Do our ADRs look okay?

[1sttimedisneymama]

This is our first trip going and I wasn't sure how to schedule ADRs with a toddler. This is what I have so far:
Day 1:Arrive at MCO at 10:10 AM Brunch at Chef Mickey's at 2:25. Spend afternoon in Disney Springs.
Day 2: Ohana's 7:45, go to Hollywood Studios for the day 5:10 ADR at H&V
Day 3: Tusker 8, day at AK. Would lunch be better here to break up the day?
Day 4: 1900PF 9:20, rest day MNSSHP at 5
Day 5: 8:20 BOG All day at MK
Day 6: Akershus 8:00 AM 1/2 at Epcot, 1/2 day at Disney Springs
Day 7: Crystal Palace 8:25 AM 1/2 at MK, 1/2 at resort to pack
Day 8: Board ME at 7AM to go home

 

[robinb]

This is our first trip going and I wasn't sure how to schedule ADRs with a toddler. This is what I have so far:
Day 1:Arrive at MCO at 10:10 AM Brunch at Chef Mickey's at 2:25. Spend afternoon in Disney Springs.
Day 2: Ohana's 7:45, go to Hollywood Studios for the day 5:10 ADR at H&V
Day 3: Tusker 8, day at AK. Would lunch be better here to break up the day?
Day 4: 1900PF 9:20, rest day MNSSHP at 5
Day 5: 8:20 BOG All day at MK
Day 6: Akershus 8:00 AM 1/2 at Epcot, 1/2 day at Disney Springs
Day 7: Crystal Palace 8:25 AM 1/2 at MK, 1/2 at resort to pack
Day 8: Board ME at 7AM to go home

Frankly, I think you are gilding the lily with so many character meals. I would have to shoot myself on or about day 5 after so many of them. The other problem, IMO, is that you have too many breakfasts which wastes prime park touring time. You will be spending hours eating in the morning while the crowds flow into the parks in the meantime and when you're done eating it'll be packed. The parks tend to start to get crowded at 10-11 am ... before then the rides are often walk-ons or with a short wait. The lines start to get long by the time the sleepyheads arrive at 10-11 ... which is exactly when you're going to be done with your breakfasts.

Day 1: I would keep Chef Mickey's. It's a great way to start your vacation and get seeing Mickey out of the way. Personally, I would go into the MK for the parade and fireworks (if no a party night) or at least the castle. Disney Springs is just an overrated mall.
Day 2: Skip 'Ohana. Go right to DHS and enjoy the day. Does your H&V reservation come with Fantasmic!?
Day 3: I would skip Tusker. You already saw Mickey and Goofy on Day 1.
Day 4: 1900 PF is OK. Why the "rest day"? An extra day in the parks is just a few dollars more after you buy 4-days.
Day 5: BOG breakfast is a waste. It's expensive and it doesn't really buy you anything. Skip it. Personally, I would go to Epcot on this day instead. You were just in the MK the night before.
Day 6: Akershus is a nice breakfast. The princesses are great. I might arrange it for lunch so I could enjoy Future World in the morning and then head back into the World Showcase for lunch. Epcot is a full day park and the fireworks are awesome.
Day 7: I really like Crystal Palace. I like to make the last breakfast reservation so I can enjoy the park in the AM and then go have "brunch". I would not waste 8:00 am on it. You also don't need 1/2 day to pack!

FWIW, we always took a mid-day break when my DD was young. Heck, we *still* take a mid-day break. I would also re-arrange days 4-7 to spread out going to the MK.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

We have a rest day because we are going to MNSSHP that night and have a 2 year who will need to rest. I get your point about too many but we want to experience as many as possible. I don't know when or if we will be back at Disney. We are planning the parks on days that are listed as lowest crowd predictions. I will look into switching some to lunches and get rid of Ohanas! Thank you!

 

[robinb]

I totally understand wanting to do as much as possible . Some people don't agree with me, but I think too many character meals makes going to them less special, KWIM?

 

[Candycane83]

OP, I am going with a toddler (2 by the time we go) too and I have more ADRs planned than you. I think if that's what your toddler likes, then go for it!

The only thing I could think of is your day 4 and day 5. You could rest on day 5 after the party and schedule a late breakfast, maybe? We're planning to attend MVMCP and we plan to go to EPCOT that morning, rest by noon and go to the party. Next morning, I plan to have a late breakfast or lunch and spend the day at Disney Springs. You might want to try another park on Day 5 too since you would be spending a lot of time there at the party? Good luck!

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Okay I moved out days the best I can.
1: AK
2: HS
3: MK/MNSSHP
4: Rest day
5: Epcot
6:MK

MK is spread out this way and it's the only way I can get the meals to work out. We are thinking about skipping Ohanas and maybe scheduling Tony's at 4 that way we are eating during the "busy" time do the party switching over

 

[ELSA711]

I don't think you are top heavy for character meals. We did one a day when they were little. Kept them entertained during meal time. But I won't stand in line to meet a character either so I'm pretty biased.

 

[Acrosthec]

Almost every meal we go to I try to do a buffet/character meal. I hate waiting in lines to meet characters, and our daughter was 2, so she could eat off the buffet for free (she's a good eater at 2, so we'd have to order her her own plate at a regular restaurant). I say do all the character meals, just make sure to see as many different characters as you can.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

So this is how it looks now:
Day 1: Land MCO 10am Chef Mickeys at 2:25
Day 2: AK Tusker Lunch 12:25
Day 3: HS H&V 6:00 Minnie Halloween Dinner
Day 4: MK/MNSSHP BOG 8:25
Day 5: Disney Springs 1900PF 10am (so we can sleep in) and need to add another meal here
Day 6: Epcot Akershus 8:10
Day 7: MK CP 825<- maybe try to get earlier or later to see park opening?

 

[Confederate Scott]

I agree with the comment about dropping BOG for breakfast unless you absolutely want to see the inside of the place. The breakfast menu looks like it leaves a lot to be desired. I also agree with dropping Ohana. I personally think it is way overrated.

 

[tinkerbella16]

With a toddler, character meals are the way to go! That means less time you'll have to spend in the parks waiting in line for those characters and you can enjoy more rides. We love Akershus breakfast and CP! Enjoy!

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Also we couldn't find anyADRs after 5 at MK. Is that normal? I don't know if September is just packed or what. We got rid of Ohanas but would like to have a 2nd time at CP since our son loves Tigger and pooh

 

[Confederate Scott]

Also we couldn't find anyADRs after 5 at MK. Is that normal? I don't know if September is just packed or what. We got rid of Ohanas but would like to have a 2nd time at CP since our son loves Tigger and pooh

I would keep looking for CP after 5. There are a lot of early closing at the MK in September due to the Halloween party. I would think as it gets closer they will release times after 5. Good choice dropping Ohana. I would also suggest continuing to look for a lunch or dinner at BOG, which would likely be a better option than breakfast.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

we are doing that and have moved nearly everything to lunch or dinner except 1900PF for breakfast on our rest day before the party. If we can't get BOG for lunch or dinner would it be reasonable to do CP twice. Ds loves pooh and tigger

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

So here is our final list!
Day 1: Land at 10. Check in meal at Chef Mickeys at 2:25 and then Disney Springs for the night
Day 2: AK Tuskers for lunch
Day 3: MK BOG breakfast 950 CP dinner 5:55 (hope to move BOG to dinner and flip flop these)
Day 4: 1900PF at 920 MNSSHP
Day 5: Epcot Akershus lunch 1210.
Day 6: HS HV dinner with Minnie 6:20
Day 7: MK Lunch at CP at 11:30

 

[Paigevon]

If you're arriving late to AK and your sin can handle it, AK night activitied and the new show Rivers of Light will be ready by then! It is supposed to have a dining package with Tusker House like H&V has for Fantasmic, but you'd need to rebook it as the package if that is what you're intetested in. Flame Tree BBQ may also be a package option for dinner, it is a quick service meal but rumored to not be a dining plan credit if you're using the Disney dining plan.

Everything looks great to me! I'd look for a slightly later breakfast BOG ADR if possible, or a pre-park opening one, like others have said, the first couple hours are prime ride time.

We're doing a lot of the same character meals with DD (4) as well! 1900 PF breakfast, Akershus lunch, Tusker House dinner. Hope your vacation is magical!

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

What si the river of light show? We don't mind going later on that day and staying later since we only have breakfast scheduled for that AM

 

[Paigevon]

Later this month or early May, Animal Kingdom should be debuting a lot of new night time entertainment
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/animal-kingdom-night/
Rivers of Light will be a water projection/light show that is suppose to be absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I'm going to be at AK on May 2nd and I'm crossing my fingers that it is ready by the time we go!

 

[Confederate Scott]

Later this month or early May, Animal Kingdom should be debuting a lot of new night time entertainment
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/animal-kingdom-night/
Rivers of Light will be a water projection/light show that is suppose to be absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I'm going to be at AK on May 2nd and I'm crossing my fingers that it is ready by the time we go!

The original opening of Rivers of Light, which was slated for April 22 has been delayed. A further update will come out in mid to late May.

 

[Paigevon]

The original opening of Rivers of Light, which was slated for April 22 has been delayed. A further update will come out in mid to late May.

Is this officially announced anywhere?