ARGH!!! Family won't help pick out ADRs

[lyeag]

Ok, we are going 12/18-12/24 and doing the dining plan. They don't want to look at menus and pick out places to eat!!!

It will be myself, dh and 3 kids ages 14,8 and 5. The 2 younger kids are not into trying too many new things so exotic type places are out. Last time we ate all CS except for Chef Mickeys. This trip I know I want to go to the Crystal Palace, and Concourse Steakhouse. Other than those, I am having a hard time choosing. I don't want to go overboard with buffet type meals. I am also considering letting the younger two go to a kid's club so we can have a nice dinner with dd, 14, who loves lobster.

Also, how do you plan your ADRs when you don't know the park hours? I am using Tourguide Mike to see which parks will be least crowded when the hours do come out. We are staying Atrium Club at the CR (first time) and I want to be able to fill out their form and having it all sorted out. Is it even possible?

ARGHHHHH-Can you tell I am getting a little nervous? I have never dealt with the 180 day window. I have never dealt with club level benefits before. I just want to eat nice meals without going crazy. Is it possible?

 

[grinningghost]

I hear what you're saying. My family wants ZERO to do with picking out restaurants. Sure, they'll moan and groan when they get there and "nothing looks good" on the menu.

But they've been warned, no complaining this time. I'm tired of them leaving it all up to me and then whining.

Of course, I'm totally bumping DD and her friend off the guest list at Ohana and Le Cellier. They're picky teenagers and won't like anything. So they can go and eat chicken fingers until they puke while DH and I are eating good stuff.

 

[reeeoga]

Find the most "Exotic" places you can find. Show them the Menu. Then tell them "This is where we are going, unless you HELP ME!!!" If they don't help after that, choose the places yourself and tell them "NO COMPLAINTS!"

 

[lyeag]

I hear what you're saying. My family wants ZERO to do with picking out restaurants. Sure, they'll moan and groan when they get there and "nothing looks good" on the menu.

But they've been warned, no complaining this time. I'm tired of them leaving it all up to me and then whining.

Of course, I'm totally bumping DD and her friend off the guest list at Ohana and Le Cellier. They're picky teenagers and won't like anything. So they can go and eat chicken fingers until they puke while DH and I are eating good stuff.

I feel better it isn't just me then. I feel like a bad mom wanting to "dump" off my kids at Neverland Club so I can eat without hearing things like,"EWWW! What's that????"

I keep telling my dh I don't want to hear it when he doesn't like what is on the menu. I would like to be adventurous and eat things that are totally new, but the rest of the family is pretty tame when it comes to food.

How do you plan where you are going to eat so far in advance? How do you know which park you will be in? We are going around Christmas, so I would like to try to eat in the park where we will be that day.

 

[Amyrlin]

I got a guide book and gave it to mine and told them to mark what they liked the look of, that mananged to get some response.

 

[Christine]

First off--GO WHERE YOU WANT. The 8 year old and 5 year old are kids and will be eating from the kid's menu which is pretty much the same from Artist Point/Jiko type places all the way down to Concourse--chicken tenders, hamburger, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese. You know the drill--it NEVER changes for them. So, if they are your only obstacle, I wouldn't even consider them. How's that???

If you want to try something "a little exotic" but not too far out and still please the picky kids, go to Boma. The kid's pod of food is just fine for them and they will have plenty to choose from. Your 14 year old sounds adventurous, so that should be fine. Boma is one of the "nicer" buffets on the grounds, the AK resort is beautiful, and you will feel like you got your exotic food and something a little bit special. Crystal Palace will give you your standard buffet fare, and Concourse will give you the beef meal.

As for how to decide. I'm assuming that the time of year you're going, there will be late park hours. Just go by what the guide says for what is the best park for each day and then plan your meals around that. For instance, on Animal Kingdom day, go to Boma. We went to AK right when it opened and we were ready to leave at 4:30, so I got a 5:00 ADR for Boma. You could push that much later, of course, depending on your touring style. Do Crystal Palace on your MK day.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Tell them you've picked out all the places already and tell them that Larry's Liver Shack sounded good to you so you picked it. When they protest, tell them allright than you help me pick.

 

[catherines_mama]

Some ideas:

I love Ohana. Liberty Tree Tavern is fun and the older kids and youngers will like it. 50s Prime Time is great for all ages. Epcot, really depends on your tastes. If you take the younger ones too almost every restaurant has the basic kids food.

I know its tough. We're traveling with my friend this trip, our trip, she's coming too and she wont input on any of my ADRs. SO she better like it or keep her trap shut lol

good luck

 

[lyeag]

Tell them you've picked out all the places already and tell them that Larry's Liver Shack sounded good to you so you picked it. When they protest, tell them allright than you help me pick.

I love it Larry's Liver Shak! That is exactly the twisted type of humor I love!

 

[grinningghost]

I love it Larry's Liver Shak! That is exactly the twisted type of humor I love!

I could tell my slug family that Larry's Liver Shack makes a mean Liver Souffle and they'd still make me do the choosing - I say - let 'em eat chicken fingers at Cosmic Ray's - I'm going where I want.

 

[hegs65]

My dh & kids have never been that interested in looking at menus or doing any of the planning, so I just plan whatever and they go along with it. It used to bother me a bit because I felt alot of pressure trying to make everything be just perfect. Now, I am okay with it though because we have been on several trips and I have a feel for what works and what doesn't. Plus, I am a plan-o-holic and they know that so whenever I ask for input they just say "Mom you are the Disney expert and we trust your judgement". They did surprise me recently though. I asked what their favorite restaraunt was and all three kids said in unison, Liberty Tree Tavern! This totally shocked me as they are 10, 14, and 17 (the 2 older ones are boys)! Who would think that teenage boys would want to go to LTT? So LTT it is.
Go figure...

 

[Densgirl]

I totally agree with hegs65. Just plan what you think you'd like to eat. Add one family themed place like WCC or 50's prime time or a character meal and try not to stress out too much. Like another poster said there is always kids meals available so check out the menus to see what you or DH would like. Good luck deciding

 

[Cinderella2006]

I also am having the same problem as you. There is myself my fiancé and our two sons 2 and 8 along with 14 others but I am not worrying about them! I have been left to organise everything, and I mean everything; the majority haven’t even been to Disney so I got my work cut out! Just go with what you think is best. We are going for two weeks, we are getting married out there, hence all the people! I have made 3 ADR's - Cinderella’s Royal Table for Dinner, Chef Mickey’s for Breakfast and 1900 Park Fare Dinner (different days of course!) and you know what, if they don’t like them ... well they know what they can do!