Pep Talk Needed!

[mrsjoannh13]

All your choices sound awesome and you should have a great time. Just try to keep an open mind and be flexible if you can't get BOG on your first night. That might be a tall order. You might want to have a plan B if you can only get BOG dinner towards the end of your trip. Or be prepared for another 6 months of clicking "find a table repeatedly" (pointing finger at self still trying for CRT breakfast).

 

[Sarahh1027]

When I travel with the boyfriend, we frequently split meals at WDW - both lunch or dinner. We'll get one entree, but might add an appetizer, salad or dessert to make sure we will both get enough food. Just kinda depends on what we feel like. We don't feel obligated to tip as if we had ordered two entrees, but we do make sure tip generously based on what we do order - so this is a time we are likely to hit the 20% tip category. We had crap service one time when splitting a meal - and that got a low tip. Another time - we had AWESOME service with a split meal - and he got more like we had ordered two entrees. So, while we try to respect when splitting that we might sometimes be a "cheap table for one" yet the server is working for two, we look at the whole service experience when it comes to the tip.

Thank you so much for commenting about that!! I was really curious about this, and it's good to know that splitting an entree isn't something I made up in my head! Haha thank you for this, definitely going to consider splitting lunches!

 

[Sarahh1027]

All your choices sound awesome and you should have a great time. Just try to keep an open mind and be flexible if you can't get BOG on your first night. That might be a tall order. You might want to have a plan B if you can only get BOG dinner towards the end of your trip. Or be prepared for another 6 months of clicking "find a table repeatedly" (pointing finger at self still trying for CRT breakfast).

Such a good point!! I think maybe I'll book Tony's if I can't get the BOG reservation. Then I'll do BOG on our last night (equally as magical as going on our first night in my opinion- now I'll have something to look forward to our last night!!) Ahh I don't want to think of our last night! Haha but hey good luck getting your CRT reservation!! I hope you get a dose of magic and get a table!

 

[erinkristen04]

DH's FAVORITE meal last trip was BOG dinner. He was over the moon, and insisted it was his one "must-do" restaurant this time around. It was really fun to watch him enjoying the whole experience--I could just tell how pleased and happy he was the entire meal. He also really like Sci Fi (we had it for lunch). I went ahead and booked it again for lunch this year thinking we would likely cancel, but he made sure to let me know that he did NOT want to cancel. I also second the suggestion for Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe in Epcot--YUM!

 

[Shellyb84]

Haha! You sound like me- I'm freaking out because my first week of May vacation is STILL too far out to officially plan the itinerary. Soon though! I can't wait to see the park hours! It worries me though that'll I'll have to change the plans around and at that time it'll be too late- all my dinner reservations will be booked! Don't they come out the same day? Grrr they should give us the park hours like a year in advance!! I hope my Ohana, BOG, and Sci-Fi experiences are all good! I'm trying not to set the bar too high (to avoid let down) but hey I can't contain my excitement! That's awesome that you have two trips so close together- Double planning time!! Yahoo!

I think the hours may come out a few days before the 180 day mark. Hopefully! I agree they should release them way earlier! I use Touring Plans and look at their projected hours and make a tentative plan so at least I'm somewhat prepared.

Ohana gets a bad rep sometimes. I've only been twice but it's been great both times. Maybe it's because I love the Polynesian so much I'm looking forward to trying out the new bar also for a drink before or after our reservation next trip and then hanging out to watch Wishes.

I'm sure all of your choices will be great, I mean it's Disney so just the fact that you are there makes everything great, IMO! Have an awesome time!

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Since you don't mind the loud places (like many do), why not try Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge? You can check out the gorgeous resort and even have a carriage ride after, providing they are still doing that with the construction going on.

Also, regarding being flexible, my friend made ADRs this morning(180+) and absolutely had to move BOG to later in the week.

 

[krc99080]

I'm definitely with those who are suggesting you might need to be flexible on BOG and plan it for later in your trip. We managed to score a last minute reservation for BOG last year and absolutely loved the steak and the atmosphere. Plus we got to meet the Beast! It was placed on our must eat list for this year and the only night we could get it for our upcoming trip was on the last. This was booking at 180+ days.

Ohana was another of our must eat again meals. We had a great experience on last years trip so it became one of the 3 on our must eat list this year. Sure we've seen many bad reviews for it but still willing to try again since we had such a great meal there.

I tend to take food reviews with a grain of salt anyway. Just because someone else hates it and had what they considered a terrible meal doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I try to be open to trying new things.

Sunshine Seasons is an awesome CS in EPCOT if you are near Future World. It has a great variety of food which is nice so everyone can eat what they want. We happened to have an early Soarin FP last year, hopped on Living with the Land after to discuss lunch choices and enjoy the boat tour. We ended up just deciding to try Sunshine Seasons and it was one of our two favorite CS from that trip (we also loved BOG). This year we're sad because it might not work into our schedule.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[mkla2015]

We love BOG- our best meal of our last trip was there and we already have reservations for lunch and dinner there on our next trip!! I had the steak and it was great! Cooked exactly the way I wanted! We were with a party of 12 and everyone loved their food! We've had great meals at Ohana too- I've read lots of bad reviews but we love it and have it booked for our next trip as well.

I think your selections look great- as others have said, be flexible with your dates- I'd plan BOG at the end of your trip so you have a better chance getting an ADR. The only one I'd probably change is Rainforest Café since you have one close to you. We do too so we never eat there at Disney. We do enjoy Trex Café though- very similar but with Dinosaurs instead of animals and the menu is a little different. Tusker House is great at AK- it's my favorite character breakfast... flame tree is great too and it's a QS so no ADR needed.

Good luck with your ADRs- sounds like you have an awesome trip planned!!!

 

[Sarahh1027]

DH's FAVORITE meal last trip was BOG dinner. He was over the moon, and insisted it was his one "must-do" restaurant this time around. It was really fun to watch him enjoying the whole experience--I could just tell how pleased and happy he was the entire meal. He also really like Sci Fi (we had it for lunch). I went ahead and booked it again for lunch this year thinking we would likely cancel, but he made sure to let me know that he did NOT want to cancel. I also second the suggestion for Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe in Epcot--YUM!

That's awesome to hear!!! I'm excited to share BOG first with my boyfriend- it's equally new for me! And I'm so glad he liked Sci-Fi also!! It's definitely approved by my boyfriend already just from showing him a picture of it!!! Ahh I'm so excited! Thank you for the awesome feedback!

 

[Sarahh1027]

I think the hours may come out a few days before the 180 day mark. Hopefully! I agree they should release them way earlier! I use Touring Plans and look at their projected hours and make a tentative plan so at least I'm somewhat prepared.

Ohana gets a bad rep sometimes. I've only been twice but it's been great both times. Maybe it's because I love the Polynesian so much I'm looking forward to trying out the new bar also for a drink before or after our reservation next trip and then hanging out to watch Wishes.

I'm sure all of your choices will be great, I mean it's Disney so just the fact that you are there makes everything great, IMO! Have an awesome time!

Yay! I hope the hours do come out before the 180 mark- that would be awesome!! I was in Disney the same week this past May so I've sort of been basing it off of that- but obviously it could be different! I've never been to the Polynesian but it is by far my favorite resort just from pictures and stories I've heard! The Poly and the Animal Kingdom Lodge! The atmospheres..wow! My past two trips I've stayed at Shades of Green (sister's in the Navy) then my first trip I stayed at Pop Century. This trip I have a Little Mermaid Standard room at AoA!! I'm excited but I know going from Shades of Green (Deluxe style for the price of a value!) to an actual value will have me wanting to visit other resorts! I honestly would love to stay at the Poly some day but going there for Ohana and then a Dole Whip is more than enough!! Thank you for all your help!

 

[Sarahh1027]

Since you don't mind the loud places (like many do), why not try Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge? You can check out the gorgeous resort and even have a carriage ride after, providing they are still doing that with the construction going on.

Also, regarding being flexible, my friend made ADRs this morning(180+) and absolutely had to move BOG to later in the week.

Thank you for letting me know! I'm so glad I posted this forum- I've officially moved our BOG dinner to our last night- of course I'll still try for the first night but I am 100% okay with not getting it! You guys have prepped me so well Also I will have to look into Whispering Canyon Cafe!! The only meal I'm thinking of changing is Rainforest Cafe- so pretty much any restaurant at any resort and Downtown Disney is fair game!! I'm thinking maybe T-Rex or Boma? Thanks for the help!

 

[Sarahh1027]

I'm definitely with those who are suggesting you might need to be flexible on BOG and plan it for later in your trip. We managed to score a last minute reservation for BOG last year and absolutely loved the steak and the atmosphere. Plus we got to meet the Beast! It was placed on our must eat list for this year and the only night we could get it for our upcoming trip was on the last. This was booking at 180+ days.

Ohana was another of our must eat again meals. We had a great experience on last years trip so it became one of the 3 on our must eat list this year. Sure we've seen many bad reviews for it but still willing to try again since we had such a great meal there.

I tend to take food reviews with a grain of salt anyway. Just because someone else hates it and had what they considered a terrible meal doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I try to be open to trying new things.

Sunshine Seasons is an awesome CS in EPCOT if you are near Future World. It has a great variety of food which is nice so everyone can eat what they want. We happened to have an early Soarin FP last year, hopped on Living with the Land after to discuss lunch choices and enjoy the boat tour. We ended up just deciding to try Sunshine Seasons and it was one of our two favorite CS from that trip (we also loved BOG). This year we're sad because it might not work into our schedule.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I appreciate you all here on the DIS sooo much!! I have officially changed BOG to our last night on my agenda! I'm so glad too because knowing my luck I'd try our first two Magic Kingdom days with no luck and miss out on the last because I was too busy trying to book it earlier. I'm definitely aiming for our last night now! I might be actually tempted to get the steak now as I'm a huge fan of steak and have heard so many good things about it! Its good to hear you had such good experiences at Ohana also. I definitely am going to reserve a table there and it's always wonderful to hear of good feedback! I've also heard great things about Sunshine Seasons (especially over the choice of that or Electric Umbrella). Since we will be in Future World for lunch (and World Showcase for dinner) I definitely plan on eating here! I never had a problem with Electric Umbrella but honestly trying new things at Disney is always worth it! I agree with your opinion on food reviews! Especially because no matter how many bad reviews I read I always end up liking the place anyways Thanks for all your great advice!!

 

[Sarahh1027]

We love BOG- our best meal of our last trip was there and we already have reservations for lunch and dinner there on our next trip!! I had the steak and it was great! Cooked exactly the way I wanted! We were with a party of 12 and everyone loved their food! We've had great meals at Ohana too- I've read lots of bad reviews but we love it and have it booked for our next trip as well.

I think your selections look great- as others have said, be flexible with your dates- I'd plan BOG at the end of your trip so you have a better chance getting an ADR. The only one I'd probably change is Rainforest Café since you have one close to you. We do too so we never eat there at Disney. We do enjoy Trex Café though- very similar but with Dinosaurs instead of animals and the menu is a little different. Tusker House is great at AK- it's my favorite character breakfast... flame tree is great too and it's a QS so no ADR needed.

Good luck with your ADRs- sounds like you have an awesome trip planned!!!

Thank you! I'm SO excited to book them- November 3rd cannot come soon enough! BOG has definitely been moved to the last day of our trip, I'm so glad everyone has shown light upon this! Haha now I'm prepared and won't have a meltdown when the first night isn't open! I'm so glad you loved your meal here- also that you've had great meals at Ohana! I was definitely nervous about that one but I'm sure I'll love it. Also you have a great point- I'm within driving distance of a Rainforest Cafe so I have begun the planning of a new restaurant for our Animal Kingdom night! I went to T-Rex my very first trip back in 2012 and I honestly don't remember it much. But my boyfriend loves dinosaurs haha he's such a kid. But he saw T-Rex and specifically mentioned it to me and asked if we'd be going there- so I definitely think I should take him there (surprise him when I get the reservation!) Part of me wants to try Boma's or somewhere different offering a little variety of food but I'm afraid that he won't really like it. He will pretend to but not really eat anything! And for that price it's sort of ify. So I just might go with T-Rex! Thank you for your feedback!!

 

[krc99080]

Thank you! I'm SO excited to book them- November 3rd cannot come soon enough! BOG has definitely been moved to the last day of our trip, I'm so glad everyone has shown light upon this! Haha now I'm prepared and won't have a meltdown when the first night isn't open!

Don't forget to work backwards and book BOG first for the last night! Then someone doesn't sneak that opening away from you while busy booking other ADR's.

 

[Sarahh1027]

Don't forget to work backwards and book BOG first for the last night! Then someone doesn't sneak that opening away from you while busy booking other ADR's.

Oh my goodness yesss I would cry if I made that mistake!!! Thank you