How do these ADRs look? Help a first timer

[twinnersmama]

First timer here ... We are 2 families, each of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids each --- ages 4,4,5,9) Here are our ADRs (planning to make them this week for our trip in late April) -- We are on the DDP.

Day 1 - Mama Melrose 7pm - try to catch Fantasmic after
Day 2 - Chef Mickey's -7pm
Day 3 - 50's Prime Time Cafe - 7pm
Day 4 - Tepan Edo - 7pm
Day 5 - lunch at Rainforest Cafe
Day 6 - Crystal Palace - 7pm
Day 7 - lunch at Coral Reef OR Garden Grill OR Hollywood & Vine

We figured 7pm would give us enough time to eat and catch whatever fireworks, etc there was at the park we were eating.

Our second choices for each day are:
1 - 50's Prime time Cafe
2- Crystal Palace
3- Mama Melrose
4- Coral Reef/LeCellier
5- Rainforest in Downtown OR ??
6 - 1900 Park Fare
7 ??

ALSO, if we see this isn't working out, can we cancel or make changes once we are there?

 

[turnlisa]

OK, let me try to give some helpful advice. If anyone disagrees with me, please chime in:

Mama Melrose's is a great choice. However, eating at 7 p.m. and trying to catch Fantasmic after may not be doable. Usually, for a Fantasmic show people start lining up about 30 - 90 minutes before. Eating at Mama Melrose's the last time we went was about an hour. So depending on the time of the Fantasmic show, you probably won't make it. You might make it if the show is at 10:00 p.m. but just be aware that this isn't like most fireworks shows. This takes place in an arena so you will need to find a seat.

Chef Mickey's will also take you about an hour to eat at least. Actually most of the TS places will.

Depending on the crowds, you may be able to change while you are there but I wouldn't count on it. You are a rather large party so harder to seat then if you are a family of 4. If you are there during a busy time, this will also impact your ability to make changes on the fly.

If there is anything else, I can help with please let me know.

 

[BarleyJack]

First timer here ... We are 2 families, each of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids each --- ages 4,4,5,9) Here are our ADRs (planning to make them this week for our trip in late April) -- We are on the DDP.

Day 1 - Mama Melrose 7pm - try to catch Fantasmic after Good choice for MGM, but try to book it as a Fantasmic Package, that way you'll be sure get a seat for the show
Day 2 - Chef Mickey's -7pm The kids should love this
Day 3 - 50's Prime Time Cafe - 7pmI hear this is a blast if you're not the shy type!
Day 4 - Tepan Edo - 7pm
Day 5 - lunch at Rainforest CafeAt Animal Kingdom or DTD? Either way, if there is a RFK near where you live I'd skip it
Day 6 - Crystal Palace - 7pm Maybe for breakfast? Get in the park early!
Day 7 - lunch at Coral Reef OR Garden Grill OR Hollywood & VineWhat park will you be at this day? The kids would like Garden Grill at Epcot with the characters, if at MGM again consider Sci-Fi; the food I hear is just so so but the atmosphere is reportedly very cool

We figured 7pm would give us enough time to eat and catch whatever fireworks, etc there was at the park we were eating. Personally, I'd rather have an early dinner than risk missing a parade/fireworks, especially with little ones. You can always snack later if you get hungry before bed!

Our second choices for each day are:
1 - 50's Prime time Cafe
2- Crystal Palace
3- Mama Melrose
4- Coral Reef/LeCellier
5- Rainforest in Downtown OR ??
6 - 1900 Park Fare
7 ??

ALSO, if we see this isn't working out, can we cancel or make changes once we are there?

Couple of other things to note: I'm a newbie per these board standards, so take what I say with a grain of salt. If you get there and decide to change restaurants you may be hard pressed to get what you want. Are you on the DDP? If not, the buffets at lunch (garden grill, chef mickey's, crystal palace_ are less expensive (the Crystal Palace Breakfast is good from what I hear, and gets you in the park early too). Expect to spend well over an hour for sit down dinners, take that into consideration regarding parades and fireworks. Regardless I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[TammyC]

We are not fans of buffets, so I can't offer much help there. Le Cellier is good, but doubt you will get an ADR now - it is one of those "must call early". I agree with other posters about some earlier dinners. Also, a 7:00 ADR might not get you seated until 7:15 or 7:30. When our son was 4 and 5 years old he would not have been able to do so many late nights. Another thing to consider is doing a big meal at lunch, then snacks and counter service for dinner. Some of the table service may be less crowded at lunch. Good luck!

 

[becca011906]

My kids are 7,5,3 and the latest we are eating is 6:45 that's on a no park/check in day. Other then that we are eating at 4:30-5:45 . But then again when do you typically eat dinner at home??? We eat dinner around 4:30-5:00 at home b/c my DH goes into work at 6PM so that's why i planed the way we did.
Also I didn't think Rainforest cafe was on the dinning plan... but i'm not 100% sure.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Twinnersmama, you can cancel and/or add (depending on availability) to your ADRs. Be careful with canceling some places require 24 hours or 48 hours notice or there will be a penalty.

We canceled one reservation on our trip WCC (couldn't make it that day we were half way around the world at the time) and added Narcoosees (of all places! who would've thought we could've gotten that in Dec..). It was nice to have plans, but it was nice to be flexible and go with the flow too!

Comparing your list to mine, we did Chef Mickey's (loved it!), Crystal Palace (I wasn't too big on the food too garlicy for me, but the character interaction was great!), and Coral Reef (loved it!).

HTH!

 

[septbaby]

First timer here ... We are 2 families, each of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids each --- ages 4,4,5,9) Here are our ADRs (planning to make them this week for our trip in late April) -- We are on the DDP.

Day 1 - Mama Melrose 7pm - try to catch Fantasmic after
As noted before book the Fantasmic package. You will get an early reservation and a pass to allow you to enter the stadium early for the show. This is really important for your group with little ones. You could spend over and hour in line without this perk.

Day 2 - Chef Mickey's -7pm We had bfast there and loved it. Great choice for your families

Day 3 - 50's Prime Time Cafe - 7pm
Day 4 - Tepan Edo - 7pm

Day 5 - lunch at Rainforest CafeIf you're on the dining plan this place isn't included[/B]

Day 6 - Crystal Palace - 7pm

Day 7 - lunch at Coral Reef OR Garden Grill OR Hollywood & Vine Lunch at CR was fantastic; we cleaned our plates and our 5yo loved the aquarium. Hollywood and Vine would be fun for the 4-5, but the 9yo might not find it cool enough. unless he/she gets a hoot playing or watching the younger sibling. I read its a great character meal for the young ones.

We figured 7pm would give us enough time to eat and catch whatever fireworks, etc there was at the park we were eating.

Our second choices for each day are:
1 - 50's Prime time Cafe
2- Crystal Palace
3- Mama Melrose
4- Coral Reef/LeCellier
5- Rainforest in Downtown OR ??
6 - 1900 Park Fare
7 ??

ALSO, if we see this isn't working out, can we cancel or make changes once we are there?

You can cancel and try to make changes. Keep in mind it might be necessary to rebook as groups of 4 as you may have a hard time getting tables for 8.

One caution: The 4/5 year olds might get a bit jumpy at Fantasmic. Since there are 4 adults I'd be sure to either hold them or seat them next to an adult so they can latch on as needed. Our 5yo was very clear at times on my lap "Hold me!" then pulling my arms tighter around him. Now today he's a super hero tough guy, but then...