Tiki's January 2015 Trip w/guest! *Last Page*

[cy1229]

Actually, now that I think about it, what are the MUST-DO's at the World Showcase besides Maelstrom? I'd love to hit up the Mexico pavilion again, as well as Japan. Norway, Mexico and Japan are my 3 faves by far......however, I feel like I always leave World Showcase without seeing everything I need to. Is the Germany pavilion cool? What about Great Britain?....China? I've honestly never been in any of those...oh geez.

I always enjoy watching the drummers at Japan. The upper arms on those people! WOW.

[TikiTikiRoom]

Hahaha yeah taiko drumming is intense. I also remember going by Morocco one time and stopping to listen to Mo'Rockin or however you spell it. They were pretty good! Which says alot about them because I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to music

[Len90]

Haha your family sounds a bit like mine trying to book around everyone's schedules. It is definitely understandable that you are so excited with everything. I know I am jumping off the walls with excitement when a Disney vacation gets booked and as it quickly approaches.

As for World Showcase, you really need to be willing to take it in and make of it what you really want to make of it. I personally have really come to enjoy the world showcase over the years as walking around it is a great way to spend a quiet day at WDW. The countries are fun to explore and take in the attention to detail. I definitely recommend trying to make an ADR for dinner at one or two of the countries so you can even make more of your experience.

[Belle1082]

I love chatting with other people who are going to DW at the same time as me! I'm going Jan 8th until the 16th and I cannot wait! I have my spreadsheet of the park times and our dining reservations and I'm ready to go!

I also LOVE spending some leisurely time in World Showcase. It is a great place to relax and walk from country to country and check out everything that each country has to offer. From the amazing shops to the different movies or rides - it is great to spend a good amount of time taking it all in. Another thing I enjoy doing is somewhat of a pub crawl from one country to the next, to take in all of the different beverages from each country. We already have our Rose and Crown reservation for dinner and Le Cellier for lunch! Cant wait!!!

[Len90]

I love chatting with other people who are going to DW at the same time as me! I'm going Jan 8th until the 16th and I cannot wait! I have my spreadsheet of the park times and our dining reservations and I'm ready to go!

I like the spreadsheet organization that you have. I've done it for the past three trips (2009, 2010, 2011) and it really helps out a lot in avoiding wasted time. If done properly you can have your entire itinerary on one sheet.

[Belle1082]

Being the nerd that I am, my favorite pre trip planning activity is making my spreadsheet. lol I put every day and list the times that the park is open, including Extra Magic Hours. It really helps to have a plan put together beforehand instead of everyone standing around in the morning saying - "hmmm where should we go." My family expects this of me, so they know I will have everything figured out! Plus, this year we got the free dining, so I was even more apt to figure out where we would be on what days and make reservations for those days. So far, the reservations we have are - Narccoossee for dinner, Le Cellier for lunch, Rose and Crown for Dinner, Tony's Restaurant for lunch, Chef Mickey's for Character Breakfast and we will most likely squeeze in Teppan Edo. I've never had the dining plan before, so I'm really excited to do it - especially since it is free!

[Amy]

Being the nerd that I am, my favorite pre trip planning activity is making my spreadsheet. lol I put every day and list the times that the park is open, including Extra Magic Hours. It really helps to have a plan put together beforehand instead of everyone standing around in the morning saying - "hmmm where should we go." My family expects this of me, so they know I will have everything figured out! Plus, this year we got the free dining, so I was even more apt to figure out where we would be on what days and make reservations for those days. So far, the reservations we have are - Narccoossee for dinner, Le Cellier for lunch, Rose and Crown for Dinner, Tony's Restaurant for lunch, Chef Mickey's for Character Breakfast and we will most likely squeeze in Teppan Edo. I've never had the dining plan before, so I'm really excited to do it - especially since it is free!

Wow - what a great chance for you to try all those various restaurants! Are some new to you or are they all old favorites?

[TikiTikiRoom]

Just wanted to post an update on my upcoming trip. My mom booked reservations at Le Cellier for dinner, never been but I've heard excellent things. Another reservation was made at the Coral Reef restaurant. This one got me a little worried, as I've heard really mixed things about it. Anyone been? Any positive experiences? We've also decided to make dining plans around the Fantasmic show, and apparently we have three options: The Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine and that Mama Something-or-other place. I remember eating at the Brown Derby and not really enjoying it....but then again that was probably 5+ years ago. Any recommendations on those? I'm also open for recommendations as far as other restaurants go. No reservations at the Japan pavilion this year, as we've eaten there every year haha, so I guess we're tryin something new.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I've eaten at Boma at the AKL before, and really enjoyed it. I may give that suggestion to my mom. She likes my input, considering I'm the oldest sibling. Hah ;D

[Amy]

Just wanted to post an update on my upcoming trip. My mom booked reservations at Le Cellier for dinner, never been but I've heard excellent things. Another reservation was made at the Coral Reef restaurant. This one got me a little worried, as I've heard really mixed things about it. Anyone been? Any positive experiences? We've also decided to make dining plans around the Fantasmic show, and apparently we have three options: The Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine and that Mama Something-or-other place. I remember eating at the Brown Derby and not really enjoying it....but then again that was probably 5+ years ago. Any recommendations on those? I'm also open for recommendations as far as other restaurants go. No reservations at the Japan pavilion this year, as we've eaten there every year haha, so I guess we're tryin something new.

We really enjoy Via Napoli, but it can be a bit pricey if you don't share a pizza or something. Out of the other choices we've only ever eaten at Mama Melrose's. It was a long time ago, but I don't remember liking it very well...

[TikiTikiRoom]

Hmmm, looking over the menus and reviews, I think it's safe to say I'd be willing to try the Brown Derby again. Everything deserves a second chance.

[Amy]

Hmmm, looking over the menus and reviews, I think it's safe to say I'd be willing to try the Brown Derby again. Everything deserves a second chance.

I've always wanted to try that restaurant, but we're not the make reservations in advance sort of people. Too much responsibility to be somewhere at a specific time while we're on vacation

[TikiTikiRoom]

hmm....it seems my mom is against trying the BD again. Fair enough. However both the Hollywood and Vine, and Mama Melrose have both received very "mediocre" reviews. I'm stuck.

[Amy]

hmm....it seems my mom is against trying the BD again. Fair enough. However both the Hollywood and Vine, and Mama Melrose have both received very "mediocre" reviews. I'm stuck.

Wow, your last dinner at the Brown Derby must have been pretty bad. You might be better off picking a restaurant you want to eat at for dinner and then showing up a little earlier for Fantasmic and getting your own seat. I didn't really see why the "priority" dinner seating was that great this past time. It is all the way at the far end of the stadium and is still first come, first served as far as whether you sit at the bottom, middle or top. I suppose it is good because you know you are guaranteed a seat somewhere without having to come very early...

[Belle1082]

Being the nerd that I am, my favorite pre trip planning activity is making my spreadsheet. lol I put every day and list the times that the park is open, including Extra Magic Hours. It really helps to have a plan put together beforehand instead of everyone standing around in the morning saying - "hmmm where should we go." My family expects this of me, so they know I will have everything figured out! Plus, this year we got the free dining, so I was even more apt to figure out where we would be on what days and make reservations for those days. So far, the reservations we have are - Narccoossee for dinner, Le Cellier for lunch, Rose and Crown for Dinner, Tony's Restaurant for lunch, Chef Mickey's for Character Breakfast and we will most likely squeeze in Teppan Edo. I've never had the dining plan before, so I'm really excited to do it - especially since it is free!

Wow - what a great chance for you to try all those various restaurants! Are some new to you or are they all old favorites?

Most of those restaurants will be new to us. This is the first time we've ever used the dining plan (only because we are getting it for free), so we've been trying to make more of an effort of making reservations ahead of time. Never been to Narccoossee - very excited for that BTW - does anyone know if you can order ANYTHING on the menu for that one? I know it is two points and we really want to order the lobster but want to make sure we can and that there isn't some extra charge for that. Never been to Le Cellier and of course have heard nothing but great reviews. Been to Rose and Crown to sit in the bar but never the main dining area. Never been to Chef Mickey's specifically for the character breakfast. LOVE teppan edo. Been several times.
Needless to say - i cannot stop talking about our trip and can't wait! Just 34 more days!!!

[TikiTikiRoom]

The Rose and Crown sounds amazing, by the way. I love a good pub.