Excited about our holiday ADRs, thoughts?

[Jen12573]

I am so excited, and I can't believe that we pretty much got every ADR that we wanted for our surprise trip to WDW from 12/25-12/31 for the Boys Soccer Showcase tournament at ESPN WWoS. DH is a coach, and if the kids get accepted into the tournament we're going to extend our trip a little bit. We were just there in Feb/March 2011, but this just got dropped on us, and we're pretty excited about it. We won't be on the DDP, so here's what we've chosen so far:

12/25 - arrival, tour the resorts to see decorations
Dinner, HDDR or Chef Mickey's (haven't reserved HDDR yet, it's pending our arrival time - if we book a flight that arrives early, I will cancel CM and reserve HDDR)

12/26 - Animal Kingdom & PM tournament registration
Breakfast, Tusker House (before park opening)
Dinner, Kona Cafe

12/27 - Games + Magic Kingdom (before and after games)
Dinner, Crystal Palace or HDDR if we don't go to HDDR on our first night

12/28 - Games + Hollywood Studios (before and after games, and to see Osborne Lights while everyone watches F!)
Dinner, 50s PTC (our favorite fun place)

12/29 - Games + Epcot (before and after games)
Lunch, Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Dinner, Biergarten (late)

12/30 - Final games or consolation + Magic Kingdom (so, possibly no game which means we have time for a breakfast)
Breakfast, pending...
Dinner, Narcoossee's at 7:35PM, fireworks at 9PM (I think)

12/31 - Resort touring and departure
Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare - this is our favorite character breakfast and we can't wait to go back.

So, what do you think? Not too bad so far. Of course, I'm open to opinions and recommendations.

 

[OhThePain]

I try to stay away from commenting on other people's ADRs. Just because I like something doesn't mean they will and just because I hate something doesn't mean they will. I just wanted to point out that on 12/30, Wishes is at 8:30 because at 11:50 they set off they NYE fireworks (not sure if it is a trial run for the following night or just a way to try to get people to go to a different park on NYE since they may have seen the same fireworks the night before). You won't make it to MK to see the 8:30 Wishes if your Narcoossee's ADR is for 7:35 (you'll be able to watch from the restaurant) but you'll make it in time for the trial NYE Wishes. Also, there are EMH until 3AM that night, which, from our experience, empties out by about 1:30AM. Keep in mind that this is THE busiest time of the year, so just be patient and stay calm.

 

[Jen12573]

I try to stay away from commenting on other people's ADRs. Just because I like something doesn't mean they will and just because I hate something doesn't mean they will. I just wanted to point out that on 12/30, Wishes is at 8:30 because at 11:50 they set off they NYE fireworks (not sure if it is a trial run for the following night or just a way to try to get people to go to a different park on NYE since they may have seen the same fireworks the night before). You won't make it to MK to see the 8:30 Wishes if your Narcoossee's ADR is for 7:35 (you'll be able to watch from the restaurant) but you'll make it in time for the trial NYE Wishes. Also, there are EMH until 3AM that night, which, from our experience, empties out by about 1:30AM. Keep in mind that this is THE busiest time of the year, so just be patient and stay calm.

Thanks so much for your feedback! I should have noted that our intention is to watch Wishes from Narcoossee's like we always do. I don't know that we've ever been in a park for fireworks, maybe once the first year we went, it's just not something we do...silly, I know.

We want to thank the wonderful world of soccer for scheduling this tournament during the craziest time of year at WDW, especially for the boys. The girls start later that week, I think on 12/31 - still crazy, but it starts to quiet down a little bit after New Year's Day, and they go through 1/3/12, I believe. So, thank you soccer people! We are definitely aware of the crowds, and expect to "see more resort decorations" than time spent in the parks, but since we were just there in February/March - and this is essentially a free trip for us, we couldn't pass it up. Thanks again!

 

[OhThePain]

I would suggest heading into MK after Narcoossee's to check out the NYE fireworks. They are pretty wild. Not only do you have the big show going on over Cinderella's castle, but there are fireworks been set off all around you and if you are standing on MSUSA you become like engulfed with fireworks as the characters count down. It's pretty cool to experience even if it isn't actually NYE. I don't think it is silly to not watch any fireworks from inside the parks in general, I just highly suggest that you make a manditory exception to the rule for these.

 

[Jen12573]

I would suggest heading into MK after Narcoossee's to check out the NYE fireworks. They are pretty wild. Not only do you have the big show going on over Cinderella's castle, but there are fireworks been set off all around you and if you are standing on MSUSA you become like engulfed with fireworks as the characters count down. It's pretty cool to experience even if it isn't actually NYE. I don't think it is silly to not watch any fireworks from inside the parks in general, I just highly suggest that you make a manditory exception to the rule for these.

Well now, with you recommending this manditory exception, and the fact that we won't have any games the next day, we may just mosey on over to MK for a little late night fun on some of the rides (if we can) or just stroll up and down main street to wait for these insane fireworks. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[laxchik18]

love crystal palace and chef mickey. hoopdeedo is the best!! good luck to your son's soccer team!!

 

[Jen12573]

love crystal palace and chef mickey. hoopdeedo is the best!! good luck to your son's soccer team!!

Thanks! We love HDDR and CM, never been to CP for dinner but are excited to try it.

Oh, we don't have a son. When asked "which one is mine" while I'm on the sidelines I laugh and tell the parents "the big guy over there, the coach is mine." My husband coaches four teams full time, and does training, but we don't have any kids of our own. We always say that the kids on his team are our kids, and the kids at my school too. But, we are planning to adopt in the next 18 months though.

Thanks!