Please help a Newbie - - How does my dining schedule look?

[Corie]

I haven't been to Disney World since 1998 so I consider myself
a complete novice. After stressing about this planning for
weeks, I finally just gave-up and called Disney Dining today.

We are doing quite a few character meals. Hopefully, the kids
won't be in character overload.

(By the way, both of my children are under six years old.)

Here is our schedule. Please let me know what you think.
(Don't be too hard on me! This Disney planning has been
completely overwhelming and I seriously thought I was going
to cry today. This schedule is a jigsaw puzzle. And it was hard
putting it together!!)


Day one: Arrive, Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Day two: Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Day three: Lunch at Sci-Fi (@MGM)

Day four: Breakfast at Ohana

Day five: Breakfast at Akershus in Norway

Day six: Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table

Day seven: Come home



Thanks for your help!! I really appreciate it!

Corie

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

I think you made great choices! I have 3 kids under 6 and we always do lots of character meals and the kids love them. 1900 Park Fare is our favorite dinner buffet(kids love CM best) and the breakfast at Ohana is great!!!

 

[wdwishes1990]

I would skip sci fi - the other choices are all great!

 

[Lilo'sMom]

I'm not sure when your trip is, but one reservation a day seems like you may be stuck waiting - or just stuck.
If you're going during a busy season, book as many as make sense, depending on how much you're planning your trip.
You don't have to keep them all, but it is far better to have too many than too few.

 

[Corie]

Lilo's Mom,

I'm not sure if I understand your post. Are you saying to
book more meals?

Thanks for your input!
Corie

 

[tortoni]

You've made some great choices! It's been a while since our kids were as young as yours, but I do think that Sci Fi might not be the best choice for little ones. Some of the B "horror" movies they show are silly for us adults, but could scare the little ones. Also, you might consider more lunches and less breakfasts, depending on how you like to eat. Buffet breakfasts at Disney are huge and, IMHO, leave you fully quite stuffed before walking around the parks. We've always preferred something quick in the am, getting to parks early before they are crowded and then enjoying a nice lunch while everyone else is braving the crowds and heat. We've enjoyed Kona, Concourse and WCC with no crowds at lunch and just a hop over from MK. Have a great trip.

 

[M 'n C]

Maybe try 50s prime time cafe or the hollywood and vine character meal instead of the Sci-Fi if you may think it would scare your kids. I liked chef mickey's and akhersus.

 

[Maggi May]

I'm not sure when your trip is, but one reservation a day seems like you may be stuck waiting - or just stuck.
If you're going during a busy season, book as many as make sense, depending on how much you're planning your trip.
You don't have to keep them all, but it is far better to have too many than too few.

Totally agree! You've done a good job of spacing out your meals (a mix of breakfast, lunch, dinner), but it's not a bad idea to book a couple of back up table service meals. That way if, say for example, it's pouring rain on the morning of the Norway Princess breakfast and you're all really tired, you can can cancel it and go to dinner that night somewhere else. Also, if you're staying at a moderate or deluxe, consider booking a meal at your home resort, which will give you chance to stay in if you'd like.

I'm not a proponent of making tons of reservations that you're going to cancel, but even just a few extra back-up ones might make things less stressful-do-or-die.

 

[BillyFeat]

Great selection of character meals for the kids. You made some nice choices. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Corie]

Thank you for all your feedback! I greatly appreciate it!
I never thought planning a vacation would be so incredibly
stressful.

And, thank you for the idea to book a couple of back-up
restaurants, just-in-case! Great idea!

Corie

 

[Soubrette]

Try not to stress too much. Remember that you're planning ahead so you'll have more fun and flexibility when you get there.

I agree with the others that booking a few more will give you more options and flexibility. Maybe schedule a dinner on the days when you've already scheduled a breakfast, and just plan on some snacks inbetween.

 

[MinnieCandi]

I know, planning the "perfect" vacation is really stressful, but you are doing great! You made some great choices that your family will really love. I keep going back over our ADR's and making changes and totally obsessing about every detail!

Just one more suggestion, with children under 6, you might want to schedule a break in the middle of the day for a rest or a swim. It makes the evening ALOT less stressful. My two DD's are 7 and 9 and we still go back to the resort every afternoon (we don't nap anymore, but a swim really helps us!)

Have a great time!

 

[Corie]

MinnieCandi,

Yes, we are definitely heading back to the hotel for naps.
I'm sure I will need one too!!

Corie