WWYD - Plaza Inn Character meal

[2tinkerbell]

My DD really wants to have breakfast at Minnie and Friends (Plaza Inn). At 60 days out I made an ADR for 8:10am (first seating). The park hours are EMH and MM at 8:00am with park opening at 9:00am. This is perfect for us. I purposely made it this way because my DD can't handle the confusion of the turnstiles, crowds, etc. at opening.

Last night I got a call from Disney dining (message actually) stating that the park isn't opening until 8:30am that day but we will still "be accommodated at the Plaza Inn at that time." So, I called back to talk with someone, after I confirmed that the park hours were NOT changed. Apparently, due to the 10K that morning, the park is opening later than anticipated. They are saying that we will NOT be able to enter at 8:00am, but, will gain access at 8:30am. One person told me to arrive early and then she transferred me to another person who told me to come at 8:30am. She indicated that the turnstile for early ADR's will not be open. Either I am confused or I am getting confusing information.

Here is my thinking (unconfirmed): I am thinking Disneyland will NOT have MM/EMH that morning and will open Main Street the 1/2 hour earlier than park opening - which is 8:30am. Which means I defeat getting the early ADR as we will be entering the regular turnstiles with what my DD calls "the masses." It also means that Minnie and Friends will have a line to enter the restaurant and the buffet will be extra crowded with those with ADR's at 8:10am and 8:30am instead of spread out a little. Yes, we are being "accommodated" but, not really accommodated in the way that my DD needs and kind of defeats the purpose of my making the ADR's I did. My DD is neurologically compromised and I do things the way I do to accommodate her. I really believe in doing everything I can to accommodate her instead of making others make the accommodations - make sense?

When I discussed this with DD, she still wanted to have breakfast with Minnie & Friends. Her #1 reason was that we were in the park and could start our day after breakfast. I suggested that we could do Carnation Cafe' or Riverboat Terrace at 9:00am for breakfast.

So, what would you suggest - keep the ADR as is and just get there early to the turnstiles so we can hopefully be in front of the "masses?" Or change the ADR to Carnation Cafe'? I should also say we are having dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. I also could get a 7:30am ADR at Surf's Up, but we might have an issue with getting there because of the 10K. (I haven't looked at the map yet).

Sorry for the length. I appreciate any extra insight into this problem that anyone has.
TIA!

 

[tiffjoy]

Is there another day that you can do Minnie's? We really like Surf's Up, and although Minnie often has more characters and can be fun in a different way, we find the interaction at Surf's Up to be better. My girls often spend a while playing with the characters. Where are you staying? Carnation Cafe is a totally different experience- it's nice, but it's not Minnie. So I guess if you just want food, you could do that. Going to Surf's Up would avoid the crowds at the gate. Even if you arrived early to the gates, your DD might be bothered by all the people who will still be around her- it will still be very crowded, even at the front, and then people will move past you unless you two can move quickly, and she will be surrounded by people. Based on what you are saying, this could make her feel uncomfortable. I would probably skip Minnie's that day, go to Surf's Up, and maybe consider Minnie's on another day (I prefer Minnies and Surf's UP to Goofy's, personally).

 

[agamble]

I would call the Dine Line specifically and ask if your reservation for 8:10 is still an 8:10 seating. It doesn't hurt to ask more than once, especially since the voice message you received said you'd still be accommodated. I wouldn't worry too much about crowds at the restaurant itself, but if the crowds (masses) entering the park are frustrating to your daughter then maybe you should change your reservation. Though if you're still going to go at that time, I don't see moving to another in park restaurant fixing that problem.

 

[SMD]

I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. It is the word my DD uses to describe a crowd of people.

I understand the scheduling of the 10K was made months ahead - I am running the PDC so I will be running the 10K that morning and the 1/2 marathon on Sunday along with the 5K with my DD on Friday. I registered for the races last August. It is my birthday next week and I will be 61 years old.

If you're doing the 5K then the crowds entering the park on Saturday are the least of your worries. I've never been bumped or pushed more in my life than during the park portions of a DL 5K. Plus there's the hour or more you'll wait in the corral shoulder to shoulder with others. At 8:30 the 10K will not be over. They will do a sweep to clear the parks, but the other areas of the route will have people. First figure out where you're meeting and how much of the route your daughter will have to cross to meet you. The reunion areas are crowded and chaotic, and depending on the finish line you may be better off going to Goofy's or Surf's Up to avoid having to fight back to the park. And just because that's the word your daughter uses doesn't mean you had to use it a second time when speaking as yourself. Your age, your birthday or running a race still don't entitle you to the experience you want, you and your daughter still have to share. If that's a problem, then you need to take personal responsibility change your plans to fit the reality of the Plaza Inn situation that day.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I would call the Dine Line specifically and ask if your reservation for 8:10 is still an 8:10 seating. It doesn't hurt to ask more than once, especially since the voice message you received said you'd still be accommodated. I wouldn't worry too much about crowds at the restaurant itself, but if the crowds (masses) entering the park are frustrating to your daughter then maybe you should change your reservation. Though if you're still going to go at that time, I don't see moving to another in park restaurant fixing that problem.

Good point about another restaurant in the park - we would be in the same situation.

I did just call Disney Dining and they were great at explaining the situation and basically confirmed what I was thinking. We will line up at the turnstiles and then be accommodated at the rope at 8:30am when Main Street opens. She did indicate that, in years past, there has been some confusion at the rope with people unable to get close enough to the rope to indicate they have an ADR. She said that the restaurant should have a person to the right of the rope with the list of ADR's. The person (lead) that I talked with was very nice and very accommodating. Apparently Disney Dining just was notified of the park hour change yesterday and they are calling everyone and trying their hardest to accommodate people. So knowing about the 10K being held that morning and looking at the park hours prior to making my ADR didn't help.

I have talked to my DD and typical for her, she "going to think about it." I threw out 2 possibilities: 1) breakfast that day at Surf's Up or 2) breakfast at Minnie & Friend's on Monday May 11th.

 

[tiffjoy]

Glad they were able to help you! Sounds like you have some good options.

For the record, trying to figure out how to work through dining because of a race isn't wanting special treatment. And "masses" isn't an offensive term when you are talking about a lot of people. It's pretty common, actually.

 

[2tinkerbell]

If you're doing the 5K then the crowds entering the park on Saturday are the least of your worries. I've never been bumped or pushed more in my life than during the park portions of a DL 5K. Plus there's the hour or more you'll wait in the corral shoulder to shoulder with others. At 8:30 the 10K will not be over. They will do a sweep to clear the parks, but the other areas of the route will have people. First figure out where you're meeting and how much of the route your daughter will have to cross to meet you. The reunion areas are crowded and chaotic, and depending on the finish line you may be better off going to Goofy's or Surf's Up to avoid having to fight back to the park. And just because that's the word your daughter uses doesn't mean you had to use it a second time when speaking as yourself. Your age, your birthday or running a race still don't entitle you to the experience you want, you and your daughter still have to share. If that's a problem, then you need to take personal responsibility change your plans to fit the reality of the Plaza Inn situation that day.

SMD - AGAIN I apologize for using the word "masses" to describe a crowd of people.

 

[NannyBeBe]

To the OP, no need to keep apologizing. You used the correct word to describe a large group of people crowded together, according to the Oxford dictionary. I hope you can get things worked out and that you and your DD have a wonderful time.

 

[lovebug33]

Please don't apologize. Your choice of words was not offensive. The poster who is upset probably also doesn't have a special needs child. I totally get you. My dd has spd and going through masses of people is very difficult for her, to the point of meltdowns. We are lucky because she is only 2 1/2 and we can put her in a stroller and she is fine. However, I dread the day of going to places with crowds when she no longer has the safety of her stroller.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your insight and your understanding.

I try really hard to not ask for "special experiences" for my DD. My DD doesn't like to be treated like she is "disabled" because, to her, it is treating her like she "can't." That is why I work hard to accommodate her needs ourselves. A large group of people is hard for my DD to maneuver as she has severe visual spatial/perceptual problems along visual acuity issues combined with being basically clumsy and spd. To my DD, a large group of people or anything for that matter blends into one large object or mass as she can't see individual people/objects. It can be difficult for her to figure out where/what she is suppose to do/be.

One of the problems that I am up against is once you do something you have to do it again. This is just how it is with my DD. It is because she has to work so hard to plan and organize things in her brain. My DD also has executive function disorder as a result of her brain damage. Minnie & Friends is familiar to her and she knows how to navigate it and what to expect. That is part of her reluctance to change and why she has to think about what she wants to do. She has been to Surf's Up before so that is a plus.

My brother pays for my running as a means for me to have some "alone" time. He is paying for our Disneyland trip as well. He will be flying in on Friday night and flying out Sunday afternoon to support me and to be with DD while I run my races. He will be the one to help my DD with the turnstiles and the ADR at the rope as I will be meeting them there. (Yes, he will have a single day, one park ticket) My brother is great with my DD, but, sometimes my DD will not communicate her needs so she can get the help she is needing. This can result in her being frustrated and overwhelmed. She is working on it and is learning, but, we still have a ways to go.

Thanks again for the support and the insight.

 

[lostangel52577]

We did the Minnie breakfast at the Plaza on the Sunday of the Star Wars Marathon weekend. Our reservation was at 8:40 and the park opened at 9. Our experience was there is a separate turnstile for ADRs; however, they did open every turnstile at 8:30 with the ADR turnstile. There wasn't much of a crowd in my opinion and Main Street was not packed. We went straight to the Plaza and didn't wait very long to get in. Maybe one or 2 groups in front of us. The Plaza was also not full the entire time we had breakfast and for the first 30 mins wasn't even half full. I can't say whether it's always like that but that was our experience.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I don't have any experience with the races, but I wanted to say I don't think you said anything offensive and have nothing to apologize for! Sounds like you got your answer, but please don't let one bad seed put you off asking more questions!

 

[Indiana Scott]

On behalf of three of the little people that makes up the masses, No offense taken at all.

 

[lovebug33]

Are you on facebook? There is a fabulous group called Tips for Special Needs at Disney. A lot of WDW, but some help with Disneyland. They have helped me a lot with lots of different things. Somebody may have similar issues as your daughter and be able to give some

 

[2tinkerbell]

Thanks for the suggestion. We had an ADR in 2014 at the Plaza Inn at 8:10am when they ran the 10K that day and we never got a call. I was thinking the same would happen this year - but, apparently not.