Tentative ADR's...help or advice?

[Delphinidae]

Indecisiveness strikes again! I recently added Free Dining to our package, so some restaurant selections have recently changed. My kiddos are still interested in doing some character meals, so I think we made the right choice in going with "Free" Dining. I *think* I have our park days just about nailed down, except we have 5 day tickets and are not 100% sure which park will get 2 days. I was thinking probably MK, but the girls love Epcot too, and then with AK adding the new stuff there's that possibility too.

ANYWAY. Here is what I have so far. I realize I have more TS meals than I will have credits, and I do plan on eliminating some, sooner rather than later as to not tie up extra ADRs for other people. I just can't quite decide what we would rather do and what would also be best for our touring. To further complicate things, when we got FD I had to add on the Hopper option. Never hopped before, don't really want to if I don't have to. It does seem like a bit of a waste to pay for it and not use it, but I just don't like spending much time going back and forth.

So there's me, DH (never been before), DD13, and DD10. We do like to be in the parks pretty much open to close, not really into heading back to the resort midday. We are going in August.

Sunday: Arrival day, no planned meals

Monday: DHS day. Fantasmic! Dining package for lunch at Mama Melrose

Tuesday: MK. 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch ADR at Be Our Guest. Not sure that I really want to keep the breakfast as I really liked the food at CP for lunch, but someone suggested to try to get pre-park opening for MK. However, 8:20 is the earliest I have been able to get and I don't know if that will even help at all.

Wednesday: AK. 10:45 ADR at Tusker House, 6:45 at Yak & Yeti. I booked TH because I have always heard great things about the breakfast, and looking at the menu it does seem to have more variety. Yak & Yeti, just because I've always wanted to try it and those delicious looking dessert wontons! I don't know about 2 TS in one day..

Thursday: I have this as a second MK day, not sure if that'll stick. Lunch ADR at Crystal Palace, which we will only keep if we don't do the breakfast here.

Friday: Epcot. 8:20 breakfast at Garden Grill. Again, not sure if that is early enough to help us out with Soarin', but we have never eaten here and would like to try it.

Saturday: Departure day Breakfast at 'Ohana


I realize that's a lot of character meals, but my kids do enjoy them and have asked for some, and I want to do at least a couple because I don't know when we'll be back or if they will be interested in them by then. However, I really don't think I want to do as many breakfasts as I have here. I definitely would rather do CP for lunch if the breakfast won't make any difference for us with wait times in the morning. I also initially had Animal Kingdom and Epcot days switched, but got worried that with the new nighttime stuff at AK, Friday nights might be busier with locals. Or maybe that will have died down some by August?

Well that is way too long and too much information. I do apologize! I got on a bit of a ramble. Any insight or thoughts are welcome!

 

[JerseyJanice]

If I understand the terms of the free dining offer correctly, you need to buy either a park hopper or water park ticket. If you really don't expect to park hop, you may want to consider buying a day or two less in your ticket and spending a day or two at a water park.

That said, I think you have too many breakfasts and barely any dinners. I would switch that up. Crystal Palace, Garden Grill and 'Ohana all have great dinners so I would try to get dinners there instead. My family enjoys having a nice leisurely dinner on arrival day at a resort restaurant. I have Cape May Cafe booked for our first night in October.

 

[LovesTimone]

Sunday: Arrival day, no planned meals - I assume you are doing QS for meals this day.

Monday: DHS day. Fantasmic! Dining package for lunch at Mama Melrose - for me I would try to get Brown Derby.. cobb salad and grapefruit cake...

Tuesday: MK. 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch ADR at Be Our Guest. Not sure that I really want to keep the breakfast as I really liked the food at CP for lunch, but someone suggested to try to get pre-park opening for MK. However, 8:20 is the earliest I have been able to get and I don't know if that will even help at all. - CP - We have eaten here at all three meal time, and for us Breakfast is our favorite time... not that anything is wrong with other times its just our preference. But if your preference is lunch shoot for 11:00 ish so an early lunch. Walking down a nearly empty main street is nice, great picture op. BOG - while the theming and interior are simply amazing, you might be under whelmed with the food choices and quality for lunch. Some friends had ADR's around 2ish, they decided on just dessert,( they had lunch before there and were underwhelm with the meal portion but loved the dessert options) so they had lunch at Columbia Harbour house around 12;00ish at and then dessert at BOG they said it was a nice break from the park and they did take the time to look in each room and get some photos. While they paid oop for dessert, she said that they felt okay as for them it was worth it.

Wednesday: AK. 10:45 ADR at Tusker House, 6:45 at Yak & Yeti. I booked TH because I have always heard great things about the breakfast, and looking at the menu it does seem to have more variety. Yak & Yeti, just because I've always wanted to try it and those delicious looking dessert wontons! I don't know about 2 TS in one day.. - With kids its a lot for 2 table service in one day, You might want to rethink it if your family will get restless. Tusker House is very good, lots of options and good service. Check out the menu for Y&Y will your kiddo's be okay with the choices? You might want to think about Rainforest right out side of AK and pay oop here. Our DD's loved when we did this, we would order the Appetizer adventure, and nachos, to share and if we had room some dessert the sparking volcano, or you could head to DS (DTD) for dinner lots and lots of new options here. On another note for us AK is not a whole day of touring.

Thursday: I have this as a second MK day, not sure if that'll stick. Lunch ADR at Crystal Palace, which we will only keep if we don't do the breakfast here. - I would go with something different, you don't know when you will be back, so I would check out as much as possible. Head to a monorail resort for lunch the Poly is one of our fav's QS at Capt. Hooks not just your really average QS menu, we find it really good.... or... Head over to Epcot for dinner France or maybe dinner with the princess in Norway...

Friday: Epcot. 8:20 breakfast at Garden Grill. Again, not sure if that is early enough to help us out with Soarin', but we have never eaten here and would like to try it. It's a basic style breakfast not really anything all that excititng, There is so much to try in Epcot, Teppan Edo, Spice Road, Corral Reef, this was a favorite of our DD's at this age, the aquarium is just wonderful and so is dinner and service here.

Saturday: Departure day Breakfast at 'Ohana - I know that this is a site favorite, but do be prepared to wait, for some reason tables don't turn as quickly as others restaurant's. Not sure about your transportation home, if using DME or Driving to airport, or driving home take this into consideration. Also you are going to be exhausted so maybe QS would be the way to go, and grab some extra shut eye. Me personally I would want to see Mickey and the Gang for breakfast to say so long and see you real soon. So for us Chef Mickey is our go to either on Arrival day or Departure day.

On a side note our DD's loved eating in different countries every night, so we did the parks by day, and then headed for Epcot for dinner.
Also don't forget to spend your snack credits if you have any left for packaged or boxed items to keep the magic going when you get home. Use your snack credits for more costly items, pay oop for water, soda and such.
You could use a delivery service for water, Gatorade/propel, you are coming in August which is the hottest& humid month .. (I live here)and maybe some breakfast bars, and snacks for the room, Sunscreen lots and lots of Sunscreen - Garden Grocer.

Pixie dust coming your way....

 

[Nancyg56]

Indecisiveness strikes again! I recently added Free Dining to our package, so some restaurant selections have recently changed. My kiddos are still interested in doing some character meals, so I think we made the right choice in going with "Free" Dining. I *think* I have our park days just about nailed down, except we have 5 day tickets and are not 100% sure which park will get 2 days. I was thinking probably MK, but the girls love Epcot too, and then with AK adding the new stuff there's that possibility too.

ANYWAY. Here is what I have so far. I realize I have more TS meals than I will have credits, and I do plan on eliminating some, sooner rather than later as to not tie up extra ADRs for other people. I just can't quite decide what we would rather do and what would also be best for our touring. To further complicate things, when we got FD I had to add on the Hopper option. Never hopped before, don't really want to if I don't have to. It does seem like a bit of a waste to pay for it and not use it, but I just don't like spending much time going back and forth.

So there's me, DH (never been before), DD13, and DD10. We do like to be in the parks pretty much open to close, not really into heading back to the resort midday. We are going in August.

Sunday: Arrival day, no planned meals

Monday: DHS day. Fantasmic! Dining package for lunch at Mama Melrose

Tuesday: MK. 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch ADR at Be Our Guest. Not sure that I really want to keep the breakfast as I really liked the food at CP for lunch, but someone suggested to try to get pre-park opening for MK. However, 8:20 is the earliest I have been able to get and I don't know if that will even help at all.

Wednesday: AK. 10:45 ADR at Tusker House, 6:45 at Yak & Yeti. I booked TH because I have always heard great things about the breakfast, and looking at the menu it does seem to have more variety. Yak & Yeti, just because I've always wanted to try it and those delicious looking dessert wontons! I don't know about 2 TS in one day..

Thursday: I have this as a second MK day, not sure if that'll stick. Lunch ADR at Crystal Palace, which we will only keep if we don't do the breakfast here.

Friday: Epcot. 8:20 breakfast at Garden Grill. Again, not sure if that is early enough to help us out with Soarin', but we have never eaten here and would like to try it.

Saturday: Departure day Breakfast at 'Ohana


I realize that's a lot of character meals, but my kids do enjoy them and have asked for some, and I want to do at least a couple because I don't know when we'll be back or if they will be interested in them by then. However, I really don't think I want to do as many breakfasts as I have here. I definitely would rather do CP for lunch if the breakfast won't make any difference for us with wait times in the morning. I also initially had Animal Kingdom and Epcot days switched, but got worried that with the new nighttime stuff at AK, Friday nights might be busier with locals. Or maybe that will have died down some by August?

Well that is way too long and too much information. I do apologize! I got on a bit of a ramble. Any insight or thoughts are welcome!

For your cp breakfast, arrive as if you had an 8:05 ADR. The staff want to get folks seated and so you may get in a little early.

I'd keep the bog lunch.

I like tusker house but we would not do 2 ts in one park. You will be allocating a lot of time dining. I would choose one and hit flame tree, which is CS for the other. I would end with a ts meal.

For your Epcot day, I have no idea how a ppo breakfast will help with soarin, but again, arrive early.

I think you are heavy on breakfast. Mornings are a great time to tour, and dinner is a better value on the ddp. But you know your family, so you need to go with the options that make sense to you.
We tend to schedule one, maybe two breakfasts. That's enough for us every trip. We eat, but it's on the fly.

If you can score a ppo meal at bog, I would scrap cp breakfast completely.

 

[Eastern]

I only want to add that, since you are so indecisive/not fully planned yet, I would not cancel those extra ADRs for awhile. My worst mistakes have been to cancel an ADR right away, and then realize I should have kept it. This is especially crucial for things like fire-work view restaurants at the best times, 'Ohana, CRT and pre-park opening breakfasts. Don't give those up until you are sure!!

 

[sluggozmom]

If you like the lunch at CP, why not try for the last breakfast time slot and enjoy both the end of breakfast and beginning of lunch offerings, if you don't mind missing the pre park entry... Which I must say, is a don't miss at least once!

 

[Delphinidae]

If I understand the terms of the free dining offer correctly, you need to buy either a park hopper or water park ticket. If you really don't expect to park hop, you may want to consider buying a day or two less in your ticket and spending a day or two at a water park.

That said, I think you have too many breakfasts and barely any dinners. I would switch that up. Crystal Palace, Garden Grill and 'Ohana all have great dinners so I would try to get dinners there instead. My family enjoys having a nice leisurely dinner on arrival day at a resort restaurant. I have Cape May Cafe booked for our first night in October.

Before we got Free Dining I initially had 4 day tickets and 1 waterpark. I then switched that to 5 day tickets, and then when we got Free Dining and had to choose, we talked about it and decided to go with hoppers because we don't really go to Disney for the waterparks. We have been to TL before and had a great time, but we really enjoy the theme parks more and that is where we would like to spend our time.

I really agree about too many breakfasts. I want to switch some of them for sure. CP I especially would rather have lunch or dinner, but like I said I mainly have that one and GG for the PPO times. But not sure if 8:20 is early enough for PPO or not. I will need to look at the menu again for GG's dinner to see if we would enjoy. Are the characters there for all meals or just breakfast? I know at 'Ohana it's only breakfast that they are there and that's why we have breakfast booked. My daughter requested it for Stitch. Is he the only character?

Sunday: Arrival day, no planned meals - I assume you are doing QS for meals this day.
That's the plan!

Monday: DHS day. Fantasmic! Dining package for lunch at Mama Melrose - for me I would try to get Brown Derby.. cobb salad and grapefruit cake...
BD is too expensive for us. Maybe one day if we get to do a couple's trip! We ate at MM our last trip and enjoyed the food so I hope it's still the same!

Tuesday: MK. 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch ADR at Be Our Guest. Not sure that I really want to keep the breakfast as I really liked the food at CP for lunch, but someone suggested to try to get pre-park opening for MK. However, 8:20 is the earliest I have been able to get and I don't know if that will even help at all. - CP - We have eaten here at all three meal time, and for us Breakfast is our favorite time... not that anything is wrong with other times its just our preference. But if your preference is lunch shoot for 11:00 ish so an early lunch. Walking down a nearly empty main street is nice, great picture op. BOG - while the theming and interior are simply amazing, you might be under whelmed with the food choices and quality for lunch. Some friends had ADR's around 2ish, they decided on just dessert,( they had lunch before there and were underwhelm with the meal portion but loved the dessert options) so they had lunch at Columbia Harbour house around 12;00ish at and then dessert at BOG they said it was a nice break from the park and they did take the time to look in each room and get some photos. While they paid oop for dessert, she said that they felt okay as for them it was worth it.
Honestly my original plan for BoG was just to get dessert. I have been dying to go inside the Beast's castle since they started building, AND to try the Grey Stuff. Not impressed with much of the other menu. Dinner looks better than lunch, but last i checked there werent many (or any) times available. I also noticed that at dinner the only way to get the Grey Stuff is in some kind of hard shell that doesn't seem to get good reviews, and at lunch you can get it on a cupcake. Don't mind paying OOP if we just get dessert, and I do like CHH so we could try for a meal there instead.

Wednesday: AK. 10:45 ADR at Tusker House, 6:45 at Yak & Yeti. I booked TH because I have always heard great things about the breakfast, and looking at the menu it does seem to have more variety. Yak & Yeti, just because I've always wanted to try it and those delicious looking dessert wontons! I don't know about 2 TS in one day.. - With kids its a lot for 2 table service in one day, You might want to rethink it if your family will get restless. Tusker House is very good, lots of options and good service. Check out the menu for Y&Y will your kiddo's be okay with the choices? You might want to think about Rainforest right out side of AK and pay oop here. Our DD's loved when we did this, we would order the Appetizer adventure, and nachos, to share and if we had room some dessert the sparking volcano, or you could head to DS (DTD) for dinner lots and lots of new options here. On another note for us AK is not a whole day of touring.
Not sure on Y&Y. My oldest would be fine, my youngest would probably want chicken nuggets. I wish I could get the dessert wontons from the QS Y&Y! I may just keep it for ordering that dessert and eat at Flame Tree instead cause that's a favorite. None of the TS restaurants will just let you walk up and order a dessert to go, will they? Is 10:45 an ok time for TH or will we be rushed out of there? Will it interfere with too much morning touring? AK is one of our favorites and always a full day. Of course there are so many unknowns coming up so the whole schedule for this day could change.

Thursday: I have this as a second MK day, not sure if that'll stick. Lunch ADR at Crystal Palace, which we will only keep if we don't do the breakfast here. - I would go with something different, you don't know when you will be back, so I would check out as much as possible. Head to a monorail resort for lunch the Poly is one of our fav's QS at Capt. Hooks not just your really average QS menu, we find it really good.... or... Head over to Epcot for dinner France or maybe dinner with the princess in Norway...
Well, we would only keep the CP lunch if we end up canceling the CP breakfast; won't be doing it twice. Not even sure if we will be in MK this day.

Friday: Epcot. 8:20 breakfast at Garden Grill. Again, not sure if that is early enough to help us out with Soarin', but we have never eaten here and would like to try it. It's a basic style breakfast not really anything all that excititng, There is so much to try in Epcot, Teppan Edo, Spice Road, Corral Reef, this was a favorite of our DD's at this age, the aquarium is just wonderful and so is dinner and service here.

Saturday: Departure day Breakfast at 'Ohana - I know that this is a site favorite, but do be prepared to wait, for some reason tables don't turn as quickly as others restaurant's. Not sure about your transportation home, if using DME or Driving to airport, or driving home take this into consideration. Also you are going to be exhausted so maybe QS would be the way to go, and grab some extra shut eye. Me personally I would want to see Mickey and the Gang for breakfast to say so long and see you real soon. So for us Chef Mickey is our go to either on Arrival day or Departure day.

We are driving back, so not *too* worried about the wait time unless it gets ridiculous. This one was DD13's request so we want to try to keep it.

On a side note our DD's loved eating in different countries every night, so we did the parks by day, and then headed for Epcot for dinner.
Also don't forget to spend your snack credits if you have any left for packaged or boxed items to keep the magic going when you get home. Use your snack credits for more costly items, pay oop for water, soda and such.
You could use a delivery service for water, Gatorade/propel, you are coming in August which is the hottest& humid month .. (I live here)and maybe some breakfast bars, and snacks for the room, Sunscreen lots and lots of Sunscreen - Garden Grocer.

Pixie dust coming your way....

Left comments inside the quote after hour text, but thanks for your reply!

For your cp breakfast, arrive as if you had an 8:05 ADR. The staff want to get folks seated and so you may get in a little early.

I'd keep the bog lunch.

I like tusker house but we would not do 2 ts in one park. You will be allocating a lot of time dining. I would choose one and hit flame tree, which is CS for the other. I would end with a ts meal.

For your Epcot day, I have no idea how a ppo breakfast will help with soarin, but again, arrive early.

I think you are heavy on breakfast. Mornings are a great time to tour, and dinner is a better value on the ddp. But you know your family, so you need to go with the options that make sense to you.
We tend to schedule one, maybe two breakfasts. That's enough for us every trip. We eat, but it's on the fly.

If you can score a ppo meal at bog, I would scrap cp breakfast completely.

What you mentioned about breakfast cutting into touring time is one of my main concerns. I only booked CP and GG breakfasts because of how everyone is always saying it really helps with wait times in the mornings. But if 8:20 isn't early enough then it isn't worth it to me and I'd rather have lunch or dinner than breakfasts.

If you like the lunch at CP, why not try for the last breakfast time slot and enjoy both the end of breakfast and beginning of lunch offerings, if you don't mind missing the pre park entry... Which I must say, is a don't miss at least once!

I would love to make pre-park entry at least once too! Would you say it's more important at MK or at Epcot? I know the new Frozen ride should be open at Epcot when we're there (one reason I keep trying to get a PPO at Akershus with no luck lol) and Soarin' should be back up, which people have said a GG PPO helps with. Also, if we are eating at 8:20, is that enough time?

 

[LovesTimone]

Lovestimone here - Sorry I did not respond right away DH surprised me this morning, we went to Typoon Lagoon for a few hours for Mothers Day.. We had a wonderful time.. He is the best..

Honestly my original plan for BoG was just to get dessert. I have been dying to go inside the Beast's castle since they started building, AND to try the Grey Stuff. Not impressed with much of the other menu. Dinner looks better than lunch, but last i checked there werent many (or any) times available. I also noticed that at dinner the only way to get the Grey Stuff is in some kind of hard shell that doesn't seem to get good reviews, and at lunch you can get it on a cupcake. Don't mind paying OOP if we just get dessert, and I do like CHH so we could try for a meal there instead. - I don't know about ordering dessert to go at a TS restaurant, (anyone know?), I have had both grey stuff desserts and I liked the cupcake better, but that's me, DD like both equally.. Dinner is really enjoyable total different setting/feeling..

Not sure on Y&Y. My oldest would be fine, my youngest would probably want chicken nuggets. I wish I could get the dessert wontons from the QS Y&Y! I may just keep it for ordering that dessert and eat at Flame Tree instead cause that's a favorite. None of the TS restaurants will just let you walk up and order a dessert to go, will they? Is 10:45 an ok time for TH or will we be rushed out of there? Will it interfere with too much morning touring? AK is one of our favorites and always a full day. Of course there are so many unknowns coming up so the whole schedule for this day could change. I know the dessert wontons sound interesting, but when the girls were this age there is no way that they would eat here. I think 10:45 is okay for breakfast, You won't be rushed out, and will have your time with characters. I would hit the safari 1st and other must do's.. then breakfast, and use FP in the afternoon. As far a Flame tree I have to agree its really good and this was my go to for QS with our DD's no complaining with this restaurant.

We are driving back, so not *too* worried about the wait time unless it gets ridiculous. This one was DD13's request so we want to try to keep it. - I don't know what it is with Ohana's and why the table turn so slowly, some friends were just there in March and they waited 35 minutes to be seated, she had to check twice, she said it seems like they lost them in a ADR black hole.. Once seated they did not get to enjoy there time as they had hurry up and eat and to head back to POFQ to catch DME for the flight home. I just mentioned it in case you were in the same scenario.

Hope you enjoyed your Mothers Day, Happy planning...

 

[jimmytammy]

Indecisiveness strikes again! I recently added Free Dining to our package, so some restaurant selections have recently changed. My kiddos are still interested in doing some character meals, so I think we made the right choice in going with "Free" Dining. I *think* I have our park days just about nailed down, except we have 5 day tickets and are not 100% sure which park will get 2 days. I was thinking probably MK, but the girls love Epcot too, and then with AK adding the new stuff there's that possibility too.

ANYWAY. Here is what I have so far. I realize I have more TS meals than I will have credits, and I do plan on eliminating some, sooner rather than later as to not tie up extra ADRs for other people. I just can't quite decide what we would rather do and what would also be best for our touring. To further complicate things, when we got FD I had to add on the Hopper option. Never hopped before, don't really want to if I don't have to. It does seem like a bit of a waste to pay for it and not use it, but I just don't like spending much time going back and forth.

So there's me, DH (never been before), DD13, and DD10. We do like to be in the parks pretty much open to close, not really into heading back to the resort midday. We are going in August.

Sunday: Arrival day, no planned mealsOhana or Hoop Dee Doo Revue would be a great way to start a vacation at WDW.

Monday: DHS day. Fantasmic! Dining package for lunch at Mama MelroseThe only times we have been o Fantasmic, we did exactly this. Good idea IMO.

Tuesday: MK. 8:20 Breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch ADR at Be Our Guest. Not sure that I really want to keep the breakfast as I really liked the food at CP for lunch, but someone suggested to try to get pre-park opening for MK. However, 8:20 is the earliest I have been able to get and I don't know if that will even help at all.CP has a good breakfast. If I can suggest, since you are in the area, The Wave has a great buffet, also Kona has really good breakfast. I wish I could say great things about the food at BOG, the atmosphere is tops, but the food, cant speak highly of it.

Wednesday: AK. 10:45 ADR at Tusker House, 6:45 at Yak & Yeti. I booked TH because I have always heard great things about the breakfast, and looking at the menu it does seem to have more variety. Yak & Yeti, just because I've always wanted to try it and those delicious looking dessert wontons! I don't know about 2 TS in one day..We have yet to try Tusker House, but 2 sets of friends eat there often, and love it. YnY is good, I cant say its a must do, but its good.

Thursday: I have this as a second MK day, not sure if that'll stick. Lunch ADR at Crystal Palace, which we will only keep if we don't do the breakfast here. If you want an alternate, Liberty Tree Tavern is really good for lunch

Friday: Epcot. 8:20 breakfast at Garden Grill. Again, not sure if that is early enough to help us out with Soarin', but we have never eaten here and would like to try it. Have not tried breakfast here, but read good things. If its like dinner, should be good

Saturday: Departure day Breakfast at 'OhanaBasic meal here for breakfast, but your kids want characters, this is a good place for them


I realize that's a lot of character meals, but my kids do enjoy them and have asked for some, and I want to do at least a couple because I don't know when we'll be back or if they will be interested in them by then. However, I really don't think I want to do as many breakfasts as I have here. I definitely would rather do CP for lunch if the breakfast won't make any difference for us with wait times in the morning. I also initially had Animal Kingdom and Epcot days switched, but got worried that with the new nighttime stuff at AK, Friday nights might be busier with locals. Or maybe that will have died down some by August?

Well that is way too long and too much information. I do apologize! I got on a bit of a ramble. Any insight or thoughts are welcome!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Garden Grill has characters every meal, OP. It was Mickey, Chip and Dale dressed in farmer clothes when we were there, but it could be different now.

FWIW, the breakfast food is likely to be similar at both GG and 'Ohana. Both meals are family style where they bring platters of food to your table. I seriously disliked the breakfast food at 'Ohana. Nothing tasted good. Not somewhere I'd go again. We had dinner at GG and I thought the food was very good. I didn't love the atmosphere tho. We were on the upper level and it was kind of dreary.

JMO, but if you're planning a couple of breakfasts, you'll be better going to a buffet for one and family style at the other. My favorite WDW breakfast is 1900 Park Fare. The Mad Hatter is a hoot and I like the food a lot. Lobster Benedict and strawberry soup are yum.

 

[Nancyg56]

Before we got Free Dining I initially had 4 day tickets and 1 waterpark. I then switched that to 5 day tickets, and then when we got Free Dining and had to choose, we talked about it and decided to go with hoppers because we don't really go to Disney for the waterparks. We have been to TL before and had a great time, but we really enjoy the theme parks more and that is where we would like to spend our time.

I really agree about too many breakfasts. I want to switch some of them for sure. CP I especially would rather have lunch or dinner, but like I said I mainly have that one and GG for the PPO times. But not sure if 8:20 is early enough for PPO or not. I will need to look at the menu again for GG's dinner to see if we would enjoy. Are the characters there for all meals or just breakfast? I know at 'Ohana it's only breakfast that they are there and that's why we have breakfast booked. My daughter requested it for Stitch. Is he the only character?



Left comments inside the quote after hour text, but thanks for your reply!



What you mentioned about breakfast cutting into touring time is one of my main concerns. I only booked CP and GG breakfasts because of how everyone is always saying it really helps with wait times in the mornings. But if 8:20 isn't early enough then it isn't worth it to me and I'd rather have lunch or dinner than breakfasts.


I would love to make pre-park entry at least once too! Would you say it's more important at MK or at Epcot? I know the new Frozen ride should be open at Epcot when we're there (one reason I keep trying to get a PPO at Akershus with no luck lol) and Soarin' should be back up, which people have said a GG PPO helps with. Also, if we are eating at 8:20, is that enough time?

You have an 8:20, but the CM's are not looking at that when you check in. If you decide to keep it, go as early as if you had an 8:05, and check in. The CM's just need to get folks seated and breakfast rolling. If you decide to keep your CP, plan on getting to the gates by 7:30 or 7:45 the latest.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Delphinidae, we are doing a big family trip in October and staying at the Swan. I never sprang for park hoppers before, but on this trip, only two of us don't have Annual Passes. One of the non-AP people is me, and I don't want to miss out on going to the parks with the group, so I'm adding it for the first time.

Also, 2 of the 7 nights we're there are regular nights at the Magic Kingdom, and 5 are 7:00 closings for MNSSHP.

I'm glad to have PH this trip since people who don't buy park hoppers will jam the MK on those 2 days. But since MSEP and Wishes are my favorite things, I'll want to be there at night.

Plan is to hit MK during days of MNSSHP and hop elsewhere at night. Then go to other parks during days of non-MNSSHP MK days and park hop to MK for night shows.

Mentioning all that in case your trip is during MNSSHP. It will impact your trip greatly if your family likes MK. I try to plan ADRs for where we expect to be.

Wishing you a magical trip.

 

[Delphinidae]

Lovestimone here - Sorry I did not respond right away DH surprised me this morning, we went to Typoon Lagoon for a few hours for Mothers Day.. We had a wonderful time.. He is the best..
I don't know about ordering dessert to go at a TS restaurant, (anyone know?), I have had both grey stuff desserts and I liked the cupcake better, but that's me, DD like both equally.. Dinner is really enjoyable total different setting/feeling..

Not sure on Y&Y. My oldest would be fine, my youngest would probably want chicken nuggets. I wish I could get the dessert wontons from the QS Y&Y! I may just keep it for ordering that dessert and eat at Flame Tree instead cause that's a favorite. None of the TS restaurants will just let you walk up and order a dessert to go, will they? Is 10:45 an ok time for TH or will we be rushed out of there? Will it interfere with too much morning touring? AK is one of our favorites and always a full day. Of course there are so many unknowns coming up so the whole schedule for this day could change. I know the dessert wontons sound interesting, but when the girls were this age there is no way that they would eat here. I think 10:45 is okay for breakfast, You won't be rushed out, and will have your time with characters. I would hit the safari 1st and other must do's.. then breakfast, and use FP in the afternoon. As far a Flame tree I have to agree its really good and this was my go to for QS with our DD's no complaining with this restaurant.

Hope you enjoyed your Mothers Day, Happy planning...

Aw what a fun day you must have had! I wish we lived close enough to do that. I've been trying to convince my daughter that she really wants to go to high school at Celebration High, "Home of the Storm" lol! As far as my AK day, I think I'm leaving toward keeping TH (Jungle Juice!!!) but dropping Y&Y. I might just try to order the wontons and see how that works out. If not, no biggie. I do like doing the Safari first thing anyway so hopefully we can get it done without too much wait.

My Mother's Day was nice, the girls "took" me to see The Jungle Book, haha! Thanks!

Garden Grill has characters every meal, OP. It was Mickey, Chip and Dale dressed in farmer clothes when we were there, but it could be different now.

FWIW, the breakfast food is likely to be similar at both GG and 'Ohana. Both meals are family style where they bring platters of food to your table. I seriously disliked the breakfast food at 'Ohana. Nothing tasted good. Not somewhere I'd go again. We had dinner at GG and I thought the food was very good. I didn't love the atmosphere tho. We were on the upper level and it was kind of dreary.

JMO, but if you're planning a couple of breakfasts, you'll be better going to a buffet for one and family style at the other. My favorite WDW breakfast is 1900 Park Fare. The Mad Hatter is a hoot and I like the food a lot. Lobster Benedict and strawberry soup are yum.

Hmm. If I don't "need" GG as a PPO breakfast, then I would rather not eat there for breakfast (although the huge cinnamon rolls look delicious), but not sure I would eat there for dinner either. I would maybe choose one of the other restaurants in Epcot for lunch or dinner instead. Especially if we are already seeing Mickey at TH. Wait, IS Mickey at TH? Can you tell me why you didn't like the atmosphere, like what you mean by "dreary"? I was thinking the kids may like the revolving factor but I guess that depends on where we sit and what we can see.

What didn't you like about the food at 'Ohana? Was it not fresh tasting or just not good, period? Hmm, 1900 Park Fare was another I thought of but mainly for dinner, not breakfast. Maybe I'll toss it back in the mix. Have you eaten there for dinner?

You have an 8:20, but the CM's are not looking at that when you check in. If you decide to keep it, go as early as if you had an 8:05, and check in. The CM's just need to get folks seated and breakfast rolling. If you decide to keep your CP, plan on getting to the gates by 7:30 or 7:45 the latest.

Thank you, I was wondering what time would be best to show up! Do the busses start running at the same time at every resort, or will I need to find out our bus times when I check in?

 

[sluggozmom]

I would love to make pre-park entry at least once too! Would you say it's more important at MK or at Epcot? I know the new Frozen ride should be open at Epcot when we're there (one reason I keep trying to get a PPO at Akershus with no luck lol) and Soarin' should be back up, which people have said a GG PPO helps with. Also, if we are eating at 8:20, is that enough time?

Personally I thing MK early entry is far more magical than Epcot. I would follow the others suggestions to be there as early as possible.. As far as the frozen business, I have no idea about any of it yet...sorry
I've been with DD13 3 times and haven't missed an early morning... Keep checking too, you may grab an 8

 

[JerseyJanice]

To Delphinidae--the breakfast at 'Ohana was just blah. Mass scrambled eggs--something I dislike--basic potatoes, ham--not my favorite thing--bacon, sausage and either pancakes or French toast--I forget which. It wasn't poorly prepared. It's more that you can go to a sumptuous buffet with a lot more to pick from plus eggs made to order which they do at 1900 Park Fare.

We've been to 1900 PF for breakfast a few times, but only once for dinner and the dinner food was not good at all. Characters were cool, but we didn't care for anything except the desserts. Our dinner was in 2009 at the height of the recession and the food at the buffets was lacking that trip. We were used to getting prime rib or flank steak, but most places replaced those with a tough, bland strip loin roast. That stuff is still listed on the All Ears menu though I see it has sushi so that's an improvement.

Regarding Garden Grill, we were a party of 6 so they had to seat us upstairs at a table that didn't rotate. We faced a housekeeping station and that was our view the whole time. The lighting is kinda dark and there is a damp odor that I guess comes from the plants down below. It felt like we were seated in a musty, old basement.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you, I was wondering what time would be best to show up! Do the busses start running at the same time at every resort, or will I need to find out our bus times when I check in?

I would ask one of the transportation CM's at you resort. They will knwo the time the buses start at the resort.

 

[richkaryn]

Aw what a fun day you must have had! I wish we lived close enough to do that. I've been trying to convince my daughter that she really wants to go to high school at Celebration High, "Home of the Storm" lol! As far as my AK day, I think I'm leaving toward keeping TH (Jungle Juice!!!) but dropping Y&Y. I might just try to order the wontons and see how that works out. If not, no biggie. I do like doing the Safari first thing anyway so hopefully we can get it done without too much wait.

My Mother's Day was nice, the girls "took" me to see The Jungle Book, haha! Thanks!



Hmm. If I don't "need" GG as a PPO breakfast, then I would rather not eat there for breakfast (although the huge cinnamon rolls look delicious), but not sure I would eat there for dinner either. I would maybe choose one of the other restaurants in Epcot for lunch or dinner instead. Especially if we are already seeing Mickey at TH. Wait, IS Mickey at TH? Can you tell me why you didn't like the atmosphere, like what you mean by "dreary"? I was thinking the kids may like the revolving factor but I guess that depends on where we sit and what we can see.

What didn't you like about the food at 'Ohana? Was it not fresh tasting or just not good, period? Hmm, 1900 Park Fare was another I thought of but mainly for dinner, not breakfast. Maybe I'll toss it back in the mix. Have you eaten there for dinner?
We love 1900 PF for breakfast.....it is our family's MUST DO each trip.


Thank you, I was wondering what time would be best to show up! Do the busses start running at the same time at every resort, or will I need to find out our bus times when I check in?

 

[Well.Briz]

Garden Grill has characters every meal, OP. It was Mickey, Chip and Dale dressed in farmer clothes when we were there, but it could be different now.

FWIW, the breakfast food is likely to be similar at both GG and 'Ohana. Both meals are family style where they bring platters of food to your table. I seriously disliked the breakfast food at 'Ohana. Nothing tasted good. Not somewhere I'd go again. We had dinner at GG and I thought the food was very good. I didn't love the atmosphere tho. We were on the upper level and it was kind of dreary.

JMO, but if you're planning a couple of breakfasts, you'll be better going to a buffet for one and family style at the other. My favorite WDW breakfast is 1900 Park Fare. The Mad Hatter is a hoot and I like the food a lot. Lobster Benedict and strawberry soup are yum.

What's GG

 

[Delphinidae]

What's GG

Garden Grill

 

[honeybunches]

My kids are 7 and 12. We always get park hopper, and love it. Since it sounds like you're willing to get up early anyway in order to have PPO breakfast, I think you will enjoy it too. Once they post the EMH for morning, your family could go right into the park at 8:00. It really does make a difference! We do this for whatever park is open, and when it starts to get crowded, we just hop to another park. Or, since you're going in August, you may just want to get out of the heat until cooler evening hours. We don't usually visit more than 2 parks per day. Here's our normal schedule:
8:00- arrive at EMH park
11:00-eat lunch (or switch to another park)
After lunch or some time at 2nd park, we head back to hotel for swim, nap, or just to rest
4:00-head back out -- to dinner or a 2nd park

I do think you're heavy on the breakfasts, and will miss out on some great dinners. We usually eat breakfast at the hotel food court if we want something in the morning, and just pay OOP. If we have lunch plans somewhere, we tide over with a granola bar or something. As for using too many credits, something always happens during our trip and we nearly always end up with at least 3 extras. I'd rather pay OOP and get all the meals we want, than try to squeeze in something last minute to use up the credits!

We love CP at all meals, but it just takes so long to get through all the characters. I think you're ok with Wednesday, depending on your touring style. You could wait to arrive around 10:30 for breakfast (they get you in quickly) and just tour after that, then plan for dinner at Y&Y. We love that place! They also seat you quickly. AK isn't an all-day park for us, but I don't think it's a stretch to spend the entire afternoon. That's also enough time in between ADRs to build up an appetite. My rule of thumb, if we do 2 TS in one day, is at least 7-8 hours in between.