Recommendations Anyone?

[pad406]

Hi, first trip to WDW over Christmas and New Year. It's also DD birthday on 2nd Jan, she'll be 9. Will be staying in the Poly. Probably be in MK on Christmas Eve, Christmas day in the Resort (Comments?) and New Years Eve in Epcot. DD is mad about coasters so plan to go to Busch Gardens for the birthday and come back and eat somwehere on site. WIll be with DW and DS(6). Any comments on the parks to be in, Christmas day in Park or Resort? Any recommendations for Restaurants for the 4 main days mentioned above?

 

[Donop26]

We are staying for the second time at the Poly this Sept., love the Poly, I hope you do too! We have never been at Christmas, even though I think that sounds sooo cool! I'm not a real "traditional" Christmas person, I always tell my husband if I didn't have 3 kids, we would be in Vegas for Christmas. So, a Christmas Disney trip sounds amazing!

The Poly has 'OHana and Kona Cafe. We ate at both last Sept. and have booked ADR's for this Sept. as well. They are very different as far as atmosphere and food, so you won't feel like you are repeating a meal. Sometimes it's just nice to eat at your resort and not have to travel to dinner. So, my suggestion would to be to work those into your plans and make ADRS. Also, I know at Christmas the parks can get crowded, so eating at your resort may work out really well.

As far as Christmas day meal, I'm sure there are many experts on here who can steer you in the right direction. Epcot for NYE is a great idea. Have fun!!

 

[pad406]

anybody?

 

[KYMickey]

I think you probably need to get a little more specific on what you're looking for in your meals. There's so many choices available that without a little more information people are afraid to suggest places to you.

We personally don't enjoy the restaurants in the Poly but that's just us. We like all the restaurants in the GF and of course Chef Mickey's and the California Grill are also very good choices. I think if you provide a little more information you will get a lot more feedback.

 

[pad406]

Fair point KYMickey. OK, Myself and DW like spicy food but will eat most things. Kids DD(9) and DS(6) like all the normal kids stuff like hotdogs, pizza, mac&cheese but will also eat most things. Give the time of year and the fact that the parks will be busy, I suppose we want to soak up the disney atmosphere as much as possible. On DD's birthday 2nd Jan, we were thinking of going to Busch for the day and maybe have diner in T-Rex, know there are varying opionons on the food, but think the kids will love it. But, do they do anything special for Birthdays? I know a lot of the resturaunts do. I suppose the main thing is Christmas Day, I don't think we'll go to the parks that day, so are thinking of chilling in Poly, visiting some of the other resorts and a nice dinner. Really no idea where, maybe California Grill, seems to have good reviews, but then so do the ones in POLY. Really can't figure this. Guess really hoping that someone who did Christmas Day Dinner might give some feedback.

 

[Cafeen]

While I haven't personally been at this time, I just wanted to mention that if you're going to Epcot for NYE, it will be best to dine within the park. While it shouldn't be as packed as MK, there's still a chance for crowd level closure. It would stink to leave the park for dinner, and then not be able to get back in after.

For Christmas day, the parks have also been historically very crowded, so your idea of a resort day is a good one.

As far as birthdays, it's totally up to the descretion of the CMs at the restaurant. Some have been known to make a big deal, some will bring a cupcake, some won't do anything. When you first arrive, you can always pull your server aside to ask and see what they say.