Chit Chat Thread - November ADRs...

[Jenni12kk]

If you want to get emails for a thread, there should be a "Watch thread" link in the upper right just above the first post on the page that you can click and it will send you emails when someone posts, but it won't send you another email until you have gone to the thread to view the post. Hope this helps.

Thank you for all the help!

 

[LinaNate]

Can someone tell me if the H&V Holiday Dine with F! is worth the trouble?
I'm hoping to get reservations 11/20 but I'm also getting a touch spooked by all the buzz about it. My 3 kids don't do well in crowds for long periods so I'm wondering if the H&V thing is laid back or insane?! Buffets/ picnic table seating aren't easy for the kids and we tend to stick with plated meals so we have our own "space" and the crowd overload is less intense. They don't go after characters for interaction either... so if the handlers don't bring characters by then they'd be likely to skip seeing them unless we hauled them over (which I'm not a fan of).

We booked MBYBBQ and I'm also worried it will be too much for them. So far the plan in CRT dinner, Garden Grill dinner or lunch, BOG rope drop breakfast (is rope drop too intense?)
Any thoughts from those that have attended would be appreciated.

 

[LinaNate]

Can someone explain the magical 45 day mark to a newbie? I'm booked in an on site package if that makes a difference.

 

[ZYX987]

Can someone explain the magical 45 day mark to a newbie? I'm booked in an on site package if that makes a difference.

If someone has booked a vacation on a Disney property, they have until the 45 day mark to cancel (although I think I read it will be 30 days in 2016, someone please correct me if I am wrong). What sometimes happens is that people cancel their trips at that point and then they go an cancel their reservations and fastpasses, meaning those would be them be put back into the system for other people to try an grab.

 

[missbrooke06]

I am so frustrated. All but November 8th dining is done. I got almost everything I wanted when I wanted it, including a pre-MVMCP CP reservation. Normally, I would say "6 out of 7 - well done! Bring on Nine Dragons!" But the 8th is my dad's birthday and he's paying for the whole trip. He wants Coral Reef, Akershus, or O'hana. Nothing. I've been searching multiple times a days for four months and nothing. I thought maybe the 45 day mark would pay off but no.

This is the first worldiest of problems but man, I wanted him to get his birthday dinner!

 

[ZYX987]

Can someone tell me if the H&V Holiday Dine with F! is worth the trouble?
I'm hoping to get reservations 11/20 but I'm also getting a touch spooked by all the buzz about it. My 3 kids don't do well in crowds for long periods so I'm wondering if the H&V thing is laid back or insane?! Buffets/ picnic table seating aren't easy for the kids and we tend to stick with plated meals so we have our own "space" and the crowd overload is less intense. They don't go after characters for interaction either... so if the handlers don't bring characters by then they'd be likely to skip seeing them unless we hauled them over (which I'm not a fan of)..

The regular H&V meal is a buffet, so I would assume this one would be too. I believe seating is at tables, so you wouldn't be sharing seating with others. I assume that the handlers bring the characters around to the tables. The page for the meal says, "Get hugs and photos with your happy hosts, and wonder as you wander through the dazzling décor, heartwarming music and holiday-themed food and activities," so there may be other things going on that might make it a little hectic. I have never been there, but I read a review that said it gets loud with all the chrome an vinyl not absorbing any sound, but that was just one person's opinion. The meal starts in November, so hopefully someone can post a review of what it was like before you have to decide to commit or not.

 

[22Tink]

I am so frustrated. All but November 8th dining is done. I got almost everything I wanted when I wanted it, including a pre-MVMCP CP reservation. Normally, I would say "6 out of 7 - well done! Bring on Nine Dragons!" But the 8th is my dad's birthday and he's paying for the whole trip. He wants Coral Reef, Akershus, or O'hana. Nothing. I've been searching multiple times a days for four months and nothing. I thought maybe the 45 day mark would pay off but no.

This is the first worldiest of problems but man, I wanted him to get his birthday dinner!

Hang in there it could still happen! Keep checking right up till the day of. I've heard of people scoring ADRs right before their trip and even while on their trip. Yesterday I saw some coral reef ADRs for my week 10-18 so they are out there. Good luck!!

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I am so frustrated. All but November 8th dining is done. I got almost everything I wanted when I wanted it, including a pre-MVMCP CP reservation. Normally, I would say "6 out of 7 - well done! Bring on Nine Dragons!" But the 8th is my dad's birthday and he's paying for the whole trip. He wants Coral Reef, Akershus, or O'hana. Nothing. I've been searching multiple times a days for four months and nothing. I thought maybe the 45 day mark would pay off but no.

This is the first worldiest of problems but man, I wanted him to get his birthday dinner!

I got a bunch of stuff last year the week or so leading up. Also make something for a back up its likely one of the places will open up as late as the day before.

The regular H&V meal is a buffet, so I would assume this one would be too. I believe seating is at tables, so you wouldn't be sharing seating with others. I assume that the handlers bring the characters around to the tables. The page for the meal says, "Get hugs and photos with your happy hosts, and wonder as you wander through the dazzling décor, heartwarming music and holiday-themed food and activities," so there may be other things going on that might make it a little hectic. I have never been there, but I read a review that said it gets loud with all the chrome an vinyl not absorbing any sound, but that was just one person's opinion. The meal starts in November, so hopefully someone can post a review of what it was like before you have to decide to commit or not.

We went for BF last year early so it filled up as we ate. Handlers bring characters around, food was nothing special. I'm sure the Buffett could get busy npbut nothing overwhelming. Your waiter will ensure all characters come by to greet you so don't worry about that.

 

[marchingstar]

The regular H&V meal is a buffet, so I would assume this one would be too. I believe seating is at tables, so you wouldn't be sharing seating with others. I assume that the handlers bring the characters around to the tables. The page for the meal says, "Get hugs and photos with your happy hosts, and wonder as you wander through the dazzling décor, heartwarming music and holiday-themed food and activities," so there may be other things going on that might make it a little hectic. I have never been there, but I read a review that said it gets loud with all the chrome an vinyl not absorbing any sound, but that was just one person's opinion. The meal starts in November, so hopefully someone can post a review of what it was like before you have to decide to commit or not.

I've done a character dinner at H&V before and one thing I think is worth flagging is that for the jedi Mickey dinner characters werent accompanied by handlers, they just followed a set path through the restaurant. that said, the character interaction was some of the best I've ever experienced. if the OP's group isn't into character interaction, I don't know what the draw of the meal is. the food is decent, but it's definitely a buffet, and if this meal is like jedi Mickey, the decor will be minimal (they still do disney junior characters for breakfast and lunch, so the theming stays "neutral")

 

[clevmom]

If we have a H&V 7:10 reservation w/o F! - would we be able to make a 8:30 F! Show, or do we need to pick one or the other?

 

[hollannc]

Another H and V question:

With all the h and v holiday done times opening, I went to make a reservation and it won't let me do 5 ppl. But it will let me do split parties-- like 3 in one reservation and 2 in the other???
Should I do this or try to call? Or book 4 and 1 and come to the restaurant that way?
Thanks!

 

[Disneynov2015]

Yes book for 3 ppl. You may have to call to book other person. When you call request that the 2 tables be next to each other

 

[hollannc]

Thanks! I did have to call and book a table of 3 and a table of 2. They made a note and also the woman I spoke to seemed optimistic that the CM could place us near each other.

 

[loveshak22]

It's so funny how excited it is when new reservation times open up. I didn't even want H&V but then when I saw new ADRs opening up I thought, "maybe I do...." LOL! I actually do think it will be fun with Minnie and the gang dressed in their holiday best, but that day we are at DHS is my Disney Springs night. So it was Morimoto Asia and Jock Hangar versus Minnie H&V. Tough choices! But I think I'll stick with Morimoto's Asia, which looks delicious.

On another note, I thought my Dis friends would appreciate this humor - last night my DH and I went to dinner with another couple. The restaurant they chose is this super popular place in town that does not take reservations. So there are always lines to get a table (I mean 1/2 way down the block). Our friend got there at 3:15 in the rain to get on the dinner list- and he was still 5th in line. They do 3 seatings during the night so you can try to get a table when they open or be on one of the other 2 lists. So he got on the 6:30 - 7:30 list and we met up with him at 6:30 to wait to be texted that our table was ready. We met in the bar next door that had a drink called "Waiting on Rose's" (which is the name of the restaurant and I thought that was hilarious). The food ended up being excellent and the restaurant is a nice relaxed atmosphere and not stuffy at all - think farmhouse chic. But, the funny thing is I kept telling my DH how crazy it is that people do this to eat at that restaurant. I mean who stands in line at 3:15 for dinner?! Or even gets in line at 5:00 to wait 1/2 way down the block to get in for dinner!

Are you all catching the irony here yet? It suddenly dawned on me that it's probably not any more ridiculous than getting up at 6:00 a.m. 6 months before a trip to try to get ADRs, then join a forum to hunt for reservations, pay for Scout searches, and check the Disney site like 5 times a day - LOL! I mean, at least I'm not in the rain but it is definitely more of a time commitment than getting in line early to get on the seating list. And this restaurant was named best new restaurant in America in 2014 by Bon Appetit and, for the most part, lives up to the hype with its food so I can see the excitement for a table.

Anyway - just thought you all might appreciate that story!

 

[loveshak22]

The Disney website is showing DHS as closing at 8:00 on my DHS day - 11/19 with F! at 7:00. I'm guessing they will be extending the park hours since today H&V can be reserved up until 8:00. Does that mean there will be a second F! show as well? My concern is I don't want them to change the 7:00 F! show on me because that really messes my schedule up.

Also, I'm doing MM with the F! package. If they end up with two shows, do I get to pick which show I want to go to as part of my meal? I've never done the F! package before so am not sure how that works if they add another F!.

TIA!

EDIT: Actually my ADR says "Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Lunch Fantasmic 1st Show." So I guess even if they do add a second show I should be set for the 7:00 time right?

 

[dcmouse]

We'll also be at HS on 11/19 and I snagged a 7:45 pm dining reservation for Minnie's Holiday H&V dinner. Is it feasible to make a 7:45 pm reservation after the 7 pm Fantasmic?

 

[marchingstar]

The Disney website is showing DHS as closing at 8:00 on my DHS day - 11/19 with F! at 7:00. I'm guessing they will be extending the park hours since today H&V can be reserved up until 8:00. Does that mean there will be a second F! show as well? My concern is I don't want them to change the 7:00 F! show on me because that really messes my schedule up.

Also, I'm doing MM with the F! package. If they end up with two shows, do I get to pick which show I want to go to as part of my meal? I've never done the F! package before so am not sure how that works if they add another F!.

TIA!

EDIT: Actually my ADR says "Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Lunch Fantasmic 1st Show." So I guess even if they do add a second show I should be set for the 7:00 time right?

yep, your VIP seating for
MM will be for the first fantasmic only. I think during Christmas they might also do a 2nd show with VIP seating, but usually if there are 2 F! showings the second one is just first come, first served.

And if they extend the hours of HS, they could add a second show but they wouldn't move the only one later. I think your plans are safe

 

[marchingstar]

okay I think I know the answer, but for my own peace of mind I want someone else to confirm: I have a H&V dinner booked--nowhere does it say "Minnie's Holiday Dine", but it is after the 7th. actually right now I have 2 dinners booked--one for 5:30ish, one for 7:30ish (I need to talk with my group and see which works better with our schedule). either way, we should see Minnie and Co, right?

I still have my fingers crossed I'll find it with F! on my preferred date, and I think this is a step in the right direction.

 

[marchingstar]

We'll also be at HS on 11/19 and I snagged a 7:45 pm dining reservation for Minnie's Holiday H&V dinner. Is it feasible to make a 7:45 pm reservation after the 7 pm Fantasmic?

ooh, this is a good idea to consider! I don't know the answer, but I am inspired to book my own Minnie's dinner on our HS day. does anyone know if this is enough time? in my memory, F! is just under a half hour, and the rush out of the theatre means exiting can take a solid 15 minutes, which would mean getting to H&V around 7:45 or 7:50. does that sound right to anyone else?

 

[loveshak22]

yep, your VIP seating for
MM will be for the first fantasmic only. I think during Christmas they might also do a 2nd show with VIP seating, but usually if there are 2 F! showings the second one is just first come, first served.

And if they extend the hours of HS, they could add a second show but they wouldn't move the only one later. I think your plans are safe

Great! Thanks for verifying I'm good!!