ADRs booked, advice please & questions

[kmg123]

Hi all

I have booked my ADRs for our trip in September. My family is me (mum), dad and 4 boys 8, 11, 13, 15. As the boys are not into the princesses and don't really enjoy things where they have to join in, I just want to get some advice on the list and should I try to switch any of them. Or are there any standouts that you think I have missed. I really want to do a couple of character interactions but not too many and trying to find a good balance between them all, with some buffet, some a la carte, etc.

We have the (free - Yay!!!) Disney Dining Plan and will be there in September.

Tusker House ROL - Dinner
Ohana - Dinner
Chef Mickeys - Breakfast (Halloween Party that night)
Biergarten - Dinner
Sci Fi Drive In - Lunch
Sanaa - non park day
Prime Time - Dinner
Via Napoli - Dinner
Trails End - Breakfast our check out day & will have picked up our car


Some other questions I have about the dining are:

1. can you switch things out on the menus, e.g., can you ask for fries instead of mashed potatoes if fries are offered or are they very set on their servings? My kids do not like mashed potato at all and I have noticed it is on the menu of nearly everything at Prime Time.

2. can you tip in cash on the DDP or will it be added to our account and settled at check out?

3. do all restaurants require tipping or is it only a la carte or is it clearly stated so that we know? As we are a party of 6 does that mean they will automatically add 18% (is it 18% at Disney?) and is this an ok tip for good service or should we add more if the service is great?

4. do you have to book lunch at BOG and how hard is it to get in there if not?

5. Do you think Trails End is a good option? I had originally wanted to book Ohana for this breakfast but as I got a dinner res there I thought we should try somewhere else. Also as we have a car that day I thought it would be easy enough to go and check out Fort Wilderness as we won't otherwise get out there.

Any other thoughts???


Thanks so much.
Kim

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You made some great choices!
1. Yes, they are usually quite flexible with substitutions
2. Yes you can tip cash
3. Tipping is customary at all TS restaurants. Not sure about adding it automatically for 6.
4. Yes. Very hard if not impossible
5. Can't help with this one!

 

[kmg123]

Thank you, have you not been to Trails End?

You made some great choices!
1. Yes, they are usually quite flexible with substitutions
2. Yes you can tip cash
3. Tipping is customary at all TS restaurants. Not sure about adding it automatically for 6.
4. Yes. Very hard if not impossible
5. Can't help with this one!

 

[kmg123]

Another question, can you make request on the Dining Reservation for things like seat near a window or can you only make those requests when you check in at the restaurants?

 

[NYCgrrl]

For parties of 6 the tip will be added automatically at 18%.
I've never eaten at Trail's End but it has been noted as a substitute restaurant for Hoop De Do Revue which is loved by my family and many others.
It can't hurt I suppose to ask for a window seat although I generally ask for seating requests at the podium/ restaurants check in. Do not be surprised if you are asked to wait a little longer to fulfill specific seat requests.
Your ADR list sounds like fun for the family.
Have fun when you get here!

 

[kmg123]

For parties of 6 the tip will be added automatically at 18%.
I've never eaten at Trail's End but it has been noted as a substitute restaurant for Hoop De Do Revue which is loved by my family and many others.
It can't hurt I suppose to ask for a window seat although I generally ask for seating requests at the podium/ restaurants check in. Do not be surprised if you are asked to wait a little longer to fulfill specific seat requests.
Your ADR list sounds like fun for the family.
Have fun when you get here!

Thank you so much.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Thank you, have you not been to Trails End?

Nope I haven't.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

It can't hurt I suppose to ask for a window seat although I generally ask for seating requests at the podium/ restaurants check in. Do not be surprised if you are asked to wait a little longer to fulfill specific seat requests.

As PP said, seating requests are best made when checking in for the ADR. Typically they will accommodate you, but it may be a longer wait.

 

[kmg123]

As PP said, seating requests are best made when checking in for the ADR. Typically they will accommodate you, but it may be a longer wait.

Ok Thank you.