My reservations...thoughts??

[BenjiLives]

My best friend and I are heading down to Disney in early June and I keep making reservations, cancelling them and likewise making new ones because that's just how I roll apparently.
So far I'm not on the dining plan because I don't think I want to spend such a large amount of money on a vague amount of food that I may or may not eat

Tell me your recommendations or thoughts cause clearly I can't create my own
Day 1: Breakfast at Crystal Palace
Dinner at Chef Art Smiths Homecomin'
Last time I was ever in the Magic Kingdom when I was a kid, which was like a millennium ago we ate at the Crystal Palace so I thought it'd be neat to go there my first time back even though I'm not crazy about character dining, adorable as it may be. Homecomin' just looks awesome and those moonshine drinks look different.
Day 2: Nothing. Yay for my wallet.
Day 3: Dinner at Monsieur Paul
It was either Le Cellier or here.
Day 4: Lunch at 50's Prime Time
Dinner at Shula's Steak House
I'm most skeptical about Shula's. It looks like a fantastic, mature restaurant (which is a nice change of pace considering I changed our hotel to Art of Animation) but oh my god it looks so expensive it hurts.
Day 5: Squat. Though I may want to go to a bar or lounge of sorts if anyone has any ideas

That's it. I'm just skeptical considering this trip is a big thing for me financially speaking and knowing me I probably won't go back for another 13 or 14 years. I also hear people get crazy competitive for reservations which makes me paranoid to switch things around.

 

[Figgy1]

If you're on a budget skip the sit down in EPCOT and eat a meal at SS and snack around the world. More fun and cheaper. Breakfast at CP is a bit pricey but worth it for the view of the castle and being able to skip your next meal. Cheaper but fun skip Shula's and eat at the Fountain(not fancy at all but an excellent desert selection) as far as eating at a lounge go to the one at Sanaa and get the bread service and apps.

 

[Amos1784]

If you are on a budget you are picking some heavy hitters

Just some suggestions I would make that I think you could have the same experiences but for less money

Kona Cafe instead of Crystal Palace
Biergarten instead of Monsieur Paul (yes still expensive but you get a show, more food, and will still be cheaper than Monsieur)
Second choice for Epcot I would pick Via Napoli or just get the Fish and Chips outside Rose and Crown.
Boathouse instead of Shulas, you can get the filet sliders on the menu for around 14$ and they do not dissapoint

Obviously all preference but since you asked for suggestions I thought I would pass along.
Lounges I would recommend: Territory Lounge (Wilderness Lounge), Tambu Lounge (Polynesian), Trader Sam's if you are looking for a unique, not going to get anywhere but Disney experience.

Hope you have a blast!

 

[larandtra]

My best friend and I are heading down to Disney in early June and I keep making reservations, cancelling them and likewise making new ones because that's just how I roll apparently.
So far I'm not on the dining plan because I don't think I want to spend such a large amount of money on a vague amount of food that I may or may not eat

Tell me your recommendations or thoughts cause clearly I can't create my own
Day 1: Breakfast at Crystal Palace
Dinner at Chef Art Smiths Homecomin'
Last time I was ever in the Magic Kingdom when I was a kid, which was like a millennium ago we ate at the Crystal Palace so I thought it'd be neat to go there my first time back even though I'm not crazy about character dining, adorable as it may be. Homecomin' just looks awesome and those moonshine drinks look different.
Day 2: Nothing. Yay for my wallet.
Day 3: Dinner at Monsieur Paul
It was either Le Cellier or here.
Day 4: Lunch at 50's Prime Time
Dinner at Shula's Steak House
I'm most skeptical about Shula's. It looks like a fantastic, mature restaurant (which is a nice change of pace considering I changed our hotel to Art of Animation) but oh my god it looks so expensive it hurts.
Day 5: Squat. Though I may want to go to a bar or lounge of sorts if anyone has any ideas

That's it. I'm just skeptical considering this trip is a big thing for me financially speaking and knowing me I probably won't go back for another 13 or 14 years. I also hear people get crazy competitive for reservations which makes me paranoid to switch things around.

From a budget perspective there are lots of ways to go:
Staying within your budget..Crystal Palace for the memory of it is not a bad idea, but, if you want cheaper, quieter, with better food I would suggest Kona or Grand Floridian Cafe.
Homecomin wont disappoint.

I would skip Monsieur Pauls..Maybe my least favorite high priced meal on property. As others have said, Via Napoli, La Hacienda, Rose & Crown wont set you back as much money but will provide a really good meal.

Not a huge fan of 50s but it isnt the worst choice at Studios. Since I rarely do a lunch/Dinner sit down combo at WDW, I may go to the Primetime lounge or HBD lounge for a drink and light lunch/App and I would skip Shulas and either go to Yachtsman, Jiko, or as someone mentioned Boathouse. If you want to pay a bit less and be somewhat daring try Boma or Sanaa.

Best lounges are easy..Sams, Geyser Point, Hole in the wall, or Jock Lindseys. The Edison will be open soon as well and the Porch bar at House of Blues is cool.

 

[JusticeDisney]

My best friend and I are heading down to Disney in early June and I keep making reservations, cancelling them and likewise making new ones because that's just how I roll apparently.
So far I'm not on the dining plan because I don't think I want to spend such a large amount of money on a vague amount of food that I may or may not eat

Tell me your recommendations or thoughts cause clearly I can't create my own
Day 1: Breakfast at Crystal Palace
Dinner at Chef Art Smiths Homecomin'
Last time I was ever in the Magic Kingdom when I was a kid, which was like a millennium ago we ate at the Crystal Palace so I thought it'd be neat to go there my first time back even though I'm not crazy about character dining, adorable as it may be. Homecomin' just looks awesome and those moonshine drinks look different.
Day 2: Nothing. Yay for my wallet.
Day 3: Dinner at Monsieur Paul
It was either Le Cellier or here.
Day 4: Lunch at 50's Prime Time
Dinner at Shula's Steak House
I'm most skeptical about Shula's. It looks like a fantastic, mature restaurant (which is a nice change of pace considering I changed our hotel to Art of Animation) but oh my god it looks so expensive it hurts.
Day 5: Squat. Though I may want to go to a bar or lounge of sorts if anyone has any ideas

That's it. I'm just skeptical considering this trip is a big thing for me financially speaking and knowing me I probably won't go back for another 13 or 14 years. I also hear people get crazy competitive for reservations which makes me paranoid to switch things around.

Shula’s will indeed crush your wallet. And it will be worth every freaking penny!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I like all of it...

Really like homecoming...been to the majority of the new places and that's by far my #1 so far...

Do you like brown derby? Because I would recommend the outdoor bar/menu for a nice taste that is inexpensive...better option than prime time or sci fi in my book...

 

[imahistorygeek]

I second the brown derby lounge. We were also impressed with the small food offerings at baseline tap house. It's just a large pretzel (excellent flavor and texture), meat and cheese olate, and almonds. You can def share and have a good sized meal.

 

[BASS]

This is purely a matter of taste, but if you're going to break the bank, go to Bluezoo instead of Shula's. (It's in the same hotel.) Shula's is a steak restaurant. I don't know where you live, but you can probably find a good steak back home. IMO, when you travel you should always try and find some local fare. Bluezoo is seafood-centric and tends to do a really good job of highlighting local fish, produce, meat, vegetables, etc.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is purely a matter of taste, but if you're going to break the bank, go to Bluezoo instead of Shula's. (It's in the same hotel.) Shula's is a steak restaurant. I don't know where you live, but you can probably find a good steak back home. IMO, when you travel you should always try and find some local fare. Bluezoo is seafood-centric and tends to do a really good job of highlighting local fish, produce, meat, vegetables, etc.

I agree...

Anything a tad different is a welcome to me due to disney run restaurants repetitious menus and assault on your internal organs with salt...

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some Disney food in measured quantities...but it's nice to have the outside vendors there that don't put blanket pricing and ingredient restrictions on a fleet of sitdowns...

Like 5 buffets in a week? Can't do it...