First Trip, So Many Questions, Help!!

[Ariel4711]

Hi everyone! My husband and I recently booked our very first family trip to Disney World for December 15-18. We will be staying at AOA, and we have tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Dec 17th.

Neither he nor I have ever been to Disney, so this is truly a first trip for all of us. And we are superrrr excited!!! :-D

We have two daughters -- oldest is 11 (NOT into princesses anymore) and the youngest will be 6 by the time we go. I have been doing a TON of research and consulting family friends that frequent Disney a lot (like my cousin who is part of the DVC and has been to Disney 13 times in the past 4 years), so I do have most basic questions answered.

I am freaking out over ADR's, though. I keep reading/hearing mixed reviews from people. There are a few places that I KNOW we will be dining at, like Cinderella's Royal Table. But I'm unsure whether to schedule this just before MVMCP or during it. So here is Question #1 -- what do you all recommend; make our ADR for CRT before or during MVMCP? (We have the DDP, btw)

On to my second question/area where I need help -- more ADRs. This is what I have come up with so far in terms of ideas for ADRs:
Tuesday Dec 15 (Spending day in HS)-- Late character breakfast, like 10am, at Hollywood & Vine (opinions please!)
Dinner at Ohana, then watch fireworks from the Poly's beach

Wednesday Dec 16 (Day in AK) -- Tusker House for early breakfast (can I do 8am?) then off to the safari first thing. I am worried about my girls, though. They are very picky eaters. Thoughts?
Dinner -- Rainforest Cafe. I know the food isn't great, but we used to have one of these close by and they closed it when our oldest was about 4, and she actually remembers it and has been wanting to go back.

Thursday Dec 17 (Day in MK) -- Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's?? this has been the hardest for me to figure out!! Some people have told me the food at Chef Mickey's is bleh but the experience is awesome so it's worth it; others have told me Crystal Palace is better. HELP!
Cinderella's Royal Table either before or during MVMCP.

Friday Dec 18 (Day we leave) -- ?
Don't really know what we will do that day yet.

All the other meals I have not listed will be QS.

PLEASSSSSSE give me any and all thoughts, opinions and suggestions. I TRULY appreciate it!!!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Ariel4711]

are you by chance having breakfast in the MK before it opens? if by chance you can eat breakfast and run and go hop in line before the 9am opening that may be a choice. or just be on he safe side and FP it. if she really wants to meet he i'd say go for it.

My plan is to get a reservation at 8am at CP, but I can't start making reservations until June 18th, so we will see what happens. (Wish me luck!)
Thank you again for the advice

 

[Ariel4711]

You definitely need to use the fastpasses for A&E and rides. Cinderella will be at CRT. As for Ariel, stand by line usually isn't longer than 30 minutes. There is very little reason to use all of your FP+ selections on characters, unless you go often enough and are a "character collector."

I kind of figured we would have to do a FP+ for A&E even if we are in MK right when they open, because of their popularity. When I asked that question I forgot that we would see Cinderella at CRT (duh lol), even though that was the whole reason I want to make the ADR there (actually that's my reason for all of our character meals).
I will say, as an Ariel fan, I am both happy and sad that the line for her will be short. Where's the mermaid love??

Thank you for your help!!

 

[Ariel4711]

Forgot to mention that you could also do the princess meal at Akershus in Epcot. The princesses vary, but we've gotten Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, Jasmine, and Belle. That is a good way to knock some out while eating. If you happen to be able to make the 8am res. on a day the park opens at 9, you won't even eat into your park time.

I will have to look at the menu for Akershus again. Unfortunately my girls are picky eaters, so while some character dining options would be awesome in terms of the characters offered, my girls may not eat anything :-/
But I will definitely check! Thanks again!

 

[lyssehm]

I will say, as an Ariel fan, I am both happy and sad that the line for her will be short. Where's the mermaid love??

It all depends on which Ariel you want. Akershus gets you fancy dress Ariel. Grotto by her ride gets you actual mermaid Ariel. I think all the mermaid lovers are also A&E lovers and are waiting in that terrible 2 HOUR line to meet them. Haha. But hey, more mermaid for the rest of us, right?

 

[lyssehm]

I will have to look at the menu for Akershus again. Unfortunately my girls are picky eaters, so while some character dining options would be awesome in terms of the characters offered, my girls may not eat anything :-/
But I will definitely check! Thanks again!

Mine is picky too. As am I. There are "weird" Norwegian foods, but also the standard American favorites like Bacon, eggs, cinnamon rolls, bacon, bacon, and did I say bacon yet? They'll find something to eat for sure.

 

[Ariel4711]

It all depends on which Ariel you want. Akershus gets you fancy dress Ariel. Grotto by her ride gets you actual mermaid Ariel. I think all the mermaid lovers are also A&E lovers and are waiting in that terrible 2 HOUR line to meet them. Haha. But hey, more mermaid for the rest of us, right?

Personally, I want to see mermaid Ariel, but I wouldn't mind seeing both
And yes, I'm totally cool with getting through the line faster because everyone else wants to see A&E. I'm not sure who will be more excited to see Ariel, my daughters or me, haha!

 

[Ariel4711]

Mine is picky too. As am I. There are "weird" Norwegian foods, but also the standard American favorites like Bacon, eggs, cinnamon rolls, bacon, bacon, and did I say bacon yet? They'll find something to eat for sure.

Bacon is definitely one of my 11 yo's favorite foods, so that could work. I saw all the Norweigan items listed on the menu and thought "there is no way they will eat that", so I'm glad to know there are other options. Thank you!!