Newbie - help me out with our ADRs!

[mak54321]

Arrive Sunday - 8/17 around 1 p.m. - should we plan anything for that evening? DH has a conference at Coronado Springs, so that's where we're staying until Friday 8/22.

8/18: WDW during the day, Chef Mickey's @ 5:15 p.m. Any good recs for lunch? Do we need reservations in the park for lunch? We're bringing DD who is 3, and DS who is 18M.

8/19: Open - DH has conference, schedule is uncertain. He probably has a business dinner. We're planning pool time then Pepper Market for lunch? Are there good restaurants that we could walk into if he doesn't have a planned dinner?

8/20: Open - same thing during the day, but we could plan a dinner somewhere. Would love recommendations if ADR is required.

8/21: CRT @ 9:10 a.m., WDW during the day. Recs for dinner after a long day?

8/22: pool time in a.m., leave at 7 p.m.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Arrival night - I would spend some time at the hotel, rest, explore, unpack, and then consider heading to Downtown Diseny for the evening. You could make a reservation somewhere for dinner or just eat counter service (Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck are both really good). Shop, see the sights, take some pictures, and have dinner. Then you can head back early and get some sleep after traveling.

On the 18th, I personally wouldn't eat more than 1 table service each day since you spend so much time doing it and miss park time. I'd plan to eat counter service whenever teh 3 yo gets cranky and hungry Esp since your dinner reservation is early.

On the 19th, you could head back to downtown disney and try a spot there. They are usually fairly easy to walk into, or you can put your name down and wander the shops. You could also eat at Maya Grill, if you want to stay close to home and enjoy the pool longer.

On 20th, will you be going to the parks? I'd pick a spot in the park you're planning to be in. If not, you could travel to someplace like Boma at AK. Your kids could check out the animals before and after. It's a gorgeous hotel. Do you have a car? Getting there by bus is a teensy bit of a pain but may be worth the adventure. OR you could take the bus to the ticket and transportation center, take the monorail to 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, or something like that. Ohana would be great, actually. It's all you can eat, but they bring it to you so you don't hav eto juggle wee ones at the buffet line. It's very family friendly with kid entertainment. Poly is another really cool place to visit. All of those would need a reservation.


On the 21st, consider taking a break mid day. It's HOT HOT HOT at that time of year and we couldn't last all day - being 6 adults! Kids melt even faster, esp if you're starting the day so early with that breakfast. I'd consider heading back to the hotel for a nap and break in the afternoon, maybe grabbing a bite there, and then heading back when it's cooler in the evening.

Have a great trip!

 

[mak54321]

Thank you for the suggestions. I think that going downtown Disney is a great idea for the first night.

I think that I WILL make ADRs for 8/19 and 8/20 and cancel if I have to based on DH's availability. The only other dinner that is character based that I know of is Crystal Palace with Poo & Friends. Do we need to have park admission to go? If so, that's out since we're already doing 2 days of WDW. Any other character dinners that you can recommend with kids?

 

[septbaby]

You mention being in WDW, that's everywhere. If you mean The Magic Kingdom I'd suggest trying another park like Epcot on your Chef Mickey day. You'll get to see more than one park and there is a fun Nemo attraction in Epcot. You could also choose The Disney Hollywood studios (Playhouse Disney characters, High School Musical, Toy Story, Cars, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast show) are all there. If you only plan on parks for 2 days I'd probably save the Animal Kingdom for another trip.

You will have to enter the Magic Kingdom on 8/21 to make your CRT reservation. Unless you or DD are just dying to go to the castle many on these boards would say your money is better spent on a meal and character interaction at Crystal Palace. I have not been, so I can't give you first hand information. There is nothing like the castle, so if its a Dream then go ahead and do it, but it isn't your only option there.

Generally, you won't be able to walk to a meal, but you can get on free Disney transportation to take you just about anywhere!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Thank you for the suggestions. I think that going downtown Disney is a great idea for the first night.

I think that I WILL make ADRs for 8/19 and 8/20 and cancel if I have to based on DH's availability. The only other dinner that is character based that I know of is Crystal Palace with Poo & Friends. Do we need to have park admission to go? If so, that's out since we're already doing 2 days of WDW. Any other character dinners that you can recommend with kids?

Yes, you will have to have park admission to get in. Are you visiting any spot other than the MK? Do you have a park hopper pass?

You could do a character meal at a resort restaurant. Chef Mickeys does dinner, and are not in a park, so you could switch it to a non park day and do a dinner inside the MK on your MK day.

1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian has a Cinderella dinner http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_19d.htm

 

[mak54321]

Sorry! Wrong terminology (newbie mistake)!

Yes - I was originally thinking of going to MK on our first full day 8/18. We have an ADR for Chef Mickey's for dinner. BUT -you have an excellent point! I think now we'll go to Hollywood Studios for the day. I'll try to get ADRs for the Disney playhouse at H&V for BF and move our ressie for CM to another day.

The next two days (8/19-8/20) are tough because it's entire dependent on DH's convention/meeting schedules. I think we'll spend the days at our resort in the pool/play area. I MAY book a dinner for 8/20 as it may be more likely that he'll be free that night.

Our last 2 days, we'll do MK. Currently, we have an ADR for BF @ CRT on 8/21. On 8/22 we'll have all day at MK since we don't leave until 7 p.m. that night. I didn't want to do two princess events on the same trip, and we'll have seen Mickey, the princesses and the einstein crew. Maybe we can do CP Poo & Friends BF or the Supercali at GF for BF on 8/22? Any opinions on the Supercali BF? My DD LOVES Mary Poppins.

 

[catho72]

We did the Supercali breakfast at GF and really enjoyed it. The Mad Hatter was our favorite character. The kids didn't know who he was before we ate there but he was all they could talk about for the next few days. The food was good and the characters were entertaining. Mary Poppins wasn't overly friendly but the Mad Hatter and Alice were fantastic! I would recommend going there!

 

[septbaby]

Well if she LOVES Mary Poppins then definitely do the 1900 Park Fare Breakfast. Then take the boat from GF over to the Magic Kingdom, a really nice ride (or take the monorail).

I booked the PHD Lunch meal for my 6yo nephew and I so I am putting my $ where my mouth is!...lol

Have a magical visit!

 

[Aimeedyan]

The Mary Poppins breakfast is my favorite breakfast on property - character or not. It's very good, and the characters are fabulous.

 

[mak54321]

Thank you all for your feedback! I think I've finally figured out our schedule!