First timer all the way from Australia! Need help with ADRs - where to go???

[Nicsjtp]

Ok my family and I are in the throes of organising our big trip to the States next year and being the planner that I am I have been researching A LOT..

we have 3 children who will be 8,6 and almost 3 when we visit in May 2011. My husband and I will also be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary whilst we are there oh and my mum will also be travelling with us.

Anyway I just wanted to know what the BEST TS places are - I have a bit of a list together so far with what I think would be some good places to eat - a little bit of everything to please everyone. Any feedback would be fantastic as well as any suggestions on what to add or take out...

Obviously character dining is going to be a hit for our kids and the only other MUST is a nice dinner on our anniversary night (however Im not sure I will want to use 2 TS credits on this - will leave us short!!) And Im not sure if this makes any difference but following our 9 nights at WDW we will be doing the 4 day Bahamas Disney cruise....

Breakfast at Tusker House (characters)
hollywood vine and dine breakfast (characters)
Lunch at crystal palace (characters)
Hoop de doo dinner (2 credits )
The wave - dinner
Le Cellier (anniversary dinner)
Whispering Canyon lunch or dinner
Kona Cafe –Poly breakfast

What are your thoughts? I really want this to be a special trip for us all so cant help but get excited and caught up in all the planning!!!

 

[MommyGina]

I would try 'Ohana at the Poly. It is very easy to get to if you are at the Magic Kingdom. You can either take the boat or the monorail. If you eat there for breakfast, you will see Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Pluto. Breakfast and dinner is served family style so you don't have to get up and get your food. Dinner at 'Ohana does not have characters, but does have entertainment for the kids. There are boom and coconut games, dancing around the restaurant and limbo stick.

Chef Mickey's at the CR is also popular for characters. Personally, I don't care for the food there, but you get to see Mickey, Minney, Donald, Goofy.

Have a wonderful time on your trip! Keep us posted on your plans.

 

[Nicsjtp]

mommygina - if you had to choose between breakfast or dinner at Ohanas what would you go for??

Im thinking I may ditch the hollywood vine and dine breaky and do a Crystal Palace breaky instead then do an Ohana dinner (and time it to see the fireworks from MK on the beach)

would that be a better option??

 

[gallagher35]

mommygina - if you had to choose between breakfast or dinner at Ohanas what would you go for??

Im thinking I may ditch the hollywood vine and dine breaky and do a Crystal Palace breaky instead then do an Ohana dinner (and time it to see the fireworks from MK on the beach)

would that be a better option??

Completely agree with ditching H&V -- especially with the age of the children -- unless they really like those characters.

You didn't mention if they were boy/girl -- also are you regular DP or deluxe DP??

But 1900 Park Fare may be another option if your looking for character. If girls then you should consider Princess Storybook in Norway at Epcot -- my girls loved this. We booked late breakfast around 10:45 but they switched over to the lunch buffet about 1/2 way through our seatings so we got to have both BF & lunch selections.

 

[MommyGina]

I would go for dinner. There is more variety of food and more interactive activity for your children.

 

[jojomoore]

We have visited WDW twice. Both times we have eaten breakfast at CP on our MK day. The first trip, five years ago, was DF,DM, DH , me, DD(4), & DN(5). The second trip, last year, was DH, me, DD(9) and DDBFF(9). MY entire family loved eating there both times. There is a big variety of food so as to please everyone. Winnie the Pooh was my favorite character as a child so the experience was so magical to me. If you eat at CP at 8:05 am on an non- EMH day, then you will be in the park early enough to catch rides before the park gets very busy. This is the one place that my DD says she has to go to on our next trip. We are also going to give Tusker House Breakfast, Cape May breakfast and 1900 fare dinner a try. My DD is very into getting autographs and character meals is a great opportunity to do this and a special experience as well.

Also, on our previous trips, we went to Chef Mickey's Dinner and Askerus Lunch. Both were enjoyable experiences. I have read alot of negative reviews about CM. We went on Thanksgiving last year and had a wonderful time. This restaurant is usually huge hit with children and enjoyable enough for adults ..

 

[LisaxMarie]

I have been to the wave, and it was terrriable. Never in my life have I been disapointed with a Disney restuarnt and the wave did it. I strongly suggest not going here.

I think you should go to Boma one day for Dinner at AKL, it is the best buffet on Disney property! Delicious food, and its only 1 credit.
Maybe instead of the Hollywood and Vine you should go to the 50's prime time cafe for dinner. I think the kids would like it..

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I think you'd like O'Hana - both breakfast and dinner are good, but I think the kids would enjoy dinner because of the activities - coconut races, hulahoop, etc.

The Wave is one of our favourites....been there 3 times and had great meals each time.

I'd ditch one of the character meals - H&V - buffet wasn't as good as Crystal Palace. Maybe you should try 50's Primetime. Very American type foods and it's a fun and different restaurant which the kids would enjoy.

Tusker House breakfast was great. Try to get first ADR before the park opens.

Whispering Canyon is OK. Food is not the best, but OK.

Have a look at Coral Reef at Epcot. We had a great lunch there recently and if the kids like aquariums, one whole wall is just that.

 

[jdisnut]

I prefer 'Ohana for dinner as well. I don't think you need another character meal, anyway.

For your anniversary dinner, Les Chefs de France and San Angel Inn are nice one-credit options with lovely settings.

Like others have said, consider ditching Hollywood & Vine, unless your children are determined to meet those specific characters. It is definitely a weak link in the world of Disney dining.

 

[fterie4u]

If you have girls I would suggest trying Akershus, Norway, in Epcot. The princesses are there and spend a nice amount of time with the kids. If you are unsure of the food, the breakfast is a great mix of buffet and family style.

 

[MizzouTiggers]

First trips are so exciting!

I think you're off to a great start! I haven't been to many character meals, but I think Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House and Crystal Palace are excellent choices from what I've read and heard from others with small children.

I have eaten at Le Celliar and it is a magnificent place for an anniversary dinner. I would make a reservation for it as soon as possible because it fills quickly.

I will also put in a vote for dinner at O'Hana. I think it's fabulous and a great place for kids. We've also done Kona Cafe for breakfast (looks like you really have been doing your research!) and I can't say enough good things about that either.

I can't say much about Hollywood and Vine because last time I was there, I was a little girl and it was very different. I really don't have a lot of knowledge on what it's like now. I agree with switching it.

I hope this helps!

 

[Aggiegrl]

Breakfast at Tusker House (characters)
hollywood vine and dine breakfast (characters)
Lunch at crystal palace (characters)
Hoop de doo dinner (2 credits )
The wave - dinner
Le Cellier (anniversary dinner)
Whispering Canyon lunch or dinner
Kona Cafe –Poly breakfast

What are your thoughts? I really want this to be a special trip for us all so cant help but get excited and caught up in all the planning!!!

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't use the dining plan for 3 breakfasts. Are you big breakfast people? I just don't think you get your money's worth and quite honestly Disney's breakfast fare is so similar that you won't be getting much different of an experience. I would definitely drop the H&V breakfast unless the characters have some special appeal to your children. If I were to choose 1 breakfast, it would be Tusker.

Another thing to consider...you are going on the cruise and will be able to see/meet characters on board as well. If it were me, I would drop a character meal in favor of a restaurant with better food.

With dropping H&V, I would pick up either Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for lunch at DHS.

I would drop Whispering Canyon and pick up something else at Epcot, especially if you want to do Hoop De Doo. There are so many great restaurants to choose from there. Maybe something you have a hard time getting at home-Biergarten for German food perhaps?

Do you really want to do Hoop De Doo? I would suggest watching some clips on You Tube and determining if it is right for your family. I think its a love it or hate it sort of thing. The food is just average to me, and I personally wouldn't waste 2 credits on it.

In your position, I would send mum and the kids somewhere and use those 2 credits on California Grill, Jiko, or Citricos for a romantic anniversary dinner. Maybe mum and the kids could go to Ohana that night?

 

[Nicsjtp]

Thanks for the feedback! Everyone seems to be in agreeance re H&V - my kids arent big playhouse Disney so looks like my mind is made up! And I have 2 boys (8 and 6) and the almost 3 year old is a girl. So Ive been toing and froing re the Princess lunch but I think she is too young to get excited just yet - think shed prefer the "normal" characters .. and I KNOW the boys would not be happy with Princesses

So I have dropped and added... to be honest I only have 3 breakfasts in there for the 9 days so I think that is prob a good mix (and yes we are good breakfast eaters - my kids are early risers and raring to go so early ADR's are going to be a good thing!!)

tusker house character breakfast earliest ADR be first in AK on non EMH day
Breakfast crystal palace go on non EMH morning for 8:05am ressie and be first in park
Hoop de doo (2 credits ) - such mixed reviews on this.... do I or dont I? Are there any other shows to do instead??
The wave (contempo) ?? Also mixed reviews???
Le Cellier OR Les Chefs france OR San Angel Inn – anniversary dinner
Whsipering Canyon (WL)
Kona Cafe –breakfast
Fantasmic dinner package ??? but which TS? Maybe given my kids ages we are best to get 2 adults to go in and get seats and kids can continue enjoying epcto and grab a snack to eat whilst watching the show?
Ohanas dinner at Poly (boat or monorail from MK – can watch MK fireworks from beach)
50s primetime cafe lunch or dinner on DHS day...

We will also be doing some non Disney things around ORlando - one day Kennedy Space Center and one day Universal... so those days we may grab a quick CS breakfast and then come back that evening for a TS meal. Or vice versa...

Oh and we are doing the normal dining plan not deluxe. I will be booking for May 2011 as soon as the prices come out in August. Does this mean I can make my ADRs then? Or can I only make them 180 days out?

Thanks again for all your advice... very daunting trying to organise a trip for 6 people from the other side of the world with no prior knowledge of WDW

 

[sharonabe]

Are you staying 9 nights? Your dining credits are based on the nights you are staying, not the days you are playing.

Without Hoop De Doo, you already have nine selected, so that may make your decision about Hoop De Doo for you.

As for Fantasmic, it will be difficult to save seats for anyone not with you. Everyone will need to go in together. Mama Melrose is a decent place for a Fantasmic dining pkg. The food and service get mixed reviews, but at least you won't have to stand in line for the show for as long.

 

[aussietravellers]

Have you thought about Jiko at AKL. The food is SO good (and they use Aussie Beef )

There are so many great restaurants at WDW, it is so hard choosing them. We love breakfasts at WDW, we don't have big breakfasts at home so to have them on holiday is a big treat, but we love dinners too

There is an Aussie board here too if you haven't found it yet http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=177

 

[hart6066]

I would also agree with the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose. We have had dinner there just about each year and I think it's fairly good and gets better each year. For the first time we are doing the package for Fantasmic, and with the package (at least on the 2010 rules) you get an appetizer with your meal, still for the 1TS--it's not a special menu, regular menu, so I think that's a pretty good deal.

For your anniversary dinner, I think the food at Chefs is a little better than Le Cellier (but a LOT of people would probably disagree!!) but keep in mind that Chefs is set up to be like a French Bistro--it's sort of noisy and very bright. Le Cellier, on the otherhand, is set up to be like in a wine cellar and it's much more cozy feel--just depends on what you like!

We have only eaten at Kona for dinner, and I know a lot of people really like it, but we wouldn't go back. The food was fine, but I felt that the restaurant had no special feel to it at all--it could have been any restaurant in any hotel lobby in the world. I'm not sure if that matters at all to you--it is convenient since you're staying there. The other thing is that Poly has a GREAT CS called Cooks. You should look at their menu, because I know you can get some of the same things as at Kona there, and you would just be using a CS credit.

Only other thing I'd add, is to keep in mind the time difference and the kids. Not sure if you're coming right to Orlando, or if you'll have been in the states a while already, but with early ADR's for breakfast, just be sure they'll be OK getting up. I've never travelled like that with kids, so not sure about it.

Have a great time!

 

[Quin]

9 nights at WDW; assume you got 9 days MYW tickets w/park hoppers? So you have 9 TS credits to use and no limitations about parks versus resorts. When you are paying out of pocket the 2 kids are 'kid-price' and on the DDP have to order off the kids' menu if there is one. But if it's a buffet, they can eat whatever they want. So long as the youngest is not yet 3 when you get there she'll eat free.

If you wanted to do a 2-TS-credit show, for that age group I'd suggest Mickey's Backyard BBQ rather than the Hoop-De-Doo. Or if you want an "American West" experience for just 1 TS credit per person, try eating dinner at the Trails End buffet, also at the Ft. Wilderness Resort (and get there by taking the boat from the MK - look, kids, it's another ride you get to go on!), timing it to attend the FREE sing-a-long and Disney movie at the campfire program that evening. Just make sure you leave in time to get back to the MK and then back on a bus to your own resort before the MK closes down.

OHana dinner is a great idea, and fireworks on the beach afterwards.

I'd also limit the TS breakfasts; you are using your expensive TS credits for food that would cost you less out of pocket. At most, do the Crystal Palace and Tusker House. Drop Kona.

For a dinner, Whispering Canyon is fun. It's menu, not buffet, but any of the kids and/or adults can get the all-you-can-eat skillet, the restaurant is fun for kids, and the Wilderness Lodge is definitely worth going to look at!

For your anniversary dinner, nearly any Epcot restaurant is great; just pick your most preferred type of food. Have you looked at the menus over on allears.net?

For the whole family, I wouldn't favor The Wave. If the kids (or the grownups) think it would be cool to eat with the monorail going by just over your head, there's a CS in the Contemporary just beside Chef Mickey's that has some really neat food choices: Contempo Cafe.

How about Boma for a dinner? It's also something different, and it's a buffet so the kids get wider choices and the food is great. It's in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, not in the park itself.

I don't really love any of the TS options at HS, but with young kids you'll want to make the 9 pm Fantasmic rather than 10:30 pm show, so the dinner package is your best option. Check the menu - if everybody would enjoy Mama Melrose do that, otherwise the H&V dinner buffet (dinner is non-character; only breakfast has JoJo).

But whatever you choose - it will be wonderful. Enjoy!