Help me decide which ADRs to keep

[Jess_S]

As I've previously whined -- err -- explained, we booked our trip inside the 180 ADR booking window. Plus it's free dining time. Those two things combined have made it a challenge to get the ADRs we want. Rather than mope, I decided to be flexible and I booked some of the restaurants we were interesting in -- but at less than ideal times. I'd love everyone's thoughts on what I've booked and which redundant ADRs to cancel.

We have a 2 year old who is delight until about 8 p.m. and then needs to get to bed stat, so late dinner ADRs are not an option. Our home for the trip will be AKL.

Currently, our schedule is:

Sunday 9/20 -- arrive at WDW -- 4:30 pm ADR at Coral Reef
Monday 9/21 -- 1 pm ADR at Coral Reef
Tuesday 9/22 - 10:30 a.m. ADR at Crystal Palace (I was originally hoping for a pre-rope-drop time for this, but now I'm thinking that a 10:30 a.m. break could be nice. Would love everyone's thoughts on whether I should keep trying to get an earlier time).
Wednesday 9/23 -- nada
Thursday 9/24 -- 6 p.m. Sanaa
Friday 9/25 -- leaving WDW (boo) -- 10:00 a.m. ADR at Cape May Cafe

 

[lmtravis]

which days do you plan to be in the parks and are you going to park-hop? Are you leaving the parks for naps? If so, how long do you think you will be gone? Is your child into or scared of characters? any favorites they would want to see?

 

[m3owbox]

I wouldn't eat at Coral Reef twice. The food there is just okay. I would try to book somewhere else for lunch on that second day. There are plenty of options in EPCOT or you could walk over to the BW or Y&B for a good lunch.

 

[Jess_S]

We're planning to be in the parks Sunday through Thursday. The plan is to definitely do EPCOT on Monday and definitely do MK on Tuesday. I want to do AK either Wednesday or Thursday. We might skip DHS because there's not a lot that will appeal to my son there.

We have the park hopper option on our tickets. We're planning to play it by ear on leaving for naps. Our son doesn't do regular naps at home, but does tend to fall asleep in his stroller on vacations and other fun days out. I'm thinking that we might take afternoon pool breaks if it's very hot.

With toddlers, you never know, but DS loved seeing characters on our Disney Cruise last year and has been asking to visit Mickey. His favorites are Mickey, Pluto and Pooh Bear.

For the Coral Reef reservation, I'm trying to decide whether early dinner or late lunch would be better. I really wanted a 6 pm dinner on Monday, but so did the rest of the world. This is one of our must dos since my son loves fish, so I took what I could get with the idea that we would choose between the two.

 

[lmtravis]

Maybe do Tusker House on the 20th since it has fish, characters, and is close to AKL?

 

[lmtravis]

Ha! just realized you mean watch fish--not eat them. My kids love to eat fish so that's where my mind went...

 

[Jess_S]

Ha! just realized you mean watch fish--not eat them. My kids love to eat fish so that's where my mind went...

Yep. He'll be watching the fish, not eating them. Currently, "my son loves" cannot accurately be followed with any food item. He's in a stage where we're not sure how he takes in enough calories to survive considering how "disgusting" he finds all food. Tusker House was on my wish list of dining spots, but we haven't been able to get any ADRs there so far. I'm hoping that more choices will open up as we get closer to the trip since that seems to have happened for other folks here.

 

[lmtravis]

I would keep trying for Tusker House and would also try for Chef Mickey's lunch or brunch on your MK days.

 

[brinkley07]

If you really want a pre-RD reservation just keep trying because you can keep a 10:30, and cancel it if an earlier time becomes available. I would cancel one of the Coral Reef and try for something else in Epcot as there are so many great choices. Having been one to book our trip last minute in the past and get the dining reservations I have wanted I can tell you it just takes perseverance and a little luck. Keep trying and good luck!

 

[Jess_S]

I'm definitely planning to cancel one of the Coral Reef reservations. I'd love some thoughts on whether the lunch or early dinner would be better to keep.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I'm definitely planning to cancel one of the Coral Reef reservations. I'd love some thoughts on whether the lunch or early dinner would be better to keep.

I think I would keep the lunch and look for a Tusker House for your arrival dinner.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I don't know if this is too early but there is a 3:25 lunch at TH for a party of three on 9/20. Select 3:30 to have it come up. There's still some other lunch times left as well.

 

[Jess_S]

The WDW dining page is so buggy. I just did a search to see what's available at Tusker House on the 20th and got an error message. I'll try again later. 3:30 is probably too early for us to actually enjoy the food, but maybe something will open if I'm persistent.

 

[grandmomhop]

I was looking at Coral Reef menu. Either it wasn't complete, on the WDW page, or they took a lot of entrees off. I was really disappointed and decided not to go.

 

[Jess_S]

I feel like this thread has provided some good vibes. After a few weeks of checking, I got a Tusker House lunch booked today. I'm going to keep checking back for better times, but I at least have non-ideal ADRs for all of my top dining spots now.