What would you add, remove, or replace from our list?

[WawaCoffee]

Our previous trip was planned two months prior to departure, so most of the ADRs we wanted were gone, with limited openings while we were there. This time around (January 2020), I booked our ADRs at the 180-day mark. Neither of us are breakfast people (we plan to use the Sturdy Branches club at WL every morning followed by a quick meal-replacement shake or snack in our room). We will be using quick-service restaurants for our lunches, so recommendations are welcome.

Arrival Day (landing at MCO 12pm)
Dinner @ Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, 5:35pm. We are considering cancelling this one and eating at Geyser Point because we don't want to rush to dinner after traveling. The food looks OK but we really wanted to try a character dinner.

Day 2- Animal Kingdom
We will likely have breakfast at Whispering Canyon followed by a relaxing stroll around the WL property, before heading to Animal Kingdom
Dinner @ Tiffins, 6pm, as part of the Festival of Lion King Tier II package

Day 3- Magic Kingdom
Dinner @ Be our Guest, 6pm, afterwards we will watch Happily Ever After from behind Cinderella's castle

Day 4- Hollywood Studios
Neither of us enjoy Hollywood Studios much, so we will be spending the day here to just ride Slinky Dog and the two rides at SWGE
"Lunch" (drinks) @ Oga's Cantina, 2:30pm
Dinner @ California Grill, 6:15pm, followed by fireworks from the observation deck

Day 5
This will be our day off from the parks, so we definitely want a breakfast ADR on this day- it can be anywhere on Disney property. I'm considering Grand Floridian Cafe and Kona Cafe. All recommendations are welcome.
Dinner @ Flying Fish, 6pm, followed by desert at Ample Hills Creamery

Day 6- Epcot
Breakfast @ Garden Grill, 9:30am. We considered grabbing an earlier ADR so we can get into the park early, but we'd prefer to not rush in the mornings- we did this on our last trip and it was exhausting.
Dinner @ Monsieur Paul, 6:30pm. Ready and willing to replace this with Space 220, assuming it opens by the time we go.

Day 7- Epcot or Magic Kingdom
Considering breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, just to try it for the experience.
Dinner @ Narcoossee's, 6pm. We will watch Happily Ever After from the boat dock after dinner.

Thank you all for your recommendations!

 

[Christine]

It sounds almost perfect.

For Day 5, I'd choose Grand Floridian Cafe over Kona for brunch. It's getting consistently good reviews and I think you'll enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant much better. Kona Cafe atmosphere is somewhat lacking, IMO.

 

[WawaCoffee]

I'd choose Grand Floridian Cafe over Kona for brunch. It's getting consistently good reviews and I think you'll enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant much better. Kona Cafe atmosphere is somewhat lacking, IMO.

We only considered Kona so that we can try the notorious Tonga Toast. I agree that the Grand Floridian Cafe seems much more enjoyable!

 

[Mich123]

This is a great plan! You could also try sauceless Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's.

Also, I think this is a pro tip:

"Lunch" (drinks) @ Oga's Cantina, 2:30pm

 

[freshmanjs]

Day 5
This will be our day off from the parks, so we definitely want a breakfast ADR on this day- it can be anywhere on Disney property. I'm considering Grand Floridian Cafe and Kona Cafe. All recommendations are welcome.
Dinner @ Jiko, 6:20pm... may make this earlier so we can go to Beaches & Cream after!

If you want ice cream near the Epcot resort area, definitely go to Ample Hills instead of Beaches and Cream. It's far, far better. Beaches and Cream just serves Edy's (mid-range grocery store brand). Ample Hills is super premium and has very interesting flavors. My favorites are Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and Oatmeal Lace.

 

[Davev77]

I would agree, take GFC over Kona, ate there in August and the service was terrible ( I mean hands down the worst service i've ever seen), wasn't just our table, others were complaining too.

 

[Micca]

You could also try sauceless Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's.

Yeah I think Tonga Toast got a little over-hyped on the boards at some point. I've had it and enjoyed it, but wouldn't order it again. I also think GFC is a gem--pleasant atmosphere and generally very good service and food.

If you gotta "Taste da Toast" get an order to share at Capt. Cook's.

 

[WawaCoffee]

If you want ice cream near the Epcot resort area, definitely go to Ample Hills instead of Beaches and Cream. It's far, far better.

I had no idea Ample Hills existed.. that's why I love this board. We will be going here for sure!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I agree that grocery store ice cream is no big thrill on vacation.

Also my favorite MK resort area non-character breakfast is the buffet at The Wave in The Contemporary. There is direct boat service between Wilderness Lodge and The Contemporary (this loop also stops at Ft. Wilderness). That's where I'd go for Day 5.

 

[CynBeth]

I would do Boma at AKL for breakfast on Day 2 when you are at AK and do WCC on your Day 5.

 

[Nancyg56]

Our previous trip was planned two months prior to departure, so most of the ADRs we wanted were gone, with limited openings while we were there. This time around (January 2020), I booked our ADRs at the 180-day mark. Neither of us are breakfast people (we plan to use the Sturdy Branches club at WL every morning followed by a quick meal-replacement shake or snack in our room). We will be using quick-service restaurants for our lunches, so recommendations are welcome.

Arrival Day (landing at MCO 12pm)
Dinner @ Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, 5:35pm. We are considering cancelling this one and eating at Geyser Point because we don't want to rush to dinner after traveling. The food looks OK but we really wanted to try a character dinner.

Day 2- Animal Kingdom
We will likely have breakfast at Whispering Canyon followed by a relaxing stroll around the WL property, before heading to Animal Kingdom
Dinner @ Tiffins, 6pm, as part of the Festival of Lion King Tier II package

Day 3- Magic Kingdom
Dinner @ Be our Guest, 6pm, afterwards we will watch Happily Ever After from behind Cinderella's castle

Day 4- Hollywood Studios
Neither of us enjoy Hollywood Studios much, so we will be spending the day here to just ride Slinky Dog and the two rides at SWGE
"Lunch" (drinks) @ Oga's Cantina, 2:30pm
Dinner @ California Grill, 6:15pm, followed by fireworks from the observation deck

Day 5
This will be our day off from the parks, so we definitely want a breakfast ADR on this day- it can be anywhere on Disney property. I'm considering Grand Floridian Cafe and Kona Cafe. All recommendations are welcome.
Dinner @ Jiko, 6:20pm... may make this earlier so we can go to Beaches & Cream after!

Day 6- Epcot
Breakfast @ Garden Grill, 9:30am. We considered grabbing an earlier ADR so we can get into the park early, but we'd prefer to not rush in the mornings- we did this on our last trip and it was exhausting.
Dinner @ Monsieur Paul, 6:30pm. Ready and willing to replace this with Space 220, assuming it opens by the time we go.

Day 7- Epcot or Magic Kingdom
Considering breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, just to try it for the experience.
Dinner @ Narcoossee's, 6pm. We will watch Happily Ever After from the boat dock after dinner.

Thank you all for your recommendations!

I would keep AP on your arrival night. It is a fun ay to begin a WDW vacation.

I would suggest GFC over Kona

I think I would avoid CRT and opt for breakfast at Akershus. I like a meal in teh Castle, however I think the food and the character interaction is better at Akershus.

 

[DisMommyTX]

I would choose Ohana, GFC or the Wave over Kona and Akershus over CRT. Since we don't really care about the food, we usually choose character meals or memorable experiences over the cafes, especially on the dining plan when the cost is equivalent.

Definitely keep the arrival dinner. Don't worry if you are delayed or arrive late--even if you miss your scheduled time, they may still work you in. Worst case, they will apologize that they are too busy to accommodate you but can still mark your reservation so that you are not charged the 'no show' fee. Then, you will end up at the qs anyway.

Keep the 9:30 GG time (my kid's fav!), but feel free to show up a half hour early if your family is moving early that day. When choosing dining times, I usually opt for the later booking then risk arriving early. Much less stressful than arriving late to an earlier booking.

You have a lot of great choices there. Have fun!

 

[WawaCoffee]

I dropped our Jiko dinner ADR on day 5 and replaced it with Flying Fish. This way, we can get ice-cream at Ample Hills afterwards and explore the Yacht Club resort (where we originally planned to stay!).

 

[yorkieteacher]

We tried the Ronto Roasters in Galaxy's Edge and the wrap was pretty good. Docking Bay 7 also has mobile ordering now, and gets good reviews. These might be fun on Day 4-Oga's doesn't have much in the way of food, but the drinks were great!

 

[clutter]

Day 5, I'd go with Boma for breakfast. I don't know why the bread pudding doesn't have the reputation of Tonga Toast, but it is truly amazing.

 

[MomOTwins]

With a 12pm arrival, I would not worry about missing your dinner, and Artist Point is great, so I'd leave day one as is.

I would strongly recommend breakfast or lunch at Be our Guest over dinner. BOG dinner has shifted to my and my husband's "never again" list after they went signature because not only was it much more expensive, the food quality and service actually went significantly downhill with the change. Breakfast or lunch at least let you see the inside of the castle but without the disappointing and expensive dinner experience. Another option would be CRT dinner on your first MK day in lieu of breakfast on day 7, since breakfast at CRT is really overpriced and felt rushed compared to dinner.

Have you thought about Trattoria al Forno for your day 5 breakfast? That has really fun and interesting characters and also nice food.

Do you know what time fireworks are on your California Grill and Narcoosee's nights? 6 and 6:15 seems kind of early if you are planning to stay for fireworks.

 

[MamaJessie]

Arrival Day (landing at MCO 12pm)
Dinner @ Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, 5:35pm. We are considering cancelling this one and eating at Geyser Point because we don't want to rush to dinner after traveling. The food looks OK but we really wanted to try a character dinner.

It is indeed - ok. It was a one and done for us- rushed service, heavily salted food, not the quality I expected from so many rave reviews.

 

[WawaCoffee]

Do you know what time fireworks are on your California Grill and Narcoosee's nights? 6 and 6:15 seems kind of early if you are planning to stay for fireworks.

They are currently scheduled for 8pm. I almost made the ADRs for 6:30-7, but didn't want to rush through dinner in an hour (we won't be eating a large lunch, so we will likely do drinks+appetizer+dessert).

 

[GillianP1301]

Your plan looks just about perfect to me. Some of our very favourites are on your list. Personally, I would go with a PPO at Garden Grill. You will be coming off of a rest day and for me it's worth it for the pre-RD ride on Soarin'.

For your rest day, consider Boma and The Wave, both are amazing breakfast options.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I'd drop either Cali Grill or Narcoossee's. Similar meals and experiences.