If i was only going to have one ADR on my first trip where would you have it??

[canadaman]

In july my family are going to WDW for the first time. WE have a 7 year old and a 5 year old. WE wern't planing on having any ADR's. Mostly to save money. But the more we look at different places to eat the more we think that maybe we should do just one ADR.
My question is if you were to do just one where would it be??

 

[Debbie]

My DD14 requested Le Cellier. I chose Sci-Fi (for the mmmmmmilkshake).

For you with your little ones, I would think about which characters they would like to see, and do a character meal. It's been a while for our family but...

Mickey and Friends-Chef Mickey's (breakfast was good!)
Pooh and Friends-Crystal Palace
Princesses-Cinderella's Royal Table OR Princess breakfast at Norway

Oh....I miss the villain meal, myself!

 

[MinnieMommy]

My kids really enjoy an early breakfast at Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. We always try to make an early (8:05am) ADR for a day that is not and EMH day. There is just something magical about walking up Main St. and getting a photo with the castle in the background with no crowds! The buffet is good and the characters (Pooh & friends) are some of our favorites. If you can get one of the early ADRs, you can usually finish your breakfast, without rushing and be out in time for the official rope drop for Fantasyland (or whichever other land you are going to conquer).
You may prefer to choose a nice table service at one of the resorts as a first-night, mid-stay or last night meal. It really does depend on your family and their likes, dislikes etc.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I vote for which meal has characters your kids like. That way you don't have to line up to meet them you can tell your kids-we already have a date with that character.

 

[highland3]

I'd take the kids for breafast at Chef Mickeys. Great food and lots of character interaction.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I'd take the kids for breafast at Chef Mickeys. Great food and lots of character interaction.

That's my vote too! I've been to the world twice, once solo and once with a 12yo, and I've only been to one TS meal, it was at Chef Mickey's and I LOVED it! So did my nephew, it's one of his favorite memories from the trip.

 

[canadaman]

at chef mickeys if i have a party of 4 do i still have to pay 18% gratuity?

 

[Debbie]

It doesn't matter how big the group, prices do not include gratuity, so, yes, the tip needs to be paid. Have fun!!!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I think the 18% gratuity is only for people on a special dining plan and groups of 6 or more isn't it? I may be mistaken, but I think for a group of four, just doing regular table service, you choose to leave the amount you'd like for the tip.

 

[drakes]

if only one I would say Chef Mickey's - good for little ones and grown ups and enough food choices to satisfy even the picky eaters. Be sure to make full use of your napkin - that was the best part- DD didn't want to leave !

 

[nat1234]

When we went last August, we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern. The food was good and the Character interaction (Goofy, Chip and Dale and Minnie Mouse) was great. They all came around to our table several times. We also did breakfast at the Crystal Palace. The buffet breakfast was great but we found because the place was big, there wasn't as much interaction with the characters. We did get to see them all, but it was a while. I can't vote on Chef Mickey's because we didn't eat there. Your kids are little so you might want a character meal.

 

[Luhts]

I would go by what your kids favorite characters are, but I would also vote Chef Mickey's not knowing if you have boys or girls. We had such a blast there at Disneyland, I am hoping for the same wonderful experience this trip at WDW! My lo is also looking forward to taking the monorail to dinner!

 

[hematite153]

If you're trying to save money, I'd probably choose a breakfast ADR since they have the lowest overall cost. (Lots of people get caught up in the idea that it's only a couple of dollars more for lunch--but, that's still more!) If you do a late breakfast then it can count as lunch for your family for the day as well. We've done both Tusker House and Crystal Palace breakfasts and enjoyed both. We took our nieces and nephews to Chef Mickey's on their first night and it was a fabulous intro to disney--I suspect the breakfast would be just as good. (I'd advise going to the breakfast that has the best character match for your kids.)

Or, on our first visit, my DW and I ate sandwiches the whole week except for one meal out--Artist's Point. It was fabulous. So, you may wish to consider one night of a baby-sitter or kids club and a night out for the parents.

 

[Eveningsong]

Ours would be Chef Mickeys

 

[FayeW]

We don't usually do table service meals, either (only 5 table service meals total in 3 trips) but I would do either 'Ohana or Sci-Fi Dine In. 'Ohana is more expensive but my kids really enjoyed the hula dance lessons, coconut races, and limbo contest. The food is very good also. We also enjoyed Sci-Fi alot. We liked watching the old movie clips and found it a very relaxing meal because the kids sat together ahead of us and were completely engrossed in watching the clips. With so many families it was an extraordinarily quiet restaurant. We did both of those restaurants for the first time on our last trip and we will do them (and probably only those two) again this year.

 

[LLWDW]

I agree with the other posters, go with your kids preferences. We dined at 1900 Park Fair and the experience of our little princess meeting Prince Charming was priceless! and the best magic I have had at WDW

 

[Disney_Mama]

For a character meal my vote is for 1900 Park Fare. For a non character meal I would go for Coral Reef in Epcot. My kids love to watch the fish in the tank, and I have never been disappointed with the food at either.

 

[OatsZoo]

I would also do a character meal, Chef Mickey's is great for the classic characters and lots of fun. If you have a princess at home do the Norway Princess Story lunch as it is much cheaper than Cindy's Royal Table. Also the Breakfastasaurus in Animal Kingdom is good too. If you are going to pay the money for a table service meal, make it count. If they are Pooh fans go to Crystal Palace, the environment is beautiful and the food is great too.

Pick a meal that has the characters your kids love.