Planning vs. Over planning (dining)

[MRoth11]

Hello, we are headed to WDW with a 6yo and 2 1/2 yo. Both girls if it matters. I'm looking at dining plan options and want to make sure to get a good balance of ADRs and not planning the days down to the minute. We are planning to do deluxe dining plan, given that, how many TS meals would you plan/day? We will be there 5 days& 4 nights. We want to do CRT, chef Mickey and Askerhus for sure.

Note: we wouldn't actually do 3 TS/day but are considering 2/day. Is that crazy with the age of the girls?

 

[Schneewittchen]

I never do a dining plan, but my kids are a similar age to yours. Our last trip was in 2015, the boy was 5, the girl was 3. We usually do 2 days at MK and 1 at EPCOT. We try to aim for a sit down dinner to rest in AC for an hour or so. Generally, at MK we want lunch to be quick and flexible. The EPCOT pace is so slow that sometimes we do get lunch reservations, sometimes we wing it.

Our next trip is this March, and I already have a ton of ADR's. For dinner, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Akershus, and Artist Point. We only have one TS lunch ADR, Marrakesh.

In March 2015 we did table service for dinner every night (Bongo's, Crystal Palace, Akershus, Mickey's Backyard BBQ), generally quick service for lunch (Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio's Village Haus) and maybe Marrakesh TS for lunch too. Breakfast was either quick service in the park we were at or the table service buffet at our resort (Trail's End).

I think when the kids were 4 and 2 we did Bongo's, Crystal Palace, Marrakesh and Hoop Dee Doo Revue for table service. Lunch was Be Our Guest with fastpasses (weird trial thingy), San Angel Inn table service, Pinocchio's Village Haus.

So, no, it's not weird to have two or even three TS meals if you expect the day to have a slow pace.

 

[danyoung56]

While one TS meal in the evening is nice, two a day takes a lot of time out of your day. I'd stick with the one, and then do CS for lunch and maybe a quick bite in your room for breakfast.

 

[Figgy1]

While one TS meal in the evening is nice, two a day takes a lot of time out of your day. I'd stick with the one, and then do CS for lunch and maybe a quick bite in your room for breakfast.

^^^^This with kids that age! With the money you save you can do BBB and then some and save yourself a few headaches.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes, it is crazy with girls that age. You will spend significant time just sitting in restaurants when the kids will probably want to be doing attractions. Besides, unless you do lots of character meals the dining plan is not a money saver. It's also too much food for many people.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

This is just my opinion...remember that they're young kids who will be happy and overjoyed, and unfortunately possibly overstimulated and tired at times.
Having too many plans can lead to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. I just worry your trip won't be as enjoyable as you'd like it to be if you're rushing to ADRs the whole time, possibly with tired and annoyed kids.
If I were you, I'd look into the other meal plan options if you are decisive on going that route and plan a few that you'd think they'd like and leave it at that. Subbing those sit downs with quick service meals will add flexibility for time, options, and it'll be more relaxed.

 

[ekutchey]

We always do deluxe dining. Like you we usually only eat twice per dat which allows for some signature restaurants. Our must do signature restaurants are California Grill at Contemporary during Wishes (absolutely spectacular!), Artist Point at WL check out the mini donuts and kids dessert menu and Fultons Crab House at Disney Springs great fresh seafood and steaks. I could go on and on but several other restaurants that's we love but I will refine for doing so.

 

[zurgandfriend]

We usually leave a couple of days open with no ADRs and plan on QS or room service. One trip we have 1-2 ADRs every day and it was overwhelming it seemed like we were always going to a meal and not enjoying the parks.

 

[Swissmiss]

It all depends on you and how your family handles the overstimulation in the parks, etc. We always do at least lunch and dinner as table service meals and sometimes we do breakfast as well. The adults in our party need the time to recharge and while she'll never admit it, my child does well. We also like to take advantage of the different theming in the restaurants so we look at them as an attraction in their own right.

 

[DfromATX]

Yes, it is crazy with girls that age. You will spend significant time just sitting in restaurants when the kids will probably want to be doing attractions. Besides, unless you do lots of character meals the dining plan is not a money saver. It's also too much food for many people.

@MRoth11, I have to agree with this, especially the deluxe plan, and I'm a dining plan person. You will be wasting a LOT of food AND money.