Planning Help :)

[blakefamily]

We are planning on being in the parks Sunday May 13, Monday and Wednesday. We already made reservations for BBB on Monday first thing in the morning. Sunday we are going to do early entry. We want to do Goofy's kitchen for dinner, wondering if we should do that after a long day on Sunday, or save it for Monday or Wednesday. We have 2 5 yr old girls and a 2 yr old boy in our group as well as the 4 adults. I am thinking that with the early entry on Sunday we will likely take a break in the afternoon for rest back at the room. Also are reservations required for Rainforest cafe? We may do that one night, how far in advance is required for the reservation? I am trying not to be overplanned/overbooked, but understand that some things have to be. We also want to see fireworks and world of color. Thanks for any thoughts and tips.....I'm feeling a little stuck and overwhelmed.

 

[Daniellee725]

If it's not too late to convince you not to go to Rainforest, then don't go! It is very loud, and the novelty of the experience wears off about 10 minutes after getting there. The food is meh, and I've never walked out of there feeling like it was a good choice. There are some great options instead of Rainforest, like Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. It's GREAT for little kids, because there is live entertainment that calls them up onstage to participate with the performers (GREAT video/camera opp!) and the restaurant is an all you can eat BBQ restaurant which includes ribs, chicken, sausage, cornbread, corn, coleslaw, and beans. The best part is that it is a table service restaurant and everything is served family style, so you don't have to get up a hundred times to get your food, buffet style. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys BBQ. In fact I'll be going in 2 weeks. It's awesome!

 

[blakefamily]

It is not too late to convince me out of rainforest....LOL. My husband just informed me he is not interested in RC. He reminded of our trip there forever ago @ WDW that was just so-so....Mainly I am wanting something that everyone can enjoy. The BBQ sounds great. Also wanting suggestions for outside the park for the evening when we aren't in the park.
THANKS

 

[Daniellee725]

We are planning on being in the parks Sunday May 13, Monday and Wednesday. We already made reservations for BBB on Monday first thing in the morning. Sunday we are going to do early entry. We want to do Goofy's kitchen for dinner, wondering if we should do that after a long day on Sunday, or save it for Monday or Wednesday. We have 2 5 yr old girls and a 2 yr old boy in our group as well as the 4 adults. I am thinking that with the early entry on Sunday we will likely take a break in the afternoon for rest back at the room. Also are reservations required for Rainforest cafe? We may do that one night, how far in advance is required for the reservation? I am trying not to be overplanned/overbooked, but understand that some things have to be. We also want to see fireworks and world of color. Thanks for any thoughts and tips.....I'm feeling a little stuck and overwhelmed.

If you are doing BBB in the morning on Monday, I think Goofy's Kitchen would be great to do on Monday, that way you can get pics of your kids in all dressed up and with the characters. That would be way cute! Maybe a bit tiresome, but the pictures would be adorable!

As for things to do on the days that you won't be doing DLR, I would recommend maybe seeing Hollywood? It's only a half hour drive, and there are lots of things to see, including the outdoor mall "The Grove" where the celebrities shop, and you are very likely to spot one or two. Universal Studios would be nice, although not as kid friendly as DLR. If you are looking for food, the restaurant just outside the maingates of Knott's Berry Farm (only about 5 miles from DLR) is fantastic. They have really good comfort food, awesome fried chicken and amazing pies. There is also the Discovery Science Center a few miles south on the I-5 that looks like a lot of fun. I've heard good things about it, but haven't been there personally.

 

[blakefamily]

Thanks for the tips This site is so full of great information

 

[Goofy_Mom]

My favorite off site resturant is Joe's Crab shack, it's just a couple miles up Harbor. Also, a different thing to do is Dave and Busters. They have a billiards room, a full service resturant, and a massive arcade (the kind that you win tickets off of) take the tickets and redeam for prizes. I took my kids there on a block out day, we spent over 4 hours there. We had an early dinner (5ish) didn't get back to our hotel till 10. We didn't play pool, though, and I was getting cranky, we still had credits to play games when we left.