Planning feed back

[Vickie Mabey]

Not sure if this is the proper location, if not please forgive my ignorance. We are less that a week out from booking ADRs. I've tweeked and rearranged as per estimated EMH. I feel like I'm drowning now as the second guessing part comes in. We are planning on A LOT of character meals, my concerns come from going from Park to resorts and losing park time and transportation logistics. This part of the trip doesn't feel very magical. Any tips or advice you want to give, I'll take it.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

My advice is 1. give yourself plenty of cushion if relying on Disney transportation 2. don't "overbook" yourself, and 3. try to eat near where you are spending time that day.

Obviously you wont know the final park hours until much, much later...If you have any MUST DO meals, maybe do a few duplicate bookings so you can pick the one that gels best with your plans down the line, especially for super hard to get reservations like BOG, Cali Grill, Ohana, or Character meals.

You might be surprised to find that many restaurants in the hotels will have availability even a few weeks before your trip. My family's biggest dining regret on previous trips is not taking enough advantage of the dining options in or around our hotel enough and crisscrossing property so we can check off one of the places that everyone tries to get a table at. There are so many great restaurants all over property, it is no fun spending an hour commuting instead of enjoying the parks or relaxing at your hotel.

As for the EMH, don't feel like you have to always go to the park with extra hours, a lot of times it ends up being more crowded and the heavier crowds offset the extra 1-2 hours. We end up doing about 1/2 of the magic hours offered on our trips. Finally, beware of the pre park opening dining reservations at MK, a lot of time they expand the hours to 8AM defeating the whole point of the reservation and getting your group up and moving extra early after a full day previously is no easy task.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@Vickie Mabey - FYI, since your post is mainly about ADRs, I’ve moved your thread to the Disney Restaurants Board.

I’m sure folks here will be happy to provide advice on how they book ADRs relative to park and transportation planning.

BTW, to the DIS!

 

[Vickie Mabey]

Thanks. Still feeling my way around.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Honestly, you may want to reconsider how many character meals you are doing, particularly if they require leaving parks and then returning. It takes up A LOT of time. I would try to keep your character meals close in proximity to the parks you are touring each day or the resort you are staying in. If you want to list your current plans, we may be able to help you with logistics.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you use disney transportation, do not underestimate how long everything takes!

Resort to resort allow 90 minutes
Resort to park at least 60 minutes. Plus walking time to your restaurant
Park to park allow 60-90 minutes. Plus walking time to your restaurant

For a character buffet allow 60-90 minutes at the table
Regular ts meal allow 60 minutes. More if you plan on cocktails, multiple courses and a more relaxing paced meal
For signature dining allow 90 minutes or more

Qs 30 minutes should do it.

So leaving a park to eat at a resort then back to park can be 3-4 hours of time. Going from resort to resort using disney transportation allow 4ish hours

For some, meals are the priority and this works great. For newer folks, the amount of time spent eating can be shocking. If you have multiple ts meals and boo all over, 6 hours would not be unrealistic

We are not all day park people. Like to head out early, have a nice ts lunch that is air conditioned! Then often head out of the park for a break. Find what works best w your group

Don’t stress too much. It’s just food. And often mediocre at top prices. But there are so many dependable and fun options to pick from.

 

[LovesTimone]

When I plan...especially for Disney you have to take into consideration everything...

Travel time and Transportation... to and from the Resort to the Parks, as well if you are in one park going to another park - how are you going to get there... depending on where you are staying or where you are at, there could be a few options to use... Buses, boats, monorail, as well with uber and Lyft you can also add this into the your transportation options while the are at cost it really not that much, to get you around, if you are running behind or just not feeling like waiting in the bus line...and/ or having to change buses...

Spend sometimes learning what the menus offer... which is important while it might look really cool to eat there, if the menu doesn't offer something for everyone in your family or group then its not really going to be a good fit...

Know where you are going, map out your path... so that you end up close or at least somewhat closer to your ADR spot... try to cut out crisscrossing the parks... or being in the back of the park and having to walk all the way out... to catch a ride... then walk all the way to your dinning destination.

90 to 120 minutes at the table is good base... this number does not take into wait times for a table

Also you might be there a bit longer, waiting for the bill, everyone hitting the restroom, and if there is a gift shop attached add in a few more minutes...

 

[SConnick]

I concur with others here.

It's good that you're considering travel time - because you're right, that's not the most magical part, for sure. As others have mentioned, I'd keep your dining options close to the park you'll be visiting. And - for us - normally one character meal per trip is plenty.

 

[CynBeth]

If you could share your park days including ADRs you plan to book that might help make suggestions for you. Thanks!

 

[Vickie Mabey]

I know what Pumba had said about up to 90 minutes, is what I've been seeing consistently. Which freaks me out. So here is the tentative itinerary.
Sunday. Arrival day ( we're driving in) my thoughts is really hang out at the resort. Dinner we are thinking Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge. Then probably wander around MK
Monday. AK. Tusker house, Rainforest Cafe (which I'm probably going to swap with something else,) and then chef mickey
Tuesday. Epcot. Cape May, Garden Grill, Akershus
Wednesday. MK. Ohana, liberty tree tavern, crystal palace.
Thursday. HS. 1900 Park Fare, fantasmic.dining package
Friday MK Bog, and CRT
Saturday. Trattoria Al Forno
*Eeyore and Stitch are a must. Eeyore is my boo

 

[PoohsFan1]

On the bright side, you do have your car . Are you staying on property? We haven't had a car at Disney in a long time, if I'm not mistaken, I thought that if you are staying on property you can park your car at the parks for free. If that is the case, then you can bypass the Disney transportation which would be a lot less stressful and will be much quicker.

 

[Vickie Mabey]

Just when I thought I had all the info. We are staying at CBR, and don't have park hopper.

 

[Hopefully]

I know what Pumba had said about up to 90 minutes, is what I've been seeing consistently. Which freaks me out. So here is the tentative itinerary.
Sunday. Arrival day ( we're driving in) my thoughts is really hang out at the resort. Dinner we are thinking Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge. Then probably wander around MK
Monday. AK. Tusker house, Rainforest Cafe (which I'm probably going to swap with something else,) and then chef mickey
Tuesday. Epcot. Cape May, Garden Grill, Akershus
Wednesday. MK. Ohana, liberty tree tavern, crystal palace.
Thursday. HS. 1900 Park Fare, fantasmic.dining package
Friday MK Bog, and CRT
Saturday. Trattoria Al Forno
*Eeyore and Stitch are a must. Eeyore is my boo

In my opinion: WAY TOO MANY TS MEALS. WAY TOO MANY.
We would only do one TS meal a day. I can’t imagine what you have sketched out being even doable, let alone enjoyable.

 

[Nancyg56]

Whoa Nellie!!!!!! You have way too many TS meals, and I love TS meals. I book one, maybe two once in a while, per day.

 

[Vickie Mabey]

Well then I think it's a good thing I signed up for this board and asked Cuz now I feel a little silly. Thanks for the feed back. I really appreciate it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Well then I think it's a good thing I signed up for this board and asked Cuz now I feel a little silly. Thanks for the feed back. I really appreciate it.

Oh my, please do not think we are trying to make you feel sill. I looked at your schedule and as much as I like dining, it's all about the food for me! LOL! I would not book three meals in one day, especially when two are buffets.

I would look at the character meals, and then determine if you are "double dipping", and then scale the repeats out. For instance, you are going to see basically the same characters at Chef Mickey as Cape May and Tuskert house. DO you want to see Mickey three times?

On your DAK day I would cancel Rain Forest Cafe. YOu will no sooner finish TH when you will be walking all the way back for lunch.

Epcot Day I would book Akershus Breakfast, get rid of Cape May, and move Garden Grill to dinner.

Magic Kingdom day: keep 'Ohana if you want Stitch, get rid ot LTT and keep Crystal Palace. Now you have Pooh and the gang

The rest seem okay, Be aware that you have mostly buffet, but if that is okay with you I think they are fine.

 

[3gr8boys]

Well then I think it's a good thing I signed up for this board and asked Cuz now I feel a little silly. Thanks for the feed back. I really appreciate it.

Oh my, please do not think we are trying to make you feel sill. I looked at your schedule and as much as I like dining, it's all about the food for me! LOL! I would not book three meals in one day, especially when two are buffets.

I would look at the character meals, and then determine if you are "double dipping", and then scale the repeats out. For instance, you are going to see basically the same characters at Chef Mickey as Cape May and Tuskert house. DO you want to see Mickey three times?

On your DAK day I would cancel Rain Forest Cafe. YOu will no sooner finish TH when you will be walking all the way back for lunch.

Epcot Day I would book Akershus Breakfast, get rid of Cape May, and move Garden Grill to dinner.

Magic Kingdom day: keep 'Ohana if you want Stitch, get rid ot LTT and keep Crystal Palace. Now you have Pooh and the gang

The rest seem okay, Be aware that you have mostly buffet, but if that is okay with you I think they are fine.

Take a look at your list of Table Service restaurants and see if you can identify the must dos for you (your group). I happen to love character meals and enjoy picking out TS restaurants when planning a trip..... it sure can be hard to whittle the list down!!! I agree with Nancyg56 that a great first step would be figuring out which characters you would see multiple times with your current plan.

(That said- while I like the approach of one TS meal a day and once in a while throw in a second, there are Dis folks that do multiple TS meals a day and don't fret the lost touring time....even with all the dis expertise available to you, many planning decisions are personal.)

There are plenty of quick/counter service places to eat for your other meals that won't take as much time away from rides and shows (or just being able to wander and soak in the Disney magic ). Many of them have good food and nice settings. For example, if you keep Tusker House (safari Donald is a blast) and drop Rainforest.....you could opt for quicker meals at flametree BBQ or satuli canteen. And, if you decide Chef Mickey is not a must do, you will have more time and energy to enjoy Animal Kingdom at night.

For days that you get down to one TS meal, think about the timing. For example .my family loves breakfast food but not eating at breakfast time. A good TS meal first thing in the morning would be a complete waste with my crew. One of our favorite meals is a late Crystal Palace breakfast - we ride a few rides before sitting down for a meal that serves as our breakfast and lunch. You may decide that your biggest meal of the day is best planned for breakfast.... or lunch ...or mid afternoonn....or dinner........

Once you do settle on your character meals, I suggest checking our www.kennythepirate.com for tips on interacting with the characters. I used some of his suggestions last trip and had the most fun ever at my character meals.

Happy planning!

 

[blistex]

Just when I thought I had all the info. We are staying at CBR, and don't have park hopper.

When we drive to Disney, the only time we don't drive our car to the parks is to MK, where transport from the parking lot takes almost as long as transport from Fort Wilderness where we usually stay. Having your car there makes things soooo much faster, though it's still a long walk and will take longer than you expect.

 

[Nancyg56]

Take a look at your list of Table Service restaurants and see if you can identify the must dos for you (your group). I happen to love character meals and enjoy picking out TS restaurants when planning a trip..... it sure can be hard to whittle the list down!!! I agree with Nancyg56 that a great first step would be figuring out which characters you would see multiple times with your current plan.

(That said- while I like the approach of one TS meal a day and once in a while throw in a second, there are Dis folks that do multiple TS meals a day and don't fret the lost touring time....even with all the dis expertise available to you, many planning decisions are personal.)

There are plenty of quick/counter service places to eat for your other meals that won't take as much time away from rides and shows (or just being able to wander and soak in the Disney magic ). Many of them have good food and nice settings. For example, if you keep Tusker House (safari Donald is a blast) and drop Rainforest.....you could opt for quicker meals at flametree BBQ or satuli canteen. And, if you decide Chef Mickey is not a must do, you will have more time and energy to enjoy Animal Kingdom at night.

For days that you get down to one TS meal, think about the timing. For example .my family loves breakfast food but not eating at breakfast time. A good TS meal first thing in the morning would be a complete waste with my crew. One of our favorite meals is a late Crystal Palace breakfast - we ride a few rides before sitting down for a meal that serves as our breakfast and lunch. You may decide that your biggest meal of the day is best planned for breakfast.... or lunch ...or mid afternoonn....or dinner........

Once you do settle on your character meals, I suggest checking our www.kennythepirate.com for tips on interacting with the characters. I used some of his suggestions last trip and had the most fun ever at my character meals.

Happy planning!

I agree. It is spacing meals and then adding in travel times and dining time, allowing for wait time. On out last trip we had some spacing problems because of a few travel glitches, and then longer than normal wait times becuase of rain. People tend to camp out if it means they can outwait rain, but it adds to a longer than normal buildup at teh "gate"

No one can really enjoy dinner if you are still full from lunch, not even me! LOL!

Character meals can take 90 minutes, so while it is conceivable to be in and out in 60, it is not always possible. I like to book PPO character meals close to an attraction I want to hop on without a FP. For instance, I book BOG PPO because like stand by on Peter Pan. Akershus is nice if you want to go over to FRozen. Garden Grill is nice for Soarin, and TH woks pretty well for Kilimanjaro Safari.

I never book a resort character meal if I want to get into a park close to RD, but save those for late arrivals, on off day, or our departure day.

 

[3gr8boys]

I agree. It is spacing meals and then adding in travel times and dining time, allowing for wait time. On out last trip we had some spacing problems because of a few travel glitches, and then longer than normal wait times becuase of rain. People tend to camp out if it means they can outwait rain, but it adds to a longer than normal buildup at teh "gate"

No one can really enjoy dinner if you are still full from lunch, not even me! LOL!

Character meals can take 90 minutes, so while it is conceivable to be in and out in 60, it is not always possible. I like to book PPO character meals close to an attraction I want to hop on without a FP. For instance, I book BOG PPO because like stand by on Peter Pan. Akershus is nice if you want to go over to FRozen. Garden Grill is nice for Soarin, and TH woks pretty well for Kilimanjaro Safari.

I never book a resort character meal if I want to get into a park close to RD, but save those for late arrivals, on off day, or our departure day.

Yes- PPO can have advantages! My one violation of "no big meals first thing" last trip was a GG PPO so we could walk on Soarin'. It was a great way to start the day