1900 Park Fare

So, this week, I have a lot of planning to get to! Yep, it’s almost time for those advance dining reservations (“ADRs”) again, and the DH and I have been busy taking care of some of those adult pre-vacation details, like his creating Excel spreadsheets and number crunching (*yawn*) while I’m pouring over restaurants and menus (*yum*)! Ok, so while I think his is more of a “chore” (and thankfully he does not!), it is all in preparation for our upcoming 180-day booking date! *bounces*

180-day what?

Walt Disney World (“WDW”) Resort guests can make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance. Those guests staying on property, however, can actually make their first 10 days’ worth of ADRs, at 180 days out, beginning with their check-in date (i.e. for the dates beyond your check-in day; not meaning beginning at 190 days out ). So, for example, if you plan to arrive and check-in on October 1st, you can make your ADRs (online or over the phone, by calling 407-WDW-DINE) beginning on April 4th.

I use an online calculator to verify my days; just be sure to select your check-in date and use “-180″ (that is, negative 180) for your “days.”

Also, ADRs can be made online, which I prefer, because the system “opens” up at 6am EST versus the phone lines which open at 7am EST. However, if you will have an exceptionally large party (of 10+ guests), require further assistance from a Cast Member (“CM”), etc., then you will need to call Disney Dining to make your reservations.

** Also make note of Walt Disney World’s new cancellation policy for many of the table-service restaurants: “If a Guest cancels within one day of the reservation or if the dining party is a “no show” for the meal, a cancellation fee of $10 per person will be charged to the credit card used at the time of booking.”

So, until my clocks ticks over to 6-0-0, the building excitement leading up to that 180 day mark, for me, is ridiculous! LOL I stalk my calendar, double- and triple-check my day calculator (even though I’ve already done this a good 10 times before I actually, and very colorfully, marked the date on my calendar!), as well as make sure to examine, and re-examine (only once or twice! *Tries to keep a straight face*), all of my park hours, spreadsheets, tentative touring plans, etc. Totally normal, right?

Well, in honor of my growing anticipation, and subsequent inability to stop thinking about Disney food, here are our top choices for must-have ADRs! (Plus a whole lot of “Oh please! Oh please! *fingers, toes, eyes crossed* Let me get these for our trip!”)

Our Top 5 ADRs

So, I will admit it; some of these restaurants (which are listed in no particular order as it’s impossible to choose one over another!) are so downright delicious that they just might, perhaps, wouldn’t-think-twice-about-it get a visit or two from us — ADR availability depending, that is!

1. ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

I don’t know why it took so many trips for us to realize just how absolutely FANTASTIC the food is at ‘Ohana, but I am so glad that my stomach and my brain are now in sync!

Meat on a stick! Need I say more? * photo taken by chezp

2. Le Cellier at Epcot’s World Showcase

Love its beautiful entrance! * photo taken by Dopey007

One of the more difficult ADRs to get is for Le Cellier, but if you’re as tenacious as I am about checking for availability, you just might get an ADR or 2 — like I did last year! I mean, cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread?! Yeah we definitely need more than one reservation!

3. Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort

I don’t know what is better at Boma, the carved roast beef or the zebra domes? LOL

Mmmm * photo taken by chezp

If only I could get just a plateful of each…oh wait, I can — and I do!

4. 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Now, I’m talking about the “Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner” buffet. This has got to be one of the most fun character meals we have ever been to! Cinderella’s stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, as well as Lady Tremaine, her wicked stepmother, are incredibly entertaining — especially with us grown-ups who they can more openly “discuss” their feelings for Cinderella, and her Prince Charming…that’s all I’m saying!

Who looks better in pink? * photo taken by aliceinwdw

5. Tokyo Dining at Epcot’s World Showcase

This is a new one for us, as of this last November, but my oh my! I had one of the best steaks I had had anywhere else on property, including Le Cellier, Narcoossee’s or Yachtsman! If you love the tenderness only a hibatchi can give a steak, then make an ADR here. It was fan-tab-ulous (it’s a word! )!

It has a great view! * photo taken by chezp

A table by the window during Illuminations is pretty nice too; however, the view isn’t as great as it could be due to the reflection of the restaurant itself on the windows. But, it’s still a great view of the higher fireworks and not a bad way to end your meal — and evening! — in the park.

What’s on your Top 5 ADR List? Do any of ours match?

So now that I’m super hungry, I’m going to get back to planning — and definitely some dinner (and oh how I could go for some stir-fried vegetables, fried dumplings, and lo mein noodles from ‘Ohana right now!) *sigh*

Well, until next time…

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