If you could only do one "extra" event/meal . . .

[wrighter]

We're a month away from our 180 day mark, and I'm looking for some opinions. We have two children, DS will be 4.5 and DD will be 2+ when we head down in February. We will not be on the DDP (staying in a villa so we'll cook much of our food) and therefor don't have to worry too much about making lots of ADR's - perfectly happy with CS lunches.

We want to do one "big thing," like a character meal or PPP if they have it - something along these lines. I'm just not sure which one to choose. As of today, my thoughts are:

PPP (just for DS - he's totally into pirates right now!)
Cinderella's breakfast (or do they also do lunch? Both kids love her.)
Luau at Poly
One of the Fort Wilderness events, like the bbq or hoopdeedoo review

Has anyone been to ALL of these? Which did you like best? Least? Any input at all would be appreciated. Just want to know that we'll have that one "extra" thing to look forward to. Cost isn't an issue. I'm leaning towards CRT, because DD LOVES her, and I figure it might be the last year my DS would go willingly. But then again, DS would go NUTS for PPP if it's offered. I could send him with DH and enjoy some quiet time after DD crashes. But then again, I really want to see the Poly, as I would like to stay there on a future trip, and of course watch Wishes from the beach.

See my dilemma? Help!

 

[larklynn]

We have done all but hdr
PPP- really liked it but did not plan on a grumpy husband
Laua- GREAT!!! went with 4 kids 6 adults and one teenager everyone had a good time
BBQ my yongest DS was 4 he loved it but we got up and danced with the kids too and sat with them on the floor for the trick roping.
Cinderellas I took dd and my sister in law and 2 nieces. I think the girls loved it. The food was a little heavy for my sister inlaw and older dn.
I enjoyedit and the princess were great.
My ds's loved the diffrent pirate cruises!! They did one at yaht club and one at the gf.
We are really looking foward to trying the hdr.

 

[2cutekidz]

We have done all but hdr
PPP- really liked it but did not plan on a grumpy husband
Laua- GREAT!!! went with 4 kids 6 adults and one teenager everyone had a good time
BBQ my yongest DS was 4 he loved it but we got up and danced with the kids too and sat with them on the floor for the trick roping.
Cinderellas I took dd and my sister in law and 2 nieces. I think the girls loved it. The food was a little heavy for my sister inlaw and older dn.
I enjoyedit and the princess were great.
My ds's loved the diffrent pirate cruises!! They did one at yaht club and one at the gf.
We are really looking foward to trying the hdr.

Ok silly question - what is PPP?!

 

[larklynn]

Pirates and Princess party.
Im sorry I wasn't much help we really enjoyed all the events above. What are your kids like? That makes a big difference too.

 

[CastleCreations]

What goes on at the Luau? I've never been before..
I was going to suggest, breakfast at O'hana's with the characters. The food is so good...

 

[blessedby3]

What goes on at the Luau? I've never been before..
I was going to suggest, breakfast at O'hana's with the characters. The food is so good...

I second Ohanas breakfast. We did this for the first time on our last trip and we loved it. The food was so yummy.

 

[JoyG]

I would NOT choose Hoop De Doo! I did it with the boys and they weren't into it at all. They also didn't like the food.

I would pick a MK breakfast. Preferably an 8:05 seating on a non early entry day. Then you get the benefit of being in the park before the crowd and you're that much closer to the rides. We did Cindy's lunch and it was ok, the boys didn't care for the princesses. It was mostly for mom. Our favorite breakfast was Crystal Palace with the Winnie the Pooh characters.

 

[pfp258]

I agree that Hoop De Doo is better for an older child. (We've been three times with our daughters (11 and 13) they like it more each time probably because they understand more of the humor!)
How about Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary? We started going when my girls were about your childrens age and they continue to love it. It is kind of fun to take the monorail in.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We have done all except PPP. HDDR was okay, but nothing where I felt we will have to go back anytime soon. It was a novelty for the kids, but I pretty much think they felt the same since they not asked about it since we went 3 years ago.

The luau is nice and the food is okay, but when we did this, DD was very disappointed because she thought Stitch would be there. NIce experience, but another one of those BTDT...and don't need to do it again anytime soon.

If your aim is to see Cinderella, then CRT is just the thing for you. We have done breakfast and dinner there, breakfast is when all the princesses come around to the tables-not at dinner though. We were not wowed by the breakfast food, but it was fine...just nothing extraordinary.

That said, if I had my pick and they were having PPP while I would be at Disney, I would probably opt for that, just because the parties tend to be great (IMO)...but then we are addicted to MNSSHP and MVMCP.