How Early is Too Early to Plan??? - TR Link Added - 12/29

:lmao::rotfl2::rotfl:

You're not going to believe this... but after we re-shuffled a few things, Tusker House Breakfast made the list.

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao: Why am I not surprised?

The food wasn't bad; we just found that it was lacking in variety from previous years and the service was absolutely horrid.
 
YAY!!! :banana::banana::banana: I'm excited to hear what ADRs you got!

And Happy (belated) Father's Day!
 


ADR's Booked



  • Arrival day - nothin' I think we're just going to make it a low key resort day, then swing over to DHS for the Osborne Lights. Probably FP+ TSMM, but otherwise just go with the flow.
  • Sunday - Dinner at Garden Grill - The plan right now is to cancel this ADR and re-book GG for Candlelight Processional once that opens up.
  • Monday - Breakfast at Tusker House - It has been a long time coming but we finally managed to slip this one onto the list.
  • Monday - Dinner at Whispering Canyon - We can't miss an opportunity to visit our favorite resort and one of our favorite restaurants. I'm sure FiL will like the kind of food they have too.
  • Tuesday - Dinner at Cinderella Royal Table.
  • Wednesday - Dinner at Via Napoli. Was there even a remote possibility that this one would be left off??? :confused3 :rotfl:
  • Thursday - Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine. No I'm not excited about this one at all. But it has Jake, Sofia, and is the only place to meet Doc McStuffins. Our kids love all 3 of them. :headache: At least it is hard to screw up breakfast, but if there's any place that can do it...
  • Thursday - Late lunch/early dinner at Mama Melrose with a Fantasmic! package.
  • Friday - We'll say goodbye with a dinner at Chef Mickey as we stop along the monorail ride from the MK to the parking lot on our way home.





As I've mentioned, I have had a hard time getting any input in our ADR choices. I just decided that since we're doing the Dining Plan I wanted to maximize the value of it and character meals seems to be a great way to do it. And if it means less time standing in lines to meet characters, even better. :thumbsup2

Here's some reasoning on why I went with the choices that I did. We have basically made a habit of visiting Chef Mickey, Whispering Canyon and Via Napoli. They are virtually a lock to make the ADR cut for any of our trips. That just leaves the rest of the spots to fill in.

We decided that we'd like to do Candlelight Processional this year, and another character meal at Garden Grill seemed like a good way to do it. I can see us possibly changing the restaurant on this one when we get around to making that CP ADR later on though. Don't be surprised. :confused3 :rotfl:

Mama Melrose was also fairly easy... We wanted to do a Fantasmic! package on that evening, and we've eaten at Mama Melrose before and enjoyed it. When I booked this was the only Fantasmic! ADR that showed as available that day so that helped with the decision. :lmao:

Tusker House was added... I'm not really sure why. Probably because Kathy advised against it. :rotfl: Truthfully though, DW asked if we were going to try that breakfast at Animal Kingdom that we'd talked about before, and being that I was getting very little help with planning, I ran with it. :rotfl2: It isn't perfectly ideal for our plans, but it will work.

Hollywood and Vine... the place DW and I swore we'd never go again. I don't know what I can say about it that I haven't already said. :sad2:

Cinderella Royal Table - Well, none of us has ever been there. We have kids who seem to be interested in princesses. DD of course is into princess-y stuff, and DS is young enough that he enjoys them and isn't too cool for them yet, so we figured this is the time to go.

And the one ADR that I looked up, found availability for, stared at for about 10 minutes before clicking the back button... Be Our Guest. Let the flaming begin. :lmao: It was hard to pass on, but it just didn't fit in with the other MK area ADR's we wanted. We'll eat lunch there, and I'm sure we'll eat dinner there eventually, but it just won't be this trip. We love the lunch menu/value, but dinner just isn't quite as appealing. :confused3





When the smoke cleared, we had more ADR's booked than we have Dining credits for. We'll be paying for some meals out of pocket, but we still might cut back on an ADR. We might consider dropping GG when we book the CP package and re-book at VN. I think this is a very real possibility. Although I still might keep that second VN ADR just to get another pizza later in the week. Yes, it is that good!!!!! But we are interested in eating at GG and I think our family will like that menu and the characters. We could go either way on this one.

I've done some calculations on expected meal costs, and as it stands now, we'll be paying for our CP meal, VN and H&V out of pocket. These break down to the least expensive meals for us. Even though the common logic that people spout says you never want to pay for a 2 TS credit meal with the dining plan, my calculator says differently. Even dividing the total cost of CRT by 2, it is the second most expensive meal on our list. If that doesn't justify using dining credits then I want to know what kind of math you're using. :rotfl2:

And just so you know, here is the rundown from most expensive meal (per dining credit) to least expensive.

Chef Mickey
Cinderella Royal Table
Mama Melrose
Tusker House
Whispering Canyon
Garden Grill (2013 CP pkg price)
Hollywood & Vine
Via Napoli

Obviously, CRT is the overall most expensive meal and Garden Grill (based on 2013 CP prices) is second. Since both would count as 2 TS credits, I divided the total cost of each by 2 to compare the cost to each of the other 1 TS credit ADRs. That way I was comparing the dollar value that each of those individual credits would be covering.

I hope that makes sense. It does to me, but that doesn't mean anything. :rotfl2:

As for VN being least expensive, we will likely just order a mezzo metro or a couple of smaller pizzas to share and drinks. It is always by far our cheapest table service meal. If someone is looking for an inexpensive Table Service meal out of pocket and they're traveling with at least 1 or 2 other people, this one is hard to beat!





This is all I have for now. We're going to be making a quick trip to Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday. We'll spend a day in Kings Island on Friday and go to a Reds game on Saturday. Hopefully, DS will be brave and ride a "bigger" coaster. They have a 48" height requirement for a couple of coasters that I would compare to BTMRR in intensity but he's 42" and is at least tall enough for one that is at bigger than the Barnstormer! DD right now is at 33" Hopefully she'll at least be tall enough for Barnstormer in 6 months! :worried:
 
Your plans sound great! :thumbsup2

Oh, Hollywood & Vine....I am soooo relieved that Reid is over those characters. It felt good to not even have to contemplate that ADR for our upcoming trip. :rotfl:

Chef Mickey's is a must for our family as well. And I really love Via Napoli. I can't believe I didn't book it for October. I will probably regret that choice.....
 
You are going to love breakfast at Tusker House.

The variety is great. Has a few things that I had never heard of until I saw the name tag. And if you like to play it safe, there's always the waffles and Krispy Kremes.

The character interaction is great, too. And you get the family pic with Donald in safari gear.
 
Love all your ADRs. I really enjoyed CRT for breakfast and I had the most fantastic seat EVER with a beautiful view out towards the carousel! Loved it! :good vibes

I am a big Via Napoli fan. I don't think I can plan a trip and leave that one out! The pizza is so fab!
 
That's a great list of ADR's! And of course, I'm totally understanding of visiting VN twice. :lmao: Hopefully H&V is better than your last experience, but the kids will definitely have a great time with that group of characters. It seems kind of silly that they haven't moved Doc into the park for meet & greet yet since the rest of them are. I guess that's how they keep up the demand for meals there? :confused3
 
I am just going to say..................nevermind, I'll take the fifth! :lmao::lmao::lmao:

We had a really good meal at Mama Melrose. I'm sure that will make you change that one now. ;) The rest I'll just be a good girl.

I actually have Via Napoli booked for September but I am cancelling it. I've had to cancel several with the situation here at home. I figure there is always another time to try it.
 
Great day at Kings Island yesterday. I'll do an update about it sometime later but spoiler alert:





I'm not the only one in the family that is crazy enough to want to ride the same roller coaster 5 or 6 times in a row when there is no wait.
 
You're right, if there was one place that could screw up breakfast, it would be H+V. :lmao: Hopefully, it will be okay but I can say that the characters were enough to make up for the food quality when we did lunch there in January.

King's Island - despite having lived 4 years in Columbus, OH and 3 years in Indianapolis, I never made it down there. Sounds like you had a good time!
 
Great day at Kings Island yesterday. I'll do an update about it sometime later but spoiler alert:





I'm not the only one in the family that is crazy enough to want to ride the same roller coaster 5 or 6 times in a row when there is no wait.

Sounds like the little guy had a good time. :) Can't wait to read all about it.
 
ADRs look good!

I love how inexpensive Via Napoli is; the food is well worth the cost.


A CP package really is the way to go when you've got young kids. It just makes things is much easier in terms of standby lines and time management. The GG menu does look good, and you can't beat a painless character meet and greet. I don't know if it matters to you or not, but I've heard rumors that the restaurant doesn't spin anymore. Not sure if that weighs in on your dinner package decision or not. :confused3

No criticism about not booking Be Our Guest from me. I haven't read many stellar reviews of the meals. In fact, the overall consensus seems to be that lunch is much better. Not to mention, in terms of quick service inside that park, it is the best, so it's probably best for you to save your TS slots for better locations. :thumbsup2


Tuskegee House must have gotten better over the past few years, because I've heard pretty good things about it. Besides, early entry into AK means hopefully getting a jump start on the park.


Now, Hollywood and Vine..... :rotfl2:
I'm sure your kids happiness over seeing the Disney Junior folks will make it worth it.
 
Your plans sound great! :thumbsup2
Thanks.

Oh, Hollywood & Vine....I am soooo relieved that Reid is over those characters. It felt good to not even have to contemplate that ADR for our upcoming trip.
Yeah, I know. Rub it in. :rolleyes1

Chef Mickey's is a must for our family as well. And I really love Via Napoli. I can't believe I didn't book it for October. I will probably regret that choice.....
::yes:: But don't they do a walk up window sometime during F&W? Would you maybe be able to do that?

You are going to love breakfast at Tusker House.

The variety is great. Has a few things that I had never heard of until I saw the name tag. And if you like to play it safe, there's always the waffles and Krispy Kremes.

The character interaction is great, too. And you get the family pic with Donald in safari gear.
:welcome:

Yeah, I've heard nothing but good things about it. Well, excluding Kathy, but she usually doesn't like things I like and I usually don't like things she likes so I take her words of caution as a ringing endorsement. :rotfl2:

Love all your ADRs. I really enjoyed CRT for breakfast and I had the most fantastic seat EVER with a beautiful view out towards the carousel! Loved it! :good vibes
I hope it is good. I guess we're going for the ambience and experience anyway, but hopefully our dinner will be good as well.

I am a big Via Napoli fan. I don't think I can plan a trip and leave that one out! The pizza is so fab!
I know. I mean anyone who hasn't tried it just doesn't know what they're missing.

That's a great list of ADR's! And of course, I'm totally understanding of visiting VN twice. :lmao: Hopefully H&V is better than your last experience, but the kids will definitely have a great time with that group of characters. It seems kind of silly that they haven't moved Doc into the park for meet & greet yet since the rest of them are. I guess that's how they keep up the demand for meals there? :confused3
Yeah, they've got to keep the money rolling in somehow. :sad2: As long as the kids enjoy the characters, it will all be worthwhile. I mean, it is the cheapest meal in our plans, aside from VN, and I'm sure they'll at least have cereal and fruit. But I'd like to think the eggs and bacon will at least be marginally warmer than the cold food we ate there before.

I am just going to say..................nevermind, I'll take the fifth! :lmao::lmao::lmao:
No need to hold back. You know I wouldn't! :rotfl2:

We had a really good meal at Mama Melrose. I'm sure that will make you change that one now. ;) The rest I'll just be a good girl.
:lmao: Well, we've got to stay with it if we want to get the Fantasmic! package! I love that show, I just hate the sea of humanity/time requirement it takes to see the show otherwise. This ADR is mainly for convenience.

I actually have Via Napoli booked for September but I am cancelling it. I've had to cancel several with the situation here at home. I figure there is always another time to try it.
I understand completely.

You're right, if there was one place that could screw up breakfast, it would be H+V. :lmao: Hopefully, it will be okay but I can say that the characters were enough to make up for the food quality when we did lunch there in January.
I hope that is the case for us. Your TR is really what basically made my mind up about trying it.

King's Island - despite having lived 4 years in Columbus, OH and 3 years in Indianapolis, I never made it down there. Sounds like you had a good time!
Oh man... so close and you never made it there??? :sad2: I love it. I liked it more when I was younger, but it is still pretty great!

Sounds like the little guy had a good time. :) Can't wait to read all about it.
We all had a good time, really. It was a fun weekend.

ADRs look good!

I love how inexpensive Via Napoli is; the food is well worth the cost.
::yes:: I see how it could be expensive if you order appetizers, salads or entrees. It adds up quickly. But if you just want pizza, it is a heck of a deal for Disney World.

A CP package really is the way to go when you've got young kids. It just makes things is much easier in terms of standby lines and time management. The GG menu does look good, and you can't beat a painless character meet and greet. I don't know if it matters to you or not, but I've heard rumors that the restaurant doesn't spin anymore. Not sure if that weighs in on your dinner package decision or not. :confused3
Absolutely. I wouldn't want to try CP any other way. With or without kids, really. It is hard enough to get them to sit through a show like that, but doing it after standing who knows how long in a line... no way.

I'd like to do GG while it is rotating, but it isn't really anything that would be make or break for us.

No criticism about not booking Be Our Guest from me. I haven't read many stellar reviews of the meals. In fact, the overall consensus seems to be that lunch is much better. Not to mention, in terms of quick service inside that park, it is the best, so it's probably best for you to save your TS slots for better locations. :thumbsup2
That's really exactly how I feel about it... :thumbsup2

Tuskegee House must have gotten better over the past few years, because I've heard pretty good things about it. Besides, early entry into AK means hopefully getting a jump start on the park.
I've seen nothing but good reviews about it lately, excluding Kathy. I'll take my chances. :lmao: That's really what appeals to us anyway. Getting into AK early and seeing some characters before a short walk over to the Safari. :thumbsup2

Now, Hollywood and Vine..... :rotfl2:
I'm sure your kids happiness over seeing the Disney Junior folks will make it worth it.
Yeah... you'll be eating there in a couple of years. Just wait! :rotfl2:
 
I love the way your ADR's worked out and the reasonings behind them. I'm really, really, REALLY hoping for your sake, that Hollywood and Vine will be better than before. I'm so with you though. That place would be the last on my list, but maybe this time they'll surprise you and you'll have a great experience.

Via Napoli - obviously can't skip this one.

I know you probably wanted more help with the restaurant choices but I kind of envy you. DH is extremely involved with the ADR's so VN is probably not going to make the list this next time around for me:sad2: He really likes visiting different restaurants on each trip. Which I get, but Via?! Come on, it's delicious!

Tusker House is one i've wanted to do for a while, even had an ADR in 2010, but DH nixed that one.

Are you doing the Deluxe or Basic DP?
 
Welllll, I may have added a lunch ADR there for our 2nd EPCOT day. :rolleyes1
:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I love the way your ADR's worked out and the reasonings behind them. I'm really, really, REALLY hoping for your sake, that Hollywood and Vine will be better than before. I'm so with you though. That place would be the last on my list, but maybe this time they'll surprise you and you'll have a great experience.
I just have to remind myself... the kids will love the characters and I'm ahead of the pack headed for TSMM. :lmao:

Via Napoli - obviously can't skip this one.
I'm pretty sure that will never happen.

I know you probably wanted more help with the restaurant choices but I kind of envy you. DH is extremely involved with the ADR's so VN is probably not going to make the list this next time around for me:sad2: He really likes visiting different restaurants on each trip. Which I get, but Via?! Come on, it's delicious!
That is the problem. I really want to try new places. There are a ton of places that I've never been to that I want to try. I'm getting to 2 or 3 of them this time around, but we've got the ones we love and just have to go back to every time.

Tusker House is one i've wanted to do for a while, even had an ADR in 2010, but DH nixed that one.
Ok... just remind him how great 50's PT was after he nixed it. :thumbsup2:rotfl2:

Are you doing the Deluxe or Basic DP?
Basic. As things stand now, we're 4 credits shy of covering everything.
 
Like your adr's. They sound good. If your adr's are like mine they may change more than once.
 












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