Help me with my ADR

[Alexsandra]

Hi there,
I booked my trip for first week of March 2016. We are spending the first 6 nights at POFQ and the last 3 nights at the Poly.

I keep second guessing my choices and have changed my ADR twice now. I am worried I overbooked or I chose restaurants with bad reviews. I need some help.

Here is a little info about us: I am traveling with my husband and two boys (5 and 9)
We've been to Disney several times. We are not big eaters and so are paying OOP so we can choose what to eat, share plates and skip appetizers or desserts sometimes. We are also early risers and big on breakfast. I added some new restaurants to our usual choices.

This is my ADR schedule, for now

Day 1: MK
B: Crystal Palace at 8:10AM (family tradition)
L: BOG at 12:55PM (have been before for lunch)
D: WCC at 6:30PM (Never been, looking forward to visiting WL. Previously on day 4:AK but moved it to a MK day for easy boat access)

Day 2: EP
B: in room
L: San Angel Inn at 12:30PM (Never been)
D: F&G festival kiosk (Never been)

Day 3: HS
B: in room
L: 50's Prime Time at 12:00PM (have been before)
D: Sci-fi Dine Inn at 5:55PM (kids' request)

Day 4: AK
B: Tusker House at 8:45AM (our favourite character breakfast)
L: QS at Flame Tree BBQ (love this QS)
D: DTD restaurant ??? (Any suggestions?)

Day 4: HS
B: in room
L: Beaches and Cream at 12:30 (kids have never been)
D: QS ??? (quick bite before Fantasmic)

Day 5: Day Off (Check into Poly)
B: Kona Cafe at 10:00AM (Have been before, love breakfast)
L: QS at Captain Cooks? (Pool day if nice and a quick bite at QS)
D: Ohana' at 5:15PM (one our favorites)

Day 6: EP
B: Kona Cafe 7:30AM (Have been before, love breakfast)
L: Coral Reef at 12:15 (never been, thinking of cancelling)
D: La Hacienda de San Angel at 6:30PM (our favourite at Epcot)

Day 7: MK
B: Ohana' 7:30AM (never tried for breakfast)
L: Liberty Tree Tavern at 11:55 (one of our favourites at MK)
D: BOG at 4:50 (only time I could get, thinking of cancelling!)

We were also considering doing HDDR but it was between that or WCC. My husband doesn't really enjoy hockey musicals so I chose WCC.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Wow. That's a lot of eating very close together. You say that you don't eat a lot, and while your strategy is good - collocated restaurants - I think you have too many meals too close together. For example, on your HS day you have lunch at 12:00 at 50's Prime Time, which will easily be 90 minutes, and then you have dinner at 6, less than 5 hours later. Then on your Day 7 you have O'Hana at 7:30, which will probably be 2 hours (9:30 end), then lunch at noon (1:30 end) and then dinner 3 hours later. I strongly suggest if you do a restaurant breakfast you do a late lunch, earlier dinner vs 3 meals. So for MK day perhaps OHana at 7:30 and Liberty Tavern at 3.
On a different note, highly recommend the Fantasmic package -- dinner and prime seats. However, recommend that you check that Fantasmic is playing. I read somewhere that it's going on hiatus in February.

 

[Irish_Mike]

Will try to break it up day by day with my suggestions for you guys

Day 1: MK
B: Crystal Palace at 8:10AM (family tradition)
L: BOG at 12:55PM (have been before for lunch)
D: WCC at 6:30PM (Never been, looking forward to visiting WL. Previously on day 4:AK but moved it to a MK day for easy boat access)

I would cut off BOG for lunch - it's a great meal for the park, but you can definitely fill up for the day between Crystal Palace and WCC, so maybe just forgo this for a light snack or something in the parks.

Day 2: EP
B: in room
L: San Angel Inn at 12:30PM (Never been)
D: F&G festival kiosk (Never been)

Aside from theming, San Angel Inn can be hit or miss in terms of food quality, and depending on how adventurous your boys are with, this could be an iffy place. That comes down to your family's preferences and such.

For the F&G festival, make sure you check out the BBQ kiosk in America, and frushi over in Japan. Two of my favorites and constant stops when I was there this past spring.

Day 3: HS
B: in room
L: 50's Prime Time at 12:00PM (have been before)
D: Sci-fi Dine Inn at 5:55PM (kids' request)

All good for this day.

Day 4: AK
B: Tusker House at 8:45AM (our favourite character breakfast)
L: QS at Flame Tree BBQ (love this QS)
D: DTD restaurant ??? (Any suggestions?)

Portobello is a great (but somewhat pricey) Italian restaurant in DTD (DS?), and there is also the T-Rex cafe, which is similar to Rainforest Cafe in design and such (Just swap in dinosaurs for gorillas). If you wanted to go a bit lighter for dinner, Earl of Sandwich is always a big hit, but can get crowded fast.

If you really want something different, Splitsville is always an option too, and their food is actually quite good.

Day 4: HS
B: in room
L: Beaches and Cream at 12:30 (kids have never been)
D: QS ??? (quick bite before Fantasmic)

HS, unfortunately, has some of the lower tier QS locations. With the younger ones, Pizza Planet is always popular, but you're paying a decent penny for average pizza. I haven't been to ABC Commissary or the Studio Catering Company in a long time, so I can't really say much for them. Starring Roles Cafe does offer some sandwich options as well.

Day 5: Day Off (Check into Poly)
B: Kona Cafe at 10:00AM (Have been before, love breakfast)
L: QS at Captain Cooks? (Pool day if nice and a quick bite at QS)
D: Ohana' at 5:15PM (one our favorites)

Looks (and sounds) great for this day. If it does turn out to be a bit of a soggy day, perhaps take the monorail to either GF or Contemporary for lunch - gives you a nice change of scenery.

Day 6: EP
B: Kona Cafe 7:30AM (Have been before, love breakfast)
L: Coral Reef at 12:15 (never been, thinking of cancelling)
D: La Hacienda de San Angel at 6:30PM (our favourite at Epcot)

Kick Coral Reef to the curb and run screaming over to Sunshine Seasons. Please, it is one of the better quick service options in any of the four parks and offers a wide and different menu option.

Day 7: MK
B: Ohana' 7:30AM (never tried for breakfast)
L: Liberty Tree Tavern at 11:55 (one of our favourites at MK)
D: BOG at 4:50 (only time I could get, thinking of cancelling!)

'Ohana for breakfast is going to be the standard breakfast buffet food (Mickey waffles, sausage, homefries) - just doesn't require you to get up to get more. It's also the only place you'll be able to see Stitch outside of Typhoon Lagoon once he leaves Tomorrowland - if your boys love him, it may be worth it to go.

I'm torn on what to suggest for BOG - I personally loved it, but it is pricey and your boys may have difficulty finding something to eat. This is the day I would suggest keeping an open mind and keep checking. Perhaps push LTT to dinner and boot BOG, but keep looking - if you see something better, swap it out

Hope this helps

 

[ArmyVet80]

Day 4: AK
B: Tusker House at 8:45AM (our favourite character breakfast)
L: QS at Flame Tree BBQ (love this QS)
D: DTD restaurant ??? (Any suggestions?)

For DTD (DSprings) I would check out Raglan Road. Irish food which is pretty good and they have the dancers and/or bands playing. The bands/dancers aren't too overwhelming so you can have a conversation and hear each other. Moderately priced also. If not Raglan Road they have food trucks that are pretty good but they are hit and miss on who is there when. On our trip in Sept. 2015 there were only 3 of 5 food trucks there but we still tried some of the food. Serving sizes weren't too bad.

We are going in March 2016 also. We are going 5 March thru 12 March. My birthday (36th, gasp...) is on 9 March so we decided to put our new AP's to good use and make a third trip for 2016..

 

[Alexsandra]

Wow. That's a lot of eating very close together. You say that you don't eat a lot, and while your strategy is good - collocated restaurants - I think you have too many meals too close together. For example, on your HS day you have lunch at 12:00 at 50's Prime Time, which will easily be 90 minutes, and then you have dinner at 6, less than 5 hours later. Then on your Day 7 you have O'Hana at 7:30, which will probably be 2 hours (9:30 end), then lunch at noon (1:30 end) and then dinner 3 hours later. I strongly suggest if you do a restaurant breakfast you do a late lunch, earlier dinner vs 3 meals. So for MK day perhaps OHana at 7:30 and Liberty Tavern at 3.
On a different note, highly recommend the Fantasmic package -- dinner and prime seats. However, recommend that you check that Fantasmic is playing. I read somewhere that it's going on hiatus in February.

I know, I have a lot of ADR on the same days. It was choosing that was really hard so ended up reserving more than I should. I was hoping because I was paying OOP that I could just order an appetizer as a meal or something like that but I guess you are right. I should cancel a few. Day 3: HS day, is simple: I will try to move my Sci-Fi dinner to a later time. Day 7 seems to be the worst food wise. I think I will do as you suggest. Cancel BOG for dinner and move my LTT later for a late lunch/early dinner and snack if I get hungry in between.

I've never done the Fantasmic package but I never have had trouble finding seats before. I might look into it.
Thanks for all the good advise!

Will try to break it up day by day with my suggestions for you guys



I would cut off BOG for lunch - it's a great meal for the park, but you can definitely fill up for the day between Crystal Palace and WCC, so maybe just forgo this for a light snack or something in the parks.

Aside from theming, San Angel Inn can be hit or miss in terms of food quality, and depending on how adventurous your boys are with, this could be an iffy place. That comes down to your family's preferences and such.


For the F&G festival, make sure you check out the BBQ kiosk in America, and frushi over in Japan. Two of my favorites and constant stops when I was there this past spring.


Portobello is a great (but somewhat pricey) Italian restaurant in DTD (DS?), and there is also the T-Rex cafe, which is similar to Rainforest Cafe in design and such (Just swap in dinosaurs for gorillas). If you wanted to go a bit lighter for dinner, Earl of Sandwich is always a big hit, but can get crowded fast.


If you really want something different, Splitsville is always an option too, and their food is actually quite good.


HS, unfortunately, has some of the lower tier QS locations. With the younger ones, Pizza Planet is always popular, but you're paying a decent penny for average pizza. I haven't been to ABC Commissary or the Studio Catering Company in a long time, so I can't really say much for them. Starring Roles Cafe does offer some sandwich options as well.


Kick Coral Reef to the curb and run screaming over to Sunshine Seasons. Please, it is one of the better quick service options in any of the four parks and offers a wide and different menu option.



'Ohana for breakfast is going to be the standard breakfast buffet food (Mickey waffles, sausage, homefries) - just doesn't require you to get up to get more. It's also the only place you'll be able to see Stitch outside of Typhoon Lagoon once he leaves Tomorrowland - if your boys love him, it may be worth it to go.


I'm torn on what to suggest for BOG - I personally loved it, but it is pricey and your boys may have difficulty finding something to eat. This is the day I would suggest keeping an open mind and keep checking. Perhaps push LTT to dinner and boot BOG, but keep looking - if you see something better, swap it out

Hope this helps

Thanks for taking the time to give me such detailed answers! Wow!

For my first day, I booked BOG for lunch only because I want a lemon meringue cupcake, love that cupcake! Was figuring my husband and I can split an entree instead of ordering a full meal. I also booked it because was thinking of cancelling BOG for dinner so figure it would still give me a chance to see the inside of BOG.H

For San Angel Inn: that is what I thought. I am still debating eating here. My family likes Mexican food but the mixed reviews scare me.

F&G: That BBQ kiosk sound great, especially the fruit sushi, mmmm. Thanks for the suggestions. Can't wait!

We've been to T-Rex twice now and I am kind of fed up. The kids want to go back, but I wan't something new. I never tried Earl of Sandwich 'cause I'm allergic to cold cuts and I can't see that much stuff I can eat on the menu that is safe for me. I know, it sucks, I love me a good sandwich!

Splitsville however sound like a lot of fun and my kids would love it for sure. I might just do that. Thanks

HS has the worst QS locations for sure. I originally had 50's Prime time for dinner here but last time I almost missed Fantasmic because of slow service. I think we'll just grab a couple of hotdogs before the show as I am figuring we'll be pretty full from our meal and giant portions of ice Cream from Beach & Cream.

Ya, Coral Reef was my big "if". The food looks ok but I was going there for the aquariums. Still I think I will cancel this as you suggested.

I actually booked Ohana' for breakfast cause we are staying at The Poly. It was mostly for convenience and because I think the kids would enjoy meeting the characters.

For BOG for dinner I will keep looking for a better time and if not I will boot it off the list. Thanks

For DTD (DSprings) I would check out Raglan Road. Irish food which is pretty good and they have the dancers and/or bands playing. The bands/dancers aren't too overwhelming so you can have a conversation and hear each other. Moderately priced also. If not Raglan Road they have food trucks that are pretty good but they are hit and miss on who is there when. On our trip in Sept. 2015 there were only 3 of 5 food trucks there but we still tried some of the food. Serving sizes weren't too bad.


We are going in March 2016 also. We are going 5 March thru 12 March. My birthday (36th, gasp...) is on 9 March so we decided to put our new AP's to good use and make a third trip for 2016..

Raglan Road sounds great. I was not sure if I could bring the kids here, do you think they will enjoy it? My husband and I love Irish pubs so this is definitely very attractive to us.Cool We will be there from Feb 29th to March 9th. I'm leaving on your birthday! Happy Birthday in advance. Who knows maybe we'll cross paths. The third trip idea sound great to me

 

[Indio]

You can share meals and eat appetizers as your meals since you're paying OOP, but that's an awful lot of time consumed at the TS restaurants. We only do 1 TS per day and grab quick service/snacks for the rest of the eating. With kids your age, I can't imagine they'll be happy spending so much time in restaurants...

 

[Alexsandra]

You can share meals and eat appetizers as your meals since you're paying OOP, but that's an awful lot of time consumed at the TS restaurants. We only do 1 TS per day and grab quick service/snacks for the rest of the eating. With kids your age, I can't imagine they'll be happy spending so much time in restaurants...

We've been to Disney so many times now that we don't mind taking the time for a good meal instead of rushing in the parks. We like taking a break from the noise and the people, and instead going to a TS to unwind and get out of the sun. At least we get air-conditioning and a serviced meal instead of having to contend with lineups and finding a free table. Sometimes I think it takes as much time for a QS meal than it does for TS meal depending on the restaurant of course. My kids are used to going to restaurants, they don't seem to mind. I think the main problem is the amount of food we eat and the cost of TS. It definitely cost us more money to book so many ADR.

 

[JennyDrake]

I'm going to agree with PPer--THat is a LOT of food (when u say you aren't big eaters) and a LOT of park time lost for sit down meals. You are going during a very busy time. I fear you are underestimating the time "lost" and the waiting "fatigue factor" on the kids. ESPECIALLY since you are paying OOP, _I_ would reduce it to one TS every other day and enjoy CS options the other meals.......

 

[Alexsandra]

Ok guys, I think in the end you all right. I have way too many TS meals. I think that is why I keep going back to it and why I posted this thread.
Here is my new plan. What do you guys think:

Day 1: MK
B: Crystal Palace at 8:10AM
L: QS
D: WCC at 6:30PM

Day 2: EP
B: in room
L: San Angel Inn at 12:30PM (Never been)
D: F&G festival kiosk (Never been)

Day 3: HS
B: in room
L: 50's Prime Time at 12:00PM (have been before)
D: Sci-fi Dine Inn at 5:55PM (kids' request)

Day 4: AK
B: Tusker House at 8:45AM
L: QS
D: Raglan Road or Splitsville

Day 4: HS
B: in room
L: Beaches and Cream at 12:30 (kids have never been)
D: QS

Day 5: Day Off (Check into Poly)
B: Kona Cafe at 10:00AM
L: QS Snack
D: Ohana' at 5:15PM (one our favorites)

Day 6: EP
B: Kona Cafe 7:30AM
L: QS
D: La Hacienda de San Angel at 6:30PM

Day 7: MK
B: Ohana' 7:30AM
L: Snack
D: Liberty Tree Tavern at 3:00 (one of our favourites at MK)

How does this look?

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Two thoughts - maybe do breakfast at POFQ on check out day that way you are up and packed and fed before hitting Poly (since you have another Kona breakfast next day). That also leaves tummy space for your 5:15 at O'Hana's. And our family loves Raglan - the music, dancers, and food. I would recommend it - it's where we typically do our Christmas dinner. Lol

 

[ArmyVet80]

Raglan Road sounds great. I was not sure if I could bring the kids here, do you think they will enjoy it? My husband and I love Irish pubs so this is definitely very attractive to us.Cool We will be there from Feb 29th to March 9th. I'm leaving on your birthday! Happy Birthday in advance. Who knows maybe we'll cross paths. The third trip idea sound great to me

The dancers at Raglan Road have fun with the kids and will bring some up to dance with them. Teach them how to dance and such. I have seen a lot of kids having a good time but it is really up to the kids. I think you and the Mr. would like it and the kids probably would too.

Maybe we will cross paths. Depends on where you are staying and when your flight leaves.. Could cross at MCO or the resort. We arrive at 9:05 AM and are staying at POR.

 

[jimmytammy]

Day 1: MK
B: Crystal Palace at 8:10AM (family tradition)Good choice, always fun when family tradition
L: BOG at 12:55PM (have been before for lunch)Never been, going in a few weeks
D: WCC at 6:30PM (Never been, looking forward to visiting WL. Previously on day 4:AK but moved it to a MK day for easy boat access)We used to eat here a lot, but havent recently, friends really enjoyed it recently, I like your idea of going and checking out the Lodge, most beautiful resort on property IMO

Day 2: EP
B: in room
L: San Angel Inn at 12:30PM (Never been)One of our faves, and lunch is the meal we like the best, good choice
D: F&G festival kiosk (Never been)Nibble along the way, you will be surprised how you get full quickly, share and you can try more

Day 3: HS
B: in room
L: 50's Prime Time at 12:00PM (have been before)Another must do each trip
D: Sci-fi Dine Inn at 5:55PM (kids' request)Not real keen on this one, but heard desserts are fantastic

Day 4: AK
B: Tusker House at 8:45AM (our favourite character breakfast)Never been but friends love it, hope to try soon
L: QS at Flame Tree BBQ (love this QS)Us too!
D: DTD restaurant ??? (Any suggestions?)Raglan Rd. is good, a bit loud, but unique. Only other places we have been, RFC and PH and wouldnt go back to either

Day 4: HS
B: in room
L: Beaches and Cream at 12:30 (kids have never been)Its been years but we always liked it, going back in a few weeks
D: QS ??? (quick bite before Fantasmic)ABC Commissary seems to have a nice menu, Fairfax Faire has some nice choices too

Day 5: Day Off (Check into Poly)
B: Kona Cafe at 10:00AM (Have been before, love breakfast)Another fave of ours
L: QS at Captain Cooks? (Pool day if nice and a quick bite at QS)Always wanted to try this one
D: Ohana' at 5:15PM (one our favorites)If I didnt know better, I would think we are related

Day 6: EP
B: Kona Cafe 7:30AM (Have been before, love breakfast)
L: Coral Reef at 12:15 (never been, thinking of cancelling)Never been, friends really liked
D: La Hacienda de San Angel at 6:30PM (our favourite at Epcot)Never been, again, friends liked a lot

Day 7: MK
B: Ohana' 7:30AM (never tried for breakfast)Not one of our faves for breakfast, pay a lot for standard breakfast and characters
L: Liberty Tree Tavern at 11:55 (one of our favourites at MK)Mmmmm
D: BOG at 4:50 (only time I could get, thinking of cancelling!)Going soon 1st time

We were also considering doing HDDR but it was between that or WCC. My husband doesn't really enjoy hockey musicals so I chose WCC.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

Some of our faves for breakfast, The Wave buffet, Trails End, Boma and Olivias

 

[ELSA711]

I still think the two meals on DHS day are to close and not necessary. We ate at 50s once and we didn't eat again for almost 16 hrs. LOL
That was a ton of food.

I'd also skip San Angel on day 1 at Epcot. Epcot and F&W is the perfect place to just graze.

 

[Alexsandra]

The dancers at Raglan Road have fun with the kids and will bring some up to dance with them. Teach them how to dance and such. I have seen a lot of kids having a good time but it is really up to the kids. I think you and the Mr. would like it and the kids probably would too.

Maybe we will cross paths. Depends on where you are staying and when your flight leaves.. Could cross at MCO or the resort. We arrive at 9:05 AM and are staying at POR.

When our flight leaves we at at the Poly. We are actually staying at POFQ Feb 29- March 6th and then the Poly from the 6Th to the 9th. When are you at POR?

Some of our faves for breakfast, The Wave buffet, Trails End, Boma and Olivias

Thanks for all the comments. Sound like we can be sisters! Maybe I should sub out Ohana' for breakfast and try the Wave. I heard tons of great things about that place! Thanks

I still think the two meals on DHS day are to close and not necessary. We ate at 50s once and we didn't eat again for almost 16 hrs. LOL
That was a ton of food.

I know what you mean about 50's Prime! But my boys' only request is that we go to Sci Fi. They love that place because of the cool "car" tables and the giant movie screen. I figured we'll just have a super light meal. They'll kill me if I take that one out!

 

[Alexsandra]

I just canceled Coral Reef and BOG for dinner if any one is interested in grabbing my cancelled ADR.

Here is my final schedule:
Day 1: MK
B:Crystal Palace at 8:10AM
D: WCC at 6:30PM

Day 2: EP
L: San Angel Inn at 12:30PM

Day 3: HS
L: 50's Prime Time at 12:00PM (have been before)
D: Sci-fi Dine Inn at 5:55PM (kids' request)

Day 4: AK
B:Tusker House at 8:45AM
D:Raglan Road 7:00PM

Day 4: HS
L: Beaches and Cream at 12:30PM

Day 5: Day Off (Check into Poly)
B: Kona Cafe at 10:00AM
Ohana' at 5:15PM

Day 6: EP
B: Kona Cafe 7:30AM (maybe change for The Wave)
D: La Hacienda de San Angel at 6:30PM

Day 7: MK
B: Ohana' 7:30AM
L: Liberty Tree Tavern at 1:00PM

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! I am now really happy with my schedule.
Can't wait!

 

[ArmyVet80]

When our flight leaves we at at the Poly. We are actually staying at POFQ Feb 29- March 6th and then the Poly from the 6Th to the 9th. When are you at POR?

We arrive on 5 March 2016. We will be at POR around 11:30 AM (maybe earlier). POFQ is our home resort but since we got our AP's we are going to be trying different resorts. This trip it is POR (in case we need our POFQ fix ) and our Sept. 2016 trip will be at Yacht or Beach Club. I am not sure where we are staying for our 3rd trip yet. I guess we should be starting to think about that but it isn't until Nov. 2016.