I know it's early, but...

[PlutoTheDog89]

Seeing my family this weekend and I'm sure the topic will come up (it always does). This is our last Disney Christmas trip for a little while. We always say that, but it truly is. We're not interested in Star Wars or the crowds it will bring in 2019, and we would like to go to Italy for my parents' 40th year anniversary next year, so we're skipping until Disney's 50th.

My sister and I are 34 and 29, respectively. My parents in their 60s. We've been to Disney more times than I can count and love it during Christmastime.

We certainly have our favorite restaurants, but we'd like to try some new things, such as Disney Springs restaurants + make it as seamless as possible.

We're staying at Beach Club and on the DDP. Here's what I'm thinking, but I'm open to suggestions...

Restaurants we're considering (a mix of old and new favorites) : Either Cali Grill or Artist Point for Christmas; Yachtsman for New Year's Eve, return to Homecomin', Ohana, Be Our Guest Dinner

Never been, interested in trying: Boathouse, Morimoto, Paddlefish, Sci-Fi Dine-In

Been there, done that (skipping this time): Narcoossee's, Teppan Edo, Boma (I love it, my family does not), Kona, 50's Prime Time,

Good, but not for us: Via Napoli, Tutto Italia, Biergarten,

Won't go back: Yak and Yeti, Tony's

Quick Services: Polite Pig, Satuli Canteen, Japan in Epcot, Mexico in Epcot

Notes:
- Doing DHS one night for the show(s). It's making it difficult, seeing as JBJBAM has started at 6:30 the past two years. Not much to eat at DHS, and going to Disney Springs for a QS will spread us too thin.
- I'm all-in for breakfast, but I think it'd be best to use snacks on breakfast (waffles at Sleepy Hollow), grab a danish or pastry, etc.
- The restaurants we've chosen are not set in stone. Throwing around the idea of Disney Springs for Christmas or Christmas Eve
- 12/30 is tough. MK does its late-night EMH. We've found the best plan is to arrive at 10pm and stay until 2 or 3am. I'm THINKING it may be best to do Disney Springs for dinner this night, go back and relax at the resort, then go to MK at night. We could do BOG this night and book it for like 8pm, but then I feel like we'll just be wandering around until the midnight fireworks (they run the same show on 12/30)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Seeing my family this weekend and I'm sure the topic will come up (it always does). This is our last Disney Christmas trip for a little while. We always say that, but it truly is. We're not interested in Star Wars or the crowds it will bring in 2019, and we would like to go to Italy for my parents' 40th year anniversary next year, so we're skipping until Disney's 50th.

My sister and I are 34 and 29, respectively. My parents in their 60s. We've been to Disney more times than I can count and love it during Christmastime.

We certainly have our favorite restaurants, but we'd like to try some new things, such as Disney Springs restaurants + make it as seamless as possible.

We're staying at Beach Club and on the DDP. Here's what I'm thinking, but I'm open to suggestions...

Restaurants we're considering (a mix of old and new favorites) : Either Cali Grill or Artist Point for Christmas; Yachtsman for New Year's Eve, return to Homecomin', Ohana, Be Our Guest Dinner

Never been, interested in trying: Boathouse, Morimoto, Paddlefish, Sci-Fi Dine-In

Been there, done that (skipping this time): Narcoossee's, Teppan Edo, Boma (I love it, my family does not), Kona, 50's Prime Time,

Good, but not for us: Via Napoli, Tutto Italia, Biergarten,

Won't go back: Yak and Yeti, Tony's

Quick Services: Polite Pig, Satuli Canteen, Japan in Epcot, Mexico in Epcot

Notes:
- Doing DHS one night for the show(s). It's making it difficult, seeing as JBJBAM has started at 6:30 the past two years. Not much to eat at DHS, and going to Disney Springs for a QS will spread us too thin.
- I'm all-in for breakfast, but I think it'd be best to use snacks on breakfast (waffles at Sleepy Hollow), grab a danish or pastry, etc.
- The restaurants we've chosen are not set in stone. Throwing around the idea of Disney Springs for Christmas or Christmas Eve
- 12/30 is tough. MK does its late-night EMH. We've found the best plan is to arrive at 10pm and stay until 2 or 3am. I'm THINKING it may be best to do Disney Springs for dinner this night, go back and relax at the resort, then go to MK at night. We could do BOG this night and book it for like 8pm, but then I feel like we'll just be wandering around until the midnight fireworks (they run the same show on 12/30)

I'll start by saying, I would not go to DS on Christmas Eve or Christmas. It will be a madhouse and driving there (even using Disney buses) will not be fun. I think your Christmas Eve and Christmas choices are excellent. Cali Grill is beautiful, Artist Point is my favorite and WL is drop-dead gorgeous at Christmas. Yachtsman is solid.

BOG dinner - you may want to wait on the the reviews of the new menu when it starts this summer. We love Boathouse and Morimoto.

We went to HBD the week before Christmas last year. We had an earlier reservation so we were able to see JBJBAM, the Movie show (can't remember what it's called!) and Star Wars Galactic fireworks - it was fun!

I would do dinner in MK on 12/30. You've been at Christmas, so you know how your family operates best, but the traffic that week drives me bonkers. If you do a 8/8:30 pm dinner, you should be out around 10 pm which puts you in the park exactly when you wanted to be there. Sounds more relaxing to me!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I'll start by saying, I would not go to DS on Christmas Eve or Christmas. It will be a madhouse and driving there (even using Disney buses) will not be fun. I think your Christmas Eve and Christmas choices are excellent. Cali Grill is beautiful, Artist Point is my favorite and WL is drop-dead gorgeous at Christmas. Yachtsman is solid.

BOG dinner - you may want to wait on the the reviews of the new menu when it starts this summer. We love Boathouse and Morimoto.

We went to HBD the week before Christmas last year. We had an earlier reservation so we were able to see JBJBAM, the Movie show (can't remember what it's called!) and Star Wars Galactic fireworks - it was fun!

I would do dinner in MK on 12/30. You've been at Christmas, so you know how your family operates best, but the traffic that week drives me bonkers. If you do a 8/8:30 pm dinner, you should be out around 10 pm which puts you in the park exactly when you wanted to be there. Sounds more relaxing to me!

Yes, BOG was my original go-to on 12/30. We have had many years on 12/30 that we'd go to MK early. There's a lot of standing around on 12/30 because it's so crowded. By 12am we're shot, so we'd like to go later in the day. Good point. Maybe it'd even be better to do dinner in the MK area—go without bags and all and do Capt. Cooks or Contempo Cafe (or Pecos Bill's) then hop back over to MK.

Good point on Disney Springs. Maybe we could even do that on 12/30?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Seeing my family this weekend and I'm sure the topic will come up (it always does). This is our last Disney Christmas trip for a little while. We always say that, but it truly is. We're not interested in Star Wars or the crowds it will bring in 2019, and we would like to go to Italy for my parents' 40th year anniversary next year, so we're skipping until Disney's 50th.

My sister and I are 34 and 29, respectively. My parents in their 60s. We've been to Disney more times than I can count and love it during Christmastime.

We certainly have our favorite restaurants, but we'd like to try some new things, such as Disney Springs restaurants + make it as seamless as possible.

We're staying at Beach Club and on the DDP. Here's what I'm thinking, but I'm open to suggestions...

Restaurants we're considering (a mix of old and new favorites) : Either Cali Grill or Artist Point for Christmas; Yachtsman for New Year's Eve, return to Homecomin', Ohana, Be Our Guest Dinner

Never been, interested in trying: Boathouse, Morimoto, Paddlefish, Sci-Fi Dine-In

Been there, done that (skipping this time): Narcoossee's, Teppan Edo, Boma (I love it, my family does not), Kona, 50's Prime Time,

Good, but not for us: Via Napoli, Tutto Italia, Biergarten,

Won't go back: Yak and Yeti, Tony's

Quick Services: Polite Pig, Satuli Canteen, Japan in Epcot, Mexico in Epcot

Notes:
- Doing DHS one night for the show(s). It's making it difficult, seeing as JBJBAM has started at 6:30 the past two years. Not much to eat at DHS, and going to Disney Springs for a QS will spread us too thin.
- I'm all-in for breakfast, but I think it'd be best to use snacks on breakfast (waffles at Sleepy Hollow), grab a danish or pastry, etc.
- The restaurants we've chosen are not set in stone. Throwing around the idea of Disney Springs for Christmas or Christmas Eve
- 12/30 is tough. MK does its late-night EMH. We've found the best plan is to arrive at 10pm and stay until 2 or 3am. I'm THINKING it may be best to do Disney Springs for dinner this night, go back and relax at the resort, then go to MK at night. We could do BOG this night and book it for like 8pm, but then I feel like we'll just be wandering around until the midnight fireworks (they run the same show on 12/30)

We ate on the Boardwalk a few times during Christmas week (FF) and found it much less crowded than DS or the parks. We ate at our resort for the Eve and BD for the Day. BD was probably overbooked and the service (but not food) suffered as a result. Had grand plans for a NYE meal at M. Paul's but it fell through so we ordered room service and watched the fireworks from the room. I think Yachtsman will make a fine NYE celebration. Cali and Artist Point also sound like quieter places to celebrate CE and CD; well CG might not be quiet but it certainly offers a dreamy outlook.

I'm sure whatever you choose will be meals and memories you and yours will recall until the Disney 50th.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Okay UPDATE

Spoke to my family this past weekend and we narrowed down our choices a bit:

- We were intrigued by the new Italian spot opening up at Disney Springs
- If BOG is pre-fixe and 2 TS credits, it's out.
- We voted off 'Ohana. We've enjoyed every meal there, but we've been there the past 3 or 4 years and need a new spot.

Christmas Eve: Cape May Cafe - my dad had some concerns - they have non-seafood options, right?? It just seems easier, we get seafood on Xmas Eve, and it's in our hotel.
Christmas: Either Cali Grill or Artist Point
NYE: Yachtsman
- Also definitely doing Homecomin' again

We also discussed:
Sci-Fi: Is it worth it? Seems like it's on par with 50's Prime Time price-wise. Anything stand out? I feel like it's a must for Disney fans (we've never been)
Breakfast: I'm trying to sell the fam on Boma breakfast. Not sure of the logistics, though. We wanna do AK for one day, and schedule it later in the day. Maybe we flip it and do it early? Is there a difference between Boma and Tusker House breakfast, outside of the characters?

Off the Table: Be Our Guest, CRT, Biergarten, Chefs de France, Spice Road, Teppan Edo, The Italy Restaurants, 50's Prime Time, Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine, Yak and Yeti, Chef Mickey's, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, 'Ohana, Kona, Whispering Canyon

Okay, I know there's not a TON left after that, but can you all make some recommendations? We're on the DDP and looking to try new places.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Okay UPDATE

Spoke to my family this past weekend and we narrowed down our choices a bit:

- We were intrigued by the new Italian spot opening up at Disney Springs
- If BOG is pre-fixe and 2 TS credits, it's out.
- We voted off 'Ohana. We've enjoyed every meal there, but we've been there the past 3 or 4 years and need a new spot.

Christmas Eve: Cape May Cafe - my dad had some concerns - they have non-seafood options, right?? It just seems easier, we get seafood on Xmas Eve, and it's in our hotel.
Christmas: Either Cali Grill or Artist Point
NYE: Yachtsman
- Also definitely doing Homecomin' again

We also discussed:
Sci-Fi: Is it worth it? Seems like it's on par with 50's Prime Time price-wise. Anything stand out? I feel like it's a must for Disney fans (we've never been)
Breakfast: I'm trying to sell the fam on Boma breakfast. Not sure of the logistics, though. We wanna do AK for one day, and schedule it later in the day. Maybe we flip it and do it early? Is there a difference between Boma and Tusker House breakfast, outside of the characters?

Off the Table: Be Our Guest, CRT, Biergarten, Chefs de France, Spice Road, Teppan Edo, The Italy Restaurants, 50's Prime Time, Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine, Yak and Yeti, Chef Mickey's, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, 'Ohana, Kona, Whispering Canyon

Okay, I know there's not a TON left after that, but can you all make some recommendations? We're on the DDP and looking to try new places.

If I recall, there is a carving station at Cape May dinner, but it really is seafood focused. Have you looked at the menu at Ale & Compass at YC? They may have more variety if you don't have seafood-lovers in your group. We had breakfast there last month and it was excellent.

Both Cali Grill and Artist Point are great. I prefer the food at Artist Point (and the Christmas decor at WL is off the charts) but the view from Cali is amazing. Both great choices!

I've never been to Yachtsman, so I can't comment, but if you are staying at BC, it's a great choice, IMHO.

If you've never done Sci-Fi, you have to do it. The food is quite mediocre, but the theming is amazing!

Boma is very good and accessible from AK, it's just kind of a pain to go back and forth. Maybe consider uber/lyft/Minnie Van from BC to AK to have breakfast and then go to AK afterward? I like TH, too (favorite character meal), so if it's too difficult to get that Boma meal in, I would just eat at TH.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If your father isn't a seafood fan, he will hate dining at Cape May for dinner. It has a very strong fishy smell even just walking past it. Breakfast, yes. Dinner, no.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Sci Fi is one of, if not the best, themed restaurants on property. I'd say it's a must do at least once!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Another nearby restaurant for you to ponder is Flying Fish for Christmas Eve. Sea offerings are traditional for us to eat on Christmas Eve too and we certainly considered FF but ultimately opted for a resort restaurant (we were staying @ the Polynesian) to avoid the crowds. Yes, they specialise in sea food but have some nice roasted beef as well. The man was very happy having either filet mignon or a steak the 2nd time we went there that trip while the rest of us continued eating fish.

 

[PPFlight75]

Christmas at Disney sounds so exciting! I hope your family has a great time!

Could you do a late BF at Boma and then go to AK?