Dining Plans

[Courtnie1811]

I'm new to Disney trips and I am doing the vacation package. Right now i am reading reviews and looking at different restaurants to see which dining plan would be best. I know the dining plan deluxe would be alot of food but i have noticed that some of the table service meals counts as two and I also like that i can use these meals for both counter or table service. It is just going to be my daughter that is going to be 4 and a friend of mine. We are staying at the contemporary resort in the Bay Lake Tower. Can anyone help me with this? Also what are the best places to go to for a first timer.

 

[ShookieJones]

Hi Courtnie, there are few things that go into giving an opinion on this, the first being that TS meals take a huge hunk out of your day. If you're going for a long trip and have time to burn, then by all means get the DDP and enjoy table service meals -- there really are some amazing restaraunts all over WDW.

However if it's a short trip and your trying to maximize your park time, it might be better to be the regular plan with a Counter and Table service per day.

i know you want to do some the signature dining, but unless you're going to do a whole slew of them, it might be in your best interest to just pay for one out of pocket?

As far as great places to eat:

Ohana - That's one of the most popular restaraunts on property and to me there's no place more "Disney"!
Garden Grill - Great Character dinner!
Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace - Great Character Breakfasts
California Grill - My favorite Signature meal on property.
Whispering Canyon - Loud and Rambucious but every WDW fan should experience this place at least once (get the skillet and ask for ketchup!)


Just some thoughts!

 

[dopeylover]

Unless you are planning on going to a LOT of the top tier restaurants (which I would assume probably not w/ a 4 yr. old, but I could be wrong), I don't think you'll need the Deluxe plan. We typically get dining (FREE or otherwise), and I think it's a great deal. For breakfast, we either use the snack to get a pastry in EPCOT to MK, and if not, we get coffee in the room, and either buy cereal and/or toast, pastries, etc. ahead or in the lobby and eat in the room while we're getting ready. Usually we're too excited to go to sit down for a breakfast, unless we do a character.

You'll get a LOT of opinions on the best places, I'm sure! I will just tell you mine:

Magic Kingdom- Crystal Palace character breakfast/dinner
-honestly, in MK, if we don't do a character meal, we usually just do 2 quick service meals and save a sit down dining for EPCOT, although we do love Liberty Tree Tavern as well.

EPCOT-
There are a lot for me. Chefs de France, anything in 'The Land', San Angel Inn is good, and the atomosphere is wonderful! I really like EPCOT best in terms of food!

Hollywood Studios-

50's Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood Derby, and Sci Fi are my tops

Animal Kingdom, I honestly have never done a sit down meal there, but Flame Tree BBQ is a welcome change from some of the other Quick Service options, and it's DELISH! I don't bother w/ the Rainforest Cafe b/c we have one not too far from our home, and I don't think it's that great.

As for Downtown Disney....Wolfgang Puck has a fancy sit down, and a quick service. We did the Quick Service, and honest to god, aside from standing in line to order your food, there wasn't too much of a difference from the sit down! It had a similar menu, waiters delivered the food, it was DELICIOUS, and it was a great bang for your buck!

Depending on when you're going, some of the new Fantasyland restaurants may be open, and they would definitely be worth checking out! Hope this helps, have a great time!!!

 

[Courtnie1811]

Thanks you guys. I'm not really looking to go to any swanky places.....I just know there are places that cost double on the dining plan so i though i might need to do the DDP. We are gonna be there 7 days....I'm reading over reviews of the places yall have suggested. Thanks!

 

[Witchy Chick]

I'm new to Disney trips and I am doing the vacation package. Right now i am reading reviews and looking at different restaurants to see which dining plan would be best. I know the dining plan deluxe would be alot of food but i have noticed that some of the table service meals counts as two and I also like that i can use these meals for both counter or table service. It is just going to be my daughter that is going to be 4 and a friend of mine. We are staying at the contemporary resort in the Bay Lake Tower. Can anyone help me with this? Also what are the best places to go to for a first timer.

Having an (almost) 4-year-old daughter myself, I thought I would mention the Princess Breakfast at Akershus (Epcot). We're scheduled for that for our first breakfast (second day of our trip). It is one TS dining credit vs. two TS credits at Cinderella's Royal Table. I included the Disney website link to Akershus if you want to check it out.


Witchy

 

[MITCH 112198]

We alsways get the table service dining plan that has 1 table 1 counter, and 1 snack per day and only go to table services that count as 1 credit never 2, unless we go to the Hoop Dee do

 

[Courtnie1811]

Well. I know she wants to do the cinderella's royal table breakfast. And there are a few other character meals that we want to take her to. This is her first time and its her birthday.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Hi Courtnie, there are few things that go into giving an opinion on this, the first being that TS meals take a huge hunk out of your day. If you're going for a long trip and have time to burn, then by all means get the DDP and enjoy table service meals -- there really are some amazing restaraunts all over WDW.

However if it's a short trip and your trying to maximize your park time, it might be better to be the regular plan with a Counter and Table service per day.

i know you want to do some the signature dining, but unless you're going to do a whole slew of them, it might be in your best interest to just pay for one out of pocket?

As far as great places to eat:

Ohana - That's one of the most popular restaraunts on property and to me there's no place more "Disney"!
Garden Grill - Great Character dinner!
Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace - Great Character Breakfasts
California Grill - My favorite Signature meal on property.
Whispering Canyon - Loud and Rambucious but every WDW fan should experience this place at least once (get the skillet and ask for ketchup!)


Just some thoughts!

This ^^^ There are so many options, even for 1 credit meals. Some of the 2 credit restaurants (Narcoossee's, California Grill, Fulton's Crab House to name a few) are outstanding, and with a 4 year old, you may do one of them, however, it's ALOT of food. The regular dining plan, 1 table service, 1 counter service and a snack, alone is a lot of food. (Snack credits aren't just cookies at Disney ) I HIGHLY recommend Ohana, Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace for your 4 year old. (Ohana is character breakfast and Chef Mickey is character breakfast or dinner) Also welcome to the boards!!!

 

[lilclerk]

Well. I know she wants to do the cinderella's royal table breakfast. And there are a few other character meals that we want to take her to. This is her first time and its her birthday.

Do you mind if I ask when you're going? A lot of the character meals (especially this one!) book up months in advance. So I would say before you add on a dining plan, make sure you can get the reservations you want!

 

[Courtnie1811]

I was planning on going next March but I realized that its a whole lot cheaper to go in September.

 

[Pepe195]

It's also usually alot quieter in September too!
I agree with Witchy Chick, Akershus is a lovely place to eat, dinner is really good too!
Ohana's is always a fun place to eat at, and if you find your self waiting for your table you can always go downstairs and see if the lady is making Leis' in the lobby

The one thing i'd emphasise to you being a first timer 'n all is, since your little girl is only 4, she's gunna want all the autographs and photos, so instead of spending your time in the parks queuing for photos etc let the characters come to you; at meal times, you can spend a very decent amount of time with the characters even at meal times so don't feel pressured to let them skip on quick! Anyway there's plenty of time in the future to have non-character meals!

 

[dreamfinder]

Thanks you guys. I'm not really looking to go to any swanky places.....I just know there are places that cost double on the dining plan so i though i might need to do the DDP. We are gonna be there 7 days....I'm reading over reviews of the places yall have suggested. Thanks!

Regarding choosing a dining plan, do the math. As you are looking over menus, look at what you think you might order, and what is included with the dining plans. If you don't normally eat an app, entree and dessert at each meal, then the deluxe plan might be overkill. Cinderella may not be worth using 2 TS credits on, so you may do better to pay for that OOP. You would need to see what the actual costs are for your trip. There is no need to do the dining plan if you don't feel it works out in your favor.

 

[UPbeekeeper]

Courtnie, I found this site http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm
to be the most helpful when I was trying to determine whether or not I wanted to do the DDP and also where I wanted to plan to eat. You can look up what is served in all of the restaurants and get an idea of prices. Everyone can recommend what THEY absolutely love, but their tastes and your tastes may differ. By doing this, you can also determine if the DDP would work for you, in terms of saving money. I actually went through the menus, found places that had something everyone in my family would eat, then did the math to see if the DDP would save money in the long run. For some though, the DDP isn't about saving money, but the convenience of knowing all your meals are paid for in advance. Have fun with your planning!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I was planning on going next March but I realized that its a whole lot cheaper to go in September.

Sept, Oct or Nov is such a perfect time to go, in my opinion. The MNSSHP is wonderful, and such a great memory. Historically, Disney offers discounts during selected times in the fall too. Definately something to consider.

 

[bethymouse]

This September 2012? or September 2013? If this September, then you'll have a hard time getting the places you want. If Sept. 2013, then book your dining reservations March 2013 as soon as your 180 days mark comes! I usually call rather than use the computer.
If staying at Bay Lake Tower, then you'll want to eat at Chef Mickey's either breakfast or dinner. The Wave is OK. Grand Floridian has GF Cafe and 1900 Park Fare either breakfast or dinner or both (different characters).
Polynesian has Kona Cafe, 'Ohana (difficult to get), but the all you can eat family style dinner is wonderful and the character breakfast is nice ( all you can eat family style- not buffet).
Magic Kingdom has Crystal Palace (buffet w/ Pooh Bear and friends).
EPCOT has the princess dining in Norway ( as mentioned before): it is not as elaborate as Cinderella's Royal Table, but it's only 1 table service credit. Also- The Garden Grill in The Land at Epcot is nice( character dinner w/ chip n dale, mickey, etc... revolving restaurant: can see parts of The Land boat ride).
* Don't forget to save $$$ for BibbidiBobbidiBoutique since it's her birthday!
AK- has Rain Forest Cafe. Breakfast character meal at Tusker House is great!
DHS has Hollywood& Vine Play n Dine w/ the characters from Disney Jr.

Personally, we always get the dining plan. It gives you peace of mind that you don't have to worry about the cost, necessarily. I mean I always try for the "free dining". We also opt out of one of our table service meals one evening, so that we can eat at a signature restaurant or show ( we drive 14 hours, so we arrive and just eat a quick service meal, grab a snack).

Good luck and have a happy vacation!

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Well. I know she wants to do the cinderella's royal table breakfast. And there are a few other character meals that we want to take her to. This is her first time and its her birthday.

Being there 7 days, I would suggest Akershus for a PRINCESS breakfast.....and while in Epcot give San Angel a try.

 

[luv]

Be sure to do the math. You might be surprised to find that the free dining isn't really free. You might save money by not buying any kind of dining package.

My favorites...

Breakfast - Rainforest Cafe, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's

Lunch - The Plaza, Mexico, 50s Prime Time, T-Rex

Dinner - Restauarant Marrakesh, Chefs de France, Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern

...but I think everyone should go wherever they feel like going. Follow your bliss and you can't go wrong (unless your bliss leads you to Tony's, lol)

 

[DisneyJunkie]

My wife and I always do the 'regular' dining plan because while we like the quick service, sometimes you just need to try one of the nicer restaurants (particular if your trip plan is made when Free Dining is added). Usually, we get the dining plan, whether it's offered free as part of a vacation package, or we throw it in if our vacation has another discount on it. Contrary to another's opinion, a TS meal does NOT necessarily take a big chunk out of your day. Some places are rather quick to get in and out of (provided you get there just before or at your ADR time) and some good planning on your part (like already being in the park where your TS ADR is located for a while before your meal) makes things easier. You'll get a good amount of food whether you get your own meal or share.

Best places:

TS (table service) - 'Ohana, Coral Reef, Crystal Palace (breakfast buffet), Biergarten (lunch/dinner buffet), San Angel Inn

Quick Service - Cosmic Ray's, Pizzafari, Pecos Bill's, Electric Umbrella, Roaring Forks (at Wilderness Lodge)

NOT too good:

Chef Mickey's (food is just ok, you can get the same breakfast buffet items in other places, but this restaurant is very popular with the kids and is extremely noisy)

1900 Park Fare (we found it quite disappointing.....took forever for the characters to come around and we didn't care for most of the offerings on the dinner buffet)

 

[kbelle]

Last year was the 1st year I purchased any kind of dining plan. We only did it as part of a special promotion. We got the quick service plan that included 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks. It also included 2 refillable mugs at our resort (which would have cost $30 out of pocket).

What I liked about this plan was that I didn't have to pull my wallet out to buy any food. We tried different entrees because we didn't have to worry about cost.

I talked to others that had the table service meals and it seemed they spent their whole day trying to get reservations. Table service also takes a lot of time, and its really hard to know what time of the day your group is going to want to eat.

The quick service plan was perfect for us. It gave us the flexibility to eat when we wanted. We spent 10 days at the park and wound up eating most of our meals at Epcot. The new Japanese place was great! Even a 12 year old agreed!

We had a lot of extra un-used snacks. At the end of our trip we got lots of goodies on Main street and brought them home to share with our friends.

We are going back again this year. There is no special promotion. The dining plan will cost us about $75 a day for a family of 2. I am not sure we will eat $75 a day in food. I think we can do better on our own with some planning.

 

[ishmael0316]

I love character meals, and just could not get into dinner at Chef Mickeys. It was so noisy and there were buckets everywhere catching dripping water. I would not do it again. Just had a family come back from their vacation and their only dining complaint was Chef Mickey's. I understand that people love to see those characters, but the food has got to get better and place needs some redoing to get me back.