planning trip for first-timer - what do you think of ADRs?

[collegejunkie]

a friend from school has asked me to plan a trip for her for spring break. i may or may not be going. what do you think of these ADRs for a first-timer?

arrival night: nothing planned because plane gets in at 6 pm and don't know how long things will take to move along
day one, epcot: lunch - chefs de france, dinner - coral reef
day two, magic kingdom: breakfast - crystal palace, dinner - whispering canyon cafe
day three, either animal kingdom or relax: if AK - dinner at rainforest cafe, if relax, dinner on boardwalk or in dtd somewhere
day four, hollywood studios: lunch - sci fi dine-in, dinner - unknown
day five, up in the air. originally relax day but depends on day 3. suggestions? maybe another epcot day
day six, magic kingdom: lunch - tony's, dinner - ohana
departure day - chef mickey's early dinner

where do you definitely recommend for a first-timer to get the ultimate disney experience? what would you adjust or add?

 

[Hootch]

Everyone has their own opinions. Since you asked for input I'll give you some.

If you want a Disney feel, I would skip Rainforest Cafe. They are available all over the country. You might consider Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It will require a bus to and from the lodge if you don't have a car. Or Tusker House or Yak and Yeti are good choices.

Tony's is just mediocre. My wife and I went our last spring break of grad school. We haven't gone back. I would suggest Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch if you want to stay in the park. It has an 18th century feel and the food is good. Other options for lunch or dinner would be Kona at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian. Both have good food and are located in interesting resorts.

Epcot would be a good choice for your extra day since there are so many decent restaurants. Via Napoli, La Hacienda and Restaurant Marrakesh (beginner Moroccan) are all good.

If you're looking for one more place in Hollywood Studios you might consider 50s Prime Time Cafe. The food is down home and decent. The environment is a 1950s kitchen where your aunt or cousin is feeding you. The ensure you mind your Ps and Qs of dining ala 1950s.

 

[nkereina]

I think the ADRs look good but are they paying OOP or on a dining plan? It could get expensive OOP with all those TS meals. We did DxDP and found it to be too much food when we had lunch AND dinner TS meals. We had to do an early breakfast TS and a late dinner TS just to space out the food since it's so much. So make sure their lunch and dinners are spaced well.

 

[Quin]

I also think this is dining overkill for a first timer. Stick to the basic DDP with 7 TS for a 7-night trip. Your friend will appreciate the trip more. Some basic scheduling (which park which day, one meal/day) provides structure but too much scheduline provides stress. They need time to just wander around and soak it all in.

I would recommend the following:

Arrival day - agree the timing is too tight; no ADRs here.

Day 1 - Epcot. Best CS choices in WDW; no need to schedule lunch. For dinner Coral Reef is very pretty, or perhaps a specific cuisine appeals to them (Tokyo Dining? Chefs?)

Day 2 - MK. breakfast at resort or on Main Street. Lunch at any CS (Pecos Bill for theming, CHH for more 'adult' food, Cosmic Rays for theming and value). Dinner at 1900 PF for the character interaction.

Day 3 - if AK, lunch at Flame Tree and dinner at Tusker or Boma. If DTD, all CS (EOS, WPE) or pay oop.

Day 4 - HS. Lunch at Starring Rolls. Dinner at Mama Melrose only if the friend wants the F! package; otherwise dinner at any of the Epcot-area resorts and an evening on the Boardwalk.

Day 5 - whichever option you didn't do on day 3.

Day 6 - MK. Here is where I'd do the CP breakfast and then dinner at Ohana.

Departure day - I'd go back to Epcot, since you've only had 1 day there and you've already had 2 days t MK. CM is a classic and if your friend really gets into the characters (and if the timing works ok for an "early dinner") it's OK, but otherwise I'd suggest a TS lunch in Epcot - again, so many wonderful choices. Biergarten? Rose & Crown?

Total 7 TS credits used.

 

[hops&dreams]

I agree with Quin. Too many ADR's will make the vacation seem too sceduled. I think 1 TS per day would be sufficient. Part of the charm is also getting snacks in the park, and there are many iconic snacks - Mickey Bar, Dole Whip - heck, even their regular old ice cream gets chocolates to make Mickey Ears!

I also would add 'Ohana. It would give them a chance to check out the Poly, and see the extent of theming in a Deluxe resort (if they aren't staying in one themselves.) They can also watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach there after dinner and/or watch Wishes from there as well - if timed correctly.

They can also snack around the world at Epcot - you can't go ot France and not get a French Pastry!

Hoop De Doo is fun as well ( and the beer, wine and sangria are included!) but it's pricey - 2 TS on DDP, around $65 - $70 / person out of pocket.

If you do Chefs, pay attention to the times Remy comes out. If they are there around that time, he may stop at their table and it would lend to the Disney experience.

Also, if they want to try a character meal, I would suggest 1900 Parke fare (dinner). It features Cinderella's step sisters, who are a hoot. I think their humor caters more to the adults and much of it is over the heads of the younger kids.

 

[collegejunkie]

all good suggestions! they are pretty big on good food, so i wanted to have 2 meals for them a day but i do think it's a good point that for a first trip they will probably want more time in the parks

 

[TDC Nala]

Are you making the ADRS for them? You may want to check the Reservations board. There is a thread about the new credit card hold requirements there. You may want to check that, as you have listed three restaurants ('Ohana, Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace) that will be subject to a credit card guarantee if the reservations are made after today (today is the last day to make reservations at these restaurants with no credit card hold). Also take note of the cancellation policy (which nobody's really exactly clear on yet because it says "one day in advance")

If you give YOUR credit card as a guarantee and they don't show up for the meal, it could cost you as the no-show fee is $10 per person.

 

[collegejunkie]

i'm making as many ressies as possible today to avoid the credit card thing. i'll cancel as they tell me what they want, but thank you for the reminder!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

a friend from school has asked me to plan a trip for her for spring break. i may or may not be going. what do you think of these ADRs for a first-timer?

arrival night: nothing planned because plane gets in at 6 pm and don't know how long things will take to move along
day one, epcot: lunch - chefs de france, dinner - coral reef
day two, magic kingdom: breakfast - crystal palace, dinner - whispering canyon cafe
day three, either animal kingdom or relax: if AK - dinner at rainforest cafe, if relax, dinner on boardwalk or in dtd somewhere
day four, hollywood studios: lunch - sci fi dine-in, dinner - unknown
day five, up in the air. originally relax day but depends on day 3. suggestions? maybe another epcot day
day six, magic kingdom: lunch - tony's, dinner - ohana
departure day - chef mickey's early dinner

where do you definitely recommend for a first-timer to get the ultimate disney experience? what would you adjust or add?

After all our trips here is what I what do. DISCLAIMER - this is just my unprofessional opinion!

Day One: EPCOT:
Sunshine Season for lunch
Via Napoli for dinner

Day Two: MAGIC KINGDOM
Crystal Palace for breakfast
CS for lunch
KONA at the Poly for dinner

Day Three: ANIMAL KINGDOM
If they have any desire for a character meal: Tusker House breakfast
If not: CS for lunch (Flame Tree BBQ)
BOMA at AKL for dinner

Day Four: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Lunch: 50's Prime Time or Sci Fi
CS for dinner

Day Five:
DTD day? I HIGHLY recommed Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch -Or they may want to sleep in, have lunch at their resort then hit DTD for dinner.

Day Six: MAGIC KINGDOM
breakfast at Main St bakery
lunch at The Plaza (TS) or Columbia Harbour House (CS)
dinner: ??? - Whispering Canyon

Departure day: Chef Mickeys for dinner.

My suggestions are based on the fact that 1. We have had terrible meals at both Tony's and Ohana - They are literally the only 2 places we will never return to - I know tons of people love them, so what do I know?
2. As others have mentioned, I wouldn't plan 2 TS a day for first time visitors.

Other places we have enjoyed: Coral Reef, Yak N Yeti in AK.
HTH.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

While I think it is generous of you to do this for your friend, be careful. I remember the thread of a person such as yourself. Her "friend" got very "indignant" about the TS places she chose. The best suggestion on that thread was to always involve the "friend" in the original decision making to avoid problems between friends. Of course, that is always good advice for any situation when helping another make plans.

As for my opinions, I only like three of the choices, but then maybe your friend has totally different tastes than mine. I also would not want my Disney trip interrupted with so many ADRs; that's like taking a tour with no control on one's time.

Favorites for DH & I are: Cape May (dinner), Yachtmans, WCC (just once per trip for dinner), Boatwrights (jambalaya is very good), Rainforest (Rasta Pasta & Pastalaya - yum), House of Blues (crawfish etouffee & corn bread are to die for!).

Also, as previously mentioned, whether your friends are on the DDP makes a lot of difference. If on DDP, they should go to some of the better TS (better as in food quality & menu offerings). If not, then I understand that the less costly TS were your choices. However, if they are not on the DDP & have the money to spend, they may prefer to hit some very good non-DDP spots, such as, Shula's, The Palm, etc.

Good luck & I hope it works out well for you.

 

[collegejunkie]

thank you for the advice! i will definitely review the menus with them as we adjust the ADRs. i just wanted to make sure to get the character and harder to get ones no matter what so i scooped them up and we can always cancel

 

[rpk1951]

wht are the ages of those going?

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

a friend from school has asked me to plan a trip for her for spring break. i may or may not be going. what do you think of these ADRs for a first-timer?

arrival night: nothing planned because plane gets in at 6 pm and don't know how long things will take to move along
day one, epcot: lunch - chefs de france, dinner - coral reef
day two, magic kingdom: breakfast - crystal palace, dinner - whispering canyon cafe
day three, either animal kingdom or relax: if AK - dinner at rainforest cafe, if relax, dinner on boardwalk or in dtd somewhere
day four, hollywood studios: lunch - sci fi dine-in, dinner - unknown
day five, up in the air. originally relax day but depends on day 3. suggestions? maybe another epcot day
day six, magic kingdom: lunch - tony's, dinner - ohana
departure day - chef mickey's early dinner

where do you definitely recommend for a first-timer to get the ultimate disney experience? what would you adjust or add?

Day One: I would do Coral Reef for lunch and a resturant in WS for dinner. I always like to be in WS after dinner depending on when illumintations will be starting. I wouldn't pick France but that depends on taste.

Day Two: I would do breakfast MK day at Ohana if you want character interaction, Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch, Ohana is all you can eat family style. I would do dinner at LTT or back at Ohana. Dinner is not character at either place but again both family style and GREAT food. WCC is good but wouldn't be my first choice.

Day Three: No way for the Rainforest Cafe! Boma at AKL for breakfast and/or dinner is a must for first timers! If you wanna stay in the park then do the Tusker house for a character breakfast or do yak and yeti for a sit down lunch or dinner.

Day four: Luch at SciFi sounds great! Prime Time maybe for dinner.

Theres a few suggestions.