How do my ADR's / pre-trip report stack up?

[Buckimion]

DW and I are planning a BIG blowout (at least by our standards) and are (now) staying September 17-24 at the Poly CL and DxDP. Although my meds usually dictate my meals at 8-12-5 I'm hoping the abundance of food will take the edge off. This trip is more about the foods and relaxing rather than the rides and DW asked me to get as many places I thought were “special” and particularly new for us after several trips. Although this ride commando will still get his fill.

Monday, September 17 arrival @ Noon MK - Tony's 12:15p / LTT 6:40p

Plans for day one call for getting to the park about noon so that Tony's ADR is a risk that at least isn't backed up with a CC guarantee. Tony's is new to us but I'll try for a walkup if we miss this. LTT was our “featured” meal on our 1996 honeymoon trip but we haven't been back since. A little Thanksgiving-ish for me but DW asked to have this one included.

Tue 18 MNSSHP Kona 8:05a / Olivia's / ?

Easy day until 4ish. I absolutely LOVE conch fritters and this is my fix. Did not get an ADR as I believe a walk-up here is likely. Not really set on dinner plans since I have no idea just how full I'll be after lunch. MAY settle for QS or Tony's if missed yesterday.

Wed 19 rest Ohana 8:45a / WCC / 1900PF 7:05p

Relaxation, commando-style! Stitch breakfast was DW's #1 thing she wanted to do for food. (Second only to MNSSHP) Plan to mosey on over to WCC and see if we can get a walk-up lunch. The 1900PF is on the bubble...on one hand I was looking forward to this but am starting to have second thoughts, Would be great if I could pull off an 'Ohana or Chef Mickey dinner ADR here.

Thur 20 HS Starring Rolls / Sci Fi 12:55p / Cape May 6:40p

Sci-fi is my #1 dining choice but I am not at all pleased with that time and hope to get something between 11:30-12:30. Not really committed to Cape May either but 50's PT is the only other choice I really think about although the food doesn't look special to me. DW hasn't told me yet if she is more interested in the seafood or F!.

Fri 21 MNSSHP Kona 8:20a / Pepper Market / ?

Another half-day.. I'm thinking of a CRT dinner here if I can get one, otherwise it looks like Plaza or QS.

Sat 22 AK Captain Cooks / Rainforest 12n / Narccossie's 5:50p

Narc's was just added in place of Fulton's although I will miss out on another conch fritter fix. A number of recent bad reviews have convinced me to use my 2 credits elsewhere. DW will still be happy for her crab/lobster. I am a little worried that “park casual” (for me, polo & slacks, DW most likely in something not far off) may be underdressed so I'll be looking into this more.

Sun 23 Epcot 9a-9p Sunshine / San Angel Inn 12n / Rose & Crown 5:25p

DW picked the dining choices here out of what was available although I'm looking out for a Le Cellier lunch and an Askershus dinner. I'd originally penciled in Tangerine Cafe and Biergarten, our two all-time favorites until she decided to try something new. I'm a little iffy on the two as I am not a fan of Mexican past Taco Bell (I don't like chopped/sauteed onions & peppers although I can live with spicy) and have enough Irish in me to instantly dislike things British. Too bad Ragland Road isn't on a boat line from here. 3+ hours is also a LONG time to hold down a table for Illuminations so I'm not really thinking about that if we should end up outside although I'm not ruling it out either, especially if things are running really late.

I will probably try for Kona on our departure day as a walk-up and Captain Cooks if not able to get in..

 

[Missyrose]

DxDP is a lot of fun, especially with two adults. You get to try lots more than you may have normally tried (two apps, two entrees, two desserts). The one overall comment I would make is to possibly look at more signature meals and/or character meals. What we did when we tried DxDP was to schedule just two meals on most days (usually breakfast, though sometimes lunch and almost always dinner). It gave you a break between big meals and allowed you to hit more of the two-credit places.

We also tried more character meals while on the plan because we figured we'd rather try them when we didn't have to look at the big price tag that comes with them. Character meals with just adults can be lots of fun!

On to my specific suggestions...

DW and I are planning a BIG blowout (at least by our standards) and are (now) staying September 17-24 at the Poly CL and DxDP. Although my meds usually dictate my meals at 8-12-5 I'm hoping the abundance of food will take the edge off. This trip is more about the foods and relaxing rather than the rides and DW asked me to get as many places I thought were “special” and particularly new for us after several trips. Although this ride commando will still get his fill.

Monday, September 17 arrival @ Noon MK - Tony's 12:15p / LTT 6:40p

I would eliminate Tony's and use the credit elsewhere (like for a signature one of your nights). I've yet to read any glowing reviews of Tony's and think you'd be better off grabbing lunch at Capt. Cook's when you get to the resort (take lunch outside and eat by the pool!) Or if you really want to get to MK soon, eat at Columbia Harbor House.

Tue 18 MNSSHP Kona 8:05a / Olivia's / ?

Easy day until 4ish. I absolutely LOVE conch fritters and this is my fix. Did not get an ADR as I believe a walk-up here is likely. Not really set on dinner plans since I have no idea just how full I'll be after lunch. MAY settle for QS or Tony's if missed yesterday.

Love Kona breakfast! With that early a breakfast, I'd aim for a noon lunch and then a late dinner at one of the signatures (you should still be able to get Artists Point or maybe Citricos. Keep trying for California Grill, something should open up for your dates.)

Wed 19 rest Ohana 8:45a / WCC / 1900PF 7:05p

Relaxation, commando-style! Stitch breakfast was DW's #1 thing she wanted to do for food. (Second only to MNSSHP) Plan to mosey on over to WCC and see if we can get a walk-up lunch. The 1900PF is on the bubble...on one hand I was looking forward to this but am starting to have second thoughts, Would be great if I could pull off an 'Ohana or Chef Mickey dinner ADR here.

'Ohana breakfast gets rave reviews. I would make an ADR at WCC, it won't need a CC guarantee and you're going during a free dining period, so it would be better to have the ADR than not. I would totally keep 1900PF, the stepsisters are supposed to be a hoot.

Thur 20 HS Starring Rolls / Sci Fi 12:55p / Cape May 6:40p

Sci-fi is my #1 dining choice but I am not at all pleased with that time and hope to get something between 11:30-12:30. Not really committed to Cape May either but 50's PT is the only other choice I really think about although the food doesn't look special to me. DW hasn't told me yet if she is more interested in the seafood or F!.

Starring Rolls doesn't have a ton of breakfast options, just usually bagels and muffins. I might eat at Capt. Cooks before heading to the park.

Sci-Fi is good, not great. It's more about the atmosphere, but the food is pretty good. Be sure to try the hot fudge sundae!

Cape May Clambake was a real surprise for my family, we loved it! I'm not usually big on buffets for anything other than breakfast. But the food at CMC was hot and tasty. There's plenty of choices for seafood lovers and non-seafood lovers alike. I'd definitely recommend trying it wither this night or on an Epcot night.

Fri 21 MNSSHP Kona 8:20a / Pepper Market / ?

Another half-day.. I'm thinking of a CRT dinner here if I can get one, otherwise it looks like Plaza or QS.

Kind of an early breakfast on a Halloween party day. I'd prefer to sleep in a bit because you will be up until 1-2 a.m. Here's what I would do: Get a later breakfast ADR (maybe 9:30 or 10), then plan to go to Raglan Road for a later lunch at DTD (maybe 2ish?) that way, you can just graze as necessary at the party without taking up any precious party time with a meal. CRT may be downright impossible to get on a party night, lots of princesses dressed up and ready to meet the other princesses.

Sat 22 AK Captain Cooks / Rainforest 12n / Narccossie's 5:50p

Narc's was just added in place of Fulton's although I will miss out on another conch fritter fix. A number of recent bad reviews have convinced me to use my 2 credits elsewhere. DW will still be happy for her crab/lobster. I am a little worried that “park casual” (for me, polo & slacks, DW most likely in something not far off) may be underdressed so I'll be looking into this more.

I would think about Tusker House or Yak and Yeti for lunch on your AK day. Rainforest Cafe is just alright, it's more of a fun place for kids to eat because of the atmosphere. The other two restaurants will have better food. Excellent choice in Narccosses.

Sun 23 Epcot 9a-9p Sunshine / San Angel Inn 12n / Rose & Crown 5:25p

DW picked the dining choices here out of what was available although I'm looking out for a Le Cellier lunch and an Askershus dinner. I'd originally penciled in Tangerine Cafe and Biergarten, our two all-time favorites until she decided to try something new. I'm a little iffy on the two as I am not a fan of Mexican past Taco Bell (I don't like chopped/sauteed onions & peppers although I can live with spicy) and have enough Irish in me to instantly dislike things British. Too bad Ragland Road isn't on a boat line from here. 3+ hours is also a LONG time to hold down a table for Illuminations so I'm not really thinking about that if we should end up outside although I'm not ruling it out either, especially if things are running really late.

I will probably try for Kona on our departure day as a walk-up and Captain Cooks if not able to get in..

If you're not sure you want Mexican, I'd be inclined to do a CS lunch in the WS (you can each get the type of food you want) and then use the extra credit to go to Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club, another signature that gets excellent reviews.

On your departure day, why don't you try another restaurant on the monorail loop for breakfast? The Wave at CR is really yummy, so is Grand Floridian Cafe. Or the character meals at Chef Mickey or 1900PF are fun at breakfast too!

 

[Buckimion]

Thanks. While I'm still keeping an eye open, virtually all of the character meals have already been booked at the times we need. A signature on a MNSSHP night is just about out of the question unless a worthwhile lunch shows up and Fulton's doesn't even come under consideration there. I've thought about The Wave, but it suffers from the same perception I have of 50's PT...the food is too plain, at least on the menu.

Speaking of 50's PT, I made a late switch last night and picked up an 11:30 lunch at 50's and a 7:05 dinner at Sci Fi. I think I'll have better luck getting an earlier dinner time than an earlier lunch time. Cape May has been dropped for now. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of leaving the park early although we've seen F! twice before so it isn't a priority.