Step 2 in my planning - In Need of wisdom

[vacation247]

Resort is chosen for Aug. FQ - 7 day hopper - 2adult 1- child 7yrs
I really need some expert help.
Choosing meal plan and going to plan out the week for ARP
What time seems to work best for families? 7pm ?
Must do dinners?
Have on my list
Chef Mick
HoopDe
50sPrime
Crystal Palace
What about ?
FLying Fish
Sci-Fi
Coral Reef
Tutto
LeCelier
Californ. Grill- what time for fireworks?
Ohanas
CapeMay
Other suggestions?
We are flexible - But I think having a plan would be better for us
Is the transportation a difficult thing - or should I plan eating around the parks?

Please help

 

[septbaby]

First off relax, you're going to see Mickey!

Not sure I'm and expert or have wisdom, but I learned a few things planning our 207 trip:

We did not try to eat dinner the same time each night:
- Boma we did at 6pm, an hour after AK closed(went on our AK day)
- Narcoossee's was first night, 8pm so we weren't rushed after arrival and so we could see Wishes from the deck there
- H&V was early, 4:40 due to Fantasmic package seating
- We did Chef Mickey's breakfast late because we planned to sleep in after a long day and late night due to attending a Pirate & Princess party
- Coral Reef was lunch because it was when we could get an ADR; we started in MK at 8am so a good lunch was in order that day

I would take a look at the park schedules and decide if you plan to do Spectro, Wishes, Fantasmic, etc. on a given night. Also whether or not you'll take advantage of the evening EMH that day. Once you decide those things and what park you'll be at on a given day, try to set your ADRs to match.

You have so many places on your list I'll have to assume you'll be on the Deluxe plan. Many of the places you list are also breakfast options and I'd consider those too (Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Cape May, Ohana's). Some may even work for lunch (Coral Reef, Sci Fi, 50's, CP)

As for transportation it's great at Disney, but I wouldn't make a long trip just for a meal. Try to be in the vicinity for your ADRs. We spent a morning in MK then took the monorail to Epcot just for lunch. It was easy to do and a great meal too. We ended up juggling our plans one day (5yo wanted to go back to MK) and had a long trip from MK to MGM (originally would have gone from Epcot to MGM) and were late for our ADR. We were still seated, but it was a bit stressful. If the MGM ADR had not been for Fantasmic seating I would have just canceled. It all worked out, good dinner, wonderful show and good time at the MGM EMH that night.

By the way we were a similar group: 2A, 1C(5/6yo) on the 2007 Dining Plan.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I agree with the above poster. I would plan your meal times around the park events and hours. For instance, if Wishes is at 9pm you don't want a reservation at 7pm because you will likely not make it back. Wishes at CA Grill is fine but it's NOTHING compared to the view from Main St in the MK. Don't miss it.

If you want to see it from CA grill, make your reservation about 2 hours prior to the fireworks on the night you're interested in. Park, parade, and fireworks hours are posted on the Disney website 6 months out or so.

Don't waste a lot of time trekking across to eat somewhere. Nothing tastes great when you've sat on a bus for an hour trying to get there. We only eat some places when we have a rental car as I don't want to waste 2 hours of my vacation (esp during park hours!) to sit on buses.

Try to eat at or close to the park you're going to that day.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm a teacher too Here are the dinners we've planned (we're on the DDP):

-Chef Mickeys (easy hop on the monorail from the Magic Kingdom)-- my kids will love to see the characters--AND the ice cream sundae bar!!

- Cinderella & Stepsisters Dinner at 1900 Park Fare- another easy monorail ride (this one's at the Grand Floridian) I didn't want to go with Cinderella's Castle, but this way my girls still get to meet Cinderella

- The Coral Reef in Epcot: one entire wall is a HUGE aquarium. It's simply gorgeous!! And I requested personalized menus with family pictures; the kids will be so surprised!!!!

- Le Cellier- my son LOVES steak. This is his payback for the Cinderella dinner

-'Ohana- at our resort, but an easy monorail hop from the MK or Epcot

-Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood & Vine. Everyone raves about Fantasmic.

- I started a newbies thread containing some of what I've learned; it may help you: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551


As far as the DDP goes: it would cost your family $90 per day. That's one snack, one counter service meal, and one table service meal (tips are not included.) Take a look at some of the menus you're interested in at www.allears.net and see whether or not it makes sense for you. (It did for us, both economically and in terms of convenience) Either way, decide on which Advance Dining Reservations you're interested in, and make those ADRs soon.

I made most of our ADRs at about 5 pm. My plan is to start most days EARLY, tour until about noon, have lunch then head back to the resort. My kids LIVE to swim!! Then we'll dress for dinner, eat, and enjoy the park in the evening.