Rethinking ressies..Need help!

[proudestmunkie]

So I'm taking DF for his first *real* Kristen style WDW trip. We've gone a few times together but it's only been for a day or two and he was never really into it.

We're going 5/24 (my birthday!) to 5/27. He's actually (FINALLY) excited about this trip. I want to show him how it can be an enjoyable vacation. A big part of my trips is the food. I actually booked my dining before I booked my room .

Here's my problem...I'm a fan of EMH and usually plan my days/meals around them. This trip I have HS EMH 5/25 in the am, that's it. MK is open until 11pm 5/26, normal operating hours. Here's what I have (times are estimates, WDW ressie site is down):

5/24:
breakfast--not sure, probably will run to Capt. Cook's for some birthday tonga toast
Garden View Tea Room @ 2pm
Ohana @ 8:50pm (Wishes/MK closes at 9)

5/25:
EMH Magic Hours @ HS--QS breakfast in the park
Le Cellier @ 2pm
CG @ 9:00pm (Wishes/MK closes at 9)

5/26:
Boma @ 8:15am
CS for lunch
Jiko @ 5:00pm (Main St. Electrical @ 9, Wishes @ 10)

I realized that I did not take into account seeing Illuminations (also @ 9 every night), which I'd really like him to see. Ohana is one of my favs and I can't not watch Wishes on my birthday! I'm thinking about changing my day 2 plans. I originally had Coral Reef and Chefs de France (couldn't make up my mind) and cancelled once CG came up. It doesn't have to be a signature restaurant. The game plan at this point is ddp day 1 then dxddp days 2 & 3 but I wouldn't mind changing and just keeping dxddp day 3. There are plenty awesome CS's we can hit up. I need help! If you were taking someone "new", where would you take them? What's your favorite place in the Epcot area? Opinions pretty please! TIA everyone

 

[Cat0727]

So I'm taking DF for his first *real* Kristen style WDW trip. We've gone a few times together but it's only been for a day or two and he was never really into it.

We're going 5/24 (my birthday!) to 5/27. He's actually (FINALLY) excited about this trip. I want to show him how it can be an enjoyable vacation. A big part of my trips is the food. I actually booked my dining before I booked my room .

Here's my problem...I'm a fan of EMH and usually plan my days/meals around them. This trip I have HS EMH 5/25 in the am, that's it. MK is open until 11pm 5/26, normal operating hours. Here's what I have (times are estimates, WDW ressie site is down):

5/24:
breakfast--not sure, probably will run to Capt. Cook's for some birthday tonga toast
Garden View Tea Room @ 2pm
Ohana @ 8:50pm (Wishes/MK closes at 9)

5/25:
EMH Magic Hours @ HS--QS breakfast in the park
Le Cellier @ 2pm
CG @ 9:00pm (Wishes/MK closes at 9)

5/26:
Boma @ 8:15am
CS for lunch
Jiko @ 5:00pm (Main St. Electrical @ 9, Wishes @ 10)

I realized that I did not take into account seeing Illuminations (also @ 9 every night), which I'd really like him to see. Ohana is one of my favs and I can't not watch Wishes on my birthday! I'm thinking about changing my day 2 plans. I originally had Coral Reef and Chefs de France (couldn't make up my mind) and cancelled once CG came up. It doesn't have to be a signature restaurant. The game plan at this point is ddp day 1 then dxddp days 2 & 3 but I wouldn't mind changing and just keeping dxddp day 3. There are plenty awesome CS's we can hit up. I need help! If you were taking someone "new", where would you take them? What's your favorite place in the Epcot area? Opinions pretty please! TIA everyone

Ok, I'm confused. Are you seeing Wishes every night except day 2? Chefs de France is a good alternative if you don't go to CG but if it's someone's first time, I''d take them to CG if you can get an earlier reservation.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

With Ohana and Cali Grill, I'd be concerned about being seated in time to see Wishes (although at Cali you can step outside if you don't have a table yet if they have already taken you upstairs).

I will say though, hands down the BEST spot ever to view wishes is on the beach area/poolside at the main pool at the Poly (just out the back door of Captain Cooke's). You get the complete view of all the fireworks that go up around the park. PLUS, if you haven't seen it, they have the electrical water pageant nightly at 9pm on the beach there (fantastic to watch). They have a pool bar there and you can always take a dole whip on the beach to enjoy.

You know that if you change your dining plan in the middle of your trip that you will have to have 2 different reservations and check out and check in right? You can't just change plans in the middle. I wouldn't do a deluxe plan when i'm thinking of doing quick service for some meals...big waste of money.

Also the garden room tea (which i LOVE) is not on the dining plan.

You also have a lot of chasing reservations. That's a lot of hours hopping from place to place you have planned there. But as long as you don't mind running, it's your birthday...enjoy your favorite places.

 

[proudestmunkie]

I didn't realize that I had an MK restaurant every night. I'd like to see Illuminations. Fantasmic I can go without, there's nowhere that really jumps out at me in HS for dinner and I know he would enjoy Illuminations more. I'm trying to avoid dragging him all over the place. I talked to him tonight about it and he said "whatever you think, honey" which is what I knew was going to be the answer. I may just leave it, I haven't decided yet. I checked my CG ressie, it's 9:25..I'm concerned I'm not going to make CG in time.

 

[proudestmunkie]

With Ohana and Cali Grill, I'd be concerned about being seated in time to see Wishes (although at Cali you can step outside if you don't have a table yet if they have already taken you upstairs).

I will say though, hands down the BEST spot ever to view wishes is on the beach area/poolside at the main pool at the Poly (just out the back door of Captain Cooke's). You get the complete view of all the fireworks that go up around the park. PLUS, if you haven't seen it, they have the electrical water pageant nightly at 9pm on the beach there (fantastic to watch). They have a pool bar there and you can always take a dole whip on the beach to enjoy.

You know that if you change your dining plan in the middle of your trip that you will have to have 2 different reservations and check out and check in right? You can't just change plans in the middle. I wouldn't do a deluxe plan when i'm thinking of doing quick service for some meals...big waste of money.

Also the garden room tea (which i LOVE) is not on the dining plan.

You also have a lot of chasing reservations. That's a lot of hours hopping from place to place you have planned there. But as long as you don't mind running, it's your birthday...enjoy your favorite places.

Alot of times my trips are planned around where we're eating

Garden Tea Room is definitely one of my fav places and has become sort of a tradition on my birthday, this is going to be the third out of four birthdays I'm spending there. Last time they gave me a tiara to wear For Ohana I'm really hoping for a window seat...we plan on getting there early and I'm going to tell them it's my actual b-day and hope for the best..fingers crossed! I looove watching Wishes from the Poly, definitely one of my fav spots. The water pageant is also one of my fav things ever..it reminds me of when I was a kid, we used to stay at CR every year and I'd watch it from the balcony

Regarding changing dining plans, we're doing dvc and was told it's just a matter of swapping room keys, no biggie. We're staying AKL and are doing AK 3rd day so Boma and Jiko are probably the easiest reservations I have.

I think what it comes down to is, do I keep Le Cellier (no other times available any other day, I check daily) and CG, and run from Epcot to CR or just can CG and save it for next visit (prob Oct for F&W) and do something else that day all together. I've never done Jiko or CG, I think the menu at Jiko is more appealing if I had to pick the between the two. And my BFF (who's a WDW cast member) told me she'll disown me as a friend if I don't eat at Jiko this trip.

 

[Niki in NJ]

What hotel are you staying at? I think that could play a role in how I would respond .. but without knowing .. here's my opinion:
Because the Electrical Parade is on your last night, and because Wishes is later and the park is open later, I would make that the night to see Wishes. I hate missing Fantasmic, but it doesn't look like that may be important to you ...

5/24: Happy birthday
Because it's your bday, you should definitely plan this day with you favorites, however, because you have only 3 days to enjoy all the parks, this is what I would do:
-Breakfast at Capt Cooks (as you have)
-MK
-Eat CS lunch in MK
- Dinner at your choice
- DHS: Fantasmic at 9

5/25
- DHS (CS breakfast - maybe Starring Rolls?)
- Epcot in the afternoon (could eat lunch in DHS, over at the Boardwalk or YC/BC area, or in Epcot depending on when you got hungry)
- Dinner in Epcot (we love Rose and Crown, but many recommend La Hacienda, Chefs de France, Via Napoli) or could walk over to Boardwalk for dinner (Flying Fish?)
- Illuminations
- If you are still up for some fun .. you could go over the the boardwalk and go to Jellyrolls

5/26
- Boma breakfast
- AK
- Magic Kingdom in the afternoon
- early O'Hana dinner
- Electrical Parade and Wishes!

Obviously these are just my opinions and I did it pretty quick, so I might have missed something, but my bottom line is that I think you should plan your ADR's around which parks you will be at- and I think you have enough time to visit each park, keeping in mind that you won't be able to do absolutely everything. I would definitely want to see all of the night shows.

Happy Planning!

 

[JZCubed]

First, Happy Birthday! Your birthday is your day. If you love Ohana - there it is.

Your 2nd day:
EMH Magic Hours @ HS--QS breakfast in the park
Le Cellier @ 2pm
CG @ 9:00pm (Wishes/MK closes at 9)

has me confused......You're starting in HS, then going to Epcot for lunch, and then Cali Grill for dinner......I'm a real foodie, but two reservations at top-notch places in one day means missing out on park activities.

I'd stick with HS EMH (because you really like EMH) and Cali Grill for the fireworks is magnificent....But maybe just ad lib lunch or make a less overwhelming reservation. But if you must go to Epcot, for my taste, Coral Reef is a better view and France is more fun than Le Cellier....

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I love Le Cellier and would keep it for lunch. As much as I love Cali Grille, I would make that a priority for next trip and cancel it for this one. Spend the afternoon in EPCOT with plans to see Illuminations.

Haven't been there yet, but maybe La Hacienda for dinner? I am not a fan of Chefs for dinner (do enjoy it for lunch) and Coral Reef isn't near Illuminations. Or maybe just snack around the world since you are planning a big later lunch so that you can spend time in the Countries.

 

[Quin]

Sounds to me like the main point of this trip is to make sure DF enjoys it so he feels good abotu future trips. And that's a good goal!

I like your first day; everything is centered around the MK. And I also love Ohana.

For your second day I'm good with starting in HS, especially if you make EMH rope drop. But with a late dinner the night before, actually getting up and hitting the bus stop in the morning may become a barrier. If you get up too late I'd drop HS completely and just go straight to Epcot. I would have both lunch & dinner in Epcot, planned primarily around DF's tastes in food.

I have no opinion strongly for or against Le Cellier; if it appeals to both of you, keep the lunch ADR. My main concern is that 2pm is pretty late for lunch. That means you are not going to want dinner until so late that it could interfere with seeing Illuminations. And Illuminations is definitely not to be missed. There are very few TS options where you have any chance of seeing Illuminations and they are probably long since reserved. Bottom line is that I'd suggest an earlier lunch, whether TS or QS, and a nice dinner no later than 7 pm at whatever restaurant in WS would appeal to DF most.

For day 3, both breakfast and dinner at AKL makes sense since you will be staying at AKL that night. 8:15 breakfast means not getting on a bus until at least 9 so you won't be making rope drop anywhere. Sounds like a short day at AK, or possibly HS if you missed it on day #2. Leave the park early to go back to room & freshen up before dinner at Jiko at 5. Figure up to 2 hours for a leisurely dinner at a Signature and you still have a few hours to go watch a final fireworks. Or go to Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk for some more adult entertainment options.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

If you are staying at AKL, you can also order room service through Jiko (really nice and they put down a white table cloth in your room and everything) or go to the bar and get it take out to go to your room. We have done both...kinda nice to have the quiet time.

I didn't think i would enjoy the Jiko food, but I really did and wouldnt' hesitate to go there again.

 

[proudestmunkie]

Thanks everyone for your input! DF said he wants the teriyaki beef at CG (he saw the menu) and he doesn't need to see Illuminations so I think we're keeping things as is.