newbie *frazzled mom* needing advice

[SGMCO]

Another fun Character Breakfast is: Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast
at the POLY.

The food is good basic Breakfast food (Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Biscuts, Excellent Juice, Coffee)which is served
family style (so you don't have to get up to get food--it is brought to
you).

The Characters are: Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto--all are dress in
Hawaiian shirt with lei around there neck.

The character interaction is very good--they don't seemed to be rushed.
The Atmosphere at Ohanas is very nice not noisy like CM.

This is a very good Character meal for both boys and girls.

There is also a Kids Parade with the Characters around the dining room-
which is a lot of fun.

 

[AngelBabyJana]

I think it would help if we knew the ages of your children, but I think your choices look good. We have done Sci-Fi and the food is fine and if you like the movies it's good but I didn't like the seat setup. Haven't been to TRex but people have said it could be scary for small children.

I'm sorry, I forgot that some people have the signatures blocked - my kids ages are in my siggy. We have two girls 16 & 10 and our son is 4 (will be 5 when we go to Disney), plus my nephew lives with us, he is 22. My sister and my niece are also going along with us - my niece's son will be 5 & her daughter 2 1/2 at that time. 11 of us total going, so some ressies may be hard to get if not done asap.

Good to hear about the Sci-Fi, I was really wondering about that one. It just seemed like a restaurant that my 22 yr old nephew would like, so thought that we would do something for him as well (since he will be humoring us with all the character meals).

My kids love the Rainforest Cafe (my daughter was afraid when she was younger though) so I'm sure that they will do fine with the T-Rex cafe. The 5 yr old boys love Dinos, so I'm sure it will be a hit.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

You have some great choices there.

CRT- awesome, yes they have breakfast during EMH, although a better option would be 10am on an EMH morning, that way you can take advantage of EMH and the hour after. Lunch is also an option.

Luau- my DD 3 fell asleep early into the show, Hoop Dee Doo is a much more entertaining choice

Coral Reef- great choice, you can ask to sit next to the tank, but it is not guaranteed, the tank is huge though, so as long as you are not in the very back, the kids will be fine

Crystal Palace- my favorite place to have lunch, I love love love the lunch there, the prepared salads are amazing!

Kona- OK, not the greatest. Their breakfast is really good (tonga toast), but I try to avoid doing breakfast, because it eats up valuble prime park touring hours. Ohana is better for dinner.

1900 Park Faire for dinner is a great choice, very entertaining for the kiddos.

Avoid Le Cellier with rambunctious tots.

I agree, we like Narcoosee's, and the restaurant is on the water and has beautiful views outside. I do find Narcoosee's to be very noisy, not because of kids though, the restaurant itself has horrible acoustics, all wood, no interior walls, the sound just bounces.

Biergarten is a good choice, music and dancing are always fun.

Sci Fi Dine In at DHS is fun also. We have never had a bad meal there, we have eaten there at least 3 times, and enjoyed it every time.

If your kids love Playhouse Disney, then Hollywood and Vine is a good choice for the charater meal there.

Chef Mickey's - this a must do for our family, we like dinner there.

 

[Tracyplus5]

I just wanted to say "hi" since we are newbies as well, and are planning our first trip to Disney at the same time as you. We are going May 2-10, and staying at POP. Just like you, we are trying to figure out which restaurants would be best so that we can make our ressies Feb 1. I know first hand, it can be very overwhelming. I've spent months on here reading these boards, and looking at all the food pictures. Looks like we are considering some of the same places. I *think* this is what we will be going with:

Hoop-Dee-Doo Review (doing this for dinner the day that we arrive - no parks for us this day - I'm sure that the kids will want to hit the pool first thing)
CRT - really hoping to get in here (either for breakfast or lunch - not going to be picky)
Coral Reef - my kids will love this one, and hubby LOVES seafood
Chef Mickey's - breakfast here sounds fun! plus I am a HUGE Mickey fan
1900 Park Fare - dinner here for everyone (I will be spending the day with my girls - Bibbity Boppity Boutique & Princess Tea Party ---- while hubby, nephew, and son do "guy things")
Crystal Palace - either breakfast or lunch (still trying to decide)
Konga Cafe - breakfast here either before/after early horseback riding with my oldest daughter (I must try Tonga Toast!)
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast - my son is a huge Little Einsteins fan, so this one is for him
Sci-Fi Drive In - still discussing this one - hate to leave it out so we will probably do lunch here
T-Rex Cafe - lunch or dinner - I know this one is OOP but sounds like something that we all would enjoy (since we all love Rainforest)

We are going with the regular dining plan - I realize that we will be paying OOP for a few of the meals and that is fine with us - we almost went with the deluxe plan, then realized what a busy schedule we already have.

Also have to say, I think the Rainforest Cafe would be worth it for you, even if it is OOP. We aren't doing that since we have one near us (in Galveston) - my kids LOVE going there - definitely a family favorite for all of us

Anyone have any suggestions on my list above? How to improve it, or what might not be good? Or what not to miss? Not trying to high-jack your post OP, just hated to start my own on the same subject. I got some good ideas from the responses written to you. Would love to hear more counter service favorites. Where is the best cs pizza?

Anyway, hope that you have a great 1st vacation in Disney! Enjoy your planning!

Thanks Jana! Same to you! Also, just to let you know what I didn't know up until yesterday...you can make that CRT reservation now. With CRT you don't need to wait until 90 days prior, they're booking now for any guests staying through July. They still had some breakfast slots open when I spoke to them yesterday. Hope you get it!

 

[Tracyplus5]

I would double check your calculations. We are on the 4/3 plan and dining is NOT free on the "free" room nights, it just makes the room considerably more affordable! For us, with 4 children at ages 8.9.12 and 16 the deluxe plan is way more food than we'd need and more than we'd need to spend.

The CM we booked with stated that the 4/3 plan goes for the DDP as well. I'll check the math again but when I added it all up it came out that way (that we're getting the 3 free days of free dining too.)

 

[Tracyplus5]

I just re-checked the math. I was over-looking something and I think you're right. I am getting charged the DDP for the full 7 nights despite the fact that the CM told me that I wouldn't be. Not a big fan of him right now. So it would be a $742 difference. I don't know. I mean, 3 of the meals that I want to do are 2 TS credits and we'd do at least 1 TS meal/day, more then likely 2 TS meals/day. We like sit down meals and I really don't like the idea of fighting at a CS for a table. The more I think I know what I'm doing, the more confused I get. LOL!

 

[PictureJumpr]

I just wanted to say "hi" Howdy neighbor!
Coral Reef - my kids will love this one, and hubby LOVES seafood Please keep in mind that there is very little actual seafood on the menu here. The experience at the Aquarium restaurants locally downtown or in Kemah is far superior to the experience at the Coral Reef for seafood and fish in the walls... We've had good meals here but if you're looking for seafood be prepared to be highly disappointed.
Chef Mickey's - breakfast here sounds fun! plus I am a HUGE Mickey fan
1900 Park Fare - dinner here for everyone (I will be spending the day with my girls - Bibbity Boppity Boutique & Princess Tea Party ---- while hubby, nephew, and son do "guy things") We love this one, and be sure to introduce your nephew to the stepsisters as 'Prince'... it will make their night
Crystal Palace - either breakfast or lunch (still trying to decide) If it fits your plans, maybe try getting an ADR for 10:30 or so... you can have breakfast and lunch (we do Sunday brunch this way some trips)
Konga Cafe - breakfast here either before/after early horseback riding with my oldest daughter (I must try Tonga Toast!) If you are trying to count credits, keep in mind that you can get Tonga Toast as a CS at Captain Cook's at the Poly. We do this a lot, but sometimes do an oop breakfast at Kona while on the plan to allow my travelmate a coffee fix.
Sci-Fi Drive In - still discussing this one - hate to leave it out so we will probably do lunch here They have good burgers and such, and if you need to plan a couple of oop to supplement your ddp credits, this is a good choice.
T-Rex Cafe - lunch or dinner - I know this one is OOP but sounds like something that we all would enjoy (since we all love Rainforest)

Anyone have any suggestions on my list above? How to improve it, or what might not be good? Or what not to miss? Not trying to high-jack your post OP, just hated to start my own on the same subject. I got some good ideas from the responses written to you. Would love to hear more counter service favorites. Where is the best cs pizza?

Anyway, hope that you have a great 1st vacation in Disney! Enjoy your planning!

I have no input really on the pizza because I rarely eat it, but I am sure someone can help you out - I have read many posts here discussing just that topic.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I just re-checked the math. I was over-looking something and I think you're right. I am getting charged the DDP for the full 7 nights despite the fact that the CM told me that I wouldn't be. Not a big fan of him right now. So it would be a $742 difference. I don't know. I mean, 3 of the meals that I want to do are 2 TS credits and we'd do at least 1 TS meal/day, more then likely 2 TS meals/day. We like sit down meals and I really don't like the idea of fighting at a CS for a table. The more I think I know what I'm doing, the more confused I get. LOL!

I almost fell for the same thing when this promo came out, I was saved by a free dining pin which made the 4/3 a worse deal all around anyway, but how frustrating!

I see that you are planning a bunch of 2TS and such that may make the deluxe your best bet, but as for the 'fighting for a table' thing, it looks like you are going in late April? That is our favorite time of year to go and one of the reasons is low crowds - the only difficulty we had getting a table in a CS restaurant last year was at Cosmic Ray's at high noon. Yeah, pro planners we are If you want a small world window table at Pinocchio Haus you may have to wait a few minutes (there are only 4 or 5 of them), but other than that I would not let this be an issue in your consideration.

 

[AngelBabyJana]

Thanks Jana! Same to you! Also, just to let you know what I didn't know up until yesterday...you can make that CRT reservation now. With CRT you don't need to wait until 90 days prior, they're booking now for any guests staying through July. They still had some breakfast slots open when I spoke to them yesterday. Hope you get it!

Thanks girl! And thanks for the heads up - I didn't realize that I could book CRT or Chef Mickeys this far in advance. Now I need to decide which parks to go to on what days, then I can go ahead and try to reserve these two.

I have no input really on the pizza because I rarely eat it, but I am sure someone can help you out - I have read many posts here discussing just that topic.

Okay, I will check out some other threads on this subject tonight. I'm not big into pizza either, but I'm sure that the kids will insist on having it at least one time. Also "hello" to another Houstonian

I almost fell for the same thing when this promo came out, I was saved by a free dining pin which made the 4/3 a worse deal all around anyway, but how frustrating!

I see that you are planning a bunch of 2TS and such that may make the deluxe your best bet, but as for the 'fighting for a table' thing, it looks like you are going in late April? That is our favorite time of year to go and one of the reasons is low crowds - the only difficulty we had getting a table in a CS restaurant last year was at Cosmic Ray's at high noon. Yeah, pro planners we are If you want a small world window table at Pinocchio Haus you may have to wait a few minutes (there are only 4 or 5 of them), but other than that I would not let this be an issue in your consideration.

Does the 4/3 deal only apply to people staying for 7 nights? We are staying for 8 nights. I haven't heard of this deal yet. I signed up for the DIS boards about a year ago - then got busy with other things (holidays, etc...) - but am back again now. We have 3 rooms reserved at POP right now, and will be calling next week to upgrade to a "package deal" with the dining. Just wondering if I should ask about the 4/3 ..... or if it doesn't apply to me.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I imagine that they may let you book a 5/3 where you pay for five instead of four and then get the three nights free for a total of eight and not seven. If not, it may be worth it to book the seven with the promotion, and then book one night room-only where you enjoy those oop meals you had planned, and add the extra day onto the seven-night package tickets for $3 per person.

Is that just clear as mud or what?

The deal is set to expire on January 24.

It applies to anyone booking a hotel and ticket package through the third week in June and would save you some money on hotel nights but that's about it - the 'free' tickets are worth about $9 per person, and the dining is not free for the extra nights.