BUCKET LIST Last Minute Trip & ADRs!

[pointybubble]

Okay! So last week, my sweet little old grandma decided that the two of us should go to Disney World...MONDAY! She was diagnosed with cancer for the third time and wants to go before she has to start her chemo again, and we're not sure to be honest if she'll ever be able to go back to WDW, so we're really trying to make this special! We're staying at the Contemporary (I've never stayed at a Deluxe, she stayed there in Feb of 1972! )...so this is like a "bucket list" trip. We arrive on Monday (tomorrow!) August 2nd sometime in the evening and are leaving on Saturday, August 7th, and we have five day park-hoppers.

Here's the best I could do earlier this evening:
8/2- Arrive, not sure which park to visit
8/3- DHS, 50's PT @8:05pm
8/4- AK, then Boma at AKL @8:00pm
8/5- EP for EMH, Coral Reef @2:10pm, then the new Pizzeria for dinner?
8/6- MK for EMH, BBB @2:00pm ,Tony's @8:20pm
8/7- Downtown Disney? Then drive home

So, opinions? I've never eaten at any these restaurants. On the first night, assuming we arrive by 5pm, should we dine at a park, or dine at the Contemporary- California Grill is full of course, but the Wave maybe? Chef Mickeys? She's not big on the loud character meals (except for the princesses). We would then expect to head to a park...so much to do in so little time!

What about Tony's? I'm tempted to drop it since we will be doing the BBB that day (which she is terribly excited about!), and hoping the monorail over to Epcot so we can go to Akershus (they currently have 6:45pm), and then heading back to MK for fireworks at 10 and EMH until 3am! Is that too much? What would you do?

 

[Laurin612]

First, I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma's diagnosis. But I think it's awesome that she wants to go to WDW with you for a "bucket list" trip! I hope you both have a magical time.

Boma is one of my favorites, so I think that's a great choice.

I haven't been to Tony's or 50's PT. At Epcot, I would not personally choose Coral Reef or Akershus for dinner, but if you've been there before you know what you like. I'd try to go for Le Cellier or Garden Grill.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I hope you have an amazing trip!! You'll love Boma!
All the best!

 

[MerriH807]

Wow! What a bittersweet story! The 50s Prime Time is yummy and I think your grandma will enjoy the atmosphere. Keep checking back for availability. I scored a new Ohana ressie and Le Cellier during free dining by checking often. Also, you need to hold your ressie for California Grill with a credit card. So check back there today again b/c people may have cancelled. If there is anywhere else you were hoping to eat, you can always have the concierge check OR call disney dining from your room phone.

Your park for the first night?? Well staying at the Contemporary... you will be staring at the castle. It may begin to call you to it AND the monorail is RIGHT THERE!! Don't forget if Grammy gets tired there is an observation deck of the fireworks on the 4th floor(right by the walkway to BLT) also if you have a MK view You can watch from the room and play the music on your tv Channel 26 (I think....)


Have a great time. Although it is a bucket list trip I think you are really lucky to have this special time with grammy. Enjoy it and make lots of magical memories.

 

[MerriH807]

i just checked disney dining California Grill has something......for tom

 

[MODisneyfan]

So sorry to hear about your grandma.. But it is great that you have this trip to share these memories with her : )

Ok as for Tony's I haven't heard many good things about that one. It sounds it is a little iffy as if you are going to have a good or a bad experience. You said something about princesses, have you thought about 1900 Park Fare at the GF. It had Cinderella, Prince Charming, Evil Stepmother and step sisters. I thought that it was nice and not as loud as some other character meals. Or Crystal Palace. I have been at "off " times and it wasn't load but really relaxing. The food and characters there are just great.

On arrival day, I would personally go to the Wave, I have been there for lunch and dinner and bother were WONDERFUL. Then do something different and if you don't have MK view, head to the beach at the Poly.. That would be fun and the Poly at night is just beautiful.

 

[pointybubble]

Thanks guys for your input! I'm sure we will have an amazing time
So far we are definitely keeping 50's PT & Boma. I also added The Sci-Fi for lunch because I've never liked any of the CS at DHS. I'm thinking we might go ahead and keep Coral Reef for lunch as well so that we can snack around the world for dinner until we get to the new pizza place opening that day. The first day, I think if I can get into Le Cellier or Garden Grill we will go to Epcot, if not we will probably try to do some MK time and eat at the Contemporary (Haven't seen Cali yet but Wave is wide open). I really want to drop Tony's now, but I haven't decided if we should make the trip to Epcot for the princesses or if we should just stay in the MK- grandma isn't as quick as she used to be I'll look into 1900 PF as well!

 

[ktlm]

We ate at Tony's on our last WDW trip and didn't expect much. We found that we liked it! Akershus is fun too though if you want to meet the Princesses. Your Grandma sounds wonderful! I hope you have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[Laurin612]

pointybubble, one thing I wanted to mention that may make your grandma's trip more enjoyable (and a lot less tiring) is getting her an ECV if she is up for it. You can rent them for $40 a day (plus a refundable deposit) and they are totally worth it (in my opinion) for folks who have decreased mobility or lack the stamina to spend long days in theme parks. Not sure if you are getting hoppers, but if you keep the receipt you can get an ECV at the next park on the same day if you "hop".