Opinions Please!

[Fabooliss]

So, I had it in my head that the 180 day mark was mid-August, no problem, lots of time to make decisions. Fortunately, I checked yesterday... because i have 2 days to plan everything so... HELP Please!

We are heading to DW in January for our second trip with DD (9) and DS (6).

Last time we went to:
Favourites: Coral Reef, Ohanas, Boma, Crystal Palace (bkfst)
Good: Marakesh, 1900 Park fare (bkfst and dinner)
Just ok: Chef Mickeys,
Never again: Tony's Town Square

Too many character meals and buffets!!!!

We are on the basic dining plan with 11 credits (12 days/11 nights). We are looking for really good food, or an experience you can't get anywhere else. (ie, no point going to Teppan Edo... there is a Benihana's close to home).
We know we definitely want to go to:

Coral Reef, Ohana's, Whispering Canyon, La Cellier and Biergarten

I'm thinking about:
Yak and Yeti (for our AK day)
Cape May (non-park day)
Crystal Palace, (one of our MK days):we enjoyed breakfast there... what is the food at lunch and/or dinner like?

What is the best place to eat at HS? Or should we plan on leaving and going somewhere else that day?

Any other suggestions? There are lots of Epcot places we'd like to eat, but since we don't know if we'll have park hoppers (only if they are free again) we can't plan on that. We are already planning on buying an extra day just so we can eat their another time.

We also are considering a 2TS meal as we will be renting a car for a day and going to Kennedy.
The food/atmosphere at HoopDeDoo review sounds similar to Whispering Canyon, would both be too much? Same with Ohana's and the Luau. Is there a kid friendly dining option with fantastic, can't be missed food?

Thanks!!!!

 

[shannonstar]

You could do Cape May on a HS day. It's not too far away and wouldn't really cut into your time.

I know you said your not into character meals, but Tusker House was a favorite for us. It's a hidden (not so much anymore) gem.

For a 2 credit, you might consider California Grill during Wishes for a view of the fireworks. It's spectacular and would be a good way to end your Kennedy day.

 

[Fabooliss]

So Cape May is easy to get to from HS? (we'll be on the bus).
Sounds like a good solution for that day, I haven't been thrilled by any of the other choices.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. We are thinking about doing a 2TS credit our first day, since we arrive mid-afternoon and we figure we'll be away from Orlando all day the day we go to Kennedy.

 

[stepdisney]

Definitely try Kouzzinas on DHS day and try Sanaa at Kidani Villiage. Both are great and very different menu wise.

 

[Fabooliss]

Just looked at the menu for Sanaa and I just have to say... Yum! Gotta see if it is on the Dining Plan, and how hard it is to get there.

We talked about Kouzzinas, as we are both fans of Iron Chef, but we don't usually like the sound of what she cooks. Thought that was probably a bad sign!

 

[wvaspartan]

Sanaa is on the dining plan but it is two credits like Jiko. It is in the AK Villas next to the AKL. Since I am staying in AKL in Sept I wanted to go there but the other part of the party doesn't like Indian type food.

 

[skater]

Hoop De Doo is so much fun for the family. At lease if you like corny jokes . The food is good (similar but better tasting than Whispering Canyon). The service is good - silly, but good. I've seen a server bring a tablecloth (as a blanket) and hot chocolate to cold kids. My kids have been many times and we laugh more than ever at the jokes. Its become a wonderful family tradition and I don't think I would get away with cutting this out of our trip.

 

[catne]

Sanaa is on the dining plan but it is two credits like Jiko. It is in the AK Villas next to the AKL. Since I am staying in AKL in Sept I wanted to go there but the other part of the party doesn't like Indian type food.

Sanaa is NOT 2 credits...it is one credit. Enjoy!

 

[catne]

So Cape May is easy to get to from HS? (we'll be on the bus).
Sounds like a good solution for that day, I haven't been thrilled by any of the other choices.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. We are thinking about doing a 2TS credit our first day, since we arrive mid-afternoon and we figure we'll be away from Orlando all day the day we go to Kennedy.

If you are at Hollywood Studios, you can either walk to the Beach Club/Boardwalk area on the walkway (take you 15-20 minutes) or you can take the boat from Hollywood Studios to that hotel area. Nice break from the park.

 

[catne]

to get to Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge...if you're going from a park, just take the AK Lodge bus from that park.

If you're going from your hotel, take the bus to any park & then catch the AK Lodge bus from that park. We just usually catch the first park bus that shows up at our hotel.

Or you can call a cab...that's the fastest way, but of course it's not free

 

[piglet1234]

Sanaa is one credit.

 

[wvaspartan]

Yeah I just always thought it was two...noticed it was only one...whoops...sorry about that.

 

[stepdisney]

Sanaa is one credit. I am sure of it! If you are at DHS, just take the AKL/Kidani bus. Kidani is the first stop! Sanaa is a hidden gem but not for long. IMO.

 

[Fabooliss]

Wow! Thanks everyone... I've gone from not enough ideas to too many! (We'll just have to go back)