Help me pick a restaurant

[m&m_mom]

I was going through my ADRs and realized that I need 1 more reservation for our trip.

Here are the details: Me, DH, DS6, and DD3
We are using the DDP for the first time. We are 28 days out. My kids are not really picky and will enjoy most cuisine.

I would like to cancel one of our Tony's reservations but I'm not sure what to reserve instead. Maybe Boma on our AK day, but not sure if there is time with our ROL showing. The Plaza on day 2? Something else?

This is what we currently have:

Arrival day: QS dinner at either DS or our resort (POR)
*Note: we checked out videos for T-Rex and Rainforest and my kids were not interested in either one.

Day 1 Epcot:
Akershus 1:20pm
Epcot QS dinner

Day 2 Magic Kingdom (we plan to stay for fireworks):
Crystal Palace 9:00am
Tony's 6:25pm (we are ok changing as long as we keep one)

Day 3 Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood & Vine 12:20pm
Dinner QS at Resort

Day 4 Animal Kingdom:
Tusker House 9:20am (ROL 1st viewing)
Dinner ?

Day 5 Magic Kingdom:
BOG 9:15am
Tony's 6:10pm (we are ok changing as long as we keep one)

Departure day:
Too early for meals

 

[Hopefully]

At 28 days out your best strategy is to look on the Official WDW site and see what may still be available. It is very likely that ALL MK restaurants are booked solid.

 

[m&m_mom]

I did check out WDW site. Boma is available for several times on our AK day. Liberty Tree, Skipper Canteen, and Diamond Horseshoe all have several times available on our MK days. I noticed Chef Mickey also has availability on our MK days. I'm pretty sure a reservation for The Plaza will open up if we wanted to go there. I have a search in for CRT but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

 

[wnwardii]

If you don't mind leaving MK, you may want to try one of the MK resorts. You can easily walk to the Contemporary or take transportation (e.g. monorail/boat) to one of the other MK resorts.

I personally liked The Wave at the Contemporary. But there are other wonderful options to consider.

 

[kindle&wine]

What about Ohana at the Polynesian? It is our family's favorite!

 

[GillianP1301]

On your AK day, Boma is a good choice or if you don't want to leave the park Yak & Yeti is very good too and you should have a decent shot of getting an ADR at either of those 28 days out.

For your Tony's replacement, we really liked Skipper's Canteen and I don't think it should be a hard ADR to get. If you were willing to go to one of the monorail resorts, than Ohana or 1900PF are good, but both may be tough to get an ADR for.

 

[TheInvernessie]

I'm seconding the 'Ohana recommendation. Whether its for breakfast or dinner. Dinner was absolutely fantastic, and really filling.
AK day...I've heard some really great things about Tiffins and Boma at AKL Are you doing the standard DDP with 1 table and 1 qs per day? or the deluxe? Because if its the standard, I'd suggest sprinkling in some QS places to break in the action of making reservations.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I guess I'm confused here. Do you have the regular dining plan? If so, you only have 5 TS credits per person if you're staying 5 nights.

 

[m&m_mom]

We have the regular dining plan. We are staying 6 nights.

We do have QS each day. I haven't really planned out those restaurants since we will just wing it with what we feel like having. We will most likely share meals for QS and have plenty of credits to cover all of our meals.

So basically, I need 6 ADRs. For clarification, this is what I have:
Akershus lunch
Crystal Palace breakfast
Tony's dinner
Hollywood & Vine lunch
Tusker House breakfast

I need 1 more. Ohana looks fun but it's totally booked. I can put in a search for it though. I'm worried about the timing of getting to Boma, eating, and getting back in time for ROL.

 

[Scifidiner]

Our last trip I only booked 3 reservations for the week and I'm glad we did it that way. I don't ever get a dining plan it seems restrictive for my needs, your situation may be completely different. I want what I want, when I want it & don't feel like keeping up with details. We ended up eating at a couple of table service restaurants we didn't have reservations for, granted it wasn't super crowded either. The rest of the time we just grabbed whatever looked good when we were hungry. It was much more relaxing than having a set time schedule. Just a thought, everyone's preferences are different.

 

[ibela]

AK - Yak & Yeti

Instead of Tony's, since you don't mind going to a nearby resort either Wave or Grand Floridian Cafe but I'd check a day or 2 out for Ohana, it's our only must do every trip.

 

[Tonberry]

I would highly suggest Boma on your AK day 4 and cancel Tony's on day 2 and just do a QS there.
or
on day 2, book dinner at either Ohana at the Poly or the Wave at CR. Both are tough to beat. Then cancel Tony's.

This way for both options, you are still at or close to MK for the fireworks.

 

[m&m_mom]

Our last trip I only booked 3 reservations for the week and I'm glad we did it that way. I don't ever get a dining plan it seems restrictive for my needs, your situation may be completely different. I want what I want, when I want it & don't feel like keeping up with details. We ended up eating at a couple of table service restaurants we didn't have reservations for, granted it wasn't super crowded either. The rest of the time we just grabbed whatever looked good when we were hungry. It was much more relaxing than having a set time schedule. Just a thought, everyone's preferences are different.

This is only our second trip with the kids so we are still kind of feeling out what works for us. Our last trip, we did not have dining plan but we stayed DVC so we didnt eat at the parks a whole lot. That worked well since my kids preferred PBJ to fast food type stuff anyway. This year we knew we wanted to do a bunch of character meals so we thought the dining plan would work well. Thankfully my kids have a pretty consistent grumbly tummy schedule and get hungry around the same times every day. They also aren't super picky about what they eat. It has made ADRs pretty easy to schedule. We can always cancel or reschedule something if we want. I'm a planner though so I'd rather have it and not need it than want it and not be able to get it.

 

[CynBeth]

I would do BOG for dinner replacing one of the Tony's.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I know you are already doing a good amount of character meals, but I highly recommend 1900 Park Fare dinner.

 

[maryj11]

I would pick the Plaza if you want to stay in the park. If your willing to go to a monorail resort I would go to Ohana or the Wave.

 

[maryj11]

I would do BOG for dinner replacing one of the Tony's.

I doubt there would be any reservations open for BOG dinner. I have been searching every day for one in August

 

[m&m_mom]

No reservations available for BOG dinner and my kids are scared of the Beast anyway. I've got a search out for Ohana. I think I'm going to make a back up reservation at Boatwrights on our HS day since we plan to be at the resort for the evening.

 

[TheInvernessie]

Have you thought about Liberty Tree Tavern? Its served family style and its in Park at MK. I remember it being really nice, and comfortable.

 

[maryj11]

Have you thought about Liberty Tree Tavern? Its served family style and its in Park at MK. I remember it being really nice, and comfortable.

I just checked out the menu and they are now serving the ooey gooey toffee cake for dinner yay !