Help me plan - weigh in on choices!

[kristennn]

I havent been to disney in 4 years. I am traveling with my 2 daughters who will be 13 and 7, and my friend and her daughter who will turn 13 just after we are there. My friend and the two 13 year olds are not really into character meals - but are accommodating to a degree.I thought I would take my 7 year old to BBB and Cinderella's castle but she told me this morning "why would anyone want to meet people dressed up, they're not even real" Kind of sad, but I guess it will save me some money and time.

We are there 5 nights and we arrive early the first day and leave late the second day. Our friends arrive late-ish the first day and leave early the second day so we are there almost 2 days more than them - so we'll be eating a couple meals separately. We may also split up for a few meals if it makes sense or cant agree but I know my girls will prefer to be with them - and it might be extra hassle meeting up after or whatever.

Anyhow - My friend is interested in the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. I see a lot of mixed reviews - and for us it's not worth two credits but since they really only have 5 days and 6 nights worth of table service it sort of makes sense for them. I am thinking they could use the dining plan and we could pay out of pocket for this one if we do it. I dont have high expectations but want to accommodate her - and this is my 4th trip and Ive never done this so ... in the spirit of new experiences I am thinking we'll do it if she wants to. Weigh in! opinions wanted!

1900 park faire stepsisters meal - I originally was thinking yes as our only character meal - I personally love it - and my 7 year old apparently is not impressed with princesses but IS impressed with anything "fancy" so maybe GF will be a hit for her. We have done this meal in the past though - so I am willing to skip it.

Ohana - my friend is interested in the breakfast - I would really like to do the dinner. I especially love the sides/bread/dessert. I dont care at all about Lilo and stitch. I have done both the breakfast and dinner in the past. Like them both. Think the dinner is more worth my dining credit and don;t love being so full first thing in the day.

Boma - my friend wants to do this for sure and I like it too. we've both been there before but not in a long time, only downside is it's kind of far away and I am having trouble picking a good day to do this.

Be Our guest. for dinner. We are going to the christmas party at MK so I am thinking it would be nice to do this that night - unfortunately it;s the second night of our trip. I dont know if dinner reservations will be easier or harder to get based on it being a party night. I am thinking we might dress up this night and it would be nice to go to a nice restaurant. I would also love to eat here for breakfast or lunch another day because both menu's look very appealing. I feel like I need a dinner back up plan in case we can't get reservations on this day.

and other than that I am not sure. I am intrigues by whispering canyon and have never been there - but we wont have a car and it might be a hassle to bus someplace for dinner unless it's worth it. I also find Tusker House appealing and have had it before - but I feel like our Animal Kingdom day might be a good day to do dinner at Ohana's or Boma, or the spirit of aloha meal. I feel like table service dinner at Epcott would make sense one of the nights.... and the Napoli italian restuarant seems appealing - or coral reef. I would do le cellier if it wasnt two credits. I have eaten table service there in the past at coral reef, le cellier, and the french restaurant.


I am open to the idea of another character meal - even for breakfast on our last day - but only i think if we have an extra table service left - like if we do spirit of aloha out of pocket. Also I guess if we had the extra we could do le cellier but we would have to do it wihtout my friend and really i dont think my kids would be that excited about it, so I dont think if is worth two credits for us. We could also use the last table credit on a lunch the last day for the three of us.


Anyone have suggestions or want to weigh in on any of my above ideas/choices?

 

[jvsims]

I would pick CRT over Spirit of Aloha, hands down. I have teen boys who aren't overly crazy to meet the princesses, but still enjoy being in the castle. Your 7 yr old likes fancy so she should feel that to be pretty special I would shy away from BOG dinner during party hours so you don't lose party time, but early dinner might be worth it if you haven't seen Beast or his castle. Boma & Ohana dinner are among our favorites. We usually don't have time for Spirit of Aloha as it can mean having to cut out a park nighttime show/parade/firework. You should also reward yourself by picking something totally for you without regards to what is best for anyone else...I say this one from experience enjoy your trip!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I wouldn't do Spirit of Aloha and O'hana dinner. The food, IMHO, is too similar. We went to Spirit of Aloha about 2 years ago and enjoyed it. The second act is much better than the first. We payed OOP.

If the kids aren't into character meals, I wouldn't do any of them. The food isn't good enough to justify the upcharge for the characters. Instead of 1900, perhaps try the afternoon tea at GF? That's pretty "fancy"!

I would do Boma on your AK day.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Where are you staying? Are you and your friend in the same room or resort? I could offer better advice if I knew that to tell you logistical stuff. Uber is always an easy and cheap option. We went from the POLY to AKL and it was $9, so very economical from that standpoint. Have you thought of WCC before the Xmas party night? The lodge is beautiful at Xmas and would be a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

 

[kristennn]

We are staying at pop century but we upgraded to regular dining from quick dining. We are staying (hopefully) in adjoining rooms, but otherwise yes at the same resort. I was definitely thinking we may use uber a couple of times. I don;t know if that many vehicles can fit all 5 of us though.
I am thinking maybe on the party day (sunday)
We might do rope drop at either epcott future world, or hollywood studios - and get some big rides out of the way using rope drop/fast passes - then eat a counter service lunch at like 1130 - and head back to the hotel for a bit. Then try and be at Magic Kingdom for like 3ish use our three party fast passes - and then eat table service at Be Our Guest at like 5/530 if we can get a reservation.

My friend is set on doing spirit of aloha - not sure which time we should try and get - since Im going to pay for that out of pocket - I will 5 other table service credits to use. Right now I am thinking :
1900 park faire or Ohanas (saturday night)
be our guest (sunday)
Boma
Ohanas
Coral Reef
and if we dont do park faire our first night - then maybe a really early dinner our last night - our plane leaves at 10 @ night - not sure what time we'll need to get picked up by magic express

 

[amycakes]

I would do Spirit of Aloha with my friend if she wanted to do it. I am doing it for my hubby this August I am going into it with no expectations. Not sure where this would fit in the schedule for you. So paying OOP for this show would leave 6 TS credits (since you are going for 6 nights).

Without a car, travelling may waste a lot of time (assuming you are going to all parks), I would do the following:

-Ohana for dinner (if you enjoy it as you compromised on Spirit of Aloha). This could be done via monorail on a Epcot or MK day.
-Boma on an Animal Kingdom day (Animal Kingdom is open late now so you may want to do Tusker House instead)
-Via Napoli or Coral Reef/Teppan Edo at Epcot (if not going to Ohana from Epcot)
-A table service at Hollywood Studios that appeals to you or something on the boardwalk?
-An early BOG dinner at MK for the "fancy" or a counter service BOG lunch if you can't get dinner. Not sure what you could do for a back up dinner as you wouldn't want to leave and miss the party (CRT could work here too but that would leave no TS credit for the last day)

So again, if you pay OOP for SoA, that would leave one credit for a last day breakfast/lunch of your choice.... maybe Whispering Canyon.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I'm only saying this because you asked for opinions, but Spirit of Aloha is terrible entertainment. Don't waste your 2 credits on it.

Love Ohana and Boma!

Really like Whispering Canyon on our last trip.

Raglan Road gets great reviews.

Have fun!

 

[kristennn]

We are staying at pop century but we upgraded to regular dining from quick dining. We are staying (hopefully) in adjoining rooms, but otherwise yes at the same resort. I was definitely thinking we may use uber a couple of times. I don;t know if that many vehicles can fit all 5 of us though.
I am thinking maybe on the party day (sunday)
We might do rope drop at either epcott future world, or hollywood studios - and get some big rides out of the way using rope drop/fast passes - then eat a counter service lunch at like 1130 - and head back to the hotel for a bit. Then try and be at Magic Kingdom for like 3ish use our three party fast passes - and then eat table service at Be Our Guest at like 5/530 if we can get a reservation.

My friend is set on doing spirit of aloha - not sure which time we should try and get - since Im going to pay for that out of pocket - I will 5 other table service credits to use. Right now I am thinking :
1900 park faire or Ohanas (saturday night)
be our guest (sunday)
Boma
Ohanas
Coral Reef
and if we dont do park faire our first night - then maybe a really early dinner our last night - our plane leaves at 10 @ night - not sure what time we'll need to get picked up by magic express

I am really debating though between coral reef and Via Napoli

 

[kristennn]

I would do Spirit of Aloha with my friend if she wanted to do it. I am doing it for my hubby this August I am going into it with no expectations. Not sure where this would fit in the schedule for you. So paying OOP for this show would leave 6 TS credits (since you are going for 6 nights).

Without a car, travelling may waste a lot of time (assuming you are going to all parks), I would do the following:

-Ohana for dinner (if you enjoy it as you compromised on Spirit of Aloha). This could be done via monorail on a Epcot or MK day.
-Boma on an Animal Kingdom day (Animal Kingdom is open late now so you may want to do Tusker House instead)
-Via Napoli or Coral Reef/Teppan Edo at Epcot (if not going to Ohana from Epcot)
-A table service at Hollywood Studios that appeals to you or something on the boardwalk?
-An early BOG dinner at MK for the "fancy" or a counter service BOG lunch if you can't get dinner. Not sure what you could do for a back up dinner as you wouldn't want to leave and miss the party (CRT could work here too but that would leave no TS credit for the last day)

So again, if you pay OOP for SoA, that would leave one credit for a last day breakfast/lunch of your choice.... maybe Whispering Canyon.

Enjoy your trip!

Ooops - 5 nights!
I dont think we will be at Hollywood studios ever at dinner. I was debating skipping it altogether - but I think we are going to do it for a a couple hours on the morning of the party day - and then maybe eat a counter service meal there. I am thinking maybe we will split 2 counter service meals (me and my two girls) and then split two of the cookie ice cream sandwiches that look so good. In general my 7 year old doesnt eat that much at a time - so i am thinking we might often split two counter service meals - and then use the third one here or there as we get hungry or split it into three snacks from time to time.

 

[kristennn]

I'm only saying this because you asked for opinions, but Spirit of Aloha is terrible entertainment. Don't waste your 2 credits on it.

Love Ohana and Boma!

Really like Whispering Canyon on our last trip.

Raglan Road gets great reviews.

Have fun!

I hear you - I keep thinking of it as "like Ohanas" except not as good and double the price. My friend really wants to do it though, and I havent ever been before - so in the spirit of compromising I am going to go in with low expectations and hopefully have an ok time, and I am sure the food will be fine.

 

[kristennn]

I would do Spirit of Aloha with my friend if she wanted to do it. I am doing it for my hubby this August I am going into it with no expectations. Not sure where this would fit in the schedule for you. So paying OOP for this show would leave 6 TS credits (since you are going for 6 nights).

Without a car, travelling may waste a lot of time (assuming you are going to all parks), I would do the following:

-Ohana for dinner (if you enjoy it as you compromised on Spirit of Aloha). This could be done via monorail on a Epcot or MK day.
-Boma on an Animal Kingdom day (Animal Kingdom is open late now so you may want to do Tusker House instead)
-Via Napoli or Coral Reef/Teppan Edo at Epcot (if not going to Ohana from Epcot)
-A table service at Hollywood Studios that appeals to you or something on the boardwalk?
-An early BOG dinner at MK for the "fancy" or a counter service BOG lunch if you can't get dinner. Not sure what you could do for a back up dinner as you wouldn't want to leave and miss the party (CRT could work here too but that would leave no TS credit for the last day)

So again, if you pay OOP for SoA, that would leave one credit for a last day breakfast/lunch of your choice.... maybe Whispering Canyon.

Enjoy your trip!

Right now Animal Kingdom is 9-5 every day we are there but I am hoping once rivers of light is up and dates are announced that it will be later. Here's to hoping I pick an animal kingdom day where that is the case. Do you know if the Tusker house/show combo things are more than one table service credit? I know most are. If we're going to stay at animal kingdom for evening entertainment id rather just eat there - my friend really likes Boma - but I may be able to pitch her Tusker house instead- it;s kind of similar right?

 

[amycakes]

We booked Tusker House Dinner Package for the 1st show for one TS credit. Some offerings seem similar but Boma definitely has better soups Lol We like both... so you can't lose. Maybe decide based on the time you think you would need at that park...

 

[amycakes]

We enjoyed Coral Reef... it was definitely a unique experience for us. We have sat by the glass and the row up from that and both are great for a nice view of the aquarium. We have not tried Via Napoli. I would go to Coral Reef with the kids if you have not been there before. We have been to Le Cellier, Chefs, Teppan Edo, Biergarten, Akershus and will be trying Tutto Italia this time as our new Epcot restaurant. I just can't use a TS for pizza but a lot of people here seem to absolutely love Via Napoli. Maybe some day!

Decisions! Decisions!

 

[Melwhit16]

It might just be me but we really enjoyed 1900 for Breakfast. Our kids loved the Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins. For a character meal it felt more "older" kid oriented.

 

[kristennn]

SO here is what I am thinking right now. We get in earlier than our friends on sat - and leave much later on thursday so the first and last day are just me and my 2 girls.

Saturday : arrive at airport at like 10:30 Am - magic express to hotel.
Epcott : quick service in world showcase - france, mexico, or morroco probably.
Late Dinner : coral reef or Via napoli - we have been to coral reef once - like 8 years ago.
-get fast passes for something and walk around - do whatever.

Sunday :
Hollywood studios for 8:00 early magic hour - use fast passes
quick service somewhere at HS - where?
then back to hotel. Not many rides/attractions we want to do here. We have seen all the shows a couple of times, and dont do thrill rides.
3:00 magic kingdom - use party fastpasses,
Dinner : Be our guest 5/530 (fingers crossed)
7:00 Christmas party at magic kingdom

Monday
9:00 animal kingdom rope drop - rides in morning, shows in afternoon. - maybe evening entertainment - fingers crossed again.
dinner - Boma

Tuesday :
9:00 Magic Kingdom rope drop
QS - ?
Dinner 5:15 spirit of Aloha
after dinner - Epcot is open til 11:30 - maybe go for evening entertainment?

Wednesday
9:00 rope drop Epcot - rides in morning, fastpasses in afternoon.
Quick service in world showcase (one of the ones we didnt hit earlier)
late afternoon or late evening in World showcase
with an early or late dinner at Ohanas

Thursday (just me and 2 girls)
9:00 Magic Kingdom rope drop
quick service breakfast - maybe Be our guest?
mermaid makeovers maybe just the 2 girls- maybe all three of us

early dinner : 1900 Park Faire (maybe by this point in our trip my 7 year old will be struck by magic and care about princesses again a little bit)

Plane leaves at 1030 at night.



We may be trying to pack a lot in - but honestly thats how all of our disney trips have been and it's been fine. Also none of us do roller coasters/thrill rides(me and my kids don't - my friends does) and apparently neither of my kids care about characters (but i still want pictures of them with some of them!) so while we will be at the park a lot - I dont think we will be racing around trying to pack stuff in too much.

 

[amycakes]

Looks great!! Good luck with your dinner reservations! I'm sure the girls will love the last day

 

[kristennn]

It might just be me but we really enjoyed 1900 for Breakfast. Our kids loved the Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins. For a character meal it felt more "older" kid oriented.

I might do this if we cant get BOG on thursday morning. I was thinking we had done this one before - but I think actually I was getting it mixed up with the mad tea party.