Advice for ADRs with young kid + baby

[moose81]

Our trip is in less than 3 weeks, so I have a bunch of ADRs already but I'm trying to figure out if I should cancel or switch some. We have an almost 4 year old and a baby who will be 9 months old. The baby can be tough in restaurants, especially in the evenings.

We visited a year ago and our big meals were Crystal Palace (breakfast), BOG (breakfast + dinner), Chef Mickey's (dinner), Ohana (dinner), Wave (dinner), Kona Cafe (breakfast + lunch). I don't want to repeat too many, although we are staying at the Poly again so I assume we will end up at places like Kona again.

Current reservations are:
Arriving - 1900 Park dinner
1st day (MK) - BOG lunch
2nd day (Epcot/MK?) - Nothing (hoping to do F&W)
3rd day (AK/MK) - Tusker House lunch, BOG dinner
Leaving - Ohana breakfast

Thinking of cancelling 1900 PF (not sure how baby will do the night we arrive) and possibly one of the BOGs. We did dinner last time but I was pregnant and had morning sickness so I didn't enjoy it. But we didn't try lunch last time so not sure if we should keep that.

Any suggestions would be welcome! My 3 year old's best memories from last trip were from our character meals so I want to keep a couple.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would drop the BOG dinner. That's two big sit-downs in a day with the baby, and a long potential park hop that may not have a break.

 

[moose81]

I would drop the BOG dinner. That's two big sit-downs in a day with the baby, and a long potential park hop that may not have a break.

That's a good point. It hurts a little though. Took me like 5 months to get that ADR. Lol.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

No doubt. Still, with kids those ages TH wins out for me just because you don't have to wait for food, and BOG dinner can be quite the wait for food.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I would keep the BOG dinner and drop the Tusker lunch, only because I really felt the food quality went down there between our last 2 trips. We have a 5 year old and a 15 month old, and for our AK day we're doing Tiffins ROL package lunch. It's a signature and I know it may be pushing our luck, but I'm kind of hoping the baby may take a nap in the stroller beforehand so that he's in a good mood. If we weren't going for the ROL package though, I would want to have lunch at the new Pandora QS, Flame Tree or Yak and Yeti. Might do Flame Tree for dinner if it's open.

I was pregnant our last trip too. There are so many things I can't wait to actually enjoy this time! I would keep the BOG dinner just for the wine, but that's me.

ETA: We've also had long waits to get seated at TH, no fun in hot sun.

 

[Nancyg56]

I hate to say it but I also would drop BOG.

 

[AppleSister1]

I'd drop BOG too. Sorry.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Our trip is in less than 3 weeks, so I have a bunch of ADRs already but I'm trying to figure out if I should cancel or switch some. We have an almost 4 year old and a baby who will be 9 months old. The baby can be tough in restaurants, especially in the evenings.

We visited a year ago and our big meals were Crystal Palace (breakfast), BOG (breakfast + dinner), Chef Mickey's (dinner), Ohana (dinner), Wave (dinner), Kona Cafe (breakfast + lunch). I don't want to repeat too many, although we are staying at the Poly again so I assume we will end up at places like Kona again.

Current reservations are:
Arriving - 1900 Park dinner
1st day (MK) - BOG lunch
2nd day (Epcot/MK?) - Nothing (hoping to do F&W)
3rd day (AK/MK) - Tusker House lunch, BOG dinner
Leaving - Ohana breakfast

Thinking of cancelling 1900 PF (not sure how baby will do the night we arrive) and possibly one of the BOGs. We did dinner last time but I was pregnant and had morning sickness so I didn't enjoy it. But we didn't try lunch last time so not sure if we should keep that.

Any suggestions would be welcome! My 3 year old's best memories from last trip were from our character meals so I want to keep a couple.

I would drop the arrival night 1900 dinner. You don't mention how or how long you are traveling, but travel day can be tough. I would drop the reservation and then see how everyone is doing once you arrive (you can always go on the MDE app and see what reservations are available that day, chances are you'll find something on the monorail) Or, just make a Kona reservation. I think traveling plus a character buffet may be rough with the baby based on your description.

BOG lunch - you don't mention this, but I would suggest pre-ordering. The lines for ordering lunch inside the restaurant can get REALLY long.

I hate to say it, but I, too, would drop the BOG dinner. I found when my DS was younger, lunch was always the reliable meal. I knew we could make it! Dinner, however, was so touch and go. I just think it would be better to keep ADR's to breakfasts and lunches.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm a bit with the PP. Breakfast and lunches were/are always pretty solid. Dinner... the days just tend to get away from us and it's not worth trying to push the kiddos for us. My DD especially (who is 3) is only now getting to a better "place" where we don't mind going out to dinner. Up until now.... nahhh, not worth it!

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[moose81]

Lots of good advice, thanks everyone. I think we will end up dropping BOG dinner and also 1900 PF. Looking forward to the day when we can eat dinners in restaurants again!

 

[Nancyg56]

Lots of good advice, thanks everyone. I think we will end up dropping BOG dinner and also 1900 PF. Looking forward to the day when we can eat dinners in restaurants again!

LOL! You will get there, faster than you think!

If you find that your arrival day goes smoothly and the kids are not too tired, I would suggest you ask the concierge to see if there is an opening at 1900 PF or any other meal you might be interested in. Or simply head over to the MK and jump on the monorail. My DGD loved that arrival early evening spin around the park and over to Epcot and back. You can stop in a resort for a CS meal and then back "home." Bath and bed, but with a welcome to Disney flair.

 

[Megara5115]

I would agree with dropping BOG dinner and Park Fare. After a long day I think it is a gamble at that age. We went with a nine month old in December and did a few buffets (Boma dinner, Trail's End and Biergarten) and it seemed easier because there is no waiting to order. BOG dinner isn't cheap and I would save the experience for when the kids are older so it won't be as stressful.

We also made ADRs for all of the above buffets same night through the app because we were just waiting to see how the baby and everyone were feeling. It was nice to have the flexibility which I learned was key at that age for ADRs. You're probably not going to get BOG dinner, but a nice way to try some new places too.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

It doesn't look like you are going overboard with table service. You have to eat and with table service you have a seat and don't have to wait in line. I would keep them.
I'm one of those people who took my babies on a tour of the restaurant to keep them happy at mealtime. Then it is my husbands turn while I eat. It works and everyone gets a good meal. They are fairly well behaved at restaurants now that they are older.