***** Official * July 2017 * thread! *****

[dpswift]

I went ahead and purchased the dining plan, based on how expensive our characters meals will be. Here's what ADR's I have! Never eaten at any of these places so feedback is welcome!
Arrival day (Poly) July 4th: 'Ohana dinner 6:45
MK July 5th: BOG lunch at noon, CP dinner at 6:20
HS July 6th: Mama Melrose 12:30 or H &V 3:45 (both Fantasmic and I need to drop one!! Can't decide! Neither has me excited really but I want those F! Tickets)
AK July 7th: TH 12 noon ROL package!! flame Tree or Harambe mkt dinner (?)
EP July 8th: Akershus breakfast 11:30, dinner in World Showcase
We will have one extra CS meal to use at HS or Captain Cook's.

We are doing Ohana dinner on the 4th too. Did not like their breakfast at all. Long wait and poor service. I have heard dinner is better.

My daughters liked Mama Melrose dinner. Never done Hollywood and Vine but it is a coworkers favorite.

We did not like Akershus breakfast primarily because of where we were sat. We were right by the door where the princesses came out and it was hard to get up and down.

We have only done Tusker and Chrystal Palace for breakfast. Love Tusker did not care for CP.

My husband did not care for Captain Cooks, but as a CS it is fine.

If you want to pay for a breakfast out of pocket Kona is good and inexpensive by Disney standards

For every restaurant you will find people that love and hate them, You need to choose what interests you and try for yourself

 

[Disneylover99]

I went ahead and purchased the dining plan, based on how expensive our characters meals will be. Here's what ADR's I have! Never eaten at any of these places so feedback is welcome!
Arrival day (Poly) July 4th: 'Ohana dinner 6:45
MK July 5th: BOG lunch at noon, CP dinner at 6:20
HS July 6th: Mama Melrose 12:30 or H &V 3:45 (both Fantasmic and I need to drop one!! Can't decide! Neither has me excited really but I want those F! Tickets)
AK July 7th: TH 12 noon ROL package!! flame Tree or Harambe mkt dinner (?)
EP July 8th: Akershus breakfast 11:30, dinner in World Showcase
We will have one extra CS meal to use at HS or Captain Cook's.

I think your reservations look great! I have to say we prefer H&V over MM. I thought the buffet at H&V was delicious!

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Anyone done Jedi training before? I have an 8 and 10 year old and want to take them but that sign up process sounds like a big old hassle. Getting up early and waiting around in the July heat...is it worth it??

I watched it two times and I thought it was excellent even though I didn't have a little in the show.

If they are a Star Wars fan, I think it's worth the effort.

 

[DaisyMom09]

Can you add me to the July list for July 15-22?? This is our family's first time going in July. We usually go in June. I will be traveling with my DH, DS (6), DD (3), and my parents. We have two rooms booked at the Swan with my teacher discount. We stayed at AKL, which my family loved, for the last 2 trips but am looking forward to being back at the Swan. We love that location!

Some firsts for my family this trip: Be Our Guest, Rivers of Light dining package with Tusker House breakfast, Fantasmic package with lunch at Mama Melrose's, and first time riding Frozen at Epcot. Also looking forward to Pandora opening at AK!

Now to prepare myself for that heat! Not sure what to expect for crowds, but we are used to summer crowds.

 

[ThistleMae]

I went ahead and purchased the dining plan, based on how expensive our characters meals will be. Here's what ADR's I have! Never eaten at any of these places so feedback is welcome!
Arrival day (Poly) July 4th: 'Ohana dinner 6:45
MK July 5th: BOG lunch at noon, CP dinner at 6:20
HS July 6th: Mama Melrose 12:30 or H &V 3:45 (both Fantasmic and I need to drop one!! Can't decide! Neither has me excited really but I want those F! Tickets)
AK July 7th: TH 12 noon ROL package!! flame Tree or Harambe mkt dinner (?)
EP July 8th: Akershus breakfast 11:30, dinner in World Showcase
We will have one extra CS meal to use at HS or Captain Cook's.

Overall sounds like a good plan. I've never eaten at Mama Melrose, so can't critique that one. BOG has an okay lunch, but it's the atmosphere that's just too cool to pass up. Captain Cook's...the only thing I'd eat there is the Tonga Toast but I'd go out of my way for that. I'd do flame tree if you like barbecue. You will have a wonderful time!

 

[ThistleMae]

Can you add me to the July list for July 15-22?? This is our family's first time going in July. We usually go in June. I will be traveling with my DH, DS (6), DD (3), and my parents. We have two rooms booked at the Swan with my teacher discount. We stayed at AKL, which my family loved, for the last 2 trips but am looking forward to being back at the Swan. We love that location!

Some firsts for my family this trip: Be Our Guest, Rivers of Light dining package with Tusker House breakfast, Fantasmic package with lunch at Mama Melrose's, and first time riding Frozen at Epcot. Also looking forward to Pandora opening at AK!

Now to prepare myself for that heat! Not sure what to expect for crowds, but we are used to summer crowds.

Preparing for the heat is the most challenging for me. We went for Thanksgiving two years ago and the weather was so perfect! I know it's going to be sweltering. We went to Universal last September, and we had to leave the parks by 2 p.m. to go back to the resort and cool off in the pool. This year that's not an option for us, as we are staying off site and it would be too much of a pain...so going to tough it out.

 

[Disneylover99]

Can you add me to the July list for July 15-22?? This is our family's first time going in July. We usually go in June. I will be traveling with my DH, DS (6), DD (3), and my parents. We have two rooms booked at the Swan with my teacher discount. We stayed at AKL, which my family loved, for the last 2 trips but am looking forward to being back at the Swan. We love that location!

Some firsts for my family this trip: Be Our Guest, Rivers of Light dining package with Tusker House breakfast, Fantasmic package with lunch at Mama Melrose's, and first time riding Frozen at Epcot. Also looking forward to Pandora opening at AK!

Now to prepare myself for that heat! Not sure what to expect for crowds, but we are used to summer crowds.

Dates added!

 

[karalecia26]

Now to prepare myself for that heat! Not sure what to expect for crowds, but we are used to summer crowds.

We went last July and our big thing that we had to remember was to take our time and when we got too hot find an attraction that was inside. Epcot can be a little bit of a challenge but if you can walk around Future World and spend time in the Land or the Seas or in some of the shops in Epcot it can make it more bareable. Since you will be at the Swan taking a mid day break when you are at Epcot and HS is really easy. We were at Boardwalk and took the boats back during the middle of the day to recharge and then hit the again in the evening.

 

[jaz0308]

Preparing for the heat is the most challenging for me. We went for Thanksgiving two years ago and the weather was so perfect! I know it's going to be sweltering. We went to Universal last September, and we had to leave the parks by 2 p.m. to go back to the resort and cool off in the pool. This year that's not an option for us, as we are staying off site and it would be too much of a pain...so going to tough it out.

We go every summer and two of my best recommendations are hydrate!!!! And froggs toggs cooling towels! We do take mid day breaks but if you don't I suggest leisurely lunches and enjoy some of the longer (easy to relax) attractions like Carousel of progress and hall of presidents

 

[The Fox Menagerie]

I need to put frogg toggs on my list. Okay,,, I really need to start my shopping/packing list, getting close now!

 

[LisaCM614]

I went ahead and purchased the dining plan, based on how expensive our characters meals will be. Here's what ADR's I have! Never eaten at any of these places so feedback is welcome!
Arrival day (Poly) July 4th: 'Ohana dinner 6:45
MK July 5th: BOG lunch at noon, CP dinner at 6:20
HS July 6th: Mama Melrose 12:30 or H &V 3:45 (both Fantasmic and I need to drop one!! Can't decide! Neither has me excited really but I want those F! Tickets)
AK July 7th: TH 12 noon ROL package!! flame Tree or Harambe mkt dinner (?)
EP July 8th: Akershus breakfast 11:30, dinner in World Showcase
We will have one extra CS meal to use at HS or Captain Cook's.

We love 'Ohana dinner. What a nice arrival dinner for you. Do mentally prepare yourself that they may be running a bit late but once you sit the food starts coming and it is delicious!
Your July 5th day is exactly like a day we had last year - loved both. CP ran late for dinner and it did take a good 90 minutes to see all the characters. Just want to make sure you know the Beast is not out at lunch time, only dinner.
We're trying Mama Melrose for the first time this trip too. My dad said it is like Olive Garden - decent Italian-American fare not great.
We love Flame Tree- such good bbq and it is lovely to sit out back and eat, even though you think sitting outside in FL in the summer sounds awful, it is very pleasant there.
We really like Captain Cook's. Last year I let the kids and my husband have a sleep in day and I went to Captain Cook's, grabbed some Tonga Toast and a coffee and ate it at the Oasis Pool. Such a nice way to start my day.

 

[Eddie512]

We really like Captain Cook's. Last year I let the kids and my husband have a sleep in day and I went to Captain Cook's, grabbed some Tonga Toast and a coffee and ate it at the Oasis Pool. Such a nice way to start my day.

That sounds heavenly! I have wanted to stay at the Poly since 1979, no joke, and I plan to soak it all in!

Can you buy the strawberry sauce/syrup at Captain Cook's? I've been reading that it "makes" the tonga toast.

 

[LisaCM614]

That sounds heavenly! I have wanted to stay at the Poly since 1979, no joke, and I plan to soak it all in!

Can you buy the strawberry sauce/syrup at Captain Cook's? I've been reading that it "makes" the tonga toast.

I did not ask - I actually found it perfect as is - the last few bites I dipped in the regular syrup they provided. If they have strawberry sauce at Capt Cooks I'm sure they'll sell it to you! I have not ever had the strawberry sauce so I don't know what I'm missing I guess. I am not a big fan of hugely sweet things in the AM so I doubt I'd want to use it even if it was offered!

The Poly is a lovely resort and I'm glad you are going to soak it all in. We intentionally made plans to enjoy the resort last year and I'm glad we did

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Finalized my TPs, for the most part. Waiting on the new Pixar show schedule, and I am sure I'll have to do some tweaking once I make FPs.

Changed a few meals. Lotsa new places for us this trip!

Thursday 7/13 GG (new) BF @10:15; Via Napoli (new) dinner @ 6:30 (eat around the worlds on way out for break in between)
Friday 7/14 50s PT (new) lunch @ 11:30; Shared meal or order appetizers dinner @ Scifi 5:10; SW dessert party (new!)
Saturday 7/15 Bon Voyage breakfast 9:10 (new); DS shopping; SOA @ 8:15 (new)
Sunday 7/16 EMM @ MK (new); we are now doing BOG dinner @ 4:40 instead of Ohanas. (My DD22 has not eaten at BOG, and wants to go there instead this trip. Thank goodness for TP reservation finder, found BOG just 2 weeks ago!!); Plaza dessert party (new)
Monday 7/17 LTT @11; Tiana's ice cream social(new) maybe. (Thought we'd try something different, but not 100% sold on it.) Boma dinner @ 7
Tuesday 7/18 TH PPO; TH ROL @ 5:50 YEP, 2x, but it's 2 different meals! Unless, of course, they change hours to 8am opening, then problem solved!
Wednesday 7/19 Boma @ 7:30am then hit the road to home

Excited to have the Child Swap advantage back this trip due to GS who will be 9 months old in July. Makes some tiers do-able. Not at AK, BUT, we'll be able to ride the FOP ride 2x, so there is that. (That is, unless it makes us all too motion sick )
Planning early mornings then breaks until dinner time. Not sure if we'll do Illuminations on our Epcot day, otherwise hitting these nighttime shows for some of my kids is a first!

 

[karalecia26]

Just bought my DH park ticket through UT and was able to link it right away and save some money! It is really starting to come together now! Big thing for me now is to stop second guessing resort (still! ) and wait for our FP day! 96 days and counting!

 

[LisaCM614]

Finalized my TPs, for the most part. Waiting on the new Pixar show schedule, and I am sure I'll have to do some tweaking once I make FPs.

Changed a few meals. Lotsa new places for us this trip!

Thursday 7/13 GG (new) BF @10:15; Via Napoli (new) dinner @ 6:30 (eat around the worlds on way out for break in between)
Friday 7/14 50s PT (new) lunch @ 11:30; Shared meal or order appetizers dinner @ Scifi 5:10; SW dessert party (new!)
Saturday 7/15 Bon Voyage breakfast 9:10 (new); DS shopping; SOA @ 8:15 (new)
Sunday 7/16 EMM @ MK (new); we are now doing BOG dinner @ 4:40 instead of Ohanas. (My DD22 has not eaten at BOG, and wants to go there instead this trip. Thank goodness for TP reservation finder, found BOG just 2 weeks ago!!); Plaza dessert party (new)
Monday 7/17 LTT @11; Tiana's ice cream social(new) maybe. (Thought we'd try something different, but not 100% sold on it.) Boma dinner @ 7
Tuesday 7/18 TH PPO; TH ROL @ 5:50 YEP, 2x, but it's 2 different meals! Unless, of course, they change hours to 8am opening, then problem solved!
Wednesday 7/19 Boma @ 7:30am then hit the road to home

Excited to have the Child Swap advantage back this trip due to GS who will be 9 months old in July. Makes some tiers do-able. Not at AK, BUT, we'll be able to ride the FOP ride 2x, so there is that. (That is, unless it makes us all too motion sick )
Planning early mornings then breaks until dinner time. Not sure if we'll do Illuminations on our Epcot day, otherwise hitting these nighttime shows for some of my kids is a first!

I am jealous of your EMM - they are not offering it the week we are there! I so wanted to try it out this trip!

 

[ThistleMae]

We go every summer and two of my best recommendations are hydrate!!!! And froggs toggs cooling towels! We do take mid day breaks but if you don't I suggest leisurely lunches and enjoy some of the longer (easy to relax) attractions like Carousel of progress and hall of presidents

I love Carousel of Progress, it's one of my favorites. I just have to go with a positive attitude and like you said, rest, and cool off in between.

 

[LisaCM614]

We decided we should watch Avatar to prep us for our trip. We watched the first half - it is beautiful and I can't wait to see what Pandora looks like at AK!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

So I found the times for the Pixar Music at HS. 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15. I am not confident we will be done at Scifi to get over there early enough for the 6:45 show. (5:10 ADR, seated late, add an hour...) I was hoping FP would be an option, but it isn't listed so far.
Just when I thought I had it all planned...

 

[Mainemama]

So I found the times for the Pixar Music at HS. 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15. I am not confident we will be done at Scifi to get over there early enough for the 6:45 show. (5:10 ADR, seated late, add an hour...) I was hoping FP would be an option, but it isn't listed so far.
Just when I thought I had it all planned...

Thanks for the times! I have a 5:30 ADR. likely 8:15 for me. Scratch that, I just changed my ADR to H & V 5:00, to make the 6:45 show. That way, we can do 8:15 if something happens. I REALLY want to see this!