Suffering from ADR : (

[GldnGrl75]

My parents, daughter and I will all be first-time visitors to WDW this Christmas. After a month of on-line research, I booked POFQ with the dining plan in September. I'm glad that we have it, but since then ... ADR's have totally comsumed my life! I have changed my itinerary and reservations more times than I can count! (I'm like that indecisive lady from the McDonald's commercials.) Lately, I've been so stressed over it that I feel physically sick to my stomach!
One thing that concerns me: I currently have a ADR for Biergarten on Christmas Eve at 8:25pm ... Will we be done in time to see Illuminations?

 

[BriarRosie]

I don't think you'd be out in time for it, but you shouldn't let it stress you out. You might be in out time for the finale, which during the holidays, is just incredible. It's a gazillion fireworks in the sky, so you don't have to worry about getting a viewing spot near the lagoon.

And if for some stroke of luck you do get seated on time, you control the pace of eating since it's a buffet.
Try checking into Biergarten 20 minutes early. You never know.

 

[GldnGrl75]

How about this: If we see Fantasmic! at 6:30 ... Will we have time to make it to a 7:25 ADR at Cape May?

Thanks!

 

[Mrs D]

I'd say that a little too close for comfort as well. For most table serve restaurants (including buffets) I fund it takes a minimum if an hour from siting down to leaving the table (sometimes 1.5 hrs). I then leave an hour forctransportation to any other location when using Disney transportation. I think fantasmic lasts apprx 30 mins; I'd guess another 30 mins to exit theater, walk to the front of the park and exit. You could either walk or take the boat to the Beach Club but I'd allow at least 30 minutes to get from the front gate to Beach Club.
Hope this helps.

 

[SoScary'09]

I think it's really REALLY important that you just step back and take a few deep breaths. After all, it's a just a vacation (pricey and extrememly difficult to plan, but still a vacation)

My advice would be not to set your expectations too high. Just go in and have the best time you can, because as we all know trips seldom tend to go as planned. You won't be able to fit in every single detail/ be exactly on schedule. Imagine how you'll be if something doesn't go as planned while you're there. Even more stressed and you're supposed to be on vacation!

Slow down and take everything in, and don't sweat it about the ADR's. The last thing you need is to get sick from stress! Book what works for Epcot, and just do the best you can for Illuminations. If everyone spends every second rushing around or shoveling food in their mouths to finish dinner no one will truly be able to enjoy it

 

[gr8leg8]

to the dis

You will have a much better trip than the visitor
who didn't know to make any ADRs.

I think the Beer-Garden will be great for Christmas eve dinner. Illumination shows every night and it will be there on your next trip.

If you are comfortable with this...
share your schedule here
what park days, adrs, your must do list

This board is a treasure trove of info.
like...
meals last about an hour,
give yourself extra time to get from point A to point B,

Have you found the abbreviations list yet?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743
IASW had me stumped forever...

Have a merry & magical trip

edit: just re-read your post. Just wanted to add that POFQ was our first visit. We LOVED it.

 

[GldnGrl75]

Yea ... I think it's finally shaping up! (Of couse, I've probably said that at least once a month since I started making ADR's!)

Anyway, here's my itinerary thus far:

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Epcot (open:9am-9:30pm)
dinner @ Coral Reef, 8:00pm

Monday, December 20, 2010
Magic Kingdom (open:8am-3am)
lunch @ Crystal Palace, 11:35am
dinner @ Chef Mickey's, 7:05pm

Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Hollywood Studios (open:9am-10pm)
dinner @ Captain's Grill, 5:20pm

Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Discovery Cove (open:9am-5:30pm)

Thursday, December 23, 2010
Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure (open:8am-10pm)

Friday, December 24, 2010
Epcot (open:9am-12:30am)
breakfast @ Akershus, 9:40am
dinner @ Biergarten, 6:20pm

Saturday, December 25, 2010
Magic Kingdom (open:7am-1am)
breakfast @ 1900 Park Fare, 8:00am
dinner @ Liberty Tree Tavern, 6:35pm

Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sea World (open:9am-11pm)

Monday, December 27, 2010
Animal Kingdom (open:8am-11pm)
breakfast @ Tusker House, 10:10am

I know it's jam packed, but we've never been to WDW before and I'm not sure if/when we'd ever make it back, so I don't want to have any regrets! My goal is to DO as much as possible our first 3 days at WDW ... That way we can take Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to just SEE.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GldnGrl75]

Another question ... If I have a reservation for 1900 Park Fare at 8:35am on Christmas morning, do you think we'll make it into MK before it closes due to capacity?

Thanks!

 

[SusanWasHere]

I hope you have a wonderful trip! I leave in 4 days and I can't wait!! I know this is your first time going and that is so exciting all by itself. But in my humble opinion I think your ADRs are going to take a lot of time out of touring the parks. You are going to be there at a VERY crowded time. Most people would tell you to be at the parks at opening and do as much as you can. I see you have many breakfast ADRs which are going to have you coming out when the park is extremely busy. And sometimes you end up waiting a good 15-20 minutes past your scheduled dinner time, and then you're in there eating for quite a while. You may end up losing a good 2 hours every night of park touring. But it also depends on what you are going for. Are you mostly looking for meals or do you want to see as much of the parks as you can?

Years ago we went the same week as you and we only booked 2 table service meals and the rest we did counter service and did breakfast in our room. Put some granola bars and fruits in our bags and made the most of the parks. I'm just worried you're going to be spending most of your time waiting and sitting in restaurants and missing some of the fun!

 

[GldnGrl75]

I agree that it's not ideal : (

My game plan was to have only 1 (non-breakfast) ADR per day for our first 3 days at WDW, so that we do have more time in the parks ... Unfortunately, I'm not willing to give up my ADR for dinner at Crystal Palace on the 20th without obtaining one for breakfast or lunch on Christmas Day. If I could get that, then I could do dinner at Chef Mickey's instead of breakfast on the 20th, and experience more in MK that day.

As for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ... My game plan was to double-up on ARD's inside the park, so that we'd be able to "escape" the crowds for a bit without leaving the park and running the risk of not being able to return.

Does anyone ever try to swap ADR's?