My Dining line-up! Thoughts, suggestions?

[JustinS]

ANd it looks like I have my dining itinerary set for my July trip. Thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Day 1- Late arrival, MK, dinner at Tony's (6:05)
Day 2- MK, Lunch at BOG (12:45), QS Dinner or at resort
Day 3- Epcot, QS lunch, Dinner at Via Napoli (5:15)
Day 4- MK, Breakfast at CP (8:10), Lunch at Plaza (1:25), QS dinner
Day 5- AK, QS lunch, Dinner at Big River Grille(open time frame)
Day 6- DHS, QS lunch, dinner at 50's prime time (5:15)
Day 7- AK, QS lunch, Dinner at ESPN Club on Boardwalk (open time frame)
Day 8- DHS, QS lunch, Dinner at Sci-Fi (5:30)
Day 9-MK, Lunch at Kona Cafe (12:45), QS dinner
Day 10- Epcot, QS lunch, Rose & Crown Dinner (5:30)

Input and tips appreciated!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

My only thoughts:

Day 4 is a lot of food early in the day. You may just want a snack for dinner. Keep in mind also that July is HAWT.

I'm not necessarily a fan of all your choices, but they're you're choices, and, as I've said elsewhere, most restaurants have fans and detractors, and if you've reviewed the menus and find appeal, you do you.

 

[JustinS]

I do agree day 4 is a lot of food. I originally wasn't going to do buffets or breakfasts but it sounded like an enjoyable one for my gf(her first trip). And then I preferred the lunch menu to dinner at BOG so that's that. That'll probably lead to an afternoon break and an easy evening

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Day 4, your lunch is at the Plaza.

Definitely siesta after those two meals.

 

[JustinS]

Day 4, your lunch is at the Plaza.

Definitely siesta after those two meals.

HAHA WHOOPS! I guess I don't even have my own schedule down yet.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Or maybe switch the plaza to dinner and snack for lunch?

 

[JustinS]

Or maybe switch the plaza to dinner and snack for lunch?

Hm that's not a bad idea at all actually.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Hm that's not a bad idea at all actually.

Its been eons since I've eaten there, but I don't think lunch and dinner have different menus. Not like you would be missing something specific with switching them, and you could enjoy both instead of feeling stuffed.

 

[JustinS]

Its been eons since I've eaten there, but I don't think lunch and dinner have different menus. Not like you would be missing something specific with switching them, and you could enjoy both instead of feeling stuffed.

Very true! I took your advice and was able to change it. Thanks for the tip!. I always like the Plaza because it's a good but inexpensive meal to help out the budget. Very underrated in my opinion (but I'm not complaining).

 

[ontheuptick]

I'm assuming you are NOT doing dining plan? Based on these diner places, I don't think you'd be getting your money out of Dining plan.

Also, based on those restaurants, I'm guessing you don't have kids? Maybe just a couples trip?

Where are you staying?

My only qualm is with Tony's first day. It is consistently rated the worst restaurant in all of WDW. Out of all restaurants. Dead last.

 

[JustinS]

I'm assuming you are NOT doing dining plan? Based on these diner places, I don't think you'd be getting your money out of Dining plan.

Also, based on those restaurants, I'm guessing you don't have kids? Maybe just a couples trip?

Where are you staying?

My only qualm is with Tony's first day. It is consistently rated the worst restaurant in all of WDW. Out of all restaurants. Dead last.

Correct no dining plan or kids. Just a couples trip for the girlfriend and myself (her first trip). Staying at the Swan. Tony's was my last choice actually. I was simply looking to have a reservation that day because we are arriving on July 4th, so I didn't want to fall victim to any potential park closings due to attendance. Between staying at a WDW resort and having a reservation I know I'd be in the last "phase" of closures if that were to occur. And besides Tony's I didn't want to pay for a buffet at liberty tree after traveling all day. And I'm already eating at most of the other restaurants that are TS. So that is where that came in. Unless I'm missing one?

 

[Nancyg56]

Correct no dining plan or kids. Just a couples trip for the girlfriend and myself (her first trip). Staying at the Swan. Tony's was my last choice actually. I was simply looking to have a reservation that day because we are arriving on July 4th, so I didn't want to fall victim to any potential park closings due to attendance. Between staying at a WDW resort and having a reservation I know I'd be in the last "phase" of closures if that were to occur. And besides Tony's I didn't want to pay for a buffet at liberty tree after traveling all day. And I'm already eating at most of the other restaurants that are TS. So that is where that came in. Unless I'm missing one?

I know that Tony's gets a bad rap, but we enjoyed our meal there. Unless you want to make another ADR at the Plaza, I would keep it. I don't know if the Skipper Canteen is going to start taking ADR's but you could consider that one if they do. I read it is pricey for the meal, but I think that this restaurant is still learning, so by your trip I bet taht the kinks will be all worked out.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

Tony's - We ate there a few months ago for the first time. We were uncertain about it because of all the negative reviews we had read. We had a very good meal there. I would go back again. We did have to wait a little bit to be seated, but we enjoyed ourselves there.
50's Prime Time Cafe - They have very good fried chicken. I always get the fried chicken dinner.We eat there on every trip.
Animal Kingdom - QS Lunch - I would choose Flame Tree BBQ

 

[JustinS]

I know that Tony's gets a bad rap, but we enjoyed our meal there. Unless you want to make another ADR at the Plaza, I would keep it. I don't know if the Skipper Canteen is going to start taking ADR's but you could consider that one if they do. I read it is pricey for the meal, but I think that this restaurant is still learning, so by your trip I bet taht the kinks will be all worked out.

I've eaten at Tony's but not for YEARS. From what I can remember it wasn't bad, had the concern with the reviews but figured I'd give it a shot

 

[JustinS]

Tony's - We ate there a few months ago for the first time. We were uncertain about it because of all the negative reviews we had read. We had a very good meal there. I would go back again. We did have to wait a little bit to be seated, but we enjoyed ourselves there.
50's Prime Time Cafe - They have very good fried chicken. I always get the fried chicken dinner.We eat there on every trip.
Animal Kingdom - QS Lunch - I would choose Flame Tree BBQ

I've read so many good things about Flame Tree! That will definitely be on my radar! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Nancyg56]

I've eaten at Tony's but not for YEARS. From what I can remember it wasn't bad, had the concern with the reviews but figured I'd give it a shot

I would. You want an ADR that night so why not chance it.

 

[CinderellaElla]

I think you're schedule looks great!! I have two suggestions:
1. On day 5 when you go to AK, consider Boma at AKL for dinner instead of Big River Grill. Many times we have made reservations for dinner at Boma on a day that we go to AK because it is so close and just a great way to round out a day at AK with that delicious food they have there! Wear stretchy pants/flowy dress haha!!
2. Day 9 - If you have never had the tonga toast from Kona Cafe, the foodie lover in me strongly recommends that you consider going to Kona Cafe for breakfast! The tonga toast is only served then and it is melt-in-your mouth, oh so yummy!

 

[JustinS]

I think you're schedule looks great!! I have two suggestions:
1. On day 5 when you go to AK, consider Boma at AKL for dinner instead of Big River Grill. Many times we have made reservations for dinner at Boma on a day that we go to AK because it is so close and just a great way to round out a day at AK with that delicious food they have there! Wear stretchy pants/flowy dress haha!!
2. Day 9 - If you have never had the tonga toast from Kona Cafe, the foodie lover in me strongly recommends that you consider going to Kona Cafe for breakfast! The tonga toast is only served then and it is melt-in-your mouth, oh so yummy!

I'm such a fan of Big River so it'll be tough to sacrifice! But I'll look into it because I have heard good things!

How early does Kona do breakfast?? I usually like to hit rope drop in the parks which is my only reservation about breakfasts.

 

[leebee]

How about Boma on day 7 instead of ESPN Club? You'll be at AK anyhow, and ESPN Club is pretty much like any other family restaurant/bar with a TV I've been to (Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's, Applebees, etc.).

I worry about that ADR on your first day. You say late arrival... so how late? Are you flying into MCO, taking the train, driving? You don't want to miss the ADR and be charged the no-show fee.

Glad to see you moved that Day 4 ADR from lunch to dinner. I was thinking that was a LOT of food for early in the day, too. If you are worried about that Tony's ADR on day 1, what about a Plaza ADR for day 1 and on day 4 go over to one of the MK resort hotels for dinner? It's a nice break on a long park day. I'd suggest The Wave or Kona Cafe... or even Whispering Canyon. It's easy enough to take the monorail/boat over to the hotels and back to MK for the evening parade/fireworks.

 

[JustinS]

I worry about that ADR on your first day. You say late arrival... so how late? Are you flying into MCO, taking the train, driving? You don't want to miss the ADR and be charged the no-show fee..

I would THINK I can arrive around 3 to the park. My flight lands at MCO at 11:30. We're only carrying on luggage so we don't have to wait for tagged luggage. We'll be using Tiffany Town Car service from MCO to the Swan with a 20 minute grocery stop at Publix. Check in and head straight for MK. Should be plenty of time, right?