MAYDAY!! Urgent help required for trip planning... For my General Manager!!

[Princess Jes]

Guys!! I need some help!

My general Manager (VERY senior management at my company, like... sits under the CEO basically) is planning a trip (and when I say she is planning it, I mean her fill in EA with my help) to WDW for 4 nights in June.

Right!! crazy!!

I need help with ADR suggestions for them.
They're a (very) well off family, but her DH is very down to earth, great guy. They have a 12 year old daughter and a 16 year old son (I think he's 16)
Originally booked at AKL, but I suggested something in the MK area because they don't have a heap of time.
They wont be commando, but she's the type who will call from NYC to Melbourne to get her EA to book her dinner somewhere.... right.

So, I'm making her ADR's for her on Monday (after I set up a MDE account for her)

I've suggested taking a day to go to UOR for WWoHP, and preferably stay on site for the FOTL pass. That's yet to be confirmed.

Ok, so money isn't an issue, im thinking for dinners:
Cali Grill
Narcooses
Yachtsman (but I'm unsure if they'll want to eat at a park for any dinners, and i'm not sure shes going to give me the time to ask these seemingly mundane questions about her dinner plans in 6 months time)
If so, Hollywood Brown Derby, but I will probably book them a lunch there. and a lunch in EPCOT (suggestions?)

She's not going to want to trek back and forth but will want good food.
Maybe Morimoto Asia? or the Boathouse.

Guys!! help me!!

 

[Accident]

Don't forget it's still disney and they are bringing the children with them. I would ask what they want out of their meals, their daughter might love BOG dinner, sci-fi, 50's prime time is probably an experience they can't get anywhere else. I would get more information on what they are comfortable with and what their children are into.. Ask them if they want to be able to walk in places in flip flops or are they ok getting changed for dinner.

The other way to do it is make a list of high end and good disney only experiences and ask them to pick what sounds great for their family. I know the ceo of my company would going high end, EXCEPT he loves hot dogs and a street vendor in nyc for some dirty dogs is one of his favorite places to eat lunch. You just never know and you need to let the kids they are with have some disney meal time.

 

[Princess Jes]

I'm in a rush so will respond properly later but, these kids are used to high end eateries, they've probably eaten at places on par with V&A, and also, there's about 0.01% chance I can sit down for a chin wag about where she'd like to eat unfortunately.

But, I might see if I can contact the kids and her hubby... Interesting.
Thanks Brian!!

 

[Princess Jes]

Also, will book them either chef mickeys or cape may for a breakfast (EPCOT day probs), so that's a Disney meal for sure

 

[Princess Jes]

I also need to find out if they've actually been before (the kids are American having been born there and lived there their whole lives until 3 years ago)

 

[Accident]

All good points. Just don't make the mistake in assuming they want only high end. I find with my daughter, finding out what she doesn't want is just as important as what she does. You'll do fine, just get some more input and since you know what the places are like you can give a fair description to them.

 

[pjweaver]

You could always double book and cancel after they have a chance to review. Here are our must do's if price doesn't matter
For dinner:
BOG
California grill around 8:00 for fireworks viewing around dessert
Le Chefs de France
Brown Derby
Yachtsman
Le Cellier
Narcoosees
(for a 12 yo girl) cinderellas royal table
Breakfast:
Kona Cafe
Cape May Cafe
Tusker House (try for reservations before rope drop so they beat the crowds and have picture time)
Crystal Palace (same as above)

 

[pjweaver]

Just a thought, but even if they are well off and prefer nicer things, don't assume they only want fancy things. They might love dinner shows like Hoop Dee Do or the Poly, or even a turkey leg in MK. Traditional American food like 50's Prime Time and LUNCH at Liberty Tree go over well when I bring friends, and there is always snacking around the world showcase.
In four days with four theme parks and DS to do, I would plan for in park dining or resorts near the park they will be at. Short trips often mean no DS to me. I assume a good deal of this trip will revolve around your GMs kids, so I'd try to get a feeling for what they want to do or expect.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

First choice I had was Calli Grill in time to watch Wishes from there (actually, Contemporary with Themepark View might be good hotel option for them)

Could do Brown Derby with Fantasmic! package so they don't have to wait as long if they want to see that

BOG for one meal I think would make sense - very unique

Same for Cindy's Royal Table ... could do pre-park opening Breakfast ADR - we really enjoyed our a few trips agao

 

[SorcererHeidi]

My quick thoughts would be to also suggest Monsieur Paul if you wanted something in Epcot (have not eaten there myself, only downstairs but hear good things), and to also suggest Jiko at AKL - advantage to that is besides great food, they could check out the lodge, and see some animals before or after dinner, which is wonderfully unique experience, as well as being "upscale" (IF that's what you determine they truly want, but it is also "off the beaten path" to get there). You also said you want them to def. have breakfast @ either Chef Mickey's or Cape May, and would probably do that Epcot Day. I would suggest Cape May over Chef's due to its proximity to Epcot (if they would walk or boat there afterwards). I also personally think the food is better, and the atmosphere is much more calm than Chef's.

I'd also try to limit their "running around" to a bunch of different places if they only have 4 days (which is going to cause them to be park commandos anyway) just to get "the most expensive" dining experiences. Like others have suggested "most expensive" may not be "the best" and also may not be what they truly are looking for (although I know you wisely surmise that from what you know of their lifestyle, I would too), but they also may remember nothing from their dining experiences except "running from here to there to make it on time" if they're tired from already running in the parks all day. I think also you said they're going in June, and depending on when, they may run into summer crowds, so may get a lot less done than they think they will/want to, and dealing with heat/humidity may also slow them down. Just some random thoughts.

 

[sharona]

OP - how did you let yourself get stuck with this no win situation? I would not have touched this with a 10 foot pole. If she can afford all of that then she needs to engage with a professional TA who specializes in WDW planning.

 

[wilkeliza]

For a 4 day Disney trip I couldn't imagine taking 1 or 2 days to go to Universal.

On top of that if they wanted to stay at AKL I'm not sure I would have suggested somewhere else. If they do end up at a monorail resort book them at Grand Floridian. However with the age of their traveling party they may really enjoy Yacht or Beach Club, club level or even Boardwalk Club level. They would be able to walk or boat to two parks and quick trips to two others.


I think you may be over thinking the trip. I have booked trips for people of this caliber and what they want is a much bigger deal then what you want. Maybe they booked AKL because they wanted a specific type of room and to see the animals.

You have gotten yourself into a situation that hopefully the EA doesn't throw you under the bus if the family doesn't have a good time. I agree I wouldn't have touched this at all unless I was very close to my GM and knew their style and family. You aren't even sure of her son's age and to me there is a big difference between 16 and possibly 15 or 17/18.

 

[samsteele]

I agree with some of the PPs that this isn't a good situation for you. If you can get out of this graciously, then do it. But I also understand that in some companies, we don't get a choice about these tasks and simply must do them. If you must go through with it, you will need some basic guidance from the family via the assistant. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but a very short & sweet emailed check-off list. You can explain there are hundreds of restaurants in WDW & area so you need to know a few basic things eg 1) do they love steak/prime rib? (Yachtsman) 2) do they like Indian-inspired food (Sanaa)? 3) do they like to try new, more adventurous food? (Morimotos at Dis Springs & Cali Grill) 4) are they willing to give up better quality food at lunch for a fun, interesting atmosphere (eg Sci-Fi: burgers & pasta). 5) do they want a lunch of American comfort food & some fun interaction with their server (50s Prime Time)? 6) do they like good quality buffets? (Boma). 7) do they want an interesting dinner show/entertainment w decent food? (Raglan Road). Without this info and any insight into their personal preferences, you are really up the creek. Edited to add: if you frame your questions carefully, you can also help manage expectations eg if they go to Sci-Fi, then they already know the food isn't top-grade but are trading that for a unique drive-in atmosphere. At least that's how it should work. I also agree with Heidi to keep the transpo to out of park restaurants strictly limited. They may well be shocked by how much walking/ground there is to cover in the parks each day. I'd keep their dining to in park or near park or even in resort if possible. Good luck my friend!