ADRs are looming - help please!

[DLPDreams]

Like Joolz and others on here, my ADR booking date is early February. It's my first WDW trip and while I am trying hard to get a handle on things, it's all quite daunting, so I'd really like some help please. These are the ideas I have so far - I've tried to work my plan of parks around food (is this a good idea?) to ensure we aren't travelling too far to eat. There are exceptions when we are eating at the Poly or GF etc but I've tried to make these early (breakfast) or later in the evening when we will then go back to OKW afterwards rather than a park.

Here goes:

Sun 09-Aug 20.00 Lotus Blossom Café Dinner

Mon 10-Aug 12.45 Yak and Yeti QS Lunch
20.00 Bongos Cuban Café Dinner

Tues 11-Aug 19.00 Be Our Guest Dinner

Wed 12-Aug Typhoon Lagoon CS Lunch
Tbd Goods to Go / Wolfgang Puck CS Dinner

Thurs 13-Aug 13.00 Mama Melrose (Fantasmic Meal) Lunch

Fri 14-Aug 12.00 Akershus Lunch
19.30 Olivias Dinner

Sat 15-Aug Discovery Cove Breakfast/lunch
19.30 California Grill Dinner

Sun 16-Aug Shopping day
19.15 Garden Grill Dinner

Mon 17-Aug 14.00 Tusker House Lunch
Goods to Go Dinner

Tues 18-Aug Blizzard Beach CS Lunch
20.00 Wolfgang Puck TS Dinner

Wed 19-Aug 8.00 Crystal Palace Breakfast
20.30 Olivias Dinner

Thurs 20-Aug OKW free day/ Goods to go Lunch
19.30 1900 Park Fayre Dinner

Fri 21-Aug 12.00 Hollywood & Vine Lunch


Sat 22-Aug 12.00 La Cantina de san angel Lunch
19.30 Boma Dinner

Sun 23-Aug Shopping DTD or Mall - DTD - visit Goofy's candy?
19.00 Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner

Mon 24-Aug 8.00 1900 Park Fayre Breakfast
19.30 Teppan Edo Dinner

Tues 25-Aug Typhoon Lagoon Lunch
Goods to Go OKW Dinner

Wed 26-Aug 8.00 Ohana Breakfast
CS in MK? Dinner

Thurs 27-Aug Check out / shop at DTD Lunch tbd

I have about 14 CS meals booked but would particularly like some recs for MK CS and perhaps for breakfast 'snack' type places to grab something either using CS or preferably a 'snack' credit.

Many thanks for any advice - please be gentle with me - as I said earlier, I really am feeling a bit daunted by all this food and planning!

 

[Elise79]

Ok - firstly I wouldn't plan your CS meals! There are a few exceptions of course but most aren't worth planning for!

For a MK CS we usually head for CHH just across from HM - usually has plenty of seating upstairs.

Have you checked the Goods menu? It's very limited - I would have a back up plan. Don't do the breakfast platter there - it's terrible! They do plenty of pasties for a snack credit which would be ok. We always have breakfast supplies in the room. You can (if you don't have a car) buy cereal and milk from the shop - all rooms have bowls and spoons. Quick breakfast without any fuss.

For TS meals over the years we have discovered the resorts offer (again generally) better food for 1TS than the parks.

When planning I use a mix of busy day guides to pick parks and therefore restaurants and then I just fit other parks around restaurants - we don't most days stay all day anyway as we take a break to swim in the afternoon. So we are not so "tied" by our ADRs. We are also not adverse to hopping or changing on the fly if needed.

At the end of the day you can only pick what menus appeal to you and your family. Everyone has a different opinion - and your experience could be different.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Elise. I am not planning CS set in stone as such, it's just a rough guide of somewhere to go when we are in a park. As it's all new to me, I don't fancy wandering around trying to find something, but if we do have somewhere in mind and there is a queue, or the menu doesn't appeal, I know we can move on to another place - but I'd rather have some ideas in mind.

Plan is to hit the parks early pretty much most days (other than waterpark days, shopping days and a few rest days I've scheduled in - I've done all in on TP btw). Then head back to the OKW after lunch (if we are having it in that park), normally by about 2-2.30 pm. Have the afternoon at OKW for swim and nap, then back out for meals around 7-8 pm ish. We won't stay out late every night and we won't eat out every night - hence GTG and Olivias - or we may get the boat to DTD etc. As the girls will be 10 and 7, they'd never manage the pace for 3 weeks otherwise!!

I am most concerned, obviously with getting my TS booked, and then having a rough plan of where we will eat CS that day - with a good idea where is good to eat CS wise - those I have read good things about, I've scheduled into above.

You lost me on the acronymns on your CS recommendation for MK - was it near Haunted Mansion - sorry!?

I have now managed to 'use' all the TS credits - 18 is a huge amount! Achieved this by adding Cinderella's Royal Table which I believe is a 2 credit meal, so that has used them up. There are very few days where we can do 2 TS meals - we just won't eat it - I think where I have, it's say breakfast and then dinner, missing out lunch or just grabbing a snack.

Finally, is it Goofy's candy at DTD where you can use up any snack credits? And, will they take CS credits? I read it depends on the CM.

We plan to do a grocery stop on the way to US from the airport - we are going to use a taxi (prebooked) for this as won't use the car while at US. So will grab some breakfast bits and some bottled water too - beers I'm sure will feature for the boys! Ideally, as we want to be in the parks early quite a few days, I'd like to do breakfast on the go - thinking pop tarts (yuck I know), fruit and pastries we can eat on the bus - so will grab those sort of things too.

We will be hiring a car for a few days mid stay and can restock again then if need be. Although I read the shop at OKW isn't exhorbitant but pricier than say Walmart .

 

[Elise79]

CHH is Columbia Harbour House opposite Haunted Mansion

For 2 credits Hoop Dee Doo is a great night out - always fun and good home style food. Our DD is 6 and generally just goes with the flow - never plan early nights or nights in for her benefit. She catches up when she needs to of an afternoon!

CS is very much the same in the parks so I would worry too much - like I said there are exceptions but we never go out of our way to get to a set CS and have been known to have an ice cream for lunch instead I have only used Snacks in goofys never tried a CS as they don't sell meals I would assume you can only use snacks. The only places I know that you can get 3 snacks for a CS are some of te resort CS.

Pop tarts make a fine breakfast - we always have them as they are so portable - DH prefers cereal however!

 

[Sam1]

Do you not fancy Tusker House for breakfast to get early entry into the park? I didn't see it on your list.

That was one of our best meals we had last year, so much choice and the food was delicious.

 

[pickers1982]

Have you thought about going to the boadwalk or a boardwalk resort(theres an entrance exit in world showcase). Its a lovely atmosphere, quite quiet but beautiful

Also worth looking at maybe a dinner at animal kingdom lidge to see the animals etc

 

[Shazzie B]

You look well on the way to being sorted , like Elise says the best things to do sis look at the menus and see which appeal to your family. I'm like you and sort of 'plan'. CS too, well a rough idea. We like Pecos Bills in MK, mainly because of th fixing bar, salad, onions, mushrooms etc. T's near Splash Mountain.

We stayed at OKW in 2013 and the bad reviews about goods to Go concerned me, but although it has a limited menu, it was fine. Another OKW tip, get the boat to DTD, of all my years at WDW I've had 3 nightmare bus journeys, all of them to/from DTD.

If you have loads of snack credits left you can buy certain bags of sweets at any of the shops, they are normally clearly labelled, but don't be afraid to ask a CM

Enjoy, planning at times can get stressful, have I made the right choice etc., but you'll reap the rewardswhen you get there ( as long as having to go with the flow sometimes doesn't stress you ).

Be sure to let us know how you get on.

 

[Shazzie B]

Have you thought about going to the boadwalk or a boardwalk resort(theres an entrance exit in world showcase). Its a lovely atmosphere, quite quiet but beautiful

Also worth looking at maybe a dinner at animal kingdom lidge to see the animals etc

agree with both, always on our list now too

 

[joolz1910]

Nerve-wracking isn't it? The planning really pays off though.

Goods to Go was very limited and as DtD is only a boat-ride away and has a lot more choice, I would head there. Like Elise said, Columbia Harbour House was great for CS. Sunshine Seasons is also highly recommended for CS. To be honest, I think we will do fewer CS meals and snack our way around the parks this time. TS + CS often felt like too much food for us.

I agree with others who recommend Hoop de Doo for a 2 TS credit - great cheesy fun and felt like a proper night out.

I noticed you have Olivia's down twice - we didn't really rate it.

It depends what you want - our priorities were: experience (character interaction/theming) followed by food (range, quality) followed by convenience (where we would likely be). For many people those priorities would be in a completely different order lol.

 

[CAL2]

hi,
is Sunday your arrival day? if so i wouldn't make an adr, it may be 8pm there but remember you have traveled all day and your body wont have adjusted to the time difference, as its really 1am and you may find you are really to tired to go to a park and eat,and may just want to look around your resort then grab a cs meal.(we made this mistake our first trip)

Boma
the food and the atmosphere is wonderful.
After your meal you can go to the observation platform and there is a CM there who will tell you all about the animals and give you night vision goggles to view the animals, there are also rocking chairs and a large fire pit outside and its lovely to sit by with a drink to finish the evening off.

at Downtown Disney they now have food carts, selling things like corn dogs etc, not sure if they are snack credits though.

we never waist a cs credit on a breakfast, in my opinion they just not worth it, but the buffet ts like 1900 park fair are great, the character interaction is good, i think for breakfast its Alice, the Queen of Heart and the Mad Hatter.

Discovery Cove, food is OK, good selection.

Extra tips while you are there, if you wear the wet suit, and need the loo they are almost impossible to put back on without help!

we never thought about photos whilst there so we ended up buying a disposable underwater camera, which can work out expensive as you have to pay extra to get them developed, so it may be cheaper to purchase a case for your normal camera then you can use it at the other water parks as well.

cal

 

[DLPDreams]

Do you not fancy Tusker House for breakfast to get early entry into the park? I didn't see it on your list.

That was one of our best meals we had last year, so much choice and the food was delicious.

Thanks Sam - I might try and juggle a bit, although I was fairly happy to put it in for lunch. My 'plan' is to try and get to the parks early and plan FPs for mid morning, that way, if we don't manage too early a start we can 'skip' a TS breakfast (that is why I haven't booked many) and still have our FPs to use!

Have you thought about going to the boadwalk or a boardwalk resort(theres an entrance exit in world showcase). Its a lovely atmosphere, quite quiet but beautiful

Also worth looking at maybe a dinner at animal kingdom lidge to see the animals etc

I am not sure we'll get to the BW tbh - it sounds great, but have this idea it may be more for couples. Crazy though it is, I am actually finding it hard to fit everything in, as well as a few relax evenings/afternoons etc. We have my parents coming too, as well as the children, so will need to take it easy sometimes!

Going to book Boma for dinner so hopefully we can see the animals then

You look well on the way to being sorted , like Elise says the best things to do sis look at the menus and see which appeal to your family. I'm like you and sort of 'plan'. CS too, well a rough idea. We like Pecos Bills in MK, mainly because of th fixing bar, salad, onions, mushrooms etc. T's near Splash Mountain.

We stayed at OKW in 2013 and the bad reviews about goods to Go concerned me, but although it has a limited menu, it was fine. Another OKW tip, get the boat to DTD, of all my years at WDW I've had 3 nightmare bus journeys, all of them to/from DTD.

If you have loads of snack credits left you can buy certain bags of sweets at any of the shops, they are normally clearly labelled, but don't be afraid to ask a CM

Enjoy, planning at times can get stressful, have I made the right choice etc., but you'll reap the rewardswhen you get there ( as long as having to go with the flow sometimes doesn't stress you ).

Be sure to let us know how you get on.

Peco Bills sounds great - myself and DH are big salad fans but I like to make my own up (don't like tom or cucumber!) but love mushrooms, cabbage, lettuce etc etc. I will add that to my list - thank you!

I hope to get the boat every time to DTD but as the storms can prevent it running, we'll have to play it by ear. Don't fancy the bus from what I've read!

I know GtG doesn't get great reviews but I think for what we will use it for, we'll be OK. The menu is limited, but OK.

I hope to bring some sweets back for the girls to take to school - using the snack credits will be great!

Nerve-wracking isn't it? The planning really pays off though.

Goods to Go was very limited and as DtD is only a boat-ride away and has a lot more choice, I would head there. Like Elise said, Columbia Harbour House was great for CS. Sunshine Seasons is also highly recommended for CS. To be honest, I think we will do fewer CS meals and snack our way around the parks this time. TS + CS often felt like too much food for us.

I agree with others who recommend Hoop de Doo for a 2 TS credit - great cheesy fun and felt like a proper night out.

I noticed you have Olivia's down twice - we didn't really rate it.

It depends what you want - our priorities were: experience (character interaction/theming) followed by food (range, quality) followed by convenience (where we would likely be). For many people those priorities would be in a completely different order lol.

I think TS and CS may be too much for us too tbh. I think we'll end up snacking more but I'm planning CS (ish) and can switch if need be.

I don't fancy Hoop de Doo - I think we'll stick with CG and CRT for our 2 sig meals for now anyway. I am unsure if you have to pay for CRT at booking even if on DDP?

We will eat at OKW the odd night, I just can't see us wanting to go back out every night tbh. I think the girls might want to do the odd movie night - even if we just do 2 nights out of our 18. I'd rather plan Olivias and change if need be, although I've read lots of decent reviews for it .

There is just sooo much food but I feel I have to use all the TS at least!

I'll add Columbia HH and Pecos to my possible CS list!

hi,
is Sunday your arrival day? if so i wouldn't make an adr, it may be 8pm there but remember you have traveled all day and your body wont have adjusted to the time difference, as its really 1am and you may find you are really to tired to go to a park and eat,and may just want to look around your resort then grab a cs meal.(we made this mistake our first trip)

Boma
the food and the atmosphere is wonderful.
After your meal you can go to the observation platform and there is a CM there who will tell you all about the animals and give you night vision goggles to view the animals, there are also rocking chairs and a large fire pit outside and its lovely to sit by with a drink to finish the evening off.

at Downtown Disney they now have food carts, selling things like corn dogs etc, not sure if they are snack credits though.

we never waist a cs credit on a breakfast, in my opinion they just not worth it, but the buffet ts like 1900 park fair are great, the character interaction is good, i think for breakfast its Alice, the Queen of Heart and the Mad Hatter.

Discovery Cove, food is OK, good selection.

Extra tips while you are there, if you wear the wet suit, and need the loo they are almost impossible to put back on without help!

we never thought about photos whilst there so we ended up buying a disposable underwater camera, which can work out expensive as you have to pay extra to get them developed, so it may be cheaper to purchase a case for your normal camera then you can use it at the other water parks as well.

cal

No, we arrive the Thursday before but are staying at US for a few nights - that's a whole new ball game for eateries but no dining plan so we'll be snacking a lot more too!

Thanks for the tip about Boma - tell me please, is this after AK has closed? I ask because I think park closes 7 pm that night and we'll be eating 7.30 pm ish, probably arriving straight from OKW. I am still getting my head around AK - Presuming the restaurants and accom isn't right next the AK park? But realise the animals wander around the savannah by the accom - is this right?

I adore Alice - she's my fave and I have yet to meet her - always missed her at DLP - so hence the breakfast!

We have bought an underwater camera - nothing flash but seems OK. We will no doubt pay the extortionate prices and buy their photos for the dolphin swim!

 

[CAL2]

hi, yes you view the animal at the hotel savanna, its mainly the giraffes wondering around.
cal

 

[stephensmum]

I would think about doing your 8.0 breakfasts at the start of your holiday when it's much easier to get up early. Instead of eating at okw you could get the boat to dd great CSS there. Also, I would choose Sanaa rather than boma at AKL.

 

[Elise79]

AKL is not within walking distance of the AK park - you have to go by bus.

The resort has its own savannahs that are not connected to the park either.

 

[chmurf]

re: DC, dolphin swim and extortionate prices
they will'strongly advise not to take cameras inside the dolphin pools, if they don't prohibit it altogether

they'll tell you how playful dolphins are and how they love me he novelty of a camera-toy (and they'll add that a munched up camera no longer works well ...)
of course they want you to buy their photo packages but there might be a bit of truth to it

we went for the $200 or so package with dvd and it was well worth it

 

[micksn]

Well done It looks like it's all coming together. I would also look at early morning breakfasts earlier in the holiday. It's surprising how your body clock changes in such a short time.
Also you might like to look at more dinners in Epcot World Showcase, maybe swapping Akershus to an evening. The fireworks are amazing and I'm sure you'll want to see them a few times. It's also so relaxing to walk around in an evening and look at the shops in the different countries. I much prefer it to an evening in DTD for example. We spent 4 nights there last summer and only 2 at DTD. Epcot also closes early so you don't feel like it's a late night. Just a thought I'm sure you'll have a great time wherever you are.

 

[DLPDreams]

Thank you all - you have all been so helpful. In particular, I hadn't figured about our breakfasts later in the holidays. I think I'll have to look tonight at resheduling them .

hi, yes you view the animal at the hotel savanna, its mainly the giraffes wondering around.
cal

Thanks Cal - sounds great!

I would think about doing your 8.0 breakfasts at the start of your holiday when it's much easier to get up early. Instead of eating at okw you could get the boat to dd great CSS there. Also, I would choose Sanaa rather than boma at AKL.

I don't fancy Sanaa due to reviews of people with children saying it isn't as child friendly. I really like the look of Boma - the buffet appeals to us with the children as well. We have got a few nights booked in for DTD on the boat, I am just sure there will be the odd night where we don't fancy doing anything and having an early night, so OKW food a few times in the 18 nights does appeal a bit!

AKL is not within walking distance of the AK park - you have to go by bus.

The resort has its own savannahs that are not connected to the park either.

Thanks Elise - I had thought that was how it was, but wasn't 100%.

re: DC, dolphin swim and extortionate prices
they will'strongly advise not to take cameras inside the dolphin pools, if they don't prohibit it altogether

they'll tell you how playful dolphins are and how they love me he novelty of a camera-toy (and they'll add that a munched up camera no longer works well ...)
of course they want you to buy their photo packages but there might be a bit of truth to it

we went for the $200 or so package with dvd and it was well worth it

We will use our camera for the non dolphin bits and then no doubt buy their photos. Although my Mum isn't doing the swim so in theory, I've read she can stand somewhere and take photos (but my Mum's photos aren't the best tbh!). Bless her!

Well done It looks like it's all coming together. I would also look at early morning breakfasts earlier in the holiday. It's surprising how your body clock changes in such a short time.
Also you might like to look at more dinners in Epcot World Showcase, maybe swapping Akershus to an evening. The fireworks are amazing and I'm sure you'll want to see them a few times. It's also so relaxing to walk around in an evening and look at the shops in the different countries. I much prefer it to an evening in DTD for example. We spent 4 nights there last summer and only 2 at DTD. Epcot also closes early so you don't feel like it's a late night. Just a thought I'm sure you'll have a great time wherever you are.

Thanks Micksn - I love the look of Epcot and have scheduled lots of time to walk around. The evenings where we eat there, we will just shop and look about. We hope to watch Illuminations a few nights . But, I'm guessing if we decide to swap with a DTD/OKW night it won't be an issue as we'll just be swapping CS, so no TS to cancel.

Have to say, the full 24 hours notice for cancellation is a pain. I can see why they've done it, and I don't blame them, but it makes it harder to change eating plans on the hop!