Help! I have to eliminate one restaurant from the plan. . . Which one?

[riggins]

. . . or can I have my cake and eat it too??

We're going down the week of Thanksgiving. My parents are coming for the first 3 days and it is their 1st trip to WDW!! We have 4 dinner restaurants in mind while they're visiting, but only three nights:

1- Chefs De France (I think they'll enjoy an evening at WS and Illum. I told mom to pick any WS restaurant and this was her pick)

2- Artist Point (My parents really want to try AP, but we are also taking 16 mo. old DD, so I'm a little concerned that its too fancy for her)

3- Ohana's (my pick since I've read so many good things lately)

4- Fantasmic- ok, its not a restaurant, but we'd really like to see it and I'm not sure if we can fit it in along with one of these others. I'm also concerned about it being too much for DD.

So, what do you think? Can I squeeze in Fantasmic with one of the others? What about eating dinner at Ohana's or AP, then going to Epcot WS for dessert? If I should just eliminate one, which should it be?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I vote to eliminate Chefs de France. Although I've had a very wonderful meal there, on my next trip, I had a very bad meal (mostly server, but also food was so-so). Just because it's so unpredictable, I wouldn't chance it.

 

[PistolPete]

I agree with Simba's Mom. Drop Chef de France for dinner but go there for dessert as you suggested. Don't worry about Artist Pointe with a child. O'Hana is a must. And Fantasmic will be enjoyed by all.

 

[zulaya]

Dump Chefs de France. I too have heard things about the inconsistencies there, plus if anyof you are big eaters, I understand the portions here are not large. Do the dessert thing after AP or 'Ohana.

 

[CarolMN]

Instead of dinner, how about having a late lunch at Chefs de France? No way would I eliminate my Mom's pick, especially if I told her to choose, LOL! Food at lunch and dinner is similar, but the prices are less and in my experience, lunch is less crowded. If you eat a big lunch late, you may not even want anything later except maybe a small snack/ice cream bar. You'll have plenty of time to see the ToD parade, explore WS and find a good spot for Illuminations.

You might also consider the character breakfast at O'hana's (instead of dinner) on the day you want to go to Fantasmic. I think you would have a tough time fitting dinner in at O'Hana's or AP before Fantasmic. Last year, Fantasmic was shown at 6:30 and 8:30. So it's possible to do with an early dinner seating, but allowing for travel time and line time, I think you will feel dinner is rushed. Don't miss the Osbourne Lights before or after Famtasmic. I'm sure your parents will enjoy seeing those as well as Fantasmic.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

 

[Carrieberry]

I would skip Artist Point (since you are already leery about how your daughter will be) and try for a Fantasmic dinner package at Brown Derby or one of the other Studio restaurants instead. Artist point is wonderful, but I would choose Fantasmic over it any day. I agree, I would not skip the only one your mom requested, and Ohana's is a definite must! Just my thoughts!

 

[travelitis]

I'd definitely keep Mom's choice, but moving it to lunch might be a good idea.
I'm skipping Fantasmic in Nov. as I know it's too much for my 4 yr old dd. How about viewing Illuminations instead?

 

[eeyore0062]

I have to agree with Simba's Mom, if I was going to eliminate one, it would definitely be Chefs de France!

 

[jennymouse]

Don't EVEN dump your mother's choice after you told her to pick.LOL Do it at lunch if you must, but you must!

 

[eeyore0062]

Oops, didnt read that it was mom's choice... no, you gotta keep that, even if you don't want to...!

The others are all good, and they only serve dinner. I have to agree, move Chefs de France to late lunch, and you will still have time to get to MGM to line up for Fantasmic.

 

[CarolA]

I seem to be in the minority, but I would keep Chefs de France. I have eaten there several times and the food was very good. The service is provided by french personnel and is not as "touchy feely" as you might be used to. The French waiters and waitresses in France are not in the habit of introducing themselves, smiling etc. They just provide a professional service. With a 16 month old I would bail on Fantasmic! It is loud, it requires you to sit outside for at least two hours and I doubt she is going to like it.

 

[BrianBWV]

Checfs de France. Nothing wrong with it, but not incredibly memorable either.


BrianBWV

 

[Goofy Fan]

. . . or can I have my cake and eat it too??

Why not?

Looks like last year during T-Giving week Fantasmic had shows at 6:30 and 8:30 all week. Assuming the same schedule, I think you can be creative and accomodate everyone. The EPCOT night you already have tentative plans for Chefs De France and Illuminations. Now, dinner hours are an interesting aspect when it comes to what families are used to. I remember my mother having dinner ready at 4:30 every day, while others wouldn't eat dinner until at least 7:00. Since you have 2 Fantasmic shows to choose from, I think you can fit it in. Since O'Hanas includes some nice family entertainment as well, I would guess that this is the longer dining experience between there and Artist Point. So I would try to make a PS at AP on the night you do Fantasmic. I would probably do dinner first, then go to the 8:30 show. It also seems that reports show the later Fantasmic is not as crowded as the first show. I wouldn't attempt to have a dinner PS for after the 6:30 Fantasmic show unless you leave plenty of time to exit the park, which would probably mean a late PS, maybe too late for the DD. I would probably try to arrange a PS at AP for 5:30. With a leisurely 1 1/2 hour dinner, that should leave enough time to get over to MGM and get a seat for Fantasmic, assuming you have your own car. If using buses, I would probably push back dinner a little.

Just another opinion based on whether you could do it all! Enjoy!

 

[MauraAndIainsDad]

DON'T dump Chefs de France! It is consistently our favorite restaurant in all of WDW! Maybe you could have an early dinner one evening and then head over for Fantasmic without doing the dinner package.

 

[Wilma Flintstone]

Fantasmic is loud, wild, fiery, scary and a total blast for 7-10 year olds and of course, us old poops. I would NOT take a toddler to this show for the above reasons. Also, it is crowded and popular. We waited for 45 minutes for the show to start and WE WERE STANDING IN THE BACK! We saw the late show (11 PM?) and there were many little ones in attendance. I didn't hear any crying. Was it because they were in shock or was it so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think?
I would skip this show--put it on the back burner for another visit and enjoy those restaurants.
Have fun, Wilma

 

[nisiemouse]

Leslie, Let me tell you a funny story about my ds. When he was almost 3 we took him to Fantasmic. He sat very quietly through the show. When it was over and we were carrying him to leave he pointed to the stage and said,"Sad, sad, sad" and then blew a raspberry. So I would agree with skipping this for your dd.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by nisiemouse
Leslie, Let me tell you a funny story about my ds. When he was almost 3 we took him to Fantasmic. He sat very quietly through the show. When it was over and we were carrying him to leave he pointed to the stage and said,"Sad, sad, sad" and then blew a raspberry. So I would agree with skipping this for your dd.

awwww, that's so cute, Denise. We still haven't seen this show yet. Surely we will this time.