I just scheduled my ADRs for Sep!

[blondinkaya]

I'm getting happier and happier! I made my package ressies yesterday and was able to do the restaurant ressies today!

I got the restaurants I wanted, just not the times. Oh, well. I figured that's all right; I'm in it more for the ambiance, and I think we can be flexible as far as time goes.

How does this sound?

18 Sep: Arrive (we're driving and will get there noonish). Check into the resort (if they do early check-ins)and have a snack to make sure the cards work. Hit Animal Kingdom (yes, I know it'll be hot, but we're from SC and are used to hot, humid summer weather). Have a counter service meal at Flame Tree.

19 Sep: MGM Studios. Lunch @ 11:00 at Sci Fi. Early (it was the only time that had) dinner @ 3:30 at Mama Melrose's (as part of the Fantasmic package). We may or may not have a snack afterwards; we'll probably be full until right before bedtime.

20 Sep: Magic Kingdom. Early lunch at Columbia Harbor House and dinner at Cosmic Rays (both counter service).

21 Sep: Epcot. We'll probably have some pop tarts or something for breakfast and then a snack. The only time I could schedule Coral Reef for lunch (and their dinner schedule had an 8:30 opening--too late for my family) is 3:20. We'll have a counter service meal, probably in the Chinese area, later that day since they're open later that evening.

22 Sep (check out day): Breakfast @ 8:30 at Chef Mickey's. We'll hit Downtown Disney after that to use any snack credits we may have leftover, and then head home.

Honestly, does this sound do-able? My original intent was to do MGM the afternoon we arrive, but I have 3 problems with that. First, we'd like to do both Sci Fi and the Fantasmic package. Second, we don't have hoppers, so we have to both the same day. Third, I totally see us (dh, me, and 2 boys 12 and 4) spending more time at MGM than Animal Kingdom.

Thanks!

 

[illiniowl]

Here are a couple of suggestions.

1. Your time at AK is so short (it closes at 5) that I wouldn't waste even 30 minutes eating a CS lunch. In fact, if you can have your park tickets already in hand and won't have to check into your resort first, I wouldn't waste time doing that either. Eat an early lunch or a late breakfast on the road and go straight to AK. Of course you'll have to pay to park since you won't have your parking pass yet but IMO it's worth it for the hour-plus of extra touring time you'll get. After AK closes at 5, go to your resort and check in. Then go to a resort or DTD or Boardwalk for a TS dinner.

2. Keep your ADRs at Studios but just have ice cream or a couple appetizers to share at Sci-Fi and don't use a TS credit; pay out of pocket instead. There's no way I could eat a full lunch at 11 and a full dinner at 3:30!

Have fun!

 

[shondad]

Boy, though your schedule and ADRs may be do-able, that Sci-Fi/Mama Melrose plan sure seems kinda hard. I usually see people here on the Disboards talking about the DDP being too much food, I don't completely agree with that. However, your plan for two table service meals 4.5hrs apart seems like a 'whole' lotta eatin'. While it is certain your choice, I don't think you will enjoy your 2nd meal, because while you may not be full by dinner, you may not be hungry enough for another sit down meal that soon. JMHO.

Regardless of that, HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

 

[blondinkaya]

Okay, I spoke with dh, and he really wants to experience Sci Fi. I have reservations about having so much food that day, too. They wouldn't have a problem with us just going in for a shake? How long a wait would that be without a ressie?

Also, we decided to spend another night (the 22nd) in a non Disney hotel in order to take advantage of a longer time in the Animal Kingdom. I'm going to try to cancel Chef Mickey's and pick up the character meal in that park.

So ... Now, I'm thinking of using the cs credit that I had alloted for the Animal Kingdom in my original post for the resort's food court the day we check in. By cancelling the ts meal at Sci Fi, I'm going to have that as extra.

What can I do to fix that? Any ideas?

Thank you so much for your advice and insight!

 

[illiniowl]

Okay, I spoke with dh, and he really wants to experience Sci Fi. I have reservations about having so much food that day, too. They wouldn't have a problem with us just going in for a shake? How long a wait would that be without a ressie?

Also, we decided to spend another night (the 22nd) in a non Disney hotel in order to take advantage of a longer time in the Animal Kingdom. I'm going to try to cancel Chef Mickey's and pick up the character meal in that park.

So ... Now, I'm thinking of using the cs credit that I had alloted for the Animal Kingdom in my original post for the resort's food court the day we check in. By cancelling the ts meal at Sci Fi, I'm going to have that as extra.

What can I do to fix that? Any ideas?

Thank you so much for your advice and insight!

1. You can order as little (or, of course, as much) as you want at Sci-Fi. You are going at a slower time of the year but Sci-Fi is popular so I'd keep the ADR at 11, or see if you could move it to 6:15 or so and have a shake/sundae/etc. before it's time to go to Fantasmic.

2. If you don't want to do a TS dinner on the 18th you can do one on the 22nd - your credits don't expire until midnight.

 

[crzy4dzny07]

Also, we decided to spend another night (the 22nd) in a non Disney hotel in order to take advantage of a longer time in the Animal Kingdom. I'm going to try to cancel Chef Mickey's and pick up the character meal in that park.

We called today to see how much it would be add an extra day to our trip in September. (airfare was cheaper on SW if we left Wed instead of Thurs) It was $96 to stay one more night at POP. Of course, that means we'd also get 1 more day of meals added to our plan. If we wanted to add more ticket days go from 6 day passes to 7 day passes), it was only about $2 more a person per day. So about $100 we'd be able to add all of that.

How much would Chef Mickey's cost you? For us, a character meal itself costs about $100. Then if you add a cheap non-Disney hotel on top of that... for a minimum of $40... you might as well stay on property!

If you're not staying at a value resort originally, maybe it would be worth it to stay at one for just the one night. I think Disney even transfers your luggage for free... of course, you're driving, so that may not be an issue for you.

 

[blondinkaya]

I went to bed thinking about that, how it'd be cheaper to stay on Disney for one more night. Only question is ... If I check out on the 23rd instead of the 22nd, will I still get the extra day of the meal plan? The promotion says it goes to the 22nd. Does it include the 22nd?

 

[blondinkaya]

Okay, I just added a day and got the meal plan along with it. Now I have to rethink my dining plans. Not that I'm complaining, LOL

 

[antmaril]

I went to bed thinking about that, how it'd be cheaper to stay on Disney for one more night. Only question is ... If I check out on the 23rd instead of the 22nd, will I still get the extra day of the meal plan? The promotion says it goes to the 22nd. Does it include the 22nd?

Yes, you would still have the free dining on the 23rd. As long as you check in by September 22nd, you are eligible for free dining. You can definitely add the day, as long as the hotel is available for the evening of the 22nd. You should confirm that first.