Dining and Dis Transportation

[Keepoffgrass]

I'm taking my family to Disney World from mid till late Sept. I've been trying to map out some of the things we have planned and how to do them. I've been wondering a few things.

First... I was reading that Chef Mickey's is the place to go for breakfast, I was wondering what the earliest time I could make a breakfast reservation and get to it using the Disney Transportation system. We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and will be relying solely on the buses, boats, and monorails. Or the other option is maybe the Tusker House breakfast. I want to have at least one or too character dinings, for my daughter.

Second... I've made reservations at for a few of really high volume places so far. Coral Reef, Mickey's Back Yard BBQ, and Cinderella's Table. There are a few other places that I would like to eat at however but I don't really want to have plan out the whole vacation to the last detail, I would like to have some flexibility. How crucial is it to make reservations at places like the Biergarten, Sci Fi Dine-In Theater, etc. Maybe I feel like having lunch there, maybe dinner. Is it often possible to make the reservation that morning maybe, or possibly even when I get to the park?

Third...Does anyone have any must do recommendations? My wife and I have been to Disney World once, our honeymoon actually, but I feel we missed out on so much (for various reasons) Any places we must eat, or things we must try? My daughter will be about two and a half at the time of this trip. I bought the 10 day parkhooper tickets, with the water park and more option. And plan to get at least one night with the Mickey's Halloween Party.

Thank you! Any help and or advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

1.There are character breakfast buses early in the morning. But your best bet may be getting a cab especially from AKL. Chef Mickeys is okay for character interaction, but the food is okay at best.

2. You are there during free dining. If you want to eat somewhere its best to make reservations. There is a definite possibility you may not be able to get in the day of. Also if you have the dining plan you NEED ADRs or risk not being able to use your TS credits.

 

[squirrel]

I have to agree about booking your TS. You are going during Free Dining and the restaurants fill up and don't take walk ups. Unless you want to eat at 9 pm, then book something. It is possible to switch things around a little, but I'd rather go knowing I have some place to eat each day.

For Chef Mickey's you could take a bus to MK at 7am and the driver might drop you off at the Contemporary. If not you can walk over from the MK bus stop. You should plan this on a MK or Epcot day to save on travel time.

I really enjoy Tusker House. Personally if I could only do one of those two, I'd pick TH over CM.

CRT and Mickey's BBQ take 2TS credits each.

 

[Keepoffgrass]

Thanks for the quick replies. I didn't get the dining plan for this trip, so I don't have to worry about loosing a meal, or eating places that take two credits.

I may look at the magic hour schedule and make a reservation for late morning at TH and skip on the CM idea. I love Animal Kingdom anyway, and will definitely be there on the morning with the magic hours.

Thanks for the advise

 

[squirrel]

I have TH booked twice for our 14 night trip. I booked one for before the park opens at 8:05am and one for later morning so we could see the opening ceremony.

I like the later time as the restaurant empties and the characters stay longer at the table. Breakfast ADR's end at 10:30am.

The early morning time is nice because you can get photos without lots of people in them.