Major ADR Anxiety

[glaserjm]

I know, that from the state of the world, something like ADR anxiety should be considered a gift, but we're coming up on 180 days and we keep changing our minds over and over and reading review after review. We are not doing the DDP as we're staying DVC and plan on doing breakfast and most lunches in our villa, but we've decided to spring for 3 TS dinners OOP.

We had decided upon Cape May Clambake, Crystal Palace and Ohana, and I have my Outlook calendar set for 180 days for each one so I can get it taken care of immediately. However, DH and I have been reading and re-reading reviews and now are confused as so many seem to have love/hate relationships with just about every restaurant. We've decided we're definitely sticking with Cape May but are wavering on Crystal Palace and Ohana. We've also thrown the ideas of Garden Grill, Garden Grove, Whispering Canyon in there.

Demographics- we are two adults (me-30 & DH-40) traveling sans kids, but as we're Disneyholics, we like the atmosphere and aren't bothered by noise, kids activity, etc. We're also obviously leaning towards buffets for variety/value and because we like character meals. We have plenty of nice steakhouses and upscale restaurants in our city, so we're looking for a "Disney" experience. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[OhThePain]

There is no value in paying OOP for any of the character dinner options, IMO. They are all rediculously priced but the food at them tends to be pretty awful. While I cannot justify paying OOP for any of the dinner buffets, there are only 3 that I personally feel have edible food. Cape May (which you have already decided on but not sure if you decided on it for breakfast or dinner), Boma and Biergarten (more for the band than the food).

Breakfasts are a different story. While still somewhat expensive for breakfasts, I can at least justify paying for them OOP. The food for the most part is standard at all the buffets, just location and characters are what sets them apart. If you get early enough ADR's for places like CP or TH or Akershus they give you a chance to get some great pictures without much of a crowd.

As for reviews, take EVERYTHING you read with a HUGE grain of salt. As you have seen for every positive review there is a negative one. The only way to decide is to try it for yourself.

 

[Sappermont]

Wherever you end up you'll be fine! Just relax and enjoy and I think that if you are staying on property you can make ADRs for all of your days on the first 180 day out.

 

[laxchik18]

cape may is great! and so is crystal palace. garden grill...... the characters are good and i guess its kinda cool that it rotates but the food is ok and last time we went we had this big fiasco. the waitress( we think she may have been new) made a mistake with our bill. ewhen we asked her about it she said ok ill be back. then we waited 45 minutes( wasting valuable Epcot time) until we figured she left so we asked for a manager. the manager had just came on duty so he didnt no what went on but he fixed it and gave us a faast pass for any ride we wanted which was nice. but i mean i no ikts not always the same for everyone. before that we always had a nice time there. god luck with whatever u choose.

 

[laxchik18]

also chef mickeys is good

 

[nanni]

If I were going to pick out 3 buffet or character meals, I'd probably go with Garden Grill, Boma and Cape May. I haven't been to Cape May, but I really want to try it and have heard great things about it. I really like Garden Grill's atmosphere and character interaction, and I think the food is pretty good. I really like the food at Boma. I'd also consider throwing Akershus and Crystal Palace into the mix. I like the food at both.

 

[WTP]

I think you should probably stop reading reviews. Any restaurant in the world will get positives and negatives. Cape May clambake, CP, and Ohana are all rated pretty highly in general, especially for buffets. Look at the menus and the pictures and go with seems the most appetizing and fun.

At 180 days from the start of your trip you can make all of your ADR's. Have fun, it's vacation! If the planning is stressing you out, remember that one ADR is going to make or break your vacation.

 

[satorifound]

I think you should probably stop reading reviews. Any restaurant in the world will get positives and negatives. Cape May clambake, CP, and Ohana are all rated pretty highly in general, especially for buffets. Look at the menus and the pictures and go with seems the most appetizing and fun.

At 180 days from the start of your trip you can make all of your ADR's. Have fun, it's vacation! If the planning is stressing you out, remember that one ADR is going to make or break your vacation.

We loved Crystal Palace, but I honestly don't remember the food. We liked it for the Pooh characters. LOL Garden Grill had pretty good food as I remember and I haven't been to the other restaurants you mentioned.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We love 'Ohanas! I would recommend keeping that one!

Have only eaten at Cape May for breakfast and we thought it was prettry good.

We have eaten all 3 meals at Crystal Palace and definitely prefer breakfast. And it was defintely a bit calmer than dinner.

As for the other places you mentioned, we are trying both Garden Grill and Garden Grove this trip. Whispering Canyon is one place that we have on our 'do not return' list. But as with all restaurants, some love it and some hate it. If it appeals to you go!

I made all of our ADRs in February and after reading reviews I have literally made 100's of changes! Some just time tweaking but many completely changing my mind. The ones you have planned can be hard ones to book (especially 'Ohana) so if you think you want them definitely book. Then as time goes by if you want to change, make the change.

 

[coltsfanatic]

If I could choose three for the Disney atmosphere/food, I would stick with your plan. You'll have fun!!

 

[glaserjm]

Thanks all! Also, I should have stressed that this is a fun anxiety, it's Disney planning, I would never let something like ADRs truly get me down, but as we all know from being on here and our love of Disney, there's so many decisions to make (which is probably why I love it!)

I'm loving all the first-hand recommendations and to hear that others have gotten caught up in reviews as well. I'm not exactly a hard to please type, so I think we'll probably be fine with what we've chosen, but I always love validation!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

This probably doesn't help, but its the truth. We had our worst meal at Ohana's.

Ironically, we also had one of our best meals ever at Ohana's. My theory is that we had a late adr, that's when we had the terrible meal. For the most part they have been consistently good. We normally eat dinner a few hours earlier. It happens. But your choices sound wonderful.