First WDW trip, what do you think of my ADRs?

[alan_renfroe]

My family will be at WDW May 17 - 23 for the first time! We are foodies when we are on vacation, so we purchased the DxDDP. We hope to get the most out of our trip, so I would LOVE to know your opinions on our choices. Our family includes me, DW, DS11, and DD8. Here are our ressies:

May 17 - California Grill (dinner)
May 18 - LTT (lunch), CRT (dinner for DW & DD. DS & I currently are planning on Tony's Town Square.
May 19 - Le Cellier (lunch), Narcoossee's (dinner)
May 20 - Spirit of Aloha Luao (dinner)
May 21 - Y&Y (lunch), Yachtsman Steakhouse (dinner)
May 22 - Teppan Edo (lunch), HDDR (dinner)
May 23 - Brown Derby (lunch)

(I really was hoping to have a dinner at Rose & Crown with good seats for IllumiNations, but I really don't want to give up anything else either! Also, we thought about Fantasmic Dinner package, but what would we give up?)

Your opinions are greatly appreciated!!
Alan

 

[JoanieS]

Also, we thought about Fantasmic Dinner package, but what would we give up?)

You could switch the Brown Derby to dinner and do the Fantasmic package.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Great suggestion, JoanieS, but we'll be leaving WDW on 5/23 and will not be in town for dinner that evening.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have only done the Fantasmic Dinner Package one time and in the nine trips since that one, haven't. And I always see Fantasmic at least once per trip, usually twice. First of all it bothers me that this package doens't guarantee the best seating. Secondly, if you get there early, you can get a great seat, if you get there late you can get a good to "okay" kind of seat. I have sat all over that amphitheater and have yet to have a bad view. I say get there around an hour early, you can sit down, have a snack, a beer, there are bathrooms and the time passes. They play music and its a great spot to people watch. If the dinner package works for where you want to eat that's great. If it doesn't, than I would stick with what you have and just allow the time to get in there. You may not even need that hour window but just to be safe I would do so.

Oh and another reason I don't do this is that my two favorite restaurants at MGM don't particiapte (Sci Fi and Prime Time). Its not worth it or necessary to switch dining plans around for this, trust me.

 

[alan_renfroe]

I think we will enjoy all of the dinners, but I'm just wondering if I should consider some of my other choices. Some of the dinners that seem like they would appeal to us:

- Brown Derby w/Fantasmic package
- Dinner at Rose & Crown w/great seating for IllumiNations
- Teppan Edo
- Ohana

Would any of you recommend one of these over the ADRs I already have? I appreciate your feedback!

Alan