November '08 ~ What Do You Mean It's Over? Should we plan another???

[Luckymomoftwo]

Do you really think ADR are necessary? I mean I can see at a place like Victoria and Alberts but who knows what I'm gonna feel like come that day at dinner time, or what if were in the park having a great time? I dunno just don't understand it.

I agree...we were going to do the dining plan and then we realized just how much time we would be spending at table service meals. We're already paying a small fortune just to go to the parks, we don't have another small fortune to spend on food OR the time to spare while we're there. We made ADR's for the Fantasmic dinner so we don't have to wait in line to get into the show and we made ADR's for a Character Breakfast and that's it.

 

[linmc1129]

We'll be at the Poly Nov 23-30. My MIL will be with us and we will be celebrating my dd 7th birthday on the 29th. We are sooo excited. Even got CRT for breakfast and Chef Mickey's for dinner on her bday! It's our 1st time at a deluxe and 1st time on ddp. Yea!!

 

[tnmomof4]

Every family is different, but we like doing the Dining Plan. It would cost us a little more to pay out of pocket, so the Dining Plan works for us. Even if we didn't do the Dining Plan, we would still do one Table Service meal a day.

I like knowing where we are going to eat. We have no problem planning our meals this far ahead. My kids ages 12, 10, 5 & 5 love the Character Meals. I also like taking that break to eat. It gives the kids some time to rest. We don't go back to the room to take a break, so the table service meal is our break. It usually is about a 1 1/2 hour break, and then we are ready for more rides and attractions.

 

[N10CJT]

Do you really think ADR are necessary? I mean I can see at a place like Victoria and Alberts but who knows what I'm gonna feel like come that day at dinner time, or what if were in the park having a great time? I dunno just don't understand it.

I guess it's what you're into that matters. I am a foodie, and my girlfriend is a foodie, so a vacation is largely about what great food we get to eat. So for us, taking a couple hours to relax with a great meal is really important. As such, ADRs are critical! It would be amazing if we could just decide, "hey, let's go to California Grill tonight!" but unfortunately that's not possible. So we decide where we want to eat, and work our plans accordingly.
I'll mention one anecdote from our trip last year. While waiting for Le Cellier, we saw multiple groups try to walk up and be turned away. One family got angry at their son (who was maybe 9 or 10), because they felt that his desire to ride whatever ride ultimately delayed them kept them from a table (in actuality, it was the Friday after Thanksgiving and that restaurant was completely booked). They said all sorts of really nasty things to him, telling him that it was his fault that they couldn't eat there. In that case, it was them projecting off of a huge mistake that they made in not making reservations.
Unfortunately given the popularity of many of the Disney restaurants, you have to decide what you're going to feel like doing 6 months in advance. Last year (my first in 12 years and my girlfriend's first in 15) there were times when we didn't feel like cutting short what we were doing to make it to dinner, but there were also meals that we are really glad we scheduled in regardless of how it affected our schedule. It's a best guess, really, and once you make your choice, you live with it! By and large we were more glad to have reservations than annoyed at having to run off to them.
So again, I see your point, but it's a matter of personal preference about what a vacation at Disney is all about. If I had to eat nasty counter service food all week, I'd be a cranky boy. But others might not, and that's cool!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Every family is different, but we like doing the Dining Plan. It would cost us a little more to pay out of pocket, so the Dining Plan works for us. Even if we didn't do the Dining Plan, we would still do one Table Service meal a day.

I like knowing where we are going to eat. We have no problem planning our meals this far ahead. My kids ages 12, 10, 5 & 5 love the Character Meals. I also like taking that break to eat. It gives the kids some time to rest. We don't go back to the room to take a break, so the table service meal is our break. It usually is about a 1 1/2 hour break, and then we are ready for more rides and attractions.

This is us too. The sit down meal is our "break" time.

 

[firechick139]

This is us too. The sit down meal is our "break" time.

I agree. Even though this is our first family trip to WDW, I still have a feeling on what it's going to be like with 8 people. They are going to want to do what they want to do. If the 17 year old wants to go one way and I take the 4 yer old another way, that's fine. The ADR's will be our meeting point so we can sit and relax and all gather together again. I'm not planning on going back to the room for a "break" either. That's why it is important to me that we have a little "down time" with the ADR's.

 

[kmores]

I guess it's what you're into that matters. I am a foodie, and my girlfriend is a foodie, so a vacation is largely about what great food we get to eat. So for us, taking a couple hours to relax with a great meal is really important. As such, ADRs are critical! It would be amazing if we could just decide, "hey, let's go to California Grill tonight!" but unfortunately that's not possible. So we decide where we want to eat, and work our plans accordingly.
I'll mention one anecdote from our trip last year. While waiting for Le Cellier, we saw multiple groups try to walk up and be turned away. One family got angry at their son (who was maybe 9 or 10), because they felt that his desire to ride whatever ride ultimately delayed them kept them from a table (in actuality, it was the Friday after Thanksgiving and that restaurant was completely booked). They said all sorts of really nasty things to him, telling him that it was his fault that they couldn't eat there. In that case, it was them projecting off of a huge mistake that they made in not making reservations.
Unfortunately given the popularity of many of the Disney restaurants, you have to decide what you're going to feel like doing 6 months in advance. Last year (my first in 12 years and my girlfriend's first in 15) there were times when we didn't feel like cutting short what we were doing to make it to dinner, but there were also meals that we are really glad we scheduled in regardless of how it affected our schedule. It's a best guess, really, and once you make your choice, you live with it! By and large we were more glad to have reservations than annoyed at having to run off to them.
So again, I see your point, but it's a matter of personal preference about what a vacation at Disney is all about. If I had to eat nasty counter service food all week, I'd be a cranky boy. But others might not, and that's cool!

I agree - Thanksgiving seems to be ALREADY sold out almost everywhere you call and still 5+ months to go....IMHO walk-ups may be a thing of the past as many are doing the dining plan more and more. people do cancel, but many times at LTT in MK and the Italian Pavilion I saw so many people turned away as above. we are so excited about the new places we are going to eat....and it is a nice respite for the back and feet from the walking!! and the dining experience is always such a pleasure!

 

[kappman]

We are going in November also, Thanksgiving week. Our dates are Nov 22-29 at the Wilderness Lodge. We are taking my Mother with us this time, she hasn't been in about 15 years and never on vacation with us. Gosh y'all plan early. I started the beginning of January and thought that was early. I haven't been for three years though and am going through withdrawls.

We are taking our in-laws with us to WDW and staying at POP Nov 22-28. Not sure how that is going to work. WE have been on vaction together before at Myrtle Beach and that was ok, but Disney is so different. We hope they understand we are going to get as much out of the trip as we can. First time with DD, wife and I went in 1997 for the 25th anniversary in June, hottest I have ever been in my life. I know the crowds will be large for Thanksgiving but I bet they cannot compare to the 25th celebration and pre-fast pass and the first week out of school for most people. I still have the vision of Cinderalla's Castle painted as a Cake on my mind. MMMMM Cake got to get some now.

 

[eyor44]

I think ADRs are important if you like sit down meals. My husband does, but we never knew about having to plan ahead. In '03 we tried several times to get a TS meal by walking up. No dice. In '05, I made a couple reservations, but did it just a couple weeks before we left and had to take what we could get. Ended up with a couple good places. I had read about the dining plan and wanted to try it, so I did a lot of research about the dining plan and the restaurants. I want this trip to be special as my Mother is going with us, she has never been on vacation with us before and it has been over 15 years since she has been to WDW. We are also trying to convince my FIL to join us. Here is our schedule:
Sat, arrive -dinner at CP
Sun, breakfast @ H&V, lunch @ Mama Melrose, dinner @ WCC
Mon, breakfast @ ArKershus, dinner @ Garden Grill
Tues, off site day
Wed, breakfast-girls CRT, guys CP, dinner @LTT
Thurs, breakfast @WCC, lunch @ LeCellier, dinner @ Biergarten
Fri, lunch @ Tusker House, dinner @ Boma
Sat, no plans, leave WDW in afternoon
I figure since it is suppose to be crowded that week, I would find something different to do and visiting different restaurants would be just the thing.
We'll see how this all works. and I'm all for changing plans if necessary.

 

[kadesha]

I'll be there November 20-25 at Pop!! So excited!!!

I know nothing about the crowds at this time of year, I thought they'd be low, but from the few pages I've had time to read in this thread, I think I may be wrong! How do the crowds compare to May, which is when we usually go.

 

[Minniekins]

Hello everybody, I'm new here. We just booked our November 3rd trip to WDW! YAY! We'll be staying at the CBR. Never stayed here but I hope to hear good things about it. I hear they're working on the pool area, hopefully their putting in a great slide. That's one the things I Will miss about CSR, the pool was great, oh and the pepper market, YUM. How is the food over in CBR? Anyone know?

Hi, welcome to the dis! We always stay at CBR, except for one stay at OKW, and we love it! The grounds are beautiful, the bus system usually works pretty good, and we like the way the rooms look and the size. Love the tropical feel of the place! The food, I don't know. We haven't tried a lot. We've had pizza from room service and didn't really care for that so didn't think it was worth, rather disappointing. Haven't been there while the deli was still open but I wanted to try it. Haven't tried Shutters either, but haven't heard great things about it. Had a noodle thing that was good at one of the places. But, we think they have great cheeseburgers and fries!! We like to go shopping in the Port Royale gift shop then get cheeseburgers and eat out on the patio area. We try to do that usually the first night, then cheeseburgers a few other nights, too.

 

[TerrytownGrl]

We'll be there for Thanksgiving week Nov 23 - Nov 29 at POP.

It will be a vacation of many "firsts"...our first time at WDW during cooler weather, our first time going for Thanksgiving and our first time staying at Pop. We're so excited!

We're just hoping the Osborne lights will be on display during our trip, especially since I believe our only opportunity to catch the CP in Epcot will be on Friday the 28th.

Hope everyone has a lovely trip in November!

DH Me DD (9) DNiece (12)

 

[kadesha]

We'll be there for Thanksgiving week Nov 23 - Nov 29 at POP.

It will be a vacation of many "firsts"...our first time at WDW during cooler weather, our first time going for Thanksgiving and our first time staying at Pop. We're so excited!

We're just hoping the Osborne lights will be on display during our trip, especially since I believe our only opportunity to catch the CP in Epcot will be on Friday the 28th.

Hope everyone has a lovely trip in November!

DH Me DD (9) DNiece (12)

It's our first during cooler weather and our first at Thanksgiving as well. We'll also be at Pop, but it isn't our first time! You will LOVE it, it's such a fun resort!! See you there!

 

[Dawn68PA]

You and me both Dawn. I love Samantha Brown, were did you see these, on the Travel Channel? I have a question for anyone to answer if anyone knows. I called Disney today b/c I wanted to know what section of CBR I will be located on. They told me they couldn't tell me that, it's based upon availability. Has anyone else gotten your location in advance and if so why can't I know? One more thing, should I request a certain location within the resort? Is one nicer than the other?

Yes, Samantha Brown. Her special of Disney Favorites is on today at noon & again at 9 EST.

In regards to where your room is...I've read that rooms aren't assigned until a few days prior to your arrival. If you want something special, I'd call Disney and ask them to note it on your reservation. I asked for Captain Jack but he wasn't an option.

 

[SHbeaches]

Yes, Samantha Brown. Her special of Disney Favorites is on today at noon & again at 9 EST.

In regards to where your room is...I've read that rooms aren't assigned until a few days prior to your arrival. If you want something special, I'd call Disney and ask them to note it on your reservation. I asked for Captain Jack but he wasn't an option.

Thank you much, I will watch!!!

 

[kmores]

We'll be there for Thanksgiving week Nov 23 - Nov 29 at POP.

It will be a vacation of many "firsts"...our first time at WDW during cooler weather, our first time going for Thanksgiving and our first time staying at Pop. We're so excited!

We're just hoping the Osborne lights will be on display during our trip, especially since I believe our only opportunity to catch the CP in Epcot will be on Friday the 28th.

Hope everyone has a lovely trip in November!

DH Me DD (9) DNiece (12)

hey! I am going to be at POP also 11/20-11/27! live across the river from you - we have a new orleans link at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710205
just jump to the end - it's pretty long!! this is our 3rd year at Thanksgiving - you will have a blast!

 

[kmores]

Yes, Samantha Brown. Her special of Disney Favorites is on today at noon & again at 9 EST.

In regards to where your room is...I've read that rooms aren't assigned until a few days prior to your arrival. If you want something special, I'd call Disney and ask them to note it on your reservation. I asked for Captain Jack but he wasn't an option.

I love her too - how do I get that job?? being "forced" to travel and report on all these travel destinations...I'm sure Monte Carlo was painful for her!

thanks for the heads up on the room request!

 

[kadesha]

hey! I am going to be at POP also 11/20-11/27! live across the river from you - we have a new orleans link at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710205
just jump to the end - it's pretty long!! this is our 3rd year at Thanksgiving - you will have a blast!

I have noticed so many people will be at Pop at this time!!

"see" you there too! lol!

 

[TerrytownGrl]

hey! I am going to be at POP also 11/20-11/27! live across the river from you - we have a new orleans link at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710205
just jump to the end - it's pretty long!! this is our 3rd year at Thanksgiving - you will have a blast!

Cool! I'll go check out the link now. Thanks for the tip!

 

[JoBird]

just popping in to say I am still working on updating the list- thanks for not giving up on me!!!!

Will post it as soon as it's done.

Hugs-

Jo