I am second guessing my dining/Citricos-opinions please

[mlg32]

I would love some help. We are a family of 6 and this year my youngest(4) is old enough to enjoy the kids club so I scheduled 3 meals with my 6 yr old and 4 yr old at the kids clubs, but now I am starting to feel like that is to many?? Dh, my 2 older girls(10 & 12) and I always really enjoy signature dining, this is my DHs fav part of Disney-LOL. Last trip I took my younger kids to Crystal Palace so everyone else could eat at Ca Grill. So I am really looking forward to CG this trip. Here is my schedule, do you think I have enough kid fun, family togetherness and Signature dining? Or should I change Citricos to a more "family meal"?

We are staying at AKL and traveling Dec 12th to 19th

Monday-- CS (Not to bore you with details but my DH and oldest had to change their flight due to school function so they won't arrive until Tues so I changed our ressies)

Tues--Boma dinner(everyone loves to eat here)

Weds--Ohana breakfast, CA Grill for adults and older kids, Neverland club for
littles
Thurs-- Mama Melrose (mid day Fantasmic package)

Fri---CRT Breakfast, Jiko Dinner(kids club for littles)

Sat--Citricos(kids club for littles)

Sun-- CS day, probably Downtown Disney and MVMCP.

I kind of want to change Citricos, but it gets us to the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread house. Other GF restaurants are out for us just not good experiences last time.

My DD 6 has been to the Sandcastle club once and she had the best time ever. I think since her brother will be with her this time it will be even more fun. But I just don't know and I can't ask because the trip is a surprise.

Should I leave it be?

 

[OhThePain]

I would leave things as is and would deffinately not change Citricos. My fiance and I had dinner there the other night and everything was fantastic as usual. If I would change anything it would be your CG ADR. CG has been getting increasingly worse over the years and our visit last week will keep us from going back anytime soon. Service was slow, food was average (the sushi is not impressive anymore and our entrees were forgetable) and it was just an all around underwhelming meal for the cost.

Are you on a dining plan or paying OOP? If you are paying OOP, I would highly suggest taking the money you would spend on CG and change your Jiko ADR to the Wanyama Safari at AKL. We did it on our arrival day (just after I proposed to her) and it was a fantastic experience. The animals on the savannahs can get real close (a giraffe stuck it's head in our vehicle). The meal after the safari at Jiko was fantastic. Well worth the money. You do not have to stay CL to do the Wanyama, only the Sunrise Safari.

 

[mlg32]

We are on the dining plan but will be paying OOP for some things. I did not know there was a Safari that was available to non CL. I will definitely look into that! I am so bummed to hear about your bad experience at CA Grill. DH & girls ate their last Nov and thought it was delicious! We are going for the sushi.

Congratulations on your engagement))

Just wanted to add that I did check the safari and you have to be 8yrs old so 2 of my kids are to young. And it is to pricey for our family of 6. But it sounds wonderful!!

 

[OhThePain]

We are on the dining plan but will be paying OOP for some things. I did not know there was a Safari that was available to non CL. I will definitely look into that! I am so bummed to hear about your bad experience at CA Grill. DH & girls ate their last Nov and thought it was delicious! We are going for the sushi.

Congratulations on your engagement))

Just wanted to add that I did check the safari and you have to be 8yrs old so 2 of my kids are to young. And it is to pricey for our family of 6. But it sounds wonderful!!

Thank you for the congrats. It completely took everyone by surprise (her, my family, her family). I did it right after we got in the room so that we could use the whole trip as a celebration.

Yes you do have to be 8 for the Wanyama. I didn't mention that because I figured if the 2 little ones were going to be in the kids club that maybe you would take the 2 older kids with you. But then I wouldn't know what you could do with the little ones for the short time between having to meet for the Wanyama and the time the kids club opened. While it is expensive, it is totally worth it. Hopefully it will still be available in 4 years when your youngest will be able to experience it.

Another option for a signature would be Flying Fish. It ranks up there with Citricos as far as food goes, IMO. It would give your DD6 and her brother a chance to go to the Sandcastle club while the rest of you enjoy the meal while not being far away. It also gives you a chance to walk around the Boardwalk or play a round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens, which is a short walk away, as a family. Also, FF tends to be loud and if you go for an earlier dinner you won't feel out of place if one of the little ones has a break-down, which will not only keep you with the same amount of Signatures but will also not take extra time away from the family being together.

I know, I know. So many options and not enough days.

 

[Pakey]

We were there last week and on night 3, I scheduled kids' club. Every night after that, the 6 year old begged and pleaded to return. I actually felt guilty dragging him to Biergarten, Hoop de Doo, etc because he wanted to be at kid's club.

 

[Karabee]

Please keep Citricos! It's by far the best meal we have every trip. I think in the end a little time alone, (knowing the kids are having fun), will be perfect for everyone

 

[mlg32]

Thank you for the congrats. It completely took everyone by surprise (her, my family, her family). I did it right after we got in the room so that we could use the whole trip as a celebration.

Yes you do have to be 8 for the Wanyama. I didn't mention that because I figured if the 2 little ones were going to be in the kids club that maybe you would take the 2 older kids with you. But then I wouldn't know what you could do with the little ones for the short time between having to meet for the Wanyama and the time the kids club opened. While it is expensive, it is totally worth it. Hopefully it will still be available in 4 years when your youngest will be able to experience it.

Another option for a signature would be Flying Fish. It ranks up there with Citricos as far as food goes, IMO. It would give your DD6 and her brother a chance to go to the Sandcastle club while the rest of you enjoy the meal while not being far away. It also gives you a chance to walk around the Boardwalk or play a round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens, which is a short walk away, as a family. Also, FF tends to be loud and if you go for an earlier dinner you won't feel out of place if one of the little ones has a break-down, which will not only keep you with the same amount of Signatures but will also not take extra time away from the family being together.

I know, I know. So many options and not enough days.

We must have the same taste in food) We love FF but have eaten there several trips in a row and wanted to eat at Jiko and Citricos again( it's been since 2008).


Thanks everyone, guess I won't feel
Guilty about the kids clubs and just enjoy a few relaxing meals

 

[OhThePain]

We must have the same taste in food) We love FF but have eaten there several trips in a row and wanted to eat at Jiko and Citricos again( it's been since 2008).

Great minds think alike. If you ever get a chance, try the Chef's Wine Tasting Dinner at Flying Fish. We also did that this past trip (food cost me a fortune this time around, but we were celebrating so it's ok). If you and DH ever get a chance for an adults only meal, I would highly suggest it.