Gonna Jump Out the Window and Run to Disney World! Oct '12 PTR

[TinyDancer]

CRT - breakfast I have never been, but I have heard it is neat to do not only for the obvious "dinning in the castle with Cinderella" but since you could go before the park opens and be "in" the park to get a picture in front of the castle with no one around.

Columbia Harbor HouseAs far as cs in MK goes...I think this ranks amoung the top. I have ate here and enjoyed it. I love dinning upstairs...very cool!

Tony's Towne SquareBeen here a couple times. I did not find it amazing, but for eating in the park it isn't too bad. Looking over the updated it looks like they may have made some changed...hmm...looks yummy.

Pecos BillAnother doable cs choice in MK, I liked the taco salad I had.

Lotus Blossom I have not eaten here except to try a apple cinnamon egg roll...not something I will get again. I didn't care for it.
Garden GrillNo idea about this place..

50s Prime TimeLooks like it would be a fun place. I have not personally been there.
Fairfax fare I have been here. Personally, I prefer the Starring Rolls just cause I like the BIG sandwiches and nice desserts. For a rib plate though.....I think it is a good choice

PizzafariI really like the the hot italian sandwich. Pretty yummy
Flame Tree BBQAgain..good place for ribs

Chef Mickeys (dinner?)I have never been. I think to get interaction with Mickey would be awesome. This is one place I will be considering on my next trip

Poly BreakfastI have only heard good things regarding any of the Poly restaurants for breakfast. I think I am going to want to do Kona on our next trip, but then I also want to do Kona for dinner

So glad to hear that about CHH! I've ate at Tony's before, I had the shrimp scampi and it was TDF! We ate at Starring Rolls last trip, so I was wanting to try something different. I am excited about Flame Tree BBQ for some reason LOL...
Decisions, decisions, right!!

Hi! I am here! Looking forward to hear about how your littlest one does. We are taking my DS for the first time next year and I can't wait!!

Adr Advice:
On our honeymoon a few years ago we did CRT for dinner. I also took my niece for breakfast once I was not impressed with the food but dining in the castle was awesome along with seeing the characters and the dinner show with fairy godmother! Its a must do at least once!

I ate at Garden grill 2 years ago when we were there. Again not impressed with the food. It was served in family style portions. However I am not a huge meat eater.


we did 50's on our honeymoon also and the food was great & we loved it! The dessert is excellent and if you have a waiter that plays along it is great!!


Last one on the list we have done was Chef Mickey's and I HIGHLY HIGHLY recomend it!! It was excellent. We went for Breakfast! Great character interaction and yummy food!!
Look forward to hearing more!

Oh, good! I am glad to hear this! We are super excited about Chef Mickey's!! Maybe I'll think of something else in place of Garden Grill...

We are planning on CRT for breakfast, too. We took DD when she was 4 and she has been asking to go back ever since. We've decided that we'll break down and try to go this year.

I can't decide between Flame Tree and Pizzafari at AK. We love the italian sandwich at Pizzafari, but the seating down by the water at Flame Tree is so nice.

50s was okay when we went there. Not bad, but not great. We usually skip the table service restaurants at HS and eat at Toy Story Pizza Planet. DD saves up quarters during the year for the arcade there (and for pressed pennies). It's a nice little break when it's not busy.

Our girls loved Chef Mickeys last year. We actually went for lunch. They seem to add it during Free Dining sometimes. We ended our trip there last year. We have been for breakfast and didn't enjoy it as much. It seemed too busy, but lunch was great! There were empty tables and I think Donald came to our table about 10 times to play with the baby!

Hmm, I am wondering if AK will close at 5? If so, we could probably just do Flame Tree and save a CS credit..
Thanks for all the advice & opinions!!

 

[mymainmouse]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one thinking of Dining reservations already. I spent quite awhile yesterday evening looking at menus and printing them out so my family could choose.

We have eaten at some of the places on your list. Garden Grill was the first character meal we had ever experienced and we didn't like it that much. It was okay but nothing we want to do again. The food was okay nothing great and the character interaction was about the same. I saw you had Chef Mickey's on your list and I would give it 2 thumbs up. The food is good and the character interaction is also good. I think we have been there 3 or 4 times for dinner. I have never eaten there for breakfast so I can't comment on that.
We have a friend who has eaten at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom several times for breakfast and loves it so if you are looking for character breakfasts that might be an option. I think she said it had Donald and Daisy . I'm not sure who else.
We like both Pizzafari and Flame Tree. I think last year we went to Pizzafari to be in air conditioning for a while. Flame Tree has good food but is outdoors and we wanted to take a little break from the heat. It seems like Animal Kingdom is the hottest of the parks.
Tony's is going on our list for this year again. It is my 14 year old's favorite place. I think we have eaten there 3 times. The first time was great but they changed the menu a little. I still think it is good.
Columbia Harbor House is probably my favorite quick service place. They have an excellent tuna sandwich. We have eaten at Pecos Bills several times too. I think it is pretty good. It does seem like it can be loud so if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the park CHH seemed a lot quieter.
I don't think we have eaten at Fairfax Fare or Lotus Blossom and I know we have never eaten at CRT or 50's. I am curious what others might tell you about 50's because I was looking at it for our trip.

 

[Trinity524]

Yes we will be going to MNSSHP!!! We love it!


Tentative List of ADRs

CRT - breakfast- Love this! We have this meal everytime. Yes I waste two TS's on it.
Columbia Harbor House- My favorite CS

Tony's Towne Square- Never ate there
Pecos Bill-never ate there

EPCOT

Lotus Blossom-Never ate there
Garden Grill- Never ate here

HS

50s Prime Time-never ate there but I here it's lots of fun
Fairfax fare-okay CS

AK

Pizzafari-HUGE portions...very good
Flame Tree BBQ- I have a friend who only goes to AK for this place

Chef Mickeys (dinner?)- Never went for dinner, but breakfast is awesome!
Poly Breakfast- Wonderful! Just make sure you have 2 hours for breakfast

Any opinions, suggestions, advice?? Tusker house is awesome! Rose and Crown is really nice and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a nice Princess meal if you want a 1TS instead of two.

 

[hollisterluva92]

Oh, good! I can't get your opinion.. what did you think about PORS?
How is the pool?

I Loved everything about it....except the pools! The main pool was dirty and I never went in it. I stayed in the Acadian House, and it was beautiful! The pool near my room had ducks swimming in it and junk floating in it, so I never did go swimming while I was there.

 

[TinyDancer]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one thinking of Dining reservations already. I spent quite awhile yesterday evening looking at menus and printing them out so my family could choose.

We have eaten at some of the places on your list. Garden Grill was the first character meal we had ever experienced and we didn't like it that much. It was okay but nothing we want to do again. The food was okay nothing great and the character interaction was about the same. I saw you had Chef Mickey's on your list and I would give it 2 thumbs up. The food is good and the character interaction is also good. I think we have been there 3 or 4 times for dinner. I have never eaten there for breakfast so I can't comment on that.
We have a friend who has eaten at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom several times for breakfast and loves it so if you are looking for character breakfasts that might be an option. I think she said it had Donald and Daisy . I'm not sure who else.
We like both Pizzafari and Flame Tree. I think last year we went to Pizzafari to be in air conditioning for a while. Flame Tree has good food but is outdoors and we wanted to take a little break from the heat. It seems like Animal Kingdom is the hottest of the parks.
Tony's is going on our list for this year again. It is my 14 year old's favorite place. I think we have eaten there 3 times. The first time was great but they changed the menu a little. I still think it is good.
Columbia Harbor House is probably my favorite quick service place. They have an excellent tuna sandwich. We have eaten at Pecos Bills several times too. I think it is pretty good. It does seem like it can be loud so if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the park CHH seemed a lot quieter.
I don't think we have eaten at Fairfax Fare or Lotus Blossom and I know we have never eaten at CRT or 50's. I am curious what others might tell you about 50's because I was looking at it for our trip.

I've eaten at Tusker House for breakfast and it was a great character meal! If I had an extra TS credit, I might have that on my list.. I am so glad that I've heard nothing but good about Columbia Harbor House!

Yes we will be going to MNSSHP!!! We love it!


Tentative List of ADRs

CRT - breakfast- Love this! We have this meal everytime. Yes I waste two TS's on it.
Columbia Harbor House- My favorite CS

Tony's Towne Square- Never ate there
Pecos Bill-never ate there

EPCOT

Lotus Blossom-Never ate there
Garden Grill- Never ate here

HS

50s Prime Time-never ate there but I here it's lots of fun
Fairfax fare-okay CS

AK

Pizzafari-HUGE portions...very good
Flame Tree BBQ- I have a friend who only goes to AK for this place

Chef Mickeys (dinner?)- Never went for dinner, but breakfast is awesome!
Poly Breakfast- Wonderful! Just make sure you have 2 hours for breakfast

Any opinions, suggestions, advice?? Tusker house is awesome! Rose and Crown is really nice and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a nice Princess meal if you want a 1TS instead of two.

I will definetely book Akershus if I can't get CRT.. btw, is CRT still THAT difficult to book?

I Loved everything about it....except the pools! The main pool was dirty and I never went in it. I stayed in the Acadian House, and it was beautiful! The pool near my room had ducks swimming in it and junk floating in it, so I never did go swimming while I was there.

Oh no! I hate to hear that the pools were dirty.

 

[MissLiz]

I'm not sure CRT is that difficult to get anymore. I haven't booked it in a couple of years, but it always seems to have some availability when I am just playing around.

Of course, I'm sure the early, before the parks open, times go really quickly. I plan on trying to get it on the first day that I can book. Luckily, right now, we are open on what we are doing each day, so if my 1st choice isn't available, we can try for something else.

I just want to get a time before MK opens. Last time we booked, I got the first seating, but it was on a morning EMH day, so we had to wait with everyone to get in. I was stressed out! But we made it fine and my DD was actually chosen as Princess of the Day and got some extra time with Cinderella before they started letting people in. It was fabulous!

 

[annmarieda]

Oh no! I hate to hear that the pools were dirty.

When we stayed at POR, we made use of the quiet pool by our room as well as the main pool. I did not find either dirty. I can see where it may be hit or miss though.

 

[Trinity524]

CRT is only hard to get into if you are there during Free Dining. Unfortunately, you will be there during the free dinining promotion time frame.

 

[TinyDancer]

I'm not sure CRT is that difficult to get anymore. I haven't booked it in a couple of years, but it always seems to have some availability when I am just playing around.

Of course, I'm sure the early, before the parks open, times go really quickly. I plan on trying to get it on the first day that I can book. Luckily, right now, we are open on what we are doing each day, so if my 1st choice isn't available, we can try for something else.

I just want to get a time before MK opens. Last time we booked, I got the first seating, but it was on a morning EMH day, so we had to wait with everyone to get in. I was stressed out! But we made it fine and my DD was actually chosen as Princess of the Day and got some extra time with Cinderella before they started letting people in. It was fabulous!

Princess of the Day? How sweet!! I bet she absolutely loved that! Our first day in the parks will be a Sunday, and we are planning on CRT the following Friday, so hopefully there will be no EMH and we can get in the park early!

When we stayed at POR, we made use of the quiet pool by our room as well as the main pool. I did not find either dirty. I can see where it may be hit or miss though.

Oh that is good to know! Thanks!

CRT is only hard to get into if you are there during Free Dining. Unfortunately, you will be there during the free dinining promotion time frame.

I guess I will be up at 6am waiting to do my ADRs then!

 

[TinyDancer]

I *think* we may be switching from POR to WL!!!
I've stayed there once before in '09 and I love that place! It's beautiful and the ferry to MK is SO nice!!

 

[annmarieda]

I *think* we may be switching from POR to WL!!!
I've stayed there once before in '09 and I love that place! It's beautiful and the ferry to MK is SO nice!!

Very exciting! We have stayed at POR and loved it...but we are staying at WL next and are excited for that. So either way...I think you will be at an awesome resort.

 

[DrMomof3]

Welcome!! Do you have any plans or dining reservations in mind yet?

We're booked at BLT in a one bedroom for the last week of August/beginning of September. I haven't even started to think about ADRs yet! We just got back from a trip for marathon weekend (I ran the 1/2 marathon).

On our recent trip with had dinner at Chef Mickey. I thought the food was decent. The restaurant is total chaos but it's controlled chaos. The characters were great and my kids really enjoyed it.
We ate at Garden Grill last year and my kids are still talking about it. Again, the food was only ok but the characters were great. One of my favorite character interaction experiences ever!!!

I've heard great things about WL. I've always wanted to stay there but my DH isn't that into it.

Amanda

 

[TinyDancer]

I got a pin!!!

 

[annmarieda]

I got a pin!!!

 

[Darkfirewolfe]

Joining in and sub-ing.

I'm tentatively scheduling a trip for the same week. My niece's fall break is that week and she'll be in 1st grade- which I think is a great age for Disney World.

!

 

[TinyDancer]

We're booked at BLT in a one bedroom for the last week of August/beginning of September. I haven't even started to think about ADRs yet! We just got back from a trip for marathon weekend (I ran the 1/2 marathon).

On our recent trip with had dinner at Chef Mickey. I thought the food was decent. The restaurant is total chaos but it's controlled chaos. The characters were great and my kids really enjoyed it.
We ate at Garden Grill last year and my kids are still talking about it. Again, the food was only ok but the characters were great. One of my favorite character interaction experiences ever!!!

I've heard great things about WL. I've always wanted to stay there but my DH isn't that into it.

Amanda

Wow, I am SO glad to hear some great reviews on Garden Grill! I was really starting to reconsider..
BTW, let me just say how jealous I am that you ran the 1/2 marathon (WTG!!!) AND you are staying in BLT!! TWO of my future goals.

Joining in and sub-ing.

I'm tentatively scheduling a trip for the same week. My niece's fall break is that week and she'll be in 1st grade- which I think is a great age for Disney World.

!

Oh, I totally agree! My oldest will be just starting 1st grade when we go on our trip, it is a GReAT age to go! My first trip ever to WDW, I was 5.. I still remember SO much from that trip.

 

[TinyDancer]

Today I've been thinking about what to wear. I know, I know, only 7.5 months to figure it out, right?

Anyway.. here is what I have so far..

Black JunkFood Mickey tee for DS1, coordinating black one piece Junk Food outfit for DS2.. I need red/black Minnie outfit for DD.

Ariel shirt and flip flops for DD.

Snow White shirt for DD.

Here is a question for all of you that match or coordinate your dc in the parks.. what do you put on your boys when your girl wears a princess dress to the park?

There is so many different things on Etsy that I LOVE that my head is spinning..

Oh, and what would be good for EPCOT? I've done Finding Nemo colors/theme before, so I am looking for something different. Should we just do Mickey head shirts that day? Or... ????

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Glad to know I'm not the only one with coordinating children!! Of course, this will be my first year with a boy, so I'm not much help on that question.
For Epcot, my girls have always worn princess-themed shirts/sundresses that match. We do the Akershus lunch, and we're always scouting for princess signatures around the World Showcase, so it's appropriate.
My girls do not, however, wear princess dress-up dresses in the parks. They'll put them on when meeting them (during the lunches, in the Pixie Hollow line, etc), but they find them too itchy.
We usually dress them alike and just match them with coordinating colors, and I guess the baby will just try to match color-wise, as well?
I've been thinking about it already, so you are not alone. Can't wait to see people's answers!

 

[TinyDancer]

I am not doing a dressy Princess dress. Briar is 3, VERY opinionated about her clothes (nothing itchy/uncomfy!) So, I've been trying to find something that will be pretty enough for BBB yet comfortable enough to wear for awhile...

 

[MissLiz]

I'll raise my hand at coordinating, too. It's very difficult with DD8 and DD1 because very few stores sell the items in both of those sizes, but I have found a few that I like.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), I don't have any boys except my DH, so I'm not sure what you would dress a boy in to coordinate with the princesses. I would think maybe just trying to coordinate colors might work.

Last year's trips were the first time I did the coordinating things and I tried to do it for the whole family. We didn't match exactly, but I tried to keep theming/coloring the same. DH didn't realize it in May, but when we went with his mom in Sept, she made a comment about all of us wearing some sort of jungle/safari print clothing on our AK day. DH looked down, rolled his eyes, and said "I should have known!"