ADR's made - what do you think

[conleyk]

I thought I was a Disney-holic until I started reading some of the boards!

A quick background on us: Family of 5 Me - 38, DH- 39, DD-turns 19 while at Disney, DS-16, DD(the bonus)-8.

Our first and last family trip was 2000 when we spent 7 days in Orlando at HIFS and did 5 days of Park Hopper passes. We did one character meal per day and spent about $800 on food for the week. We didn't cut any corners and we let the kids have whatever they wanted.

Since then my oldest daughter and I have attended Night of Joy 3 out of the last 4 years. This year with free dining we decided to make Night of Joy (and Rock the Universe for the guys in the family) a 4 day family event. One thing led to another (free dining, DH got a bonus, etc.) so now we are going for a week - 9/3/06-9/10/06. Staying at POP and hoping to capitalize on a good deal from Southwest for airfare. If not, we will be making the 13 hour drive from Kentucky.

I called last night to get my ADR's - let me know what you think:

Sunday - Chef Mickey's 8:10 Dinner
Monday - Hoop Dee Doo Review 7:15 (I couldn't believe this was available!)
Tuesday - O'Hana 7:15 dinner (hope to be able to view the lagoon show and fireworks afterwards)
Wednesday - Hollywood and Vine 6:00 Fantasmic package
Thursday - Crystal Palace 8:05 breakfast; Garden Grill 7:00 Dinner (hope to view Illuminations afterwards)
Friday - 1900 Park Fair 4:30 dinner - we are eating early so we can get back to Night of Joy. This will just be DDs and I, the guys will be at Universal
Saturday - Kona Cafe 5:00 - once again just the girls and we are eating early so we can get to Night of Joy.

What do you think? 19 yo DD is a vegetarian who borders on vegan. Refuses to eat anything that has come in contact with meat. I told the CM this when I made the ADR's but I plan to call the week before to remind them and make sure all is well. We will pay for a couple of the buffets for DD-8 since we have booked more meals than we have credits for. I haven't even started to think about counter service meals or snacks. I spent a year planning our last trip and the fact that I only have four months to plan is killing me. I ordered the latest Passporter and a few other guide books from Amazon and am waiting on them to arrive.

I would appreciate ANY advice/comments you want to share!

Thanks!
Kim

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Kim,
I would love to make it to the Night of Joy sometime, who is going to be there this year? As for your meals I would recomend trying some of the resturants in world showcase in Epcot instead of GG.
I would do 50s Prime Time instead of H&V, I know you have the Fantasmic Package but in my opinion I would go w/o the FP, do dinner earlier and get to Fantasmic early for a good seat. 50s PT it a lot of fun, request a T.V. table when you get there.
As for counter service I would highly recomend Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion at Epcot, there are tons of selections and with the DP you get alot and has the best counter service deserts. Other counter service I recomend is Cosmic Rays in Tomarrow Land in MK, lots of choices for the whole family.
Check out resturant menus at allearsnet.com
Danny

 

[conleyk]

I had considered 50's Primetime but didn't want to wait for Fantasmic. We did the Fantasmic package in 2000 and it was so convenient to do. Of course I just purchased the TourGuideMike plan and it looks like it may not be quite as crowded for Fantasmic so I may change it.

I worry about eating in the World Showcase because I have picky eaters. Between the Vegan thing and the 8 year old who is really a chicken nuggets and fries eater I would be afraid they wouldn't enjoy it. We do plan to do some counter service an Out of Pocket tasting in the World Showcase, though.

Night of Joy this year has Casting Crowns, MercyMe, ZOEgirl, Kirk Franklin, Jeremy Camp and many others. I am disappointed that neither Micheal W. Smith nor Stephen Curtis Chapman will be there - at least so far - and that Point of Grace isn't on the line up either. That is the main reason we started going. My 19 yo DD is a huge POG fan. Instead of a big blow-out party for her 16th bday all she wanted was to go to NoJ. I took her and a friend and the highlight of the trip was being on the same plane as PoG for the trip home!

Thanks for taking the time to reply! I appreciate the suggestions!

Kim

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I worry about eating in the World Showcase because I have picky eaters. Between the Vegan thing and the 8 year old who is really a chicken nuggets and fries eater I would be afraid they wouldn't enjoy it. We do plan to do some counter service an Out of Pocket tasting in the World Showcase, though.

Just a heads up for your veagan DD @ 'Ohana the only things she will be able to eat is the salad, stir-fried vegetables and maybe the Maui scalloped potatoes (if those are within her diet), just so you know that it is a fixed menu with not many choices for her. And the Hoop-dee-doo is the same, she will be stuck with just salad, corn and beans. I would have her look over the menus at Allearsnet. But maybe she will be happy with the limited choices, I don't know, not trying to say what she will like and not like.
About WS, all the resturants in WDW including World Showcase have childrens selections that include things like hot dogs, mac n' cheese, chicken fingers, pasta etc.
Here is a link for eating vegan style in WDW: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/special.htm

 

[Luv4Disney]

Looks great! I've been everywhere except O'Hana and Kona and we've enjoyed them all. Hope you do too!

 

[conleyk]

Actually, she's usually ok with salads and veggies but from what I read on allears they will actually prepare an alternative main dish for her if we give them advance notice. In all honesty, she would be ok with a PB&J sandwich along with her salad.

 

[Kaycee]

Welcome to the DIS Boards.

Your dining choices look great. We think the FDP is worth doing to avoid the wait for Fantasmic. We enjoyed dining at H&V on the package.

Good luck getting a decent deal on airfare.

 

[byoung]

Good choices.

 

[Alan the Foodie]

Dear Kim,

Your DD and my 20 year old DD are similar. We went in March and found that some of the menus had just changed and became less veggie friendly. When you get there, just check where you want to go. My DD planned all of our meals and sculpted them towards me in the firs place, but I know she was disappointed with what was missing and not thrilled with what was left, but wouldn't change because this trip was all about me. As a Papa, though, I would have liked it better if she were happier. Have a great time, I look forward to reading your posts when you get back.

Alan