Help With Adrs & Toddler Please!!??

[jupers]

Hi all. I desperately need feedback about our itinerary and ADRs I've rescheduled and canceled too many times to count. I'm trying to make sure I have rest time built in for my 4 year old, which is why a lot of time is unscheduled.

Arrival 1pm-probably at hotel at 2-no ADRs (We're thinking we'll go to MK that night but not sure how little one will do with plane)
Day 1-Breakfast at AK-we'll spend the day, but not sure about the night. Figure maybe enjoy pool
Day 2-Going to Sea World-I HAVE NO ADRs because we don't know how long we'll be at Sea World or how tiring it'll be
Day 3-MK-DD4th b'day. ADR at CRT lunch and La Cellier Dinner spend day at MK
Day 4-Plan to go to MGM. ADR at Hoop Dee Doo
Day 5-Dinner at Chef Mickeys-spend day at MK

Basically, I had dinner at Epcot w/princesses and cancelled because we felt overbooked and knew we were doing dinner there another night. How important is that?? Should I book it for the night we get there? I thought I would be so excited I would just want to go to MK!

We're doing CRT,Breakfastasaurus and Chef Mickey's. Is it safe to make a res for the night you arrive or are you too busy running around the park? Where is a good sit-down at MK without characters?

Help!

 

[Jaime]

I would recommend going to CP's the first night of your trip. It's in the MK and we thought it to be one of our favorite character meals. Our dd's aren't really into winnie & freinds but they always love them here! I would not do both lunch at CRT's and EPCOT princess dinner, I'd just pick one. If you got down there and everyone was to tired(my girls were too excited) you could cancel then.

Have fun!

 

[Oceana]

Personally with a 4 year old I would avoid any and all buffets like the plague!!!!

Going to a buffet with a kid is a night mare... letting them pick the food then carry the plates without spiilling and then get your food and by time you sit down little princess 4 year old wants some pudding and NO THANK YOU!!! You spend your time standing in lines for rides... why stand in line for a meal too?

Le Ceiller... is a wonderful place to eat but truth... we are not going there with young kids... just us

I tend to want our dining experiances to be both good food and enjoyable for everyone and I dont think my kids would enjoy a dimly lit restraunt with a mature theme when they know mickey mouse could be right outside

My biggest suggestion would be take a midday break... like 4 or 5 hours... I dont usually worry about breakfast... thats why bananas were invented everyone eats some on the way in and we have an early 11am lunch have park time head back to the room before the day gets too hot 1ish and grab some nice cool snack... grapes and apples a bottle of water and REST pool or nap take a cool shower or bath and head out in time for dinner 6:30 and stay till we get a little sleepy... its that serious planned nap that makes it all good

 

[twinspluscade]

Personally with a 4 year old I would avoid any and all buffets like the plague!!!!

Going to a buffet with a kid is a night mare... letting them pick the food then carry the plates without spiilling and then get your food and by time you sit down little princess 4 year old wants some pudding and NO THANK YOU!!! You spend your time standing in lines for rides... why stand in line for a meal too?

Le Ceiller... is a wonderful place to eat but truth... we are not going there with young kids... just us

I tend to want our dining experiances to be both good food and enjoyable for everyone and I dont think my kids would enjoy a dimly lit restraunt with a mature theme when they know mickey mouse could be right outside

My biggest suggestion would be take a midday break... like 4 or 5 hours... I dont usually worry about breakfast... thats why bananas were invented everyone eats some on the way in and we have an early 11am lunch have park time head back to the room before the day gets too hot 1ish and grab some nice cool snack... grapes and apples a bottle of water and REST pool or nap take a cool shower or bath and head out in time for dinner 6:30 and stay till we get a little sleepy... its that serious planned nap that makes it all good

Now, if dh and I could handle buffets with kids ages 4,4 and 2, the OP can certainly handle it with one four year old .

It is kind of a pain to get the kids's plates filled, but they had so much fun it was worth it. We did three character buffets our last trip, and are planning three for our next one, too. Great way to meet the characters without waiting in line.

Kelly

 

[pl'smama]

I think you should leave the night you arrive open and not book an ADR. We had planned to go to MK for the fireworks on arrival day and we ended up staying at the resort to swim and enjoy the stuff there. Then it was early to bed as the plane trip did us all in, especially our DD(4).

I highly recommend the Crystal Palace in MK. What child does not love Winnie the Pooh and company? The buffet was great and it has a kids section that is at their level. If you just have the one child you will have no problem at all. Our DD did not eat much, but she loved to be in control of her own choices and the sundae bar was great fun for her. She just enjoyed being with all the characters ( 4 of them at CP) and we loved to watch her.

I agree with PP, only do one Princess meal, either Cindy's or Epcot. Othewise it is over load. We had dinner at CRT and it was wonderful! Our DD wore her Cinderella costume and the photo package you get is great. The food at dinner is amazing to. Much better then the lunch (or so I have been told).

If you want a great breakfast place, Ohana at the Poly was fantastic! The food was to die for and we got to meet Lilo and Stich, plus Mickey was there with Pluto. Awesome time!!

We did not do any other formal eating. It is not our thing. We had a good breakfast of fruit, milk and boxed cereal in our room and then had snacks with us. We actually ate less than we thought we would, but did drink lots of water.

One thing you could do for your DD is book the tea at the Grand Floridian. It costs a few bucks, but looks like a really lovely time for mommy and DD. I wish we had done it, but there is always next time.

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[PA Princess]

We have always liked buffets with kids because there is no delay in getting the food...always a plus! And the variety of choices appealed to us as well. My kids are 12, 11, 6, and 2 and they have all been to WDW many times, and we always do a buffet or two. Our fav dinner buffet is at the GF with Cinderella...that one has great food and we have always all enjoyed it. I know it will be closed for our next trip and we are sad :-(

We do not like to do Chef Mickey and CP both for dinner in the same trip...feels like the same food to us. We love Donald's for breakfast...just great basic food and good, fun characters.

We have done LeCellier with all the kids...they actually have always enjoyed the quiet restaurant. Part of it perhaps is the complete change from the over the top theme park environment? Plus, at this restaurant we have had stellar service and people who get kids like you just so seldom find in restaurants outside of Disney.

In 2005 we actually had an official magical moment at LeCellier...have the certificate and all! My dd (turned 5 on the trip) passed her time waiting for our table by helping to hand out menus to the patrons...she just sorta was standing by the dispenser and before we knew it she was helping. Our server thought it was so cute and he had her be his official helper and she was able to do a few other things and toured the kitchen!

On that same trip 2 days prior dd for her 5th birthday had eaten in the castle with the princesses, but she came home saying the restaurant with the cheese soup was her fav LOL

Anyway, we have found that for the most part, Disney knows kids and they serve kids as customers and take good care of them and the adults they bring along. I would pick one restaurant a day that you think you all will enjoy, and then try not to stress over it (easier said then done I know). Perhaps instead of changing ADR's maybe do a practice restaurant meal with dd on the weekend or a special night (like when kids eat free). Have a wonderful trip!

 

[emma'smom]

I agree...just one princess meal is all you'll need! We liked CP....we always find that we wish we did more character meals. Also, with a dd4 and dd2....we love buffets! We purposely choose them because they are a bit noisier and dd4 can get up a walk around a bit and, if she doesn't eat something, her whole meal isn't a waste..we just take a little of each and she always finds several things she likes!!

 

[kimberh]

Hi all. I desperately need feedback about our itinerary and ADRs I've rescheduled and canceled too many times to count. I'm trying to make sure I have rest time built in for my 4 year old, which is why a lot of time is unscheduled.

Arrival 1pm-probably at hotel at 2-no ADRs (We're thinking we'll go to MK that night but not sure how little one will do with plane)
Day 1-Breakfast at AK-we'll spend the day, but not sure about the night. Figure maybe enjoy pool
Day 2-Going to Sea World-I HAVE NO ADRs because we don't know how long we'll be at Sea World or how tiring it'll be
Day 3-MK-DD4th b'day. ADR at CRT lunch and La Cellier Dinner spend day at MK
Day 4-Plan to go to MGM. ADR at Hoop Dee Doo
Day 5-Dinner at Chef Mickeys-spend day at MK

Basically, I had dinner at Epcot w/princesses and cancelled because we felt overbooked and knew we were doing dinner there another night. How important is that?? Should I book it for the night we get there? I thought I would be so excited I would just want to go to MK!

We're doing CRT,Breakfastasaurus and Chef Mickey's. Is it safe to make a res for the night you arrive or are you too busy running around the park? Where is a good sit-down at MK without characters?

Help!

What hotel are you staying at, we usually eat at our hotel or close by on check in day.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

Here is what we did. It was full of princesses, as we were there for DD's 5th birthday, and we wanted to make it extra special. I think buffets were easier, actually, with my 5 year old and 1.5 year old. They almost always had pizza, chicken nuggets, or sandwich fixings. Plus, with DD 5's peanut allergy, we were always covered. (The chef came out at every singe restaurant to tell us what was safe for her. Nice touch.)

Arrival day: Chef Mickey''s for dinner - very good. We got in @ 3, and just hung out at the resort til dinner. This was a great way to kick things off.
Day 2: Crystal Palace lunch with Pooh - fine
Day 3: no ADRs
Day 4: (Birthday day) CRT breakfast - very good/ BBB afternoon/ Grand Floridian dinner with Cinderella - excellent
Day 5: Epcot Storybook Princess breakfast - very good
Day 6: no ADRs
Day 7: Playhouse Disney breakfast at MGM (Little Einsteins, Jojo) FUN!

 

[crossfamily]

Did you look into the character breakfast at Seaworld? We did it when we went last year and it was great. There aren't too many characters there and you can have them come right up to your table with a show going on.. It is a buffet but once you go through the line the server gets any refills you need of anything... That way you wont' miss the characters or the show. Plus at the end of the show all the characters are out in the lobby for a group shot. It was a lot of fun. Just an idea...

Just remember when traveling with little ones expect to take lots of breaks and you'll be fine. My kids are now dd2; ds4; and ds10 and I go at it alone every year. My dh has to work so its just us... You'll be fine and have lots of fun...

 

[ehrn]

I agree--we like buffets w/our little one--there is enough commotion to keep him entertained and they are a bit noisier and feel less uptight about his short attn span. plus--there's always SOMETHING for him to eat!

 

[HelenePA]

most of my ARD's are buffets, but not for dinner I made them for lunch. I figure no waiting for food, less chance of a break down! In, eat, out... no waiting around...

 

[jagruti6]

Buffets worked really well for us also. No waiting for food and DS had plently of choice. I would also recommend CP we loved it last year, and booked it again this year.

 

[jupers]

Hi All

Thanks for the feedback! I eliminated The Norway Princess Dinner and booked CP instead for our last day. Sounds like CRT will be enough princesses.