Need help with 4 days of dining suggestions for ADR!

[AmazonMama]

Hi experts! Heading to WDW for our second trip, we first went in June 2018. (We are west coast DLR people normally.) Party of 5--me, DH and 3 adult kids. We will be there May 15-20.

Our last trip was booked within the 60 day window (or maybe the window was longer 4 years ago?) and we had limited options for meals at that point but we managed to work it out really well! We stayed at BLT, dined our first night at California Grill (LOVED IT) and watched the fireworks, during our stay ate at Epcot every night --Biergarten, San Angel Inn, Via Napoli. We had breakfast and early entry at Be Our Guest the first morning in MK and ate at the Brown Derby at HS for a late lunch one day (scheduled that same day on the app). I think we did really well! We didn't get into the sci-fi diner, I think that was the only recommendation that I could never make happen.

Staying Sunday May 15 to Friday May 20. Four full days in the parks. We do NOT have our tickets/reservations yet but everything is still green on the calendar right now. Will park hop and most likely eat in Epcot each night again. I wanted to do a night in AK but it won't be dark (( since it closes at 7. But is there a lunch at AK worth going to? Or maybe it will be dark enough at near closing to see the pretty lights in Pandora?

This trip, we are staying at Riviera, and it appears that Topolino's is one of the hardest ressies to get. I'd love to eat there on our first night in. But, since it's our first night....ugh. So, I was hoping those of you with experience can help me set my tabs for the hardest reservations in order. I'll get up in the middle of the night and try my best when the window opens! I'm reading that the 60+ reservations are sometimes not working, but hopefully it will work and I can book all my days on the first day.

If we can't get into Topolino's for dinner on our first night, where should we go instead? No ticket for in-parks that night, would want to eat at a hotel restaurant. We'll have a car, but also have the skytram from Riviera so what other hotels/restaurants would make sense? We will arrive at the resort probably around 6 pm and it will feel like 3 pm to us (so we can stay up late our first night). We would do a "nicer" more dress-up dinner that night since we won't be beat from the parks and it will be a fun start. And, on our last day, where is a good place to eat lunch at Disney Springs after we check out and go souvenir shopping?

Should we absolutely book party of 6? I'm reading here on the forums I'll get more bites (haha no pun intended) if I use 6 than 5. Typically we'll do quick service for breakfast and most lunches. But if there was something can't miss at breakfast or lunch, I'm down with planning around it.

So, I think I may want to book (but open to suggestions):

Topolino's (dinner)
Via Napoli (dinner)
Le Creperie (dinner)
Tokyo Dining (dinner)
Yak and Yeti (lunch? dinner?)
Brown Derby (lunch?)
Space 220 lounge or restaurant (any day or time if we could get it--probably at the last day of our trip given it's popularity, if we could get it at all.)

What else is can't miss? Our favorites on the last trip were California Grill, Via Napoli and the Brown Derby.

Thanks for any/all advice! I have been reading a lot of tips on here and I'm starting to figure it out but would love any specific suggestions or impressions on what we could accomplish on our trip given the dates and the best way to do so. THANK YOU!!

 

[Jacq7414]

I think Topolino’s is harder for breakfast than it is for dinner but I could be wrong

 

[jemtx]

Still love California Grill, but now it’s $89/pp and a price fixe menu (app, entree & dessert choice) with a more limited menu and with 5 adults, it could be pretty pricey.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I think you should book Topolino's for a later day - I am always hesitant to make an ADR for the first day I'm scheduled to arrive juuuust in case I get delayed. The quick service at Riviera (Primo Piatto) is excellent. You can also see what is available reservation-wise when you do arrive. You'll have easy access to the Boardwalk area (including Beach and Yacht Club restaurants, Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) & Caribbean Beach via the Skyliner, and Disney Springs.

Your list of restaurants looks fabulous to me. I haven't eaten at all of them but Brown Derby was excellent (lunch is a good call - nice a/c break from the heat), and I would recommend Space 220 lounge instead of restaurant for maximum flexibility on what you want to order. If you book restaurant its a fixed price menu. The lounge let us order whatever we wanted (drinks, appetizers, prix fixe menu for one out of our party of three). Only drawback was the table was smaller. But, difficult as it was, we made it work.

The food at Sci-Fi isn't worth the hassle of getting that reservation.

I'm looking forward to eating at Paddlefish and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs - haven't tried them yet but have heard good things. The Boathouse is a reliable option.

One ADR that seems easy to get for a fabulous meal is Toledo. There's also a lounge right across from Toledo restaurant that is also fabulous. Only downside is that the resort is spread out and Gran Destino surprisingly difficult to get to.

 

[Her Dotness]

Staying at Riviera puts you in prime territory for a possible Topolino's walkup from what I've seen others say.

If unable to get an ADR there (Try it for your last night's dinner FIRST. That's how we got it.), there may be a sign outside the restaurant indicating walkups are being taken.

Good luck on that one. It's delicious!

Trattoria al Forno isn't far (at BoardWalk Inn) and is superb for either breakfast or dinner, we thought. I suggest it as your first night dinner. Frankly, we think it vastly better than Via Napoli, though YMMV. (Your mileage may vary)

 

[AmazonMama]

Great tips! Keep 'em coming! There is so much to explore and since we've only been there once, I'd love to discover some new faves.

 

[Beamerball]

For AK look at the menu for Nomad Lounge. No ADR but you put your name on the walk up list. Go when it opens if you can. Great place for food and drinks

 

[AmazonMama]

I think Topolino’s is harder for breakfast than it is for dinner but I could be wrong

I could see that, given it's a character breakfast. I don't care about the character with adult kids , so maybe that works to my advantage.

 

[AmazonMama]

Staying at Riviera puts you in prime territory for a possible Topolino's walkup from what I've seen others say.

If unable to get an ADR there (Try it for your last night's dinner FIRST. That's how we got it.), there may be a sign outside the restaurant indicating walkups are being taken.

Awesome! If we don't have a plan for our first night, I'll definitely do that! We should get in around 6, and could eat dinner around 9 pm that night...not our usual dining hour but given the time change on the first night that would work. We might be able to pull that off! I'd guess 9 pm might be easier.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I think Topolino’s is harder for breakfast than it is for dinner but I could be wrong

this is my experience. We have 11 days in Disney coming up and I was unable to topolino breakfast for any of them. I did, however, have several opportunities for topolino dinner and wound up booking a party of 6 on Day 3.

 

[Jacq7414]

this is my experience. We have 11 days in Disney coming up and I was unable to topolino breakfast for any of them. I did, however, have several opportunities for topolino dinner and wound up booking a party of 6 on Day 3.

You couldn’t get it for any of the 11?!? That’s crazy! I got ours on day 60+7 when I booked for our April trip.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

You couldn’t get it for any of the 11?!? That’s crazy! I got ours on day 60+7 when I booked for our April trip.

i know, i literally checked for every morning too! I’m still marginally bummed but we got everything else we hoped for, and you can’t win ‘em all

 

[lfcfan]

We are traveling to DW in May also, with our 20 year old son. Looking forward to first time at Brown Derby for a late lunch.
We are trying Boathouse at Disney Springs for a late lunch as well. I wonder if that might be a good choice for you! I like that you can get anything from a sandwich to surf and turf, and there are plenty of appetizers etc.
We plan on Yak and Yeti but fyi, reservations there are crazy difficult. We also want to try Nomad Lounge--we don't really drink in the parks, but the setting and small plates look like a lovely respite.
We have a long trip, so to keep food costs from being sky high, we are limiting signature restaurants, otherwise I would try Flying Fish (have you considered that for first night if Topolino's doesn't work out?) I bet you will be able to walk up no matter what.
We may do Trattoria Al Forno for our first night, but we land pretty late. I am expecting a nice, solid, friendly meal there, but nothing too amazing.
I am also considering Steakhouse 21 for lunch or dinner. Convenient to MK. People seem to really like it, but I am not so sure. I enjoyed California Grill in the past, but there is no way we are doing the $89 pp thing. I don't like being locked in like that.

I must say I went back and forth about Space 220, because I expect my son would think it is cool, but decided against it. Recent reviews are not good, and it really is looking like a cash grab. Of course if the ambience will delight everyone, it is worth it perhaps. I personally find a nice outdoor/nature view much more rejuvenating when I am sitting down to take a break from the theme park atmosphere.

Sounds like you have a great time ahead. Enjoy!

 

[AmazonMama]

Love your suggestions Ifcfan. I'll check those other restaurants out. I'm thinking I might book the Space 220 lounge just for the kids, if I can get a table for 3 (i heard they are max 4). I don't really care about that, but my 22 year old is a Star Wars nerd hah! I think he'll really like it. And maybe we'll look into the Nomad lounge at AK too versus Yak and Yeti and just do some bites there.

We don't want to repeat too much because we had such a great time in 2018 I didn't want to compare trips unnecessarily and also it's fun to check out new things. If we went back to Ca Grill, it probably won't live up and it will taint our first memory! So, we'll leave it at that and try something new.

 

[Her Dotness]

Don't sell Cali Grill short!

We thought it as fabulous as ever upon returning last fall.

The Heirloom Apple Salad was as good as any I've had at V&A's. Oh, I had to mention that, didn't I? Just finished dinner, stuffed, and I'm drooling nonetheless remembering that magnificent salad.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I think you should book Topolino's for a later day - I am always hesitant to make an ADR for the first day I'm scheduled to arrive juuuust in case I get delayed. The quick service at Riviera (Primo Piatto) is excellent. You can also see what is available reservation-wise when you do arrive. You'll have easy access to the Boardwalk area (including Beach and Yacht Club restaurants, Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) & Caribbean Beach via the Skyliner, and Disney Springs.

Your list of restaurants looks fabulous to me. I haven't eaten at all of them but Brown Derby was excellent (lunch is a good call - nice a/c break from the heat), and I would recommend Space 220 lounge instead of restaurant for maximum flexibility on what you want to order. If you book restaurant its a fixed price menu. The lounge let us order whatever we wanted (drinks, appetizers, prix fixe menu for one out of our party of three). Only drawback was the table was smaller. But, difficult as it was, we made it work.

The food at Sci-Fi isn't worth the hassle of getting that reservation.

I'm looking forward to eating at Paddlefish and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs - haven't tried them yet but have heard good things. The Boathouse is a reliable option.

One ADR that seems easy to get for a fabulous meal is Toledo. There's also a lounge right across from Toledo restaurant that is also fabulous. Only downside is that the resort is spread out and Gran Destino surprisingly difficult to get to.

I agree with you. We ate at the Sci-Fi one time and I really didn't like it. So, we decided to give it another try and I still didn't like it.. Food is so so, and not worth the hassle, as the pp said.
ETA: We ate at the Brown Derby back in the days when they had Dine with an Imagineer, and it was great! For the price, I'd rather eat there instead of H&V. Soo disappointed with the (lack of) character interaction (for the money spent).

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I agree with you. We ate at the Sci-Fi one time and I really didn't like it. So, we decided to give it another try and I still didn't like it.. Food is so so, and not worth the hassle, as the pp said.

We are traveling to DW in May also, with our 20 year old son. Looking forward to first time at Brown Derby for a late lunch.
We are trying Boathouse at Disney Springs for a late lunch as well. I wonder if that might be a good choice for you! I like that you can get anything from a sandwich to surf and turf, and there are plenty of appetizers etc.
We plan on Yak and Yeti but fyi, reservations there are crazy difficult. We also want to try Nomad Lounge--we don't really drink in the parks, but the setting and small plates look like a lovely respite.
We have a long trip, so to keep food costs from being sky high, we are limiting signature restaurants, otherwise I would try Flying Fish (have you considered that for first night if Topolino's doesn't work out?) I bet you will be able to walk up no matter what.
We may do Trattoria Al Forno for our first night, but we land pretty late. I am expecting a nice, solid, friendly meal there, but nothing too amazing.
I am also considering Steakhouse 21 for lunch or dinner. Convenient to MK. People seem to really like it, but I am not so sure. I enjoyed California Grill in the past, but there is no way we are doing the $89 pp thing. I don't like being locked in like that.

I must say I went back and forth about Space 220, because I expect my son would think it is cool, but decided against it. Recent reviews are not good, and it really is looking like a cash grab. Of course if the ambience will delight everyone, it is worth it perhaps. I personally find a nice outdoor/nature view much more rejuvenating when I am sitting down to take a break from the theme park atmosphere.

Sounds like you have a great time ahead. Enjoy!

We have the Landry's membership and that pretty much gets you into Yak and Yeti (as well as other Landry's restaurants). We also had a reservation for a very late time, and we walked in and they were able to seat us 2 hours earlier. (We had to wait around 15-20 minutes, but not too bad, considering the waiting area was packed) It costs 25.00 to join, but you get a 25.00 certificate to spend, and if it's a birthday month, you get another 25.00 to spend (not at the same reservation). We have been members for years. We try not to abuse the perks, but sometimes it works for us.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Personally, we were VERY disappointed in Le Creperie de Paris. Service was the worst we have ever experienced in over 10 years of visiting WDW and lots of table service dining. The crepes suffer from a real scarcity of filling.... little more than a couple of tablespoons of filling and a large overcooked crepe. Hopefully, our experience was on an off night with a bad service. We found La Tratorria on the boardwalk a very pleasant surprise-- excellent service, large servings of excellently prepared food.

 

[DJFan88]

Personally, we were VERY disappointed in Le Creperie de Paris. Service was the worst we have ever experienced in over 10 years of visiting WDW and lots of table service dining. The crepes suffer from a real scarcity of filling.... little more than a couple of tablespoons of filling and a large overcooked crepe. Hopefully, our experience was on an off night with a bad service. We found La Tratorria on the boardwalk a very pleasant surprise-- excellent service, large servings of excellently prepared food.

I’ve heard similar. To try the Crepes, I plan on just ordering from the walk up window and not investing too much into that

 

[Disturbia]

Some dining reservations (enchantment dessert after party; the crowds are intense now vs prior years) open at 5:30 am and some experiences (up close with Rhinos) open at midnight. Topolinos is a good experience if they don’t have supply issues (served us fatty chewy meat on 3rd/4th visit). Flying Fish is another one we booked for our upcoming trip. Don’t forget to book Oga’s on your HS day esp with older kids (drinks ok, experience is cool). Steakhouse71 (contemporary) is now requested to be repeated by our teen (vs BOG). It took us 1 hour to get to the Polynesian resort to Ohana (skip; food quality went down) despite lining up before fireworks ended.

Space220 lounge is the hardest reservation to get. The setting is nice and relaxing but the service is extremely slow and food overpriced. We had it booked for our last day and now flight change (within 40? days of travel) meant we lost 3 park hours. I wouldn’t book anything on check in day if you’re flying as employee shortages are creating nightmares at airports - 2 hours for security alone (be early if it’s a big airport.). Orlando airport now has a line skip system (we haven’t tried it yet). You have to book Mears separately (no Magical express); no free magic bands.

Story book dining at Artists point is a boat ride away from MK and is also tough to get. You have to book park passes and can only hop after 2 pm (you know this already.) The world showcase gets so crowded it’s hard to navigate Canada/France and popular food booths can have 30-40 min waits (France, China, Italy).

For holidays/peak season Disney now extended hours 2 weeks prior to a trip and then opens dining sometime within that time (Boma opened immediately theday they changed; MK restaurant are still pending). Touring plans (paid) sends a same day alert when hours change. Extended hours changed to 11-1 am for MK