PLEASE help me plan! (My brain is turning to mush!)

[DznyDreams]

I have TODAY to get my thoughts together, and I'm afraid the old brain has blown a fuse.

Yesterday, my SIL and decided to organize a family trip. DH, DD (age 12) and I were already planning to go Sept 2-Sept 8, but now we'll be joined by my SIL, her husband, her 2 boys and my MIL!

Here's the stress issue: My 180 +10 window is TOMORROW!!!!!!

The 2 boys are 5 & 8. SIL will be content with pretty much anything I plan for them. This will be their 1st trip to WDW and our 14th. I wasn't worried about the ADRs for my party of 3, but I need help deciding where to eat and when for a party of 8. PLEASE make suggestions!!

Here's what I know:
1. OUR flight will arrive at MCO on Tuesday, Sept 2 at 12:20 p.m., and we'll depart MCO on Monday, Sept 8 around 11:00 p.m.
2. We'll rely totally on Disney for transportation, including Magical Expresss to/from the airport.
3. We will participate in the dining plan (this is certain, even if it's not free dining, but I am hoping).
4. The boys will enjoy character meals (no princesses) and my DD is fine with anything we do.
5. Simple food for simple people.
6. Our tickets will be 6 day park hopper passes, so we'll have access to parks every day of our stay.
7. I need an early dinner (TS) in the MK on 9/5 in anticipation of a possible MNSSHP.
8. OH! We'll be staying POP.
9. We will attend the Night of Joy on 9/6

I'll be working on this from my end and checking back to see if any suggestions were made. I need to get this together so I can run it all by SIL tonight and make ADR calls in the AM!!!!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

If the boys want to do character meals, why not Liberty Tree Tavern or Crystal Palace for your MK dinner? I know Liberty Tree gets very mixed reviews, but we love the character interaction there.

The Biergarten in EPCOT seems to have something for everybody and your party would pretty much get a table to themselves.

The boys and your DD may like the atmosphere at Sci Fi in DHS. My DS loves it although admits that the food isn't the best. We usually go for lunch rather than dinner

 

[KatMark]

Some thoughts:

Prime Time or Sci-Fi at Hollywood Studios--the boys will get a kick out of it
Crystal Palace for breakfast with Pooh and friends
Table Service early at Magic Kingdom on the 5th--Liberty Tree Tavern or Plaza Restaurant
Biergarten at Epcot--you will probably not end up sitting with strangers (other guests) since there will be 8 of you--the kids love the music and the buffet

 

[DznyDreams]

Great ideas!! Thank you.....

I'm still working on this, so the more input, the better.

 

[tlriv5]

Ohana breakfast is a good character meal for boys and girls, it has Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. The food is good and is brought out family style, so it is more relaxing. We really enjoy Whispering Canyon Cafe too at WL, fun fun fun! And the food is good too!

 

[DznyDreams]

Ohana breakfast is a good character meal for boys and girls, it has Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. The food is good and is brought out family style, so it is more relaxing. We really enjoy Whispering Canyon Cafe too at WL, fun fun fun! And the food is good too!

That's a cool mix of characters!

 

[PrincessDisney96]

Here are some thoughts:
Whispering Canyon (for lunch or dinner)
Biergarten
The Plaza
Crystal Palace
Rainforest Cafe
Sci Fi (not the best food but good atmosphere)
Prime Time Cafe
Ohana's
Kona Cafe( this is actually fine for kids)
Chef Mickeys
Hope this helped!

 

[HappyCamper87]

I second the LTT recommendation. It would work well for an early dinner on 9/5.

We did this during the Christmas party in 2006. Worked great for us as we were with my parents who like to take it easy some of the time while in park. The food is kid friendly and simple.

Try not to stress too much about ADR's.

Happy planning and best wishes.