All of those are musts for me too except for Mexico
I think there is a playground now. Or at least there was one this past weekend during the flower and garden fest. Not sure if it's up year round If it is it's right where the world show case starts.
I haven't been to many of the restaurants in EPCOT so I can't give you much insight there either. I went to the restaurant in England....two thumbs up and I've been to Sunshine.....not as good as it once was but fun for the kids since it spins and has characters.
So last night I went through all the menus that I had printed from All Ears and did my first cut of restaurants. I only started with those places that are either in a theme park or that we can easily get to on the monorail/boats.
I still need to narrow this list down more. I'm not even sure we'll get to any TS but I want to be prepared so I'll make some ADRs just in case. If I have to cancel, then I'll make someone really happy!
Please provide any good/bad/ugly comments on your experiences. Those marked with a * are ones that I've never been to before so definitely need your advice for both food quality and ability to entertain kids.
Breakfast
======
* Crystal Palace
Lunch or Dinner
====
* Liberty Tree Tavern
* Tusker House
* Sci Fi Dine In
* Plaza Restaurant
* Tony's Town Square
* The Wave
* Biergarten
* 1900 Park Fare
Le Cellier (one of my fav)
Trail's End Buffet (good for cheap dining)
Coral Reef (good meal and FISH!)
AK Amendment
My DD3 told me that she wants to do the Dinosaur ride since "she likes Dinosaurs". Hmmm, I'm wondering if this would be too intense for a 4 yo?
I haven't been on since 2003(ish), but I'm remembering that it was very dark, very bumpy and a bit confusing b/c you just zoom through.
I liked it but what age do you think would be appropriate for this?
EPCOT
Priority - Soarin, Test Track, Nemo, Mexico, Spaceship Earth and Imagination Fountain Family Photo
(For those of you who have followed my past TR, you know that this Family Photo is really important to me. We get one every trip.)
Seconds - Imagination, The Land Boat Ride, Norway
Go Crazy and Have Fun - ?? or Innoventions
I can't recall any playground at Epcot. I know they have some areas where you can play in the water fountains or misters, but in November these may not be practical.
Adult - Mission Space and Shopping in World Showcase, Voices of Liberty
Food - Coral Reef, Germany, Garden Grill, Le Cellier, Sunshine (The Land) or Morrocco CS
Illuminations if we're in Epcot at night.
=================
As you can see, we have lots of stuff to do in Epcot. This is probably my favorite park.
Magic Kingdom
Priority - Dumbo, Haunted Mansion (swap?), PoC, Splash Mountain (swap), BTMRR (?), Buzz Lightyear, Goofy's Barnstormer (swap), Tea Cups
Seconds - Peter Pan, IASW, Carousel, Jungle Cruise, Country Bears, Tiki Room
Go crazy and run - Tom Sawyer Island, Playgrounds
Adult - * soft opening of Space Mountain *??
Food - Caramel-nut Apple, Pecos Bill, Cosmic Ray's or {gasp } Crystal Palace for breakfast.
Yes, I'm seriously considering going to CP since everyone gives it wonderful reviews and I figure we better go while the girls are still young.
I'd like to do the 3pm parade, spectromagic and wishes.
Our special picture for this park will be DH and I jumping in front of the castle...here's the one we did last May
==========
I think we'll be in MK at least 3 different times in our 5 days there. We just have so much to do and see.
Oh, and DD3 said she wants to do a show where she can be in it (like the Sword in the Stone, etc)...do you know of any others? I'll have to research this.
Ok, on to some fun planning now.
Although I don't think we'll get to Animal Kingdom on this trip, here are the attractions we'll do if we get there.
Of course, any and all suggestions/comments are greatly appreciated...remember we'll have a 4 yo and 8 mo old (which reminds me I need to get a copy of the Unofficial Guide from our Library to see the kid's ratings for each ride).
ANIMAL KINGDOM
============
Priority - Kilimanjaro Safari
Seconds - Nemo or Lion King, TriSpin, Trails
"Go crazy and have fun" - Dinosaur Playground
Adult - Everest, Premeval Whirl
Food - Tusker House (TS), Yak & Yeti or Flame Tree
No plans for the parade at this time unless there is a EMH and we decide to go to the park later in the day.
DISNEY STUDIOS
Priority - Toy Story Mania, Playhouse Disney
(we were lucky to be able to experience TSM before it opened last year. My DD3 loved it and we definitely want to go again. However, if I remember correctly, Elie would not be able to sit on my lap but would be buckled into the middle seat. I'm not sure how secure this will be for her, esp in the spins...also not sure if the spinning would scare an 8 month old. We may have to Child Swap this.)
Seconds - Muppets (but again, this may be too scary for an 8mo old. DD3 has not done this yet), Little Mermaid
Go crazy and have fun - It's Tough to be a Bug Playground
Food - Sci Fi (?) or Commissary or ???
(I know this gets bad reviews but the atmosphere may be enough to keep an 8 mo old occupied (?) and my DH is totally into the old, bad sci fi movies.)
This parade might be a fun one to do if we are in the park. I doubt we'll get to see Fantasmic this time since it'll be tough to keep 2 small kids occupied for an hour wait.
Beauty & the Beast show, if timing works out.
Crystal Place...gorgeous restaurant....good character interaction....cute Piglets and Pooh Waffles I believe. I love breakfast...
Liberty Tree Tavern is good comfort food..just miss the characters
Sci Fi--Is fun...with yummy sandwhiches and milkshakes
Plaza....simple food.....great for picky eaters....
Tonys's Town....went there on a whim and loved it
Biergarten...might help keep kids entertained with OOMPA bands and kids can dance in the middle if they like
1900 Pare Fare..have not done in at least 5 years or more...but when I went...we enjoyed it...did the breakfast
Find the clip on youtube and let DD watch it with you
I think it might be too intense and roaring of the dinosaur might be a bit much..but u never know
Great choices.
I know there is a playground during Flower and garden festival, but think down rest of the year
out of food choices...I vote for either Biergarten or Garden Grill
What about Winnie the Pooh Ride
My other favorite there is Mickey's Philharmagic Show
Not sure of any participating shows in MK./...I think they have storytime with Belle....not sure how much participation is involved, but looks cute
Love the jumping photo
Not a big fan of Ak like Carla, but my favs are safari and Everest
The rest I can take it or leave it
Not too fund of Dinsosaur section..no offense to anyone, but feels like a carnival to me
Looks like great picks here
I would go for Sci Fi
I hear awful things abotu commissary all the time
OK, I talked to DH about restaurants and from my list of 15 or so, DH wants to do:
First Choice
1900 Park Fare
The Wave
Crystal Palace
Le Cellier
Garden Grill
Coral Reef
Second Choice
Ohana or Chef Mickey CM
Biergarten
Liberty Tree Tavern
Sci Fi
Now I need to start pre-planning which day and which park...would be nice to have the park schedule to do this! I don't like having to wait until 90 days...
Very nice variety
Lot of good ones
Only thing I would be leary on is The Wave.
I have not heard a lot of good reviews.
But then again, everyone can not like same thing....
Yeah, I heard bad reviews too about The Wave. I'm thinking maybe by the time we get there, it will be improved!
DH said he wanted to do "a lot of character meals" to keep the girls entertained and so we don't have to wait in line as much for autographs.
So now I think we are going to get the TIW card (gives you 20% off). It should save us money if we actually do most of our priorities and then go again with our family in summer 2010.
Very nice variety
Lot of good ones
Only thing I would be leary on is The Wave.
I have not heard a lot of good reviews.
But then again, everyone can not like same thing....
Crystal Palace breakfast is terrific. The food is excellent and there is little happier than the fuzzy love of the Pooh gang to start the day. I had lunch there once and thought the food was not very good, in contrast to the breakfast.
The Wave was one of my favorite meals in January. I don't know if there's been a kitchen shake up since then, but I enjoyed everything, and especially the dessert. The atmosphere is very adult and not fuzzy Disney at all, and overall has more of a corporate feel due to the conventioneers who go there.