We've planned a last-minute trip to Disney the first week of February, and now I'm freaking over the ADRs! We have four days and five nights.

Right after we booked our room, I booked Victoria and Albert for one of the evenings, but that leaves the rest of our trip. I'm about to call to see what's open, but I'm wondering if anyone has strategies for this situation. We're pretty flexible and we're staying on site with two preschoolers.

Also, character breakfasts: I know my kids would love them, but do they eat into precious time in the park?

We are pretty into food, so I'm hoping we can eat well even though we're late in the game.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

You may have to eat 'off' hours, which with preschoolers is NOT the preferred option! Otherwise, you're probably going to eat at more 'obscure' restaurants - which is not to say they are bad restaurants - just not the 'normal' stuff.

I'd recommend Marakesh in Epcot as one that has good food that probably isn't booked solid. Yak & Yeti might be good too, but since that's in a park that closes relatively early, there aren't many openings for dinner. That's just to name 2 parks.

BUT that does bring up another thing. Are you flexible with eating your bigger meal for lunch? What about a late lunch and then a 'snack' for dinner?

And don't forget to plan around naps!

The first week in February tends to be very slow, and you should really not have any problems.

To update, here's what I was able to snag:

Le Cellier for lunch on our second day
50s Prime Time Cafe for lunch on third day (wanted the Sci-Fi Dine-In, but it was full)
Chef Mickey's for dinner on third day

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have V&A for the fourth night.

We're not going to the parks on our first day, so I tried to get the Luau or 1900 Park Fare for that night, but both were full. The reservations agent suggested Whispering Canyon Cafe when I told her I was looking for something fun for the kids, so I took that.

Should I drop any of these? I thought I'd try again for the luau right before we leave to see if there are cancellations. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks again!

I've never been there, but does Gulliver's Grill at the Swan still have character dining for dinner? According to AllEarsNet (http://allearsnet.com/din/chglance.htm) (scroll to bottom), Timon & Rafiki are there on Monday and Friday, and Goofy & Pluto are there all other nights. Is Gulliver's Grill even still there?

To update, here's what I was able to snag:

Le Cellier for lunch on our second day
50s Prime Time Cafe for lunch on third day (wanted the Sci-Fi Dine-In, but it was full)
Chef Mickey's for dinner on third day

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have V&A for the fourth night.

We're not going to the parks on our first day, so I tried to get the Luau or 1900 Park Fare for that night, but both were full. The reservations agent suggested Whispering Canyon Cafe when I told her I was looking for something fun for the kids, so I took that.

Should I drop any of these? I thought I'd try again for the luau right before we leave to see if there are cancellations. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks again!

Your plans sound wonderful. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a lot of fun for kids, and, if you are willing to be the center of attention, ask for ketchup and see what happens. Also, taking the boat to/from the Wilderness Lodge is fun in and of itself. The 50's Prime Time cafe is really fun too, and good food. Keep all the ressies.

Whispering canyon is one I have never heard of.....anyone have anymore infor on that?

From what I read and what the reservations staffer told me, it's a BBQ restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge that has a very interactive staff. She said they do a lot with the kids during the meal ... games, songs, etc. If anybody's been and can share more, that would be great!

Didn't know about the boat to the Lodge. Thanks for that tidbit!

If you can't get the luau, how about Ohana's. Has the same tropical food. Fun activities for the kids. The food is great.

Whispering canyon is one I have never heard of.....anyone have anymore infor on that?

If you want to see the menu for this restaurant, as well as all others, you can find them at www.allearsnet.com. This site also has a lot of information, and reviews of restaurants. This is a fun, kid-friendly restaurant. The kids are invited to get up and do little races and things in the restaurant. There is interaction with the servers, and certain "key questions" which will get quite a response, specifically asking for ketchup, a straw, a drink refill, or where to buy gum (nowhere in WDW, BTW). There may be others, but I don't recall. If you want to get in the spirit, and don't mind being the center of attention, ask the server a key question. The food is plentiful and good. We had dinner with family members while staying there, and we were so stuffed a couple of us took dessert to go. In short, if you want a quiet dining experience, don't go there, but it's a really good choice for kids. To get there, drive to the Wilderness Lodge, or take the boat from the dock right outside the Magic Kingdom. The boat ride is, in and of itself, a lot of fun.

If you want to see the menu for this restaurant, as well as all others, you can find them at www.allearsnet.com. This site also has a lot of information, and reviews of restaurants. This is a fun, kid-friendly restaurant. The kids are invited to get up and do little races and things in the restaurant. There is interaction with the servers, and certain "key questions" which will get quite a response, specifically asking for ketchup, a straw, a drink refill, or where to buy gum (nowhere in WDW, BTW). There may be others, but I don't recall. If you want to get in the spirit, and don't mind being the center of attention, ask the server a key question. The food is plentiful and good. We had dinner with family members while staying there, and we were so stuffed a couple of us took dessert to go. In short, if you want a quiet dining experience, don't go there, but it's a really good choice for kids. To get there, drive to the Wilderness Lodge, or take the boat from the dock right outside the Magic Kingdom. The boat ride is, in and of itself, a lot of fun.

Hmmm...I may have to check it out.

And, thanks for the link:) I think that is the one that I used to plan my other meals and it was very helpful.

I noticed you booked V&A. Are you planning to bring the kids? I read that V&A doesn't allow kids under 10 any longer.

No, we're getting a sitter for that night!

I never would have dreamed of bringing my children to V&A, even without the ban. I've eaten there once before, and based on that experience, I don't think they would have lasted for even a fraction of the meal. Also, my older son hates any attempt to make his food interesting. :)