My ADR's for December - How am I doing?

[Frankiemack]

We're celebrating my daughter's 3rd birthday (December 17) at Disney. We'll be there December 13 -19.

I've been to Disney a few times but never took advantage of all the resturants. My experience has been sadly limited to the Garden Grill and Crystal Palace.

Any recommendations are welcome. I also have one additional ADR to make that I haven't decided on yet. Any you would change or add?

I have an ADR for Ohana at 8:55 on 12/18 but it is just too late for us to have dinner.

December 13: Chef Mickey's for 7:30 Dinner (Thinking this is the best place to go on day 1 to introduce my daughter to the FAB 5)

December 14: Crystal Palace for 6pm Dinner (Plan to spend the full day in MK)

December 15: Cape May Cafe for 9:15 Breakfast (My only breakfast ADR)

December 16: Kona Cafe for 7:05 dinner (Wondering if I should change since going to Ohana next day?)

December 17: Ohana for 6:25 dinner!!!! (Thanks collegejunkie!)

December 18: Akershus for 5:30 Dinner (What little girl doesn't want to dine with the princesses?)

 

[mariamouse]

We're celebrating my daughter's 3rd birthday (December 17) at Disney. We'll be there December 13 -19.

I've been to Disney a few times but never took advantage of all the resturants. My experience has been sadly limited to the Garden Grill and Crystal Palace.

Any recommendations are welcome. I also have one additional ADR to make that I haven't decided on yet. Any you would change or add?

I have an ADR for Ohana at 8:55 on 12/18 but it is just too late for us to have dinner.

December 13: Chef Mickey's for 7:30 Dinner (Thinking this is the best place to go on day 1 to introduce my daughter to the FAB 5)

December 14: Crystal Palace for 6pm Dinner (Plan to spend the full day in MK)

December 15: Cape May Cafe for 9:15 Breakfast (My only breakfast ADR)

December 16: 1900 Park Fare for 7pm Dinner (Cindy for 1 TSC)

December 17: No Current Reservations (I'm debating leaving this one open for us to plan as we go along since it is her actual birthday)

December 18: Akershus for 5:30 Dinner (What little girl doesn't want to dine with the princesses?)

You chose some of the best character dining restaurants, but I think it might be character dining overkill going to one of these restaurants every day. Plus, the buffets are expensive and you will likely see many of these characters in the parks! Plus, there is some overlap in character appearances among the restaurants you mentioned.

For example, I would drop Chef Mickey's and stick with Cape May Cafe since there is some character overlap between these two restaurants and you do not have any other character breakfasts planned. We prefer the laid-back, beach-y feel of CMC and you will see Minnie, Donald and Goofy there! Plus, we think that the food quality is much better. The atmosphere at CM is fun, but just really hectic. You could always switch CM to breakfast instead if you really want to go there over CMC.

I might also consider dropping 1900 Park Fare since you are going to Akershus. They are not THAT similar since 1900 has the stepsisters and Prince Charming, but I do feel that the princess vibe is similar at each. In place of 1900, maybe try one of the regular dining restaurants at a monorail resort where food quality is better-- 'Ohana/Kona at the Poly, Cali Grill at the CR, or GF Cafe/Narcoossee's at the GF. Just a thought.

Definitely keep your Crystal Palace ADR since the Pooh characters are only found there and the ambiance is bright and fun.

In regard to what to add, I think eating at the AKL might be fun. Boma is our absolute favorite dinner buffet in WDW (and we have also heard great things about breakfast) and Jiko is supposed to be a great, more upscale dinner experience as well. If you enjoy Indian food, I have also read good reviews for Sanaa. Your daughter might also appreciate the fun atmosphere of one of the Hollywood Studios restaurants (i.e. Sci-Fi, 50s Primetime). Or maybe try out Liberty Tree Tavern at the MK for a Thanksgiving-ish dinner since you will be there so close to Christmas!

Good luck with the rest of your planning.

 

[mariamouse]

I just thought of another idea-- go to Whispering Canyon Cafe at the WL! The Christmas decorations at that resort are absolutely beautiful and the rowdy atmosphere of the restaurant would be so much fun for a 3-yr old.

And make sure you check out the GF decorations too even if you do not end up keeping your reservation at 1900 Park Fare!

 

[Frankiemack]

Thanks for the recommendations!

Since we have the DDP for our trip, I'm not worried about cost as much as making the experience memorable and enjoyable.

It seems like Kona Cafe is a top pick for a lot of folks so I went ahead and secured a 7:05 reservation for dinner on 12/16 to replace 1900 Park Fare. (I'll be cancelling that one within a few days)

 

[momto2inKC]

I think you've got a great line up! We prefer to see the characters in restaurants. It kills 2 birds with 1 stone...eating and meeting them rather than standing in line in the parks. Your 'Ohana ADR is late, I would keep checking for an earlier time. We're also going in December and that 45 day mark is right around the corner. There's usually cancellations at that point due to people not being able to pay off their trip.

 

[Frankiemack]

Ok, Updated my reservations with some changes. Booked Kona for 12/16 in place of 1900 Park. And I was able to book Ohana for 12/17!

Concerned that I have Kona and Ohana back to back though...what should I do about Kona? Should I still go? Or should we find another place to eat and skip Kona this time around?

 

[mariamouse]

Ok, Updated my reservations with some changes. Booked Kona for 12/16 in place of 1900 Park. And I was able to book Ohana for 12/17!

Concerned that I have Kona and Ohana back to back though...what should I do about Kona? Should I still go? Or should we find another place to eat and skip Kona this time around?

Kona is great, but maybe it would be fun to try out the Grand Floridian Cafe since you canceled 1900 Park? Just for a change of scenery..

 

[lovin'fl]

We're celebrating my daughter's 3rd birthday (December 17) at Disney. We'll be there December 13 -19.

I've been to Disney a few times but never took advantage of all the resturants. My experience has been sadly limited to the Garden Grill and Crystal Palace.

Any recommendations are welcome. I also have one additional ADR to make that I haven't decided on yet. Any you would change or add?

I have an ADR for Ohana at 8:55 on 12/18 but it is just too late for us to have dinner.

December 13: Chef Mickey's for 7:30 Dinner (Thinking this is the best place to go on day 1 to introduce my daughter to the FAB 5)

December 14: Crystal Palace for 6pm Dinner (Plan to spend the full day in MK)

December 15: Cape May Cafe for 9:15 Breakfast (My only breakfast ADR)

December 16: Kona Cafe for 7:05 dinner (Wondering if I should change since going to Ohana next day?)

December 17: Ohana for 6:25 dinner!!!! (Thanks collegejunkie!)

December 18: Akershus for 5:30 Dinner (What little girl doesn't want to dine with the princesses?)

I would change the Kona. How about one at Downtown Disney...like T-Rex or Sci-Fi at Hollywood Studios is neat and I also suggest Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge...all would be fun for your DD.

 

[B-Ride]

Concerned that I have Kona and Ohana back to back though...what should I do about Kona? Should I still go? Or should we find another place to eat and skip Kona this time around?

Personally I would not drop Kona. It is one of our favourites at WDW. We are even considering eating there twice next year.

 

[crabbygal902]

Any recommendations are welcome. I also have one additional ADR to make that I haven't decided on yet. Any you would change or add? Have you considered Chefs de France? The food is good, but the best part of the meal was my little guy meeting Remy. He loved it!

December 13: Chef Mickey's for 7:30 Dinner (Thinking this is the best place to go on day 1 to introduce my daughter to the FAB 5) This is a great thing to do on the first day!

December 14: Crystal Palace for 6pm Dinner (Plan to spend the full day in MK) We enjoyed this, although it was a bit manic. Lots of people, everyone moving about, characters everywhere, even more so that Chef Mickey's. My only concern about this place is that you say you're spending the full day in MK. It may be overstimulating for your tired little one by the end of a full park day. Just a thought.

December 15: Cape May Cafe for 9:15 Breakfast (My only breakfast ADR) One of my two favorite character breakfasts! Very relaxed and laid back.

December 16: Kona Cafe for 7:05 dinner (Wondering if I should change since going to Ohana next day?) The menus at the two restaurants are very different and I have heard very positive things about Kona, so I'd keep it if I were you.

December 17: Ohana for 6:25 dinner!!!! (Thanks college junkie!) My family's favorite! It is a must-do on each and every vacation.

December 18: Akershus for 5:30 Dinner (What little girl doesn't want to dine with the princesses?) I'm sure your little princess will love it!

Hope this helps!