The Great ADR Struggle

[LMA712014]

Hey all! As a Disney first timer I am OH so indecisive on the topic of ADRs and where we want to go! With our trip around the corner (literally) I want to make sure our selections are up to snuff. My husband is the only one who’s been to Disney prior and it was years ago - our children are 4 and 2.

Our list currently consists of -

Hollywood and Vine Breakfast
Askershus Princess Breakfast
Garden Grill Dinner
BOG Breakfast
Mickeys BBQ Dinner
Bon Voyage Breakfast

My husband is a seafood/steak and potatoes kind of man, and my little people aren’t particularly adventurous eaters. I’ve been drawn to the views of Sanaa (and our youngest is a major animal lover!) - but the menu may be a stretch and I wouldn’t know what to drop to compensate.

Any and all experiences are most appreciated! If it weren’t for a lot of discussion board ‘creeping’ I’d have been entirely blind on the planning.

 

[Calee]

In all honesty that would be too many character meals for me. Our first trip my kids were 4, 6 and 8. We did 3 character meals and could have done just 2 and been happy. The food get repetitive.

 

[LMA712014]

That’s definitely been the root of my concern over the past few days (but the primary reason we decided on the dining plan at all was to compensate for Character Dining so now I’m a little worried I goofed on that decision)

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

That’s definitely been the root of my concern over the past few days (but the primary reason we decided on the dining plan at all was to compensate for Character Dining so now I’m a little worried I goofed on that decision)

My DD's are 16 and 18 - we've booked 5 character meals for our upcoming two week trip! We usually did a character meal a day when they were younger (saved us from lining up for meet and greets in the park). Now we do them just because we love the character meals and they 'scream Disney' to us. If your children want to meet characters, it's a great way to do so as well as getting a break from the parks. We've done all of your picks except for the Bon Voyage breakfast and enjoyed them all!

 

[LMA712014]

My DD's are 16 and 18 - we've booked 5 character meals for our upcoming two week trip! We usually did a character meal a day when they were younger (saved us from lining up for meet and greets in the park). Now we do them just because we love the character meals and they 'scream Disney' to us. If your children want to meet characters, it's a great way to do so as well as getting a break from the parks. We've done all of your picks except for the Bon Voyage breakfast and enjoyed them all!

Okay so I’m not -entirely- crazy! Our little ones are definitely excited to meet characters, and since I won this trip through work my mentality was that we might as well splurge on a multitude of Character Dining experiences when airfare/resort aren’t financial factors (since that clearly isn’t the norm!)

I keep seeing the other ADR possibilities now (Sanaa, T-Rex etc that are also things our youngest would like) so I’m majorly torn between sticking to the plan above and switching it up a bit!

 

[friedela]

I agree, that is a lot of character meals. Something to think about is are you going to WANT to be running everyday for a meal reservation? I think there's wisdom in having a balance of ADR's and quick service meals just so that you have some freedom and flexibility in your schedule. Having this many ADR's may be more stressful than fun. Just a thought!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Okay so I’m not -entirely- crazy! Our little ones are definitely excited to meet characters, and since I won this trip through work my mentality was that we might as well splurge on a multitude of Character Dining experiences when airfare/resort aren’t financial factors (since that clearly isn’t the norm!)

I keep seeing the other ADR possibilities now (Sanaa, T-Rex etc that are also things our youngest would like) so I’m majorly torn between sticking to the plan above and switching it up a bit!

We are not big foodies, are easy to please and enjoy most of the restaurants at Disney (incluing buffets which a lot of people on the DIS don't like). There are so many places at Disney to eat with such a variety of dining experiences and it can be overwhelming because although you want to do everything, you just can't do everything. It's Disney - your kids will love it regardless as to where you eat simply because you are at Disney.
FWIW we like a sit down meal a day because we see it as a break.
Congrats on winning the trip!

 

[LMA712014]

I agree, that is a lot of character meals. Something to think about is are you going to WANT to be running everyday for a meal reservation? I think there's wisdom in having a balance of ADR's and quick service meals just so that you have some freedom and flexibility in your schedule. Having this many ADR's may be more stressful than fun. Just a thought!

You have a totally valid point as well! I had a few on our list, and then I thought the DDP and getting the most ‘bang for our buck’ equaled a character meal a day.

My husband is very much a non planner and likes to go with the flow - and we aren’t necessarily huge eaters (which is what now has me wondering if we should scrap the DDP all together).

 

[VAfamily1998]

Hey all! As a Disney first timer I am OH so indecisive on the topic of ADRs and where we want to go! With our trip around the corner (literally) I want to make sure our selections are up to snuff. My husband is the only one who’s been to Disney prior and it was years ago - our children are 4 and 2.

Our list currently consists of -

Hollywood and Vine Breakfast
Askershus Princess Breakfast
Garden Grill Dinner
BOG Breakfast
Mickeys BBQ Dinner
Bon Voyage Breakfast

My husband is a seafood/steak and potatoes kind of man, and my little people aren’t particularly adventurous eaters. I’ve been drawn to the views of Sanaa (and our youngest is a major animal lover!) - but the menu may be a stretch and I wouldn’t know what to drop to compensate.

Any and all experiences are most appreciated! If it weren’t for a lot of discussion board ‘creeping’ I’d have been entirely blind on the planning.

For what it's worth, the Sanaa children's menu offers some pretty "generic kids meals" like pizza and burgers, in addition to fish and pasta...do you think your kids would eat something like that? It looks like you'll be seeing Mickey twice (Garden Grill and the BBQ) so that might be a consideration for which to drop.

 

[LMA712014]

We are not big foodies, are easy to please and enjoy most of the restaurants at Disney (incluing buffets which a lot of people on the DIS don't like). There are so many places at Disney to eat with such a variety of dining experiences and it can be overwhelming because although you want to do everything, you just can't do everything. It's Disney - your kids will love it regardless as to where you eat simply because you are at Disney.
FWIW we like a sit down meal a day because we see it as a break.
Congrats on winning the trip!

Thank you! For a month and a half to plan, it’s actually come together really well so I can’t complain (and let’s be real - if I didn’t second guess myself I probably wouldn’t even be giving this a second thought! Hahaha)

I definitely wouldn’t consider us foodies either by any means - and the reservations seemed less overwhelming (perhaps that’s the right adjective?) because we know park days will likely be rope drop to early afternoon with toddlers.

We totally don’t want to turn it into that trip where we’re running more than just enjoying the experience!

Our kids also have no idea what they’re in for - so that in itself will be a lot of fun.

 

[LMA712014]

For what it's worth, the Sanaa children's menu offers some pretty "generic kids meals" like pizza and burgers, in addition to fish and pasta...do you think your kids would eat something like that? It looks like you'll be seeing Mickey twice (Garden Grill and the BBQ) so that might be a consideration for which to drop.

Our 4 year old would love burgers anywhere, and pasta, and all those ‘easier’ foods. Our 2 year old is that wild card child who I’m packing snacks for because some days it’s a small act of Congress to feed the kid a yogurt pouch and some toast

Our son loves Pluto (which was why I had originally leaned toward Garden Grill) but I’m thinking maybe we’ll just make it a mission to meet him elsewhere (since we are staying at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and will see a lot of Chip and Dale as it is). Of course, the BBQ is also 2 TS credits (if we keep the dining plan) - so that too has added to my struggle!

 

[elsbit]

I vote that if you are drawn to Sanaa, find a way to fit it in.You count too! There is always a meat based dish for your husband to eat, and as previously mentioned, the kids menus are made to satisfy young palates. Plus, you can take time to explore Animal Kingdom Lodge and the animals. It is a beautiful resort to explore, even as a non-guest. If your BOG breakfast is not pre-park opening, I would ditch that because the food is not that amazing. Or/and ditch Garden Garden Grill in favor of one "adult" (which will still be kid friendly) choice, which could be Sanaa. And for what is worth, my kids shocked me and did not really enjoy the character meals like I thought they would. Plus, you might like the more chill aspect of some non-character meals. Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[jacknsally19]

Personally, I like having a TS per day because they offer a chance to slow down and take a breath. Character meals are not really that relaxing and the food is generally mediocre. So we do no more than 2 character meals per trip.... and our last trip just one.

With a 2 & 4 yr old, I think Hollywood and Vine will be a big hit. I think you could easily get rid of any of the others and be more than happy.

 

[strike4]

I was having ADR trouble too for my upcoming trip. I've decided to try and go a few days w/o them so that
I could have more fun on the whim. The replies I got were so helpful to me and it may benefit you too!
If you want to check it out, it is this thread : https://www.disboards.com/threads/easy-restaurants-to-get-without-a-reservation.3663863/

I wouldn't try this with any character meals though.

 

[Nancyg56]

I book character meals when I have youngsters with us, and have never felt that we had too many. My little ones loved them, so looking at yours, I see a good balance in terms of family style food and buffet.

I will say that we also booked "regular" meals so we were not always eating buffet food, but we like two meals a day that are sort of scheduled. I realize that for a go with the flow person the ADR's may be restrictive, but i have seen a lot of families who did not plan them and were pretty crabby at meal times. Keep the ADR's you have, and if you find that they are not working once you arrive, cancel them. You will be prepared and canceling them is no harm no foul as long as you do so the day before.

I would also suggest you book Sanaa. There will be something for the kids to eat.

 

[smsmsw]

Just throwing something out there to consider....do you know how your kids will react to characters? My Disney loving 3 year old was terrified of the characters when we went last year. I had scheduled a number of character meals and then had to cancel most of them because he literally refused to be that close to the characters. Personally, I would want a little more variety in terms of meals. However, I definitely think character meals can be worth it if your kids end up liking the characters. My older son LOVED the characters, so I took him on his own to a couple. Good luck deciding! You can always easily make adjustments when you arrive.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

As others have pointed out, it IS a lot of character meals. However, if you are sure your kids will enjoy the characters (mine were terrified at that age) it will be a great way to meet them without waiting in lines. And you have a really nice variety of characters in your choices so I don't think they will be too repetitive.

You didn't mention whether you're on the dining plan or not? If not, you may want to run the numbers and see if it would be worthwhile to add. Character meals are generally a great value on DDP.

 

[unrequited23]

You can always easily make adjustments when you arrive.

I know it feels like we need to plan everything in advance and that those plans are locked in stone because you took some much time to research them, but you can always change your plans, even at Disney.

If your family isn't feeling the character meals, you can always cancel the ADR and make a new one. I doubt you will find CRT, but the available ADRs are always shifting especially the closer you get to the time. When we were there on a Wednesday, a Friday BOG at 5pm for a party of 4 opened up.

 

[KenHutch]

I am a veteran of to many character meals (when daughter was younger we sometimes did 2 a day). Remember this about Hollywood & Vine it has characters you don't really see anywhere else but try not to think about the food they serve or its temp. But with little ones you have to do what you have to do. I had to do this one twice. I noticed you were looking at Garden Grill, its a great place for character interaction. The restaurant is smaller and you will see all of the characters 2 or even 3 times. I have a great picture from our 2006 trip where Pluto is pretending to eat my daughters head. And the food is good as well.

 

[rg35]

It's Disney - if your kids enjoy characters then don't let others dissuade you from doing "too many" character meals. We did 5 character meals on a 9 day trip last year (Garden Grill Dinner, 1900 Park Fare Breakfast, Tusker House Lunch (Rivers of Light Package), CRT dinner, Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno).

My wife and I enjoy interacting w/ the characters as much as our kids do.

The good thing about your choices is that you do not have character overlap - you'll be meeting different characters at all of the different meals.

Can you squeeze Sanna in as an out of pocket meal or would it squeeze your budget?