Glad to know what experienced diners think....

[DD2Disney]

Of the places I have come up with to eat at, for our first trip to the World.

First let me say we have a (will be then) 3 year old who is pretty picky. My DH is even worse whenever we go out he reads the menu and then goes on to just order a burger, or on rare occasions a steak. There will also be myself and DMIL we are not fussy in any way.

My question is, did I plan too much? Should I leave more to how we feel at the time? Do counter service in the parks? Any suggestions would be appreciated TIA

here goes:

Day 1- (we will be exploring Disney property and exclaiming to each other "I can't believe we are finally here!") We will do breakfast at Trails End Restaurant. Dinner at Hoop Dee Doo.

Day 2- (Magic Kingdom) breakfast at food court (we are staying at Pop Century) and dinner at Crystal Palace.

Day 3- (MGM) breakfast at food court and dinner at 50's prime time diner.

Day 4- (Boardwalk) early lunch at Beaches and Cream. Dinner at ESPN.

Day 5-(Animal Kingdom) breakfast at food court. Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Day 6- (Epcot) breakfast at food court. Dinner at Garden Grill.

Day 7- (Downtown Disney) breakfast Chef Mickeys. Dinner Rainforest Cafe.

Day 8- (Magic Kingdom morning/Epcot evening) Lunch at Plaza Restaurant.

 

[Harambe]

Wow! You did great! I think all your choices are good. Just make sure that you can get back to your resort easily if you are eating at another resort other than yours. If you are going at a busy time, you can probably catch a bus at the nearest park.

 

[Epcotgal8]

I think you've got a good plan. The only thing I see (and you make think I'm loopy for thinking this) is that I would rearrange your schedule so that you don't eat at Beaches and Cream and the ESPN Club on the same day. Now DON'T drop either one off your schedule completely (especially with a burger lover in tow, trust me But it will be eating similar style food twice in one day. What if you kept your lunch at B&C on Day 4 and then instead of ESPN got ps for the Whispering Canyon dinner you have for day 5. Then on day 5 keep your morning plans and then eat at ESPN that night? Just an idea!

 

[DD2Disney]

Thanks you guys for responding...

epcotgal- what a good tip. I think I will switch those.

I think ppl think im looney for planning so far in advance.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Originally posted by Epcotgal8
I think you've got a good plan. The only thing I see (and you make think I'm loopy for thinking this) is that I would rearrange your schedule so that you don't eat at Beaches and Cream and the ESPN Club on the same day. Now DON'T drop either one off your schedule completely (especially with a burger lover in tow, trust me But it will be eating similar style food twice in one day. What if you kept your lunch at B&C on Day 4 and then instead of ESPN got ps for the Whispering Canyon dinner you have for day 5. Then on day 5 keep your morning plans and then eat at ESPN that night? Just an idea!

This is the fussy DH
I have to say that I have only one rule on this trip... I have reserved the right to change our plans about when we go to ESPN based on the hockey schedule (If the Kings are on on Day 6 and not Day 4, I'll have to adjust the schedule accordingly)

 

[TwingleMum]

The only question I have is how early are you arriving day one? You're coming from Rhode Island? Isn't that an awfully looong day for a 3 yr old. You may want to move Hoop De Doo. I have a 3 yr old and I think the trip down and excitment of the plane etc would tire him out. I would suggest a more low key day 1. An early dinner , early bedtime so he isn't overtaxed. And everyday take a midday break at the hotel for the little one to nap and recharge. Disney can exhaust an adult imagine what it does to a little guy. Hope you have a fabulous trip.

 

[DD2Disney]

TwingleMum- that is actually our 2nd day. I didn't plan anything the 'real' first day because we don't have our airline tickets yet and have no idea when we will get there. We will probably just check into the hotel and rest. Maybe walk around and see all the "themed atmosphere" we are paying for

 

[MAC3]

DD2Disney,

Looks great to me. You did a fantastic job! I hope you have a great family vacation.

Enjoy!
Lisa

 

[castlegazer]

My only comment would be about your "actual day 2" - I would not do breakfast at FtW and then do HDDR. Do breakfast at the Kona Cafe or some other really neat breakfast place at one of the resorts like maybe AKL and then saunter over to FtW by boat (that is if you go to Kona - take the monorail from the Poly to the Contemporary - make sure you ask to pilot - and then take the boat from there to FtW which would be fun in and of itself). Arrive at FtW two to three hours prior to your HDDR ressies (I'm assuming you have the early show reserved) and explore the campground, i.e. the petting zoo and pony rides, the playgrounds, the pools (don't tell anyone but I am sure you can stick your feet in or more and no one will say boo unlike Beach Club), and check out the beach area which is huge.

Have fun - I think you have done great. Picky eaters can always find something at all of those restaurants.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I agree with castlegazer! Try breakfast at Kona!

Originally posted by castlegazer
My only comment would be about your "actual day 2" - I would not do breakfast at FtW and then do HDDR. Do breakfast at the Kona Cafe or some other really neat breakfast place at one of the resorts like maybe AKL and then saunter over to FtW by boat (that is if you go to Kona - take the monorail from the Poly to the Contemporary - make sure you ask to pilot - and then take the boat from there to FtW which would be fun in and of itself). Arrive at FtW two to three hours prior to your HDDR ressies (I'm assuming you have the early show reserved) and explore the campground, i.e. the petting zoo and pony rides, the playgrounds, the pools (don't tell anyone but I am sure you can stick your feet in or more and no one will say boo unlike Beach Club), and check out the beach area which is huge.

Have fun - I think you have done great. Picky eaters can always find something at all of those restaurants.

 

[DD2Disney]

Thanks Castlegazer and AspiringCindy I will have to look into Kona for breakfast.

This is why I wanted to post my list. I knew I would get better ideas

 

[jann1033]

looks good and alot of the places you picked are good choices for varied appetites...only suggestion I might make is if you are planning on any early magic hour days, we found it worked better for us to grab a bite in the park after 9:30 or so. depending on how early you get started you might be ready for breakfast but we really weren't up early enough to do breakfast and get to the park for EE. we bought the refillable mugs and each morning got coffee,( husband also asked for a styrofoam cup when checkng out so we could throw it rather than lug the mugs all day) usually finishing it on the bus( lots of others did and only heard one night time driver say anything, most never even commented) then usually got breakfast or a pastry or something later since otherwise we had to get up way too early...if you really need something when you first get up maybe keep some cereal bars in the room. this may not work for you but it did for us

as far as the breakfasts go otherwise we did kona, trailsend and whisp. canyon and the best imho was whisp. followed by trails ( love their breakfast pizza) ..kona was good but cost us more( coffee and juice weren't included) for food that wasn't any better than trail's end plus we definitly didn't need lunch after trail's end or whisp. canyon. we both decided (unless you want to see characters) the breakfast buffets are similar enough not to warrent spending any more than the 10 for trail's end.

 

[ncbyrne]

I'm just curious about Day 4 and Day 7. Are you planning to spend the entire day at Boardwalk or DD? The stores are open at the Boardwalk during the day, but there's really not much else to do in the daytime. Boardwalk comes alive at dinner time and later. And DD is basically shopping.

 

[DD2Disney]

jann1033- We might just have snacks in our room for breakfasts. We haven't decided a 100% but it seems like it would be much cheaper and quicker.

ncbyrne-on the days we spend at boardwalk or downtown Disney will be relaxing days and we will spend time at our hotel or exploring others not the whole day at either of those.

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

Tricia

 

[MJS]

Great restaurant choices!

We tried the Plaza restaurant with a 3 year old, and we would not go back. It is cramped, the food is bland and we were really rushed. It is primarily ice cream and sandwiches. I love going to the ice cream parlor on Main Street for a treat, and that is more fun than the restaurant.

We have tried all of the MK table service restaurants, and we love the Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch. It is big, great service and good food. Very relaxing. Another good choice is to hop on a boat and go over to the GF to the GF Cafe. Great food and a nice break from the MK. Having lunch at a table service restaurant is a nice break from the sun/heat and the crowds.

Finally, Trails End is our favorite lunch spot outside of the MK. Very relaxing boat ride! Our 3 year old LOVED the petting zoo, playground and pony rides. (I know you listed it for breakfast, but the pony rides are great later in the day)

Have a great trip!

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by MJS


Finally, Trails End is our favorite lunch spot outside of the MK. Very relaxing boat ride! Our 3 year old LOVED the petting zoo, playground and pony rides. (I know you listed it for breakfast, but the pony rides are great later in the day)

Have a great trip!

agree as trail's end/fw and the ride over is such a change of pace from the MK it is a totally relaxing break..we only did it for breakfast this time and wished we had gone for lunch or dinner also as we really like that change of atmosphere you don't really get at very many other places on property