Just a few questions

[Finally - A Vacation]

Planning a trip Aug. 2009 and I have a few questions about some of the ADR's I want to make.

1. What is the best time for a reservation at the California Grill to see Wishes?

2. If we do the Fantasmic Dinner do we have to sit in the designated area or can we choose better seats if they are available? Would you reccommend the package or will we still be fine without it? Of the three, the only restaraunt that we would be interested in is Mama Melrose's. How does this restaraunt compare to 50's Prime Time? We are thinking about doing the Deluxe Dining Plan so the appetizer that would be included is not that big of a deal.

3. As I mentioned, we are thinking of using the DxDP. However, I am trying to plan everything so that we are not running from restaraunt to restaraunt. This is our first trip so we want to have plenty of time to see the parks. We (my husband and I) will be traveling with our daughters will be 6 & 4. I know it is reccommended to schedule breaks back at the hotel, but I was thinking maybe a nice sit-down meal in the air-conditioning would be enough. Any thoughts on this? About how long from start to finish are you in the restaraunts?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Tricia1972]

1. What is the best time for a reservation at the California Grill to see Wishes? - I would plan on an hour before Wishes is scheduled.

2. If we do the Fantasmic Dinner do we have to sit in the designated area or can we choose better seats if they are available? Would you reccommend the package or will we still be fine without it? Of the three, the only restaraunt that we would be interested in is Mama Melrose's. How does this restaraunt compare to 50's Prime Time? We are thinking about doing the Deluxe Dining Plan so the appetizer that would be included is not that big of a deal. - We did this when we went in April 2007. The wave of people walking in from the regular area was done (meaning those who had waited in line for a long time had all been seated) so we moved to a better area. We liked the package and I vastly prefer the food at Mama Melrose over 50's PTC. The Steak Gorgonzola is amazing.

3. As I mentioned, we are thinking of using the DxDP. However, I am trying to plan everything so that we are not running from restaraunt to restaraunt. This is our first trip so we want to have plenty of time to see the parks. We (my husband and I) will be traveling with our daughters will be 6 & 4. I know it is reccommended to schedule breaks back at the hotel, but I was thinking maybe a nice sit-down meal in the air-conditioning would be enough. Any thoughts on this? About how long from start to finish are you in the restaraunts? - I don't believe that a sit down lunch would be enough of a break for my kids. Meals out are much more relaxing for adults than kids. Disney buses can take a long time, so we rented a car last time. It worked wonderfully. We were never more than half an hour from deciding to leave a park and arriving back at our room. Usually the trip was much shorter than that.

It's not only napping that's good for the kids. Disney is a very stimulating experience to all of their senses. It's hard for little ones to be around that all day for 12 hours. If you hit the park at rope drop, you should be able to knock off most of the big rides by lunch time. Go back after lunch, take a rest - even a pool break or just some quiet time in the room, come back and check out the sights and scenes that evening after dinner.

 

[Finally - A Vacation]

Thanks for the advice.

I have been doing some reading about the transportation within Disney and have read several times to allow an hour to get to where you want to go. We plan on doing some character breakfasts and Table service meals within the park we are visiting or a least a monorail ride away, so adding in the time for meals and travel time to and from the resort, not to mention our resting time, it seems there would'nt be much time for visiting the park! We will have our own vehicle with us. Is this how you would reccommend getting around?

I also came up with a couple more dining questions. At a TS resaraunt, when there is an appetizer/starter listed and soup/salad listed can you choose from either for your appetizer on the DxDP or just the appetizer/starter section? Or do you choose 1 from each? Also, does each person choose an appetizer or are they ment to be shared?

 

[septbaby]

I think PP has addressed most of your questions, so just 2 cents from me.

Planning a TS sit down lunch can be very valuable for your family and I don't mean just the kids. As for a break, as you enjoy that great lunch gauge where everyone is and decide if naps or a pool break or both is the next best move. Definitely take advantage of the evening hours at the parks and be sure to see Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic.

We used the package. It was nice not to have to stand in line with an active 5yo boy, but I think my mother was the biggest winner of the "no line" plan. August was really, really hot, especially our day at the Studios. Mom was very happy to waltz in, grab seats and make a bee line for the snack stand for waters and popcorn! For what its worth we had our dinner at Hollywood and Vine, lots of people don't like it, but it was fine for us. Each of the 3 pkg restaurants has their "haters". I would suggest you decide by answering 2 questions: will you spend 2TS or 1 TS (if 2 then Brown Derby). If 1TS then decide if you want a buffet or to be served and then you'll have your answer. I know, not very romantic, kind of linear and logical, but that's the kind of brain I have.

I definitely suggest going, to Fantasmic, but keep in mind the kids might get a bit scared at points, so be prepared to hold them as needed. Our 5yo demanded this at points, but after the show said he liked it and even made reference to the Fantasmic Mickey's we saw for the rest of the trip.

 

[JW2]

I can't help with your Wishes question but happy to hear advice from others. Last year, we went to Mama Melrose's - had a great meal, great service but when it was time for Fantasmic it poured rain. We went in March and now going in November but not doing the package - hoping it won't be too busy.

Our boys were 5 and 7 during the last trip. We made the mistake of not going back to the resorts even after all the advice to do so. Our 5 year old had a meltdown at EPCOT around 1 pm and this was after lunch. He is usually such a trooper so we thought we'd have no problem. I think the overstimulation is exactly right. We stayed at Coronado Springs and found the transportation no problem, a change in pace for the boys and quite quick - and this was during spring break! We only spent 2-3 hours back at the hotel after that first episode and usually went to a different park afterwards and stayed a few more hours. What a difference. We all had more energy and were much happier. The only other thing I'm changing this time is a couple down days of no parks but that's because we jammed it in the first time. I certainly wasn't rested after the week but had the best time ever! Anyhow, that's my two cents.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[JW2]

Didn't see your last post - with your own car, it will be even easier to go back to the hotel. We just got the DDP so would have a light breakfast in our hotel room and make the parks at extra magic hours (our boys are early risers). Then would have a bigger meal late morning (10:30, 11:00 ish)

So we would have 2.5-3 hours to tour early (used the tour plans from one of the most popular unofficial books - not sure if I can use it's name but they definitely work), break for food, and then maybe one or two more attractions and back to the hotel. We then would snack during our break (salads, fruit, nachos, etc) and then go for earlier supper (5-6ish) and hit the parks again. It worked for us since our boys are early risers but to bed fairly early. So for touring the parks in total, it was about 6-7 hours, PLENTY of time for those ages. Some nights when we stuck around for fireworks, we would do a buffet breakfast the next day and get a later start. We didn't get as much done at the parks those days - definitely at the parks earlier is better (at least during the higher attendance times). It was amazing how quickly the parks became busy (we found around 10 am).

I found the planning of restaurants and timing the hardest but I am a planner to the second. I won some and lost some. That's why we'll just have to go back again and again and again until I get it right

 

[Finally - A Vacation]

JW2

Thanks so much for all of the advice! Having never been to Disney, it is hard to plan each day but I am having a lot of fun doing it. I had also thought about checking out some touring plans - glad to hear they worked well for you!

 

[joy13]

If you have your own car, definately use it. We relied soley on the buses on our last trip and it worked fine, but if I had a car there anyway, I would use it. You get free parking since you are staying at a Disney Resort.