Help Finalizing Dining Reservations!

[lorilclevelandrn]

Hi there, I’m looking for dis foodies to help finalize dining reservations. It’s my mother’s 1st time to Disney and also, surprise trip for my daughter’s 5th bday. I’m having difficulty combining meals that my daughter enjoys along w/ locations I would love to experience w/ my mother.

Dates: 9/8-9/14
Where: AoA Nemo Suites

9/8: Arrive @ MCO around 1230 and hoping to checkin close to 2:00 and hang around resort/swim up until dinner time. Currently, I have CM reservations @ 525 then, plan to ride monorail for fun and head back to resort for outdoor movie @ 8:00. 2 Alternative options.., Head to HS and get shows out of the way; CM for late dinner or visit Fort Wilderness to explore, dinner @ Trails End then Chip & Dale Sing Along.

9/9: Birthday Day! EMM/BBB. Breakfast included with EMM. Dinner @ 5:30, CRT.

9/10: GG breakfast, 1030. Via Napoli or Nine Dragons for dinner, 5-6 or eat at a resort after hotel break and return to Epcot for FEA. We do have park hoppers

9/11: My Birthday! PPO H&V @ 8. I’m not particular excited about this one; however, my daughter will b doing Jedi Training. Also, trying to take advantage of getting ahead of crowd for TSM. Lunch Sci Fi @ 1230 before heading back to resort to rest; dinner @ 530, BOG followed by MNSSHP.

9/12: Brunch @ 1130, Bon Voyage Adventure Bfast considering Boma here before heading to AK. I mainly reserved BV for my 5 year old. Dinner Grand Floridian Cafe, 630 followed by HEA After Fireworks Dessert Party.

9/13: Trail End Brunch, 1100 and Ohana dinner @ 6:00.

Opinions are graciously appreciated. I would love to have time for Jiko, Boathouse, Homecomin’ and many, many more. I’am just not sure it would b as enjoyable w/ a 5 y/o. I’m hoping to solidify plans very soon w/ FP day quickly approaching.

 

[Lisa F]

Hi there, I’m looking for dis foodies to help finalize dining reservations. It’s my mother’s 1st time to Disney and also, surprise trip for my daughter’s 5th bday. I’m having difficulty combining meals that my daughter enjoys along w/ locations I would love to experience w/ my mother.

Dates: 9/8-9/14
Where: AoA Nemo Suites

9/8: Arrive @ MCO around 1230 and hoping to checkin close to 2:00 and hang around resort/swim up until dinner time. Currently, I have CM reservations @ 525 then, plan to ride monorail for fun and head back to resort for outdoor movie @ 8:00. 2 Alternative options.., Head to HS and get shows out of the way; CM for late dinner or visit Fort Wilderness to explore, dinner @ Trails End then Chip & Dale Sing Along.

9/9: Birthday Day! EMM/BBB. Breakfast included with EMM. Dinner @ 5:30, CRT.

9/10: GG breakfast, 1030. Via Napoli or Nine Dragons for dinner, 5-6 or eat at a resort after hotel break and return to Epcot for FEA. We do have park hoppers

9/11: My Birthday! PPO H&V @ 8. I’m not particular excited about this one; however, my daughter will b doing Jedi Training. Also, trying to take advantage of getting ahead of crowd for TSM. Lunch Sci Fi @ 1230 before heading back to resort to rest; dinner @ 530, BOG followed by MNSSHP.

9/12: Brunch @ 1130, Bon Voyage Adventure Bfast considering Boma here before heading to AK. I mainly reserved BV for my 5 year old. Dinner Grand Floridian Cafe, 630 followed by HEA After Fireworks Dessert Party.

9/13: Trail End Brunch, 1100 and Ohana dinner @ 6:00.

Opinions are graciously appreciated. I would love to have time for Jiko, Boathouse, Homecomin’ and many, many more. I’am just not sure it would b as enjoyable w/ a 5 y/o. I’m hoping to solidify plans very soon w/ FP day quickly approaching.

9/8 - i'd go with your current plans. My little guy (who is now 10) fizzles out early on travel days, it's rough on him. I'd just hang at the resort, get dinner, and hang at the resort. No way he'd be up for a late dinner, shows at that time of night etc.

9/9 sounds perfect

9/10 sounds good, so many options for dinner! really up to you but the timing sounds good.

9/11 - three TS in one day PLUS MNSSHP is way way way too much in one day IMO. And I like TS restaurants. It's a very very long day to expect a 5 year old to go from like 6:30am (when you'd probably have to get up for your PPO) to like 1am when you'd get back to the hotel from the party. I know you have the rest built in but mine never napped at Disney, too excited. This day would be a disaster. I'd honestly move your HS day over to 9/13 and either skip the brunch at Trail's end or do a late breakfast seating there on your MNSSHP day.

9/12 I would pick whichever breakfast/brunch you want more, both get rave reviews, and I don't think it's that much more of a hassle to get from either resort to the park once you get on a bus.

9/13 - see comments about 9/11

 

[Tksolomom]

9/8 - i'd go with your current plans. My little guy (who is now 10) fizzles out early on travel days, it's rough on him. I'd just hang at the resort, get dinner, and hang at the resort. No way he'd be up for a late dinner, shows at that time of night etc.

9/9 sounds perfect

9/10 sounds good, so many options for dinner! really up to you but the timing sounds good.

9/11 - three TS in one day PLUS MNSSHP is way way way too much in one day IMO. And I like TS restaurants. It's a very very long day to expect a 5 year old to go from like 6:30am (when you'd probably have to get up for your PPO) to like 1am when you'd get back to the hotel from the party. I know you have the rest built in but mine never napped at Disney, too excited. This day would be a disaster. I'd honestly move your HS day over to 9/13 and either skip the brunch at Trail's end or do a late breakfast seating there on your MNSSHP day.

9/12 I would pick whichever breakfast/brunch you want more, both get rave reviews, and I don't think it's that much more of a hassle to get from either resort to the park once you get on a bus.

9/13 - see comments about 9/11

I agree. Three TS meals in one day is a lot, and BOG is Prix Fixe. The day is also really long. I would do the PPO if you really want, maybe have lunch at Woody’s Lunchbox, and have a CS meal during the party so you don’t miss so much.

Trail’s End and ‘Ohana are both AYCE and might be to much food. It is hard narrowing down the choices, but I think you might spend more time than you think eating.

 

[MomOTwins]

Keep an eye on park hours because I really doubt that with the new toy story land, they will remain at 9am for hollywood studios. I'm going in August and park opening for HS is 8am every day with 7am EMH--seems almost certain they are going to keep open HS open at at least 8am in september. I would switch to do HS the morning of 9/10 (drop your gg reservation because asking a 5 year old to wait to eat breakfast until 10:30 is trouble anyway), and then park hop using the friendship boats to epcot for the evening. And do via napoli - much better than nine dragons.

Also am a little concerned about your 9/12, plans, since I don't think you have enough time for everything. If you wait to get started until after your brunch, the absolute earliest you will get to AK is 1:30pm . Then you are there at the hottest park (AK) at the hottest part of the day (instead of the cooler morning), and you have to leave after a few hours for dinner. I'd recommend heading over to AK for the morning and then doing brunch or lunch at Tusker House -- nice food for adults, characters for the daughter, and best of all it is in the park you want to be in that morning so you don't have to shuttle around as much. If trattoria is really important, I'd keep checking for an opening on 9/13 since you don't plan to eat in a park that morning anyway.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

I’m loving everyone’s recommendations! I’m not sure why but it make much more sense hearing it from someone else. I truly believe it takes a village to plan a trip to Disney.

Oh, late start on 9/12 had to do with staying out later than normal for Halloween party. Additionally, I think 9/11 is a mess and definitely agree hours will b shifted to an earlier start. We really need 1 more day to take 9/11 off, hmmmm.

 

[Lisa F]

I’m loving everyone’s recommendations! I’m not sure why but it make much more sense hearing it from someone else. I truly believe it takes a village to plan a trip to Disney.

Oh, late start on 9/12 had to do with staying out later than normal for Halloween party. Additionally, I think 9/11 is a mess and definitely agree hours will b shifted to an earlier start. We really need 1 more day to take 9/11 off, hmmmm.

that's why this board exists! I drive my Disney friends crazy before a trip!

Longest I've ever gone from PPO is to epcot closing and it was a very long and very exhausting day, we were dead the next day, the kid even moreso than me, and we did two relaxing TS to break it up. Even if you leave HS say at 2pm (say 1.5 hours to get seated, eat, get to the front of the park) and are back at your resort at 2:30 it's maybe a 90 minute rest, about the time of a TS meal, before you have to get moving to get to BoG. That's not a real rest before the party, and being that tired this would completely ruin the party for me... not to mention an exhausted little one who has to take 2x the steps for every one you take. Definitely separate out a long HS day from the party and get a late start for the party. It's way too much money to not enjoy.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Do u recommend not doing a park b4 party? I was trying to plan my park days based off crowd calendars from touring plans and kenny the pirate. I’m not sure it will all work out. I know we will all benefit from 1/2 day of rest and enjoy party much more than if we went cranky and tired! Also, I forgot to mention we have free dining regular plan.

 

[rdaky]

If you are going to stay at the party until close, I don't recommend doing a park during party day. When we've done a party day, we used the morning/afternoon as pool time, nice lunch, and then head to MK and enter at 4, which is when they'll let you in for the party. And then we don't do a TS meal during the party, either, because it feels like it takes up valuable party time. If we're hungry, we just grab something quick. Or eat the snacks.

 

[rdaky]

Also, I forgot to mention we have free dining regular plan.

You have a lot of TS booked. Are you paying out of pocket for the extras? Regular dining plan is only one TS credit per night and it looks like you're planning on using at least 11. Did you upgrade to the regular plan or to the deluxe?

 

[10CJ]

I would move the HS day to the 13th. I would try to move the Bon Voyage breakfast to the morning of the party and not go to a park that morning.

I also feel like you are doing a lot of traveling on the 12. Will you have a car? As is, I think your dinner is way to close to the dessert party. I would book a Yak and Yeti lunch and pick up a light QS dinner around 4:30-5 at MK.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I was with you up until 9/11 and 9/12. Those both seem like crazy days to me. The DHS park hours will likely change to earlier. Even if they don’t, eating at H&V will likely put you behind the TSL crowds (unless you want to rush through a very expensive character meal). And as others have said, I would not try to fit all that in before the party. I’m tired just thinking about it, I can’t imagine a 5 year old hanging for that long of a day.

Same thing on the 12th, it’s way too much traveling around.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

I had regular, but today I upgraded to Deluxe after my post. My husband ran the numbers on dining calculator and w/ our meals being heavy on character side for my daughter, we came out ahead on the deluxe plan (including the cost of upgrade) bc we would pay for more meals out of pocket if we kept regular dining plan. Breakfast isnmy mother’s favorite meal so we will most likely snack if someone gets hungry before dinner. No way we’ll use all our credits and end up giving some away. We surprised a few couples last year and picked up their dinner

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Okay, I completely agree w/ every single recommendation! I got lucky and was able to move BV bfast to party day. We are no longer going to HS and decided to participate in resort activities and swim.

Next question... Do u recommend AK on 12th n AM when its a bit cooler then hopping over to HS or splitting one of those parks w/ Epcot? In the past, we have visited for 7-10 days and planning was so much easier!

Again, thank u to everyone for ur help! U have helped A TON today!

 

[Momof2Singers]

Hi there, I’m looking for dis foodies to help finalize dining reservations. It’s my mother’s 1st time to Disney and also, surprise trip for my daughter’s 5th bday. I’m having difficulty combining meals that my daughter enjoys along w/ locations I would love to experience w/ my mother.

Dates: 9/8-9/14
Where: AoA Nemo Suites

9/8: Arrive @ MCO around 1230 and hoping to checkin close to 2:00 and hang around resort/swim up until dinner time. Currently, I have CM reservations @ 525 then, plan to ride monorail for fun and head back to resort for outdoor movie @ 8:00. 2 Alternative options.., Head to HS and get shows out of the way; CM for late dinner or visit Fort Wilderness to explore, dinner @ Trails End then Chip & Dale Sing Along.

9/9: Birthday Day! EMM/BBB. Breakfast included with EMM. Dinner @ 5:30, CRT.

9/10: GG breakfast, 1030. Via Napoli or Nine Dragons for dinner, 5-6 or eat at a resort after hotel break and return to Epcot for FEA. We do have park hoppers

9/11: My Birthday! PPO H&V @ 8. I’m not particular excited about this one; however, my daughter will b doing Jedi Training. Also, trying to take advantage of getting ahead of crowd for TSM. Lunch Sci Fi @ 1230 before heading back to resort to rest; dinner @ 530, BOG followed by MNSSHP.

9/12: Brunch @ 1130, Bon Voyage Adventure Bfast considering Boma here before heading to AK. I mainly reserved BV for my 5 year old. Dinner Grand Floridian Cafe, 630 followed by HEA After Fireworks Dessert Party.

9/13: Trail End Brunch, 1100 and Ohana dinner @ 6:00.

Opinions are graciously appreciated. I would love to have time for Jiko, Boathouse, Homecomin’ and many, many more. I’am just not sure it would b as enjoyable w/ a 5 y/o. I’m hoping to solidify plans very soon w/ FP day quickly approaching.

Personally we never do a TS during any party/ MNSSHP party. You are going to miss valuable time getting in line for characters, etc. Those hours go by quickly. Also a little confused about your Brunch at 11:30 at Bon Voyage, the characters are only there for breakfast and I did not see a brunch option I love some of your options, but traveling unfortunately takes far more time than we realized when we planned. Disney transportation, security and just getting there we underestimated. This trip we are allowing more time. Just make sure you have time to actually see and do the attractions you really want. That is why we normally only do one TS a day, we were running to ADR's all day. Even my girl's said, mom, too much eating. Sure you will have a wonderful time either way, but I do understand about wanting to do more. We are faced with the same dilemma, wanted homecomin' especially, but more important to my daughter to shop a little and we are only doing one afternoon for Disney Springs. So we are doing QS while there, probably at Wolfgang Express.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

My original plan was to sleep in after the party; however, after reading recommendations I dropped it.

Honestly, I’m not sure it’s actually “brunch.” It had breakfast listed until noon which I consider brunch. We haven’t dined here n past.., maybe someone can give feedback.

I’m heading to bring my son to lacrosse, but as soon as I return I’ll update gameplan.

 

[GillianP1301]

My opinions...

9/8 - I like your first option with the 5:25 CM. It's a fun way to kick off your trip and you don't necessarily want to have a super long day and with EMM the next day, I would avoid a late night with a 5 year old.

9/9 - Looks perfect to me, I wouldn't change a thing.

9/10 - Definitely like the GG breakfast, it's our favourite character meal. I would opt for one of your EP dinner choices after a break and stay for FEA unless there is a hotel restaurant you really want to try. Eating at EPCOT just cuts down on travel time overall.

9/11 - I hear you on the H&V not being a first choice, it's not for me either but it is handy for early park entry for Jedi Training sign up and the breakfast buffet is good, much better than the dinner option, IMO. Sci-Fi is one of our favourites and I generally have no issue at all with 2 - 3 TS a day, but given the plans for the balance of your day I would consider not doing it here. You will have a very early morning for your PPO H&V ahead of a very late night with MNSSHP. I think heading back to your room at lunch time, grabbing a quick bite at your resort and then resting a bit may be best. Then go ahead with the 5:30 BOG, which is good timing to end just as the party is starting.

9/12 - Tough choice here Bon Voyage is very good and some great character opportunities, but Boma is really good food and more convenient to AK. I give a slight advantage to Boma since you have a princess meal earlier in your trip already.

9/13 - Looks good and gives you a chance to get to Trails End if you opt not to do it on your arrival night. Ohana dinner is a solid choice for closing out your trip.

 

[rdaky]

If I had to choose between BV and Boma breakfast/brunch, I would choose Boma every time.

I'm somewhat concerned that you are cramming so much into your trip that everyone is going to be wiped out and done before the trip is over. We took my parents several years ago, and while they weren't old and frail at the time, they really needed a lot of time to just sit and relax, and hopping from one thing to another (even sit down dinners) wore them out. My dad was done by day 3 and stayed in the hotel watching TV the rest of the trip. I absolutely know the excitement and the desire to fit as much in as you can so that everyone can have a wonderful time, but I think you might be on the edge of too much.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Rough draft #2

9/8: Same

9/9: Same

9/10: Breakfast Garden Grill moved up to 830. Leave for break around 1:00-2. Return to Eocot somewhere btn 5:00-6.

Dinner: Elle eats QS @ Landscape of Flavors; Mom and I snack around the world F&W booths while Elle participates in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak. She loves this movie and Hide and Seek, everyone’s rested and happy n time for FEA Desset Party @ 8. Anyone know where this is held?

9/11: Happy 40th Bday to Mommy

Sleep late then, head to Disney Springs around 1030-11 to QS Earl of Sandwich or Deluxe Burger; Ample Hills Dessert for Mom..., love Ooey Gooey Butter Cake!!!

Dinner: Thinking leave for MK around 330; walk thru shops on main street and maybe get a ride or 2 n before BOG @ 5:30; MNSSHP.

9/12: HS Day... Breakfast Landscape of Flavors; Lunch Scifi @ 11:00.

Dinner: Here is where I’m unsure if we should leave for break and return after dinner or break and HDDR or Trails End. My daughter is an animal fanatic and thought she would enjoy seeing the animals.

9/13: AK Day... Breakfast Boma or Mara.

Dinner: Yak & Yeti; Head to MK for HEA After Fireworks Dessert Party @ 8:00.

New Addition: 9/14: BOG lunch @ 11:00.

Dinner: Ohana

*Aunt picking us up at AoA btn 8:00-9 for visit n Sarasota, thoughts?

THE END

 

[10CJ]

I think it looks much better.

Are you planning to do Yak and Yeti QS or TS? Either way just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get to MK for your dessert party.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Whew... wonderful to hear!

I’m 99% sure qs either Yak & Yeti or new QS n Pandora.