Hello, everyone!
I am planning my little girl's 5th birthday at Disney World this September 2018. This will be our first time visiting all 4 Disney parks and our first time on the deluxe
DDP. We do not have much background when it comes to dining at Disney so we would like to experience as much as possible.
Our party consists of 4 adults, 1 teen and my 4 year old. We will be staying at the Art of Animation and have our own car for transportation if that makes a difference. Of course, I want to make the most out of the dining plan and want to make it as memorable for her as possible but with mostly adults in our party I want to make it enjoyable for us as well. We are not picky eaters, I'd say most of us have an adventurous palette including my 5 year old (she'll take shrimp and steak or chicken tenders, it just depends on the day.) I am looking for a mix of good food and good ambiance.
I've read several threads, watched podcasts, looked at menus, pictures and read reviews, however, I am still kind of stuck since it's my first time doing it all. I will include a list of my current ADRs below and would love the input of more experienced Disney goers. Would you do anything differently? Any places you'd suggest I add/remove from my list? I am pretty much open to consider anything! We would like a good balance of table service, character meals, signature dining and quick service (if necessary) and are open to suggestions in the parks, resort areas and Disney Springs.
Day 1: Arrival - Hotel Day
(B)
(L)
Skip
(D) Jiko at 7:50PM (though I am considering an earlier ADR)
Day 2: AK
(B) Boma at 7:55AM
(L) Sana'a at 2:45PM
(D) Satu'li Canteen before park close
Is this too much food? I am feeling like it might be but I've read all great things and would love to get to try them all.
Day 3: EP
(B)
(L) Akershus at 1:40PM
(D)
Day 4: HS
(B) Cape May Cafe at 8:45AM
(L)
Skip
(D) Flying Fish at 7:50PM
Day 5: MK
(B) Be Our Guest at 9:55AM
(L)
(D)
Day 6: Departure - Disney Springs
I am considering an early ADR breakfast before enjoying the resort pool until checkout OR breakfast at our resort food court and then a good lunch at Disney Springs before heading home.
Thank you in advance! I look forward to all of your suggestions!
Your current ADRs look great but as PP mentioned before, BOG breakfast is a terrible use of your dining plan credits and the breakfast time you booked at is a bad time, at 9:55am you should be hitting rides before the park gets really crowded. If you are early birds, try for an 8am ADR there if you really want it on a 9am park opening day. Crystal Palace would be a better use of your deluxe dining plan. Other good meal options at MK, Liberty Tree Tavern and Columbia Harbour House.
Resort dining, we really like 1900 Park Fare for the dinner/character meal, would likely be fun for a 4yo and for the family too, my DH enjoyed that dinner a lot. We've done Ohana breakfast at Poly and we like that a lot, good characters and fun atmosphere. Also nice since food is served family style you don't spend your time waiting in a buffet line, and it's all you care to enjoy!!
At AKL, we also did Boma breakfast, not super exciting but good and there's something for everyone which works good for large parties. I can't see leaving AKL mid day to have lunch at Sanaa, just to go back. I would reverse this and do lunch at Satuli and dinner at Sanaa. I know it's just a bus ride away but it's a poor use of your park touring time.
Epcot, if you like Mexican, add La Hacienda or San Angel inn at EP, La Hacienda is better food but San Angel Inn has a unique dining atmosphere inside Mexico. Garden Grill is a character breakfast that looks appealing, have yet to try it but could be a good option there.
Some tidbits when it comes to ADRs in general and the Deluxe plan....sorry if this is repetitive-
the more table service meals you have, the more tipping you'll be doing and I think gratuity will be automatically added with 6 people in your party.
Table service meals take a lot of time out of your day and after 3 table service meals for 4 days straight, you may be OVER IT. I know we are.
Items to note, you won't always be seated at the exact time of your ADR. A lot of times many of the restaurants are delayed, especially the buffet/character meals so know that you will need to build in time to get to your ADR and from your ADR to your next place, fast pass, etc.
The deluxe plan is a lot of food and sitting around, which in my view is less fun time in the parks, or swimming in the pool or whatever. We never do more than 1-2 ADR's per day and if we do 2, it's not two consecutive meals.
Only you and your family will learn what works best and your Disney dining style may change but for a first dining plan/ADR visit, I would do the DDP or QS DDP not the deluxe. You can still have a great culinary experience and have a good amount of ADRs on one of these plans and save your money.