Okay, so here's the plan...

[mrsjoannh13]

Going the week of 11/9 with DD(3), DH, mom and dad. This is the current itinerary. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome! First time going with a toddler and having mom and dad along is another new fun (hopefully) twist for me and DH.

Hubby wants characters at as many meals as possible and we think the parents will enjoy this as well. So that's why we're heavy on character dining. We are all morning people (even DD) so planning early mornings to fit in what we can and heading to bed early - no fireworks for us on this trip, most likely. We also want as many pre-park opening ADRs so we can get fairly empty park photos. And we are trying to do an Anna & Elsa meet and greet - could not get a Fast Pass. Heading to A&E right after a.m. ADR is next best thing to FP we figured.

Thanks in advance!

Monday - arrival day (by car, early to mid a.m.) - Epcot
10:55 Breakfast at Akershus
Whatever attractions we can take in until room is ready
Check-in and hopefully DD nap at Contemporary
5:55 dinner at Narcoossee's
Crash at Contemporary

Tuesday - Magic Kingdom
8:00 Crystal Palace
grabbing lunch whenever / however we can - midday nap at Contemporary planned
back to MK
5:50 Be Our Guest
Crash at Contemporary

Wednesday - Hollywood Studios
8:00 Hollywood & Vine
Lunch on the fly
planning midday nap at Contemporary then back for dinner & show
4:30 Minnie's Holiday Dine with Fantasmic package
Osbourne lights
7:00 Fantasmic
Back to hotel to crash

Thursday - Magic Kingdom
8:25 Be Our Guest
11:50 Cinderella's Table (we are trying for breakfast or dinner instead but no luck yet)
nap at Contemporary
7:00 1900 Park Fare (we may cancel this as it's kind of late and 3 TS in one day is too much)
Crash at Contemporary

Friday - 1/2 day at MK - extended family coming to meet us
8:00 Be Our Guest (trying for Cinderella here)
whatever last rides DD wants
nap at Contemporary
Meeting up with extended family - Animal Kingdom
6:00 Dinner with extended family at Jiko

Saturday - no park day, time with extended family
9:00 Boma
Heading to Grand Floridian
touring resort with family - photos at Grand Floridian
12:15 Grand Floridian Cafe
Sadly, depart Disney for home Booooo!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

What are you doing are you doing Hollywood and Vine twice in one day? The food is horrid.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

What are you doing are you doing Hollywood and Vine twice in one day? The food is horrid.

Yes, it's an ongoing debate. DD loves Sophia and Doc so that's the breakfast rationale. Also allows us to get in the park early.

Doing it for dinner since it's Minnie's Holiday Dine. We are not doing another meal to meet Mickey and Minnie and the gang, so we wanted to get some good holiday shots with them. We do have a 7 a.m. Chef Mickey's as an alternate but I haven't heard great things about CM either.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Chef Mickey's is not good. But compared to Hollywood and Vine it seems gourmet

In addition you say you want to be in the park early in the morning when they're not a lot of people around for pictures. But you're going to be in a restaurant. You aren't taking advantage of being in the park because you're going to be eating from it's not crowded. You need to decide if the goal is to get in the park and do stuff Or just eat.


Personally with a three-year-old I think this is way too heavy on sitdown meals. In addition there's a very large risk your three-year-old is going to be terrified of the characters. Mine were at that age. They are much larger in person to a three-year-old and then they are on tv. So what are you going to do if your child refuses to have anything to do with the characters which is a real possibility

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Chef Mickey's is not good. But compared to Hollywood and Vine it seems gourmet

In addition you say you want to be in the park early in the morning when they're not a lot of people around for pictures. But you're going to be in a restaurant. You aren't taking advantage of being in the park because you're going to be eating from it's not crowded. You need to decide if the goal is to get in the park and do stuff Or just eat.


Personally with a three-year-old I think this is way too heavy on sitdown meals. In addition there's a very large risk your three-year-old is going to be terrified of the characters. Mine were at that age. They are much larger in person to a three-year-old and then they are on tv. So what are you going to do if your child refuses to have anything to do with the characters which is a real possibility

DD has met the characters before at parties and other kid events and loves them - both face characters and fur characters. We could barely tear her away from Minnie Mouse.

 

[ilovevacation]

I agree that eating the same place twice, especially in the sam day is s bit much. I know you want to do character, but if you want to do dhs meal you could try to get Sci fi breakfast, I can't remember exactly the day that it starts but might be open for you. I also agree that is a lot of food, for anyone. I am not interested in eating that much, but my husband would be in his glory. I would rather spend the time sitting in a bench, eating a mickey bar, smelling the roses and embracing the magic around me

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We just got back from 6 nights on the dining plan with 2 girls (8 and 3). We honestly could have done with fewer buffets (and we only did 1 table service per day). We ate entirely too much. Some of your days have 2 table service. That is a ton of food, and it will take up a lot of time. We felt like complete gluttons for the week.

We enjoyed H&V, and our 3 year old loved it. Food was fine. Not much different from any other character buffet, in our opinion. I would not give up Minnie's Holiday Dine. That sounds very special. But 2 buffets in one day is a lot food- especially if you are like me and like to get your money's worth- and try a little of everything.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Going the week of 11/9 with DD(3), DH, mom and dad. This is the current itinerary. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome! First time going with a toddler and having mom and dad along is another new fun (hopefully) twist for me and DH.

Hubby wants characters at as many meals as possible and we think the parents will enjoy this as well. So that's why we're heavy on character dining. We are all morning people (even DD) so planning early mornings to fit in what we can and heading to bed early - no fireworks for us on this trip, most likely. We also want as many pre-park opening ADRs so we can get fairly empty park photos. And we are trying to do an Anna & Elsa meet and greet - could not get a Fast Pass. Heading to A&E right after a.m. ADR is next best thing to FP we figured.

Thanks in advance!

Monday - arrival day (by car, early to mid a.m.) - Epcot
10:55 Breakfast at Akershus
Whatever attractions we can take in until room is ready
Check-in and hopefully DD nap at Contemporary
5:55 dinner at Narcoossee's
Crash at Contemporary

Tuesday - Magic Kingdom
8:00 Crystal Palace
grabbing lunch whenever / however we can - midday nap at Contemporary planned
back to MK
5:50 Be Our Guest
Crash at Contemporary

Wednesday - Hollywood Studios
8:00 Hollywood & Vine
Lunch on the fly
planning midday nap at Contemporary then back for dinner & show
4:30 Minnie's Holiday Dine with Fantasmic package
Osbourne lights
7:00 Fantasmic
Back to hotel to crash

Thursday - Magic Kingdom
8:25 Be Our Guest
11:50 Cinderella's Table (we are trying for breakfast or dinner instead but no luck yet)
nap at Contemporary
7:00 1900 Park Fare (we may cancel this as it's kind of late and 3 TS in one day is too much)
Crash at Contemporary

Friday - 1/2 day at MK - extended family coming to meet us
8:00 Be Our Guest (trying for Cinderella here)
whatever last rides DD wants
nap at Contemporary
Meeting up with extended family - Animal Kingdom
6:00 Dinner with extended family at Jiko

Saturday - no park day, time with extended family
9:00 Boma
Heading to Grand Floridian
touring resort with family - photos at Grand Floridian
12:15 Grand Floridian Cafe
Sadly, depart Disney for home Booooo!

Also, if you have breakfast at Boma at 9, I seriously doubt you will be very hungry again at noon. That buffet is very good and very filling. You won't leave until around 10, then you will be eating again in 2 hours.

Also, the BOG breakfast is not TS. It is QS. That makes a big difference if you are on the dining plan. It is a great deal if you are on the dining plan. Less so if you pay OOP, but still we enjoyed our breakfast there very much last week.

 

[tomatecerise]

You plan lots and lots and lots of food! You Will Be in food coma after 2 days. I am a big eater and one day i just wanted meatless meal and take the 4 cheese pizza at Wolfgang Puck express, ate half, bring half to resort...

You can plan meet and greet, it's fun!

 

[monique5]

Looks good to me. 3 things to note. 1) BOG 2 days for breakfast, not sure. As OP mentioned, B is QS not TS; hope you can get CRT. 2) Last day 9 & 12:15 is very close. You wouldn't finish until 10/10:15, 2hrs is very close. Didn't comment on Thursday since trying to change. 3) Haven't checked park hours, but if open @ 9, you're not necessarily in front of crowds. You would have to be seated on time, & leaving around 8:45, maybe missing characters @ meal, to truly be in front. Doesn't always work unless have 1st reservation & arrive to check-in 1st. You can eat quickly & characters might not have made it to your table. This isn't a relaxing meal if this happens. We've tried this & was not successful (waiting on Sofia), arrived @ TSMM @ 9:30 with 40min wait. No worries, we had a FP+. Could work for you, just be flexible.

You will see varying differences/opinions about DDP, buffets, Character Meals, etc. I always say @ least try it once. But I couldn't get my DD7 & DH to eat @ BoG for B, this is the only meal they both said no to. They do LOVE BoG D.

We have done H&V twice in a day. DD7 loves Doc, Sofia & Jake. This used to be only place to meet Doc. However, all 3 have separate lines in Animation Courtyard & all 3 lines can add up in time. Then we did Star Wars Fantasmic! for D, to see them dressed as SW Characters. So totally understand. Also, we like B @ H&V, D is okay.

We did CM on 1st trip & food was okay. Did B during Christmas & only like Peppermint Chocolate Chip Pancakes. And yes I did eat a TON of pancakes!!!! We remember this B fondly, but not for the food. But best pancakes ever.

Numerous posts state more than 1 TS is too much. Just do what's best for your family. We do 2 TS meals a day, on occasion 3. This is our time to relax & be "served" not worrying about finding tables & carrying trays. Also, great way to meet characters without long waits. During Christmas this was great, especially with Main Street Bakery having a 90min wait @ times, my TS was quicker. Totally based on time of travel. The times of your meals are spaced enough not to be too much food, except for last day.

This is not gourmet food & most are nothing to write home about, but your memories & photos last forever. However, there are good meals/ restaurants @ WDW. We do not do buffets @ home, but @ WDW we go with the flow. Our favorite B is Akershus, then Boma, http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/uwc7cowtxmgk3yx4.pngthen 'Ohana. We love BoG for D, a few here do not like it @ all. Garden Grill & Le Cellier are good for D, can't wait to try GG for B. We enjoy CRT, but not our favorite.

Just remember you're @ WDW!!!! Have a MAGICAL VACATION!

 

[Nancyg56]

Going the week of 11/9 with DD(3), DH, mom and dad. This is the current itinerary. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome! First time going with a toddler and having mom and dad along is another new fun (hopefully) twist for me and DH.

Hubby wants characters at as many meals as possible and we think the parents will enjoy this as well. So that's why we're heavy on character dining. We are all morning people (even DD) so planning early mornings to fit in what we can and heading to bed early - no fireworks for us on this trip, most likely. We also want as many pre-park opening ADRs so we can get fairly empty park photos. And we are trying to do an Anna & Elsa meet and greet - could not get a Fast Pass. Heading to A&E right after a.m. ADR is next best thing to FP we figured.

Thanks in advance!

Monday - arrival day (by car, early to mid a.m.) - Epcot
10:55 Breakfast at Akershus
Whatever attractions we can take in until room is ready
Check-in and hopefully DD nap at Contemporary
5:55 dinner at Narcoossee's
Crash at Contemporary

Tuesday - Magic Kingdom
8:00 Crystal Palace
grabbing lunch whenever / however we can - midday nap at Contemporary planned
back to MK
5:50 Be Our Guest
Crash at Contemporary

Wednesday - Hollywood Studios
8:00 Hollywood & Vine
Lunch on the fly
planning midday nap at Contemporary then back for dinner & show
4:30 Minnie's Holiday Dine with Fantasmic package
Osbourne lights
7:00 Fantasmic
Back to hotel to crash

Thursday - Magic Kingdom
8:25 Be Our Guest
11:50 Cinderella's Table (we are trying for breakfast or dinner instead but no luck yet)
nap at Contemporary
7:00 1900 Park Fare (we may cancel this as it's kind of late and 3 TS in one day is too much)
Crash at Contemporary

Friday - 1/2 day at MK - extended family coming to meet us
8:00 Be Our Guest (trying for Cinderella here)
whatever last rides DD wants
nap at Contemporary
Meeting up with extended family - Animal Kingdom
6:00 Dinner with extended family at Jiko

Saturday - no park day, time with extended family
9:00 Boma
Heading to Grand Floridian
touring resort with family - photos at Grand Floridian
12:15 Grand Floridian Cafe
Sadly, depart Disney for home Booooo!

I would skip the BOG breakfast on Thursday, go for RD and see the Castle welcoming show, keep CRT at the time you booked. WE have had lunch twice in the Castle and found that it was a welcomed break. I liked 1900 PF for dinner, but the characters you meet are Cinderella and Charming, and the Tremain Family. If your DD is nto familiar wth the stepsistes, I would skip this one and choose something else.

Wednesday- H&V twice? I think it is fine, but if it is only for Sofia and Doc, I would check to see if they are doing M&G in the park. Mama Melrose also has a Fantasmic package and I think that two buffet meals in one day is a lot. I get the character meals, we just returned with two little girls who loved them, btu given a choice, I think a normal sit down meal fo the kids helps them to eat. My girls were too excited to eat much when there wee characters lurking all over the place.

Friday- BOG does nto have Cindy. It is a CS meal and we like it.

Saturday- You will not be hungry for lunch after Boma. GF is lovely, and well worth the visit, but I would not plan lunch. You might consider Afternoon Tea there. I think you can book around 2:30, and the setting is gorgeous.

 

[luvpooh]

I'd caution the arrival day Akershus ADR, simply because if you get delayed on the road, you may not make it in time. I don't know if this is one of the prepaid ADR's and you would forfeit the whole thing, or just the $10 charge. Not sure if that matters to you or not, or if Disney is accommodating in waiving fees for a no-show situation due to travel delays.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'd caution the arrival day Akershus ADR, simply because if you get delayed on the road, you may not make it in time. I don't know if this is one of the prepaid ADR's and you would forfeit the whole thing, or just the $10 charge. Not sure if that matters to you or not, or if Disney is accommodating in waiving fees for a no-show situation due to travel delays.

I have no real experience with this, but all reports indicate that they seldom revere these charges. Because the OP was driving they may have more control over their arrival, but personally, I never book an ADR that close to my arrival. There is enough stress in terms of unforeseen issues, that I avoid any that I can before the fact.