Starting to Panic Please Advise

[have2getaway]

I am feeling less stressed as wa able to book several reservations. I do have one question, though, are 2 TS reservations in a day too much?

 

[have2getaway]

You have plenty of time. I've never booked 180 days out and always got what I wanted.

Thank you! I am finding this to be true!

Would your boys like Whispering Canyon? Lots of rowdiness and fun there. Trails End is great too and they can run and play around the campground.

We were just considering Whispering Canyon for our first night there as we won't have time to do a park. You said it's fun and rowdy. What are the difference between the two?

 

[have2getaway]

Here's what I was able to reserve:
Mon - Tusker House Dinner
Tues - BOG Lunch
Crystal Palace Dinner
Weds. - O'Hana Breakfast
Thursday - Askerhus Breakfast
Coral Reef Dinner
Friday - Chef Mickey's Dinner

For our first and last days we were considering Beaches and Cream 1st day dinner and Cape May breakfast day we leave, but we would have to cancel something and are considering canceling either Coral Reef or Askerus as both are TS meals? Which, if any, should we go with? Is B & Cream better than Cape May if we keep the two others?

 

[LovesTimone]

This information is incorrect. CBR has rooms which sleep five, the same as POR. Two queen beds and the pull down trundle.

Thanks for the info...I had know I idea that they have put this into place.. My apologizes on incorrect info. We stay there a lot for a last minute over night stay........ which means DH says see if you can get a room for tonight, on Saturday morning. Do you know what buildings that this has been implemented in ? I have some friends coming in December and they CBR, but they will be bring there grandkids, so this way they will be able to stay over there. They love the Caribbean feel, as they live in the Midwest.

 

[LovesTimone]

Here's what I was able to reserve:
Mon - Tusker House Dinner
Tues - BOG Lunch
Crystal Palace Dinner
Weds. - O'Hana Breakfast
Thursday - Askerhus Breakfast
Coral Reef Dinner
Friday - Chef Mickey's Dinner

For our first and last days we were considering Beaches and Cream 1st day dinner and Cape May breakfast day we leave, but we would have to cancel something and are considering canceling either Coral Reef or Askerus as both are TS meals? Which, if any, should we go with? Is B & Cream better than Cape May if we keep the two others?

Beaches and Cream you might want to think about paying out of pocket here, its really not much more than a counter service in cost.

I would cancel Akershus is a princess character meal, and its basic scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage, served family style. Really not all that exciting. It's really about Princess's here. Corral Reef would be a keeper the fish tank alone will keep the boys interested. My friends just took there grandsons for a week, 8 & 10 and this was grandkids favorite place... without character of course. She told me her youngest grandson just keeps talking about it, and asking if they can eat there again. My DD's loved to eat here when they were little and still love it. We have always enjoyed the meals and service here has always been great. I also would keep Cape May, great way to end your trip and say goodbye... and see you real soon.

 

[GaryDis]

I would cancel Akershus is a princess character meal, and its basic scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage, served family style.

The Akershus breakfast menu is still listing the smorgasbord with several other items, in addition to the hot foods served at the table. Are you saying that the breakfast smorgasbord is gone? I believe it was taken away as an experiment a few months ago, but thought it was back.

Or is it just that it's too exotic? I grew up with bagels and lox as a breakfast staple, but many Americans aren't accustomed to the idea of fish at breakfast.

 

[have2getaway]

I have no idea which rooms. I just know it has 2 queen beds and a pull down Murphy bed because that's what it says on my reservation. I found this info about the upgrades on easywdw.com:

"Caribbean Beach’s refurbishment adds queen beds and wood doors separating the vanity and sleep areas. That puts it on par with Coronado Springs and ahead of the Port Orleans properties. Caribbean Beach also added a Murphy bed in most standard rooms, so it will be able to sleep five just like the Alligator Bayou section at Riverside. "
Glad I was able to provide new info.

 

[have2getaway]

Beaches and Cream you might want to think about paying out of pocket here, its really not much more than a counter service in cost.

I would cancel Akershus is a princess character meal, and its basic scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage, served family style. Really not all that exciting. It's really about Princess's here. Corral Reef would be a keeper the fish tank alone will keep the boys interested. My friends just took there grandsons for a week, 8 & 10 and this was grandkids favorite place... without character of course. She told me her youngest grandson just keeps talking about it, and asking if they can eat there again. My DD's loved to eat here when they were little and still love it. We have always enjoyed the meals and service here has always been great. I also would keep Cape May, great way to end your trip and say goodbye... and see you real soon.

Thanks so much for the helpful info! I will cancel Askerhus. We were leaning in that direction. I'll try to make a Cape May res. And will take your advice and just pay cash as you suggested. I don't want to waste our TS credits on something that we could easily pay cash for. Are there any other QS places where reservations can and should be made?

 

[LovesTimone]

The Akershus breakfast menu is still listing the smorgasbord with several other items, in addition to the hot foods served at the table. Are you saying that the breakfast smorgasbord is gone? I believe it was taken away as an experiment a few months ago, but thought it was back.

Or is it just that it's too exotic? I grew up with bagels and lox as a breakfast staple, but many Americans aren't accustomed to the idea of fish at breakfast.

On the website it shows it available, but the last time we were the "Smorgasbord" is was very limited, there was a tray with some meats and cheese. Yogurt and some fruit. But not what I would call a smorgasbord, or like it had been when we visited in the past it was plentiful and offered more authentic items. When my friends went a couple of months ago, she said that they did not even know that was available or doesn't remember it being offered or seeing it. But they are King and Queen to several Princess so meeting them was top priority.

Most Adults go with what they know... and kiddos are gonna only eat what they know. I was very lucky when growing up I had friends from different cultural back grounds so I was exposed to other foods and customs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The smorgasbord is very limited indeed. Disney Tourist Blog did a review recently and covered the contents. It's not big.

 

[jillt2ph]

If you want a character breakfast at Epcot, I would go with Garden Grill. I really enjoyed that. The food is basic but tasty. Who doesn't love tater tots for breakfast???

 

[JustMeFran]

Am I too late for 1/7 - 1/14 time period?

Same dates for my next trip!! Awesome time to go!

With 3 boys, I would totally go for the Disney Dining Plan, where you get 1 Table Service, 1 Counter Service and 2 snacks per person, per day. I know with my ONE 9 year old daughter it works out great money wise. We would rather meet characters at meals than wait in line so we do a LOT of Character dining! We have for Character Dining: Akershus, Chef Mickey, Tusker House and Garden Grill. All buffets, all with characters. If you do a lot of buffets it totally makes the dining plan worth it!! You will still be able to get ADRs for that of year now (131 day out now!).
I would also like to suggest to get a DISNEY Travel Agent. They are FREE an do all the legwork getting the reservations you want!
If you are on Facebook, feel free to join my group "WDW January 2017". There is an awesome group of Jan '17 travelers there always willing to answer questions and just have fun!

 

[GaryDis]

The smorgasbord is very limited indeed. Disney Tourist Blog did a review recently and covered the contents. It's not big.

That's why you have to actually read the menu. They compared it to Cape May, and yes, if you're just counting the number of different items, Cape May has more.

But when I count the number of items I'd actually want, Akershus has more, largely because I won't eat the meat, and with lox and smoked trout present, I'd skip the cottage cheese.

 

[have2getaway]

Same dates for my next trip!! Awesome time to go!

With 3 boys, I would totally go for the Disney Dining Plan, where you get 1 Table Service, 1 Counter Service and 2 snacks per person, per day. I know with my ONE 9 year old daughter it works out great money wise. We would rather meet characters at meals than wait in line so we do a LOT of Character dining! We have for Character Dining: Akershus, Chef Mickey, Tusker House and Garden Grill. All buffets, all with characters. If you do a lot of buffets it totally makes the dining plan worth it!! You will still be able to get ADRs for that of year now (131 day out now!).
I would also like to suggest to get a DISNEY Travel Agent. They are FREE an do all the legwork getting the reservations you want!
If you are on Facebook, feel free to join my group "WDW January 2017". There is an awesome group of Jan '17 travelers there always willing to answer questions and just have fun!

Thanks so much. I'll definitely look into the free Disney travel agent, and I'll check out your Facebook group page!

 

[LovesTimone]

Thanks so much for the helpful info! I will cancel Askerhus. We were leaning in that direction. I'll try to make a Cape May res. And will take your advice and just pay cash as you suggested. I don't want to waste our TS credits on something that we could easily pay cash for. Are there any other QS places where reservations can and should be made?

Cape May is a Table service Buffet with character dinning at breakfast, and seafood buffet during the dinner hour. Cost run the same as other WDW buffet options.

Beaches and Cream is a old fashion ice cream themed restaurant that serves really good hamburgers and sandwiches and of course the Kitchen Sink which is enough ice cream for a small army.. Here is where I would pay out of pocket.

QS locations do not take reservations. Except BOG... I think... Things change rapidly... so by January who knows...

I hope you will do a trip report and let us all know how magical your trip went.

 

[mickeygirl78]

Thanks for the info...I had know I idea that they have put this into place.. My apologizes on incorrect info. We stay there a lot for a last minute over night stay........ which means DH says see if you can get a room for tonight, on Saturday morning. Do you know what buildings that this has been implemented in ? I have some friends coming in December and they CBR, but they will be bring there grandkids, so this way they will be able to stay over there. They love the Caribbean feel, as they live in the Midwest.

There are rooms in all of the islands except Trinidad South (Pirates) that have the murphy/trundle beds. However not all rooms have them. Anyone who books with a party of 5 will be guaranteed the trundle bed. Others may end up with one or you can request one (no guarantees of course unless a party of 5).

 

[LovesTimone]

There are rooms in all of the islands except Trinidad South (Pirates) that have the murphy/trundle beds. However not all rooms have them. Anyone who books with a party of 5 will be guaranteed the trundle bed. Others may end up with one or you can request one (no guarantees of course unless a party of 5).

Thanks so much, I have already let my friend know and she is now on a mission to get CBR for 5.. This is why I love DIS so much.. everyone is so helpful and thoughtful with the sharing of info

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, first of all, deep breaths. You don't need a kidney, merely some dining reservations at a location that has a million of them, all geared towards kids.

Here are the restaurants my family enjoyed in July:
Chef Mickey's, Tusker House (breakfast), Cape May (dinner, though we also love breakfast), Coral Reef, Be Our Guest, La Cellier, Crystal Palace (breakfast.)

You'll also want to look at Sci Fi.

Lots and lots and lots of options.

 

[have2getaway]

I hope you will do a trip report and let us all know how magical your trip went. [/QUOTE]

Thank you! I definitely will.

 

[have2getaway]

Is Italy suitable for kids or is it something to skip?