Suggestions from the experts?

[MJMomma]

Hi there!

We are going to Disney the end of June with our 2 girls ages 2 and 4 and our extended family which includes grand parents, aunts, uncles and 3 other kids ages 6, 11 and 15. We are staying at the Ft. Wilderness cabins and have the meal package. We're looking for ideas on whether or not we should make reservations now for each night or is it feasible to make them each day? We would be a group of 14 if we all went. Are the character meals included in the meal package or should we reserve that separately? With travel time we'll really only have 4.5 days there so I'm guessing that we would probably end up spending most of our time in MK and the animal park? Any must see's for little ones at Epcot? Also, back to restaurants, what are your faves for varied ages of kids? Our kids will eat just about anything so that's not a concern, just want to make sure we hit some of the really super dinner spots while we're there.

Thanks in advance!!! Kathy

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Hi Kathy!

It is imperative that you make some reservations ASAP!

Call Disney Dining and make some reservations you may have a hard time making reservations this late with a party of that size. I'm afraid the super dinner spots will be full.

All four parks have things that will be appealing to little ones.

Epcot has the Nemo Ride and Turtle Talk with Crush, as well as Imagination, and Universe of Energy.

DHS has Playhouse Disney, The Little Mermaid Show, Toy Story, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast and Fantasmic

AK has the Safari, Nemo Show, Lion King Show, Animal Trails, It's Tough to Be a Bug (may be too intense for 2 year old and 4 year old)

MK is well MK (plan to spend most of your time there)

Character meals are included in your dining plan, all are one credit except Cinderella's Royal Table which is 2 credits.

Explore the restaurants here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

If you have a question about a restaraunt just ask, I have eaten at most of them.

Good luck!

 

[budbeerlady]

You need to get the TS reservations, especially with that many people. Walkups are VERY hard to get.

I would go with maybe some buffets with a larger group. Maybe Crystal Palace for the younger kids to meet the pooh characters. Or 1900 Park Fare for Cinderella. Check out the menus to see what sounds good or for the characters you want to meet. Good luck!

 

[Jenngoofys]

Hi there!

We are going to Disney the end of June with our 2 girls ages 2 and 4 and our extended family which includes grand parents, aunts, uncles and 3 other kids ages 6, 11 and 15. We are staying at the Ft. Wilderness cabins and have the meal package. We're looking for ideas on whether or not we should make reservations now for each night or is it feasible to make them each day? Make reservations now if you really want to use your meal plan. Most table service places dont have room for walk ups and I think you would be taking chances trying to book them each day. We would be a group of 14 if we all went. Are the character meals included in the meal package or should we reserve that separately? As far as Character meals yes they are included with meal plans other than quick service and need to be booked in advance. With travel time we'll really only have 4.5 days there so I'm guessing that we would probably end up spending most of our time in MK and the animal park? Any must see's for little ones at Epcot? My daughter loves journey into the imagination with Figment in Epcot , some parts may scare younger kids possibly Also, back to restaurants, what are your faves for varied ages of kids? For kids of varied ages a buffet would work well with the variety and they get to pick and choose so I would reccomend Chef Mickey's this is also a character meal (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto) You can get there easily by monorail from the Magic Kingdom I think all the "Kids" (young and old) would enjoy the ride. Our kids will eat just about anything so that's not a concern, just want to make sure we hit some of the really super dinner spots while we're there.Some Great Dinner spots that may be hard to get into but worth trying are Coral reef in Epcot, Le Cellier in Epcot, Cinderellas royal table for breakfast (costs 2 table service credits on the meal plan) inside the castle at the Magic Kingdom(princess character meal), Sci fi Dine in may be a hit with the older kids for the atmosphere at Hollywood Studios, and Rainforest cafe at Animal Kingdom ( NOT on the meal plan)

Thanks in advance!!! Kathy

Hope this helps you some p.s. a great place to look at menus is www.allears.net

 

[GrtWtNorth]

14 people -- your group could be challenging to accomodate at many of the table service restaurants. I sincerely hope you can get seatings for all the character dining you want. It could be a difficult task. If you booked through a travel agent, ask them to help you get the dining reservations you need.

If things get messy and you struggle to get seatings at normal table service restaurants, try the buffet restaurants. These may be more accomodating for larger groups.

If that also appears to be an impossible task, you may want to consider down-grading your dining package to Quick Service Dining. You'll save a bit of money, and quick-service restaurants can always feed you and your family.

 

[MJMomma]

Awesome! Thanks guys! I've made reservations for breakfast at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall since all of the other princess ones were booked (except for very late dinners!). I think breakfast will be better anyway with our girlies since they won't be exhausted (Yet!) at that point in the day. Thanks for the tips on stuff for little ones at Epcot, I was thinking we wouldn't even go there and that ends up being where the character breakfast is so that will be our day 3 adventure place.

Now I have another question if you don't mind, it's not restaurant related so let me know if I should ask it in a different place but tell me about the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique......looks like DD2 is SOL since she's only 2 but I was thinking of springing for hair and nails for DD1 who is 4. Do you make reservations? And does anyone have a suggestion for timing of it....for example someone mentioned having it done right before the parade...not sure why but I think that's what they said. It's probably not realistic to think that we could get it done before breakfast at 9:55.....ah, what to do with a couple of princesses!!!

Thanks again for your help!! Kathy

 

[Sleeping Becca]

BBB is great, it's a wonderful experience!

Timing doesn't really matter grab what you can get, you do need reservations, you can get reservations through 1-407-WDW-DINE.