Why is this so hard!? - a nervous vent

[BernardandMissBianca]

We have been to Disney countless times. I am usually so on top of making plans but this time I just can't get a plan together.

Anyone else get ADR anxiety? LOL

 

[KB24]

I had to stay calm when IPO sent me my ressie paper back this morning and there was no Le Cellier.

I am on the west coast so waking up at 3 AM on 6/25 and 6/26 it is. It's our honeymoon trip and not getting Le Cellier is NOT an option.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

If you can't get Le Cellier, do Bistro de Paris. It's beautiful and the food was amazing. DH and I went there for our anniversary a few years ago.

I did read that Le Cellier has times blocked until Candlelight Processional packages are released on 6/26.

I hope you get what you want!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I had the anxiety hit me this time...not sure why, but yeah- I was a total nervous nellie leading up to day 180. I attribute some of it to the website glitches, the late loads of some restaurants, and the number of slots people held back for Candlelight Processional. I think my pre-booking research- i.e. seeing how fast adrs were going for the days leading up to mine- just made me even worse.

Oh well- the reality is that there are still so many people who don't book adrs or don't do it promptly, so most times the 180 day bookers get the bulk of what they want when they want it. I'm sure it will be fine!

The real trick- being happy with what you booked for 6 months! I swear- sometimes I do this just so I can stalk the website.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Once I get booked 6 months out, I rarely change them. I feel secure with that after I make the decision, it's just actually taking that first step that's killing me!
I think my anxiety is coming from having to book for 3 families, one of which has never been before.

I am most nervous about Candlelight Processional and Cinderella's. Other than those, I'm pretty flexible with park options. I just want to make sure I pick parks on the days they won't be super busy (going over Christmas and the week before).

 

[erinscreen]

I am going through it right now. I was SOO excited to book my ADRs since this is my first solo trip and I can eat anywhere I want!! Now I can't decide.

I am trying to find a good breakfast place that isn't Kona or Kouzzina and also not a buffet.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

What about Akershus? Breakfast is served family style and they have a buffet, but the family style is more than enough food.

 

[momto2inKC]

I am going through it right now. I was SOO excited to book my ADRs since this is my first solo trip and I can eat anywhere I want!! Now I can't decide.

I am trying to find a good breakfast place that isn't Kona or Kouzzina and also not a buffet.

What about The Wave?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

OK, I think I have a preliminary plan.

We arrive on the 17th
Lunch Earl of Sandwich (always do this day 1)
17th Dinner Bistro de Paris
Everyone else arrives 18th
18th Dinner at our RV
19th
Akershus breakfast
20th
Dinner at Boma
21st
Lunch Cinderella's
22nd
Dinner 50's Primetime
23rd
Dinner at RV
24th
Dinner Chef Mickeys
25th
Dinner Biergarten
26th
Lunch Whispering Canyon
27th
Breakfast Crystal Palace
28th
Lunch Sci-Fi Dine In (always do this as the last meal)

 

[Cafeen]

For me, I liken it to a game, or (more aptly) a puzzle. I get a list of all the must-dos, want-to-dos, maybe-could-dos, etc and then find ways to plug them into my days (of which I've decided mostly on already by this time).

OK, I think I have a preliminary plan.

We arrive on the 17th
Lunch Earl of Sandwich (always do this day 1)
17th Dinner Bistro de Paris
Everyone else arrives 18th
18th Dinner at our RV
19th
Akershus breakfast
20th
Dinner at Boma
21st
Lunch Cinderella's
22nd
Dinner 50's Primetime
23rd
Dinner at RV
24th
Dinner Chef Mickeys
25th
Dinner Biergarten
26th
Lunch Whispering Canyon
27th
Breakfast Crystal Palace
28th
Lunch Sci-Fi Dine In (always do this as the last meal)

I like this plan. Lots of buffet type places are good for larger families, as it's much easier than trying to figure out if little Timmy wants nuggets, and Aunt Sally can't be around fish, and Grammy just wants a salad, etc. Granted, that's how I imagine larger parties, but the largest group I've had to plan for was 3 (and one of them was 2, so she didn't have a say ) and most of the time it's planning for 1. So, a grain of salt or three (or more... around the rim of a glass... filled with a yummy margarita) should be taken. The non-buffet places have pretty standard fare as well, so that works as everyone (well nearly everyone) could find at least something they like there.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

That's why I aimed for mostly buffets. My nieces are picky eaters, my little sister likes pasta, her husband is a meat and potatoes kinda guy. My older sister has been to Boma before and has always wanted to try CRT and Chef Mickey's but doesn't have kids so it wasn't high on the list and her husband wants to see us all at 50's Prime Time.

My kids are food snobs so Bistro and Boma are for them.

I've never eaten at Whispering Canyon but I've heard fun things. Let's just hope a party of 12 will get gobs of attention at 50's and Whispering.

OK, I'm feeling a little better about it. Now I'm waiting for the 180 day to get here. I will be on the phone for CRT at 7. And on the website for the rest at 6. Candlelight Processional will be June 26th. That one I pray I can get since it is DH's Christmas present. Rumor has it Gary Sinise is the narrator Christmas day.

 

[erinscreen]

Thanks for the suggestions--I think I am going to try Grand Floridian Cafe! Never been there and the French toast sounds pretty good.

The only other ADRs I decided on are San Angel Inn and Yak & Yeti. I am going to try to get Restaurant Marrakesh for Candlelight Processional. Since it is just me, I figure that the rest of my meals can just be on my watch

 

[Geordietyke]

I was dreading making my ADR's at 180 days out and had visions of us not getting the places we wanted. However, had a very easy time of it - got all 13 restaurants (inc CG, Narcoossee's and O'hanas) all between 7-8pm I think it helps that we are going at a less busy time (1st 2 weeks in Nov).

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I was dreading making my ADR's at 180 days out and had visions of us not getting the places we wanted. However, had a very easy time of it - got all 13 restaurants (inc CG, Narcoossee's and O'hanas) all between 7-8pm I think it helps that we are going at a less busy time (1st 2 weeks in Nov).

I was lucky and at 180days out got everything we wanted for 11ppl and am STILL changing them around 3 weeks later!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I was a hot mess this year with my ADR's . I've normally got them analyzed and adjusted perfectly months before my ADR window even opens up. Not this year. I guess with wedding planning and buying/renovating a house and getting our other house rented out, I hadn't had a second to really think about it. Add on top of that the fact that we're honeymooning in WDW with our guests who decide to stay, and I didn't know what ADR's to make, where we would want to be, how many people to do them for, how many private meals do we need to get away from family/friends (), etc. It was 5:55 a.m. the morning of my 180 day window and I was just randomly selecting times for places. Oh well, it's done now!

I think we have 30-40 people coming for the wedding, but I just made two ADR's for 14 (one at Ohana's and one at Biergarten). Everything else is smaller groups of 2, 4, or 6. I figure the larger group meals will be first come first serve (I don't think everyone will come, as some of them aren't TS kind of people and some don't want to spend $40 on a meal, and some people are leaving right after the wedding to go home) and the other times we can just meet up after the meal.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

ACK!!!
so I've asked DH over and over to let me know where he wants to eat. I get
So I make the list, and get it ready (at least I wrote it in pencil)
He looks at it and says, "What, no Raglan Road?"

OMG!!!!!

So, now I'm back to the drawing board.

We arrive on the 17th
Lunch Earl of Sandwich (always do this day 1)
17th Dinner Ragland Road (was Bistro)
Everyone else arrives 18th
18th Dinner at our RV
Lunch Bistro de Paris (not really what I had planned, but it will work)
19th
Akershus breakfast
20th
Dinner at Boma
21st
Lunch Cinderella's
22nd
Dinner 50's Primetime
23rd
Dinner at RV
Campfire Sing Along (Added this)
24th
Dinner Chef Mickeys
25th
Dinner Biergarten
26th
Dinner Whispering Canyon (was lunch but after reading trip reports, dinner sounds more fun)
27th
Breakfast Crystal Palace
28th
Lunch Sci-Fi Dine In (always do this as the last meal)

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Update:

So I bit the bullet and got the basic dining plan.
Did all my reservations this morning online. Surprisingly there was a lot of availability even with a party of 12, Even at CRT.

I got everything but Bistro de Paris and Biergarten. I'm assuming everything is locked up until Candlelight Processional opens on the 26th. I just need to call at 7 to change the times for Akershus, I want to get in before the park opens.

Oh and I need to do Sci-Fi Dine -In tomorrow.

 

[discookiemonsta]

Well, I had all my ADR's planned (adding some new ones after 'thoroughly' reading the menus!) and then I made all of my ADR's (except just waiting on Le Cellier Lunch) managing to get all the approximate times I want, which is amazing since we are going over Christmas week. Once that was done, I was thrilled and then I got bored....so I started reading the menus again, going over my 'perfect' schedule and ADR list again and then decided that I needed to add some ADR's and change some dinners to lunch etc. Ahhh...no matter what I change though, I still get tons of availability, which is great. Now my latest dilemma is cancelling Fulton's Crab House (DH has always wanted to eat here and now that it's on the DP<2Credits> I thought I'd book it to please him since he can't stand Italian food and I booked us at Via Napoli one day at Epcot, lol) after reading more than a few unpleasant reviews. I am quite aware of different opinions etc. and for 1 credit I would risk it, but for 2 credits? I keep thinking that I could pick two new restaurants to add on if I cancel Fultons. Ahhh...decisions, decisions....

These are my ADRs so far:

12/14 waiting to book Le Cellier Lunch
12/14 Chefs de France dinner
12/15 Kona Cafe breakfast
12/17 Tony's Town Square dinner
12/18 1900 Park Fare Breakfast
12/18 Trail's End dinner
12/19 Kona Cafe breakfast
12/21 Akershus Norway breakfast
12/21 Via Napoli Italy dinner
12/22 Cape May Cafe Clam Bake dinner
12/24 Crystal Palace dinner
12/25 Cape May Cafe character breakfast
12/25 Fultons Crab House dinner

Any suggestions?

 

[RaySharpton]

Yea...the four Epcot restaurants have opened on June 29th, 12pm.

 

[Sally]

The hubby is actually going on this trip, which made planning our TS a bit of a challenge, he is meat and potatoes and I usually eat lighter in the FL heat and humidity. I went with a steak option for him each night, so he is happy and I am happy with the options. I have:
Sci-Fi,
Kona Cafe,
Coral Reef
Whispering Canyon,
Plus I added in a Planet Hollywood lunch before we drive home.

I hope he likes the places I picked for us, its been more stressful choosing ADRs for this trip. Already looking forward to next year's 3 family trip.