine for last minute walk up, if available. It's pretty easy to leave out the World Showcase gate for restaurants and the Beach & Yacht Club. Not much of a walk at all, or you can take the boat.

Hope that's helpful!

 

[figment_jii]

I'd like to spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom, but hesitant to make reservations there, unless you can suggest some and times. We're old and will not be able to walk the whole time, so I'm figuring we can do some quick service meals for lunch, or walk ups at restaurants.

I'd recommend Yak & Yeti at AK. It was very good and made for a nice AC break in the middle of the day.

Am I correct that even though we're on the Deluxe Plan, we can eat at a quick service, or will we have to out of pocket those?

As one of the PPs said, yes, you can use your dining credits to purchase CS meals. Same entitlements as a regular DDP user however (i.e., no appetizer) - an entree, drink, and dessert.

I've tried for Chef Mickeys breakfast, all booked, and tried for Cinderella's Palace for dinners on non Halloween party nights, all booked, so those are the only two left on my Wish List. We will not attend any of the Halloween party nights, and want to avoid Magic Kingdom dinners on those nights.

May I ask why? You can make an ADR for CRT on a party night, just make sure it's before 7 pm. Sometimes it's easier because people are avoiding MK on party days.

I'd like to see some of the other resorts, like Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness, and eat at their restaurants, but again, I don't want to have to leave a park because of a dinner reservation. Are the resort restaurants available for walk up?

It really depends on the Signature. Some will, some will not, so you can't really tell. Getting to the BW and BC/YC is really easy from Epcot, so you might consider going there on one of your Epcot days. Flying Fish (at the BW) was really good.

 

[Montegut]

Did some tweaking and followed some suggestions, and here's the new list!

Staying at the Contemporary, Saturday to the following Sunday.

Day of Arrival: California Grille, 935P, hope to see Wishes!

First full day, MK EMH, Breakfast at Crystal Palace 940A, no other ressies that day, hope to spend all day at park

Monday, Fantasmic Package, Hollywood Studios Day,
Probably dinner at Contemporary, wherever we can get in.
Early Dinner at Brown Derby, 330P, Fantasmic Show that night at 8P

Tuesday, our anniversary

Breakfast, Ohana, 835A

Dinner, Narcossee's, 755P, hope to see Wishes!

probably do some Epcot this day

Wednesday, Epcot Day

Breakfast, Cinderella's Royal Table, 905A, Can't believe I got it!

Late Lunch, Coral Reef, 145P

Want the evening for Food and Wine and seeing Wishes!

Thursday

Boma, Breakfast, 810A, want to do Animal Kingdom perhaps this day, but worried this may be too early after late night at Epcot night before.
Any thoughts on this? Maybe do later? Maybe do another day?
Want to see animals, so is this the place to breakfast and see the animals?

Artist Point, 710P, don't want to miss this restaurant, and can go early after a day at Animal Kingdom

Friday

Captain's Grille, 845A, want to try this breakfast

Spirit of Aloha, 8P

As stated before, we're on the Deluxe, so have plenty of TS to spare and lots of snacks for F&W

Saturday will be catch up day, and leave Sunday evening.

Any thoughts, criticisms, suggestions?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Montegut]

I cancelled my Captains Grille ressie for Friday morning when I saw that day is EMH for Animal Kingdom, opening at 8AM.

Any suggestions on what we should do for eating during the day that day?

We have the Aloha event that night, so won't eat until 8P for that, but don't want to fill up on a big breakfast and be too tired to walk around AK.

Would maybe a quick muffin at the Contempo Cafe on the way to AK, and then get lunch at AK for a break?

Do we need lunch ressies to eat at AK? Would be happy to do walk up to Yak and Yeti if possible, or any of the counter service locations.

Would love to do Sanaa for the view, and H would love the food there, but nothing on the menu appeals to me.

Any thoughts on this?

I really want to do Boma for dinner one night, so H can try the exotic food, and supposedly, there would be something for me there, too, and may try to do that Saturday night before we leave. I've got Boma breakfast on Thursday, so don't know if there would be too much repeat.

 

[Montegut]

I'm going to cancel my Boma breakfast, as H reminded me that breakfast buffets don't sit well with me, and we'd likely lose a party day as a result of this. (This happened on our honeymoon, causing us to lose Sea World).

So, instead, we'll do a small Kona breakfast, and then head over to AKL. H really wants to try the food at AKL, especially Sanaa, with the view of the animals, so we'll probably cancel Artist Point that night and try to get in one of the AKL restaurants.

Which do you suggest for an adventurous eating husband and a picky wife (me) at AKL?