[JustaT]

I need advice for dining. We have a week long trip in December with our DD's (3yo & 1yo). I really don't want to be too structured because of the little ones, but I don't want to miss out on any MUST DO dining experiences. I already made ADR for Hoopty Doo Revue. I am also planning on doing ADR for a breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table one moring. ARe there any others that I MUST do for the girls?

We will be there the first week of December....will it be easier to go to some of the character dining wtih no wait?

My husband and I went to WDW in 2002 for our honeymoon, but we just winged it when we were there...any other advice for our first family trip would be appreciated (I have been doing much research this go around, but all advice is welcome).

THanks!!!!!!

[ddoll]

There are so many unique dining experiences in WDW that you couldn't possibly do them all in one week. I think the ones you have chosen already are super. If you reall ywant to do some more, we can list them for you, but just remember to save some for your next trip!

•There's 'Ohana at the Polynesian resort for a delicious family style meal with coconut races and hula hoop contests for the kids.
•There's Whispering Canyon in the Wilderness Lodge resort for a fun, loud, western themed evening.

MGM has two unique restaurants:
•50's Prime Time Cafe where everything is themed as a 50's sitcom. The wait staff plays along through your meal, calling you nicknames and insisting the parents eat their vegetables.
•And the Sci Fi Dine In which is done completely like an old time drive in movie. You sit in cars in a dimly lit room with a ceiling made to look like a star lit sky and there are speakers attached to your car as you watch the silly old movie clips.
•Crystal Palace in the MK has a Winnie the Pooh themed character meal and delicious food.
•Chef Mickeys in the Contemporary hotel is another rolicking fun time with th eclassic characters.

For the best overview of all the dining options WDW has to offer, skip on over to allearsnet.com to peruse the menus.

[lovemysons]

Well with young children, I would recommend the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, and the Hollywood & Vine Character meal at MGM-Studios. Chef Mickeys is also another great character meal.

[JustaT]

Thank you for the advice. Do I need to make ADR's for all of those places (Hollywood & Vine or Chef Mickey's)? I just hate to be on a rigid schedule.

[ak172]

Good luck. I am about to have to make our ADR's and this is very hard to try and decide but I think we have.

[cinderbella]

I would suggest making ADR's. With more and more people getting the dining plan sit down restaurants are becoming more popular and therefore people without ADR's are having to wait longer. I think it will be easier for you to set ADR times and not have to wait a long time than be forced to wait an hour or so when your little ones are hungry.

But I think you have the right idea. Taking them to character meals will distract them enough that they won't get bored or cranky (hopefully) so I'd plan as many as you can. Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, Cinderellas Royal Table, Akershaus also has a princess meal. Also places like 50's Prime Time and Ohana are great for kids too because there is a lot of stuff going on but the parents can have a great relaxing meal as well.

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by JustaT

Thank you for the advice. Do I need to make ADR's for all of those places (Hollywood & Vine or Chef Mickey's)? I just hate to be on a rigid schedule.

I would absolutely recommend making ADRs. Its better to have them in place, and then cancel if you decide not to use them.

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by JustaT

Thank you for the advice. Do I need to make ADR's for all of those places (Hollywood & Vine or Chef Mickey's)? I just hate to be on a rigid schedule.

Better to be on a schedule than to walk around not being able to find any place for a sit down meal!
Really, all those places are popular and you would need an ADR to get in.

[missymouse]

We have 3 children, 2 of them girls, and we always eat at Akershaus in Epcot for the princess breakfast. We also tried the new Hollywood and Vine Playhouse Disney breakfast last August. I must second Crystal Palace for little ones. Another great character meal to consider is Cape May Cafe with Goofy, Minnie, Chip and Dale. Goofy is very funny here!! But, as ddoll said, you have so much to choose from, you can't even begin to squeeze them into one trip. Just choose what looks most interesting for this trip and save the rest for the next time!

[Dana]

Welcome to mousebuzz. I think your ideas are fine. You are right. With little ones like that, it will be hard to have to much structure. You should Just book a few places like the ones you have in mind and just take your time going around the parks. Just eat anywhere you can. Hoop-de-do may be a bit much for them IMHO, but only you know your children and what they can and can't handle. I think it may be a bit loud and long for children that long to sit through. I would book one or two character meals, but not more than that. You don't know how they will react to the characters...they could either love them or be scared to death at their ages. Are you on the dining plan? If so, try for O'hanna. That's very family friendly as is whispering canyon cafe.

[JustaT]

Thank you to everyone for this. VERY HELPFUL.

I have ADR's at Hoopty Doo, Cinderella's Royal Table, Hollywood & Vine and Chef Mickeys.

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by JustaT

Thank you to everyone for this. VERY HELPFUL.

I have ADR's at Hoopty Doo, Cinderella's Royal Table, Hollywood & Vine and Chef Mickeys.

That's great!

[allirella]

Originally Posted by JustaT

We will be there the first week of December....

ME TOO!! Traveling with DNs (4yo & 2yo). Can't wait to see all you plan to accomplish...

[JustaT]

Originally Posted by allirella

ME TOO!! Traveling with DNs (4yo & 2yo). Can't wait to see all you plan to accomplish...

Very exciting!!! This is our first time going when ALL of the Christmas stuff is in full swing. I am super excited.....I am sure you are too. Perhaps we will bump into each other.

[mommyof2]

I agree with Dana and the Hoopty Doo Revue- we went last year with our then 3 and 5 year old and they had a hard time seeing and it was very loud. I would recommend a character meal instead!!!!