beginning to feel the pressure!

[laurab84]

Morning guys.

So, we're all disney veterans, we've been to wdw, disneyland and paris plenty if times and know exactly what we're doing. But this is our 1st trip with the new fast pass and the real need to book adr! Last time we went was 2010, there was 6 of us and I was heavily pregnant. The only real thing I had to look forward to was for and it was a nightmare! We hadn't booked anything and struggled to find sit down meals (luckily we were all adults)

We're going again in July and this will be son's 1st official trip! He's 5. I'm beginning to worry my self over booking fp and adr. And where to book! He's a right fussy eater and I think will be eating chicken all holiday. Can anyone suggest where is good for a 5 year old? I don't want to have to be clock watching the whole holiday and would rather be relaxed with dining and fp but I know this isn't an option anymore. We're staying on site but I'm not bothered about going to hotels to eat I'd rather stay in the park. Also has anyone had the German buffet in epcot. Do they do anything for children? I've looked and it just says "kids selection"

Any recommendations greatly received!

 

[micksn]

Don't know if it's just me, but I found having everything planned before we went more relaxing when we were there. As long as you plan in rests and pool time and plan your meals around times you will be in the parks anyway I'm sure it will be fine. The kids selections tend to be chicken tenders, fries, mac cheese, pizza etc at most of the buffets. Have a look at allears.net for children's menus to give you an idea.
I would look at Crystal Palace and Be Our Guest in MK, Tusker House and maybe Rainforest cafe in AK, Garden Grill, Via Napoli and Biergarten in Epcot and Hollywood and Vine and 50's Prime time in DHS.

Happy Planning

 

[Tash87]

I am getting worried about booking adr and fp+ too. I understand that they release the park hours just before the window opens to book them, does anyone know how far in advance they release park opening hours ? I am going to have to sit down with a pen and paper and sort out where we would like to eat. I would like to do this at the beginning of next year but ideally I would like to know the park hours first. When it comes to booking adr I think I'm just gonna have to see what times are available, this year people have struggled to get reservations for the time of year I go.

I am a worrier so it concerns me that I am going to be constantly clock watching for meal ressies etc!

When do you travel? When does your window open for bookings?

 

[Jon84]

@Tash87 I'd suggest looking at the equivalent weeks hours this year, chances are they'll be the same. Like you say the official hours will only be a couple of weeks before your 180 Days.

We've played with out plans for May about 8 times now. Think it's fixed in. Once we are back we'll have a couple of weeks to do Novembers!

@laurab84 From what I remember, the Kids Selection is pretty standard at all buffets. I wouldn't worry about what they'll like, there is always something for everyone. I also agree with a PP that if you plan it, you'll be more relaxed as you know when you have breaks scheduled, and you won't be trawling the MDE App for Ressies last minute. One thing our friends little one struggled with with the time difference, he just wasn't hungry at meal times to start with. So trying to break the UK food times as early on as possible will make it easier

 

[BigMommaMouse]

I am getting worried about booking adr and fp+ too. I understand that they release the park hours just before the window opens to book them, does anyone know how far in advance they release park opening hours ? I am going to have to sit down with a pen and paper and sort out where we would like to eat. I would like to do this at the beginning of next year but ideally I would like to know the park hours first. When it comes to booking adr I think I'm just gonna have to see what times are available, this year people have struggled to get reservations for the time of year I go.

I am a worrier so it concerns me that I am going to be constantly clock watching for meal ressies etc!

When do you travel? When does your window open for bookings?

Park hours come out 6 months in advance. Travel agents get them sooner, so do the people that do Disney Calendars. I use easywdw, have done for years.

After I read Josh's advice on what days to spend where, I look to see what restaurants in the area will fit my needs. I started this trip making ADR's later around 7, because I found by doing it at 5 really ate away at the day. We always have free dining (best thing about booking from the UK), we try a couple new places each trip.
One evening we are eating at the Wave a 6, then I have FP+ for the nighttime entertainment in the MK.
Nothing is in stone, I already changed some ADR's (well 180 days in a long time ago and Disney DOES change their hours), FP+ at 60 days (i have just left those alone).
I do stress over it all, however once I get there, I relax and know that it all taken care of to the best of my ability, and enjoy our vacation.

 

[Tash87]

@Tash87 I'd suggest looking at the equivalent weeks hours this year, chances are they'll be the same. Like you say the official hours will only be a couple of weeks before your 180 Days.

Thanks Jon, I will have a look at this years hours and take it from there.

Park hours come out 6 months in advance. Travel agents get them sooner, so do the people that do Disney Calendars. I use easywdw, have done for years.

That's good to know, I'm still over a year away so I think I'm being a bit eager. But saying that I might do a bit of research and make a rough plan. I also worry that if I make a plan then when it comes to making adrs the plan will be thrown out the window due to limited times.

Never mind it can't do any harm Its something else to get stuck into to pass the time I suppose

 

[Jon84]

I also worry that if I make a plan then when it comes to making adrs the plan will be thrown out the window due to limited times.

We thought that too, in Nov 16 we are planning to wing it and get ressies a day or two before, except for the hard to get ADRs (BOG, CRT, CG etc). It's amazing how many you can get really close, they are often the more expensive places like Yachtsman, Citricos, Narcoses though. But we'll be on DxDDP so completely up for them!

What we've been doing is keeping tabs on what we can get for Nov this year. Each month we've been noting down when restaurants we may be interested in get booked up. That way we know we'll get on it at 180 days. It will be interesting once our equivalent weeks come around this year, to see what you can and can't get!

 

[udnylad]

We first took our children to WDW, when they were 5 and 7. We had been to DLP previously a few times
Liam (the 5 year old) was particular in what he eat, and for the three weeks we were there, other than breakfast he pretty much eat chicken strips every meal. That might sound bad but they were proper chicken breast. He was happy, we were happy and we all had a great holiday. He now 19 this year, 6' 2" and about to join the navy, it has not held him back
We still tease him about his selective menu back then

 

[scoobydooby2016]

My son was super fussy at that age and he's another strapping lad now. Aged 17 inhales food of all varieties. Let yours eat chicken strips and fries everyday if it makes it a happy trip. It's only a couple of weeks and life is short..... When mine were little we booked TS for lunch when we knew we'd be in the parks to make it easy to play the part of the day the kids were getting tired and unpredictable by ear. I advise buffets for fussy eaters. Beirgarten is probably the most challenging buffet. Have a look at the Teppan Edo menu at Epcot. Not as exotic as you think. Basically chicken and noddles! 50s Prime Time and Sci Fi Diner are both unchallenging at Hollywood Studios. The Garden Grill at Epcot is similar to a Sunday dinner.

 

[bex7583]

I know it's not the best value use of table credits but we used lots of ours for breakfasts, could get early access in to the park enjoy a sit down brekkie to start the day so kept the rest of our days free and didn't have to worry about missing ADR if we were in a queue or decided to park hop.

Plus as we met lots of characters at breakfasts we saved time queuing in the parks to meet them