How do I know my itinerary will work?

[princessreilly]

I have 27 days until I will be in Disney! This will be my first time that our family will have the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Polynesian I really want time to enjoy the Poly and waterparks. (We've never been to the waterparks either). But I feel like my dining reservations are slammed! What is the best way to manage reservations? I am in fear of hearing those words "we're all full" when I get there. Anytime I don't have reservations we either don't know where to go or can't get in. Ok pros cue in please!!

 

[vicki_c]

What are you talking about? Do you mean you don't have any reservations and are just hoping to walk in everywhere?

During free dining, that is a highly unlikely scenario. I would be making some reservations now or settle that you might mostly be eating counter service. If you are on a dining plan, you definitely need to make ADRs.

 

[chanty]

I don't quite understand... are you saying you already HAVE dinning reservations or you don't? Sorry...I might simply be having a sleepy moment!

 

[princessreilly]

I have lots of dining reservations! That's the problem. I'm afraid I may have too many and not be able to relax and enjoy the waterparks and the Poly!?

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Oh, okay, now I get it.

What are you scheduled for? If you feel like you have too many, get rid of something and eat quick service @ Captain Cooks or something. But no one knows but you what you should do based on what you want. I'm sure that after a day or two you'll get the hang of a schedule for yourself and how things are working out, and be able to move forward accordingly.

For instance, DH and I have ADR's for most of our meals (check out post #1 of my PTR, link below, to see what I mean). We do breakfast, go to the parks in the morning, go back to Poly to relax around 1:00 or so (swim, nap, shower, etc) and then do dinner. After dinner we usually head back to a park - whichever we're closest to at the time. This is what works for us - I'm sure you'll find what works for you.

Most important: Relax.

 

[jmm476]

Which dining plan are you on? I try not to do more than 1 TS a day, 2 at the most! Otherwise, you're spending a lot of time sitting in a restaurant...

What reservations do you have?

 

[TheNewMrsB]

I see in an earlier thread that you had a pretty busy schedule for day 1, originally. Now I'm interested in seeing just what else you had planned!

As for spending too much time in a restaurant...yeah, again, it's all about what works for you. For DH and I and other people as well, the dining is a part of the experience, so we don't mind. Park commandoes may feel otherwise!

 

[MHSweb79]

Don't be afraid to throw the schedule out the window if you're not having fun. I usually end up cancelling 2 or 3 ADR's while we're there just because we would rather be doing something else.

Since you'll be at the Poly, keep Kona in mind. You should be able to get in by walking up or asking the concierge to make you same-day ADR's. This would be great if your family wants to spend the afternoon at the pool instead of racing off somewhere just because you have a reservation. You'll also have easy monorail access to the restaurants at the Grand Floridian and Contemporary.

The itinerary should be there as a support system, not a prison routine.

 

[princessreilly]

Yes I am thinking of cancelling when I get there if it gets to hectic. All of the different cancellation policies make my head spin! And I've looked at my reservations so many times it just looks blurry at this point. Here they are if you want to look and tell me what you think.



RESERVATIONS------------!


MONDAY SEP.27TH-------
Barber shop for baby’s 1st haircut @ 12:00 MK
PIRATES LEAGUE @3:25

Wishes dessert party @ 8pm


TUESDAY SEP.28TH-------------
AK/E
DONALD’S BF @ 9:05
Chef’s de France(Remy) @5:00
Illuminations @9:00


WEDNESDAY29th ------------- HS
Sci-Fi @1:35

Block party bash @3:00

Photo session at Poly ?

Luau @ 8:00 48 HR NOTICE 193.96

THURSDAY30th ---------------

O’hanas @ 8 :30

WATERPARKS

Brown Derby @ 4:45
Fantasmic @8:00

California Grill @ 9:15 (maybe just for sushi)
E/HS

FRIDAY OCT.1ST-------------


MNSSHP 7-12pm

1:55 BBB (one for dd and one for me thinking of cancelling one or both)
2:40 BBB

Plaza @5:10

SATURDAY OCT 2ND-------------

CP 1155
FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL DAY
Movies on the beach@7
Campfire on the beach@8 AK
OHANAS@840PM

Wishes starts @ 9pm

 

[TheNewMrsB]

A few immediate thoughts:

What's the block party bash? I've never head of that. Where is it located?

I can't see how you'll manage both Fantasmic and CG on Thursday night. Even if by some stroke of magic you manage to make it, you'll be running like a crazy person through the crowds leaving Fantasmic and racing for a bus, which may or may not come when you need it to. Assuming you're taking a bus, anyway, and not driving. Either way, crowds are a big factor. I'm the first person to rave about sushi @ CG but it's not worth all that.

And I'm confused about Saturday - where is the campfire on the beach located? Assuming movie is @ Poly?

The previous poster who mentioned Kona was spot-on...they're always good for a last-minute change of plans.

 

[princessreilly]

Really? I thought I would make it considering Fantasmic is supposed to last 30 min? Anyway, Block party bash is something going on at Hollywood Studios. Yes campfire and movies are at Poly.

A few immediate thoughts:

What's the block party bash? I've never head of that. Where is it located?

I can't see how you'll manage both Fantasmic and CG on Thursday night. Even if by some stroke of magic you manage to make it, you'll be running like a crazy person through the crowds leaving Fantasmic and racing for a bus, which may or may not come when you need it to. Assuming you're taking a bus, anyway, and not driving. Either way, crowds are a big factor. I'm the first person to rave about sushi @ CG but it's not worth all that.

And I'm confused about Saturday - where is the campfire on the beach located? Assuming movie is @ Poly?

The previous poster who mentioned Kona was spot-on...they're always good for a last-minute change of plans.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Really? I thought I would make it considering Fantasmic is supposed to last 30 min? Anyway, Block party bash is something going on at Hollywood Studios. Yes campfire and movies are at Poly.

Fantasmic may only last 30 minutes, but it's a total madhouse upon leaving. A rush of people trying to get out of the park at the same time and everyone wants to get on the same bus. Personally, I wouldn't take the chance of being charged when I tried to cancel with little warning. And you'd have the peace of mind of not being in a huge rush and stressing over a no-show bus.

If you're hungry when you get back from Fantasmic, Captain Cooks might not be a bad option, or maybe Kona will still be open (I don't know their hours) - I'm sure you could walk up and get in.

 

[Matt'sMom]

I would cancel Cali Grill. You will have already eaten a TS dinner that evening... and if you do decide that you still want sushi or deserts later, both can be ordered from the Kona Island Sushi Bar (inside the GCH at Poly). After a day at the WP and then DHS/Fantasmic... I think worrying about trying to make it to yet a third TS ADR seems like overkill.

If it were me, I would cancel at least one of the ADRs on Saturday as well. Personally, I know I would not want to attempt two 'all you care to eat' type meals in addition to grazing my way through the Food and Wine Fest all day at Epcot. I would likely drop CP, since that ADR falls so close to noontime... and instead plan on having a very lite breakfast at Capt. Cooks, then sampling a number of the F&W Fest booths for lunch.

 

[Tiger926]

Yes I am thinking of cancelling when I get there if it gets to hectic. All of the different cancellation policies make my head spin! And I've looked at my reservations so many times it just looks blurry at this point. Here they are if you want to look and tell me what you think.



RESERVATIONS------------!


MONDAY SEP.27TH-------
Barber shop for baby’s 1st haircut @ 12:00 MK
PIRATES LEAGUE @3:25

Wishes dessert party @ 8pm

Are you not eating anything all day, and just hoping to fill up at the dessert party? We didn't care for the dessert party at all - but not sure how you can subsist for a whole day on just cream puffs and iced tea? Maybe you are eating CS this day?

TUESDAY SEP.28TH-------------
AK/E
DONALD’S BF @ 9:05
Chef’s de France(Remy) @5:00
Illuminations @9:00

How long are you planning on being at AK for? You have to get from AK to Epcot by at least 4:25, as you then have to walk through Epcot to make to France for dinner. I'm also pretty sure that Remy is done by 5:00, but maybe that's his last showing?


WEDNESDAY29th ------------- HS
Sci-Fi @1:35

Block party bash @3:00

Photo session at Poly ?

Luau @ 8:00 48 HR NOTICE 193.96

Wow! Way too much for one day, IMHO. You will be spending the day @ DHS, then going back to resort for a photo session, and then a late dinner. That sounds like way too much for one day. I would not want to do a photo session in the late afternoon/early evening after being in the hot sun all day long.

THURSDAY30th ---------------

O’hanas @ 8 :30

WATERPARKS

Brown Derby @ 4:45
Fantasmic @8:00

California Grill @ 9:15 (maybe just for sushi)
E/HS
Again, so much for one day - breakfast at resort, waterparks, DHS for dinner and then back to Contemporary for dinner/dessert? A very tiring day and busy day!

FRIDAY OCT.1ST-------------


MNSSHP 7-12pm

1:55 BBB (one for dd and one for me thinking of cancelling one or both)
2:40 BBB

Plaza @5:10

This seems like a fine day, if you cancel one BBB appointment, as that is a lot of time sitting around, and then you will be up very late for the party.

SATURDAY OCT 2ND-------------

CP 1155
FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL DAY
Movies on the beach@7
Campfire on the beach@8 AK
OHANAS@840PM

Wishes starts @ 9pm

This is confusing to me - Food and Wine Festival is at Epcot, but you have activities scheduled at your resort, and at MK. CP is Crystal Palace, which is @ MK, so not sure about Food & Wine Festival?

I can't figure out what DP the OP is on? If it's Deluxe, I would also get rid of those Signatures (they are very overrated, IMHO), and spread out the meals a bit better. You have huge amounts of time with no meals, and then you have several activities crammed into a few short hours.

I think this is a very overscheduled itinerary, IMHO, as you have tons of hopping between parks and resorts, with not much time in between, as well as many late nights and such. You also have a baby, and I cannot even imagine eating late at night like that, as well as staying up late for the parties that you have scheduled, with so many busy days. Not to mention that you have a lot of expensive activities planned: parties, BBB and Luau, which you really need to be able to attend, or you will face cancellation penalties.

I think you should cancel Cali Grill, and take advantage of Kona Cafe, as it's fabulous. Way better than 'Ohana, IMHO. Brown Derby and Cali Grill are not that great either.

I hope you are able to find a schedule that works for you and your family, Tiger

 

[ohanaMAMA]

holy wow! you have a lot planned! Every single thing you have looks like so much fun. it just looks like so many appointments to keep.

sounds like you are wanting a relaxing trip and with so many places to be at set times you will be running from here to there all the time. transportation from place to place I have found, takes much longer than I anticipated when making my plans. I dont want to discourage you. But I usually keep it to ONE adr or planned event a day. that way my day is pretty open for being spontanious. That way if I am lounging by the pool and no one is hungry? we can mosey on when we are ready!

 

[jmm476]

Park commandoes may feel otherwise!

That's very true...

 

[jmm476]

Fantasmic may only last 30 minutes, but it's a total madhouse upon leaving. A rush of people trying to get out of the park at the same time and everyone wants to get on the same bus. Personally, I wouldn't take the chance of being charged when I tried to cancel with little warning. And you'd have the peace of mind of not being in a huge rush and stressing over a no-show bus.

If you're hungry when you get back from Fantasmic, Captain Cooks might not be a bad option, or maybe Kona will still be open (I don't know their hours) - I'm sure you could walk up and get in.

I agree with this 100%. You would have to drive yourself to make it to Cali Grill and even then it would be pushing it and you might not be hungry.

 

[AlixaLock]

HI! (so not an expert, but couldn't help replying!)
We have a ridiculous number of ADR's ... We're doing Deluxe Dining during the free dining period, so I think they are essential. Especially for us --- a family that adores dining out. I also don't like the stress of wondering if we'll find a seat for 8 people for dinner. That being said ... I am certain that we will end up canceling some of our reservations. Nothing EVER goes as planned when you are on vacation, so I always prepare and plan at home and then once we touch down I completely relax. I have all the ADR's listed on my iPhone calendar and linked to the number I need to call to modify/cancel the res. Any ADR that will cost cash to cancel has a 48 hr reminder set, so I can make adjustments. I do ALWAYS make sure to cancel as soon as I can ... It's good karma!

This is long-winded, I know. My point is ... it's great to have the ADR's so you don't get left out, but don't be a slave to them. And remember ... you'll be on vacation in 27 DAYS!!!! Have a blast!

 

[dburg30]

All I can say is wow... OK, I can also say I dont see how that can be remotely an enjoyable trip. Well, it maybe could be enjoyable, but it wont be relaxing!!!!

Good luck on what you decide to do!!

 

[TheNewMrsB]

That's very true...

I thought of you after typing that, when I saw your signature!