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!

 

[EmmieSue]

I would say do CRT before the party since you are paying extra for the party and should be spending that time doing things like meeting the special characters and watching the parade and all that good stuff, not eating at a place you can eat during any other time you are at the park.

I have not had Hollywood and Vine breakfast, but I have had their lunch. A lot of people say the food their is terrible, but it has been very good both times we have gone. The only thing about this place is it can be crazy with the amount of very young children it attracts. Service and Character experience was great.

I haven't been to Tusker house, but I was looking into doing breakfast there on our next trip. I've looked over menus and googled images for it and it seems that they have plenty of the typical American breakfast items. Your picky eaters should be just fine there.

Just gotta say that I love rainforest cafe. xD

I have done both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. I love, love the Crystal Palace. It is my favorite buffet. The food is good at both places, but I enjoyed Crystal Palace a lot more food wise. Character interaction was great at both places, but since you are doing Tusker, I would suggest Crystal Palace for a larger variety of Characters. I believe Chef Mickey's and Tusker have a lot of the same.

Your schedule looks good to me!

 

[popcenturylover]

I agree with @EmmieSue to go to CRT before the Halloween party. They start letting people into the party at 4pm. So, I would make it an early dinner. I also agree with her on the H&V lunch in that it was actually pretty good.(haven't had breakfast there) We've had Chef Mickey dinner a couple of times & it was so much better on our trip last month than the last time we ate there. Crystal Palace for breakfast was very good! Breakfast Lasagna!!! YUM!!! Oh, make sure that you enjoy the pools at AOA. My DD LOVED them! The food court also has some of the best QS meals on property.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Welcome aboard

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?

A buffet breakfast like Tusker will give your girls a greater selection to pick at and eat what they enjoy. Go for it.

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.

A question for you - where are you going after AK ??
My opinion would be to eat at where you're at later or even book Rainforest at DownTown Disney. We had RC booked at AK for one of our evening meals but as AK closes early (especially in December) you'll be eating quite early, we ended up booking at MK where we're spending the evening after AK.

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!

Having done both - I'd choose CP

Cinderella's Royal Table either before or during MVMCP.

As others have said - eat before the party. You've paid for these tickets, don't waste money by spending your time sat inside eating

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

EPCOT ???

 

[Figgy1]

I would say do CRT before the party since you are paying extra for the party and should be spending that time doing things like meeting the special characters and watching the parade and all that good stuff, not eating at a place you can eat during any other time you are at the park.

I have not had Hollywood and Vine breakfast, but I have had their lunch. A lot of people say the food their is terrible, but it has been very good both times we have gone. The only thing about this place is it can be crazy with the amount of very young children it attracts. Service and Character experience was great.

I haven't been to Tusker house, but I was looking into doing breakfast there on our next trip. I've looked over menus and googled images for it and it seems that they have plenty of the typical American breakfast items. Your picky eaters should be just fine there.

Just gotta say that I love rainforest cafe. xD

I have done both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. I love, love the Crystal Palace. It is my favorite buffet. The food is good at both places, but I enjoyed Crystal Palace a lot more food wise. Character interaction was great at both places, but since you are doing Tusker, I would suggest Crystal Palace for a larger variety of Characters. I believe Chef Mickey's and Tusker have a lot of the same.

Your schedule looks good to me!

I agree with @EmmieSue to go to CRT before the Halloween party. They start letting people into the party at 4pm. So, I would make it an early dinner. I also agree with her on the H&V lunch in that it was actually pretty good.(haven't had breakfast there) We've had Chef Mickey dinner a couple of times & it was so look much better on our trip last month than the last time we ate there. Crystal Palace for breakfast was very good! Breakfast Lasagna!!! YUM!!! Oh, make sure that you enjoy the pools at AOA. My DD LOVED them! The food court also has some of the best QS meals on property.

^^^^^ If you can swing it I'd do CP before park opening walking down an almost totally MSUSA is amazing and the hop the monorail to CM for dinner. BTW the food is better at CP

 

[Figgy1]

The day you leave at least stop into EPCOT Turtle Talk with Crush is soooo much fun as is Soarin.

 

[Tink28]

When you go to MVMCP you are allowed into the MK at 4.00pm so I would advise to book an early dinner then you are in the park and ready to go when the party officially starts at 7.00

 

[Bugz]

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!

Get ready for one of the best times of your life!!!!!!!! Dont try to have a good time.....let yourself have a good time!

 

[NonnaT]

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!

Hola! Those are the very same dates we will be there. I'm all excited about the Christmas party as well!

 

[NonnaT]

When you go to MVMCP you are allowed into the MK at 4.00pm so I would advise to book an early dinner then you are in the park and ready to go when the party officially starts at 7.00

True that, we almost always book a 4 pm ADR for CP on party days. (We've been to MNSSHP multiple times .

 

[Ariel4711]

Thank you everyone soooooo much for your help!!!!!!
Planning and trying to figure this all out has been overwhelming at times, so I truly do appreciate each of you taking the time to comment

I was already thinking of making our ADR for CRT at 5pm on Dec 17th so that we wouldn't miss any of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but reading all your suggestions has solidified that decision for me. We really don't want to miss anything!

One more question for everyone -- what are the best rides/attractions to use FP+ for? My youngest will want to meet Elsa & Anna, so I KNOW I have to use one for that, but what else do you all recommend? My worry is I will use a FP+ for an attraction that I may not have needed to and leave another ride off our list. As in, I may make a FP+ reservation for something with a short line.

Thank you all again so very, very much!!!

 

[Ariel4711]

Hola! Those are the very same dates we will be there. I'm all excited about the Christmas party as well!

Very cool! I hope you guys have an amazing time!

 

[Ariel4711]

^^^^^ If you can swing it I'd do CP before park opening walking down an almost totally MSUSA is amazing and the hop the monorail to CM for dinner. BTW the food is better at CP

Thank you!

I was hoping to do our breakfast ADR at 8am because I have heard from several people that it is amazing being able to be in MK when it's practically empty. So I will definitely take your advice on that one, and I will do CP

 

[Ariel4711]

I would say do CRT before the party since you are paying extra for the party and should be spending that time doing things like meeting the special characters and watching the parade and all that good stuff, not eating at a place you can eat during any other time you are at the park.

I have not had Hollywood and Vine breakfast, but I have had their lunch. A lot of people say the food their is terrible, but it has been very good both times we have gone. The only thing about this place is it can be crazy with the amount of very young children it attracts. Service and Character experience was great.

I haven't been to Tusker house, but I was looking into doing breakfast there on our next trip. I've looked over menus and googled images for it and it seems that they have plenty of the typical American breakfast items. Your picky eaters should be just fine there.

Just gotta say that I love rainforest cafe. xD

I have done both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. I love, love the Crystal Palace. It is my favorite buffet. The food is good at both places, but I enjoyed Crystal Palace a lot more food wise. Character interaction was great at both places, but since you are doing Tusker, I would suggest Crystal Palace for a larger variety of Characters. I believe Chef Mickey's and Tusker have a lot of the same.

Your schedule looks good to me!

THANK YOUUU!!! I really appreciate the time you put into your response

Now I feel confident in my plan. We will do H&V on our first day (forgot to mention in my original post that we plan on arriving in Orlando/Lake Buena Vista on Monday, so we will be at WDW early Tuesday morning), Ohana that night, Tusker House the following morning for our AK day with Rainforest Cafe for dinner. [So happy to see someone else likes RC! ] For our third day we will do an early ADR at CP, then CRT for an early dinner, then Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

So excited!! Thank you again for your help!

 

[Ariel4711]

Welcome aboard


A buffet breakfast like Tusker will give your girls a greater selection to pick at and eat what they enjoy. Go for it.

Yay! This is a place that I am excited to try because of the theming and variety of food. I am glad they will have options for my picky girls so we can still go

A question for you - where are you going after AK ??
My opinion would be to eat at where you're at later or even book Rainforest at DownTown Disney. We had RC booked at AK for one of our evening meals but as AK closes early (especially in December) you'll be eating quite early, we ended up booking at MK where we're spending the evening after AK.

Originally, we were planning to stay in AK for the day, but after making our list of "must do's" I realized there wasn't too much we want to see there, so we nay go back to AOA for the afternoon. I also didn't realize that AK closes early in December, so we will more than likely take your advice and do our ADR in Downtown Disney

Having done both - I'd choose CP

Looks like CP it is!

As others have said - eat before the party. You've paid for these tickets, don't waste money by spending your time sat inside eating

Going to try for a 5pm ADR. Hoping that gives us enough time!

EPCOT ???

Pretty sure that will be our plan, so we can visit all 4 parks. We do have the Park Hopper, so we may do a combination of a little more MK in the morning and end with Epcot.

Thank you for all your help!!!

 

[popcenturylover]

Thank you everyone soooooo much for your help!!!!!!
Planning and trying to figure this all out has been overwhelming at times, so I truly do appreciate each of you taking the time to comment

I was already thinking of making our ADR for CRT at 5pm on Dec 17th so that we wouldn't miss any of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but reading all your suggestions has solidified that decision for me. We really don't want to miss anything!

One more question for everyone -- what are the best rides/attractions to use FP+ for? My youngest will want to meet Elsa & Anna, so I KNOW I have to use one for that, but what else do you all recommend? My worry is I will use a FP+ for an attraction that I may not have needed to and leave another ride off our list. As in, I may make a FP+ reservation for something with a short line.

Thank you all again so very, very much!!!

Definitely, the Mine Train! Maybe one of the mountains!?

 

[ColoradoEquestrian]

Thank you everyone soooooo much for your help!!!!!!
Planning and trying to figure this all out has been overwhelming at times, so I truly do appreciate each of you taking the time to comment

I was already thinking of making our ADR for CRT at 5pm on Dec 17th so that we wouldn't miss any of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but reading all your suggestions has solidified that decision for me. We really don't want to miss anything!

One more question for everyone -- what are the best rides/attractions to use FP+ for? My youngest will want to meet Elsa & Anna, so I KNOW I have to use one for that, but what else do you all recommend? My worry is I will use a FP+ for an attraction that I may not have needed to and leave another ride off our list. As in, I may make a FP+ reservation for something with a short line.

Thank you all again so very, very much!!!

Definitely shoot for TSMM, 7DMT, and maybe Peter Pan (that line gets huge!). I would also recommend reading up on the Rider Switch option on many rides. It may come in handy if you and your hubby want to tag in/out on rides your youngest may not be up for. Have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[Flyersgirl17]

We do Tusker House and Crystal Palace for breakfast and try to schedule it as early as possible so we get into the park before the normal crowds. My oldest is a HUGE picky eater and he loved the breakfasts. WE also did the Rainforest Cafe an it wasn't horrible. It's just ok. Chef Mickey was everyone's favorite character meal. We've done both breakfast and dinner and really enjoyed both. Just a quick tip. When we go in we go straight to the left and cover frontierland and adventure land first. In the mornings, it's been slow and by the time lunch comes around you'll already have a good number of rides under your belt. Have a blast!!!!!!!!

 

[Flyersgirl17]

Thank you everyone soooooo much for your help!!!!!!
Planning and trying to figure this all out has been overwhelming at times, so I truly do appreciate each of you taking the time to comment

I was already thinking of making our ADR for CRT at 5pm on Dec 17th so that we wouldn't miss any of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but reading all your suggestions has solidified that decision for me. We really don't want to miss anything!

One more question for everyone -- what are the best rides/attractions to use FP+ for? My youngest will want to meet Elsa & Anna, so I KNOW I have to use one for that, but what else do you all recommend? My worry is I will use a FP+ for an attraction that I may not have needed to and leave another ride off our list. As in, I may make a FP+ reservation for something with a short line.

Thank you all again so very, very much!!!

MK we do two days and FP - splash mountain, big thunder, 7DMT, space mountain and peter pan. The 6th we play by ear. Sometimes the waits aren't horrible so we used the app to change the fp around. AK-safari, everest, and dinosaur HS(2 days too)-we've FP R&R, toy story mania, TOT, and the rest we play by ear. Good Luck

 

[Ariel4711]

MK we do two days and FP - splash mountain, big thunder, 7DMT, space mountain and peter pan. The 6th we play by ear. Sometimes the waits aren't horrible so we used the app to change the fp around.

Good to know. I already downloaded the app because I wanted to see how it works, so I will definitely use it while we are actually there.

AK-safari, everest, and dinosaur HS(2 days too)-we've FP R&R, toy story mania, TOT, and the rest we play by ear. Good Luck

The safari is definitely one I was going to do a FP+ for -- it's a must for our oldest, who decided at 3 she was going to be a vet ;-)
Toy Story Midway and TOT are two more that we really want to do and I was considering using FP for, so I'm glad you recommended them. What is R&R, Rock & Rollincoaster? (Sorry, still learning the many Disney abbreviations.)
Thank you for your help!