Our ADRs for May 2011 - too many?

[Belle83]

I'm looking for input on our ADRs. It's my first trip with them (had one too many hamburgers on my last trip...lol).

What would be your must-dos and what would you not stress out about if you missed? I feel like we have too many for our budget/schedule. They are all new restaurants for us. I didn't book our trip until April so I feel lucky to have a California Grill reservation (our trip is May 21 - May 29). We're staying at the Dolphin, no kids.

Yak & Yeti (dinner)
Rose & Crown (lunch)
Biergarten (dinner)
Mama Melrose's (lunch) - Fantasmic Package (have never seen Fantasmic)
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
Captain's Grille (breakfast)

These are the ones I'm sure about keeping:
California Grill (dinner)
Shula's (dinner)

 

[graceesmom]

I'm looking for input on our ADRs. It's my first trip with them (had one too many hamburgers on my last trip...lol).

What would be your must-dos and what would you not stress out about if you missed? I feel like we have too many for our budget/schedule. They are all new restaurants for us. I didn't book our trip until April so I feel lucky to have a California Grill reservation (our trip is May 21 - May 29). We're staying at the Dolphin, no kids.

Yak & Yeti (dinner)
Rose & Crown (lunch)
Biergarten (dinner)
Mama Melrose's (lunch) - Fantasmic Package (have never seen Fantasmic)
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
Captain's Grille (breakfast)

These are the ones I'm sure about keeping:
California Grill (dinner)
Shula's (dinner)

We usually do 1 sit down meal a day, so I don't think it's too many ADR's. However, don't think that you have to eat hamburgers at the CS restaurants. I've only eaten 1 hamburger at WDW in the last 4 trips.

Some CS places to consider for something different:

Epcot -- well almost anyplace in WS.
Our favorites: Sunshine Seasons, Kringla Bakery in Norway (wonderful sandwich/salad combos and I don't mean burgers); Tangierine Cafe in Morocco.

HS -- Starring Rolls

AK -- Yak and Yeti, Flame Tree BBQ and even Pizza or the Italian Sandwiches at Pizzafari

MK -- Cosmic Rays; Columbia Harbour House, Enchanted Grove

 

[tzeitel]

Love your choices! We really enjoyed Yak & Yeti (went for dinner) and always plan on Rose & Crown since it has great food and the restaurant is pretty cool.
We did the Mama Melrose F! package and thought it was a great deal - and we were stuffed! - espcially since I am so against waiting in line for hours to see any show

We did LTT for dinner (when they still had characters) and it was ok, the menu did not really do it for me but everyone else enjoyed it.
Have not done California Grill but are planning on it for our next trip - the menu looks great and it is one of those restaurants you have to do at least once.

 

[Niki in NJ]

I think they all look great. We also do at least 1 TS meal a day. I always recommend making ADR's because you can always cancel if you don't feel like going, so I think it's definitely a good decision to have them this time around!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I'm looking for input on our ADRs. It's my first trip with them (had one too many hamburgers on my last trip...lol).

What would be your must-dos and what would you not stress out about if you missed? I feel like we have too many for our budget/schedule. They are all new restaurants for us. I didn't book our trip until April so I feel lucky to have a California Grill reservation (our trip is May 21 - May 29). We're staying at the Dolphin, no kids.

Yak & Yeti (dinner)
Rose & Crown (lunch)
Biergarten (dinner)
Mama Melrose's (lunch) - Fantasmic Package (have never seen Fantasmic)
Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
Captain's Grille (breakfast)

These are the ones I'm sure about keeping:
California Grill (dinner)
Shula's (dinner)

You do not have too many ADRs but if they are too many for your budget, I'd drop Y & Y and do the CS there.... it is delicious.

I also don't think Fantasmic is worth securing a lunch ADR for. I also didn't care for MM much, so I'd drop that.

Otherwise, I think you have a great variety. Biergarten is fun and really good food. I think keeping CG is a great idea, you will love it!

 

[sharonabe]

I seem to be making this warning on a lot of posts, but if it were me, I'd want someone to warn me, so here goes....

What day is your Fantasmic pkg? Are you aware of Star Wars Weekends? If your ADR is for Fri-Sun of your two weeks, I'd try to change it to a week day. These weekend days at Studios are going to be CRAZY busy, and unless you WANT to be there for Star Wars stuff, I'd stay away!

 

[Belle83]

I seem to be making this warning on a lot of posts, but if it were me, I'd want someone to warn me, so here goes....

What day is your Fantasmic pkg? Are you aware of Star Wars Weekends? If your ADR is for Fri-Sun of your two weeks, I'd try to change it to a week day. These weekend days at Studios are going to be CRAZY busy, and unless you WANT to be there for Star Wars stuff, I'd stay away!

It's Monday 5/23, because that is the day crowds are supposed to be low at HS. We're avoiding HS on weekends for sure because of Star Wars.

Thanks for the feedback/advice everyone, I really appreciate it! I had the same thoughts about switching to counterservice for Yak & Yeti. Am on the fence about even trying to see Fantasmic, I feel like I should at least see it once, but I also wasn't planning on sticking around at HS that late (was hoping to do HS in am/afternoon and then MK at night).

This ADR business is crazy, I can't tell you how many times I have moved them around. I just need to figure out if I'm going to stick with the Fantasmic package...

 

[OhThePain]

I also don't think you have too many ADR's. We have had as many as 14 for an 8 night stay. I also agree with a PP that you don't need to be stuck with CS burgers every day. There are a ton of CS options that should give you more than enough variety, just do a little research on some of the CS locations and you'll see how easy it is to avoid burgers (check the menus on allears to give yourself an idea).

Also, I don't know what time your ADR is for CG, but keep in mind that even if it is one of the first of the night you can return to see Wishes later that night. Just show your receipt at the podium and they will let you up to the observation deck.

 

[Belle83]

I also don't think you have too many ADR's. We have had as many as 14 for an 8 night stay. I also agree with a PP that you don't need to be stuck with CS burgers every day. There are a ton of CS options that should give you more than enough variety, just do a little research on some of the CS locations and you'll see how easy it is to avoid burgers (check the menus on allears to give yourself an idea).

Also, I don't know what time your ADR is for CG, but keep in mind that even if it is one of the first of the night you can return to see Wishes later that night. Just show your receipt at the podium and they will let you up to the observation deck.

Do you think they might let us up early to watch Wishes before our ADR? The park closes at 9pm and our ADR is at 9:40 pm (we're late night people and that was the only time we could get).

 

[pixie08]

I don't think you have too many ADR's but if you saw my upcoming schedule you would probably think i'm crazy

 

[OhThePain]

Do you think they might let us up early to watch Wishes before our ADR? The park closes at 9pm and our ADR is at 9:40 pm (we're late night people and that was the only time we could get).

Good question. I am not sure. But if Wishes is at 9 and your ADR at CG is at 9:40, you could still watch Wishes from inside the MK and then head over to CG after. If you are in the park, stand down by the MSUSA train station which will give you pretty quick access to the exit. Then, you can either take a monorail over to CR or take the 5 minute walk over. Also, after Wishes the restaurant usually empties out and quiets down pretty quick.

 

[Hopefully]

I think your ADR's look Great!!! I don't think you have too many either. We always do one TS meal per day - it is a nice break and we get to rest a bit.
I think Fantasmic is worth seeing at least once. It is not our favorite nighttime show, but it is a Disney classic.
I would keep the Yak & Yeti sit down ADR. I think it is great
Have Fun

 

[pmaurer74]

Right now we have 17 ADRs over 9 days! I think yours is fine

 

[minnie mum]

I think your ADR's look fine. We always do at least 1 TS a day. However, if budget is an issure at all (from your OP), then I think you could change your Y&Y to CS, and consider dropping your Capt. Grille breakfast. I would drop Shulas too since (for me) a steak is just a steak. If you aren't on the DDP, then your lunches are more economical than the same places at dinner.

I wouldn't drop your Fantasmic package. Everyone should see F. at least once, and you couldn't pay me enough to stand in line during a busy time (and in the hot sun) to see it without the package.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Something to think about for the fantasmic package. If it rains, and you have a package booked, your screwed! Arent you??? Or is that fantasmic voucher that you get good for another day???

 

[minnie mum]

Something to think about for the fantasmic package. If it rains, and you have a package booked, your screwed! Arent you??? Or is that fantasmic voucher that you get good for another day???

If the weather is bad enough (thunder storms, high winds, or heavy rain) they will cancel Fantasmic. Often that decision is not made until very close to showtime. You will still have your meal. The Fantasmic voucher is NOT
valid for a later show.

So if you're going during a time of year with very frequent evening thunderstorms, I guess it would be a gamble. Having done F with and without the package, I'm happy to gamble on the package paying off.