Thoughts on my ADR selections and dining plans?

[ForEver2016]

Hi everyone! My 180 day window is about to open up! I have outlined my plan for dining on this trip and would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

It will be myself, my husband, our 2 year old, my mom and my dad. We are staying at AKL Jambo House villas.

If it was just the adults, we would probably just do breakfast and dinner, but the little one always needs something for lunch as well. Also, we always tend to do mostly TS restaurants so we are trying to branch out to more QS this time.

And yes, we do have 2 fireworks dessert parties scheduled after TS meals. We are more interested in the fireworks views than the desserts, especially for the MK party. We’ll probably save room for dessert at the Star Wars party though!

So here is my plan so far:

Sunday, arrival day:
- Lunch @ Sanaa
- Dinner @ The Boathouse

Monday, HS day:
- Breakfast @ Kona Cafe (yes, I know this is far from HS. We aren’t in love with any breakfast options around HS, have been dying to try Kona Cafe breakfast and visit the Poly. Plus, there isn’t a whole lot we are going to do in HS that day, so we are okay with it being less than a full day there. Plus, I figure we will be a lot more ambitious our first full day to want to make that trip there!)
- Lunch @ Woody’s Lunchbox
- Dinner @ Mama Melrose
- Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party

Tuesday, EP day:
- Breakfast @ Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
- Lunch @ some World Showcase QS or Arts fest booths
- Dinner @ La Hacienda de San Angel (debating between this and Spice Road Table but since we have a lot of exotic meals at AKL restaurants scheduled, I’m leaning more towards La Hacienda)

Wednesday, AK day:
- Breakfast @ Tusker House
- Lunch @ QS in park (possibly Flame Tree?)
- Dinner @ Satu’li Canteen

Thursday, MK day:
- Breakfast @ QS in park (any suggestions?)
- Lunch @ QS in park (maybe Sleepy Hollow? Possibly just some random snacks like cheeseburger egg rolls?)
- Dinner @ California Grill (celebration for my birthday)
- Fireworks Dessert Parta - Plaza Garden viewing (did this last trip, loved it!!)

Friday, resort day:
- Breakfast @ Boma
- Lunch @ The Mara
- Dinner @ Jiko

Then we leave Saturday morning! Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks all!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

For me it would be way too much food and a lot of time spent sitting in restaurants....but if that's your style then go for it! You have some great choices. For QS breakfast at MK we like the cinnamon roll at Gaston's Tavern.

 

[ForEver2016]

For me it would be way too much food and a lot of time spent sitting in restaurants....but if that's your style then go for it! You have some great choices. For QS breakfast at MK we like the cinnamon roll at Gaston's Tavern.

Our style tends to be more TS as part of the experience for us is dining. I’m definitely trying hard to get away from that on this trip though, especially as our toddler is a bit less willing to sit now (though still pretty good on average). Any suggestions of TS meals to eliminate?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hi everyone! My 180 day window is about to open up! I have outlined my plan for dining on this trip and would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

It will be myself, my husband, our 2 year old, my mom and my dad. We are staying at AKL Jambo House villas.

If it was just the adults, we would probably just do breakfast and dinner, but the little one always needs something for lunch as well. Also, we always tend to do mostly TS restaurants so we are trying to branch out to more QS this time.

And yes, we do have 2 fireworks dessert parties scheduled after TS meals. We are more interested in the fireworks views than the desserts, especially for the MK party. We’ll probably save room for dessert at the Star Wars party though!

So here is my plan so far:

Sunday, arrival day:
- Lunch @ Sanaa
- Dinner @ The Boathouse

Monday, HS day:
- Breakfast @ Kona Cafe (yes, I know this is far from HS. We aren’t in love with any breakfast options around HS, have been dying to try Kona Cafe breakfast and visit the Poly. Plus, there isn’t a whole lot we are going to do in HS that day, so we are okay with it being less than a full day there. Plus, I figure we will be a lot more ambitious our first full day to want to make that trip there!)
- Lunch @ Woody’s Lunchbox
- Dinner @ Mama Melrose
- Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party

Tuesday, EP day:
- Breakfast @ Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
- Lunch @ some World Showcase QS or Arts fest booths
- Dinner @ La Hacienda de San Angel (debating between this and Spice Road Table but since we have a lot of exotic meals at AKL restaurants scheduled, I’m leaning more towards La Hacienda)

Wednesday, AK day:
- Breakfast @ Tusker House
- Lunch @ QS in park (possibly Flame Tree?)
- Dinner @ Satu’li Canteen

Thursday, MK day:
- Breakfast @ QS in park (any suggestions?)
- Lunch @ QS in park (maybe Sleepy Hollow? Possibly just some random snacks like cheeseburger egg rolls?)
- Dinner @ California Grill (celebration for my birthday)
- Fireworks Dessert Parta - Plaza Garden viewing (did this last trip, loved it!!)

Friday, resort day:
- Breakfast @ Boma
- Lunch @ The Mara
- Dinner @ Jiko

Then we leave Saturday morning! Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks all!

Our style tends to be more TS as part of the experience for us is dining. I’m definitely trying hard to get away from that on this trip though, especially as our toddler is a bit less willing to sit now (though still pretty good on average). Any suggestions of TS meals to eliminate?

Will you have a car? If not, I would seriously consider switching Kona to your MK day on Thursday. It will make transportation so much easier. If you need a breakfast on your DHS day, take a look at Trattoria al Forno, Cape May or Ale & Compass.

If you want to get rid of some TS, on your arrival day, I would ditch the Boathouse. I love Les Halles for breakfast, but that's a bit of a trek from FW.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My own preference would be far less breakfasts. You are staying in a villa and can easily start the day in your room with yogurt, cereal, fruit, etc.

If I’m getting up early, I’m going to spend it enjoying rides before the midday lines build.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Our style tends to be more TS as part of the experience for us is dining. I’m definitely trying hard to get away from that on this trip though, especially as our toddler is a bit less willing to sit now (though still pretty good on average). Any suggestions of TS meals to eliminate?

With a toddler I would plan for one ADR per day and wing the rest. Start with a simple breakfast in your villa. Eat where you plan to be that day rather than make special trips. Traveling around with a toddler isn't easy, especially if using Disney transportation.

 

[sapphirerose915]

I am going with my 2 year old in dec... we have a small snack (banana/smoothie) planned for breakfast.. then late breakfast and/or early lunches planned(between 1030-1130) with a break planned after meals... then back to parks in the evening with a meal planned around 7...

I would switch Kona to MK day for sure

HS day- do late breakfast/early lunch at Woodys and a late lunch early dinner at Mamas so you aren't full for the dessert party.

I'm glad you loved the HEA party.. we have the same one booked!!!!!

 

[GillianP1301]

I think it's a well thought out plan that you have put together based on what is best for your family. Personally, I prefer more TS to QS, but other than that, I think you've made some excellent choices. Enjoy!

 

[juuuliebeth]

A suggestion for MK breakfast - the fruit/nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow. So simple yet so delicious.

 

[ForEver2016]

Will you have a car? If not, I would seriously consider switching Kona to your MK day on Thursday. It will make transportation so much easier. If you need a breakfast on your DHS day, take a look at Trattoria al Forno, Cape May or Ale & Compass.

If you want to get rid of some TS, on your arrival day, I would ditch the Boathouse. I love Les Halles for breakfast, but that's a bit of a trek from FW.

We will have a car! Though we do plan on using Disney transportation for most things. Haven’t heard much about Ale and Compass breakfast, I will definitely check it out!

We were thinking about taking a Minnie Van to Beach Club, walking to EPCOT, rope dropping Frozen, then doing Les Halles. Too ambitious?

With a toddler I would plan for one ADR per day and wing the rest. Start with a simple breakfast in your villa. Eat where you plan to be that day rather than make special trips. Traveling around with a toddler isn't easy, especially if using Disney transportation.

I wish we could do breakfast in the villa, that would make things so much easier, but unfortunately, my son takes an insane amount of time eating breakfast and we’d not get out of the room until 10 AM! That’s why we are making breakfasts a destination in the parks we are in. Although, maybe a yogurt pouch here and there wouldn’t hurt.

I'm glad you loved the HEA party.. we have the same one booked!!!!!

It was awesome! Granted, the desserts weren’t anything special (the chocolate covered strawberries were by far our favorite, everything else was just ok) but the seating area at the Plaza Garden was the real hit! It was worth it just for that. Our 1.5 year old loved it!! He could spread out and get some energy out before enjoying the show.

I think it's a well thought out plan that you have put together based on what is best for your family. Personally, I prefer more TS to QS, but other than that, I think you've made some excellent choices. Enjoy!

Thanks!! I know some of my ideas are maybe a little different than what some other people might do but I think it’ll work! We did all table service meals on our last trip and it worked well but I definitely wished we had more time in the parks.

A suggestion for MK breakfast - the fruit/nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow. So simple yet so delicious.

That sounds absolutely amazing and is definitely on my list! Do they serve it all day or just breakfast?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I think two meals a day are plenty, especially given the typically large portions and high prices there. I wouldn't plan for four adults to have three huge meals a day just to accommodate the toddler, as it will probably result in the adults eating way too much and spending way too much; instead, I would bring plenty of snacks for the toddler to have when he is hungry in between the meals. Without wasting time eating in the room, you could get to a park in early morning and then give your son his breakfast snacks (or he could even eat them while waiting at the bus stop to get to the park). Then you could all have a late breakfast or early lunch later on.

 

[Rich M]

I like your plan and like that you know the way your family eats and what will work best for you. With that many places I would consider the DxDDP and see if it saves you anything or not. Other than that have a great trip.

 

[goodeats]

The only day that I think could possibly be too much food is your arrival day with your back to back TS ADR. You don't give the times or what you plan to order, so I don't know if it will be an issue.

I think your other days are fine since you have QS penciled in and can skip if you aren't hungry or just get something small. As long as you don't finish an appetizer, entree, and dessert at each TS you won't be so full that you won't want to eat again in 6 hours or so imo.

 

[tbholc81]

Will you have a car? If not, I would seriously consider switching Kona to your MK day on Thursday. It will make transportation so much easier. If you need a breakfast on your DHS day, take a look at Trattoria al Forno, Cape May or Ale & Compass.

This.

I would second Ale and Compass, we ate there in December and it was fantastic. From there you could walk or boat to HS.

We have eaten at Kona as well, and while it was good it wasn’t anything super special. I think they have changed their menu in the past year as well.

 

[juuuliebeth]

That sounds absolutely amazing and is definitely on my list! Do they serve it all day or just breakfast?

All day, as far as I know.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

We usually eat breakfast at our resort on MK days. I don't like the few QS choices you have at MK. For TS breakfast at MK there's Be Our Guest (QS but need reservations), Cinderella's Royal Table or Crystal Palace.

 

[ForEver2016]

We usually eat breakfast at our resort on MK days. I don't like the few QS choices you have at MK. For TS breakfast at MK there's Be Our Guest (QS but need reservations), Cinderella's Royal Table or Crystal Palace.

Yeah I don’t really see a lot of QS options, and I certainly don’t want to stand in that Starbucks line in the morning! I’m thinking a Sleepy Hollow waffle. MK could really use some better breakfast options though!

I would second Ale and Compass, we ate there in December and it was fantastic. From there you could walk or boat to HS.

We have eaten at Kona as well, and while it was good it wasn’t anything super special. I think they have changed their menu in the past year as well.

Definitely going to check out Ale & Compass! Is it better than Captain’s Grille?

The only day that I think could possibly be too much food is your arrival day with your back to back TS ADR. You don't give the times or what you plan to order, so I don't know if it will be an issue.

Yeah, I’m thinking we will drop one of those. Have been wanting to try them both so badly! We will be driving in from Cocoa Beach so it’s not too far but you’re right, anything can happen.