Would anyone like to critique my potential ADR's?

[princesslover]

I'm a total newbie, but I 've been searching on this site and others and come up with some ideas for ADR's. My trip isn't until December, but I'm a huge planner.

What I'd LOVE to hear from all you veterans is which ones are MUST DO's and if you could also share whether they are better for B/L/D that would be great too!

My DD's will be 6 and 3. Princess Meals are a must!

Breakfast Options:
CRT (or would this be better at dinner or lunch???)
Ohana
Donalds Breakfast in AK
Cape May
Chef Mickeys

Lunch/Dinner Options:
Crystal Palace
1900 Park Faire
Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Rainforest Cafe
Tusker House
Hollywood & Vine

Obviously, we cannot do all of these, that is why I'm hoping to narrow it down some.

Thanks so much!

 

[Hootch]

critiquing people's ADR plans becuase we're all so different.

One big note is that CRT has Cinderella downstairs and the Fairy Godmotehr and mice upstairs at dinner. The upstairs characters don't interact too much at dinner. Lunch and dinner both have four characters upstairs that walk around the table greeting everyone and posing for pictures. Whether to do breakfast or dinner I think is dependent on dining and touring styles.


Reluctantly trying to help you narrow your list down I would consider dropping Hollywood and Vine unless part of the Fantasmic Package. I would also to look to drop one of Cape May, Chef Mickey's or Donald's Breakfast. I think you'll find a lot food and character overalp with all three.

 

[vcgirl925]

Breakfast Options:
CRT - I've only done this once for dinner and it was many years ago, they did not have characters at that time. But there were lots of palmetto bugs running around INSIDE the restaurant. Kind of turned me off.

Ohana - Never been, plan to this coming trip for dinner.
Donalds Breakfast in AK - Never Been
Cape May - Never Been
Chef Mickeys - Did this for my ds's birthday breakfast last trip and it was fun. Food is good character interaction is good.

Lunch/Dinner Options:
Crystal Palace - We've only done it for breakfast and we are going again this coming trip.
1900 Park Faire - We did for dinner last trip and LOVED it. Character interaction is fantastic! Food is ok.
Mickey's Backyard BBQ - LOVED it! Entertainment, character interaction, and food were fantastic! I would choose either this OR CRT because they are both 2 TS credits.
Rainforest Cafe - I wouldn't do this at disney only because it's a chain restaurant and we have them all over by me.
Tusker House - Never done
Hollywood & Vine - Did the character breakfast and it was fun!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Breakfast Options:
CRT (or would this be better at dinner or lunch???) - we did this for lunch a few years ago and enjoyed it ... I know princesses are a must but I am not sure this would be my first choice

Ohana - love, love, LOVE this! It is our fav character breakfast!

Donalds Breakfast in AK - enjoyed this last year as well ... food was good

Cape May - we find this one to be a bit less insane than the others

Chef Mickeys - as crazy as it can get, I think it is a must do for a first timer! It just 'feels' Disney!

Lunch/Dinner Options:

Crystal Palace - I know this isn't going to help, but we prefer CP for breakfast. Didn't love dinner there but that was just us

1900 Park Faire - only had breakfast here (DS loves the Mad Hatter) but I have heard good things about the dinner

Mickey's Backyard BBQ - we enjoyed this on our first trip but I wouldn't go back. Not sure if I would have gone knowing what I know now so to speak. Food was just so-so. Very hectic to get to the characters

Rainforest Cafe - this is not on the DP but is a fun meal. We enjoy the food a lot. For some reason, its always cold in the restaurant though

Tusker House - have only been for breakfast so I can't say

Hollywood & Vine - never been but have read so many bad reviews. I agree with the previous poster, maybe only go if you get the Fantasmic package.

Others not on your list ... what about the princess breakfast in Norway? Haven't been but most reviews are pretty good.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Cram all the princess stuff you can, while you can! My DD is now 10 and has no interest and it KILLS ME! *sob*

Chef Mickey's is my all time favorite breakfast buffet (haven't had dinner there, but we do breakfast there EVERY TRIP and you can see in my signature how often we go!)

I have done CP for dinner and also breakfast, and we really love both.

I agree about the princess breakfast in Norway. I can't say the food was soooo awesome, but I just wish I did more princessy stuff while DD was young.

 

[Cinderella94]

I'm a total newbie, but I 've been searching on this site and others and come up with some ideas for ADR's. My trip isn't until December, but I'm a huge planner.

What I'd LOVE to hear from all you veterans is which ones are MUST DO's and if you could also share whether they are better for B/L/D that would be great too!

My DD's will be 6 and 3. Princess Meals are a must!

Breakfast Options:
CRT (or would this be better at dinner or lunch???) Loved this!
Ohana LOOOVE 'Ohana breakfast! & dinner, btw! It's a must do for us every time
Donalds Breakfast in AK Trying it for the first time this July
Cape May We love this too! The characters are so cute in their beach outfits
Chef Mickeys Only done this for dinner, but we love it!

Lunch/Dinner Options:
Crystal Palace Love this too! The characters take a while though, if you want to see all of them.
1900 Park Faire We love this too! The stepsisters are hilarious.
Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Rainforest Cafe We've only done this once, many years ago, but the only reason we haven't repeated it is because it's not on the DDP.
Tusker House This is Donald's breakfast in AK, right? We haven't done lunch or dinner there either.
Hollywood & Vine If you're going to dump one, I'd do this one.

Obviously, we cannot do all of these, that is why I'm hoping to narrow it down some.

Thanks so much!

So, my comments are in blue! I wasn't much help except for "We love this!" about everything though .

 

[KatMark]

I'm a total newbie, but I 've been searching on this site and others and come up with some ideas for ADR's. My trip isn't until December, but I'm a huge planner.

What I'd LOVE to hear from all you veterans is which ones are MUST DO's and if you could also share whether they are better for B/L/D that would be great too!

My DD's will be 6 and 3. Princess Meals are a must!

Breakfast Options:
CRT (or would this be better at dinner or lunch???) never done
Ohana haven't done since they stopped it from being Minnie and friends and made it Stitch
Donalds Breakfast in AKnever done
Cape May did this past September--very good
Chef Mickeys our third favorite (after CP and Cape May)

Lunch/Dinner Options:
Crystal Palacewe've only done breakfast
1900 Park Fairenever done
Mickey's Backyard BBQnever done
Rainforest Cafedidn't care for it in Chicago or Vegas so we've skipped in Florida
Tusker Housenever done
Hollywood & Vinemade the mistake of giving this a second try--one word -- YUK

Obviously, we cannot do all of these, that is why I'm hoping to narrow it down some.

Thanks so much!

Our thoughts in red for what they are worth. The problem with food, like resorts, is everyone has such different tastes, etc. I'd look at the menus and see which ones appeal to you the most and go from there.

 

[tink1957]

Congrats on your trip, WDW at Christmas or anytime in Dec is just beautiful. I will only address the places where we have dined. Crystal Palace was great for dinner & the Pooh characters were fun. Hollywood & Vine-we did the Fantasmic Dinner Pkg & contrary to what others have said, we really enjoyed the buffet. We really enjoyed Boma for breakfast although you didn't mention it in your choices. Happy planning.

 

[NorweJenNY]

I'll say we've done Crystal Palace breakfasts a lot... and we love that place we're still going back on our future trips...

We did a Hollywood & Vine breakfast once, a late breakfast, so we got lunch foods too (which they told us we should try). I say it's a must if your kiddos love JoJo, Goliath, and the Little Einsteins (just know that it's only Leo & June that appear)... fantastic character interaction! They took our kids by the hand several times to get up and dance... even escorted them back to our table. However, as for the food... good stuff, but nothing particularly special.

I hesitate to do Rainforest, but mostly because they have other locations, so we can visit that place in our other travels...

And based on reviews I have read (and there have been LOTS) Tusker House may not be a great place to have lunch or dinner... not as fun as some other options on your list for kiddos. For breakfast, however, I would try it (and I actually am on our next trip). We have an 8:00 ADR so we can get in the park before opening, and hopefully get to the safari before the rest of the crowds after breakfast. Plus, it's chance to finally meet the normally hard-to-find Daisy Duck.

As for all the rest, I'd say (based on reviews) they're great options, great for children, with good food & service. I am trying several of them on our next two trips, including 'Ohana (though for dinner, not breakfast), Chef Mickey's, & 1900 Park Fare (whatever you call the meal names now).

Have fun planning!

 

[princesslover]

Thank you SO MUCH everyone! Gosh, I LOVE this place.

Sounds like I can ditch Hollywood and Vine and Rainforest Cafe. That's a few extra dollars in my pocket.

Is Tusker house Donald Duck's breakfast? I didn't realize they were one in the same?

I am going to add the Norway Princess dinner to the list. Now the hard part is figuring out which ones to be breakfast and which ones to be dinner. I think I am going to move crystal palace up to breakfast.

Good thing we are going to be there for 7 days!!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[mom2rtk]

Cram all the princess stuff you can, while you can! My DD is now 10 and has no interest and it KILLS ME! *sob*

QUOTE]



I couldn't agree more! This will pass WAY too quickly. Do ALL the princessy stuff!

Bring them in princess costumes, and start the day at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Hang out in Fantasyland then have lunch at CRT. The princesses are all there, and they will be freshly made up from the boutique.

ALSO do Akershus. Do breakfast if you don't like the lunch or dinner menu, but do at least ONE Of the meals.

Rule number 1: You can never overdo the princess thing! And take TONS of pictures!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank you SO MUCH everyone! Gosh, I LOVE this place.

Sounds like I can ditch Hollywood and Vine and Rainforest Cafe. That's a few extra dollars in my pocket.

Is Tusker house Donald Duck's breakfast? I didn't realize they were one in the same?

I am going to add the Norway Princess dinner to the list. Now the hard part is figuring out which ones to be breakfast and which ones to be dinner. I think I am going to move crystal palace up to breakfast.

Good thing we are going to be there for 7 days!!

Thanks again everyone!

Yes, Tusker house IS Donald Duck's breakfast. I haven't done it, but can't wait to give it a go on this next trip!

Crystal Palace is really good, especially if you like the pooh characters. It is SUCH a pretty place and the food is good. Breakfast is good, but only if you can get the first seating and BE EARLY. We had an 8:15 ADR last time. That was wonderful because we got to take pictures in front of the castle with no crowds in the way. That alone is worth the price of admission! But it also ran us late. We didn't get out until about 9:45. That's the best 45 minutes of time in the park for getting things done! In the future, I think I'd do lunch instead. You'll need a break to rest and regroup anyway........

 

[princesslover]

Yes, Tusker house IS Donald Duck's breakfast. I haven't done it, but can't wait to give it a go on this next trip!

Crystal Palace is really good, especially if you like the pooh characters. It is SUCH a pretty place and the food is good. Breakfast is good, but only if you can get the first seating and BE EARLY. We had an 8:15 ADR last time. That was wonderful because we got to take pictures in front of the castle with no crowds in the way. That alone is worth the price of admission! But it also ran us late. We didn't get out until about 9:45. That's the best 45 minutes of time in the park for getting things done! In the future, I think I'd do lunch instead. You'll need a break to rest and regroup anyway........

One trick I've heard is to just do a light snack in the morning and make a late reservation for breakfast - like the latest one they'll take, which is something like 11:00 in most places. That way you get to enjoy the park in the morning and combine breakfast/lunch so you save meal credits too! I wonder if that would work for CP?

 

[princesslover]

Cram all the princess stuff you can, while you can! My DD is now 10 and has no interest and it KILLS ME! *sob*

QUOTE]



I couldn't agree more! This will pass WAY too quickly. Do ALL the princessy stuff!

Bring them in princess costumes, and start the day at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Hang out in Fantasyland then have lunch at CRT. The princesses are all there, and they will be freshly made up from the boutique.

ALSO do Akershus. Do breakfast if you don't like the lunch or dinner menu, but do at least ONE Of the meals.

Rule number 1: You can never overdo the princess thing! And take TONS of pictures!

Thanks for the tip!!! I've heard that there is one meal (dinner??) that only the Fairy Godmother is there - I want DD to see all the princesses - are they all there for Breakfast and lunch??? THANKS!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

If princesses are a must - then do CRT for breakfast or lunch. You'll meet more princesses that way. Dinner only has Cinderella for a picture and Fairy Godmother does a short show.

As an alternative to CRT - there are princesses at all 3 meals at Akerhus in Norway. If you're planning early, you should be able to get CRT booked - but if you can't Norway is a great alternative for meeting princesses.

1900 PF doesn't do lunch. The cast of Cinderella is there for dinner only.