[OtherVoices]

We've got less than 182 days to go, so we've finally finished planning all of our days and figuring out where we want to eat. I must admit, it was a bit strange trying to think of where we'll be eating 6 months from now.

There are 7 of us going: Me, DH, DS (11, 8, 4), and my parents
We've booked two rooms at the Port Orleans Riverside for May 5-12th. We're getting 7 day Park Hopper tickets with the Water Fun & More option, and after much debate, we've given up our AAA discount in favor of the dining plan.

We're going to try to keep our plans loose.... trying to wind up in the right place for that day's ADR, but realizing plans may change due to crowds or what the kids would rather do. We used touringplans.com to figure out crowd levels and hopefully we'll be in the right parks on the right days with less crowds.

We'll arrive on a Saturday just before noon. I'm hoping to check in to the hotel and take a boat to DTD and then eat lunch at the RainForest Cafe at around 2. After that we'll walk over to DisneyQuest and spend the rest of the day there. No dinner plans, we'll see how hungry everyone is with that late lunch and maybe just pick up counter service at the POR.

Day 2, Sunday: Animal Kingdom. Breakfastosaurus is planned for the morning, then spend the day at the park. This is the only day I'm not sure of dinner plans. My parents might have dinner on their own. They figure two people should be able to get a table somewhere with a minimal wait. They might decide to stay with us, though. I'm thinking of making an ADR for the Concourse Steakhouse. Most of our other ADRs are for buffets/family style, so I think my DH might appreciate having a steak dinner one night.

Day 3 Monday: Epcot. We'll probably do breakfast at the POR, spend the morning on the rides at Epcot, walk over to the Biergarten for lunch. We'll stay at Epcot through Illuminations.

Day 4 Tuesday: Magic Kingdom. Supercalifragilistic breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and then dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Stay for Wishes.

Day 5 Wednesday: MGM Studios. No breakfast or lunch plans, but we'd like to do Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic package. I wasn't sold on the package but my mom figures with 7 of us, we'd rather be sure we had seats.

Day 6 Thursday: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. We'll leave it up to the kids to decide. That night we'd like to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ, but since we can't book that yet, we'll book Hoop-dee-Doo and then cancel it if the BBQ gets scheduled for that night and we can get in.

Day 7 Friday: Magic Kingdom. At least, we think it'll be MK. We might decide to do something else, depending on what the kids liked the most or didn't get to see. Dinner plans are for Whispering Canyon.

Day 8 Saturday: No firm plans at all. Maybe DTD again before our plane takes off at 5:45 pm.

You might notice we have more ADRs for table service than we do table service credits. We made our dining plans assuming we wouldn't be on the dining plan. We're thinking we'll just pick up the tab for the BBQ or Hoop-de-Doo, rather than use two TS credits for it.

If any of you have any suggestions for dinner on that AK night (rather than the Concourse) let me know. We're more of an American Fare kind of family--picky kids, and I want to stay away from buffets for that night.

[diisneygeek]

I love your eating choices! I've mostly been to all of them and I really liked eating there

[Erin]

Your plans sound fantastic!!!! You've got a well-rounded, well planned trip!!

[Dana]

I like your loose plans...plenty of room to change minds. I would tell your parents to try and figure out what they want for dinner that night. You will find it harder to get a table for two than four. They could always come with you to the concourse. They will seat you with extra people unless they are totally booked and I doubt it.

[OtherVoices]

Thanks, guys! I'm really excited about our plans.

I think my parents want to wait to see what interests them once they get there. If they can't get a table somewhere they can try and meet up with us, or save their TS for a lunch on another day.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by OtherVoices

Thanks, guys! I'm really excited about our plans.

I think my parents want to wait to see what interests them once they get there. If they can't get a table somewhere they can try and meet up with us, or save their TS for a lunch on another day.

Sounds like a perfect plan to me. Wait and see what they want to do.

[CathysCAT]

Welcome to MB, OtherVoices. Looks like you're a great planner, and your choices sound yummy. You've come to the right place to get ideas. Have you thought about dinner on Day 3 when you're in Epcot? We've eaten at Le Cellier and Chefs de France, and both were scrumptious.

Do you have the toll free phone number to call for making your dining reservations? We use 1-800-828-0228. Have fun planning!

[Dopey]

Nicely planned, looks like a pro's plans. Are you sure this will be your first trip?
I think that you are right on the money with everything you've got going there.
NICE

[OtherVoices]

Originally Posted by CathysCAT

Have you thought about dinner on Day 3 when you're in Epcot? We've eaten at Le Cellier and Chefs de France, and both were scrumptious.

We've thought about it, but we'd have to give up one of our other TS meals, or pay for it in addition to the dining plan. I think if we eat enough at the Biergarten we should be pretty well fed and we could do a counter service (maybe Electric Umbrella?) before Illuminations.

Originally Posted by Dopey

Nicely planned, looks like a pro's plans. Are you sure this will be your first trip?
I think that you are right on the money with everything you've got going there.
NICE

I've researched this so much I feel like I've been there already. I think it helped that I'd looked into everything and had an idea of which parks to go to when and places to eat. I sat down with my mom and we talked through my ideas and then went to allears to look at menus and iron out the details. It worked out really well.

This message board has been a great help, too. I've learned a lot reading trip reports and digging through threads. You guys really have a wealth of knowledge. I'm surprised some of you don't give up your day jobs and become Disney Travel Agents.

[Cavey]

Now, I've got to ask...With 6 months to go, how many times will you change them.

Our last trip, I spent so much time planning every detail. In the end, the only part of the plan we followed was ADR's.

[DisneyTeacher]

Your plans look great!

Have you thought about 'Ohana in place of Concourse Steakhouse?

[Jen]

Your plans sound great!!!

182 will fly!

[daisyd]

Your plans look great OV!

[WDW Rules]

If you do decide to eat breakfast at Boatwrights, be sure to try their french toast. Oh my gosh, it's so good. Your ds might want to share. You get a lot. You're going to like Riverside. We'll be staying there for the 11th time. If you have any questions pm me.

[OtherVoices]

Originally Posted by Cavey

Now, I've got to ask...With 6 months to go, how many times will you change them.

Our last trip, I spent so much time planning every detail. In the end, the only part of the plan we followed was ADR's.

My SIL said the same thing... she planned so much and then they kinda "winged it" most of the trip, aside from dining reservations. That's why we pretty much chose the parks and dining together and haven't planned much else. At least with 4 adults and 3 kids we should be able to be flexible and split up if we need to.