Will I have trouble............?

[Betsyp]

Because I'm planning a trip for May and I clearly will be making any reservations well after the 180 days that are recommended?

I'm thinking of, so far:

Citricos
Bluezoo
Kouzzina
Bistro/Chefs at Paris/Epcot
California Grille
San Angel (is it the Hacienda?)

Nothing is set in stone and I will make the reservations as soon as I know my dates, but is it really necessary to make reservations 6 months in advance?

Also, thoughts on the above restaurants? I'm sure I'll make changes to it.....

Thanks!

 

[homedad]

it dependa of your flexibility and when u want to eat...only two that we eaten at are CG and Bistro, CG was fantastic, little disappointed in Bistro was hope for more authentic food. If looking for suggestions I'd say Jiko, FF and YSH are all great.

 

[YCFAN]

It also depends on your party size. I booked about a month ago and my party size is 7 and I could only get one ADR at California Grill before and during Wishes for the entire length of my trip. Of course, I grabbed it.

 

[Betsyp]

it dependa of your flexibility and when u want to eat...only two that we eaten at are CG and Bistro, CG was fantastic, little disappointed in Bistro was hope for more authentic food. If looking for suggestions I'd say Jiko, FF and YSH are all great.

Actually, I probably won't go to Bistro simply because I live in an area where there are several of those types of restaurants. I'm going to stay in the Contemporary, so I should be fine there in terms of CG (I went there years ago and loved it).. Oh I did mean to ask about the Animal Kingdom restaurants - I've heard Jiko and Boma are both good and interesting. I have to do more research on them - though I suppose I could always lunch there if I don't make it out for dinner. I've heard great things about FF, but it really depends on how much seafood I want to have on my trip (love seafood). I'll have to do some comparisons between that and Bluezoo, which I see has gotten great reviews.

In terms of flexibility, I'm good - I don't need to eat at a certain time. I guess we'll see how it works out when I call......

Also, do you need park hopper passes if you want to dine at Epcot, say, on a day where you were at another park?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Betsyp]

It also depends on your party size. I booked about a month ago and my party size is 7 and I could only get one ADR at California Grill before and during Wishes for the entire length of my trip. Of course, I grabbed it.

I'll be solo, so that will probably help. What is Wishes? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

 

[eva]

Also, do you need park hopper passes if you want to dine at Epcot, say, on a day where you were at another park?

Thanks for your help!

You need to have a Hopper Pass. This allows you to move from park to park during the same day.

 

[rndmr2]

I'll be solo, so that will probably help. What is Wishes? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

Wishes is the Fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom, it is most nights around 9 or 10pm depending on the day. California Grille is a popular place to eat at night because it is a prime location to watch it if you are there at the right time.

 

[purple figment]

The sooner you make your reservations, the better. It starts getting busy in May because the schools get out.

Several points that you mentioned:

Neither Boma nor Jiko, both of which are at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are open for lunch. Both serve dinner and Boma's serves breakfast as well.

Staying at the Contemporary Resort will not guarantee a reservation at the California Grill.

Wishes is the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. Many people time their dinner at the California Grill to coincide with the show.

The San Angel Inn and La Hacienda de San Angel are two restaurants in the Mexico Pavilion. The San Angel Inn is the original one inside the pyramid. La Hacienda opened last fall and it is next to the World Showcase lagoon. Both are Table Service restaurants. A third restaurant, La Cantina de San Angel, is the counter service restaurant adjacent to La Hacienda. (The do like having San Angel in all of their names, don't they )

A hopper is required if you want to enter 2 parks in one day so if you go to one park during the day, but plan to eat at a different park you'll need to buy the hopper ($54 + tax).

 

[revdon64]

We're going the first week in May. DW booked the trip just over a week ago and I made our ADRs a few days ago.
5/2 1:30 Lunch @ Mama Melrose in DHS
5/3 9:30 Character Breakfast @ Tusker House in AK
5/5 4:30 Character Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare in GFR
5/6 9:20 Character Breakfast @ Akershus/Norway in EPCOT
5/6 4:30 Dinner @ Coral Reef in EPCOT
5/7 1:30 Lunch @ Teppan Edo/Japan in EPCOT

Had some problems with online ADRs so mine were made by a combo of online and phone. Wanted Cinderella's Royal Table for our DD5 but the only available time was 9:30PM - too late for her and our DS1.

 

[Betsyp]

You need to have a Hopper Pass. This allows you to move from park to park during the same day.

Thanks - I wasn't sure if I was going to do it, but I think I will now.

 

[Betsyp]

Wishes is the Fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom, it is most nights around 9 or 10pm depending on the day. California Grille is a popular place to eat at night because it is a prime location to watch it if you are there at the right time.

Thanks! I have a MK view room at the Contemporary, so I'll be able to watch it from my balcony

Purple, wow -I thought I'd be safe in May; I guess schools in Florida let out early? My dates are 5/21-5/28, but if kids are out of school already, maybe I should reconsider. I wanted to avoid the crush at the parks........though I would imagine that the summer season doesn't really start until mid-June or so. Regardless, I'm going to reserve very soon- hopefully as soon as tomorrow. I can always book more than 1 restaurant for one night and then cancel after I've made up my mind. Thanks for the info on the AK restaurants - glad I asked about that. Is the San Angel Inn the one that was redone?

So many choices, lol......and not enough days. Well, researching restaurants is my favorite part of a vacation, so this will be pleasant work.