At first this was fun, now I'm stressing about it

[mavslab]

I need help. I have changed my dining reservations 3 times. I still don't think they are working out. I feel like we are going to spend all our time eating. I hate that most of our meals are breakfast (cheapest meal of the day) and they are early so no chance of it being brunch and then waiting for dinner. AGGGGGHHHH!

Ok here's the deal - We are going in Aug so we are going to be at rope drop in the am and then swim/nap from 1-5 then go back to the park from 5-9 in the evening. We want to escape the worst heat of the day. So far I have:

HS (open 9am) - Playhouse Disney Breakfast 8:20

MK (open 9am) - Crystal Palace 8:15
both of these put us inside the park before opening so that's good

AK (open 9am) - 7:30 Ohana (must do for DS - the only reason he is going to Disney is to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch )

MK (EMH so 8am) - Whispering Canyon 1:00 (I may do this one the week before as we will be in Orlando for a week before the Disney part)

Epcot (open 9am) - Princess Storybook lunch 12:50 and then Garden Grill 6:30 (not thrilled with that one)


Input? Advice? HELP!

 

[tink fan]

How old are your children? Are you on the dining plan?

Do you need to go to the resort for naps (ie babies, toddlers)? I've found that for a few days just going in the air conditioning for a sit down dinner revived my children and gave them a rest. But they were older (four and up) and didn't need to nap. You could do this a few days (then you could try late lunch or early dinner) and mix it with days to go back to the resort if you think you kids could manage it).

 

[samiet620]

Hi, I am going on my first Disney trips as well and I feel your stress!!!
That is why I decided to stop the madness . I was going crazy trying to make this sooo special, I was actually making it miserable. So this is what I did...not to say you have to do the same, just sharing
I decided to make one character breakfast and one TS dinner. Nothing else! Other than that we will eat at the resort or something. I also read that sometimes you can drop by some of the restaurants and see if they have an opening, so maaayyyybe I'll do that. Scince then planning has become fun again and my stress level is way down, thank goodness!

 

[Micca]

Many of us here plan till we're lime green in the face! At the end of the day, your dining plans are just part of what makes a fun WDW trip. If you are burning out on planning, just drop it. No one is going to go hungry(though you might end up eating some things you hadn't planned on). When all else fails, get some popcorn and ice cream and chill out

 

[tiger4me2]

I have the unhappy bunch of family as they refuse to help make plans for our December trips so I said no help you will eat where I book it or I cancel your ressies that simple. I will find out the answer Sunday I know it won't go well on top of it my MIL is not doing good so it that worry as well

 

[septbaby]

HS (open 9am) - Playhouse Disney Breakfast 8:20

MK (open 9am) - Crystal Palace 8:15
both of these put us inside the park before opening so that's good

AK (open 9am) - 7:30 Ohana (must do for DS - the only reason he is going to Disney is to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch )

MK (EMH so 8am) - Whispering Canyon 1:00 (I may do this one the week before as we will be in Orlando for a week before the Disney part)

Epcot (open 9am) - Princess Storybook lunch 12:50 and then Garden Grill 6:30 (not thrilled with that one)


Input? Advice? HELP!

Try for Boma one night and cancel the Garden Grill
You may want a CS dinner that night anyway after the big Princess meal.
Playhouse Disney is also a character lunch meal so you could try for that.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I do a similar schedule since I have little ones & we always go back for a nap. It doesn't seem to me that you will be spending your whole time dining at all. (we usually sit down twice each day for a meal and still accomplish a lot) Is breakfast the big meal of the day for your family?

If not, I would suggest changing some of those to dinners. I think getting into the park & doing the stuff before the crowds is a great idea... but so is sitting down to a nice dinner. The CP could be a dinner, as WCC could be an early dinner and then you could take the boat over to the MK.

What are the ages of your children? Where are you staying?

 

[themudd4]

Many of us here plan till we're lime green in the face! At the end of the day, your dining plans are just part of what makes a fun WDW trip. If you are burning out on planning, just drop it. No one is going to go hungry(though you might end up eating some things you hadn't planned on). When all else fails, get some popcorn and ice cream and chill out

DITTO!!!!!!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I'm an over planner/stresser myself so I feel your pain. It sounds like your kids are young, so this is what I would do (and I like my naps too!)

HS - keep it. Your kids are young and won't be going on the most crowded rides (TOT and Rock n rollercoaster) anyways. Besides, if you eat breakfast you won't want to do them either! That way you won't feel like you are rushing. You could always send one of the adults to get FPs while the other finishes up and pays the bill or tip.

CP - can you change them to lunch or dinner? That only gives you 45 minutes to eat and see all the characters.

I would try to do a late breakfast at Ohana on the MK EE morning. Spend 2 hours in the park and then take a nice break right as the crowds start pouring in. Make sure you get a fast pass for a busy ride before you leave the park if you do this.

I would not do 2 big meals in one day - waste of money in the heat of August. Or have dinner one of the nights you have a breakfast planned. If you change your Ohana date, you could eat lunch or dinner at the AK. We are having dinner at the Yak and Yeti - sounds like a fun place for kids.

We are going 8/29-9/2 and I have been able to get most of the ADRs that I wanted close to the time that I wanted them. I would try to make your final decisions soon though.

 

[themudd4]

OP...I know the PP mention RNR & TOT...considering you do have small children dont forget about the Parent/kid swap! Of course my DS now 8 Loves both of those rides so you may need to do them SEVERAL TIMES!!!

I would not sweat only having 45 minutes at CP before the park openings. Take a few pics in front of the castle on your way in...
At CP Pooh and his friends seem to make their way around fairly quickly and with it being a buffet you can get your food quickly. Not to mention that if you are there a few minutes early...like up to 15 as they may not let you in the park any earlier then that...they may be able to seat you somewhat sooner!

 

[bamor]

We really enjoyed having the last seating at the Princess Breakfast.
Room starts to empty out. They make sure you've seen all the princesses before you leave. This also makes it a "brunch". Have a quick breakfast in your room or while waiting for the bus. Enjoy a nice CS dinner around the Epcot World Showcase or Sunshine Seasons in the Land.

 

[deslynnpatterson]

we are always changing our reservations as well -- and our times -- but what we found that works for us is eating mostly dinners-- and grabbing a counter service for a lunch, or eating our dinner for lunch-- and late at night when we are back at the resort using our counter service for dinner and we get something at the food court. I think different menthods works for each family, and it depends-- if you are a big breakfast person-- or more into dinner or lunches. We are dinner people and not into breakfast-- I am sure that everything will work out-- and you will enjoy every min of it

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Just got back on April 20 and had a great time lots of dining BUT what helped out was 1 big meal a day and that was mostly for dinner.

One day we did a breakfast and a dinner too much food. However the Garden Grill's food was eh BUT the characters were OUTSTANDING!!!! They sat down with us - we are 2 women in our 30's - Mickey tried to eat our string beans.

Chip and Dale were just amazing!!!! Alot of interaction. Mickey then took a photo of my friend and I. It came out so good!! I have never laughed so hard. So the food is okay but if want that type of character interaction go for it.

 

[raven69david]

AK (open 9am) - 7:30 Ohana (must do for DS - the only reason he is going to Disney is to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch )

You list AK above, but Ohana's is at the Poly; not Animal Kingdom (AK).

 

[Sandy321]

You list AK above, but Ohana's is at the Poly; not Animal Kingdom (AK).

I think she is planning on the Lilo and Stitch breakfast - when they finish they will take a bus from Poly to AK ...

Our dd feels the same way about Stitch - its a must do!!

 

[faindrops27]

JMHO. Way to many breakfast meals. I would do the stich breakfast, and the rest dinners according to my evening plans.

I would choose:
WCC
Boma
Crystal Palace
Wolfgang Pucks, Or Raglan Rd

 

[daisy08]

My first time too And feeling it!
I have our ressie and thats it not changing. We are going in Aug and I hope to get some rest sometime. Hopefully during the heat of the day we will go back to the resort and then for the afternoon the park with late hours.
I think thats my plan. I also kept in mind the parades and firework shows.

My kids are first time flyers alittle worried about that.
Boy am I readyfor relaxation