Need help planning ADRs, UPDATED w/ ADRs

[Foxfiregrrl]

We just decided this weekend that we are going to do the free dining in September. We will be there from sept. 22- 27th. There will be 5 of us, DH(28), DMIL(58), DMom(55), DDad(56), and Me(28- 29 by then).

DH and I went 2 years ago on the dining plan and LOVED it!! We ate mostly all you can eat places, but noticed that when it was plated meals there was WAY too much food!

I am planning the dining with just a tad of input from the others. I want us to eat nicely and use the dining plan well. I kind of think it is crazy though to get 5 app, 5 entrees, and 5 desserts and have half the food go to waste. Plus Dmom is diabetic and won't be able to eat much of her dessert anyway.
That said, I was considering having us share meals to some degree at some TS and then maybe go to a 2 point TS one night... but I am not sure how that would work with the uneven number.

I was wondering if adults have shared meals on the DP at any TS meals and what you thought about it. Also if you have any suggested favorites or places w/ a good balance of quantity and quality.

For reference, last time we ate at:
Boma
Crystal Palace
Mama Melrose's
Akershus
Merakesh(sp?)

I have been considering for this trip:
Le Cellier f we can get ressies - I think this is a must - what about portions?
Ohana's
Whispering Canyon
California Grill
Coral Reef
Boma
50s prime time cafe
Sci-Fi Dine-in
liberty tree tavern
kona cafe
mama melrose
Concourse steakhouse

Of course that is WAY too many, and I am open to others... I keep trying to narrow it down, but the list gets bigger instead!

TIA for any suggestions you may have!

 

[The Sweetness]

I would call dining if I were you right now, and grab anything on your list that you can get. Even if an hour or maybe more off of your planned dinner time. I hear that availability of ADR during free dining is already slim pickin's

((traveling w/out kiddos, you have a better shot than most IMO. you can plan for first or last seatings, if thats what you can get))

Good luck finding places to use your TS credits

 

[powellrj]

we are noticing that the portion sizes aren't as large as they use to be. Many time the appetizers and desserts were really just a bite and not large enough to share.

 

[rotlex]

I would call dining if I were you right now, and grab anything on your list that you can get. Even if an hour or maybe more off of your planned dinner time. I hear that availability of ADR during free dining is already slim pickin's

((traveling w/out kiddos, you have a better shot than most IMO. you can plan for first or last seatings, if thats what you can get))

Good luck finding places to use your TS credits

I can vouch for the availability of TS meals already being slim. I phoned last week to make all of my ADR's for an August trip, and found that a number of our choices were either not available at all for dinner, i.e. whispering canyon, or very late dinner times, as after 8pm. We did manage to get things setup for the week, but I couldn't believe it was this booked up over 4 months out!

 

[simonkodousek]

Call and get anything you can. Also, try for Crystal Palace dinner. It is really good and one of traditions on the 1st night we're in WDW.

~Simon

 

[fterie4u]

I agree with the above posts, you should call right now for your ADR's. I called 180 days out and got verything I wanted, but then we added a day on and I just tried last week for WCC dinner and could not get it.

Out of the places you listed, I would suggest:

LeCellier - may have a hard time getting the ressie
WCC
California Grill - We LOVE this place, it is a 2 credit TS
Kona
Ohana - has been getting mixed reviews as of late
Boma

I would also suggest:

Chef Mickey's
Chefs de France - If you can't get LeCellier

Good luck in your choices!
Let us know how you make out!

 

[Mom of 3]

I would call ASAP. I made a bunch of my ADR's weeks ago for the same week you are going and even back then could not get LeCellier for dinner but did manage to get it for lunch. Had to take a 3:40 for dinner at Mama Melrose as that was the only time left.

I called yesterday to change a couple and for a party of 5 could only get a table at Boma if we split up to a party of 3 and 2, other wise they wanted us to eat at 9:30 at night which is way to late with little kids.

You may have to really flexible about where you want to eat.

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Thanks for all the advice. I know that time is of the essence and that is why I feel a little panicked about it.

We will try to nail it down today or tomorrow at the latest.

In the meantime any further advice on specific places would be Great! Any favorites, big dislikes, etc. would be helpful.

Do you think 50's or scifi are worth it? I think the theming sounds neat but esp at scifi the food looks somewhat lacking.

thanks again!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Ok, spent some time talking w/ DH tonight and spoke with my mom a bit.

We have it narrowed down a good bit and plan to sit down tomorrow afternoon and make the ADRs.
Here are our thoughts what do you think?
We will make 6 ADRs and may end up cancelling one (cause we only get 5 credits)

2 Epcot meals at either Chefs De France, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, or Marakesh (CDF is 1st choice, we think)
1 at MGM: either Mama Melrose or 50's

Boma
Ohana
Whispering Canyon

Any thoughts?

 

[rotlex]

Ok, spent some time talking w/ DH tonight and spoke with my mom a bit.

We have it narrowed down a good bit and plan to sit down tomorrow afternoon and make the ADRs.
Here are our thoughts what do you think?
We will make 6 ADRs and may end up cancelling one (cause we only get 5 credits)

2 Epcot meals at either Chefs De France, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, or Marakesh (CDF is 1st choice, we think)
1 at MGM: either Mama Melrose or 50's

Boma
Ohana
Whispering Canyon

Any thoughts?

Just wanted to add a comment on Boma, as, other than Ohana, it is the only one you have listed I have been too. It's awesome! My wife and I are going back again in August, and it's the only place we truly feel the need to repeat again. I had never heard about it before visiting these boards, and we went there on our last trip on a recommendation. It is now our favorite restaurant.

 

[simonkodousek]

Ok, spent some time talking w/ DH tonight and spoke with my mom a bit.

We have it narrowed down a good bit and plan to sit down tomorrow afternoon and make the ADRs.
Here are our thoughts what do you think?
We will make 6 ADRs and may end up cancelling one (cause we only get 5 credits)

2 Epcot meals at either Chefs De France, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, or Marakesh (CDF is 1st choice, we think)
1 at MGM: either Mama Melrose or 50's

Boma
Ohana
Whispering Canyon

Any thoughts?

Those are all great choices! You will love Chefs de France. It is one of my Epcot favorites.

~Simon

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Just wanted to give a semi-final update. We made our ADRs on Wednesday night. I have been too busy since to post them, but here they are.

Sat 22 Ohana's 9:20pm
Sun 23 Chefs de France 6:10pm
Mon 24 Boma 8:30pm
Tues25 Mama Melrose 6:10pm
Wed 26 Whispering Canyon 8:50pm
Thu 27 Coral Reef 7:50pm

I tried for Le Cellier first for lunch or dinner and was unable to get it for any time during our stay. Not too big of a deal. Then I got CDF and MM for Great times! I was excited, then all the rest were particularly late. Argh! I may move a couple of them to the latest lunch seating... but I'm not sure.

Saturday all the places I tried were 9 or later, so I went with Ohana. Do you think we might be able to check in early? or maybe just go early and sit at the beach and watch Wishes? 9:20 is SO late... I think this might have to be changed to lunch. I wonder if it is as good at lunch?

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

 

[Hopefully]

Your ADR's look good to me! Yes 9:20 is late for dinner. You could watch Wishes on the beach before dinner, I don't think you will be seated earlier than your ADR, but of course you can try. I would rather spend the time on the beach watching Wishes than waiting to possibly be seated earlier.
You mentioned changing 'OHana to lunch - I don't believe they serve lunch.
Have a great trip.

 

[fterie4u]

You ADR's look great, hpwever I would change Ohana since it is so late. How about Kona at the Poly? We love it there! I think the food is actually better there! We have ADR's for both place on our next trip, however I would choose Kona over Ohana if I only had once choice!