Newbie here...ADRs made but now I'm wavering...

[Born 2B a Princess]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a couple of months. We're planning our first trip to WDW. We're on the DDP and I've made the following dinner ADRs: Coral Reef, 50s Prime Time Cafe, Marrakesh, and O'Hana.

A couple of questions....

I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest? What do you think? All of our ADRs are for between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m.

I've also read here at you can see the fireworks from O'Hana...so would you recommend switching that ADR to later in the evening so we can watch the fireworks from there? If so, what would be a good time?

Also, I've read some mixed reviews on 50s Prime Time Cafe. What other DS TS restaurant do you recommend? Sci Fi looks like it would be a fun place.

Is it possible to call the dining phone number and request aquarium seating for Coral Reef? Also, I've seen posts about having a diver sign during dinner -- can anyone request that? How do you do that? I would love to surprise my girls with something like that!

Thanks so much!!

 

[mcco5543]

I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest? What do you think? All of our ADRs are for between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m.

I say move some of them to lunch. It's a wonderful way to relax but still stay "in the atmosphere".



Also, I've read some mixed reviews on 50s Prime Time Cafe. What other DS TS restaurant do you recommend? Sci Fi looks like it would be a fun place.

You'll always find mixed reviews. If 50's Prime Time looks good to you and your family. I say keep it! A good rule of thumb is "if 70% or more of the reviews are bad, then pay attention to that, otherwise, decide for yourself".

Is it possible to call the dining phone number and request aquarium seating for Coral Reef?

It is possible to request to sit by the tank. I'm sure they'll mark it down on your ADR. Also, I'd call the resturaunt directly and ask for a request. Just don't expect it to happen. and be excited if/when it does!





Also, I've seen posts about having a diver sign during dinner -- can anyone request that?
yes

How do you do that?
Call the resturaunt directly and book it! It's free last I heard!


Sorry I can't help with the other questions

 

[thunderbird1]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a couple of months. We're planning our first trip to WDW. We're on the DDP and I've made the following dinner ADRs: Coral Reef, 50s Prime Time Cafe, Marrakesh, and O'Hana.

A couple of questions....

I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest? What do you think? All of our ADRs are for between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m.

Don't worry--it will still be PLENTY hot and humid between 5:30 and 7:30 on any night in July in FL! I wouldn't try to change to lunch ADR's. You're paying for the DDP, so you probably want to get the most for your money, and dinner is where you'll do that. If you make it back to the hotel, you don't want to have to rush to dinner; if you don't, you'll find plenty of air-conditioned things to do in the parks in the afternoons.

I've also read here at you can see the fireworks from O'Hana...so would you recommend switching that ADR to later in the evening so we can watch the fireworks from there? If so, what would be a good time?

We did this (with an 8:15 ADR on a 9:00 Wishes night), and I wouldn't bother doing it again. The fireworks are really far away, the windows were all clouded with condensation from the humidity, and the music was very soft and they didn't start it on time. If you're looking for somewhere to watch the fireworks from other than the park, I think you'd enjoy them more from the beach at the Poly.

Also, I've read some mixed reviews on 50s Prime Time Cafe. What other DS TS restaurant do you recommend? Sci Fi looks like it would be a fun place.

We've never done 50's PTC, but my kids LOVE Sci Fi. I think the food tends to get better reviews at PTC, but you can't beat the atmosphere at Sci Fi. Either one would be fun for kids.

Is it possible to call the dining phone number and request aquarium seating for Coral Reef? Also, I've seen posts about having a diver sign during dinner -- can anyone request that? How do you do that? I would love to surprise my girls with something like that!

I don't believe you can request tankside seats--it's first come, first served. You can wait for a tankside seat, but it can add considerably to your wait (like, an extra hour or more). Here are a couple of recent threads that talk about the sign:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1267827&referrerid=&highlight=coral+reef+diver+sign

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1327113&referrerid=&highlight=coral+reef+diver+sign

One of the important things to note is the divers are only in the tank at certain times, so your ADR has to match up with those times.

Thanks so much!!

Good luck, and don't worry too much about getting "the perfect" ADR's. You may even change some things around once you're down there, and that's okay. You'll have fun either way.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Thanks so much! You guys are great. One other question on the diver sign -- does it have to be a special occasion to request this? Thanks!

 

[ktturner]

I agree with thunderbird1, don't change the times of your ADRs. A cast member last year talked with me about a reservation I was going to make and pointed out that if you are on the dining plan, you may as well "live it up." If you plan on eating at the nicer TS, then you are better off going for the dinner menu when the food is more $$$$ (getting more for your $$) and when it is higher quality.
That said, you could make the times later and use a late CS lunch paired with a break at the hotel to avoid the hot sun and nasty heat hours. . .

 

[undertheseas]

I agree with KTTURNER. If the dinner menu looks better, eat dinner there but some restaurants like Primetime 50s the menu is about the same so I scheduled lunch for the reasons you mentioned (to rest during the heat). I love PT 50s, we've eaten there twice. The food was awesome and our waitresses have been wonderful. If you're going for the atmosphere, ask the hostess at the counter for a server who is really outgoing. We've had Auntie Claire and she's a hoot!

Have fun on your trip to WDW, it's addictive!!

 

[PortieOwner]

We have done something similar. Hit the last sitting of the morning at breakfasts at places like 1900 PF or Crystal Palace.

Also, don't be shy about parking at an indoor air conditioned counter service place for a while to recharge.