March 1st brought so many wonderful things with it - the final weeks of travel hockey for my 9-year-old, the kick off to my birthday month, and an email from my MousePros agent reminding me that in a few short weeks, she will be scheduling our Advanced Dining Reservations!
This is such an exciting step in the Disney vacation planning process. It's the first big milestone after putting down that initial $200 deposit. Advanced Dining Reservations, or ADRs, can be scheduled at 180 days prior to check in for Walt Disney World® and 60 days in advance for Disneyland®. ADRs are required for all Table Service and Signature Dining restaurants across Walt Disney World® and at select restaurants in Disneyland®.
We've been talking about which restaurants we want to try on this trip since our last trip in April 2017, but it's still an overwhelming process. To start, I sat down with my family and asked them to tell me which restaurants they most want to try this trip. Our list includes Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom for dinner, San Angel Inn Restaurante in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase for lunch or dinner, Teppan Edo in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase for lunch or dinner, Chef Mickey's in Disney's Contemporary Resort, and Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno on Disney's Boardwalk.
It's an ambitious list, especially for a family who prefers Quick Service to stopping for too long to eat (mobile ordering is totally going to be our jam this trip). Still, there are some advantages to some of these meals that are worth considering when making our plans. For example, both Chef Mickey's and Trattoria al Forno offer the opportunity to meet characters both rare and popular, though you're paying the price to not stand in line for 45 minutes to meet Mickey Mouse. I'd argue that if you have a little one that loves Mickey and the Fab Five, that price is totally worth it.
My 9-year-old is the one who asked to eat at Be Our Guest for dinner. He loved our breakfast experience there and has been dying to go back. However, there was a recent announcement that Be Our Guest dinner is changing to a prix fixe, 3-course menu, and for my picky family, this may not be the best fit. I might have to book this one for lunch and dinner, and then decide which ADR to keep once we see the prix fixe menu.
Both of my kids have been asking to eat at San Angel Inn Restaurante in Epcot's World Showcase. This restaurant is inside the centerpiece of the Mexico Pavilion - a replica pyramid that looks like a festive Mexican village at night once you step inside. They were both mesmerized by the scenery and the music. I'm not going to lie - I have been dying to eat here, too, for the same reason.
Teppan Edo in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot is also on our list because of the scenery. My husband and I have wanted to eat there for a couple of years, but in reviewing the menu on the My Disney Experience app, I'm not sure it's the best choice for my picky kids. Though I've never put it to the test myself, I know Walt Disney World restaurants are very accommodating when it comes to family with special dietary needs, including when your kids are simply picky eaters, so if this one ends up making the cut, I may have to talk to a Cast Member about other options.
Next on my planning list is going to be reviewing the daily schedules for the parks and trying to figure out which day we want to be in which park based on Extra Magic Hours so that we can make the final ADR plan. I don't want to book Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday if the best day to be in that park is Monday! Once I figure out the days and finalize our restaurant selections, I am going to use the My Disney Experience app to review the menus and prices for the food and beverages we are likely to choose, add them up, and with my MousePros agent's help, determine if we should add on the 2018 Dining Plan. More to come on that as I figure it out.
It sounds like a lot to figure out, doesn't it? I can speak from experience that it is, and it is one of the many, many reasons I am so happy I decided to book my family's vacation with a MousePros agent! Over the last couple of years, she has given us restaurant recommendations based on her personal experience and that of her client's, she has helped us figure out the best days for each choice, and best of all, she is up at 6 am on that 180 day mark to make the reservations for us through our My Disney Experience account.
Take advantage of the MousePros agents' experience and knowledge by requesting a free, no obligation quote on your next Disney vacation. And when you're still sleeping on the 180-day mark, you can thank your agent for handling your ADRs and letting you get a couple more hours of rest!