Need Help First Visit!!

[CAJUNBLAZE]

I am going to wdw the week of Sept 9-16 and staying at the POFQ.(learning these abbr. pretty fast) There will be four in the party, me, wife, son(10), and daughter(4). My questions are:
What are character dinners or breakfasts and what ones would you recommend?
What should I reserve in advance?
What would be "dont miss" shows and specials?
Thanks, I know its alot to ask!

 

[2Monkeys]

Here is a link for the character meals & where they are located: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/cbchar.htm

You should DEFINITELY make reservations (ADR = Advanced Dining Reservation) by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Can't miss for us (DD8 & DS5) are SpectroMagic, Wishes, & Beauty & the Beast live (MGM).

Have a great time!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

HI! You should ADRs for everything...these are my thoughts for first timers:

Chef Mickey's for character dinner (in the Contemporary...we usually go to the MK during the day and then hop on the Monorail for dinner).

I have never been but I hear Crystal Palace in the MK is a good character breakfast...we are going there on our next trip.

Do the Fantasmic dinner package in MGM.

Hoop de Doo is a great dinner show.

Our absolute favorite restaurant is Le Cellier in Epcot.

People love OHana too in the Poly...I thought it was good but the meats were a little dried out. I was glad that we tried it.

I hope this helps...Have a great time!!!

Lauren

ETA (Edited to add): I hear Tusker House in Animal Kingdom is a great counter service. I have never been there as well...it was closed for a private party.

 

[kaysmommie]

Please make ADR's very soon. I would say Chef Mickey's breakfast Whispering Canyon at WL dinner, Crystal Palace at MK or Play N dine at MGM. 'Ohana for breakfast with characters or for dinner without characters. I would see which restaurants in Epcot fit your taste too. Teppanyaki in Japan is fun for families. SInce you have a 4 YO DD why don't make a reservation right away for one of the princess meals. They have Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle which is very nice but expensive, but I think everyone should go once. I would pick breakfast or lunch there. You don't see many princesses at Dinner. My next choice would be Akershus In Norway at Epcot they have Princess Storybook meals there for B,L, and D. Although I think breakfast is the ebst choice unless you want to try norwegian food . GF has a princess dinner at 1900 park fare with Cinderella and friends or breakfast with Alice, Mary Poppins, Pooh and Tigger. Hope this gives you sone ideas. to the Dis. Be sure not to miss Wishes and spectromagic.

 

[Hopefully]

As others have said, I advise you to make ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations) soon. With the popularity of the Disney Dining Plan, Table Service restaurants, particularly the character meals and popular restaurants, fill to capacity well in advance.
Follow the link you were given to look at the character meals.
Also you can review menus here on the DIS as well as allearsnet.com. This will help you to decide which restaurants appeal to you.
We make a basic plan, starting by determining which park we will be in on which day. We then find restaurants either in that park or a nearby resort where we would like to eat.
Hope this helps

 

[tlhbdm]

Your DD would love Cinderlla's Royal Table (inside the castle) I would def. take her to that!

 

[mama2three]

We just got back. It was my 11th visit! I have 3 kids (4,2 ,6mos). I like to go to Character Buffets because my kids eat much better when they can pick and choose what they want. HOpe this helps!! Definately make reservations AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
Also, for tickets, If you go to undercover tourist you can buy 4 days and get 2 days free at a discount! I've done this several times. I was a little hesitant at first, but they are recommended by mouseears.com and you can even check with Disney and Disney will tell you they are a licensed discount distributor. I've been the week you are going and it is a great time (no lines!)
Hoop-Dee-Doo is fun, but I would wait until your kids get a little older. For the meantime, the character breakfasts will be a BLAST for them. Both the kids are still at the age where they will LOVE it. Your son will outgrow the characters the next time you go.
Also, plan 1 hour travelling time from hotel to your destination. Even if you are staying in the park. This is NO joke!

ÞSunday September 9
Arrive and Check-in
Pool Day?

Monday September 10
MGM park hours
9:30AM Hollywood and Vine (JoJo, goliath &playhouse disney described as HIGH energy and alot of fun!!)
Confirm#:
5PM Sci-Fi or Prime Time
Confirm#:

ÞTues September 11
Magic Kingdom Park Hours
9:30AM Cinderella’s Royal Table (GREAT FOOD, WONDERFUL atmosphere)
5:30PM Crystal Palace (MK)
Confirm #:

ÞWeds September 12
Pool Day

ÞThurs September 13
Animal Kingdom Park Hours
5:40PM Boma (AK Lodge)
Confirm#:

ÞFri September 14
9:50 AM Chef Mickey (Contemporary) take monorail to Epcot or MK
Confirm#:


ÞSat September 15
EPCOT Park Hours 9am-9pm
6pm Rose And Crown Pub –UK GREAT Place to view Illuminations
5:40PM Biergarten –Germany
(the Princess lunch is Austria is GREAT, but expensive)
Confirm#


ÞSun September 16
Shop Dowtown Disney