Totally overwhelmed by dining

[kisaacs]

In light of the freezing cold weather in in MA, the great deals at Disney right now, cheap flights, and a daughter to share the magic with, we decided to go in March. Our daughter will be 11 months old, and we can't wait. We're going March 23-30 (Mon - Mon) and staying at POFQ. My DH and I have both been to WDW several times, the most recent being in 2004. We have never brought a child

So, we figured out dates that were available for POFQ last night and booked the trip. We also did the Dining plan that has one QS and one TS per day. Now I am totally overwhelmed by dining and hoping you can help.

First, what are the chances I'm even going to get ADR's anywhere? I feel like I'm going to come up with a plan and then nothing will be available.

Also, does anyone have a list of place they love to eat? The list of options at WDW is so long that I'm hoping to start with a slightly smaller list. I know we want to do one character breakfast (preferably Chef Mickey's if we can get it). Other than that, it just has to be a place that's fairly kid friendly. Our DD is super mellow and does great out and about, so I'm not too worried.

Also, we were going to splurge and use two TS for one fancy dinner somewhere and use the babysitting service. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance for all your wisdom...I'm feeling awfully overwhelmed!

Kristen

 

[d1sneyf4n]

We have been to Disney a few times and my favorite place to eat is Cinderellas Royal Table for breakfast. We have been to Chef Mickeys for dinner and that was pretty fun. We had dinner at the Crystal Place and it was just ok for me. I was freezing in the place and we waited a very long time to be seated even though we had reservations. Their system went down that night so it was pretty much a mess. We really enjoyed the Beirgarden which is in Epcot. A lot of fun and good food. Kona cafe in the Poly was good.........Tonga Toast is what people rave about. 1900 Park Fare at the GF was good as well. We choose a lot of all you can eats bc we have 2 children............one on the DDP and one not.

 

[MPHARJ]

Hopefully I can help a little, here are some of our favorite places and places we have been to and enjoy.
Every year we eat at Chef Mickey's usually dinner, we love Cape May Cafe dinner also but had breakfast there last year and it was great, characters spent a lot of time at our table and it wasn't ever crowded. We are not big breakfast eaters though so dinners are our thing.

We also enjoy Ohana's, Coral Reef, LeCellier, Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi, 50's Primetime is great fun. My newest favorite is Biergarten. We have eaten at so many places and there are so many good things to say about most of them. I do not recommend Hollywood and Vine, I think they have gotten worse over the years. I would pick places ta would be fun for your DD, character meals etc... Good luck deciding, I know I am not much help I am looking for new places to try this year myself.

 

[Nubbsy]

I know exactly how you feel as I am overwhelmed too and at some points feel like all we are going to be doing is eating. My DH thinks all this ADR stuff is nuts but I would hate to go to Disney and not have the kids be able to have some charcater meals etc. That said, I made a listing of restuarants we were interested in and called for ADR. I did have to switch a few days around as certain ones like Le Cellier was not available on the original day I had chosen but was available another day so with some changing we were able to get what we wanted. I don't like to eat dinner to late with the kids so I think are latest ressie is 7:10.

 

[clutter]

Hopefully I can help a little, here are some of our favorite places and places we have been to and enjoy.
Every year we eat at Chef Mickey's usually dinner, we love Cape May Cafe dinner also but had breakfast there last year and it was great, characters spent a lot of time at our table and it wasn't ever crowded. We are not big breakfast eaters though so dinners are our thing.

We also enjoy Ohana's, Coral Reef, LeCellier, Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi, 50's Primetime is great fun. My newest favorite is Biergarten. We have eaten at so many places and there are so many good things to say about most of them. I do not recommend Hollywood and Vine, I think they have gotten worse over the years. I would pick places ta would be fun for your DD, character meals etc... Good luck deciding, I know I am not much help I am looking for new places to try this year myself.

We'te not big fans of Cape May Cafe, but other than that, I agree with most of these restaurants. We also love Boma, 9 Dragons, Yak & Yeti (my dd is a big asian fan), and Tokyo Dining. If your dd ends up liking characters, I'd do Crystal Palace!

 

[kisaacs]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions so far. It's helpful to try to narrow things down. Definitely no late dinners with the Little One, so we'll have to see. I'm going to try to make a list and call tonight.

Kristen

 

[ceburto2]

I highly recommend getting a service and going somewhere special. My wife and I used Kids Night Out when our 1st son was 10 months old. As for the places to go. We like California Grill or Citricos. Because these restaurants are in resorts, you can do these places on non-park days. Also, if you have trouble getting ADRs this close to the trip, Call the California Grill directly. They maintain a reservation system outside of Disney Dining. I have gotten a ressie there when Disney Dining has none.

Ceburto2

 

[summermac]

AHhhh!! Tell me about it. I'm going crazy myself and I've got plenty of time for ADRs. It is SO overwhelming.

*cry*

 

[Tammy296]

Kristen,

We're going March 24 - 31st. I was overwhelmed at first because I didn't think we'd be able to get ADR's anywhere. So far we have ADR's at most every place we selected (with the exception of shows we wanted).

I don't think you'd have a problem. I do have to call back and make some cancellations though and re-ADR. So I'm in the same boat as you. But as far as making ADR's so far I haven't had that much a hard time. I do feel rushed though in making ADR's. I am GLAD they no longer allow ADR's 180 days in advance. I think we'd have a HARDER time then.

Like you, we have a one year old with us this time. Not like before.

I did 2 TS on Cinderella's Royal Table, 1TS on Chef Mickey's (could not get for dinner) and 1TS on 1900 Park Fare.

If you run into a lot of problems check out the March board for cancellations on ADR's. I have been checking them out daily for Hoop Dee Doo Review show which is what we want.

Good Luck - too bad we didn't know you - we'd probably run into you down there!

-T

 

[kisaacs]

Wow, thanks everyone! This was my very first post on this board, and this group is particularly friendly to newbies! You don't see that everywhere, so thanks!

Tammy - sounds like we're in almost exactly the same boat. I can't wait to bring our little munchkin to Disney. Everyone says she won't remember, but they don't understand - WE will!

I think California Grill may be a good option for our splurge dinner without DD. My husband wants to do Jiko, but I'm not so sure about the food style (I'm also going to be 4 months pregnant, and kind of picky!).

I just need to make DH sit down with me tonight and go through the list. It just should not be this stressful! All I can think about is WDW while I sit here looking out the window at a crazy snowstorm!

Smiles,
Kristen

 

[JW2]

You may already have looked but the web site allears.net has all the menus listed. We also planned ADR's during off times which worked for our guys - we did sit down meals at lunch (either early (11) or late(2pm)) and then counter service for dinner so that if they were hungry early or tired early, we easily worked around their schedule for dinners - I guess you'll be working around naps though as well.

I'm living vicariously through everyone else on the DIS boards now - we are not going until August and I too, am looking out the window at ANOTHER 5 cm of snow!! (add that to the 20cm we just got on the weekend)

To a fellow northerner, Good luck with the planning - have fun with it - that's half the fun of trips! and enjoy getting out of the snow!!

 

[septbaby]

Also, we were going to splurge and use two TS for one fancy dinner somewhere and use the babysitting service. Any suggestions?

Kristen

I know your DD is too young for the kids clubs. Is there a private baby sitting service available at your resort? If so that'll be nice treat for you. If not there are still places you can have a nice Signature meal with DD. My suggestion is Narcoossee's. Definitely a nice place, but comfy for kids too. If you time it right you can see Wishes from the deck and your DD will probably ooh and ahh at the bright lights of the Electric Water Parade going past too.

I had the Surf & Turf meal, however I substituted scallops for the Turf. It was absolutely delicious and very filling. For dessert I shared the kids banana split with my 5yo nephew, that too was good. My mom had the Almond Crusted cheese cake. There is practically an "ode" to the dessert here on DIS. I don't really like cheese cake and my Mom makes it from scratch: we both loved this dessert.

The only character meal we did was Chef Mickey's breakfast: my nephew still talks about CM's a year after the trip. We loved our meal and the characters were just fantastic. My nephew even danced with Donald Duck.

Coral Reef was another really good TS meal, the food was good and the aquarium is specatular and fun. By the way we did lunch there, great park break and might be easier to get an ADR at that time. Also prices are a bit lower at lunch vs dinner.

Boma dinner is another place we loved. I think my nephew would demand Chef Mickey's every time and my Mom would do the same with Boma. I'm looking forward to trying breakfast there next trip.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[fterie4u]

Welcome!

In our last trip we took our DD whow as 18 months at the time and she loved it! we also told people that WE would remember and that we would cherish those memoires. she actually remembers parts of the trip and will talk about it now (she is almost 3). We are going back again in October and she can't wait! (Neither can we!)

As far as ADR suggestions, we really like the following:

Biergarten at Epcot (Buffet)
Le Cellier at Epcot
Crystal Palace at MK (Buffet with Pooh characters)
Ohana at Poly
Kona at Poly (especially for breakfast!)
Boma at AKL (Buffet)

As far as a meal for just you and your DH, I would highly suggest California Grill, that has been our special anniversary meal every year we have gone and we just love it! It is a Signature restaurant so it is a 2 TS meal. I hope this helps you!

 

[laughinplace199]

For character meals, we love Tusker House and Crystal Palace for breakfast. We do them both every time we go to WDW.

For a nice dinner for you and your DH, I'd recommend Jiko or Cal Grill.

Some of our other favorites are Brown Derby, 50's PT, Spoodles, Kona Cafe, & Boma.

Have fun!

 

[kat3668]

Hello there!
Another Masser chiming in here during this obnoixous snowstorm! Is winter over yet?
Anywhoo, My last trip we dined in some great place and my suggestions to you would be....
Tusker house breakfast- great character interaction and yummy food!

Crystal palace- a must do every trip! We love Pooh!

Biergarten in Epcot- love the show!

Le Cellier- Best sitdown in my opinion- never had a bad meal there!

Chef Mickeys- prefer breakfast over anything but take what ya can get.

Beaches and cream- killer burgers- they dont take ressies though, but if you get there right at 11:00 you should be fine.

Yak and Yeti- really good food!

As for a place for just you and your hubby I would reccommend, California grill or Narcoossee’s. Good Luck!

 

[ShannonMB]

Hi Kristen, and

Try not to be too overwhelmed, because I'm sure wherever you end up, it will work out great.

When we went our first time in 2007, we knew we should make reservations, and that was about it! We didn't know where so a couple of us just got on WDW's site and checked out what we thought looked good. I knew nothing of these boards at the time and hadn't talked to anyone "in the know". We ended up with some really good places, and a couple that were just okay, but it was so much fun trying all the different places!!!!

I would say start with which days you want to be in which parks (if you have a preference -- some people like to avoid extra magic hours, or go during extra magic hours, or pick which park based on what parades/shows there are those days). Then pick a restaurant or 2 in or near that park and try for it. If they aren't available, get the ones you can and do some more looking.

A lot of people like to get park hoppers and don't mind hopping all over the World to eat, but with a little one it is much easier to be at the same park or eat at a resort near that park, IMO.

Please let us know what you get!!!!!!!!! And good luck!!!! Whatever you aren't crazy about this time, you can skip next trip! And hopefully you find something that will be a "must do" for every trip!!!

RELAX, and have fun planning!!!!

 

[kisaacs]

Well, we made a list last night,, and then I called, but was put on hold with an "unusually long wait" or some such thing. It was 8:30 and since pregnancy puts me to bed by 9ish, I gave up. My DH volunteered to call today during lunch. We'll see how we do!

Kristen

 

[helloirishkitty]

I know how you feel about not being able to eat anywhere... I booked my trip for March 2-9 yesterday, and got every restaurant I wanted (Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, and Ohana to name a few). Just be flexible and you'll be fine

 

[Tammy296]

Good Luck!

I just called today to make some cancellations/new reservations.

I couldn't get what I wanted today and was so frustrated I ended up giving up.

When I called last week I had a better time but this week its starting to get bad. If you run into trouble though check out the March ADR cancel/schedule board. I keep checking....

Have fun!
Tammy

 

[Tammy296]

A bit more info... (since we're going the same time you are...)

Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier, and Cinderella's Royal Table are probably the two HARDEST places to get into because they are very popular. If you get in, Just be flexible and you should be fine?

Other places we have put down as "must do's" on every trip:

50's prime time - Hollywood Studios
Whispering Canyon Cafe - Wilderness lodge - boat from MK or Epcot
Le Cellier - Epcot

You'll have fun anyway!

-T