If They Don't Have To Roll Us Home We Did Something Wrong! DxDP PreT Final ADRs 7/20

[JessicaKnits]

Welcome One, Welcome All, to my very first Pre-Dining Report! I have trolled the boards for over a year to collect and gather information for my own trip, and, now that our trip is almost hear, I have decided to start actually contributing! I will do a full and proper Pre-Trip Report, so this will be exclusively about the best part...the DINING! So, here's the Short and Skinny on the trip.

Who: Me (23) And DBF (26)

When: August 21st - 31st

Where: Pop Century Resort

Why: To celebrate our Anniversary (2 Years!)

We both will eat just about anything. I am more of an adventurous eater than Adam. My favorite food group is sushi, and I have a strong dislike for tomatoes. Adam is a true meat and potatoes guy, but he too, will try anything once.

For this trip, we will review the following (This has changed about 6,497 times, and is likely to continue to do so):

Breakfasts

The Crystal Palace
Kona Cafe
Kouzzina
The Wave
Boma
Grand Floridian Cafe
Starring Rolls Cafe
Tusker House
Akershus

Lunches
The Plaza
Tony's Town Square
50's Prime Time Cafe
Coral Reef
Yak & Yeti
Tutto Italia
Sci Fi
Yak & Yeti Counter Service
Biergarten

Dinners
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
California Grill
Mama Melrose (Fantasmic Package)
Chefs De France
Jiko
Le Cellier
Artist Point
Citrico's
San Angel Inn

 

[mamaboogie]

Ooh! What a fabbie list of ADRs!

We will also be in WDW at the same time - and eating at the same restaurants - I wonder if any overlap?

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Ooh! What a fabbie list of ADRs!

We will also be in WDW at the same time - and eating at the same restaurants - I wonder if any overlap?

Can't wait to hear more!

Ask and you shall receive, here is our full list:

Saturday, August 21st
(Downtown Disney/Boardwalk Day)
Yachtsman Steakhouse, 7:00 PM


Sunday, August 22nd
(Magic Kingdom Day)
The Crystal Palace 8:05 AM
The Plaza 12:20 PM
Wolfgang Puck 5:00 PM


Monday, August 23rd
(Magic Kingdom Day)
Kona Cafe 7:30 AM
Tony's Town Square 12:25 PM
California Grill 8:55 PM


Tuesday, August 24th
(Hollywood Studios Day)
Kouzzina 7:30 AM
50's Prime Time Cafe 11:15 AM
Mama Melrose (Fantasmic Package) 4:35 PM

Wednesday, August 25th
(Epcot Day)
The Wave 7:30 AM
Coral Reef 12:40 PM
Chefs de France 7:00 PM

Thursday, August 26th
(Animal Kingdom Day)
Tusker House 8:05 AM
Yak & Yeti 1:00 PM
Jiko 8:00 PM

Friday, August 27th
(Epcot Day)
Grand Floridian Cafe 7:00 AM
Tutto Italia 1:00 PM
Le Cellier 7:05 PM

Saturday, August 28th
(Hollywood Studios Day)
Starring Rolls Cafe
Sci-Fi Drive-In 12:10 PM
Artist Point 8:10 PM

Sunday, August 29th
(Animal Kingdom Day)
Boma 7:30 AM
Yak & Yeti Counter Service
Citrico's 7:30 PM

Monday, August 30th
(Epcot Day)
Akershus 8:00 AM
Biergarten 1:00 PM
San Angel Inn 7:15 PM

Tuesday, August 31st
(Undecided Day)
The Crystal Palace 8:00 AM

 

[JessicaKnits]

Now that we have a nice solid base of ADR's to work with, it is of course time to change it all, Right?

Well, not ALL of it, but there are a couple of major things we (Ok...I) am/are looking to re-vamp.

So Here's a Look At Whats on The Horizon, in order of importance:

#1
Wishes Dessert Party. Yes PLEASE! Currently this little slice of heaven is only available for booking through August 14th...here's to hoping this is extended for our trip. As we have it now, this would work best on Monday, August 22nd, but we can make it work ANY night, so long as we can do it!

#2
Wolfgang Puck Cafe on Sunday, August 21st for around 7:00PM. There is a 5:00 PM available currently, but with our flight not getting into MCO until 2:40 PM + Taking ME + My general inexperience with how long these take having never been to the World...I'm just apprehensive to book that. Right now we are booked there for Monday the 22nd, and quite honestly I'm not sure if I had a margarita that night (or was it maybe a Mimosa that morning?) but something went terribly wrong in my brain when I made that ADR. Instead of booking an ADR there for the night we already planned to be in downtown disney, I thought it was better to book it so that we have to leave the Magic Kingdom, transfer at the TTC, eat at Wolfgang's and then repeat the transportation nightmare. Chalk it up to a mistake, a lapse in judgement, I'm not really sure. It has happened, we will make it work regardless and I will totally get over it if I don't get the time I want. But...just with myself over that one.

#3 Move California Grill from the 23rd to the 22nd. Again with myself. We are going to be all the way over at the CG on the 23rd, or, as I now know it, the only night they are running the Main Street Electrical Parade when we are scheduled to be in the MK. This too will not be the end of the world, as I have seen the MSEP many times at DL in CA, however, DBF has never seen it, and I think he would really enjoy it.

#4 We will more than likely either be trading out Citrico's or Yachtsman Steakhouse in favor of Artist Point, depending on if we can move the CG or WPC reservations first. Adam is a big game hunter, and I'm pretty shocked that I overlooked this restaurant with the first go around of ADRs. He can probably rest assured that he will get to indulge in some venison potstickers while on holiday, its just a matter of choosing which one of these two to dump. There are some transportation logistics to figure out as well, as we are now staying at the Pop (More on that in the Pre-Trip Report). If anyone has any experience, let me know!

#5 (Completed) Get an 8:05 AM ADR for Tusker House on either of our Animal Kingdom days. Despite booking at 180+10 and trying to book on the 8th of those ten days, I couldn't snag that 8:05, but I did come away with an 8:25AM. Not the end of the world, but I am a die-hard "be ready at rope drop type" and I just did not see this happening with an 8:25 ADR. After countless searches, I was finally able to secure and 8:05 AM ADR last week, we did have to switch the day, but since we had Boma on our other AK day, it was an easy switch.

Up Next: How We Got To Where We Are Today...and all the bumps along the road!

 

[MylilTink]

You've got a nice list!

I've got a few of the same ADR's for my trip so I am eager to read your reviews!

 

[JessicaKnits]

You've got a nice list!

I've got a few of the same ADR's for my trip so I am eager to read your reviews!

Glad to help out, I know I picked most of our restaurants from the reviews of others, so glad that I can help give back.



We finally locked in our dates and paid our deposit at about the 200 day mark. At that time we had just BARELY started planning anything at all, and I was feeling very rushed and overwhelmed. (For a full re-cap of those anxieties, visit my Pre-Trip Report here.) 20 days did not seem like a whole lot of time to decide on reservations. Having been many times to Disneyland, where you made your reservations at 90-days out and had no trouble securing virtually any ADR you wanted, the whole 180 days thing REALLY took me by surprise.

But, like a good little Dis'er, I read reviews, reviewed the food porn advertisement...er thread, and menus from allears.net, and started making schedules in excel. I am a huge fan of breakfast foods. Adam and I both really enjoy the whole dining experience and knew we would be partaking in a few signatures, so there was no question that we were going with the deluxe dining plan. Plain and simple, food is a HUGE part of any trip we take and this trip is no exception. I will not deny that I often review online menus and the food porn thread, and dream about the day when I get to sit in one of those elusive chairs, and get to dine on my own Tonga Toast, Mushroom filet, or lobster bisque, which by the way, is only two months away today!

Up Next: Day One In Detail

 

[vinotinto]

Great line-up! Good luck with your list.

PS, I don't see Wolfgang Puck mntioned frequently, but I'm now considering it for lunch, based om a recent trip report by catne.

 

[mamaboogie]

I think the nearest we get is you going to California Grill on Monday - and we're there on Tuesday!

Great list!

 

[Galaxia516]

I love your ADRs, they look perfect! You two also sound remarkably like my husband and me. We're also early/mid 20's and going to be there at the end of August to celebrate our 2-year anniversary (and I've also been scouring the Dis boards for a while to make our DXDP ressies)! I think we might even see you if you still have the Thursday (8/26) Jiko reservation; we have one for the same night at 8:45 .

 

[scanne]

Looks awesome. Can't wait to read your reviews!

 

[lblume91]

You are going to a few of the places on our "never been there but maybe the next trip" list. Can't wait to read your reviews!

 

[msnwithers]

I'm in! I love the title of your thread!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Great line-up! Good luck with your list.

PS, I don't see Wolfgang Puck mntioned frequently, but I'm now considering it for lunch, based om a recent trip report by catne.

I don't see it very much either, and it was NOT on our first list, but the sushi on the menu was calling out to me, and when I saw that they have a smoked salmon pizza, I was sold!

I think the nearest we get is you going to California Grill on Monday - and we're there on Tuesday!

Great list!

Better luck next time for us right? Still hoping to get this moved to Sunday, but just checked and no luck still!

I love your ADRs, they look perfect! You two also sound remarkably like my husband and me. We're also early/mid 20's and going to be there at the end of August to celebrate our 2-year anniversary (and I've also been scouring the Dis boards for a while to make our DXDP ressies)! I think we might even see you if you still have the Thursday (8/26) Jiko reservation; we have one for the same night at 8:45 .

Jiko is DEFINITELY going to remain on our list. I want me some filet with mac & cheese! It's possible we may switch this out if a Cali Grill spot opens up on this night, but more than likely this will stay the same!

Looks awesome. Can't wait to read your reviews!

Thank you...I just caught myself nearly drooling over the fact that we are a mere 1 Month and 29 days away from all of the deliciousness!

You are going to a few of the places on our "never been there but maybe the next trip" list. Can't wait to read your reviews!

Glad to help! Please let me know if there is anything you want us to check out while we are there.

I'm in! I love the title of your thread!

Southwest better widen the jetway for us to roll down on the plane ride home! I will be leaving the skinny jeans at home, for sure.


A Big and Thank You to all those who have joined in!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Happy Tuesday all! Just finished for the day, so lets get down to business and discuss Day One!

We are flying out of Milwaukee, which is about 2 hours from home. This will be our first time flying Southwest out of Milwaukee, and I could not be more thrilled! I am a HUGE advocate of Southwest, I think they are wonderful! Before, if we wanted to take advantage of Southwest we had to head all the way down to Chicago's Midway which adds about 2 hours drive time, plus then we have to mess with car parking and shuttles...it was a mess! So, point of story, to the Southwest Gods! Thanks for bringing the party a little closer to home! Shameless butt-kissing time is now over!

Adam's sister lives just outside of Milwaukee, and has been kind enough to let us bunk with her the night before our flight and let then take us to the airport when we leave in the morning.

We booked the first non-stop flight into Orlando from Milwaukee that day, which puts us in to MCO at about 2:40 in the afternoon. We are going to be taking the Magical Express to the Pop, and I think we also probably take the time to claim our bags at the airport. Its a complex that I have, but I really HAVE to see my bags on and off the plane. I don't want to be that person that loses their luggage and then doesn't know about if for hours. So, long ramble short, my goal is for us to be all checked in at the hotel by 4:45 PM. Whether or not this is reasonable, I am not sure.

Assuming everything goes according to schedule, we (Er....I) plan on heading to Downtown Disney for a bit of light shopping before heading of to dinner. If things end up going really well and we get settled earlier, we might try and squeeze in a light snack at the famed Earl of Sandwich before our late ADR.

Our only ADR that day is at the Yachtsman! I booked this dinner because I thought it would get Adam started on the right foot. As mentioned, he is a meat and potatoes guy, and seeing how the menu consists of...well...meat and potatoes...how could we go wrong? I'm really looking forward to the chilled seafood salad, beef tartare and braised beef ravioli...Mmmmmmm num! The desserts don't appeal all that much to me here...but, who knows what August will bring.

After dinner, provided we aren't too tired, we will be headed over to the Boardwalk, we might try and check out Jellyrolls, if it is too busy...More shopping! We have a verrrrrrrryyyyyy long second day, so this will definitely not be an all nighter for us.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Well, after much consideration, we have decided that the Signature that we will be cutting in order to make room for Artist Point is..............(Drum Roll Please..........) Hollywood Brown Derby. In the end their menu just appealed the least to me. I was really looking forward to the Signature Cobb Salad, but Artist Point has so many things to offer. More on that when we get to Day 8. Still no luck on switching our CG reservation, or our Wolfgang's rezzie, so here is what Day 2 looks like, as of right now.

Day 2 is our first official park day, so we're headed to the Magic Kingdom! Breakfast today will be at The Crystal Palace at 8:05AM (with park opening at 9). Let's face it, we chose this place because we wanted into the MK before anybody else. We want that hard to come by castle picture with just the two of us, and no one else! So, it better be sunny with blue skies that morning! Just in case though, we have a back-up rezzie for this on our farewell morning.

All kidding aside, Crystal palace did have some interesting breakfast choices as well. I am a savory breakfast person, who occasionally likes sweets. Adam is a sweet breakfast person. Here they have breakfast pizza, breakfast lasagna, and Pooh' puffed french toast. Everyone is happy. After we waddle out of the CP, we actually have some touring to do before lunch!

Lunch is at The Plaza. For lunch at work, I am usually a sandwich and salad kind of girl, so this appealed to me. We needed a place that offered some, ahem, lighter fair, as we have an early dinner ADR at Wolfgang Pucks. Our hopes are that they will be extending the Wishes Dessert Party, and this is our number one night that we would like to fit that in. So, again, we needed a lighter lunch...to save room for desserts. We won't be using any of our DP credits on this one, as honestly, even though its a TS...it really would be a waste of 2 credits as they really don't have any appetizers and I don't need a banana split at 1 in the afternoon.

And onto dinner...mmmmm dinner! We will take a break from MK when our touring plan for that day ends, and then will head back to DTD. I have heard that Wolfgang's can get uncontrollably busy at night, and we really won't have time to waste if we need to catch that dessert party! I mentioned it a time or two before, but I LOVE sushi! If it wouldn't kill me (literally) and break my bank account (figuratively) I would eat it three meals a day, every day. Adam is not a fan, although he has learned to enjoy some less adventurous maki rolls from a place nearby our home. Needless to say, I plan on partaking in the sushi that Wolfgang's has to offer. Probably as an appy and an entree.... If that can't be done, The smoked salmon pizza sounds divine, as do many other choices here. I am REALLY looking forward to this ADR.

Hopefully we will be adding something in about the dessert party...only time will tell!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Have I mentioned that there won't be any sleeping in for this vacation? We get an extra hour because of the time change, and we are both used to getting up super early at home anyway. Plus, I Love love Looooooooooove breakfast foods, so we have a nice breakfast scheduled just about every morning.

This morning takes us to the magical Polynesian resort for a Kona cafe breakfast. I positively LOVE Hawaiian food. And while Tonga toast doesn't exactly scream "Authentic Polynesian Fare" to me, I'd be willing to bet it will be pretty delicious. They also have an interesting twist on Eggs Benedict here, that we may also try. Then its off to the Magic Kingdom for a fun filled morning.

Lunch today should be interesting. After MUCH apprehension, I did decide to book a meal at Tony's Town Square. The reviews were pretty divided. Most loved it or hated it. Adam does enjoy Italian food, and whats not to love about a restaurant inspired by Lady and the Tramp?

We'll have to snack lightly this afternoon, as dinner tonight will be nothing short of spectacular. I will explain, that I initially wanted to try Cali Grill so that I could compare it to Napa Rose at Disneyland. I was fortunate enough to dine their with a girlfriend of mine on our last visit to the area, and it was nothing short of all that AND a bag of chips. So, I have very high expectations, since both restaurants draw inspiration from the same region. After some research, I of course learned that there were the fireworks, and of course, the impressive views. This is definitely one of our most anticipated ADR's. Did I mention, there's sushi here too?!

 

[MylilTink]

Oohh!! I just reserved Kona Cafe for our trip since we're going a day early and will need breakfast before we visit Epcot.

I've been reviewing the menus and saving them to present to my Mom so she'll understand why I'm telling her all about these fun and exciting restaurants.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Oohh!! I just reserved Kona Cafe for our trip since we're going a day early and will need breakfast before we visit Epcot.

I've been reviewing the menus and saving them to present to my Mom so she'll understand why I'm telling her all about these fun and exciting restaurants.

Mmmm! Kona sounds awfully good right now. I'll have to hurry up and write my reviews when I get back so that you have a chance to read before you go.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy Fourth of July! We just got back from our "Camping Adventure" (Which, for the record, is no where near as exciting as a Disney Adventure!). This was my first ever camping trip. I survived, and some how, Adam now has the impression that I like camping. We will have to have a discussion that just because I did not cry, or attempt to escape, does not = love for camping.

Anywho...on to day Four!

We are going to Kouzzina for breakfast today. I picked it because it has some really unique sounding twists on some traditional favorites. Can't wait!

Lunch today is at 50's prime time, and to be honest, we may end up cancelling this and going for something lighter for lunch. The menu only sounds so/so to me. Our Mama Melrose package is so early, I think we will just be too stuffed. ToT is my all time fave Disney ride, and I would like to be able to...ahem...keep everything with me on it. . If we do decide to cancel, we will probably replace it with either Studio Catering or Starring Rolls.

As I just mentioned, we are doing the Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package. REALLY looking forward to this meal. Alright, I admit, I am REALLY looking forward to Sangria and Bellini's. Yummy! But the food sounds really good as well. Thank you food porn thread, you sold me on this one!

 

[JessicaKnits]

So......as you may have guessed from the title of this post...I have done some re-arranging equivalent to leveling the whole place and building back up from scratch. Ok, not really but things do look pretty different. It was the only way we could accomodate getting Spectromagic in without having to add Hoppers onto our park tickets. So, here is what things look like now. (Changes are in Red)

August 21st
(Arrival and Downtown Disney Day)

Dinner: Wolfgang Puck Cafe (Reservations at 4:30 PM and 10:00PM)

August 22nd
(Magic Kingdom Day)

Breakfast: The Crystal Palace (8:05 AM)
Lunch: The Plaza (12:20 PM)
Dinner: Yachtsman Steakhouse (5:05 PM)

August 23rd
(Magic Kingdom Day)

Breakfast: Kona Cafe (7:30 AM)
Lunch: Tony's Town Square (12:25 PM)
Dinner: Narcoossee's (5:30 PM)

August 24th
(Hollywood Studios Day)

Breakfast: Kouzzina (7:30 AM)
Lunch: CS at Hollywood Studios
Dinner: Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package (4:35 PM)

August 25th
(Epcot Day)

Breakfast: The Wave (7:30 AM)
Lunch: Coral Reef (12:40 PM)
Dinner: Chefs de France (7:00 PM)

August 26th
(Animal Kingdom Day)

Breakfast: Tusker House (8:05 AM)
Lunch: Yak and Yeti (1:00 PM)
Dinner: California Grill (9:00 PM)

August 27th
(Epcot Day)

Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe (7:00 AM)
Lunch: Tutto Italia (1:00 PM)
Dinner: Le Cellier (7:05 PM)

August 28th
(Hollywood Studios Day)

Breakfast: Starring Rolls Cafe
Lunch: Sci-Fi Diner (12:10 PM)
Dinner: Artist Point (8:10 PM)

August 29th
(Animal Kingdom Day)

Breakfast: Boma (7:30 AM)
Lunch: CS at Animal Kingdom
Dinner: Jiko (8:35 PM)

August 30th
(Epcot Day)

Breakfast: Akershus (8:05 AM)
Lunch: Biergarten (1:00 PM)
Dinner: San Angel Inn (7:15 PM)

August 31st
(Misc. Day)

Breakfast: Crystal Palace (8:05 AM)