I'm thinking of simplifying our trip after ADR overload. Will I regret this?

[ChicagoJ]

I have gotten SO caught up in planning ADRs it's become stressful and I feel like I'm setting myself up to be disappointed if things don't go perfectly during our trip. SO, I'm thinking of simplifying our trip. I don't want to be too tied to dining reservations because we'll already be tied to fast pass schedules. I kind of like the idea of eating when we're actually hungry as opposed to when we decided 6 months ahead we should eat. We're staying at the poly, so I feel pampered enough with that. We don't NEED fancy dining. I'm more interested in restaurants with cool/gorgeous/fun atmosphere. It'll be me, my H and our then 6 yo daughter (first time for H and 6 yo and I haven't been since I was a kid). I want this trip to be as magical as possible without too many rules and timelines that could make us feel rushed.

CRT is a must (dd doesn't like the story of cinderella bc the stepmom and stepsisters are mean, but I know she'll LOVE eating in the castle and will likely be starstruck meeting princesses.

How does this look:

1st week of March
5 nights at the Poly, 4 day park hopper

SAT arrival: MK day. check in is 3 so we'll drop off our suitcases and go straight to MK and stay for fireworks (8pm)

SUN: MK Day.

MON: resort day (if weather is nice we'll swim, if it's raining, we may buy tickets and go to another park bc I'm assuming parks are more fun than resorts on rainy days, right?)

TUE: Epcot Day. DD loves frozen so I'm hoping to snag an 8am Akershus so we can jump on FEA and meet Anna and Elsa. If I can get fastpasses, I may cancel Akershus.

WED: MK Day. Hoping to get CRT for lunch or dinner. We'll stay for fireworks and EMH (10pm). I know getting important ADRS at the end of the trip is a good strategy so that's why I chose this day.

THU: Fly out after breakfast at Chef Mickeys

I'm definitely trying ADR for CRT. Maybes are Chef Mickey, Akershus, BOG, Ohana. I'm just not sure what to do. She's not interested in Pooh and neither are we so CP is out. Do you think CRT for all the princesses and CM for the traditional old school characters is a magical choice? Anything else I should consider? At the end of the day I want MAGIC. It sounds like magic is slowly disappearing from Disney (due to disney changes) based on many posts I've read here lately so I want to manage my expectations but also try to get as much magic and joy as possible.

Now that I've calmed down a bit after MAJOR OTT DISNEY PLANNING EXCITEMENT AND PANIC, I kind of like the idea of the three of us dropping into Tonys Town Square for a spur of the moment meal surrounded by a really cute decorated theme. Atmosphere and feel are more important to us than THE BEST LOBSTER EVER. We live in Chicago, we can eat fancy whenever we want.

Knowing all this...we have a dining plan but would we be better off (finance wise) dropping it since we may only do 2 character meals?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

A few thoughts ...

A lot of people on here claim that the magic is gone or going away or whatever. Don't let it cloud your perception. I have gone to WDW annually-ish my whole life (more than 30 years). I was also a CP. We went in 2016 and of all our experiences there over the years, it was one of the most magical trips we ever had. There is magic all around. We are going on Monday, and looking forward to the magic. People are much more likely to share negative feedback than positive on these forums.

Also, I wouldn't count on "dropping in" at Tony's. You may be able to make a last minute ADR but maybe not. And you could definitely (likely) get shut out if you just walk up. They notoriously run behind even when you have an ADR (we always have to wait there for our table with an ADR.)

I am not fond of the food at Chef Mickey's but I think it is your best option to see the classic characters since you are staying at the Poly. I also don't like the food at H&V at DHS but we had the best classic character interactions there!

I am with you - I can get great food at home. We are more focused on th experience/atmosphere at WDW.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

You can always find something to eat. Staying at Poly is great, because you can get to the Contemporary or Grand Floridian and eat at those restaurants as well. On our last few trips, we have done at most one ADR per day, then find something on the app when we want to eat again. You do need reservations for the restaurants you have mentioned, including Tony's. In Epcot and the resorts, you can easily find something same day. Use the app though, rather than trying to walk up.

 

[Colleen27]

I actually like Akershus better than CRT, even with the castle atmosphere figured in. We've had better character interaction at Akershus and much better food and service. And CM is a great choice for meeting all the classics without long waits. Even though the food isn't spectacular the experience is worth doing, especially for first timers and young kids.

As far as character meals beyond that, I like to limit things to one meal with each set of characters. It avoids awkward moments, especially with the face characters ("Mom, why didn't Snow White remember me? We just saw her at lunch yesterday!), and frees up room for more relaxing meals because Disney buffets can be anything but. I know others load up on the character meals without hesitation, but I thought I'd offer a different perspective on that. There are a lot of other uniquely Disney dining choices that don't have characters but are nevertheless unlike anything you'd find in the real world.

And as MickeyWaffles said, it isn't a good idea to count on a walk-up at Tony's, but if you're looking for atmosphere that one is lovely. I wouldn't count on a walk-up there (or anywhere in the MK that takes ADRs), so if you want to try it, make a reservation.

 

[allsaintsatx]

Your trip sounds super fun!! If you're staying at the Poly, you may consider a breakfast at Ohana. It's got Stitch, Lilo, Pluto and Mickey (dressed in a Hawaiian shirt) and it's a fun meal in a fantastic location which also just so happens to be your resort
CRT is a great time! Our son, 11 at the time, loved it! Amazing experience!
DEFINITELY give yourself a lot of resort time if you're staying at the Poly! It's a great resort to explore, and the pool is amazing. The tiki themed kid pool is astounding!! Great shopping, great food, the tiki bar is great (kids ok before 8pm).
I agree with cutting down ADRs. We usually do one sit down per day (maybe 2 if we want a big breakfast) and make sure it's convenient to where we are - Poly TS if at Poly, MK TS at MK etc etc We learned our lesson a while ago not to travel all the way across property to have a meal!
Enjoy your trip!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

OP, I really like your idea of the big classic characters and the princesses. Chef M and CRT are great choices. )

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that there is a perception that the magic is disappearing form Disney, but it has not been diminished at all for my family. I would suggest that you try not to fall into that trap, it will only make you look for issues that you would not notice otherwise.

As to ADR's, I like them, but I do respect that others feel restricted. The only thing that makes me a little concerned is that you want to drop in on a place with a cute theme, and while the CS restaurants are themed and are fun, you really cannot walk up to TS restaurants in the MK.

Given a choice between CRT and Akershus I would choose an early morning ADR at Akershus every time. I love the Castle, but I love that walk through Epcot in the morning, and I think the interaction at Akershus is much better. It is the only place I know that Belle is almost a guarantee. The food is very good as well.

If you decide to drop Akershus, and you know you are heading to Epcot early, think about PPO Garden Grill. The chipmunks are there, and you will be in the park before it opens. Again, a pretty magical experience, IMO.

On your resort day I would second 'Ohana for breakfast. This is another fun and relaxed breakfast. Lilo and Stitch? You cannot go wrong!

I wonder if you should consider DAK. You have a lot of MK, and there is a lot to be said about Animal Kingdom for children.

I know I am adding rather than removing ADR's but in my family we make them work for us. I know we need to eat, and I know about the time my family generally needs a meal, so that is how I plan. The character meals are not just food for us, they are part of our Disney experience.

 

[Apopper74]

It's a short trip, I think you are better not trying to overload it with ADRs. When each of my kids were younger I would do more sit down, character meals for break and the convenience of not having a toddler wait forever in lines in the Florida heat. Now that they are older, sit down character meals are not so much a priority.

I also second 'Ohana breakfast over Chef Mickey's, while you only get 2 of the Fab 5 bonus is Stitch (& Lilo). Food quality is so much better and the character interaction is the same if not better than Chef Mickey's.

I will say this, CP is a must for every trip as my DS11 insists it is his favorite. I thought he would have outgrown it years ago but he still loves it. Whether he remembers it or not, it was one of the first meals we ever ate at WDW and it's nostalgic for use all. I have also gotten some of the best, most memorable service at CP.

 

[ChicagoJ]

A few thoughts ...

A lot of people on here claim that the magic is gone or going away or whatever. Don't let it cloud your perception. I have gone to WDW annually-ish my whole life (more than 30 years). I was also a CP. We went in 2016 and of all our experiences there over the years, it was one of the most magical trips we ever had. There is magic all around. We are going on Monday, and looking forward to the magic. People are much more likely to share negative feedback than positive on these forums.

Also, I wouldn't count on "dropping in" at Tony's. You may be able to make a last minute ADR but maybe not. And you could definitely (likely) get shut out if you just walk up. They notoriously run behind even when you have an ADR (we always have to wait there for our table with an ADR.)

I am not fond of the food at Chef Mickey's but I think it is your best option to see the classic characters since you are staying at the Poly. I also don't like the food at H&V at DHS but we had the best classic character interactions there!

I am with you - I can get great food at home. We are more focused on th experience/atmosphere at WDW.

Thanks so much for the insight!! I'll ADR Tony's.

You can always find something to eat. Staying at Poly is great, because you can get to the Contemporary or Grand Floridian and eat at those restaurants as well. On our last few trips, we have done at most one ADR per day, then find something on the app when we want to eat again. You do need reservations for the restaurants you have mentioned, including Tony's. In Epcot and the resorts, you can easily find something same day. Use the app though, rather than trying to walk up.

Thanks!

I actually like Akershus better than CRT, even with the castle atmosphere figured in. We've had better character interaction at Akershus and much better food and service. And CM is a great choice for meeting all the classics without long waits. Even though the food isn't spectacular the experience is worth doing, especially for first timers and young kids.

As far as character meals beyond that, I like to limit things to one meal with each set of characters. It avoids awkward moments, especially with the face characters ("Mom, why didn't Snow White remember me? We just saw her at lunch yesterday!), and frees up room for more relaxing meals because Disney buffets can be anything but. I know others load up on the character meals without hesitation, but I thought I'd offer a different perspective on that. There are a lot of other uniquely Disney dining choices that don't have characters but are nevertheless unlike anything you'd find in the real world.

And as MickeyWaffles said, it isn't a good idea to count on a walk-up at Tony's, but if you're looking for atmosphere that one is lovely. I wouldn't count on a walk-up there (or anywhere in the MK that takes ADRs), so if you want to try it, make a reservation.

Great tip about limiting it to one set of characters! Thanks! I'll ADR Tony's, thanks!

Your trip sounds super fun!! If you're staying at the Poly, you may consider a breakfast at Ohana. It's got Stitch, Lilo, Pluto and Mickey (dressed in a Hawaiian shirt) and it's a fun meal in a fantastic location which also just so happens to be your resort
CRT is a great time! Our son, 11 at the time, loved it! Amazing experience!
DEFINITELY give yourself a lot of resort time if you're staying at the Poly! It's a great resort to explore, and the pool is amazing. The tiki themed kid pool is astounding!! Great shopping, great food, the tiki bar is great (kids ok before 8pm).
I agree with cutting down ADRs. We usually do one sit down per day (maybe 2 if we want a big breakfast) and make sure it's convenient to where we are - Poly TS if at Poly, MK TS at MK etc etc We learned our lesson a while ago not to travel all the way across property to have a meal!
Enjoy your trip!!

Thank you so much!! You all convinced me to do Ohana and I'll make sure to plan out our days so we're not traveling to eat!

OP, I really like your idea of the big classic characters and the princesses. Chef M and CRT are great choices. )

Great, thank you!!

I think that there is a perception that the magic is disappearing form Disney, but it has not been diminished at all for my family. I would suggest that you try not to fall into that trap, it will only make you look for issues that you would not notice otherwise.

As to ADR's, I like them, but I do respect that others feel restricted. The only thing that makes me a little concerned is that you want to drop in on a place with a cute theme, and while the CS restaurants are themed and are fun, you really cannot walk up to TS restaurants in the MK.

Given a choice between CRT and Akershus I would choose an early morning ADR at Akershus every time. I love the Castle, but I love that walk through Epcot in the morning, and I think the interaction at Akershus is much better. It is the only place I know that Belle is almost a guarantee. The food is very good as well.

If you decide to drop Akershus, and you know you are heading to Epcot early, think about PPO Garden Grill. The chipmunks are there, and you will be in the park before it opens. Again, a pretty magical experience, IMO.

On your resort day I would second 'Ohana for breakfast. This is another fun and relaxed breakfast. Lilo and Stitch? You cannot go wrong!

I wonder if you should consider DAK. You have a lot of MK, and there is a lot to be said about Animal Kingdom for children.

I know I am adding rather than removing ADR's but in my family we make them work for us. I know we need to eat, and I know about the time my family generally needs a meal, so that is how I plan. The character meals are not just food for us, they are part of our Disney experience.

Ok, I may add a 5 day hopper so we can just come and go as we want and see DAK. I'll definitely add Ohana back in. Thank you!!

It's a short trip, I think you are better not trying to overload it with ADRs. When each of my kids were younger I would do more sit down, character meals for break and the convenience of not having a toddler wait forever in lines in the Florida heat. Now that they are older, sit down character meals are not so much a priority.

I also second 'Ohana breakfast over Chef Mickey's, while you only get 2 of the Fab 5 bonus is Stitch (& Lilo). Food quality is so much better and the character interaction is the same if not better than Chef Mickey's.

I will say this, CP is a must for every trip as my DS11 insists it is his favorite. I thought he would have outgrown it years ago but he still loves it. Whether he remembers it or not, it was one of the first meals we ever ate at WDW and it's nostalgic for use all. I have also gotten some of the best, most memorable service at CP.

Thanks!