Dining Advice AND ADRs for Sept?

[ifer924]

We're planning for our Sept trip, staying 8 nights at Polynesian, I'm going to subscribe to TouringPlans.com so we can determine what parks we'll hit on which days and then make ressies accordingly, but I have some preliminary questions?

1. Arrival day - we won't hit a park with 2 little ones in tow and travel from the west coast, we might not get dinner but in my plan we'll visit DD and have dinner. We always eat at Wolfgang Pucks but last time it wasn't as great as I remember, thinking maybe Raglan Road (haven't tried it yet)? Any suggestions? Do I need or can I make and ADR?

2. Wanting to do 2 character breakfasts Crystal Palace MK and Tusker House AKL of course those have to coordinate with the days we'll go to those parks, what time do I make the ADR assuming we want to hit park opening?

3. My dad thinks we should all do Hoop dee do musical revue but we'll be traveling with 3 yr and 9 months, I think there too young to 'get it' is that true? What about Mickeys Backyard BBQ?

4. Everyone says the cost of food is what has increased the most at Disney in the past few years, I love the theming and the 'disneyness' of staying at the parks, hotels and DD for dining. Are DD restuarants generally less expensive then park/hotel restuarants for dinner meals?

5. Planning to do breakfast in the room most mornings, or lunch if we have a character or other breakfast. Thinking definitely Yachtsmans and California Grill, maybe Flying Fish, Shulas or Teppan Edo (though I know there are probably Japanese Teppanyaki type restuarants off site that are less expensive) for dinner. But what other more moderate or casual restuarants should I think about for our family and not just 'date night' meals? We love good food and don't mind paying for it, if it's worth it

Thanks - getting so excited!!!!

 

[sahmoffour]

Yay! I love the planning stage, it's so much fun! Now keep in mind I'm going in September for my first trip to Disney, but I'm finished my planning and have been pouring over these boards and books/etc, so I'll offer advice on what I've learned.

1. Are you guys on the dining plan? Raglan Road is on it and I've heard good reviews about it. We're paying OOP to go to T-Rex though, it looks like an awesome atmosphere for kids so you might want to have a look at it. It gets better reviews that Rainforest Cafe in terms of food quality. I've also heard great things about Fultons but it's not on the dining plan. You can make reservations at either those restaurants. Or, if you don't want a solid reservation in case of delay in travel plans, you could just plan at eating at Earl Of Sandwich. It gets RAVE reviews!

2. If you want to finish your breakfast in time for rope drop, make your res for 8:00 at Tusker House and 8:05 at Crystal Palace (that's their earliest ones). Ask for the bill as soon as you're eating so you don't end up delayed getting out of there when you're done eating.

3. The general consensus I've found is that Hoop Dee Do is fun for all ages! It's also rated the best dinner show by the majority of people, it's the one that I've booked to see.

4. For pricing, go to http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm. You can view menus and prices at all the restaurants in WDW area. Also, you could consider adding the dining plan, I think it's a really awesome deal, plus it's nice knowing almost everything is paid for when you go (depending on which plan you go with). We purchased the Deluxe dining plan because we LOVE to eat!

5. One of the most popular restaurants, especially for a family is Ohana at the Polynesian. So I would absolutely book that, especially since it'll be handy for you guys! Also Kona for breakfast gets rave reviews (Tonga Toast!). Boma at the African is very popular too. Biergarten at Epcot. Le Cellier for awesome food at Epcot, but it's very hard to book so you might want to make it and Ohana you're first bookings to score a table as they're both a couple of the most popular. Coral Reef at Epcot for a cool dining experience surrounded by an aquarium (although the food is rated just so-so). Pour over the menus at the above link and have a look to make sure you like the restaurants' food as well!

HTH!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Just to add to what sahmoffour said:

3. Mickeys BBQ is not inside and in september will be very hot. We too are coming from the west coast in September and opted NOT to do it just for that reason. It's in an open air pavillion I believe.

 

[tjs198]

We're planning for our Sept trip, staying 8 nights at Polynesian, I'm going to subscribe to TouringPlans.com so we can determine what parks we'll hit on which days and then make ressies accordingly, but I have some preliminary questions?

I'd suggest checking out easywdw dot com. They have everything mapped out for which parks to go on each day and a narrative on why - came in very handy for me and it's FREE. They have September and October 2011 already posted.