Feedback on our ADRs please

[GWhitten98]

We are going to disney the week before thanksgiving (Sunday to Sunday). I am crossing my fingers for free dining, but even if its not availble we will most likely do the DxDDP. I have already run the numbers with a room only discount and paying cash vs the dining plan we almost break even before acct for mugs or snacks so we should come out ahead.

A few things about us...
Family of 5 with 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 2
We like character meals
We are drive so will have a car
DH insists on a real breakfast (CS is fine, but he wants real food not snack)
We are morning people so being at the park at RD or before for ADR is no big deal
We like to at least start dinner by 7ish
We will take mid day breaks at least some of the days
We may have park hopper passes (still undecided)
Which day we visit which park will be determined when the schedules come out but number of park days is pretty set

Below is my ADR list(so far), I have one completely undecided space and this only utilize 19 of the 21 credits (if I did the math correctly). Anyone have any suggestions, concerns, feedback on restraunt choice/credit usage?

Arrival Day(driving so time can vary but generally by 4pm)
--California Grill(Dinner)
Magic Kingdom
--Crystal Palace(breakfast)
--Hoop De Doo Revue(Dinner)
Epcot
--Akershus(Breakfast)
--Tepen Endo(Dinner)
Hollywood Studios
--Hollywood and Vine(Breakfast)
--Mama Melrose(Fantasmic package)
Animal Kindgom (EMH-AM)
--Tusker House (Mid morning breakfast)
--Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show @ Poly
Resort day/MVMCP
--Cape May (Breakfast)
--BOG (early dinner)
Magic Kingdom
--CRT (breakfast)
-- ?
Departure Day-No park
--Ohana (Breakfast)

 

[figment_jii]

Below is my ADR list(so far), I have one completely undecided space and this only utilize 19 of the 21 credits (if I did the math correctly).

I only counted up 17 credits on the list above...(I didn't count the one blank spot)

Magic Kingdom
--CRT (breakfast)
-- ?

I know you said you DH likes a substantial breakfast, but personally, I would opt for an early lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern and then dinner at CRT.

Anyone have any suggestions, concerns, feedback on restraunt choice/credit usage?

I hate to say this, but breakfasts aren't generally the best use of DDP credits. You won't get anything extra for the appetizer or dessert entitlements; breakfast includes 1 non-alcoholic drink and an entree or one complete meal. So in most cases, it's very hard to make it economically worthwhile to use credits at breakfast.

 

[GWhitten98]

These were the credit amounts I was using and I assumed that the open meal would be a one credit. Which one is off?

Arrival Day(driving so time can vary but generally by 4pm)
2--California Grill(Dinner)
Magic Kingdom
1--Crystal Palace(breakfast)
2--Hoop De Doo Revue(Dinner)
Epcot
1--Akershus(Breakfast)
1--Tepen Endo(Dinner)
Hollywood Studios
1--Hollywood and Vine(Breakfast)
2--Mama Melrose(Fantasmic package)
Animal Kindgom (EMH-AM)
1--Tusker House (Mid morning breakfast)
2--Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show @ Poly
Resort day/MVMCP
1--Cape May (Breakfast)
1--BOG (early dinner)
Magic Kingdom
2--CRT (breakfast)
1-- ?
Departure Day-No park
1--Ohana (Breakfast)

Yea I hear what your saying about breakfast not be the most economical, but Since all are character plus many are buffet or family style all you can eat I kind of figured that evened it out some.

The last MK day is definately the one that is stumping me, honestly I am not sold on doing CRT either, b/c we are doing Akershus. Any suggestion for changing up that whole day would probably be Ok with me

 

[figment_jii]

2--Mama Melrose(Fantasmic package

I think MMF! package is still only one credit.

Yea I hear what your saying about breakfast not be the most economical, but Since all are character plus many are buffet or family style all you can eat I kind of figured that evened it out some.

Assuming $4 per snack, I figure each DxDP credit is "worth" about $32 (including tax) to break even (using the 2013 DDP pricing - the price of the DDP just went up).

The last MK day is definately the one that is stumping me, honestly I am not sold on doing CRT either, b/c we are doing Akershus. Any suggestion for changing up that whole day would probably be Ok with me

It depends on whether you're going to Akershus for the characters (princess) and atmosphere or for the food. Now, I've only been to Akershsus and CRT for dinner, so that's what I base my thoughts on. Akerhsus has slightly better food than CRT, but CRT is the better overall experience. CRT is an "entire" experience - eating inside the castle, and kids get a souvenir toy (wand or sword) and a wishing star. They both have similar princesses typically (Ariel, Snow, Aurora, and Cinderella), but Akershsus has Belle and CRT has Jasmine (normally, but remember princesses can change at the last minute).

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I think your choices are fine - and pretty much what we've done in the past with children the same general ages as yours.
You might consider trying Tony's Town Square for dinner with your CRT bkfst. It gets some negative reviews, but your children will probably like it. None of the adults in our party thought it was great, but it was certainly okay. It's the type of Italian food lots of kids like...
Have a great time!!!

 

[emilie2013]

I've heard spirit of aloha is not worth it.. Especially if it is hot you are stuck out doors. Hoop de doo on the other hand is 110% worth it! That would be my only change.

 

[Disney44please]

Jill is right, the Mama Melrose Fantasmic package is still just one credit.

I would personally avoid any TS for breakfast unless you can get in well before RD. You don't want to spend the best park time eating a subpar and overpriced breakfast.

I would switch any TS breakfasts to lunch which helps you avoid the mid-day eat and sun!

 

[focusondisney]

How about taking the monorail over to Grand Floridian & doing 1900 Park Faire for your MK day dinner? It is a character buffet & your kids might like to ride the monorail. If you don't want to leave the park,we like the Plaza. They have a very good steak sandwich & excellent sundaes for dessert. We love lunch @ Liberty Tree Tavern, but I don't know if you're looking for lunch or dinner that day.

 

[focusondisney]

Another suggestion for that MK day: Chef Mickey's @ the Contemporary for breakfast or dinner. There's a walkway to MK or you can ride the monorail. How about going to Downtown Disney for dinner @ Rainforest Café or T Rex. Your son especially might enjoy those.