Dining Plan Advice and Kids - First Time

[docnabox]

Hi everyone:

I have just finished booking a package at the Art of Animation Resort for my nurse, her husband and four children ages 14, 13, 6, and 5. This is her Christmas present. I have been to WDW many, many, MANY times myself both as a young child when it first opened and almost yearly since then. I think my last tally was about 60 times. BUT... as a adult, I have never been to WDW with kids and usually stay at the Poly without using the dining plan as I find I get a much better value with a room discount for us.

Anyway, this is her first trip and I am pretty much going to plan the whole thing out for her because she is a newbie. Since I have never used the Dining Plan on my trips, I am not sure how to make the most of it. Also, since I never travel with kids, I would like to hear some suggestions and advice from everyone on where they think the kids would have the best time. I have eaten most places myself but wanted to hear from those of you with kids on what they thought was special since I lack that perspective. Obviously, a character meal is mandatory. I think she has three girls and the 6 year old is a boy. She liked the idea of Cinderella's Royal Table so we will see if I can get that. I have been to most of the character meals and am usually unimpressed with food but I am pretty sure this family is not going to be looking for haute cuisine and the experience will be more important. I also plan on Sci-Fi at the Studios and am probably thinking Whispering Canyon for the day they go to Animal Kingdom during the day and MVMCP at night. Epcot is up in the air. they will be there for 5 nights.

Those are just some quick thoughts but anything anyone has to contribute, both about the dining plan and also about specific restaurants and experiences would be great. We got the upgraded plan as well so she will have counter service meals too and suggestions there would be great as well. I think Be Our Guest might be good for that during a day. I want to make the most of what I have paid for this for them and want it to be as special as it can be.

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Keeping the kids in mind I would recommend the following:

MK - Cosmic Rays for counter service.
Epcot - Tepon Edo for table service.
Contemporary- Chef Mickeys

 

[sgtmgd]

I would recommend the 1900 park fare character meal..the step sisters are hilarious and its the only place too see them on most days...(I believe anyway)..cape may breakfast buffet is also a great character event. Lots of Epcot choices..id see what "ethnicity" they like food wise and go from there.

 

[minnielaw]

First of all, what an AWESOME gift!! That is incredibly generous and so sweet of you to plan the entire trip for her!

I took my children on their first visit to WDW when they were 7 and 9. My boys enjoyed the one character meal that we planned (at the old Restaurantasaurus in AK) but they were good with only one. Their favorite experiences were Coral Reef with a tankside booth, Cape May Cafe dinner and Boma buffet. I would also suggest Via Napoli (who doesn't love pizza?) and Rose & Crown for a late dinner and Illuminations viewing.

Good luck planning and let us know how it goes!

 

[littleroo]

Ya what a great boss!! I think Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Rainforest Cafe (only for atmosphere), T-Rex (must do with kids) and the Ohana, always the Ohana for breakfast and dinner.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Princess meal is a tough call on DDP. I don't think CRT is a good use of credits on the regular DDP...i.e. when you factor in the price per dining credit vs the price of CRT, I feel that CRT is better OOP unless doing the deluxe plan. Akershus dinner on the flip side is a good deal for a DDP credit and we prefer the food and service; however, if these are first timer's the castle is always the way to go since the setting is so magical.

As for other character meals, while 1900 Park Fare breakfast is our fave, Crystal Palace breakfast pre-park opening is a MUST! Just something so magical about being in MK before it's officially opened. While we're trying it for the first time this trip, I think Garden Grill would be a good option for a non-princess character dinner.

As for other fun meals, I'd skip Rainforest since there are so many all over the country and most of the people I know who have done T-Rex have said the food is pretty mediocre and the dinosaurs can be scary. I know my friend's 7 and 5 yr olds were terrified and my girls are scared of Rainforest. Coral Reef is another fun one that you might be able to skip if you have any aquarium style restaurants locally. Beyond that...character meals aside, here are some that the kids may find fun...

1. 'Ohana dinner
2. Teppan Edo
3. Whispering Canyon
4. 50s Primetime
5. Raglan Road
6. Sci Fi
7. Biergarten
8. Sanaa
9. Beaches & Cream
10. Cali Grill timed w/fireworks

Something else...while my girls are pretty tiny and that probably factors into this, they usually can't finish more than half the food given to them. We often have our girls split food- especially for CS meals. This might be something to look at for the younger ones- and it would stretch your food credits a bit farther. SOme TS may charge for sharing though- however, we didn't enounter this the one time we did it last trip for TS. Our server at Cali Grill last trip recommended we only order for one b/c it was so much food. So, this may be something to consider for the younger kids...at least for counter service.

There are a variety of CS meals my kids enjoyed, but we really just try and focus on ones with good food. THere are places like Pizza Planet that we don't like the food, but love the atmosphere...so we pop in for a drink so the kids can at least play in there.

As for getting value from the plan...checking out the menus and prices on Allears will help. Doing all TS 1-credit dinners and ordering the most expensive entrees - then using a similar approach for CS for lunch - and a more pricey pastry style snack for breakfast (and getting drink in refillable mug) is often a good way to get the most for the $ on DDP, but it's also tough b/c what's most $$$ isn't always what you want to order.

Hope it helps- and what a nice gift!!!

 

[docnabox]

Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone. I appreciate every bit and many of the ideas will be very helpful.

Thanks for the compliments too. This is the fourth time I have done this for a member of my staff, so I guess I just have gotten used to doing it. We just typically don't use the dining plan so I was in new territory!

Thanks again!!