Which would YOU cancel?

[Keishag]

We've got our trip coming up and I've been really happy with all I've been able to get but now I'm up to 10 ADR's and we're on the dining plan for 7 nights. Meaning I'll be paying out of pocket for a few. Here's what I've got, what would you cancel or would you cancel any?

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm
10/15- Ohana 8:25am
Garden Grill 7:20pm
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am
Boma 6:25pm
10/17 CRT 9:55am
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm

My thoughts: Hollywood and Vine could go, but we dont have any ADR that day and I was thinking well we HAVE to eat! What if we don't want CS all day?
Garden Grill I just added a few minutes ago because I asked my kids today what they were most looking forward to and they both responded with that restaurant. I personally did not enjoy the food that much but if its the one thing they're really looking forward to? I wonder if they'd forget once we got there and they had experienced all of the other stuff so far?
Park Fare is still optional, just depends on if my dd gets her princess fill from CRT but really that's the only other one where we've got a princess interaction.

SO what are your thoughts? Would you keep them all? Cancel any? I know for sure I'm paying for at least two meals OOP and I've figured I'll do the breakfasts since they are the least expensive.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm KEEP
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm CANCEL - do QS or pay OOP for Sci Fi if you can get a lunch reservation.
10/15- Ohana 8:25am KEEP
Garden Grill 7:20pm CANCEL (I'd probably switch for a World Showcase restaurant since I don't see one on your list - try Biergarten if it's avaiable!)
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am CANCEL
Boma 6:25pm KEEP
10/17 CRT 9:55am KEEP if you've never done it
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm KEEP

Right now, you have 4 meals with Mickey, so I'd trim that a bit. H&V isn't supposed to be good and I don't know about your kids, but my preschoolers aren't really that into the characters. I'd keep Park Fare. I haven't done it, but I hear that the stepsisters are a hoot.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm KEEP
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pmTOSS
10/15- Ohana 8:25am TOSS The only reason I said toss you you need to get rid of some.
Garden Grill 7:20pm KEEP
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am TOSS
Boma 6:25pmKEEP
10/17 CRT 9:55amKEEP
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm Keep

 

[nyz2004]

I will cancel some of the character meals. you have too many. I think you will be sick of seeing characters in the end.

KEEP: Chef mickey, Ohana, Boma
Cancel: hollywood vine, Tusker house, garden grill

 

[jenjersnap]

Chef Mickey's is my least favorite meal on your list, but it can be a fun start to the vacation so I would understand why you would want to keep.

H&V would be my number one choice for cancellation. If you don't want to eat CS for an entire day (which I understand!), paying OOP at Sci Fi is a good suggestion. Food stinks there but it is another unique Disney experience. Not too pricey either.

If you want to cancel one of the days that has 2 meals, then Garden Grill would be the prime candidate for cancellation.

If it were me, I would pay OOP for CRT and either Sci Fi OR the cheaper of 'Ohana breakfast or Crystal Palace (if you decide to keep H&V).

 

[pixarmom]

I'll add a quick note regarding Garden Grill (our three boys' favorite restaurant and our arrival night tradition!) So we always go to Garden Grill on arrival night, and up through March of this year, we would rate the food as "good" and the character interaction as "great." We were back at Garden Grill during our July trip, and thought the food was really, really good. Not sure what happened, or if it will stay that way, but my husband and I were so happy to see the significant increase in food quality.

At least in our experience, once we ask the kids to pick their priority restaurants to fit into our ADRs, they don't forget! So I'd stick with that one, and see how it goes.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We've got our trip coming up and I've been really happy with all I've been able to get but now I'm up to 10 ADR's and we're on the dining plan for 7 nights. Meaning I'll be paying out of pocket for a few. Here's what I've got, what would you cancel or would you cancel any?

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm - TOSS
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm TOSS
10/15- Ohana 8:25am TOSS
Garden Grill 7:20pm KEEP
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am KEEP
Boma 6:25pm KEEP
10/17 CRT 9:55am KEEP
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm KEEP

My thoughts: Hollywood and Vine could go, but we dont have any ADR that day and I was thinking well we HAVE to eat! What if we don't want CS all day?
Garden Grill I just added a few minutes ago because I asked my kids today what they were most looking forward to and they both responded with that restaurant. I personally did not enjoy the food that much but if its the one thing they're really looking forward to? I wonder if they'd forget once we got there and they had experienced all of the other stuff so far?
Park Fare is still optional, just depends on if my dd gets her princess fill from CRT but really that's the only other one where we've got a princess interaction.

SO what are your thoughts? Would you keep them all? Cancel any? I know for sure I'm paying for at least two meals OOP and I've figured I'll do the breakfasts since they are the least expensive.

Reason for my "TOSSES"

1. Chef Mickeys - Food and service were not great. If you were not seeing the characters at Tusker House, then I would maybe say KEEP for the experience, but Tusker House has FAR better food and you will see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Daisy.
2. H&V - never been but it seems to be the one place that gets consistenly terrible reviews...wouldn't chance it unless your kids MUST see The Little Einsteins or Handy Manny.
3. Ohana - We did not enjoy this place at all. The wait was ridiculous (with an ADR), the service was not great and the food was terrible.

 

[Rora]

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm KEEP
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pmTOSS
10/15- Ohana 8:25am TOSS The only reason I said toss you you need to get rid of some.
Garden Grill 7:20pm KEEP
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am TOSS
Boma 6:25pmKEEP
10/17 CRT 9:55amKEEP
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm Keep

I agree with this!

 

[jenjersnap]

Omigosh, somehow I missed that paragraph about GG! Gotta agree with pixarmom then, keep Garden Grill; my kids wouldn't forget either. I am glad to hear it has improved too. GG was our favorite for years and then we had two lackluster meals in a row in September 2007 and January 2008 so haven't been back since.

 

[septbaby]

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm
10/15- Ohana 8:25am
Garden Grill 7:20pm
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am
Boma 6:25pm
10/17 CRT 9:55am
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm

I'd cancel Tusker House, definitely keep Boma. Just share some CS meals and have big appetites for that dinner.

I'd keep H&V, we loved having a break duing a hot day in the park. Most don't rave about DHS CS and we liked our food at H&V.

I'd cancel GG if you can get away with it for the family. There are so many good CS options in Epcot you really don't need to pay for a TS there to eat well.

Certainly if CRT is a do over for you cancel that as it is expensive in $ or food credits.

Good luck with your planning and have a magical trip!

 

[baler31]

I would cancel Chef Mickey's and Hollywood & Vine, IMO the food is awful at both.

 

[kristinmajor]

I would cancel Chef Mickey's and Hollywood & Vine, IMO the food is awful at both.

Couldn't agree more.

Our breakfast at Chef Mickey's was awful. The characters were rushed, the food was just bad. We lucked out, but many, many folks waited in line for over a half an hour just to get a picture with Mickey and that was BEFORE they got a table and WITH an ADR. That was truly a waste of money. And there were seven of us!

Chef Mickey is the herd mentality at its best. We all think-- myself included-- it is a must-do but it is NOT. Granted, I wasn't one the DP, but even if it was "free" (and it isn't if you can do room-only discounts that are equal to it). I did it once two years ago and once last week-- I am never doing it again. Frankly, I feel the same way about Crystal Palace after this visit. I would much prefer to eat good food at Liberty Tree.

Had a GREAT lunch at Tusker - been there twice and the food has always been very, very good. And a great meal at Le Cellier.

 

[pianoronni37]

Originally Posted by ROEDISNEY
10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm KEEP
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pmTOSS
10/15- Ohana 8:25am TOSS The only reason I said toss you you need to get rid of some.
Garden Grill 7:20pm KEEP
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am TOSS
Boma 6:25pmKEEP
10/17 CRT 9:55amKEEP
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm Keep

I agree with this!

I second this one!

 

[MSLRAC]

Couldn't agree more.

Our breakfast at Chef Mickey's was awful. The characters were rushed, the food was just bad. We lucked out, but many, many folks waited in line for over a half an hour just to get a picture with Mickey and that was BEFORE they got a table and WITH an ADR. That was truly a waste of money. And there were seven of us!

Chef Mickey is the herd mentality at its best. We all think-- myself included-- it is a must-do but it is NOT.

I totally agree and would toss CM's! During our visit, the characters were rushed, we had to beg to see Mickey, our server was beyond inattentive and rude, the food was horrid, there was food spilled and splattered all over the buffet area that was not cleaned up during our meal, there were empty spots on the buffet our entire meal...it was bad to say the least. I was actually second guessing all of our breakfast ADR's after our meal there because I was very worried that we'd start each day just like we did our first. Thank goodness, all of the rest were much better!!

But I truly do not understand why CM's is a must do for so many people.

 

[LoveMMC]

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm - KEEP (or OUT - worst character interaction here and food)
10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am - KEEP (Love location, characters and food and morning before park opens?)
10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm - OUT (Not good reviews or characters)10/15-
Ohana 8:25am - KEEP (Loved our dinner)
Garden Grill 7:20pm - KEEP - (Best characters of the whole trip)
10/16 Tusker House 8:10am - OUT
Boma 6:25pm - KEEP (We didnt make it- baby loved characters so much we switched for CP again!)10/17 CRT 9:55am - KEEP (It is in the castle!! enough said)
10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm - KEEP (Great characters and ok food)

We had nice CS at DHS (Didnt think it was possible but we ate at Backlot express- it was decent)

Dont pay out of pocket if you can avoid it- crazy expensive!

 

[Klass]

But I truly do not understand why CM's is a must do for so many people.

cause when your in the monorail it looks so cool to see people eating with Mickey.

What places have you been to already?

I would skip CM like everyone says characters are rushed.

CP & Hollywood and Vine are the same but are also good but not both in the same trip.

CP has Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyor
Hollywood and Vine has JoJo Handy Manny, June, Leo

 

[drmommy]

As if you weren't confused already... here's my two cents:

10/12- Chef Mickeys 6:25pm KEEP, even though I agree with a PP in that the food is 'eh', but it is a good way to get into vacation mode

10/13- Crystal Palace 8:10am KEEP, great way to start the day IN the MK

10/14- Hollywood and Vine 12:15pm TOSS, lousy food

10/15- Ohana 8:25am TOSS, we actually like this meal, but keep the kids happy
Garden Grill 7:20pm KEEP, thinking about the kids!

10/16 Tusker House 8:10am OMG...KEEP!! This is a fave with us! And again, another great way to get into the park nice and early. Family pics in front of the Tree of Life with no one else around...PRICELESS!
Boma 6:25pm TOSS, Unless you're staying at AKL, it's not as convenient as one would think

10/17 CRT 9:55am KEEP, no brainer

10/18 Park Fare 5:15pm TOSS, the kids will probably get their fill at CRT and they'll end on a high note

Oh, and IMO, there's no such thing as 'too many' character meals. I see you have small children...that's a good way to get in some character interaction while staying out of the heat and the long lines.

Good luck with your decisions, and have a magical vacation!

 

[tower_of_terror_luvr]

I would cancel garden grill and Hollywood and Vine

 

[jdisnut]

Way too many character meals, buffet and family-style restaurants for me. Actually, looking at your list again, you don't have a single place that falls out of that category. Is that intentional? I couldn't imagine a full trip without a single meal without traditional service. I also couldn't imagine that many meals with characters, but I'm not the best person to ask about that. I wouldn't go to more than one, but I understand that puts me squarely in the minority.

Call me a brat, but Boma is the only buffet I ever visit. I like 'Ohana for dinner as well.

In terms of places to drop, I would definitely start with Hollywood & Vine and Chef Mickey's. Those two stand out as particularly undesirable destinations.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

1) I've Eaten at H&V about 4-5 times... and I WOULD go back there...but only for a Fantasmic Dining Package. Otherwise I would choose 50's Prime Time... (OMG THE POT ROAST !)

Disclaimer: I have NOT tried Sci Fi or MM's. (HBD was NOT a favorite)

2) I've eated at 'Ohana's about 4-5 times (only BREAKFAST) and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Dont' cancel this one!

3) I can't believe ppl give reviews of restaurants "Based on reviews I've seen"... I would hope that people would experience a restaurant before giving an opinion on it !

JUST my Humble Opinion....

((HUGS))
Mary