My ADRs for ddp w/ a 2 and 4 yo

[jenifferf00]

OK, jumping in with both feet here. We were planning on doing a local vacation this summer, then saw the free dining promo and realized the money difference between local and Disney was not that much. So Disney was booked. I started looking around and found out about the whole ADR thing (totally new to me!) and started booking. So there are a few adjustments I would like to make, but this is where we stand! This will be our first time back since 04, our first time with kids, our first time with ADRs, and my first time in a value resort.

9/22 flight arrival 1:50 Magic Kingdom
Dinner: Liberty Tree 6:45 (hoping to change to 6 for Electrical)

9/23 Magic Kingdom Day
Dinner: Crystal Palace 6:20

9/24 Animal Kingdom Extra magic morning hours
Dinner: Arkershus 5:20

This was originally going to be an Epcot day, but I want to take advantage of the Extra Magic hours. We plan on going back to the hotel either just before or after lunch for a rest, then heading out to dinner. We have the park hopper so hopefully this goes as smoothly as I have it in my head.

9/25 Epcot
Dinner: Biergarten 6:45

9/26 Hollywood Studios
Dinner: Wave of American Flavors 6:20

Would like to get Ohana, but as of now it is booked solid. I will keep trying, especially around the 45 day mark.

9/27 kids choice park day
Late lunch/ Early dinner: 3:30 T-Rex Cafe
Hopefully Wishes Dessert party this night

We would cancel both those for Mickey's Back Yard BBQ if a spot ever opens up. My husband really wants to do that, I'm kind of on the fence...

9/28 Last Day, kids choice park
Breakfast: 10:25 Ohana

Hoping to change this to a 9:30 so we have more park time before we leave.

We decided to do a lot of character dinners to entertain the kids, and a lot of family style/buffets to help keep costs down with feeding our 2 yo. The Wave is really the only ADR I'm not thrilled with, it's also the only ADR my husband picked out. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Kidanifan08]

The Wave is actually really good! Not very entertaining for the kids, but it looks like the rest of the week will keep them happy.

On your AK day, did you consider Tusker House for breakfast or lunch? They have a great character meal and the food is really good - a lot like Boma. We have never done Akerhaus, but we have a 6yo son, so he is not too interested in the princesses.

Have a great trip! September is a great time to visit WDW -- low crowds and a little cooler than summer.

 

[jwolfpack]

I would do Chef Mickey's over the Wave. That is my kids' favorite character meal (they are 2 and 4) and it would save you from trying to track the "main characters" down in the parks. Also, have you checked the dinner menu for Akershus? I've only been for breakfast, but I have heard that the dinner fare may not appeal to young children.

 

[jenifferf00]

We have a princess lover (DD4) so Akershus is a must! (And there's no way I can justify a Cinderella's dinner!)

I have looked at Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, and Ohana to replace the Wave, unfortunately they are all booked solid right now. Hoping the 45 day mark will bring some new options!

For lunches we are doing all CS either in park, or back at the hotel. We're doing the DDP, so I am trying to get the most bang for our buck and still keep everyone happy

 

[disbride0603]

We are taking our 2 year old (he'll turn two on our trip) and our four year old the same week that you are going. Here's our ressies:

9/22 4:00 at Coral Reef
9/23 8:05 at Crystal Palace (my son's birthday)
9/23 5:00 at Grand Floridian Cafe
9/24 4:30 at Via Napoli
9/25 8:05 at Chef Mickey's
9/25 5:00 at Whispering Canyon
9/26 5:05 at Tony's Town Square

I originally had a reservation for The Wave, but ditched it because it didn't seem kid friendly enough.

Our kids aren't huge eater, so I'm figuring that they will share a meal. Otherwise I'll just let Xander eat off my plate or order his own meal.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Another vote for Chef Mickey or Tusker House!

Also your reservation on 9/4 is quite early at 5:20. AK doesn't close until 5pm so you would have to leave early. Maybe try and swap it to another time?

 

[OliviasMommy10]

Do Chef Mickey's. We went last summer (kids age 3 & 1) and this was the only place we saw Minnie Mouse besides parades. Booked again for the fall with kids aged 2 & 4 and it's our first meal we're doing when we arrive!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Do Chef Mickey's. We went last summer (kids age 3 & 1) and this was the only place we saw Minnie Mouse besides parades. Booked again for the fall with kids aged 2 & 4 and it's our first meal we're doing when we arrive!

Minnie is also at Cape May breakfast.

As for the Wave...I've heard really good things. Considering Chef Mickey's dinner was one of the worst dinners - food wise- that we've ever had...I wouldn't try and get in there for dinner.

As for Akershus, our kids (as well as us) loved both dinner and lunch there. I would try for a later ADR though if you really want to go there that day.Of course, if it's your AK day...you may be done early enough that this is a non-issue. My girls were 2 and 4 on their first WDW trip and we were done w/AK around 4pm. It would have been earlier if DD3 (then 2) didn't have a mega meltdown.

I agree that you should try for an earlier LTT ADR. You might also try the same for Crystal Palace if you're planning on watching the parade that night as well. If worse comes to worse...you can arrive early and/or walk by earlier to see if you can upgrade your times. Arriving early has worked for a lot of people.

Finally, for the 'Ohana breakfast...if you really want to maximize your time...you should try for one of the earliest seatings. I believe they start seating at 7:30a and we've been seated very quickly for breakfast.

 

[jenifferf00]

I went and changed things all around again, hey half the fun is in the planning right!?!

Day 1- No parks Flight arrival 1:50
6:30 Mickey's Back Yard BBQ

Day 2- Magic Kingdom
6:20 Crystal Palace

Day 3- Animal Kingdom
5:20 Akershus
We plan on leaving most parks by 2 and heading back to the hotel for some R&R. My kids need the break, as proven on our recent outings during our staycation. They just hit a wall, and we're better off working with it vs. fighting against it.

Day 4- Epcot
6:45 Biergarten

Day 5- Hollywood
6:00 T-rex Cafe

Day 6- Kids choice/ Epcot
CS- dinner - snacking our way through the F&W soft opening

Day 7 - Kids choice - Departure
10:25 Ohana bfast - hoping to get something earlier

And then the Wishes Dessert Party, originally I planned on seeing Electrical on Day 1, but with MBYBBQ that's now out. The next best night for Wishes for us is the 27th, which is also the only other night for the Electrical parade while we're there. But in all of this my husband threw a curveball and we're talking about spending the money and upgrading from Value to Moderate. So I think if we upgrade our hotel I'll suck it up and pass on Wishes. Otherwise I will try and get an earlier reservation for T-Rex Cafe and do wishes on the 26th instead.