Dec. ADR plan for 5 with a few ?s

[randi02]

ADR booking is in a few days. Would anyone care to look over my plan for our upcoming trip December 8-15, 2018?

This is the third trip I've planned for my family of five. Our kids are 10, 7, and 7. We've gone about every 3 years. This trip has several firsts for us: staying deluxe, visiting during the holidays, no dining plan, touring without a stroller, and my husband being vegetarian.

They are early risers, so we will usually rope drop. Our last trip, I thought we would need breaks back at the resort, but we ended up going all day, ending with dinner. But we didn't get much evening park time, which I'm hoping for this time.

Day 1: Arrive early evening at Boardwalk Villas. Dinner at Garden Grill @ 6:00PM. My son remembers this fondly from when he was 4, and I've heard they have a good vegetarian platter.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom. Lunch at BOG @ 11:00AM. My daughter answered "Beast's castle at WDW" when asked her favorite place, so I want to take her back. I prefer lunch here to breakfast, but that might not leave enough time between meals. Dinner at HDDR @ 4:00PM. Possible campfire afterward, depending on how the kids are doing. Can a Minnie van pick up at Pioneer Hall to take us back to BWV?

Day 3: Animal Kingdom 8AM EMH. Lunch at Sanaa @ 2:50PM. Anyone happen to know if there are tables for 5 near the window? Head back to the resort for rest or whatever. I had planned to possibly head to MK to watch HEA that night, which I really want to see. I never saw Wishes. But, this would now be the only park hopping we would need to do, and I don't think it's worth the $300+, right? When I initially planned that I thought we'd be doing more park hopping, but I just don't feel like it's necessary with 8 days.

Day 4: Animal Kingdom. QS meals. If we did add PH we could maybe spend some time this morning at Epcot.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios. Dinner at Mama Melrose @ 5:00PM. If kids are doing well, stick around for whatever non-Fantasmic! nighttime show or special evening holiday thing is offered.

Day 6: QS lunch at Disney Springs or hang at resort. Magic Kingdom for MVMCP at 4:00PM. I hope I'll feel like the party is worth it. I'm thinking we'll be able to do less MK time this trip (last trip was 2.5 days) if we're able to cram in more during the party.

Day 7: Epcot. Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno @ 9 or 10AM. Candlelight Processional at 5:00PM or 6:45PM. Does your dining package dictate which show you attend?

Day 8: Departure Day. Not sure which park...possibly HS again with lunch at Sci-Fi at 11:00AM. Head back for Magical Express.

TIA for any suggestions or thoughts you might have

 

[Nancyg56]

The only question I have is what arrival time is "early evening?" I am always careful with ADR's on arrival day.

In regards to the HDDR day, the campfire is nice, but you could also consider a wagon ride through FW. We did this during the Holidays and it was a blast! The campers really decorate for the Season.

I love the Party. We always took our DGD and she enjoyed it as well. Take it easy during the day, have a nice TS meal early, and then you are good to go.

I do believe you are able tot choose your show for the CP now. You used to be assigned by the dining time you chose, but no more.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Before we were AP holders - we park hopped mostly for MK. They used to have the latest hours and would do other parks during the day and park hop to MK at night. We would get so much done during the evening hours. Our kids also loved Wishes. To us park hopping is like adding another day. If you also plan to do rides at MK - then we would do it. Our kids love HEA also.

Sanaa does have tables for 5 at the window. One year we had a table for 6 at the window - it was many years ago though.

I think you will be fine with BOG and HDDR - it is so easy to get to HDDR from MK. The boat is right there and it goes directly there with a short walk. I just wouldn't eat much at BOG - because there is a lot of food at HDDR.

Not sure about the Minnie Van to HDDR. There are always buses there when HDDR is over - but we do the last show usually.

We enjoy Sci Fi over Mama Melrose - not sure if you did either but I would pick Sci Fi for our first HS day.

We love Trattoria al Forno breakfast - the food was really good.

Enjoy!

 

[randi02]

The only question I have is what arrival time is "early evening?" I am always careful with ADR's on arrival day.

That is a good question! We haven't booked flights yet. The cheaper one lands at 3:45PM, at which point I probably wouldn't want to scheduled an ADR. Hopefully the earlier flight that day will come down in price.

In regards to the HDDR day, the campfire is nice, but you could also consider a wagon ride through FW. We did this during the Holidays and it was a blast! The campers really decorate for the Season.

This is a great idea, thank you! I just worry about the timing. If HDDR is a full 2 hours, we won't be done until 6PM, which is the time of the first-come first-serve wagon ride. Hmm..

I love the Party. We always took our DGD and she enjoyed it as well. Take it easy during the day, have a nice TS meal early, and then you are good to go.

Glad to hear it!

 

[SG131]

If BOG is your daughter’s top choice, I’d make sure to have a backup plan. With free dining over your dates BOG will fill up quick especially when you have it so early on in your trip. I was going to try to check the availability for you as of now, but of course the good ole Disney dining webpage is down again.... (I just dealt with it being down two days in a row at 6am)

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Day 7: Epcot. Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno @ 9 or 10AM. Candlelight Processional at 5:00PM or 6:45PM. Does your dining package dictate which show you attend[/QUOTE

You are given tickets for a specific time (5:00; 6:45; 8:15) for the CP depending on the time of your dining package. You do not choose what time you want to attend.

 

[Nancyg56]

That is a good question! We haven't booked flights yet. The cheaper one lands at 3:45PM, at which point I probably wouldn't want to scheduled an ADR. Hopefully the earlier flight that day will come down in price.



This is a great idea, thank you! I just worry about the timing. If HDDR is a full 2 hours, we won't be done until 6PM, which is the time of the first-come first-serve wagon ride. Hmm..



Glad to hear it!

I like at least a 3 hour window for an ADR on an arrival day. SO much can happen to delay that I think it is chancy. If you cannot get an earlier flight I woudl consider CS that night.

I cannot remember the timing for the wagon ride, however we went to the second show at 6PM I believe, and were able to enjoy the ride. We signed up after the show.


This has changed. You can pick your time.

 

[SG131]

If BOG is your daughter’s top choice, I’d make sure to have a backup plan. With free dining over your dates BOG will fill up quick especially when you have it so early on in your trip. I was going to try to check the availability for you as of now, but of course the good ole Disney dining webpage is down again.... (I just dealt with it being down two days in a row at 6am)

FYI I did check for you this AM, a party of 5 can currently get breakfast reservations at BOG on 12/9, but no lunch is available.

 

[randi02]

This has changed. You can pick your time.

FYI I did check for you this AM, a party of 5 can currently get breakfast reservations at BOG on 12/9, but no lunch is available.

All great to know. Thank you for taking the time to give advice. I'm definitely open to breakfast as a second choice, I just feel like it is so overpriced when paying out of pocket. I think we can just order a couple entrees for my family to share.