Recommendations w/ parkhopper and DDP?

[jltnova]

Hi. I'm new to these boards and this will be my sixth drip to disney but the first in five years for my DH and I. My aunt said something to me about ADR's but I didn't realize how important they are until I started skimming these boards. They certainly didn't seem to be an issue for us the last time but that was pre-DDP I guess.

We will be there 7 nights at POFQ. We have park hopper (we like having flexibility to come and go where we want). We are in our 30's, like good food, DH is a big eater and we like to sit down. Don't really need the character breakfasts nor are we intersted in the show dinners (Hoop de Do, Luau, etc)

Le Cellier is a definite - we loved that 5 years ago. We are also thinking some of the others in Epcot (Coral Reef, France, Italy, Japan, China?) - looking for recommendations. We also think we will try the 50's prime time cafe, and maybe Mama Melrose's.

Also plan to do probably 1 signature night - is Yachtsman's worth it?


My last dining question would be - should we book ADR's for every night? If we left 1 or 2 nights open do you think we'd have problems in March getting in somewhere - we'll be there 8-15 (Sun to Sun). We are pretty flexible with our time.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jen

 

[Dustmouse]

I would definitely make ADR's for every night if you are interested in a sit down restaurant. We love to have that time together at the end of the day and it's fun for us to try different restaurants. All of the ones you suggested are good, but we particularly liked dinner at:

Le Cellier
Whispering Canyon
50's Prime Time
Teppan Edo
O'Hana

Have fun planning!

 

[ArabianNights]

Some personal favourites:

(in order of preference)

Boma
Le Cellier
'Ohana
Les Chefs de France
Kona Cafe

 

[Pakey]

Fav TS, esp for big eater, would be

Boma (a buffet but excellent food)
50's PTC
Le Cellier
Chefs de France, esp if you like roast chicken

Yachtsman is a nice signature, good sized steaks, many of the side dishes are ala carte and would not be part of the food that qualifies on the dining plan, so you would have to pay OOP for some of those sides.

 

[hematite153]

Given that you said you like good food, you can probably get into one of the signature restaurants on shorter notice. But, without an ADR you need to be prepared to be told to come back in several hours, or, to phone and ask where you can get in quickly-ish.

We've found that it works for us to make an ADR for everyday and then call to cancel in the morning if we've decided to go to a different location for the day.

 

[Tracyplus5]

Hi. I'm new to these boards and this will be my sixth drip to disney but the first in five years for my DH and I. My aunt said something to me about ADR's but I didn't realize how important they are until I started skimming these boards. They certainly didn't seem to be an issue for us the last time but that was pre-DDP I guess.

We will be there 7 nights at POFQ. We have park hopper (we like having flexibility to come and go where we want). We are in our 30's, like good food, DH is a big eater and we like to sit down. Don't really need the character breakfasts nor are we intersted in the show dinners (Hoop de Do, Luau, etc)

Le Cellier is a definite - we loved that 5 years ago. We are also thinking some of the others in Epcot (Coral Reef, France, Italy, Japan, China?) - looking for recommendations. We also think we will try the 50's prime time cafe, and maybe Mama Melrose's.

Also plan to do probably 1 signature night - is Yachtsman's worth it?


My last dining question would be - should we book ADR's for every night? If we left 1 or 2 nights open do you think we'd have problems in March getting in somewhere - we'll be there 8-15 (Sun to Sun). We are pretty flexible with our time.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jen

It's funny that you posted this because I was just discussing this very issue with my friend who goes to Disney every year. She NEVER does ADR's. She doesn't like itinerary's on vacation (neither do I for that matter.) We both like to go when & where the mood strikes and not be tied down to a schedule, plus we both have children and don't want to have a 5:30 reservation with a 5:35 melt down. That being said, I'm making ADR's for this trip because I do want to do all the fun kitchy things with the kids. We don't get to do Disney every year so if we miss out, it'll be a minimum of another 5 years before we get another try at it.

You are in a different situation though. You (from what I'm reading in your post) don't have children coming along. So, according to the sage advice of my friend, if you don't mind a 40 minute wait and are flexible about where you eat then you should be fine. She always goes during peak seasons because she and her DH work in education and can only go during those times. As I said, she never makes ressies and her family never goes hungry. She's eaten all over "the World" without ADRs. She's never done CRT or any highly sought after stuff like that. But she also has a knack for ending up at just the "right place" at just the "right time." She always seems to have good experiences, and that's with 3 kids in tow. So I think you're good to go without the ADRs. I'd make the ressies for Le Cellier since it is so popular and you're going in peak season in August. She's gotten into Coral Reef without ADRs at that time with a 40 minute wait so you may be fine with just the one res. HTH and hope you have a great trip!

 

[prncess674]

We are in our 30's, like good food,

Could you be more specific? Are you an adventurous eater? or just the "I like a good steak."

DH is a big eater and we like to sit down.

How do you feel about buffets. I personally am not a fan of it, but to each his own. Buffets will give you the big quantity.

We also think we will try the 50's prime time cafe, and maybe Mama Melrose's.

Go to 50's prime time for the fun atmosphere, not so much for great food. Mama Melrose is just boring Italian with nothing exciting.

Also plan to do probably 1 signature night - is Yachtsman's worth it?

There are good steakhouses all over the country I would go for something more unique such as Jiko or Artist's Point.