I sure could use some help with ADR ideas... (got a li'l long)

[AllAboutPluto]

My brain is officially on DDP overload! I woke up this morning, realizing I was dreaming about ADRs!!

Here is the current list... arriving on Sat 9/23 in the afternoon for 7 nights... the two with * are my sticking points.

Sat - CS either at POP or Epcot.
Sun - Lunch, DH and DS at Teppenyaki and DD and I at Akershus (1TS)
Mon - *Planning for a late lunch, early dinner at Cap'n Jacks (1TS)
Tue - MamaMelrose/Fantasmic - dinner (1TS)
Wed - 'Ohana - dinner (1TS)
Thurs - HoopDeeDoo - 7:15 (2TS)
Fri - *LTT @ 4:15 and MNSSHP (1TS)

Monday, the plan is to hit AK for EMH, get out of there somewhat early, hang at the resort to rest up and then head to DTD to check things out. Not planning on Pleasure Island or anything like that. We all like seafood and a nice atmosphere, so Cap'n Jacks seemed appealing. But the more I'm hearing about it, it sounds like not a lot of people enjoy it as much as they expect to. I'd also like to work in a breakfast at Kona Cafe (the lure of Tonga Toast...), would you recommend...

1 - Drop Cap'n Jacks and eat CS at Earl of Sandwich, saving the TS credits for breakfast at Kona?
2 - Drop Cap'n Jacks because if we're going to be at DTD, we've got to try *Insert your favorite DTD restaurant here*?
3 - Keep Cap'n Jacks because it's just plain too good to miss?

Next -
Friday we have the ADR at LTT, but frankly, I'm getting a little afraid of the food! I read how the food is just overrated TV dinner, and I'm not sure how much appeal Thanksgiving dinner holds for me when it's 90 degrees outside. That there is cold-weather food! But we want to stay in MK to eat because DD and I have tix for MNSSHP and I've heard it's a bear to get back in if you leave. Plus, *I* am *AllAboutPluto* and this is *MY* character meal with *HIM*!!! Crystal Palace is out because DS would have a cow about eating with Pooh & friends. Tony's seems repetitive after having Mama Melrose on Tues. After thinking all that through, do you think we should...

1 - Stick it out at LTT? The food isn't the end of the world and Pluto is more important.
2 - Switch something else to, or add Garden Grill (maybe for lunch that day) and hang with Pluto there and just find some CS at MK that night? After all, it's the MNSSHP and CS is less hassle.
3 - Try out *insert your favorite MK place here* instead and here's why...?

One last thing to mention about friday: We leave the next morning at the fanny-crack of down, so whatever we do Friday will be our "last supper" LOL

Any and all ideas you have for me/us would be FABULOUS!! Thanks so much!!!

 

[Mickey1122]

The Earl of Sandwich and Kona idea is good, as is the one about changing LTT to a CS. The Columbia Harbour House is excellent. Another good restaurant to consider is Beaches and Cream. We have eaten there at least twenty times and hae never had a bad meal.

 

[katydid08]

Last yr I tried to get LTT and none were available. We did Tony's and loved it. The food was good and cast members were in costume. They all looked dead. I hear the food is better than MM. You didn't mention Whispering Canyon Cafe. WE tried it for the first time 2 weeks ago. Best meal I had all week and the kids had fun. Boma was good also.

 

[dylansmom1]

I second getting rid of Capt Jacks. That place is just awful. Kona for breakfast is a better use of your credits.

 

[AllAboutPluto]

The Earl of Sandwich and Kona idea is good, as is the one about changing LTT to a CS. The Columbia Harbour House is excellent. Another good restaurant to consider is Beaches and Cream. We have eaten there at least twenty times and hae never had a bad meal.

I'm seriously considering the Earl and Kona instead of Cap'n Jacks.

I'll keep Columbia Harbor House in mind if we do the CS instead of LTT. Where is Beaches and Cream?

We did Tony's and loved it. The food was good and cast members were in costume. They all looked dead. I hear the food is better than MM. You didn't mention Whispering Canyon Cafe. WE tried it for the first time 2 weeks ago. Best meal I had all week and the kids had fun. Boma was good also.

Do you think Tony's is too much Italian if we've just had Mama Melrose 3 nights before? And Mama Melrose was the only Fantasmic package restaurant we could agree on, so I don't think I'll be changing it.

And I would love to try both WCC and Boma, but I just don't see where we can fit those into the trip this time. Plus, my DH isn't much of a "relax while you go out to eat" kind of guy... He'd come out of WCC in desperate need of some Valium and Nitro pills! LOL

And Dylansmom1, thanks... that type of response to Cap'n Jacks is better heard BEFORE eating there! LOL

So, my leanings are for Downtown Disney to just have counter service at Earl of Sandwich and figure out which day is best for Kona breakfast.

And my leanings toward Friday is lunch at The Garden Grill with Pluto (and Chip & Dale... I guess.... if I have to....*sigh*) and then CS for dinner (we can split up more easily this way too, because DH & DS are going to head over to Epcot for evening EMH).

Sound like a plan???

 

[mom2alix]

You really don't want to miss out on Earl of Sandwich and getting to add Kona as well is even better! Earl of Sandwich has the MOST fabulous cobb salad I've ever had and is on our MUST DO list from here on out.

Beaches and Cream is at the Beach Club (a nice walk from Epcot). It is really good, although the desserts are the real draw here. The burgers are good, but the problem with them is that they take up too much room in your stomach that could better be used for ice cream!

Garden Grill was really good food and we had GREAT character interaction. Chip and Dale were having to help Pluto look for where he buried his bone and it was really cute.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[AllAboutPluto]

Bump... still looking for opinions! =)

 

[HayGan]

Well, I know that they don't guarantee any specific characters at breakfasts, but Pluto was at our 'Ohana breakfast

My mom and I are trying out Chefs de France in Septmeber. I have heard only wonderful things about it! Coral Reef might also be a consideration for you for an Epcot TS restaurant.

Personally, the food at LTT doesn't appeal to me at all. I could make that stuff at home!

 

[frndofpooh]

You can't miss the Earl - it is so tasty!!!! I dream about Scudetto sandwiches in my sleep. We ate at LTT and liked it. It was cool seeing what costumes the characters were dressed in. I thought it was a nice meal and I am not a Thanksgiving food kind of person. I think I would go with LTT also because you will get into the park early and be done eating right at the beginning of MNSSHP, giving you all lots of time to enjoy the party without having to search out a CS. Enjoy Pluto!

 

[madison66]

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[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

I am definitely voting for Garden Grill.

I don't know about Capn Jacks, but how about Coral Reef- I have not eaten there yet but I hear the food AND atmosphere are great.