[Angie martin]

o.k. this is my first time to ask a question. We have reservations for Oct. 12-17. I've waited too long to make reservations and everything we want to do is booked with the exception of CRT for breakfast. First trip for two children ages 5 and 8. I'd like to get suggestions of what to do the first night. Our flight doesn't arrive until 2:00 p.m. I'm assuming we won't have much time for anything except some swimming and dinner. Any suggestions of what to do the first night and the best place to have dinner that doesn't require PS? Also is Typhoon Lagoon worth giving up a day at the Parks?

[BDavis932]

Mickey did a "poll" on this last year...there are several ideas:

Here is a link to it. http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...hlight=arrival

Welcome to Disney Central! I am so excited about your upcoming trip! October is my all time favorite time of the year to go!

So the only PS you could get for your whole trip was CRT? Or was it just for the first day?? When you tried to make Priority Seating arrangments, did you just try for a "specific" time (ie: 6:00) or did you try several (ie: 6:20, 6:40, etc)?

Where else did you try to make PS's???

[Dana]

Welcome to Disney Central!!!

If CRT is the only PS you got you are still the envy of many. That is a tough PS to nail. If you are going to arrive late your first night and just get settled, why not check out what food your resort is offering. You didn't mention where you were staying. Most of the resorts have great places to eat. Why not check out Downtown Disney? If you are determined to hit the parks (I usually am), if you are going to MK do a walk-in at Crystal Palace. I did this on Easter Sunday and only waited 25min. You could put your name in and go check out some near by stuff. They have a buffet and Pooh and friends. I love this character meal and try to do it every trip. What better way to start off your trip. Another place to try for is Chef Mickeys. Don't ask for a certain time, just ask is there are any openings. This will make getting PS's easier. Enjoy this wonderful Forum and ask as many questions as you need. These people are wonderful and there is at least one person to help you with any queston you can come up with.

[Angie martin]

We're staying at CBR. I had booked CRT about a month ago and then didn't book anything else because I was so confused about what to do, when, etc. I tried to get PS's at Ohana's, Chef Mickey's, Hoop De Doo, 1900 Park Fare and Princesses Story Book. I tried for any time, any day without much luck. I actually do have a PS for Chef Mickey's but it's at 9:00 p.m. I'm not sure if my kids can hold out for that. Any opinions on that? I also have a ressie for the Garden Grill Ice Cream Social one afternoon and Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Pkg. There's just soooo much to do and not enough time to do it all.

[Dana]

The hollywood and Vine is a trip. That along with CRT is really a great set of character meals. You should keep your 9pm PS's for Chef Mickeys and see how the day goes. if they are getting cranky, then cancel. If not, you have another character meal to look forward to. Try again when you get down there. People cancel all the time. You can go to your PS's early too. They may let you in early. (especially if you say the kids are not going to make it) I showed up to a few an hour or so early and was seated before my original time and ahead of walk-ins. Its worth a shot anyway. I havent done the ice-cream social,but I have had heard nice things about it. You have plenty of chacter interaction for the kids. You will see plenty of them in the park. I wouldn't stress too much over the other meals. You'll decide when you get there. CBR has both a restaurant and a food court. There are plenty to choose from. It will be fine. :)

[MickeyRon]

Okay... help... I have Chef Mickey and Breakfast with Mickey at Ohanna's... thats all I can get... is this enough or too much Mickey? My daughter really wanted CRT and I could not get it... I have called at least 20 times to check for cancelations.... at least she is only 5 and we can hunt down Cindy to be sure she at least gets to meet her!

Sounds like it is going to be busy in October... and parks close early to boot! Did I pick the wrong time to go?????:cry:

[Dana]

Originally posted by rengland
Okay... help... I have Chef Mickey and Breakfast with Mickey at Ohanna's... thats all I can get... is this enough or too much Mickey? My daughter really wanted CRT and I could not get it... I have called at least 20 times to check for cancelations.... at least she is only 5 and we can hunt down Cindy to be sure she at least gets to meet her!

Sounds like it is going to be busy in October... and parks close early to boot! Did I pick the wrong time to go?????:cry:

I was there last year in October and it was only crowded on Saturday in MK. Other that that it was a breeze. I went the first week of the month. You have plenty of character meals. You can try for one at Hollywood and Vine at MGM. It's a good meal and the characters are great. The walk-in time is usually reasonable if you do it at an off time. Try a late breakfast when everyone else has been there and done that. Crystal Palace is another place you can get lucky with. Go around 4pm before most people go to dinner and you are sure to get a table. That place will also give you a little variety with the characters...it features Pooh and friends. Just because you didn't get a PS doesnt mean you can't eat there. It's a matter of timing and luck. With Cindy's I would try for a walk-in anyway. Maybe have someone else in your party wait for Cindy's and get you when its time to sit so as to not dissapoint your DD. Keep trying, its not over until your on your flight coming home.

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by rengland
Sounds like it is going to be busy in October... and parks close early to boot! Did I pick the wrong time to go?????:cry:

October has NEVER been busy when we have gone in the past. I never had a problem getting any PS anytime of the year that I've travelled. I checked www.wdwig.com and here what is going on in October:

October 2003

Disney's 10K Classic - October 12, 2003 - The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the Official Race Beneficiary. The 10K race will run throughout the World Showcase at Epcot®, along a seaside village at Disney's BoardWalk Resort, with an exhilarating finish at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex.

FUNAI Classic at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort - October 23 - 26, 2003 - Annual PGA tournament held at Disney's Magnolia and Palm golf courses features top players.


Epcot Food and Wine Festival - October 18 - November 16

Entertainers booked for the Eat to the Beat! concert series will perform three half-hour concerts daily on the America Gardens Theatre stage:

Oct. 18-22 Sister Sledge
Oct. 23-27 Spinners
Oct. 28-Nov. 1 Three Dog Night
Nov. 2-6 Fifth Dimension
Nov. 7-11 Chic
Nov. 12-16 Chubby Checker & the Wildcats

Shades of Green - Construction and Rehab Ongoing - Reopens Spring 2004

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Oct. 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30, 31 - 7 p.m. to Midnight -- A family-friendly fright-fest in the Magic Kingdom featuring a children’s parade, trick-or-treating throughout the park, face painting and more.

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by Dana
You can try for one at Hollywood and Vine at MGM. It's a good meal and the characters are great. The walk-in time is usually reasonable if you do it at an off time.

They no longer have character meals at H&V....

[Dana]

Wow! I didn't know that. I am sorry for the misinformation. My guidebooks are wrong too. No character meals at MGM then?

[BDavis932]

When you call 407-WDW-DINE, are you trying to book for a large group (5 or more people??) If so, you could split up in to 2 tables.

Here is a list of all the Character Meals at WDW...

http://www.wdwig.com/cb.htm

http://www.wdwig.com/cbchar.htm

I'd certainly keep trying....even after you've arrived. Don't they keep a few PS's for day vistors? You can call from your hotel room if you are staying on site, or check once you've arrived at the Park.

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by Dana
Wow! I didn't know that. I am sorry for the misinformation. My guidebooks are wrong too. No character meals at MGM then?

Nope....they quit doing character meals at H&V in March 2003....:(

I am not aware of any others at Disney/MGM. I still highly recommend Hollywood and Vine...very yummy and it's the least expensive choice offered on the Fantasmic Dinner Package (and it's all you can eat!)

[BDavis932]

Originally posted by rengland
Sounds like it is going to be busy in October... and parks close early to boot! Did I pick the wrong time to go?????:cry:

Just my curious nature, I went to www.disneyworld.com and checked to see if there was availbility Oct 12-18....

Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans, Corinado Springs, All Stars Movies, The Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and The Polynesian are all booked those dates!!!!???!!!!

Looks like there is still availbility at All Stars Sports and Music, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht & Beach Clubs and Boardwalk.

I cannot believe there is no availibility at any moderate resort that week....What is going on that week????:nooo:

[Dana]

I can't imagine what they have going on. Perhaps people caught on to the "October is a great time to go" thing. I noticed the parks were open later than when I was there last year. Hmmm curiousier and curiousier as Alice once said. I have friends who are going to be there from the 20th - 27th won't they be in for a surprise.

Still can't believe they don't have character meals at H&V. My DD will be disappointed. Oh well. I'm determined to bag Cindy's. I'm hoping with going at a really slow time that it won't be too hard. Sorry again for the misinfo...I feel kinda silly now :whistle: My Passporter is a 2003 and it obviously didn't mention that. I weny back and read my Unofficial Guide for 2004 and low and behold it's not there. Right book, wrong year...lol story of my life.

[disneycouple30]

October is more busy now than it use to be, but we have managed to get into CRT by walking up in the morning as it first open and gotten in for either lunch or Dinner quite a few time. We usually call ahead of time to try to get Reservations but when we couldn't we try for walk ins and manage to get them more often than not. At crystal palace we alway managed to get reservation for breakfast at out guest desk at our hotel with no problem. You be surprise what you can get once you get there. There no cost for asking.