Picked Places - would love feedback

Moonstorm

Mouseketeer
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
218
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!

 
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Treea favorite
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner fun--although we prefer breakfast

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfastfavorite--must do every trip
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinnerfell in love with last year
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinnerhaven't done in years, but we always enjoyed



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfasthaven't done since they made it Stitch--we preferred Minnie and friends and buffet over family style; but people say it is great
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinnerhaven't done in years, but we enjoyed the two times we went

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)never done
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)never done

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)went last year--did not like and won't be back (although we may try breakfast on a future trip

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!


Have a great time
 
I'll let ya know what we all like to!

Downtown Disney~
Rainforest- my son loved the place but the food was just ok for us and the service was bad.
We all love Earl of Sandwich
other two we havent tried yet!


We like the Flame Tree good BBQ
Chef Mickey we like breakfast better then dinner

Crystal Palace Love it!!
Cosmic Ray another Love it!

Sci Fi we all enjoyed it esp my son, Lunch was better than dinner

O'hana's Only have had dinner here we really like it!
Coral Reef we havent been here in a long time but it on our list for next time

Teppen edo & 1900 park fare never been

Whispering Canyon Love it!

hope that helps a little! Have a great trip!
 

I'll let ya know what we all like to!

Downtown Disney~
Rainforest- my son loved the place but the food was just ok for us and the service was bad.
We all love Earl of Sandwich
other two we havent tried yet!


We like the Flame Tree good BBQ
Chef Mickey we like breakfast better then dinner

Crystal Palace Love it!!
Cosmic Ray another Love it!

Sci Fi we all enjoyed it esp my son, Lunch was better than dinner

O'hana's Only have had dinner here we really like it!
Coral Reef we havent been here in a long time but it on our list for next time

Teppen edo & 1900 park fare never been

Whispering Canyon Love it!

hope that helps a little! Have a great trip!

I am leaning towards Earl and then going for milkshakes!
Chef Mickey - we had dinner there last time and liked it - nev er had breakfast there, may have to consider...

O'Hana's is awesome for breakfast! Yummy food :thumbsup2

After our last trip (UGH) I am really hoping this one will go much better!

 
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!



Downtown Disney

Earl is okay but we like WPE much better! Everything at Ghiradelli is great!

Day 3

Never been to Sci-Fi but we love PrimeTime!

Hoping you have some great meals!
 
Downtown Disney

Earl is okay but we like WPE much better! Everything at Ghiradelli is great!

Day 3

Never been to Sci-Fi but we love PrimeTime!

Hoping you have some great meals!

Ahhhh, see I am still torn between WPE and Earl's. I suppose we'll just eat at where ever we feel like at the moment. Ahhh spontaneity!

 
We have enjoyed both Rainforest and Earl at DTD. Rainforest gets busy, usually, so maybe go early if you decide on that. WPC sounded good, we just never got around to that one:-)

I can highly recommend breakfast at both Crystal Palace and O'Hana's. We had the first seating at Crystal Palace this September, and it was GREAT being in the park before it opened. The food was good, and the character interaction was fun. (Pooh's Breakfast Lasagna, I believe it was called, was fantastic, and not at all what it sounds like--it was sort of bread pudding and banana custard--sweet and yummy). And to top it off, we did all of Fantasy Land except Philharmagic (but Dumbo and the Carousel twice!!) by 10:15 a.m. No joke. With an 18 month old in tow.

We had a great time at O'hana's, and while the food selection isn't as wide as what is on a buffet, the pineapple bread is fantastic and everything was hot and fresh. Service was good, they immediately brought more of anything we requested, and again, the character interaction was fun.

Coral Reef wasn't our favorite. Service was a little slow, and the menu is pretty small. . . .but others love it.

Whispering Canyon Cafe was good and filling. We had a good waitress--pretty funny, and we all split the family style dinner. Mom and I loved the shrimp while the guys dove into the ribs. Again, everything came fast and she was quick to bring anything we requested more of.

Starlight Ray's is always a favorite because of the wide selection for a counter-service restaurant. I love the roasted chicken dinner. . . a nice alternative to burgers and fries.

Sounds like you have a great plan--I'm hungry just typing this;)
 
Many of those places I haven't tried, but have read good reviews of. The only place I would change if I were you was 1900 Park Fare. If your kids really love Cinderella than it might be worth it, or perhaps check out Akershus (sp?) where they have all of the princesses.

We were at 1900 for dinner two weeks ago and were really disappointed. Everyone in our group of 6 who tried the prime rib thought it was really good. I don't eat prime rib and really thought the buffet was subpar. The mac and cheese was bad, and before now I've never met a mac and cheese I didn't like, the mashed potatoes looked really good but were like glue, nothing stuck out as good. I did a review in my dining report

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2065832

Other than that one though, looks good, enjoy!
 
We have enjoyed both Rainforest and Earl at DTD. Rainforest gets busy, usually, so maybe go early if you decide on that. WPC sounded good, we just never got around to that one:-)

I can highly recommend breakfast at both Crystal Palace and O'Hana's. We had the first seating at Crystal Palace this September, and it was GREAT being in the park before it opened. The food was good, and the character interaction was fun. (Pooh's Breakfast Lasagna, I believe it was called, was fantastic, and not at all what it sounds like--it was sort of bread pudding and banana custard--sweet and yummy). And to top it off, we did all of Fantasy Land except Philharmagic (but Dumbo and the Carousel twice!!) by 10:15 a.m. No joke. With an 18 month old in tow.

We had a great time at O'hana's, and while the food selection isn't as wide as what is on a buffet, the pineapple bread is fantastic and everything was hot and fresh. Service was good, they immediately brought more of anything we requested, and again, the character interaction was fun.

Coral Reef wasn't our favorite. Service was a little slow, and the menu is pretty small. . . .but others love it.

Whispering Canyon Cafe was good and filling. We had a good waitress--pretty funny, and we all split the family style dinner. Mom and I loved the shrimp while the guys dove into the ribs. Again, everything came fast and she was quick to bring anything we requested more of.

Starlight Ray's is always a favorite because of the wide selection for a counter-service restaurant. I love the roasted chicken dinner. . . a nice alternative to burgers and fries.

Sounds like you have a great plan--I'm hungry just typing this;)

Thank you for all the information! I can't believe you saw so much of MK in such a short amount of time - with an 18 month old! My kids were 18 months, 2 and 5 when we went last time, I know what an accomplishment you had!


 
Many of those places I haven't tried, but have read good reviews of. The only place I would change if I were you was 1900 Park Fare. If your kids really love Cinderella than it might be worth it, or perhaps check out Akershus (sp?) where they have all of the princesses.

We were at 1900 for dinner two weeks ago and were really disappointed. Everyone in our group of 6 who tried the prime rib thought it was really good. I don't eat prime rib and really thought the buffet was subpar. The mac and cheese was bad, and before now I've never met a mac and cheese I didn't like, the mashed potatoes looked really good but were like glue, nothing stuck out as good. I did a review in my dining report

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2065832

Other than that one though, looks good, enjoy!

Darn! My daughter really wants to see Cinderella and the Prince, which is why I picked 1900 Park Fare :sad1:
We did Akershus last trip - it was fantastic!


 
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!




Great plan, we also want to try Rainforest Café and Earl of Sandwich in our next trip. :) Enjoy and have a great time.

Have a safe trip coming. :)
 
Don't forget Trex is open in DTD. Basically rainforest with dinosaurs, pretty cool. We stopped for a drink, and watched the dinosaurs.

Judging from your last trip, your main problem was baggage (too many people) and lack of an attack plan. I don't recommend Disney until the kids are about 5 for full enjoyment. We have went with friends before and when they had to take there kids back, we separated. I would have sent mom and grandma with the youngest and bolted with the other 2. Also, never a breakfast reservation in the 9-10 range, this is the time you need to be riding rides. We did Chef Mickey for dinner our first two years, that was good, now our kids really like Biergarten. We usually do Biergarten, Le Cellier, and China for dinners and usually a resort restaurant (Artist's Point last time).

We started with a 5 and 8 year old our first trip, rode every ride they wanted (weren't into the roller coasters yet), fed them quick serve breakfast at Capt Hooks either there or brought back to the room, snacked all day popcorn, occasional hot dog, then usually had a dinner every night. We always finished in Epcot and wore our kids out, but they fully experienced Disney. Now the kids are 14 and 11, we just got back and we do more in one day then most people do on there vacation.

Some advice: (we go mothers day weekend usually)
Epcot: the countries have kidcot at each country, you and your husband can enjoy an adult beverage while the kids color. Kim possible is open and the older child will enjoy that through the countries.

AK: ride the safari first, then everything else. Shows rarely fill up that time of year.

MK: hit fantasy land first as it fills up quickly, get the rides in.

DHS: If you want to ride or fast pass TSM, get there at rope drop, this will fill up and FP will be out quickly.

If you or your husband wants to ride the thrill rides and the kids don't, single rider works well on Everest(AK) and R&R RC (DHS) otherwise fast pass.


All that being said, here are my opinions on your list:
Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm (we love polynesian, transportation is great)
You are correct, walk to TTC if you want to go to Epcot in the AM, take the monorail from POLY otherwise.

Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes! We have eaten at WP, WPE, Ranglan Road. I would recommend Trex for the kids, foods not going to be great of course.
Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree never been, we snack at Yak & Yeti, kids like Pizzafari
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast goes against my eating while the ride lines are shortCosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner wouldn't do for dinner (I have had lunch there a few times, would steer you towards Tune-in, moms and dads serve you in a 50's style kitchen. If you are set on it for dinner, make sure you get a car otherwise what's the point
 
Don't forget Trex is open in DTD. Basically rainforest with dinosaurs, pretty cool. We stopped for a drink, and watched the dinosaurs.

Judging from your last trip, your main problem was baggage (too many people) and lack of an attack plan. I don't recommend Disney until the kids are about 5 for full enjoyment. We have went with friends before and when they had to take there kids back, we separated. I would have sent mom and grandma with the youngest and bolted with the other 2. Also, never a breakfast reservation in the 9-10 range, this is the time you need to be riding rides. We did Chef Mickey for dinner our first two years, that was good, now our kids really like Biergarten. We usually do Biergarten, Le Cellier, and China for dinners and usually a resort restaurant (Artist's Point last time).

We started with a 5 and 8 year old our first trip, rode every ride they wanted (weren't into the roller coasters yet), fed them quick serve breakfast at Capt Hooks either there or brought back to the room, snacked all day popcorn, occasional hot dog, then usually had a dinner every night. We always finished in Epcot and wore our kids out, but they fully experienced Disney. Now the kids are 14 and 11, we just got back and we do more in one day then most people do on there vacation.

Some advice: (we go mothers day weekend usually)
Epcot: the countries have kidcot at each country, you and your husband can enjoy an adult beverage while the kids color. Kim possible is open and the older child will enjoy that through the countries.

AK: ride the safari first, then everything else. Shows rarely fill up that time of year.

MK: hit fantasy land first as it fills up quickly, get the rides in.

DHS: If you want to ride or fast pass TSM, get there at rope drop, this will fill up and FP will be out quickly.

If you or your husband wants to ride the thrill rides and the kids don't, single rider works well on Everest(AK) and R&R RC (DHS) otherwise fast pass.


All that being said, here are my opinions on your list:
Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm (we love polynesian, transportation is great)
You are correct, walk to TTC if you want to go to Epcot in the AM, take the monorail from POLY otherwise.

Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes! We have eaten at WP, WPE, Ranglan Road. I would recommend Trex for the kids, foods not going to be great of course.
Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree never been, we snack at Yak & Yeti, kids like Pizzafari
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast goes against my eating while the ride lines are shortCosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner wouldn't do for dinner (I have had lunch there a few times, would steer you towards Tune-in, moms and dads serve you in a 50's style kitchen. If you are set on it for dinner, make sure you get a car otherwise what's the point

Thank you so much for the detailed response. You have given me a lot to think over! I have until Thursday, then I get to make my ADRs! :cool1:

Our Last Trip


Dude in Disney
 
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich ( have only eaten here once but really liked it)
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner ( love this place!!!)
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner ( always thought it was a lot of fun)



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian) ( must do for us. We love everything about it.)
Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!

Those are the places we have been. We are hoping to try much more when we go in Sept.
 
I can make ADR's on Jan. 29th. Going will be me, husband, MIL and 3 kiddos - 6, 3 and 2

Here's my 'plan' - would love suggestions/feedback. (Our last trip was bad! I want this one to be better of course!)

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in Poly around 3pm
Visit Downtown DisneyWe like this but I would try T-Rex
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express25)"
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!These are great

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Lunch at Flame Tree
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfastThis is a must do every trip
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner We like this too
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - dinner Haven't been here yet, we are trying it next trip. But I have heard lunch is better.



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast This is great and dinner here is good too!
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner We actually like this resturant.

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!


I hope you get what you want. If you can afford it and your daughter really likes Cinderella I would try Cinderella's Royal table. I hope your daughter gets to meet Ariel she is my favorie too!
 








Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom