My dining plans - opinions please.

[joolz1910]

In just over a month, I will be able to book my ADRs

These are my initial jottings:

1st full day: Crystal Palace breakfast (for those early morning Castle pics) and BOG dinner with a few hours of rest in between.

Raglan Road on a Sunday evening to (hopefully) soak up the atmosphere.

Chef Mickey dinner

Ohana breakfast and dinner (not on the same day!)

Sanaa lunch

Akershus lunch for a 'Princess day'

Rainforest Café dinner on an Animal Kingdom day

Paradiso 37 lunch

We are there for 12 nights with 14 day ultimates - how many dining credits will we get?

Also looking for somewhere to eat at Hollywood Studios and pretty underwhelmed by the choices.

Any help/advice is appreciated x

 

[Elise79]

For a 12 night stay you get 12 lots of credits.

I am completely off Disney Dining after our last trip so won't offer my opinions

 

[Kath2003]

Chef Mickey's is the worst of the character buffets in my opinion.
Rainforest Cafe is a bit take-it-or-leave-it....

Otherwise, looks good!

HS- have never found anywhere enjoyable to eat there

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Loved Ohanas and loved Raglan Road, not eaten at any others I'm afraid. Take opinions with a pinch of salt as restaurant staff can have off days ( not an excuse but it happens) and what I enjoy and you enjoy could be poles apart. As for HS we love Brown Derby (2ts) and 50s Prime Time )

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd recommend mama Melrose fantastic package for your hs day - 3 courses steak was lovely.

How about another Epcot choice - Teppan edo is good and we loved San angel

 

[dixonsontour]

Garden grill is also a must do for us

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks all.
Chef Mickey would be the girls' choice. I wasn't impressed but they liked it. I was also less than impressed by Rainforest Café but again, the kids and DH liked it. I might give Mama Melrose another go. 12 credits means I have a couple of extra choices to add.

 

[dixonsontour]

How about 1 signature like California grill?

 

[joolz1910]

How about 1 signature like California grill?

That might be a good idea. I enjoyed the Hoop de Doo but not sure everyone would want to do it again. A signature meal would be a nice treat and we have soooo many counter service credits to get us through the other days.

 

[dixonsontour]

Book it timed to watch the fireworks afterwards from the viewing deck for a special end to the meal.

 

[Elise79]

I'd recommend mama Melrose fantastic package for your hs day - 3 courses steak was lovely. How about another Epcot choice - Teppan edo is good and we loved San angel

They have changed the menu recently at Teppan Edo and it's no way as good. They have removed the mushrooms from the noodles and replaced them with cabbage and carrots. They have also changed the actual noodles

The one thing I will say is that the resort restaurants are far better than anything in Park. On your HS day why not head to the BW area to eat?

 

[stephensmum]

We like cp breakfast on our first Disney morning. Also akashas, rr & Sanaa on our list to repeat. I like rainforest cafe only ate at dd one but others have said they prefer ak one. Thinking of trying it too, if not it will be yak & yeti. We like mama Melrose & sci if at hs. Will you be eating at Epcot ?

 

[stephensmum]

Tried breakfast & lunch at cm but didn't rate either.

 

[1nfrequent]

joolz - you don't say how many people you're booking for but if you're looking for somewhere at HS, I'd recommend 50s Prime Time. The cast member schtick isn't for everyone (if you don't like being teased and given a little attitude, then it's definitely a no go) but I thought it was a lot of fun and the food was in big portions and very filling. Definitely an option if you or your family prefer 'plainer' US cuisine.

1F

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks everyone. There are 5 of us, the girls will be 15, 11 and 7. I have looked at 50's Prime Time but I have heard that the interaction is very hit or miss. I have also discovered that you can meet Doc McStuffins and Sophia the First at Hollywood and Vine, so that might be another option as youngest DD is a fan.

I might book Cali Grill and a few others but then cancel once I've made up my mind. The kids weren't overawed by 'Ohana for dinner but DH and I really liked it - mainly the dessert!

The only 'definites' are: Chef Mickey's (for the kids), Crystal Palace for first morning brekkie, Raglan Road and BoG.

 

[rex008]

For our first trip we did our 1 signature at Cali Grill. Last time we did Yachtsman steakhouse. Very different experiences, but I would have to say I prefer Yachtsman. Service in both was superb, you obviously have the view in Cali, but if you like steak, Yachtsman is incredible. You haven't said where you're staying, but Yachtsman also provides a good excuse to wander around the Epcot resorts, which is definitely worth doing.
Did Hoop-dee-doo both trips - we all really like pure cheesiness .
As for HS, we've eaten at MM and Sci-fi. MM is great value for the fantasmic package, but we gave fantasmic a miss second time round, but ate at Sci-fi again. Food there is ok, but as others have said, TS meals at HS are a hit-and-miss affair. It's a fun atmosphere at Sci-fi though, especially with kids.
We prefer T-Rex to Rainforest Cafe (if you're talking about the DD location), but they're very similar experiences/food.

Did Raglan Road last time and probably in my top 3 for food and atmosphere. Plus got to take this, which was amusing :

 

[Minniesgal]

For your HS day how about eating at the Boardwalk at Flying Fish, we think it is the best restaurant on property. chef Mickeys get a bad press but my boys love it and we have always found it to be ok. Expensive ok agreed but food is fresh and reasonably well cooked if plain.

 

[DLPDreams]

Have you thought about Boma? I was going to book Jiko but have been put off by reviews I've read that say it isn't as child friendly as some other places and that Boma is a better for children?

Actually, I need to book my ADRs in early Feb too and as it's my first trip, I am starting to feel a little stressed about the whole planning thing as it's all been left up to me . I just know if I get it wrong, that I'll get complaints . Planning for 6 of us is a little daunting!

I think I'll start a thread about my ADRs - I'm struggling to use all our 18 credits . Perhaps some of my possible choices may give you some inspiration (or not) !

 

[joolz1910]

I will definitely keep a signature meal in mind. I think I will go back to menus and reviews. Yachtsman Steakhouse wouldn't be one for me as I am veggie and selfish None of us eat fish, so Flying Fish would be out. At HS, I would either go for MM again, Hollywood and Vine or 50's Prime Time. Although, we didn't make it to the Boardwalk last time, so that might be an option.

Too many decisions to make!

 

[micksn]

We did Beaches and Cream on our HS evening last summer and loved it. Now that you can book it made it more relaxing. We had an earlyish meal then got the boat over to HS. Also very low tips as less expensive than most We'd done Mama Melrose and Sci Fi on previous trips and wanted a change.