Help with plans for spring break!

[Kim Gillihan]

I am planning my Spring break trip our first as DVC owners at Animal Kingdom! So excited. We are taking friends with us and I am planning it of course!

She has a daughter that is 5 and such a princess.. seriously, so she obviously has to to bippity bop boutique and planning to book lunch or dinner in castle.. I have done dinner before, never lunch, any suggestions on which is better?

She has a 7 year old son and I have a 9 year old boy. We may have a 5 year old foster son with us, but not sure he will still be with us.

We also want to do character breakfast.. I have done Tusker house and Garden Grill at Epcot which was surprisingly good! I am most likely going to book Tusker house again but wondering if I am really missing a good one that we should try?

We are thinking of doing the hoop de doo dinner.. I have never done that.

Also thinking of Ohana dinner, I have eaten dinner there back in 2013 for Thanksgiving.. We are staying at AKV.. I know people love Boma and Jiko... should we forgo Ohana and do one or both of those?

I basically want to know if I need to add something to my list or take away.. I would like to have some different experiences.. but scared to deviate and looking for suggestions so it will also be a new experience for us!!

We have a rest day in the schedule also, I am thinking of leaving it a rest day at resort vs. booking a water park ... thoughts?

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you! KIM

 

[hakepb]

Boma and Tucker House have somewhat similar menus.
I would choose Boma instead of Tusker House.(unless Donald is someone's favorite character), then possibly consider Crystal Palace for a breakfast on a MK day(I love their "kids" cinnamon toast puffs) or Asherkus on an Epcot day.

In general, the more you can take advantage of your resort (i.e. Dining and activities) the better your experience at that resort.
With Disney transportation, you have to leave your AKL room 60-90 minutes before a dinner at Ohana...or a 5-15 minute walk to Boma or Jiko. (Of course that only matters if you planned on going back to the resort for a swim or nap, anyway)

 

[mort1331]

I think your money would be better spent on a few others then on Hoop de do. The Hollywood and Vine my kids like and you can get passes to Fantasmic with Dinner if you book it. Also I would suggest 1900 park fair for dinner. Good meal and the characters a loads of fun.

 

[KristiMc]

Our family loves Hoop-Dee-Doo. It's more of an experience than a regular dinner. When my son was 5 he got to go up on stage and be the Texas Ranger. Fun memories.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our family loves Hoop-Dee-Doo. It's more of an experience than a regular dinner. When my son was 5 he got to go up on stage and be the Texas Ranger. Fun memories.

DH has been Danny's angel! Enough said!

 

[akfan513]

My kids love dinner at the castle! However, this year we are going to do breakfast at Epcot at Akershus so we can jump right on the Frozen ride.

We always stay at AKL and live it! I personally would take advantage of Jiko and Boma. We always love staying at the Jambo House as there are three restaurants there. Plus, the pool there is bigger and doesn't feel crowded. However, we always take a day off to go to Kidani Village (a quick 1 mile bus ride), eat lunch at Sanaa (glass walls to view the animals), and then swim at the Kidani pool after we eat. The pool there is smaller but the water slide is more thrilling, plus there is a splash pad area in addition to the pool. If you go to Sanaa - order the bread service! Either way, we love all three table service restaurants at AKL.

Our favorite character meals outside of the castle are Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.

Here is the big upside - no matter what you will have a magical time! You are staying at an incredible place that will sweep you away from the real world. I provided what my family likes, but trust your gut on your own family. You can't go wrong with any of the options you mentioned!

 

[Kim Gillihan]

My kids love dinner at the castle! However, this year we are going to do breakfast at Epcot at Akershus so we can jump right on the Frozen ride.

We always stay at AKL and live it! I personally would take advantage of Jiko and Boma. We always love staying at the Jambo House as there are three restaurants there. Plus, the pool there is bigger and doesn't feel crowded. However, we always take a day off to go to Kidani Village (a quick 1 mile bus ride), eat lunch at Sanaa (glass walls to view the animals), and then swim at the Kidani pool after we eat. The pool there is smaller but the water slide is more thrilling, plus there is a splash pad area in addition to the pool. If you go to Sanaa - order the bread service! Either way, we love all three table service restaurants at AKL.

Our favorite character meals outside of the castle are Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.

Here is the big upside - no matter what you will have a magical time! You are staying at an incredible place that will sweep you away from the real world. I provided what my family likes, but trust your gut on your own family. You can't go wrong with any of the options you mentioned!

Thanks so much! I just booked tusker house!! but I will look at those options closer while I have time! I am wondering if it may be worth it this trip to get dining plan! We are doing so many expensive dinners... and I added up what I thought we would spend for eating in general on top of... and its not far off... We must eat at boma for sure... I am so super excited!

 

[Kim Gillihan]

I think your money would be better spent on a few others then on Hoop de do. The Hollywood and Vine my kids like and you can get passes to Fantasmic with Dinner if you book it. Also I would suggest 1900 park fair for dinner. Good meal and the characters a loads of fun.

Thank you for your suggestion! I will look at 1900 for sure... We are pretty set on the hoop de doo, we have never done it so its on the list.

thanks again!!

 

[jbh275]

I too like Boma over the Tusker House. I just felt they tried to jam too many people into the Tusker House. Felt like I was sitting in the middle of a walkway for people to move around.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

I too like Boma over the Tusker House. I just felt they tried to jam too many people into the Tusker House. Felt like I was sitting in the middle of a walkway for people to move around.

I wish boma had a character breakfast.. they don't right?

 

[kboo]

My kids love dinner at the castle! However, this year we are going to do breakfast at Epcot at Akershus so we can jump right on the Frozen ride.

We always stay at AKL and live it! I personally would take advantage of Jiko and Boma. We always love staying at the Jambo House as there are three restaurants there. Plus, the pool there is bigger and doesn't feel crowded. However, we always take a day off to go to Kidani Village (a quick 1 mile bus ride), eat lunch at Sanaa (glass walls to view the animals), and then swim at the Kidani pool after we eat. The pool there is smaller but the water slide is more thrilling, plus there is a splash pad area in addition to the pool. If you go to Sanaa - order the bread service! Either way, we love all three table service restaurants at AKL.

Our favorite character meals outside of the castle are Crystal Palace or 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.

Here is the big upside - no matter what you will have a magical time! You are staying at an incredible place that will sweep you away from the real world. I provided what my family likes, but trust your gut on your own family. You can't go wrong with any of the options you mentioned!

This is us!!^^

Also, congratulations on planning your first DVC trip on your own points! I agree that you'll have a magical time no matter what. I would definitely try at least 2 of Boma, Jiko and Sanaa. They are among our favorite resort restaurants. And I actually think the food at Boma is more varied and better than TH, even though TH is one of our favorites.

Ok, on the DP - it does not actually save you money - you are really just prepaying for meals. And it's a lot of food. But IF you do do the DP, I would second going to Akershus (1 credit) over CRT (2 credits). We've gone to Akershus 3 times now and CRT 2-3 times, and while there is something special about THE castle, Akershus has Belle and a very nice princess interaction.

Also keep in mind to compare the prices with the DVC discount (if you have it) or AP discount, or TiW. We tend to do 1-2 TS restaurants a day, and 0-1 QS or snacks, so it never made sense for us to do the DP, even with all our character meals. We'd just pay OOP because we tend to share appetizers and desserts.

Our favorite arrival night dinner is 1900 Park Fare where you have Cinderella, Prince Charming and the stepsisters and stepmother. They are really hilarious. And one of our "traditions" is also to do a CP pre-park opening breakfast and get photopass pictures taken on an empty Main St. BUT - that can also be difficult if you are staying at AKV. I remember cabbing it from BWV to CP one morning because we'd just missed a bus.

As for hoop de doo - I haven't been (yet), but have gone to Mickey's Backyard BBQ, which my then-4/5 yo LOVED. I think the food is better at HDD though.

Other restaurants that are good for kids, and that we do like a lot:
BOG dinner (we love the Beast)
Bon Voyage breakfast at Il Trattoria (Flynn Ryder, especially, is fun, and the food is better than the usual breakfast) - but you'll probably have to cab it to get there from AKV.


I have not found HS to have much good food - if you spend a half day there, you could easily walk, bus or boat to the Boardwalk area and enjoy the food there (or even walk to EP where there is SO much to choose from). I just had a birthday dinner at Flying Fish and it was SO good (and tasted even better at 30% off!), and Il Trattoria is good too.

Other restaurants off the beaten path that I liked:

Spice Road Table
Grand Floridian Cafe
Kona Cafe

 

[Matty B13]

We did Ohana for the first time in May and it was well worth the pain to get the reservation, one of the best meals we have had at WDW, most of the GF restaurants are pretty good as well.

 

[crisi]

Jiko is excellent, but it is one of the least kid populated restaurants at Disney. We had 16 year olds with us, and they were among the youngest in a full restaurant. So that is something to be aware of. It isn't that kids aren't welcome - its Disney - there are only a few places they aren't welcome - but you might find it more comfortable with older children in a few years.

If you've never done a Pirate Cruise, that can be a fun activity for kids - especially the five year old

Make sure your friend knows the $$$$ that you are talking up. Especially if she's a first timer, she - and her kids - might prefer less of what is new to you and more of the ordinary attractions. One of our continual challenges with guests over the years has been trying to be aware of how much of their money we are spending - and where their limits are. They usually fall in with our plans - but if they didn't intend to spend as much as we do - it can cause hard feelings. Buffets and character meals can be particularly difficult, since there isn't a way for them to "order down" on the menu - they are sort of stuck with the cost - which to non-Disney folks - or people who aren't from cities where food is pricey - can cause sticker shock.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

This is us!!^^

Also, congratulations on planning your first DVC trip on your own points! I agree that you'll have a magical time no matter what. I would definitely try at least 2 of Boma, Jiko and Sanaa. They are among our favorite resort restaurants. And I actually think the food at Boma is more varied and better than TH, even though TH is one of our favorites.

Ok, on the DP - it does not actually save you money - you are really just prepaying for meals. And it's a lot of food. But IF you do do the DP, I would second going to Akershus (1 credit) over CRT (2 credits). We've gone to Akershus 3 times now and CRT 2-3 times, and while there is something special about THE castle, Akershus has Belle and a very nice princess interaction.

Also keep in mind to compare the prices with the DVC discount (if you have it) or AP discount, or TiW. We tend to do 1-2 TS restaurants a day, and 0-1 QS or snacks, so it never made sense for us to do the DP, even with all our character meals. We'd just pay OOP because we tend to share appetizers and desserts.

Our favorite arrival night dinner is 1900 Park Fare where you have Cinderella, Prince Charming and the stepsisters and stepmother. They are really hilarious. And one of our "traditions" is also to do a CP pre-park opening breakfast and get photopass pictures taken on an empty Main St. BUT - that can also be difficult if you are staying at AKV. I remember cabbing it from BWV to CP one morning because we'd just missed a bus.

As for hoop de doo - I haven't been (yet), but have gone to Mickey's Backyard BBQ, which my then-4/5 yo LOVED. I think the food is better at HDD though.

Other restaurants that are good for kids, and that we do like a lot:
BOG dinner (we love the Beast)
Bon Voyage breakfast at Il Trattoria (Flynn Ryder, especially, is fun, and the food is better than the usual breakfast) - but you'll probably have to cab it to get there from AKV.


I have not found HS to have much good food - if you spend a half day there, you could easily walk, bus or boat to the Boardwalk area and enjoy the food there (or even walk to EP where there is SO much to choose from). I just had a birthday dinner at Flying Fish and it was SO good (and tasted even better at 30% off!), and Il Trattoria is good too.

Other restaurants off the beaten path that I liked:

Spice Road Table
Grand Floridian Cafe
Kona Cafe

Thanks soooo much! I will read this again! Like your idea on Askerhus but I think my friend is set on cinderella castle.. its thier first time and her daughter is doing bippty bop boutique etc. soooooo I may be stuck with castle.. but I will test the waters. I will need to concentrate on this when kids are in bed. Do you think boys will enjoy park fare too? thanks so much,KIM

 

[Kim Gillihan]

Jiko is excellent, but it is one of the least kid populated restaurants at Disney. We had 16 year olds with us, and they were among the youngest in a full restaurant. So that is something to be aware of. It isn't that kids aren't welcome - its Disney - there are only a few places they aren't welcome - but you might find it more comfortable with older children in a few years.

If you've never done a Pirate Cruise, that can be a fun activity for kids - especially the five year old

Make sure your friend knows the $$$$ that you are talking up. Especially if she's a first timer, she - and her kids - might prefer less of what is new to you and more of the ordinary attractions. One of our continual challenges with guests over the years has been trying to be aware of how much of their money we are spending - and where their limits are. They usually fall in with our plans - but if they didn't intend to spend as much as we do - it can cause hard feelings. Buffets and character meals can be particularly difficult, since there isn't a way for them to "order down" on the menu - they are sort of stuck with the cost - which to non-Disney folks - or people who aren't from cities where food is pricey - can cause sticker shock.

Great points on the money aspect and yes I have prepared her!! Her husband wants good food and thats another reason I am thinking maybe DP not a bad idea... Thanks so much for your help! kim

 

[Matty B13]

Do some research on using your snacks credits with the DP, you can get some pretty nice snacks in the parks and at the resorts that are almost small meals. They have the snack icon on the food boards next to the items that count as snacks.

 

[mustinjourney]

This is us!!^^

And one of our "traditions" is also to do a CP pre-park opening breakfast and get photopass pictures taken on an empty Main St. BUT - that can also be difficult if you are staying at AKV. I remember cabbing it from BWV to CP one morning because we'd just missed a bus.

Not sure if you heard about the change made a early this year or late last year -- but they changed the rope drop procedure and now they let everyone in on main street before park opening and keep everyone back around the hub, so PPO breakfast no longer gets you an empty main street picture. They made the switch just before our last trip in late January, so I went through all the trouble of scoring PPO at the castle and didn't get to experience the empty park like we had planned on.

And to top it off, the monorail was down on that morning, so we were rushed getting to our breakfast. What was supposed to be a 5 minute monorail ride from VGF ended up with a 30 minute bus ride.

Yes, I know. First world problems.

I have not found HS to have much good food - if you spend a half day there, you could easily walk, bus or boat to the Boardwalk area and enjoy the food there (or even walk to EP where there is SO much to choose from). I just had a birthday dinner at Flying Fish and it was SO good (and tasted even better at 30% off!), and Il Trattoria is good too.

Other restaurants off the beaten path that I liked:

Spice Road Table
Grand Floridian Cafe
Kona Cafe

Agree with GFC and Kona. I actually really like Kona a lot. Fun drink options and the Hawaiian bread they bring out is soooooo good. the menu also has good variety, since you can also get some sushi.

 

[mustinjourney]

Great points on the money aspect and yes I have prepared her!! Her husband wants good food and thats another reason I am thinking maybe DP not a bad idea... Thanks so much for your help! kim

Are you all in the same room? Or are you in two different studios?

If two different studios, I would suggest getting the deluxe plan added to her room since she has two kids. That would give you 9 credits to use per day for all 5 of you (kid credits on the deluxe plan can be used for adults)...and it would be dirt cheap since the kid's plans are only like $50 per day or something like that.

 

[kboo]

Not sure if you heard about the change made a early this year or late last year -- but they changed the rope drop procedure and now they let everyone in on main street before park opening and keep everyone back around the hub, so PPO breakfast no longer gets you an empty main street picture. They made the switch just before our last trip in late January, so I went through all the trouble of scoring PPO at the castle and didn't get to experience the empty park like we had planned on.

And to top it off, the monorail was down on that morning, so we were rushed getting to our breakfast. What was supposed to be a 5 minute monorail ride from VGF ended up with a 30 minute bus ride.

Yes, I know. First world problems.





Agree with GFC and Kona. I actually really like Kona a lot. Fun drink options and the Hawaiian bread they bring out is soooooo good. the menu also has good variety, since you can also get some sushi.

Yeah, we did rope drop one day - funny, but we did not notice that many "extra" people when we had our early CP breakfast. Our photographer was pretty good about it - not an ENTIRELY empty Main St. but it was pretty good. Maybe because it was mid-late August, and we were there right before 8? I did notice that we didn't have to give anyone our names for reservations at the entrance to MK! That stinks about the monorail ride though. We were very lucky we had no monorail issues last time we were at VGF.

I love the Hawaiian bread at Kona Cafe. Last time we were in Hawaii we brought back a few bags of rolls. Including purple (taro) and pink (guava)

Are you all in the same room? Or are you in two different studios?

If two different studios, I would suggest getting the deluxe plan added to her room since she has two kids. That would give you 9 credits to use per day for all 5 of you (kid credits on the deluxe plan can be used for adults)...and it would be dirt cheap since the kid's plans are only like $50 per day or something like that.

^^^ This is actually a GREAT idea since the DDP is SO much food. You could choose what to pay OOP for (and Cinderella's Castle might be one of them since it's so many credits).

As for kids in the nicer restaurants, you and your friend know your kids. Our girls have been to has been to California Grill, BOG, Narcoosees, Citricos, Artist Point and Flying Fish, some of them a few times (CG is DH's favorite). Our ODD, now 6, was fine at all of them since we first took her to CG at 3 - she loves food and they still bring kids menus and crayons, so she actually stayed in her seat, ate, and did great. Our YDD was more of a challenge at 21 months on this last trip, because she didn't want a high chair and didn't really stay in her seat. That said, our last time at CG she stayed on a chair most of the time, eating, sat in my lap some of the time, and lay down to have a cry for a few minutes by the window behind my seat. But with the ambient noise you really couldn't hear her and she was fine soon after, and she wasn't in anyone's way. At Flying Fish she was in a booth next to me, and DH and I took turns taking her outside for walks after she was done eating. Again, moderately annoying for us, but she did not disturb the other guests at all. And your kids are older, so if they would be interested, it might be nice to expose them to some better and different food, especially if you're using DP credits. It really depends on your kids and whether they'd enjoy it and whether you'd enjoy it with them along even if they didn't enjoy it, if that makes sense. WDW is one of the few places you can go to nice restaurants with good food and bring kids and not have other patrons or staff give you the sideeye about it, and that's one of the reasons we like going.

 

[kboo]

Thanks soooo much! I will read this again! Like your idea on Askerhus but I think my friend is set on cinderella castle.. its thier first time and her daughter is doing bippty bop boutique etc. soooooo I may be stuck with castle.. but I will test the waters. I will need to concentrate on this when kids are in bed. Do you think boys will enjoy park fare too? thanks so much,KIM

Park Fare dinner with the stepmother and stepsisters was fun. Last time we were there, one of the stepsisters started "flirting" in a very loud and silly way with one of the boys who was maybe 10 or so, then the other stepsister screamed from across the room and they started arguing and fighting over which one of them was going to get to marry him. It was pretty funny.