When and why?

[tcp_dpm]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

 

[stitch34]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

I think it's because everyone wants an early breakfast ADR at CRT - get into the park early, and also because princesses are there for breakfast.
but they are also there for lunch.
My family, we do lunch (and have enjoyed dinner there very much, too). If going to breakfast, we'd much rather prefer a breakfast buffet somewhere with lots of variety than just a preplated rushed breakfast at CRT.

 

[DisneyGrampa]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

First, there is something very special about walking down Main Street when the park is empty.
Second, you can get breakfast over with and into the park before the crowds hit the park.
Third, we don't go to character meals for the food, which generally is mediocre, we go for the character interaction with the kids, and the setting-and you can't beat the Castle for setting!

 

[ReneeA]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

CRT isn't one of our favorites, so I can't answer your question about that.

Some of our other favorites:

Kona Cafe for dinner - great food and interesting menu - I love being in the Poly...something about that place just calms me and makes me happy. We always take some time after our dinner to wander around the resort. It's so lush, green and pretty.

Coral Reef for EARLY dinner - I love the Mahi Mahi, it's wonderful to eat in front of the aquarium, and we've had really nice service here. I'd eat early because they have a tendency to get backed up and there's less wait if you have an earlier ADR.

Teppan Edo for dinner - We loved our meal here. My kids were so happy that they were able to get shrimp and noodles, the food was fresh and tasted great, and the show was fun.

Sci-Fi for lunch - not a gourmet meal, but fun environment to sit in the cars and watch movie clips while eating burgers and onion rings. Also one my kids request every trip...we didn't make it there the last trip, and I've heard about it ever since.

 

[PoohsFan1]

First, there is something very special about walking down Main Street when the park is empty.
Second, you can get breakfast over with and into the park before the crowds hit the park.
Third, we don't go to character meals for the food, which generally is mediocre, we go for the character interaction with the kids, and the setting-and you can't beat the Castle for setting!

I agree 100%

 

[catne]

we like CRT for dinner. Not into the princess/character visits, and really don't like eating a big breakfast before starting in on parks.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

First, there is something very special about walking down Main Street when the park is empty.
Second, you can get breakfast over with and into the park before the crowds hit the park.
Third, we don't go to character meals for the food, which generally is mediocre, we go for the character interaction with the kids, and the setting-and you can't beat the Castle for setting!

I agree with all of this - that being said, CRT brkfst is not a "must do" for us. It's a great experience eating in the castle, but it's a little too pricey for us to justify doing on every trip.

Crystal Palace brkfst, however, is a "must do" for us: we get an 8:05 am adr on a non-emh day to walk down & empty main street, we get the meal done before the park opens & the buffet is pretty good featuring puffed french toast Also, CP has a bright/open atmosphere and good character interaction with Pooh, Piglet, Eyeore & Tigger.

 

[Flossbolna]

Caifornia Grill for sunset - I like the light atmosphere there much better than when it is dark outside. If you go during sunset you can experience the daytime and nighttime view. And I think Wishes looks much better from Main Street than from the top of the Contemporary. So I don't mind to be there not for Wishes.

 

[tcp_dpm]

I keep hearing about tourguidemike and his park recommendations based on crowd levels, etc. Who is he and where do I find his information?

Also, my wife wants to "wing it" when it comes to eating anything other than character meals. Tell me who is right and who is wrong. I told her that you can't really "wing it" when it comes to table service meals...am I right?

Thanks and keep the replies coming about when and why

Tom

 

[JEWLSVERN]

I think it's because everyone wants an early breakfast ADR at CRT - get into the park early, and also because princesses are there for breakfast.
but they are also there for lunch.
My family, we do lunch (and have enjoyed dinner there very much, too). If going to breakfast, we'd much rather prefer a breakfast buffet somewhere with lots of variety than just a preplated rushed breakfast at CRT.

So the princesses are not there for dinner? Just breakfast and lunch? We are not breakfast eaters and we want to take DD2 there for her b-day. So if we want to see the princesses it should be lunch then?

 

[stitch34]

So the princesses are not there for dinner? Just breakfast and lunch? We are not breakfast eaters and we want to take DD2 there for her b-day. So if we want to see the princesses it should be lunch then?

Yes, they are there for breakfast and lunch only. You meet Cinderella in the foyer, and then while you're eating the other princesses come around to your table. It varies who is there. When we were there for lunch it was Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Jasmine.

For dinner... again Cinderella is in the foyer (you get a picture with her there, for all meals, it's included in the meal).... and then during dinner the stepmother comes out with the two mice and they play Bibbity Bobbity song - my favorite part! Dinner is still fun - but if your DD wants the princesses, then lunch is your best bet if not into breakfast!

 

[kim_o]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

I actually prefer lunch at CRT. I prefer to pay less money for a similar breakfast. Lunch still has the princesses and we've always enjoyed the food (especially the major domo).

 

[shannn]

I keep hearing about tourguidemike and his park recommendations based on crowd levels, etc. Who is he and where do I find his information?

Also, my wife wants to "wing it" when it comes to eating anything other than character meals. Tell me who is right and who is wrong. I told her that you can't really "wing it" when it comes to table service meals...am I right?

Thanks and keep the replies coming about when and why

Tom

Welcome to the DIS!!

Tourguidemike is a subscription service and can be found at tourguidemike.com. His sign up page is down right now, I think. I know people have different opinions, but I find his advice invaluable. He runs a personal guide service to WDW, and he really explains the why/how of all the advice he gives. It's not the place if you just want a list to follow, but it's great if you want to truly understand the whys of planning a good trip.

I really wouldn't recommend winging it at all! Depending on when you're going, things can get really difficult to get into. If you're going at slow time and you don't mind taking whatever's available, you can call dining in the morning and see what's available for that day; but I wouldn't recommend it.

Some of our favorites:
Ohana - yummy food and fun atmosphere. The Poly is amazing and it's fun to just walk around and experience it too.

CRT lunch - not a big breakfast family here, but we loved lunch in the castle. The surroundings are amazing; the food was good; and the interaction was awesome for my kids.

Chef Mickey's - to see the Fab Five

California Grill- wonderful dinner, wonderful view


We're trying Narcoosee's, Akershus, Le Cellier, Kona, and 50s Prime Time for the first time this trip so I'll have a report on those in November!

 

[ready to relax]

Tom, I am woundering about winging it too...trying not to put too much planning into it...but I think you have to have an idea of what you want to eat and what is good...so I am thinking you have to plan...

 

[Alec'sPrincess]

Tom, I'm not sure winging it is the best idea, but it depends on whether you mind eating quick service if you can't find a TS place in the parks. It also depends on what type of vacation you want to make it.

One of the biggest parts of a Disney trip for DH and I is the food. We love to eat out every day and try foods we would not normally eat, but also go back to our old favorites. But, if you want to get up go to the parks and get as much done at the parks, then maybe you'll be fine with winging it.

 

[wdwmickey]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

We went to CRT for breakfast because DD loves breakfast and she wanted to eat inside the castle with the princesses Walking down a nearly empty Main Street was a bonus! She also loved Akershus (Norway in Epcot) breakfast. Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fare (at breakfast) are also good--that's right breakfast is her favorite meal of the day. In fact if she has a big breakfast she generally just snacks for the rest of the day and is perfectly content!

 

[eliza61]

Everyone says to do CRT for breakfast. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Also, can some of the experts tell me their favorite ADR location, time, and reasoning behind it.

Thanks

Tom

It's just an "event" especially if you have little girls. It's sort of iconic. WARNING. You are paying the crazy price for the characters and having a meal in the castle. The food is mediocre at best. I did it with my niece (I have all boys) and she was over the top but it's not some place I'm ever going back.

I like Crystal palace and Park Fare buffet in GF a lot better.

 

[Hopefully]

Who is in your party? What are the ages?
Personally, I would not wing it for TS meals. If having a sit down meal in or even near the theme parks is in your plan, I believe that you need ADR's. During slower times of the year it may be possible to eat at an out of the way, less popular restauarnt. But for the popular theme park restaurants, most don't take walk ups. IF you are satisfied with CS meals each day you will be fine.
If I want to eat somewhere, I make an ADR well in advance.
OUr favorites include Teppan Edo in Japan for the food and entertainment by the chef, Jiko at the AKL for an amazing experience, Restaurant Marrakesh in Morrocco for the setting, food and entertainment and the Hoop Dee Doo Review for the "all Disney" experinece of a down home, western themed all you care to eat dinner show.
Have a Great Trip

 

[tcp_dpm]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I think I have convinced DW that we NEED ADR's. We are strongly considering Teppan Edo as I think the kids would me mesmerized by the table work of the Japanese chefs. How is the food in Germany? A little background...my kids love pork and sauerkraut and I used to work in a german restaurant. They love sauerkraut so much, they drink the juice with daddy egging them on saying "sauerkraut juice will cure what ails you"! Just don't want to be in our house on that night...if you catch my drift! Just be sure you're downwind of them!

DD age 6 and DS age 4.

First trip for them and doesn't need to be said, would love to make it wonderful.

I am finding it easy to plan character meals for her, but him?!?!?

We plan on doing CRT and Askerhus (sp?) for her.

He's out of the whole tigger and pooh thing but might still be excited to see them, but we might do CP as the first meal to break them in and get them over their shyness with characters, etc.

We would also like to do Ohana because they are big Lilo and Stitch fans.

Any other recommendations for boy based character meals? Might do dine and play, if someone can give me an expected character list that is current.

Are there any places in DHS that have great character meals? Why isn't there a character meal based on some of the newer Pixar films? Where's the monster's inc character meal with Mike, Sully and Boo??? Where's Woody, Buzz, Bullseye and Jessie???

Just venting at the frustration of finding some meals for him. Any suggestions are gladly accepted. We will be going for 8 days and don't care where the meals are as we will be park hopping. DW plans on doing 3 days at MK, 2 each at Epcot and DHS and one plus at Animal Kingdom.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the rant.

Who is in your party? What are the ages?
Personally, I would not wing it for TS meals. If having a sit down meal in or even near the theme parks is in your plan, I believe that you need ADR's. During slower times of the year it may be possible to eat at an out of the way, less popular restauarnt. But for the popular theme park restaurants, most don't take walk ups. IF you are satisfied with CS meals each day you will be fine.
If I want to eat somewhere, I make an ADR well in advance.
OUr favorites include Teppan Edo in Japan for the food and entertainment by the chef, Jiko at the AKL for an amazing experience, Restaurant Marrakesh in Morrocco for the setting, food and entertainment and the Hoop Dee Doo Review for the "all Disney" experinece of a down home, western themed all you care to eat dinner show.
Have a Great Trip

 

[Carys]

I won't tackle all the Qs, but if you mean the Dine and play breakfast meal at the Hollywood and Vine, we did this meal a couple of weeks ago.

Now, we were three adults with no kids, and we had no idea who the characters were, but still had a good time. We were the first family in and had a magical moment certificate, being greeted with applause, led to a great table and being the first the roll up to the buffet line.

Our waiter used the napkin holder decoration to explain which each character's name was - if I recall correctly, Jo jo, Goliath, June and Leo. We had great interactions with the characters, and I have hilarious videos of the parental units joining in the song and dance movements (hotdog!!!) even though we'd never seen the t.v. show before. The other tables seemed to enjoy it too.

We also thought the breakfast buffet was better than expected, particularly the make your own breakfast burritos and the bread pudding.