Need PERFECT Place to Dine B4 MNSSHP, Please Help

[copperbrick]

You guys are just the greatest! Wow -- these are all excellent suggestions -- one is as good as the next, and I've been pondering them all.

Okay, so play along with me here as I think out loud . . .

One thing for sure, I can see I've been perhaps a teeny tiny bit too ambitious in planning the day -- especially since it is a travel day. I'm such a little kid when it comes to these things. Live and learn.

The tip about not booking MNSSHP for the day of arrival -- so smart. I doubt I can change dates since I've already paid for our reserved tickets, so I guess we're stuck with that one . . . but we're flying in the AM (2-hour flight arriving 10AM), so that leaves a little elbow room -- not much, though. Let's hope all goes smoothly . . . and let's hope the weather holds out that night.

I'm still debating where to dine. Skipping table service that day may indeed be our best bet. We have a lot of excellent dining booked for our stay, so perhaps the first night doesn't really have to be TS. (Can you tell eating is really, really, really important to us?!)

There will be so much candy at the park, something lighter beforehand might be a smart choice regardless.

Hmmmm . . . so what to do? The suggestion about Captain Cooks at the Poly is a strong contender. I like the idea of being in a tropical setting, even if it is a counter service setting. We've never eaten there, so that might be a treat.

Also, not using a TS credit on our first day will allow us to cash in the extra credit at Jiko or Citricos (both already booked) later in the week.

I need gluten-free dining, so I'll give Disney a call to see what GF options may be available at Cook's.

I'm still debating, so those of you who are just tuning in to this thread, PLEASE keep posting suggestions. I LOVE to obsess and debate details -- it is kinda a hobby for me.

 

[copperbrick]

Congratulations on your anniversary! We dined at Sanaa in July and loved most of the dishes! (Definitely get the Naan and some dipping sauces! Ask your servers for dishes that you might like and they are very accommodating to make sure that you don't walk away hungry.) We loved our server and the front desk is so sweet. The restaurant is colorful and charming, kind of like an enchanted forest, and we thought the animals were even better at Sanaa than at Boma. I would say Sanaa can be a romantic restaurant.

Since Sanaa is part of the DVC area of AKL, it may not have the same frequency of cabs as the main lodge, so just ask the CM's to call for a cab if you need one.

Since you may be eating at AKL twice, I would suggest trying Boma for dinner one of the other nights. We love the variety of food there too, but the restaurant can be a little loud and family-oriented for a truly romantic anniversary dinner.

My other suggestion is to get you to the Halloween party... Dine at a lovely and relaxing TS for lunch so you can enter the party by 4pm. That's what we (two adults) normally do, and we have time to change into costumes!

Have a happy anniversary and a fantastic time at MNSSHP!

Thank you for the great review of Sanaa! I'm happy to say I booked it twice, so if we don't make it on our first night, we'll still have a night coming. It sounds wonderful.

 

[Disney Princess]

I agree with you that many people have offered some great suggestions. You have your work cut out for you! I will add one suggestion, and you can take it or leave it as you wish.

The Artist Point at WL is a lovely restaurant. I have no idea about how many credits it is (never done DDP), but the food was wonderful and we enjoyed our time in the quiet restaurant. If you plan it for any MK evening (MNSSHP or not) the boat between MK and WL can be fun as well.

Enjoy whatever you decide - and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

 

[copperbrick]

Great tip! Thank you.

I did it! I booked AP. The only reservations were for 5:30. I'm thinking this will work -- we can get to the park a little before 4PM, blow a kiss to the castle, get our arm bands at 4PM, and then head over to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner.

If we don't make the early parade, we can always attend the later one, which is supposed to be less crowded.

I ALSO booked Kona Cafe for 2:45. Captain Cook's . . . well, the more I thought about it, I'm just not so sure. I guess we can always take a look while we're at the Poly and decide then.

That way, we can see how we feel that day and either opt for a late lunch and then MNSSHP, or a full dinner with arrival at MNSSHP delayed.

We will, of course, cancel whatever reservations we decide not to use.

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm glad you have a plan that you are excited about. Enjoy whatever you decide. And - have a happy anniversary!

 

[copperbrick]

A question: Hubby and I are probably wearing Halloween t-shirts and getting custom ears to wear when we arrive at MK in the afternoon.

We wouldn't wear the ears to dinner, of course, but we'll probably be in shorts and t-shirts, or maybe even a costume, should we get bold.

Oh no! Artist Point is fine dining (2 table service credits) and requires more appropriate dress.

Will this work?

 

[stitchineeyore]

A question: Hubby and I are probably wearing Halloween t-shirts and getting custom ears to wear when we arrive at MK in the afternoon.

We wouldn't wear the ears to dinner, of course, but we'll probably be in shorts and t-shirts, or maybe even a costume, should we get bold.

Oh no! Artist Point is fine dining (2 table service credits) and requires more appropriate dress.

Will this work?

The only code for Artist's Point is no swimsuits, tank tops, etc. Folks come in dressed in all sorts of ways, from jacket/tie to park clothing. That said - go for the costumes! My husband and I have been three times, always in costume. CMs love it! We are back for a fourth time this year, and our adult kids are going with us. Do either one of you sew? I make our costumes and the CMs really notice it. Anyway, congratulations on your anniversary and have a wonderful trip!

 

[MariDisney]

I would also suggest that you think about how tired you're going to be that day. I don't know how long your flight from Chicago is, but here in Philadelphia it's 2.5 hours. So, if you're getting in at 10, I'm going to guess your flight is 7:30. Assuming you're going to get to the airport at 6:00 and having no idea where you live, I'll say you're going to get up at 4:00. I think by the time the party rolls around you're going to be dead tired, too tired to enjoy all that is happening. I'd hate to see you spend so much money and then decide to go back to your resort because you can't stay awake.

I have heard of 1 or 2 people being able to call and change the date of their party tickets. That would be my first suggestion. If you could change it, I'd plan for an early-ish dinner somewhere and then early to bed. This would set you up for a great trip and not exhaustion in your first few days. We usually do a 4:00 dinner on arrival day (we fly out of PHL at 7:00 am), and then we are in bed by 9:00. This makes the first full day amazing because we are rested enough to get to rope drop at MK.

WHatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[copperbrick]

Hello

We are going to MNSSHP on the 20th and we plan to go to Ohana at 5 then make our way over to MK for the party. In the day we arent visiting a park so we are planning on having a late breakfast probably just a snack before Ohana then if we are feeling a bit hungry later we have all our candy

I'm envious of your 'Ohana reservations! I tried to get them on the night we're going and they're completely booked. However, your post "nudged" me into making a reservation later in the week. Thanks.

 

[copperbrick]

I would also suggest that you think about how tired you're going to be that day. I don't know how long your flight from Chicago is, but here in Philadelphia it's 2.5 hours. So, if you're getting in at 10, I'm going to guess your flight is 7:30. Assuming you're going to get to the airport at 6:00 and having no idea where you live, I'll say you're going to get up at 4:00. I think by the time the party rolls around you're going to be dead tired, too tired to enjoy all that is happening. I'd hate to see you spend so much money and then decide to go back to your resort because you can't stay awake.

I have heard of 1 or 2 people being able to call and change the date of their party tickets. That would be my first suggestion. If you could change it, I'd plan for an early-ish dinner somewhere and then early to bed. This would set you up for a great trip and not exhaustion in your first few days. We usually do a 4:00 dinner on arrival day (we fly out of PHL at 7:00 am), and then we are in bed by 9:00. This makes the first full day amazing because we are rested enough to get to rope drop at MK.

WHatever you decide, have a great trip!

Hmmmm. . . maybe I'll call and see if I can change. That's a very logical tip, thanks.