desperately seeking reservation advice

[kristennn]

Now that I finally have our reservations chosen - and i have had luck getting some openings for what i want using the touring plans reservation finder ... i am debating tweaking them.

our group - me and my 2 daughters - 15 and 9, my closed friend and her daughter 15. we have both been about 5 times over the 12 years, mostly together. The last time we went was 2 years ago. We are staying in a cabin at fort wilderness for the 1st time. We are on the regular dining plan. Kids arent super big into characters, but we all enjoy them somewhat.
Here is our current plan

Thursday 13th - arrival day - xmas party at MK. Will eat counter service ... thinking maybe columbia harbour house? Never ate there but it sounds good. Anyone have any favorite MK counter service meals? We could also eat counter service at the wilderness before leaving - I have not even looked at what their options are.

Friday: Animal Kingdom rope drop ... counter service for lunch ... maybe that new place Satu'li canteen. Anyone NOT like it? I feel like we usually end up eating yak and yeto counter service which i think is just ok.
Dinner - We are paying out of pocket to do the Hoop de Doo review - which i think looks super cheesy - but it;s at our hotel, we've never done it ... and i like to try new things while there. 830 reservation so ... will need to eat lunch at AK and probably snacks

Saturday - Epcott rope drop - Will have counter service lunch ... have had many of the options, but wouldnt mind trying something new ... and will have lots of the delicious epcott snacks .... so much to eat at Epcott ... maybe mostly snacks. Would love recommendations
dinner 830 at Via Napoli ... will probably do afternoon break at hotel

Sunday - rope drop MK - will probably grab breakfast wherever ... maybe bakery or cinnamon rolls from gastons? Lunch at BOG at 130 - this was the only time slot i could get. Dinner at Cape May seafood buffet at 830

Monday - rope drop at hollywood studios ... this is out least favorite park so we just want to do a morning here. Maybe Woody's lunch box for a later breakfast to try something new?

Drinks with Kids at Trader Sam's tiki bar - and then dinner at Ohana at 730. We love Ohana maybe go to a park after or maybe go back to hotel

Tuesday - we have a late flight out (9:00) breakfast at Ohana (everyone in our party but me loves Lilo and stitch, and i love Ohana's breakfast) at 9:15 and then probably to epcott for awhile since we will have only had one day there. Dinner at Whispering Canyon which is at the neighboring hotel ... and then fly out.


So i am wondering about changing any of these? Im not 100% tied to via Napoli, or cape may seafood buffet ... I originally wanted Tusker house late breakfast/lunch at AK on Friday but couldnt get it and now we're out of credits. Also would love to do the new character meal at Artists point if its out in time, and would even pay out of pocket for this ... hate to give up Ohana breakfast though ... and not sure what other day breakfast would work .... maybe switch it for whispering canyon or cape may if its a character meal at dinner too. Would love suggestions!

 

[gharter]

I think the plan looks good.
Mk - for QS, we do Columbia Harbour House or Pecos Bills. Been happy with both.
AK - Love Satu'Li canteen.
EPCOT - really enjoy Katsura Grill in Japan for QS.
Doubtful that the character dining at Artist Point will be open by the time you are there, but keep watching. Anything can happen. I'm sure they would love to have iit open before the Christmas rush.

 

[nkereina]

Drinks with Kids at Trader Sam's tiki bar

Just FYI that Trader Sam's opens at 4pm and I highly recommend getting there about 15-30 minutes before opening so you don't have a wait and can get a table. Arriving any time after 4pm, you'll likely have a wait to be seated and in most cases, once you're allowed to enter, its standing room only as seating is first come first served. It can be difficult to snag seats with a party greater than 2, unless you're among the first wave in at opening.

 

[gharter]

Just FYI that Trader Sam's opens at 4pm and I highly recommend getting there about 15-30 minutes before opening so you don't have a wait and can get a table. Arriving any time after 4pm, you'll likely have a wait to be seated and in most cases, once you're allowed to enter, its standing room only as seating is first come first served. It can be difficult to snag seats with a party greater than 2, unless you're among the first wave in at opening.

Agree with getting there at least 30 minutes before. You put your name on a list and then can wonder around the Poly. Just be sure to be back in line by 3:55. At 4, they open the doors and go down the list. They will send you a text if you aren't there. But they call the next names on the list rather then waiting for you, so you could show up and the room is full. There are no assigned tables, and its not that big inside. You go in and find a place to sit. When we were there, nobody in the first group left before 5:30, after entering at 4.

 

[crabbygal902]

Thursday 13th - arrival day - xmas party at MK. Will eat counter service ... thinking maybe columbia harbour house? Never ate there but it sounds good. Anyone have any favorite MK counter service meals? Columbia Harbor House is very good and the upstairs area is usually a quieter place to have a meal. I like the lighthouse sandwich, DH loves the grilled salmon and couscous. Pecos Bill's is our go-to because of the fixin's bar. You can make a sorta sad little lonely burger look like a instagram-worthy meal with some veggies and condiments. I'm also dying to try the Galaxy Fries at Cosmic Ray's: bacon, pico de gallo, ranch, cheese sauce. Mmmmm....

Friday: Animal Kingdom rope drop ... counter service for lunch ... maybe that new place Satu'li canteen. Anyone NOT like it? Haven't tried Satuli, but we love Flame Tree. With 5 trips, I bet you've tried it too. I think I love it most for the relaxing atmosphere. Walk all the way to the back of the eating area for a great view and less crowds.
Dinner - We are paying out of pocket to do the Hoop de Doo review - which i think looks super cheesy - but it;s at our hotel, we've never done it ... and i like to try new things while there. 830 reservation so ... will need to eat lunch at AK and probably snacks My favorite cooler-weather AK snack is a hot cup of the vanilla flavored tea at Anandapur Tea Company.

Saturday - Epcott rope drop - Will have counter service lunch ... have had many of the options, but wouldnt mind trying something new ... and will have lots of the delicious epcott snacks .... so much to eat at Epcott ... maybe mostly snacks. Would love recommendations
dinner 830 at Via Napoli ... will probably do afternoon break at hotel My favorite Epcot CS: 1. Tangierine Cafe's Shawarma Platter. It might seem exotic or weird, but basically it's meat (shaved lamb, roasted chicken) and bread (the most delicious, soft pita) and veggies (Hummus, tabouleh) 2. Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie: Sandwiches, cheese plate, baguettes, soups, pastries...all are phenomenal.

Sunday - rope drop MK - will probably grab breakfast wherever ... maybe bakery or cinnamon rolls from gastons? How about a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow? Ham, egg, and cheese or fruit and nutella. Lunch at BOG at 130 - this was the only time slot i could get. I love the Seared Tuna Nicoise salad! Dinner at Cape May seafood buffet at 830 Love this! Honestly, the crab legs in my experience have been kinda rubbery and hard to crack, but the rest of the buffet is top notch.

Monday - rope drop at hollywood studios ... this is out least favorite park so we just want to do a morning here. Maybe Woody's lunch box for a later breakfast to try something new? I'd be willing to try the lounge at Hollywood Brown Derby, but nothing else interests me in the slightest. Haven't tried Woody's yet and the menu isn't appealing to me.

 

[kristennn]

Just FYI that Trader Sam's opens at 4pm and I highly recommend getting there about 15-30 minutes before opening so you don't have a wait and can get a table. Arriving any time after 4pm, you'll likely have a wait to be seated and in most cases, once you're allowed to enter, its standing room only as seating is first come first served. It can be difficult to snag seats with a party greater than 2, unless you're among the first wave in at opening.

Thanks for the advice! I havent been here but my friend is really really into tiki bars (and the rest of us like it too) if we are going to spend a small fortune just for drinks .... I'd prefer to be able to sit!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Well, one thing that stood out to me--can you switch Hoop dee doo to Sunday, when you are in the MK anyway? And then you could do Cape May (or a different restaurant, since you said you aren't 100% tied to it) on your AK day? I just think it makes more sense to not be traveling all over the place.

Hoop Dee Doo is actually awesome! Yes, it is very cheesy, but in a fun way!

If you are looking for a meal near AK, All of the restaurants in AKL are excellent!

 

[Mich123]

@krisenn I loved the Gaston's cinnamon roll--if you like sweet stuff, it's super yummy! The Sleepy Hollow ham, egg and cheese sandwich is also delicious and very filling.

 

[kristennn]

Well, one thing that stood out to me--can you switch Hoop dee doo to Sunday, when you are in the MK anyway? And then you could do Cape May (or a different restaurant, since you said you aren't 100% tied to it) on your AK day? I just think it makes more sense to not be traveling all over the place.

Hoop Dee Doo is actually awesome! Yes, it is very cheesy, but in a fun way!

If you are looking for a meal near AK, All of the restaurants in AKL are excellent!

We are staying at Wilderness lodge wo we wont have to travel at all for the hoop de doo!

 

[kristennn]

Thursday 13th - arrival day - xmas party at MK. Will eat counter service ... thinking maybe columbia harbour house? Never ate there but it sounds good. Anyone have any favorite MK counter service meals? Columbia Harbor House is very good and the upstairs area is usually a quieter place to have a meal. I like the lighthouse sandwich, DH loves the grilled salmon and couscous. Pecos Bill's is our go-to because of the fixin's bar. You can make a sorta sad little lonely burger look like a instagram-worthy meal with some veggies and condiments. I'm also dying to try the Galaxy Fries at Cosmic Ray's: bacon, pico de gallo, ranch, cheese sauce. Mmmmm....

Friday: Animal Kingdom rope drop ... counter service for lunch ... maybe that new place Satu'li canteen. Anyone NOT like it? Haven't tried Satuli, but we love Flame Tree. With 5 trips, I bet you've tried it too. I think I love it most for the relaxing atmosphere. Walk all the way to the back of the eating area for a great view and less crowds.
Dinner - We are paying out of pocket to do the Hoop de Doo review - which i think looks super cheesy - but it;s at our hotel, we've never done it ... and i like to try new things while there. 830 reservation so ... will need to eat lunch at AK and probably snacks My favorite cooler-weather AK snack is a hot cup of the vanilla flavored tea at Anandapur Tea Company.

Saturday - Epcott rope drop - Will have counter service lunch ... have had many of the options, but wouldnt mind trying something new ... and will have lots of the delicious epcott snacks .... so much to eat at Epcott ... maybe mostly snacks. Would love recommendations
dinner 830 at Via Napoli ... will probably do afternoon break at hotel My favorite Epcot CS: 1. Tangierine Cafe's Shawarma Platter. It might seem exotic or weird, but basically it's meat (shaved lamb, roasted chicken) and bread (the most delicious, soft pita) and veggies (Hummus, tabouleh) 2. Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie: Sandwiches, cheese plate, baguettes, soups, pastries...all are phenomenal.

Sunday - rope drop MK - will probably grab breakfast wherever ... maybe bakery or cinnamon rolls from gastons? How about a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow? Ham, egg, and cheese or fruit and nutella. Lunch at BOG at 130 - this was the only time slot i could get. I love the Seared Tuna Nicoise salad! Dinner at Cape May seafood buffet at 830 Love this! Honestly, the crab legs in my experience have been kinda rubbery and hard to crack, but the rest of the buffet is top notch.

Monday - rope drop at hollywood studios ... this is out least favorite park so we just want to do a morning here. Maybe Woody's lunch box for a later breakfast to try something new? I'd be willing to try the lounge at Hollywood Brown Derby, but nothing else interests me in the slightest. Haven't tried Woody's yet and the menu isn't appealing to me.

Ive always wanted to try the nutella and fruit waffle thing - so I am going to plan on that! My kids both loooooove nutella so they will be all about it and its a snack credit right? Also now that i have realized you can get margaritas and daquiris etc. at some counter service places i think thats gonna factor into our CS choices at AK, epcott and HS

 

[Capitalangel]

You said you have a 9pm flight so just keep in mind if you are using magical express it will pick you up 3ish hours early so that might make for an early or rushed dinner at Whispering Canyon.

 

[LovesTimone]

So i am wondering about changing any of these? Im not 100% tied to via Napoli, or cape may seafood buffet ... I originally wanted Tusker house late breakfast/lunch at AK on Friday but couldnt get it and now we're out of credits. Also would love to do the new character meal at Artists point if its out in time, and would even pay out of pocket for this ... hate to give up Ohana breakfast though ... and not sure what other day breakfast would work .... maybe switch it for whispering canyon or cape may if its a character meal at dinner too. Would love suggestions![/QUOTE]

Thursday 13th - arrival day - xmas party at MK. Will eat counter service ... thinking maybe Columbia harbor house? Never ate there but it sounds good. Anyone have any favorite MK counter service meals? We could also eat counter service at the wilderness before leaving - I have not even looked at what their options are.- We ate a good late lunch before going to the Christmas Party then snacked a bit, then we did grab something to eat at Ray's before the parade it was insane in there.

Friday: Animal Kingdom rope drop ... counter service for lunch ... maybe that new place Satu'li canteen. Anyone NOT like it? I feel like we usually end up eating yak and yeto counter service which i think is just ok.
Dinner - We are paying out of pocket to do the Hoop de Doo review - which i think looks super cheesy - but it;s at our hotel, we've never done it ... and i like to try new things while there. 830 reservation so ... will need to eat lunch at AK and probably snacks - We really like Satu'li Canteen, really cool interior. For us Hoop de Doo Review is not really my families thing, and the food is just so so. One and done sorta spot... I would hit Disney Springs for the price you will pay for Hoop de Doo. So many new choices.

Saturday - Epcott rope drop - Will have counter service lunch ... have had many of the options, but wouldnt mind trying something new ... and will have lots of the delicious epcott snacks .... so much to eat at Epcott ... maybe mostly snacks. Would love recommendations
dinner 830 at Via Napoli ... will probably do afternoon break at hotel - We have just cruised the world showcase getting something to share as we made around the lagoon. You can be world travelers that day. As far as Via Napoli for us it just doesn't hit the mark, in food or service for us. There are so many other options to choose from.

Sunday - rope drop MK - will probably grab breakfast wherever ... maybe bakery or cinnamon rolls from gastons? Lunch at BOG at 130 - this was the only time slot i could get. Dinner at Cape May seafood buffet at 830 - Gastons cinnamon rolls 2 thumbs up.... With BOG have you eaten here before? If so I would go a different route, if not then definitely worth a trip inside the beast castle. Cape May good choice, pretty dang good.

Monday - rope drop at hollywood studios ... this is out least favorite park so we just want to do a morning here. Maybe Woody's lunch box for a later breakfast to try something Drinks with Kids at Trader Sam's tiki bar - and then dinner at Ohana at 730. We love Ohana maybe go to a park after or maybe go back to hotel new? We like Sci for lunch burgers and milkshakes and we are good to go... If you are eating at Ohana for dinner and breakfast I would do one or the other and try some else.

Tuesday - we have a late flight out (9:00) breakfast at Ohana (everyone in our party but me loves Lilo and stitch, and i love Ohana's breakfast) at 9:15 and then probably to epcott for awhile since we will have only had one day there. Dinner at Whispering Canyon which is at the neighboring hotel ... and then fly out. I would choose either breakfast or dinner not the same spot back to back. Again try somewhere else. With dinner are you eating a really early dinner? For me I would try for a character breakfast then maybe QS somewhere in Epcot or at your resort this way if you get delayed along the way you won't be rushing to catch your flight.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

My family does mostly counter service when we go. Our favorite is BOG and try to do it multiple times if we can snag reservations. Touring plans has worked well with that. Pecos Bills is also good in MK. I tried Columbia Harbor house one trip. I think I got a lobster or seafood Mac and Cheese and I wasn’t that happy with it. But I’m not a big fan of velvetta type cheese. For AK we really like Flametree BBQ. I’m looking forward to trying Satu’li Canteen on our next trip. Epcot we usually do Katsura Grill and La Cantina San Angel. At HS we usually end up doing ABC Commissary. It’s usually consistent and my kids like the kids meal options there.