First Timer - PLEASE help with ADRs

[jz6982]

I will be visiting WDW for the FIRST TIME in Dec and our dining reservation window just opened up.

The restuarants I'd like to make ADRs for are Mama Melrose, Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, and I'm undecided on the fourth (maybe Kona?)

DH and I will be there Wed Dec 8th until Sun Dec 12th. We plan to see the Spectromagic parade at MK Wed at 7, go to MVMCP at MK Thurs at 7, see Illuminations at Epcot Fri at 9:30 and Fantasmic at HS Sat at 6:30.

We are staying at Pop Century.

Which night should I book each restuarant and at what time, given our schedule?

We are traveling alone.


Thanks so much for any advice!!!

 

[kwdancer26]

You picked good restaurants. I think you'll be happy with each of those. However, you may have problems booking Le Cellier- it books up quickly. If that doesn't work try Bistro de Paris or Coral Reef.

Kona is a casual restaurant with mediocre food. Try Citrico's at the Grand Floridian instead. Or, if you like a more casual atmosphere, the Grand Floridian cafe

First and foremost, Fantasmic is a huge time commitment. It is recommended that you arrive there for a seat at least 90 minutes in advance (however, especially because that is a Saturday, I would arrive earlier). If you plan on going to Fantasmic you definitely want to eat at HS. With your current plan I think your meal would have to be in the late afternoon.

Since Illuminations is at 9:30, I'd say you'd be ok with a 6-6:30 pm reservation at your EPCOT restaurant.

For the Christmas party, try a restaurant at the Grand Floridian around 5. You don't want to go too far because transportation to the parks can be a hassle, but MK is only a short monorail ride away from this resort.

If you want a good view for the parade at MK, find one at least 30 min in advance. That being said I think you would be wise to eat at MK that night, around 5 or so.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I suggest you book a "Fantasmic Dining Package" for your DHS day... which will have you choosing from HBD, MM's, and H&V....

Hugs,
Mary

 

[jz6982]

I suggest you book a "Fantasmic Dining Package" for your DHS day... which will have you choosing from HBD, MM's, and H&V....

Hugs,
Mary

I was thinking about that, but how do I book it?

 

[happydayva]

Book the fantasmic dinner package for the HS day at Mama Melrose!! We did this on a previous trip and it was well worth it!! We are doing this for our trip next week. I think now they are trying to have the fantasmic package guests dine at odd, non-busy times to leave open more popular times for other guests, so you may have a strange time. We ended up booking lunch at Mama Melrose for the day of the show. The other time was like 3:30 or something which was very odd for us. By booking the package, you are given special passes that allow you to enter the show arena by a different area and you do not have to stand in line and hour and a half early!! You do however have to come early enough to get a better seat as you will be sitting in a roped off area with the other package guests. Last time we went it was to the far right of the arena, which I was not too happy with at first, but it turned out to be a good spot. We were on the front row and my daughter was able to stand by the railing and see all of it from up close!! To book, you have to call....no online reservations for this. And call early because people have finally figured out that this is a good thing!! Good luck and have fun!!

BTW, try as hard as you can to get Le Cellier.....it was quite possibly the best meal I have EVER EATEN ANYWHERE!!!!

 

[jz6982]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I booked Le Cellier for Thurs at 7:30. We're doing MVMCP that evening but we don't have to be there by 7. We'll just go later.

I plan to make an ADR for San Angel for Fri. It'll be DH's 30th bday.

I will def call to book Mama Melrose and the Fantasmic package.

For now, I have an ADR Wed at 5 at the Grand Floridian. It'll be our first day there and we'll likely be a bit tired from an early flight and just the craziness of travel/our first day. I figure from there we'll hop on the monorail to MK for the Spectomagic parade. Do you think at 5 ADR will leave enough time for that or should we eat earlier or later, after the parade?

 

[happydayva]

Did you know that on the evenings of the MVMCP that you can get into the park as early as 4pm?? If you are not eating until 7:30 at Le Cellier ( which you want to allow plenty of time to enjoy/ between 1-2 hours) and then travel over to the MK you will hardly get to enjoy the party. I would make much earlier reservations, maybe even a lunch?? Just a suggestion. I would hate to pay that much for the party and not have enough time to enjoy it!!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Agree with PP's....

We've done the F! DIning package with H&V and now (as of May2010) HBD....

I'd LOVE to try MM's next time (and probably will!)

LOVE LOVE Le Cellier - Agree with Happy Day on that one!

Have a magical visit !
Mary

 

[alicat07]

Just a note for ur Canada reservation--at 7:30 you most likely won't get back to MK until 9-9:30pm, in which you would miss a bulk of the parade stuff, fireworks, all the special events you go there for. We made reservations in MK at Crystal Palace, we have been to before and is AWESOME. Our reservation is for 4:45p. That way we are there and ready for the events.

 

[Cafeen]

I will be visiting WDW for the FIRST TIME in Dec and our dining reservation window just opened up.

The restuarants I'd like to make ADRs for are Mama Melrose, Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, and I'm undecided on the fourth (maybe Kona?)

DH and I will be there Wed Dec 8th until Sun Dec 12th. We plan to see the Spectromagic parade at MK Wed at 7, go to MVMCP at MK Thurs at 7, see Illuminations at Epcot Fri at 9:30 and Fantasmic at HS Sat at 6:30.

We are staying at Pop Century.

Which night should I book each restuarant and at what time, given our schedule?

We are traveling alone.


Thanks so much for any advice!!!

Thanks for the suggestions!

I booked Le Cellier for Thurs at 7:30. We're doing MVMCP that evening but we don't have to be there by 7. We'll just go later.

I plan to make an ADR for San Angel for Fri. It'll be DH's 30th bday.

I will def call to book Mama Melrose and the Fantasmic package.

For now, I have an ADR Wed at 5 at the Grand Floridian. It'll be our first day there and we'll likely be a bit tired from an early flight and just the craziness of travel/our first day. I figure from there we'll hop on the monorail to MK for the Spectomagic parade. Do you think at 5 ADR will leave enough time for that or should we eat earlier or later, after the parade?

I'd book the following:
Wed: Your ADR looks fine for that day. I wouldn't book it any later, unless you went after Spectro (7:45pm or later, ish). While I've never been, I have heard good things about GFC.

Thu: Attempt Lunch at Le Cellier instead of dinner. The menus are almost identical and this would give you much more time to enjoy MVMCP that night. A 7:30pm ADR would mean you'd get out of there at around 8:30 if there's no wait, which, in the evening is doubtful and I'd estimate closer to 9. Another 30-45 minutes to get to MK puts you there at almost 10.

However, if you can do lunch at Le Cellier, you can be out of there in plenty of time to get your tickets' worth for the party.

Keep what you have if it's a must do, but keep trying for a lunch ADR to allow you to take full advantage of the MVMCP.

Fri: San Angel would fit nicely in here, at any time

Sat: Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose (since you want to go there anyway). Would give you both the location you wanted, as well as the Fantasmic package to allow for less wait for the show.

 

[squirrel]

I agree. You don't want to be eating that late at Le Cellier and then go to the MVMCP. It will waste so much of the party time. I would guess you would be arriving at 9pm or possibly later if you have to wait for a table at Le Cellier. You are able to get into the MK at 4pm with the party ticket.

Try to get a lunch or early dinner for Le Cellier.

Mama Melrose is fine. I only book it for the Fantasmic DP, otherwise I wouldn't bother. It's better than H&V.

You should be fine for Specto. It's at 8pm, isn't it?