My head is spinning - anyone willing to weigh in?

[singoldsby]

I have been reading the boards for a while now, trying to gain as much information as possible. We are planning a trip for 2/12-2/19. We are going to have 7 table service meals - right now I am thinking of booking the following based on what I have heard? Anyone care to make suggestions/recommendations?

It is going to be my husband, my almost 2 year old daughter, and myself. She will be with us for all our meals. We will be staying at the Pop Century, and we will have a car.

Raglan Road - Dinner

Ohana - Dinner

Akershus - Lunch

Crystal Palace - Breakfast

Either Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood studios - Dinner (to do the Fantasmic package)

Le Cellier - Lunch

Dinner - Cape May Cafe

 

[cbg1027]

Looks like a good assortment to me. You have two characters meals...so enough but not overload, and some different cuisines.

There are so many restaurants to try it's hard to narrow things down, so I'd stick with what you have and not stress over it!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Looks like you have a great line up!

I would switch CP to a lunch reservation. I love the lunch there (the cold salad selection is fantastic). The breakfast is good but pretty generic.

I would switch Alkershus to a breakfast reservation only because I don't care for Norwegian food. Check out the menu for lunch and if you think it sounds appetizing keep it.

I think Mama Melrose is the lesser of two evils at DHS. I would pick it over Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic package.

 

[turtlegirl25]

We did Akershus as a dinner and it was fabulous. They have an appetizer buffet and both my husband and I enjoyed the salmon.

Mama Melrose was our Fantasmic package lunch (12:15 pm) and we enjoyed it. We thought the food was very good. Service was top notch. Our server was great.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Good choices, OP! to the Dis and happy trip planning!

The only thing I would comment on is the choice of Raglan Road. IMO, Downtown Disney is a shadow of its former self and not worth too time of your time. Because your child is so young, I'd swap it for Chef Mickey. CM has gone downhill a lot too, but it's a wonderful experience for a little one IMO.

 

[Hootch]

with what you, file it away until you can make your ADRS and then file it away again until your trip. These are all solid choices and it gives you a chance to see different resorts at WDW.

While I agree with the PP that DTD is not as good as it was, my kids still really enjoy it. The Lego's store has a bins of them that kids can play with. They were outside when we were there. Once upon a toy has a number of opportunities to entertain a kid. They have build your own MR. Potato Heads that kids can tinker with for long periods of time. The World of Disney store is huge and is fun to browse through. We always head to DTD on our departure day for last minute souvenirs.

I would choose Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic package. We have had the package there and it's good. Portions are large enough so your daughter can share especially with the appetizer, entree and dessert included in the package. My wife tasted all three desserts we ordered and liked the spaghetti and meatballs cupcake the best. It's a pretty creative design too.

 

[Quin]

I think your choices all look good. And CP for breakfast is lovely.

I agree with Mama Melrose for dinner rather than H&V, so long as there are menu items that appeal both to DH and yourself. If not, H&V dinner is 'safe' but pretty generic.

With a 2 yr old the only thing I would think about changing is Raglan Road. It's fun for adults but might be a little high-energy for her. Think about what else you'll be doing that day and whether she'll be able to handle it - or melt down - or just sleep through it so no worries

Other non-park options instead of Raglan Road would be Boma at AKL or Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary (particulary if you choose MM instead of H&V, since the food is again a basic dinner buffet). Buffets are good because your DD2 can have her own food rather than just eating off your plate. All the buffets have basic kid food (mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, etc) but kids can eat from the entire buffet; they are not limited to the kids' section.

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

We just got back and enjoyed our trip and all the restaurants immensely!

We were looking least forward to Mama Melrose for lunch but actually had one of our best meals and THE BEST service there!

We did the princess dinner at Akershus and loved the character interaction. The appetizer buffet was pretty good too. That was our longest wait to be seated though.

Didn't do any of the other restaurants you listed but they sound good! We also LOVED Chef Mickey's for breakfast and heard it has a great dinner too!

You will have a great time no matter what! Most restaurants went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience!

 

[neodymm]

We love the food at Akershus. The cold bar with the sampler of Norwegian fish and salads is great and I really think there is something on the menu for everyone. We always do lunch or dinner there.

IMHO, I'd skip the Fantasmic dinner package and plan to eat dinner after Fantasmic at either the Boardwalk (path from HS to BW), any resort (like BC for cape may cafe), or Epcot (path from HS to EP).

The fare is pretty standard at most TS breakfast locations. I agree with PP, I'd trade the CP meal for lunch or dinner. I think you get more bang for your buck if you use your TS for lunch or dinner meals.

If you are adventurous with food...I'd suggest getting Boma in there, maybe to replace Ohana or Raglan Road. A Boma dinner reservation works well on an Animal Kingdom day.

There are so many choices and you will get mixed reviews on every restaurant in the World. Review the menus and plan logistically for what is best for your family. It's Disney...it's not like there is any BAD food, but there are certainly some that will leave you dying to go back to after you get home!

Have a great trip with your little one!

 

[singoldsby]

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate the imput - I am looking into Boma, and definitely weighing the character meals!

 

[dvcHammer]

I think Mama Melrose is the lesser of two evils at DHS. I would pick it over Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic package.

Agreed.

The only consistently great place is the Brown Derby. I will admit to having some truly great meals at Mama Melrose, but also a few so-so ones. Seems to be based on how busy they are.