DxDDP with 2.5 y o game plan, Updated ADRs line up #15

[peanut520]

I need your help! I can book my ADRs in 6 days and I have a general game plan now, but really need the planning pros and veterans (especially with toddlers) to guide me here. Please feel free to suggest any changes or modifications or tips! I've put my ideal times in (), but I am going for the earliest res possible since dd's normal schedule is 8:30am, 11:30am, and 5:30pm so if you know there is an earlier time please let me know too.

Arrival day: Our flights get in at 9:30am, if all goes well. We will be using the magical express.
? = Is 3 hours for travel to the Contemporary, check-in, and getting to the Magic Kingdom sufficient?

9/18
B - non-dxddp
L - tony's town square (12:00pm)
D - ohana (5:00pm)

9/19
B - Akershus (8:00am)
L - counter service (probably tangierine café)
D - Chefs de France (5:00pm) ... I am very open to changing this one since dh isnt a french food fan plus we've eaten at 3 michlin star restaurants before.

9/20
B - EMH Epcot Future World ... Grab and go day
L - Coral Reef (11:30am)
D - Garden Grill (5:00pm)

9/21
B - EMH Animal Kingdom ... Grab and go day
L - Yak and Yeti... Not sure if I should do ts or cs for this meal
D - boma (5:00pm)

9/22 (flight is at 9:00pm and our magical express says pick up at 6:00pm)
B - crystal palace (8:00am)
L - counter service, play it by ear
D - chef mickey's (5:00pm)

Additional questions:
- Is Tony's too much on arrival day? Should we do a cs meal? I was concerned that we would get to the park around noon and hit the lunch rush.
- Am I going to miss Donald's Safari? Dd likes Donald, but she's 2.
- Is chef mickey's the last night cutting it too close to pick up time for the magical express? I would prefer to take a later (6:30pm) shuttle if possible, but I don't know if that is an option.
- we have the park hopper, but that is mainly to go to disney studios after dd is asleep as my parents will watch her. I am not opposed to going to multiple parks a day, but I thought this was easier since that will balance the extra time for ts with the travel time to other parks. Thanks!

 

[clc053103]

We usually get from airport to Contemporary to MK in the 3 hour window you describe, but we do The Plaza for our first meal, it's very casual (sandwiches, sundaes).

Chefs de France was sorta boring (ds was 4 at the time) for the kids, and not our best meal either. What about something like Teppan Edo, so there's a little more excitement for DD to watch?

I was not impressed with the Tusker House breakfast, it gets really loud, louder than Chef Mickey's if you think that would be an issue for DD. we do like Yak and Yeti TS though!

Chef Mickey's can have a big wait for seating- Even though you just have to walk downstairs for ME, a 5 pm ADR may be cutting it close to your 6 pm pick up time. Maybe they have a 4:30?

 

[peanut520]

We usually get from airport to Contemporary to MK in the 3 hour window you describe, but we do The Plaza for our first meal, it's very casual (sandwiches, sundaes).

Chefs de France was sorta boring (ds was 4 at the time) for the kids, and not our best meal either. What about something like Teppan Edo, so there's a little more excitement for DD to watch?

I was not impressed with the Tusker House breakfast, it gets really loud, louder than Chef Mickey's if you think that would be an issue for DD. we do like Yak and Yeti TS though!

Chef Mickey's can have a big wait for seating- Even though you just have to walk downstairs for ME, a 5 pm ADR may be cutting it close to your 6 pm pick up time. Maybe they have a 4:30?

I thought about the plaza too, but i saw zucchini fries I'll have to see what the first seating is at Chef Mickey's and hopefully it is 4:30pm and we'll check in early if i can only snag a 5p maybe 4:30p? do you know if you can change your ME pick up time? i liked the menu for yak and yeti ts too, but wasnt positive.

 

[juliebean]

Maybe add California Grill, since you are at the Contemp?

 

[peanut520]

Maybe add California Grill, since you are at the Contemp?

that is 2 ts right? what would you skip? i was not planning to oop for any meals.

 

[juliebean]

Since you aren't thrilled with with Chef's maybe that and use a snack credit for a breakfast or lunch...not sure if it's worth it or not, just an idea.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

that is 2 ts right? what would you skip? i was not planning to oop for any meals.

How about some snacks for breakfast or lunch instead of a full meal.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

They aren't going to let you change you ME pick up time and there is NO way you will be done by 6. I don't think dinner starts until 5 either. (Although in Septemeber sometimes they are opened for lunch... at least they have been the last 2 years we've been there.) What about switching breakfast and dinner? Do Chef Mickey before park and then do Crystal Palace for a late lunch like 3:30ish?

DD3 didn't like Chef's either... I'd suggest Biergarten or Teppan Edo for the show at both.

We love Tusker House for breakfast it's one of our favorite character meals. I'd do this over Chef Mickey and Yak and Yeti. I thought it was quieter and it was a nice break in the park. With doing EMH I'd suggest doing a later breakfast maybe the last seating 10:30ish... it should be quieter and it has great character interaction. Food was very good too.

Tony's is a no go for us because our food was terrible last time we were there. We haven't been to Liberty tree yet but it's on the plan for May. It appears to have a good lunch and gets consistent reviews.

 

[peanut520]

How about some snacks for breakfast or lunch instead of a full meal.

i was thinking of lunch as a down time for us even if we have to feed and amuse a 2 yo.

 

[peanut520]

okay i'm going back to the drawing board for some modifications to the potential ADRs.

i've learned that EMH days have larger crowd after midday and it is a good time to park hop, but 1. when to leave 2. which park 3. what to eat

i'm going to look for a late lunch for departure day instead of a early dinner (maybe chef mickey's still).

 

[moxiemom]

9/18
B - non-dxddp
L - tony's town square (12:00pm)
D - ohana (5:00pm)

With a toddler I would start out at Crystal Palace....better value for your TS credit anyway. Tony's is not "disney" enough for the first meal. Depending on what time your little one sleeps I may make dinner a little later....the 5pm time doesn't leave much park time at all.

9/19
B - Akershus (8:00am)
L - counter service (probably tangierine café)
D - Chefs de France (5:00pm) ... I am very open to changing this one since dh isnt a french food fan plus we've eaten at 3 michlin star restaurants before.

I think Chefs is a better choice for lunch than dinner...check around for the schedule and try to time your lunch with a Chef Remy visit....very cute.


9/20
B - EMH Epcot Future World ... Grab and go day
L - Coral Reef (11:30am)
D - Garden Grill (5:00pm)

These are excellent choices with a little one!

9/21
B - EMH Animal Kingdom ... Grab and go day
L - Yak and Yeti... Not sure if I should do ts or cs for this meal
D - boma (5:00pm)

I haven't tried these -

9/22 (flight is at 9:00pm and our magical express says pick up at 6:00pm)
B - crystal palace (8:00am)
L - counter service, play it by ear
D - chef mickey's (5:00pm)

There is no way a 5pm dinner will work with your ME time - Maybe do this on 9/21 for dinner instead of Boma. Especially since you are at the contemporary - you could come home after AK for a nap and make a little later dinner ressie at Chef Mickey's or even Cali Grill if you skip trying to make a dinner plan on your last day altogether.

If you end up skipping a Counter Service somewhere in this trip remember you can change out a meal credit for 3 snacks - they have Monster Drinks, smart waters, yougert parfaits, great desserts, fruit and many other choices for snack credits right there at the contemporary. Good luck on these ADRs!

 

[peanut520]

i'll post an update timeline soon, but for now i found out that crystal palace does an early dinner so i'm going to try to grab a 3:30pm dinner on the last day and late breakfast/early lunch counter service. i've flipped the EMH days to the opposite parks and do rope drop instead.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

i've flipped the EMH days to the opposite parks and do rope drop instead.

This is the best decision I have seen yet! I think no matter where you eat you will be happier with your park choices and the amount of people in the parks on those days!

 

[peanut520]

This is the best decision I have seen yet! I think no matter where you eat you will be happier with your park choices and the amount of people in the parks on those days!

would you plan my trip, pleeaaassseeee!!! like i told many, this is tougher than planning my honeymoon (and that was to fr. poly).

 

[peanut520]

9/18
B - airport
L - snack credits while checking in as i'm sure dd will be hungry + split 2 qs at MK ?
D - ohana (5:15pm)

9/19
B - Akershus (8:00am)
L - counter service (grazing through the showcase)
D - Chefs de France (5:00pm)

9/20
B - Animal Kingdom rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits)
L - Yak and Yeti (4:30pm)
D - boma (5:00pm)

9/21
B - chef mickey's (7:30am)
L - Coral Reef (11:30am)
D - Garden Grill (5:00pm)

9/22 (flight is at 9:00pm and our magical express says pick up at 6:00pm)
B - MK rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits)
L - counter service (split 2?), play it by ear
D - crystal palace(3:30pm)

 

[Diegosmom]

Never mind I miss counted.....

 

[peanut520]

Never mind I miss counted.....

i think i actually had 13 meals and i think we are going to split 4 credit for 2 meals on arrival and departure days.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

9/18
B - airport
L - snack credits while checking in as i'm sure dd will be hungry + split 2 qs at MK ? contempo cafe has GREAT food... I'd eat there and split... flatbreads and huge cupcakes.. .better than anything in MK IMO
D - ohana (5:15pm)

9/19
B - Akershus (8:00am)
L - counter service (probably tangierine café) I'd probably do snack credits today since you will likely not be hungry until later in the day and be too close to enjoy chefs
D - Chefs de France (5:00pm)

9/20
B - Animal Kingdom rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits)
L - Yak and Yeti... Not sure if I should do ts or cs for this meal I'd do an early lunch TS. YY CS has no indoor seating and in septemebr it is VERY VERY hot in AK. That is when we normally go and you will be looking for shade and cold drinks! Worth the extra time and tips! They open I think at like 11-11:30 and normally aren't crowded.
D - boma (5:00pm)

9/21
B - chef mickey's (7:30am)
L - Coral Reef (11:30am)
D - Garden Grill (5:00pm)

9/22 (flight is at 9:00pm and our magical express says pick up at 6:00pm)
B - MK rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits)
L - counter service (split 2?), play it by ear
D - crystal palace(3:30pm)

So can I throw a kink in here... you only have 1 RD at MK but 2 at Epcot. You're 2.5 year old is going to enjoy ALOT more stuff at MK RD then Epcot. Depending on height there is very little ride wise that she can do there. So the other stuff is really anytime things that don't need a RD. Have you thought about starting with Epcot and doing an extra full day in MK? Not that I'm trying to make it more difficult!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

This is what I would do to solve that problem... the only thing I think I missed was Boma. Of course you may have wanted 2 RD at Epcot .... if so disregard totally!

9/18
B - airport
L - corral reef
D - garden grill

9/19 This is also a MSEP parade night in case you decide to stay for it
B - Ohana RD at 9
L - counter service or Plaza
D - Chef Mickey


9/20 If you are a little late after parade you are still good at AK.
B - Animal Kingdom rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits)
L - Yak and Yeti... Not sure if I should do ts or cs for this meal
D - ohana

9/21
B - Akershus
L - counter service
D - Chefs de France

9/22 (flight is at 9:00pm and our magical express says pick up at 6:00pm)
B - MK rope drop 9am ... Grab and go day (snack credits) (This is EMH morning just so you know.)
L - counter service (split 2?), play it by ear
D - crystal palace(3:30pm)

 

[peanut520]

So can I throw a kink in here... you only have 1 RD at MK but 2 at Epcot. You're 2.5 year old is going to enjoy ALOT more stuff at MK RD then Epcot. Depending on height there is very little ride wise that she can do there. So the other stuff is really anytime things that don't need a RD. Have you thought about starting with Epcot and doing an extra full day in MK? Not that I'm trying to make it more difficult!

Hmm... something to consider, but dd isnt particular about any character and mommy is a epcot fan (i'm a science nerd). dh wanted to start in MK, but he is easily swayed by me except for the the great stroller debate (which one).