What do you think of my ADRs for NYE?

[spumonisowner]

My family (me, dh, dd13 and dd10) are going to Epcot on NYE this year. This will be our first time in the parks on NYE and I'm bracing for the crowds! I normally wouldn't do all three meals as table service, but I'm thinking that might be a good strategy to keep our energy up until midnight by scheduling some food/rest times. Of course now that we're getting close to our trip, I'm getting nervous and second-guessing myself!

Right now I have the following:

- 9:50am Garden Grill
- 4:55pm Biergarten
- 10:30pm Tokyo Dining

We have been to GG and Biergarten before and enjoyed both. We've never been to Tokyo, but would probably just have something light there since we have big meals earlier in the day.

What do you think? Is this too much? Will it make it hard for us to find a spot to see the fireworks? Is 10:30 too late? Is there anything else I should consider or any other strategy recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Disneylover99]

I think 10:30pm is too late for an ADR. I'd be worried that they're running behind and slow to serve.
I'd definitely keep Biergarten though.
Have fun!

 

[Lisa F]

with those crowds if you want a front row for fireworks I'd plan to park somewhere by around 11. Maybe at that point get a snack... have someone hold the spot and someone else go and get snacks. Eating the snack will give you something to do while you wait. It's going to be a long day for everyone, people will look forward to just sitting at the end of the night. I agree with just doing the first two.

 

[Keels]

I think they're fine! I usually do Chefs de France around 10:15 and have been out and able to get a spot for fireworks in Japan by the time the show starts.

For reference ... I have Biergarten at 11:15, Spice Road Table at 4:45 and Chefs de France at 10:20 this year for NYE and I have no worries. We know what we'll order at Chefs and will ask for our check when our entree is served. It's worked for us for the past five years, no problem!

The NYE fireworks are SO huge, unless you're willing to wait for hours to get a primo spot, you can see them well from almost anywhere in World Showcase.

Also ... dining at Tokyo Dining at that time will give you a chance to possibly see the fireworks from the balcony in Japan, which would be a GREAT spot for fireworks! I usually watch from the ground level from around the Torrii Gate. Even not right on the rail, it's one of the BEST places to watch the NYE fireworks from. And now that they've moved the silent disco from Japan to another location, it opens up the space to watch the fireworks from.

Now you have me thinking about moving to Tokyo Dining!!

 

[Keels]

Also - strategy-wise, there *should* be a hat/noisemaker distribution spot to the left of the Germany Pavilion (by where Snow White meets) - and they usually distribute those items between 4-6 p.m. (it's changed every year, but it's roughly around then ... before the first Illuminations for sure), so be sure to check the times guide and have a person in your group willing to leave lunch at Biergarten to go grab hats and noisemakers for your group. I always skip the noisemakers, but the plastic top-hats are cute and are a fun free souvenir.

 

[spumonisowner]

I think they're fine! I usually do Chefs de France around 10:15 and have been out and able to get a spot for fireworks in Japan by the time the show starts.

For reference ... I have Biergarten at 11:15, Spice Road Table at 4:45 and Chefs de France at 10:20 this year for NYE and I have no worries. We know what we'll order at Chefs and will ask for our check when our entree is served. It's worked for us for the past five years, no problem!

The NYE fireworks are SO huge, unless you're willing to wait for hours to get a primo spot, you can see them well from almost anywhere in World Showcase.

Also ... dining at Tokyo Dining at that time will give you a chance to possibly see the fireworks from the balcony in Japan, which would be a GREAT spot for fireworks! I usually watch from the ground level from around the Torrii Gate. Even not right on the rail, it's one of the BEST places to watch the NYE fireworks from. And now that they've moved the silent disco from Japan to another location, it opens up the space to watch the fireworks from.

Now you have me thinking about moving to Tokyo Dining!!

Thanks, that makes me feel better!

Sounds like you have a similar schedule! I was looking at Chefs also but have only seen reservations for two. I haven't been there before, but the desserts there look really good.

When I got Tokyo, I was hoping it would put me in the right place at the right time. I had heard that the balcony was a good place to watch the fireworks.

I think I'll keep an eye out for a slightly earlier ADR, but keep what I have for now.

 

[spumonisowner]

Also - strategy-wise, there *should* be a hat/noisemaker distribution spot to the left of the Germany Pavilion (by where Snow White meets) - and they usually distribute those items between 4-6 p.m. (it's changed every year, but it's roughly around then ... before the first Illuminations for sure), so be sure to check the times guide and have a person in your group willing to leave lunch at Biergarten to go grab hats and noisemakers for your group. I always skip the noisemakers, but the plastic top-hats are cute and are a fun free souvenir.

Thanks for the info! I think that will work out well. Hopefully they will hand them out closer to 4 and we can grab them on the way to Biergarten.

 

[spumonisowner]

I think 10:30pm is too late for an ADR. I'd be worried that they're running behind and slow to serve.
I'd definitely keep Biergarten though.
Have fun!

Do you think 10pm would be ok? Maybe I will keep checking to see if I can move up Tokyo a little.

I'm excited about Biergarten! I heard that they do a big celebration when it is midnight in Germany, which I think might happen 5:30-6:00? Even if that isn't the case I just love that place - so much fun!

 

[Disneylover99]

Do you think 10pm would be ok? Maybe I will keep checking to see if I can move up Tokyo a little.

I'm excited about Biergarten! I heard that they do a big celebration when it is midnight in Germany, which I think might happen 5:30-6:00? Even if that isn't the case I just love that place - so much fun!

I think 10pm would be better. Any earlier and I guess you'd be too full from the Biergarten.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I wish you well. I know I can do 14 hours in the parks.

Let us know how it goes

 

[spumonisowner]

I wish you well. I know I can do 14 hours in the parks.

Let us know how it goes

Thanks! It's going to be a long day but I know it will be worth it!

 

[kniquy]

With having to be up and at the park until midnight and then the long wait to get back to a resort after the park closes, I would consider first getting rid of the breakfast reservation. Let it be a morning that you can sleep in, relax and get a QS breakfast at the resort. I also second that a 10:30ppm dinner is too late, by the time you get out you will have a tough time staking out a spot for the NYE fire works. Keep your Biergarten reservation and just snack during the evening.

 

[spumonisowner]

I think we decided to stick with having 3 ADRs. DH has back issues and we feel better knowing he will have a place to sit and rest every few hours. So we're keeping the GG (fav of DH) and Biergarten (my fav). I think we will be ok to get there for 9:50am at GG - it makes for a long day, but gives us a little time (hopefully) before the crowds get really really crazy.

However, Keels got me thinking about Chefs! We have never been there, but have been wanting to try it and that chocolate swan dessert looks amazing! I'm thinking we can go there for coffee and dessert and just not eat a lot of desserts at Biergarten. The kids weren't very excited about the dessert options at Tokyo anyway, and I agree with most that 10:30pm is a little too late. I traded the 10:30pm Tokyo last night for two 2-person ADRs at Chefs, 9:20pm and 9:30pm.

Next question is: Do you think we can all show up at 9:20 and ask to sit near each other? If I call, can they combine the ADRs?

I'm going to keep checking for 4, but if we have to split up, it's not the end of the world.

Thanks again, everyone, for the advice!