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

[peanut520]

hannahdrewmom - i think i'm going to take your advice and grab some something at contempo cafe plus i think that will give us more time at MK on the first day. i think epcot with coral reef and garden grill it too much for the frist day. i did also forget to change that yak an yeti will be ts.

 

[Colleen27]

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)

Are you really attached to the idea of Ohana? I know it is a DIS favorite but in our experience it is loud to the point of overwhelming and a 2yo is a little on the young side for the antics, and on a travel day a very loud crazy meal isn't likely to be what you're in the mood for. I'd recommend California Grill or Kona for this evening instead.

9/19
B - Akershus (8:00am)
L - counter service (probably tangierine café)
D - Chefs de France (5:00pm)

On this day, I'd plan on snacks for lunch. There are plenty of good choices around the World Showcase (check out jjohnson's sticky at the top of the board for a list), and you aren't likely to want a full meal. If you do want to try Tangerine Cafe, the portions are large enough for one credit to be a light meal for 2 adults and a young child.

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
D - boma (5:00pm)

We liked Yak & Yeti table service, the lettuce cups appetizer and wonton dessert are excellent. Haven't tried the counter service yet. For breakfast, there is a cart on the right side of the path as you come into the park that has muffins, danishes, and coffee. It is a good place to use snack credits for a light breakfast without losing much early morning touring time.

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

This is a lot of food, pretty closely spaced. You're really only going to have about 3hrs between breakfast and lunch, and 4 between lunch and dinner. Could you move this dinner to a little later in the evening, around 6-6:30?

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)

For snacks/grab and go the Main Street Bakery is nice and right on your way in, but it gets very busy very quickly. I'd definitely plan on splitting something for lunch since you have an early dinner planned, and your time for Crystal Palace looks perfect for allowing plenty of time to get back for your ME pick up.

From a touring standpoint I agree with Hannahdrewmom's comments. At Epcot, the biggies to hit at rope drop are Soarin, Test Track, and to a lesser extent Mission Space, none of which your daughter can ride. If she wants to meet Tinkerbell you should plan that for rope drop, but otherwise there's nothing there for a toddler that can't be done later in the day (and some things at the front of the park are better done later in the day, like Spaceship Earth and Nemo). At the Magic Kingdom, on the other hand, some of the rides that get the most backed up are toddler favorites - Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh. You'd really be better off with two MK rope drops and hitting Epcot on your arrival day.

 

[peanut520]

Maybe I should have stated what our vacation style is: 3
I feel there are a few general styles i have noticed:
1. who needs food or drinks! we are going to see it all ...we go until we drop!
2. see as much as we possibly can without losing any limbs
3. see as much as we can at a relaxed (if that is possible at disney) pace while enjoying a vacation. we are on vacation not a millitary mission.
4. oh, there are parks attached to these resorts??

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I think the plan of #3 with a toddler is the only way to go! Otherwise there are sure meltdowns to be faced.

 

[peanut520]

I think the plan of #3 with a toddler is the only way to go! Otherwise there are sure meltdowns to be faced.

oh i'm sure there will be meltdowns no matter with style we go, but i am hoping to limit them. until i found this great board and the the knowledge member, i thought this was a suicide mission with a 2 year old.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

You'll be great! My daughter is 4 and my son is 2. They have both been multiple times. The love it and we can't imagine a trip anywhere else with them at this age. Just take it slow and plan around their schedule (naps and such) and you will LOVE it! It's WAY easier than the beach! You have great restaurants picked out and are going into it with a game plan. Maximize your FP's and avoid the crowds and it will be golden!

 

[peanut520]

a lightbulb just went off!!! why dont i book chef mickey's for arrival day and hopefully head to MK as people are heading back to their rooms for breaks? i'm thinking 11:00 am. that still give me 1 1/2 hours from the plane landing. here is a question: if there are any delays, can i or dh finish checking us in and get or cards and the everyone else head to the restaurant first?

that allows me to also change the chef mickey's i planned to donald's safari.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I'd think that should be fine. Just make sure you get the last possible seating at CM for breakfast that day. I'd think you should make it assuming your flight isn't delayed. They normally are behind anyway. I'd pick Tusker over Chef Mickey normally anyway... the only bonus you have is you are staying right there.

 

[peanut520]

okay ohana might be too loud for arrival day; how about kona cafe or the wave? i would love to do california grill but i dont want to do any 2 ts dining this time. and kouzzina instead of chefs de france? how would i get there?

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I'd do Ohana personally since I think louder is better with a 2 year old. Kona and the wave are quieter but they are also more standard restaurant and not as much going on. My kids like to see something going on and the extra noise helps them to not have to feel like they have to be perfect. It calms my nerves too! The food also comes quickly which is a bonus for us.

As for Kouzzini's if you are back at CR then walk to MK and take the bus to BW. If you are in Epcot than walk out IG and walk to boardwalk. I've never been for dinner (I don't like olives and that's what I mentally associate this with)... but we were there for breakfast. Breakfast was wonderful!

 

[Colleen27]

I'd do Ohana personally since I think louder is better with a 2 year old. Kona and the wave are quieter but they are also more standard restaurant and not as much going on. My kids like to see something going on and the extra noise helps them to not have to feel like they have to be perfect. It calms my nerves too! The food also comes quickly which is a bonus for us.

I think this is one of those things that is going to depend heavily on your little one's personality. I was about to say just the opposite of what Hannahdrewmom said above - my DD2 does better in quieter restaurants that are more like a normal eating environment, and the few difficult meals we've had with her at Disney (and in the real world - Rainforest Cafe is evil!) have been in places where she was simply too overstimulated/distracted to eat but too hungry to enjoy the entertainment. Ohana was tough on her, as was Planet Hollywood, but she did much better at more "boring" restaurants where she could focus on her meal.

Between Kona and the Wave, Kona is a bit louder because it is open to the Poly lobby, so it isn't an atmosphere where happy/normal toddler noise is going to be noticeable. Not that The Wave is really very quiet or romantic or anything, but as one of the less popular restaurants and one with a more "adult" menu/feel it is on the quiet side by Disney standards.

 

[peanut520]

I'd do Ohana personally since I think louder is better with a 2 year old. Kona and the wave are quieter but they are also more standard restaurant and not as much going on. My kids like to see something going on and the extra noise helps them to not have to feel like they have to be perfect. It calms my nerves too! The food also comes quickly which is a bonus for us.

As for Kouzzini's if you are back at CR then walk to MK and take the bus to BW. If you are in Epcot than walk out IG and walk to boardwalk. I've never been for dinner (I don't like olives and that's what I mentally associate this with)... but we were there for breakfast. Breakfast was wonderful!

I think this is one of those things that is going to depend heavily on your little one's personality. I was about to say just the opposite of what Hannahdrewmom said above - my DD2 does better in quieter restaurants that are more like a normal eating environment, and the few difficult meals we've had with her at Disney (and in the real world - Rainforest Cafe is evil!) have been in places where she was simply too overstimulated/distracted to eat but too hungry to enjoy the entertainment. Ohana was tough on her, as was Planet Hollywood, but she did much better at more "boring" restaurants where she could focus on her meal.

Between Kona and the Wave, Kona is a bit louder because it is open to the Poly lobby, so it isn't an atmosphere where happy/normal toddler noise is going to be noticeable. Not that The Wave is really very quiet or romantic or anything, but as one of the less popular restaurants and one with a more "adult" menu/feel it is on the quiet side by Disney standards.

i love both your opinions! the noise and activity level for dd depends on her mood. we try to do dim sum very few weeks with her and that is a lot of noise with a lot of activity. i dont think we are going to do the wave unless it was for arrival day, but i am leaning towards chef mickey's. do they have anything at chef mickey's that can be considered lunchish?