Which ADRs to keep

[saavyplanner]

Hello, we will be taking our 6yo DD and 4.5 yo DS to WDW for their first trip. We arrive in a few days!!
I need to streamline some of our dining reservations, especially character meals. I starred the one that we care about the most, or that I feel like we "should" keep. These are not in a particular order

Be Our Guest*: lunch
Spirit of Aloha:* dinner
O'Hana*: dinner (is this redundant with SoA? We are staying at the Poly...)
Chef Mickey's: dinner
1900 Park Fare: dinner
Garden Grill: lunch
California Grill:* dinner
Asherkaus???: (This to me is the biggest question mark. For the most part I was really looking forward to however we might meet local friends at Epcot that afternoon (who likely wouldn't want to eat here)...so I'm not sure if it's so important to keep this, vs. more time with friends...also know that it is F&W)

Is there anything else I should try and get (as a cancellation or swap)?

Thanks!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

If DD likes princesses, Akershus is a great place to meet them! Can you meet up with friends after? Do you have to have a meal with them? Or would they be happy to nosh and drink "around the world"?
'Ohana and Spirit of Aloha are quite different. Their only common denominator being they are both at the Poly.
I think you have solid choices for what you believe your family will enjoy... I wouldn't start second guessing this late before your trip. You can't go "wrong" on any of them!
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[crabbygal902]

Do your ADRs coincide with your evening plans?
Even though they are somewhat similar, I'd keep both 'Ohana and SoA due to convenience to your resort. I think both would be fun in keeping with your Polynesian theme.

Any ADR I would have to make a special trip for, I'd cancel or swap for something more convenient. Traveling to meals across WDW with young children can be a hassle and takes more time that you think. I have made this mistake!

We enjoyed Akershus last time we were there and I think it is a good experience, but perhaps it doesn't fit with your plans that well. You may want to save it until another time.

Another one that sticks out to me is Cali Grill. I really enjoy it but your children may not. At 4 and 6, my kids would not have liked it as much as a fun character meal. This may be another you want to save for a later trip.

I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[Melwhit16]

If your girls like princesses then Akershus is a must. We really enjoyed it, more than the castle honestly. They stay a lot longer and we didn't feel rushed.
Chef Mickey is the only one on your list where you get to meet Mickey and friends. To me seeing Mickey on your first trip is an absolute must!
I agree about Cali Grill, might be too fancy for the kids.

All that being said, any ADR that makes the day extra stressful or goes against your goal for the park day isn't worth it to me. Flow is much more important.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Hello, we will be taking our 6yo DD and 4.5 yo DS to WDW for their first trip. We arrive in a few days!!
I need to streamline some of our dining reservations, especially character meals. I starred the one that we care about the most, or that I feel like we "should" keep. These are not in a particular order

Be Our Guest*: lunch
Spirit of Aloha:* dinner
O'Hana*: dinner (is this redundant with SoA? We are staying at the Poly...)
Chef Mickey's: dinner
1900 Park Fare: dinner
Garden Grill: lunch
California Grill:* dinner
Asherkaus???: (This to me is the biggest question mark. For the most part I was really looking forward to however we might meet local friends at Epcot that afternoon (who likely wouldn't want to eat here)...so I'm not sure if it's so important to keep this, vs. more time with friends...also know that it is F&W)

Is there anything else I should try and get (as a cancellation or swap)?

Thanks!

Of your list We love
Ohana - we eat there every time.
1900 Park Fare - the step sisters are so funny and we enjoy the food.
Garden Grill - we love the food and loved seeing Chip and Dale.
Akershaus - we really enjoy the food and love seeing the princesses. I would go here.

We enjoy Be Our Guest lunch. If I had to give up one it would be Chef Mickey's. You will meet Mickey at Garden Grill if you go there and the food to us is much better at Garden Grill than Chef Mickey's. We have never done Spirit of Aloha so I can't review it.

Enjoy your vacation.

 

[saavyplanner]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that both O'Hana and Spirit are "keepers" those I had been looking forward to most. I also am excited to go to Akershus (that will be our day in Epcot) and it would be a no brainer were it not to be with friends, but that said that's not necessarily a deal breaker, as we could meet back up. I guess the one I was *least* certain about was 1900 Park Fare so perhaps I'll eliminate that--don't think I heard any huge "plugs" here. Our kids are fairly good at nice meals, but maybe Cali Grill would be one to let go. Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[Melwhit16]

The nice thing about Epcot is that there are a lot of places to eat. Your friends could easily find a place while you meet the princess at Akershus, then meet back up.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I personally hated dinner at Chef Mickey's. Maybe it was just the day we went but they were so overrun and packed and were behind on reservations, that we got seated almost an hour after we checked in.

 

[LSLS]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that both O'Hana and Spirit are "keepers" those I had been looking forward to most. I also am excited to go to Akershus (that will be our day in Epcot) and it would be a no brainer were it not to be with friends, but that said that's not necessarily a deal breaker, as we could meet back up. I guess the one I was *least* certain about was 1900 Park Fare so perhaps I'll eliminate that--don't think I heard any huge "plugs" here. Our kids are fairly good at nice meals, but maybe Cali Grill would be one to let go. Thanks again for the feedback!

Something to consider, there are kids child activity centers. We just tried this our last trip and it was incredible. We did the Sandcastle Club (Beach Club), but there is also one at the Poly. It's $55, you drop off around 430, and pick up around midnight (obviously you can do earlier), but they get dinner and a snack. My daughter loved it. They had every princess dress (boys costumes as well) to wear around, TVs, video games, they do science, baking, Captain Hook comes to visit. Really something to consider if you would be interested in a night to yourselves at the Cali (or even like say Flying Fish or around Epcot).

 

[LSLS]

I personally hated dinner at Chef Mickey's. Maybe it was just the day we went but they were so overrun and packed and were behind on reservations, that we got seated almost an hour after we checked in.

Similar experience with us. Ours ran 30 minutes late and then it took a ton of time to get drinks and bills, plus food wasn't very good (this was brunch).

 

[Nancyg56]

Hello, we will be taking our 6yo DD and 4.5 yo DS to WDW for their first trip. We arrive in a few days!!
I need to streamline some of our dining reservations, especially character meals. I starred the one that we care about the most, or that I feel like we "should" keep. These are not in a particular order

Be Our Guest*: lunch
Spirit of Aloha:* dinner
O'Hana*: dinner (is this redundant with SoA? We are staying at the Poly...)
Chef Mickey's: dinner
1900 Park Fare: dinner
Garden Grill: lunch
California Grill:* dinner
Asherkaus???: (This to me is the biggest question mark. For the most part I was really looking forward to however we might meet local friends at Epcot that afternoon (who likely wouldn't want to eat here)...so I'm not sure if it's so important to keep this, vs. more time with friends...also know that it is F&W)

Is there anything else I should try and get (as a cancellation or swap)?

Thanks!

I like Akershus better than CRT when it comes to princess interaction. WE prefer breakfast here.

SOA and 'Ohana are different IMO. I would keep both. When we travel we try to enjoy resort specific meals, and events. WE do both on our Poly stays.
CM is a must for us with kids. It does not get mush love, but we like it and the kids always have a blast.

CG is a nice restaurant but it would not be on my must have list with children that age. WE used to take my DGD and she liked it, but given that you want to reduce, I would think about this one.

GG: I like this one a lot!

 

[KTwiegs]

i was really impressed with the dinner at 1900 park fare. so many choices and so so yummy.
we weren't there for the characters though. i wanted a buffet at a monorail hotel. easy to leave MK for dinner and head right back after.

 

[ellie05]

Be Our Guest*: lunch KEEP
Spirit of Aloha:* dinner definitely get rid off. Worst show ever!
O'Hana*: dinner (is this redundant with SoA? We are staying at the Poly...) KEEP
Chef Mickey's: dinner get rid off
1900 Park Fare: dinner KEEP only if you are skipping Asherkaus
Garden Grill: lunch KEEP
California Grill:* dinner KEEP only if it is during wishes or your kids are foodies otherwise skip
Asherkaus???: I would skip it if you are meeting your friends

I think it is a little late to swap with being free dinning time. But it seems you have plenty of sit down meals. If you are staying a week or less I think you need to only do one TS a day and trim all others. After all you are the for the parks not the food.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I would definitely keep 1900 PF! It was our favorite meal last trip! The character interaction was fantastic and the characters also stop and interact with each other, which was so entertaining to watch. The food was absolutely delicious, and strawberry soup did not disappoint.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Be Our Guest*: lunch KEEP
Spirit of Aloha:* dinner definitely get rid off. Worst show ever!
O'Hana*: dinner (is this redundant with SoA? We are staying at the Poly...) KEEP
Chef Mickey's: dinner get rid off
1900 Park Fare: dinner KEEP only if you are skipping Asherkaus
Garden Grill: lunch KEEP
California Grill:* dinner KEEP only if it is during wishes or your kids are foodies otherwise skip
Asherkaus???: I would skip it if you are meeting your friends

I think it is a little late to swap with being free dinning time. But it seems you have plenty of sit down meals. If you are staying a week or less I think you need to only do one TS a day and trim all others. After all you are the for the parks not the food.

You do not have to be at Cali during Wishes... They allow you to come back to watch if your ADR is earlier, even if for brunch! Nice!
Also our family goes as much for the dining (especially with characters) as we do the parks! We enjoy both, as does our multi generational family. Just sayin' not everyone is there just for the parks!

 

[isabellea]

We liked Akershus for lunch and if your DD likes princesses I would keep it. Personally I would get rid of Chef Mickey dinner.

 

[ellie05]

You do not have to be at Cali during Wishes... They allow you to come back to watch if your ADR is earlier, even if for brunch! Nice!
Also our family goes as much for the dining (especially with characters) as we do the parks! We enjoy both, as does our multi generational family. Just sayin' not everyone is there just for the parks!

I know they allow you to come back. This is OP first trip I don't think her time would be spend wisely coming back to see wishes from the CG as I don't think it is wise to pack too many sit downs on your first trip. I would think everyone that plans a Disney vacation for the first time goes for the parks as it is Disney world is not really known for its food... While the food for theme park is above average if I was going on vacation for food it will not be to WDW. My advice was specially for OP if this was for a Disney veteran it will be different.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I know they allow you to come back. This is OP first trip I don't think her time would be spend wisely coming back to see wishes from the CG as I don't think it is wise to pack too many sit downs on your first trip. I would think everyone that plans a Disney vacation for the first time goes for the parks as it is Disney world is not really known for its food... While the food for theme park is above average if I was going on vacation for food it will not be to WDW. My advice was specially for OP if this was for a Disney veteran it will be different.