Last Minute Trip W/Grand Daughter/Wife HELP!!

[wheniwasyoung]

Just booked a quick three day trip for this month with DW and 7 year old grand daughter. Hardly any good restaurants have any ressie's available. No Castle, Palace or any other "with characters" places. Any suggestions on how I'm going to make this a great trip for my girls? Thanks

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think that there are still a lot of good "attraction" type restaurants even if they don't feature characters. Off the top of my head, you could try the following:

Dinner at the Hoop De Doo Revue and/or Spirit of Aloha for dinner and a show

Lunch or dinner at the Coral Reef for impressive views of the saltwater aquarium

Lunch at les Chefs de France for a possibility of spotting Remy from Ratatouille

Lunch or dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater for dinner in a "car" at a "drive-in" theater showing clips from campy science fiction classics

Breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Whispering Canyon Café for memorable interaction with the high-spirited wait staff

Lunch or dinner at the '50s Prime Time Café, where you'll meet some long-lost "relatives" and enjoy clips of '50s television with your meal

Dinner at the California Grill, 'Ohana or Narcoossee's for a view of the Magic Kingdom's fireworks show

 

[mommycrawford]

Garden Grove at the Swan and Dolphin resorts have character dining, and I think they often have availability when everything is booked (They are not DDP restaurants.)

The Character spot at Epcot is good for meeting characters, as is just after the parade at DHS under the big hat.

Restaurant experiences w/o characters that have some ambiance are Sci Fi,
Beaches and Cream (no ressies here taken,) rainforrest cafe, O'hana, Whispering Canyon (I have not been there myself,)Boma, Sanaa...and I would check to see if you could find a ressie at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast maybe, or Cape May Cafe...you never know...people cancel last minute.

It's a magical place, so don't let yur disappointment get in the way: you will all have a great time being together!

 

[Princess Sleepy]

If it doesn't have to be princesses, Garden Grill at Epcot usually has availability and you get great character interactions with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. My girls are also big fans of Biergarten. They love to get up and dance and sing along with the band.

Also, keep checking back to see if ADRs open up. They sometimes do, even the morning of.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Great suggestions! Unfortunately I still haven't found any good spots yet. I'll keep trying. In Feb we were able to get a table (car) at Sci-fi even though we couldn't reserve one on line.
I can't believe that the third week of May is so busy, especially during the week. Feb wasn't this bad and we had a bigger group. Even the Garden Grove has no availability for dinner.
Thanks fir the help!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Keep trying. Even call while you are there.

I frequently travel solo. Sometimes they won't have availability for one, but when I change it two, suddenly they do!!!:

It is the same--they seat me at a two-top either way. I am not taking up more room. It makes NO sense. So the CM on the phone tells me to change it to two, and lo and behold.......!
Anyway, just a thought. If you tried 4 instead of 3? Again, same table size, so you are not taking a table from someone else. Not needing anything extra.

Rediculous that there is room for 2, but not one. So maybe 4 vs. 3 is worth a try.

 

[Havana]

How about a reservation at the BBB to get her hair done?

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We found tons of availability at Cape May Cafe for breakfast - Minnie is there! But we're going mid-june, so maybe there's still more available at that time?

Have you tried calling, or just using the online ressies? I think people have gotten differenet results when calling in?

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Keep trying. Even call while you are there.

I frequently travel solo. Sometimes they won't have availability for one, but when I change it two, suddenly they do!!!:

It is the same--they seat me at a two-top either way. I am not taking up more room. It makes NO sense. So the CM on the phone tells me to change it to two, and lo and behold.......!
Anyway, just a thought. If you tried 4 instead of 3? Again, same table size, so you are not taking a table from someone else. Not needing anything extra.

Rediculous that there is room for 2, but not one. So maybe 4 vs. 3 is worth a try.

Great idea! Changed from 3 to 4 and got in at the Palace!

I'm afraid that I don't know what the BBB is. (typical newbie) Sounds interesting.

Thanks to all of you for all the great idea's and strategies! Haley has been here before but was very young and doesn't remember much. I can't believe that I get to take her for the "first trip" that she will actually remember! I guess I'm getting old but these things are starting to matter to me more and more.
You guys (gals) are great!!!

 

[eeyore344]

BBB is the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique(spelling) is a place where girls can get their hair, nails, and makeup done. You can also buy them a princess costume or bring your own. My dgd loves to go to it.
Have fun on your vacation!

 

[kateybee]

I can't believe that I get to take her for the "first trip" that she will actually remember! I guess I'm getting old but these things are starting to matter to me more and more.

That right there was the sweetest thing I've heard in a while. It honestly made me tear up a bit. Probably because I wish so much that my father could come be with my family in Disney. But anyways- so sweet. Your "girls" are certainly lucky to have you!! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Don't stress too much about making specific special plans. Though it is great that you got a reservation at Crystal Palace (great place). I think your girls will just enjoy having the time to spend with you. Disney is pretty special all on it's own Esp. in the eyes of a 7yr old little girl

and okay..pretty special to us girls who are well past the age of 7