Did I Make Wrong Decision on ADR's?

[heaven2dc]

I'm going the end of January staying 3 nights at BWV and made ADR's according to which park we will be at. I'm taking my bff and this will be her first trip (my 2nd). Any suggestions would be wonderfully appreciated! (I should mention we will be on the DDP)

01/31/08 - arrive @ 9:30 a.m. - not sure what we will do about breakfast but this is our Epcot day - made 1 p.m. ressie @ Teppan Edu (she loves sushi) and then want to be close to Mexico for Illuminations (plus she wants to eat Mexican food) so 8 p.m. @ San Angel Inn (my 1st choice was eating at the Cantina so we could be outside for fireworks - should I change this?)

02/01/08 - MK day - no bfast ressie again, lunch still not sure but would be using CS - have dinner ressie @ Polynesian Luau Dinner Show @ 5:15 p.m. (this is using 2 DS so now am out of dinner credits )

02/02/08 - MGM day - no ressies since we're out of dinner credits but any suggestions for lunch? I thought since we would be using TS credits we would eat lunch somewhere at MGM and then head to Earl of Sandwich for dinner and hang out at DTD.

02/03/08 - AK day & departure day (plane departs 4:15 : ) - thinking of having bfast or lunch at Rainforest (if we eat bfast at AK, then thought we could have lunch back at BWV b4 leaving for airport).

Sorry this is so long but am rethinking my dinner options (mostly San Angel Inn), if I cancel that, that would give us a DS for our MGM night). Thanks all!

 

[quixoticvalue]

Just some suggestions:

If she likes sushi, Tokyo Dining would be the choice, not Teppan Edo. Tokyo dining has a big selection of sushi to choose from, plus regular entrees (ie, japanese grilled steak with choice of sauce, rice, veggies). Teppan Edo, you have to sit with a party of 6 if your a party of 2 so you wont have any quiet time to talk.

San Angel Inn is very romantic, but the food is nothing to write home about. Mama Melrose's is a great choice for the MGM night. Great entree's and desserts, and the atmosphere is very New York rustic. Plus, you get to try something from each park.

The Luau is okay. Okay entertainment, meh food. But it is fun in some aspects. I'd recommend a place to eat in magic kingdom. If she likes pooh, crystal palace. If you dont like buffets, try Liberty Tree Tavern. I haven't tried Tony's Town Square yet so I can't talk about that. If you get rid of the Luau, you can try a place at Animal Kingdom. Don't have any suggestions for that since I've never been to any ts restaurants in AK. (Simply because i refuse to go to Rainforest Cafe.. have one right down the street from me... plus i hate it there haha).

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want to do. Hope I made good suggestions.

 

[Skwinkles]

The Cantina is one of our favorite places to eat in Epcot, so if it were me, I would cancel San Angel. Not to mention, with an 8pm ADR, you may not even make it out in time to see Illuminations at 9pm.

 

[heaven2dc]

Thanks for replying! I had thought of Tokoyo Dining since we could talk more but she also loves the concept of the chef cooking in front of us so .

I may rethink the San Angel Inn - I just know she loves Mexican food plus we wanted to get good seats for Illuminations. Maybe I'll cancel that one and just get something from the Cantina and save my dinner ressie for Mama Melrose's for MGM night. We were hoping for an Italian night so that sounds perfect!

Anyone eat at Capt'n Jacks? That might be another idea at DTD to add to ADR list instead of San Angel Inn.

 

[Hopefully]

We ate at the San Angel Inn in October and it was the surprise of our trip. I almost cancelled it because it gets such bad reviews here. I am glad that I did not. The food was very good, the service was excellent, the setting is very pretty, and we did not think it was too dark We eat at the Cantina each trip too. We enjoy it, but it is take out Mexican in a styrofoam container. Nothing special for sure. And this area fills up 90 - 120 minutes before Illuminations for a good view. I think your 8:00 PM ADR is late if you want a relaxed meal and time to find a spot to see Illuminations. In summary, my advice would be to make an earlier ADR at the San Angel Inn. But you are also eating in Japan. You do not want 2 TS meals scheduled too close together!!! I agree Tokoyo Dining is the better choice for sushi, although we loved Teppan Edo in October. They have a limited sushi appetizer selection.
I personally would not spend 2 TS credits for the Luau on a short trip. There are so many great places to eat. The Luau gets mixed reviews too. How about an ADR at Kona Cafe at the Poly. It is terrific and only 1 TS, and you still get to see the Poly.
If you saved 1 TS you could make an ADR for lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe in MGM. We loved our lunch here in October. The food was really good (not gourmet, but good "Down Home" cooking) the atmosphere is fun and our server was great. We will go back here again.
If you have a 4:30 flight, you will need to leave WDW for the airport by 1:30 - 2 at the latest. It does not leave a lot of time for lunch in the AK.
We ate at the Flame Tree Barbeque. It was okay, not great. It was crowded and the lines moved very slowly. However Tusker House was still closed and Yak and Yeti had not yet opened, so perhaps the lines are shorter now.
Have a Great Trip

 

[robinb]

If you're there for 3 nights, then you have TS 3 credits and not 4 ...

01/31/08 - arrive @ 9:30 a.m. - not sure what we will do about breakfast but this is our Epcot day - made 1 p.m. ressie @ Teppan Edu (she loves sushi) and then want to be close to Mexico for Illuminations (plus she wants to eat Mexican food) so 8 p.m. @ San Angel Inn (my 1st choice was eating at the Cantina so we could be outside for fireworks - should I change this?)

Are you sure that Teppan Edo will be accepting the DDP in 2008? I don't think it does yet. Tokyo Dining has more sushi, as does Kimono's over at the Swan. Neither one accepts the DDP either.

As for San Angel, that won't work for you either. 8:00 pm is way too late to be able to see IllumiNations at 9:00. I would book before 7:30 pm and even then it could be close if you are not seated right away.

02/01/08 - MK day - no bfast ressie again, lunch still not sure but would be using CS - have dinner ressie @ Polynesian Luau Dinner Show @ 5:15 p.m. (this is using 2 DS so now am out of dinner credits )

I like the luau show (I adore Polynesian dance) and I thought the food was just OK. Since you only have 3 credits, I would skip a meal that takes up most of your credits. You can have two meals for the "price" of one. PLUS, the luau doesn't scream "BFF's First Trip!" to me. I would pick a character meal instead and save the other credit for another meal.

02/02/08 - MGM day - no ressies since we're out of dinner credits but any suggestions for lunch? I thought since we would be using TS credits we would eat lunch somewhere at MGM and then head to Earl of Sandwich for dinner and hang out at DTD.

MGM is a Counter Service dead zone, IMO. Maybe the Flatbread Grill? Maybe Pizza Planet? The Commissary is yucky, IMO. I don't like the "food court-y" area near Tower of Terror, although there are plenty of options there, and the Backlot Express has bo-ring burgers. I really like Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD but I have heard plenty of good things about Earl of Sandwich too.

02/03/08 - AK day & departure day (plane departs 4:15 : ) - thinking of having bfast or lunch at Rainforest (if we eat bfast at AK, then thought we could have lunch back at BWV b4 leaving for airport).

Why not take the 2nd credit saved on the 1st by canceling the luau and eat at Yak & Yeti or maybe the Tusker House buffet. Make a late breakfast reservation and enjoy "brunch" .

 

[heaven2dc]

Hopefully - thanks for your input! I definitely will cancel my ADR for San Angel Inn. I didn't think about how close the time was to the fireworks and will never get a good view. I will look into the Cantina instead.

I ate at 50's Primetime back in 1997 and loved it! I told my friend all about it (how the waiter kept trying to get us to eat our veggies so when his back was turned and my bro-in-law went to restroom, we snuck our greenbeans in his pot pie and took off! We peaked at them and watching the waiter and my bro-in-law's reaction when they got back was pricless ) So will make a ressie there for lunch. That takes care of the San Angel TS.

Also I just looked at reviews of Capn Jacks and am open for suggestions for DTD.

RobinB - thank you for reminding me I only have 3 TS (wonder why they didn't say anything when I called for reservations & told them I was on DDP & staying 3 nights). I will take your suggestion and not use TS for Luau - after thinking over, it will take a big chunk of time out of our evening. So with that in mind maybe I will take your suggestion and eat at Kona (wanted to pick someplace on the monorail for dinner but doesn't have to be at the Polynesian). I only picked the Luau cuz we had gone there in 1997 and loved it (had a party of 12 and we were staying 10 days so had more time.) Great suggestion!

 

[robinb]

Unless you plan on paying OOP for one of your meals, you are already over your limit with the luau.

2/1 Teppan Edo - 1 TS
2/2 50's Prime Time - 1 TS, Luau 2TS

That's 4 TS credits and not 3. If you cancel the luau then you will be able to eat at Cap'n Jacks.

 

[Disneychix]

If you liked the Luau why not try Ohana's instead. I love the food and you still get a little "show"!
I would agree that the Cantina is perfect for watching Illuminations. My favorite thing to do is eat in Mexico and watch this show. Make sure you get a table early. (and don't forget the margaritas!)
I would definaltey try Wolfgang pucks for CS at DTD. You get a LOT of food on the DDP there. Very much worth the money.
Since you'll be at the BW I might also suggest Spoodles. They have very good food here also for 1TS. You might want to try this instead of going to the Poly.

 

[disnut8]

One note on planning on eating at the Cantina. It's counter service and most of the tables for Illuminations will be gone around 7:00 with people trying to do the same thing you are. Sitting and watching the show.

 

[tigger536]

I would keep San Angel - just move the ADR to earlier. 7 pm should give you enough time. The Catina is fast food mexican. San Angel is much better and the atmoshere is great. Beside, tables at the catina go fast for illuminations - you really have to camp out. So I would eat at SA and then just grab a standing spot after dinner. With just 2 people it won't be hard to find a place to see well.

I agree on the luau - do Ohana's or Kona instead.

I like the breakfast at RFC. The pie of the viper (breakfast pizza) is my favorite! Yummy!

Have a great trip!

 

[heaven2dc]

I would keep San Angel - just move the ADR to earlier. 7 pm should give you enough time. The Catina is fast food mexican. San Angel is much better and the atmoshere is great. Beside, tables at the catina go fast for illuminations - you really have to camp out. So I would eat at SA and then just grab a standing spot after dinner. With just 2 people it won't be hard to find a place to see well.

I agree on the luau - do Ohana's or Kona instead.

I like the breakfast at RFC. The pie of the viper (breakfast pizza) is my favorite! Yummy!

Have a great trip!

Thanks! I will cancel Luau and do Ohana's instead - I mostly wanted a dinner on one of the monorail resort restaurants and hoped to see the fireworks at MK afterwards. I cancelled my San Angel reservation yesterday but now have to rethink our night at Epcot - maybe Rose & Crown and walk back to BWV from there to avoid crowds or reserve earlier at San Angel. You're right - I dont' think I should have problems for 2 of us to view Illuminations. I now have only one TS reserved so that leaves 2 - maybe one for Epcot night and one for MGM.

Is there a TS restaurant on Monorail line that would be good as or better than Ohana?

 

[N10CJT]

If you can find an extra credit for dinner, consider California Grill. The sushi there is fantastic (and I'm a sushi snob from NYC), and the observation deck makes viewing Wishes spectacular. And since it's in the Contemporary, you wouldn't have to board the monorail.... you could simply walk over from the Magic Kingdom.

This change would then free you to do something else while at EPCOT. If you end up looking at an out-of-pocket meal, you could even walk out to the Beach Club for Beaches and Cream, which has good burgers (I'm told, I don't actually like bugers), onion rings, etc. and great milkshakes at reasonable [for a resort] prices.

 

[tigger536]

I second the vote for California Grill! One of my favorites! The sushi is great. So are their flatbreads and their entrees...and, well I could go on. Great wine selection too and great atmosphere. I love watching wishes from there too. They even pipe the music in. Another great TS (also 2 credits) is Narcoosee's at the GF. Narcoosee's has great steak and lobster! Its right on the boat dock (small boat that makes trips between GF/Poly and MK) so you can take the boat back to the magic kingdom.

 

[heaven2dc]

Thanks, everyone, for your input! I discussed what our options are with my friend and she still wants to keep the Luau (was looking forward to a sit-down dinner w/show and to give her feet a break). So I kept the Teppan Edu ressie for now (may change to Tokyo Dining after she sees pics this weekend) and kept Luau so that took care of my TS credits.

For Illuminations I think we're going to keep it in the air for CS either at the Cantina (not sure I want to be there 2 hours b4 fireworks) or wander towards Rose & Crown or Canada. Would be an easier walk to get back to hotel (BWV). Does anyone have other for Epcot for CS?

As far as MGM, I'm thinking 50's Primetime Cafe and pay OOP. or head over to Wolfgang Puck and use CS. As far as our last day, not sure to eat breakfast at BWV area or at AK or vice versa for lunch - I'm confused lol!! Am I planning too much for such a short time?

 

[LoveKermit]

My concern with the Cantina is the weather. Who knows what you might get, after dark, at the end of Jan. Look for something inside, even if you have to pay.

I've been to O'hana and the Luau (Dec., at Christmas). The luau was cold. O'Hana is basically the same (way too much) food and there is entertainment. You certainly can sit there as long as you please. I didn't feel rushed (except the food just keeps coming and coming ).

I don't like being unable to escape the cold. So, I'd try to keep things inside and save the outdoor stuff for a nicer time of year.

Of course, it could be record highs so then this is totally useless...