Help me with our dining plans. Critics and advice appreciated

[lolakat]

I've been put in charge of planning a family trip to WDW. I've been many times with my DH and DD (4) but my Father (DF) and Step-mother (DSM) are coming for the first time in about 10 years. I've been obsessing over the plans and I think I finally have them finalized but I feel like I need a new set of eyes to look it over.

We are not on the dining plan and cost is not a big factor. We really like charecter meals. We are staying at the Poly and will usually head there after lunch for a nap. DD is usually in bed by 8 or 9 so our dinners have to be on the early side. I have the ADRs below but most of them could still be changed.


Saturday: (DH, DD and I drive in and will stay in off site hotel)
-May check out Down Town Disney if we get in early enough

Sunday: (DHS)
-Go to drop off bags at Poly early and check in
-Light Breakfast Counter service Breakfast (@ Poly or from Starring Rolls)
-11:00 Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive in
-7:00 Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Monday (EPCOT)
-8:00 breakfast at Ohana
-1200 lunch at Le Cellier
-630 Dinner at Whispering Canyon (not sure if it worth the trip but I've wanted to try it out and I thought it might be fun for DD)

Tues (Magic Kindom)
-935 Breakfast at CRT
-Turkey Legs and Dole Whips for Lunch
-515 Luau show at the Poly with Dinner

Wed (MK in AM then Rest by pool)
-830 Crystal Palace Breakfast
-500 Dinner Ohana
-700 Wishes Dessert Party

Thurs (EPCOT)
-900 Akershus Princess Breakfast
-Pastry from "France" for lunch
-545 Bistro De Paris Dinner (DF b-day celebration)

Friday (Animal Kindgdom in AM then MK at night)
-725 Breakfast at Chef Mickey
-1:30 Tusker House Lunch
-MVMCP: Dinner will be snacking at the park

Saturday (MK or just rest)
-820 Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
-650 Hoop Dee Doo Review

Sunday
-830 Kona Cafe for breakfast
-Check out/Drive home

Thank you for any thoughts. I'm going bug eyed!

 

[sharonabe]

The only one that might be a little tight is your 5:00 dinner at Ohana and the 7:00 Dessert Party. That's a lot of food in a very short time. You'll likely not be finished with Ohana until 6:00-6:15. Are you really going to want to go eat all those yummy desserts after such a big meal?

 

[minnie mum]

I think most of your ADRs would be fine. Quite a few of your park days will be fairly short, since you are choosing some of your dinners outside the parks, but that is a totally personal decision, and I understand that this works best for your family.

The only potential problem I see is for Wednesday. You will be really hard pressed to make it to the Wishes dessert party at 7:00pm. Ohana can easily take 1 1/2 hours IF you are seated right at your ADR time. Then you still have to get over to MK and make your way to Tomorrowland Terrace. And do you still want to eat large amounts of sweets after just finishing the huge meal at Ohana?? Could you get a (much) later time for the dessert party?

 

[lolakat]

Thank you for the feedback.

I really want to keep the wishes dessert party b/c I think my dad will like it a lot. I could consider getting rid of Ohana's. That is the only slot I could get it for. We've never done it but so many people say it is a "must do." Is it good enough that we should keep both and rush. I am more interested in the experience than the food. Is it a fun thing for a 4 year old or should we skip it until she is older?

 

[Pakey]

I agree that Ohana and dessert party time frame is cutting it too close.

Personally, I'd also ditch WCC. It's not worth the trek to Wilderness Lodge IMO, especially after having such a heavy lunch at Le Cellier. There are a lot of decent counter service choices at Epcot and I'd prefer to leave that evening open ended and not be forced to leave Epcot so early for a heavy dinner on the same day I've already got a heavy lunch.

 

[lemondog]

The only one that might be a little tight is your 5:00 dinner at Ohana and the 7:00 Dessert Party. That's a lot of food in a very short time. You'll likely not be finished with Ohana until 6:00-6:15. Are you really going to want to go eat all those yummy desserts after such a big meal?

Just pray that you get seated on time at Ohana, otherwise you will not make your ADR at the dessert party. We have waited 30 minutes before even with an ADR...and you have to factor in travel time.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Just pray that you get seated on time at Ohana, otherwise you will not make your ADR at the dessert party. We have waited 30 minutes before even with an ADR...and you have to factor in travel time.

I dont think there's any way you will be able to make it to your dessert party to be honest. As the OP's said, if your not seated on time then there's no way.

Also consider the fact that you will be STUFFED. Going to the dessert party already full is not a very good idea as you will be too stuffed to enjoy all the lovely desserts they have. I would ditch Ohana if the dessert party is more special to you/your dad.

 

[sharonabe]

Thank you for the feedback.

I really want to keep the wishes dessert party b/c I think my dad will like it a lot. I could consider getting rid of Ohana's. That is the only slot I could get it for. We've never done it but so many people say it is a "must do." Is it good enough that we should keep both and rush. I am more interested in the experience than the food. Is it a fun thing for a 4 year old or should we skip it until she is older?

The food IS the experience at Ohana, so I would skip this one if the dessert party is more important to you. Just eat a very early CS meal that day.

 

[si-am]

The only thing that jumped out at me is Monday: that's a LOT of food to eat all in one day. I couldn't do three table service meals on the same day or I'd feel ill.

 

[Quin]

Sunday - you are not likely going to be able to get back to DHS that night for F! . If that was your intention, I'd recommend dinner at an Epcot-area resort so you can take the launch back and forth. OTOH, I think the entire family would really enjoy 1900PF. So long as F! is not a major issue I'd keep this as is.

Monday: Epcot to WCC is pretty darned far away and, again, you likely could not get back in time for Illuminations - and that is a show you do not want DF and DSM to miss. And WCC is mostly just LOUD. DD may be a little young, and you would really need to think about whether DF and DSM would enjoy it. Since you are looking at character meals, how about dinner at Garden Grill?

Tuesday - looks great.

Wednesday - no way in h***. Ohana has wonderful food and the food is the main attraction, although the theming is lovely and DD would enjoy the periodic entertainment. I am a big fan of the Dessert Party. But your stomachs absolutely cannot do both on the same night back-to-back. For a Dessert Party night you want your last meal to have been finished AT LEAST 4 hours earlier. I am so very sorry, but you need to pick one or the other for this day.

The rest of the week all looks really good.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with the others. 'OHana and the dessert party jumped right out at me. 'OHana is an All Your Care to Eat experience, and the food is very good. I don't think you can enjoy both in the same evening. I personally would keep 'OHana and skip the dessert party, but that is up to you.
I also would skip WCC this trip. I think the Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous, but I think Illuminations is a must do. I would have dinner in one of the wonderful international CS places in World Showcase after your lunch at Le Cellier.
Otherwise, I think you have planned a wonderful trip.
Have Fun