Where should be dine when we arrive after getting off plane?

[TheMadScrapper]

I want to make a reservation for after we are checked in. I know we'll be hungry since we're arriving at dinner time. I was wondering where is good to go that is not located inside one of the parks? We're staying at the All Star Movies hotel. We do have park hopper tickets I guess we could visit one of the parks to eat but I'm not sure what to do.

[summertime_girl]

The All-Star isn't too far from the AKL, try Boma. It's one of my favorite restaurants on property.

[Amy&Dan]

I second Boma, its a great buffet, you can view the animals out on the Savanahh and just really get in the Disney mood! And its very close to All Star Movies.

Another choice might be O'Hana. Lots of fun, lots of food and great views of the MK and castle from many places around the restaurant. Probably a 15 minute drive from Movies to the Poly.

Either one of those is a nice way to start off the trip in my opinion.

[TheMadScrapper]

Thanks!

I have another question. How do we get from point a to point b? Do they have trams or shuttles? If it's 15 mintues to drive I don't think we'll be up to walking. I am workig on making our reservations now since the trip is coming up soon.

[summertime_girl]

There's buses. You'll have to take a bus to one of the parks, then to the other resort, since there aren't buses from resort to resort, but it won't take long.

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, it would be impossible to walk. Do you have a rental car? If not you'll have to bus to a park, then get on a bus to the resort you want to eat at. There is no direct bussing from resort to resort. Another option would be to take a cab from Movies to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. That would be around $10 each way. They can call you a cab easily at both resorts and will be happy to do so.

If you have a long travel day, you might just want to stay right there at All Star Movies and eat in their food court. Its a great place to have an affordable meal, you could swim and look around the resort.

I also can't help but notice that your trip is in one month. It may be difficult to get reservations this close in at lots of places. Many people are there at that time for free dining and the restaurants are all really filliing up. If you can't get reservations, there are lots of really good counter services places that serve far more than the average burger or pizza. And again, your food court there at Movies serves all three meals and is quick and convenient.

You won't be able to walk to anything within Disneyworld from All Star Movies. They don't want you to, there are very few sidewalks. However, tney have nice busses to take you to the four parks, two water parks and Downtown Disney. They are easy to use and free.

If you go here: www.allearsnet.com and click on the "dining" section, you can see menu's and pricing for each and every full and counter service restaurant in all of WDW. It will help give you an idea of what each place has.

Have a great trip!

[abc999]

You can also eat in Downtown Disney or just keep it easy and eat at the resort food court.

[TheMadScrapper]

You guys are so helpful! This will be our first trip and there is so much to know! I would have made reservations but I got so distracted with my sisters wedding planning. The wedding was Sat. so now I have more time to vacation plan!

[TheMadScrapper]

Can you use your dining plan at the resort food court?

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, at the food court, your meals will count as counter service credits. They also have lots of snack credit items, which are marked as "snack credit items" on the shelf.

Since you are on the DDP, definitely call asap to make your ADR's. You may very well need to eat at some off times and getting character meals and some of the really popular places will be tough. But there should be other places around WDW and in DTD that you can make reservations.

Click on this link:
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages08a.htm

At the bottom of that page is a list of each restaurant that partcipates on the DDP. If you click on the actual restaurant name, the menu for that restaurant will come up. That link also gives you general information on the Dining Plan that will be very helpful.

Hope that helps! We stayed at All Star Movies our first trip and now 12 trips later it holds lots of special memories! This all seems overwhelming, but its not, once you get there, it all comes together. Have fun!

[TheMadScrapper]

so there are only certain places that will take the dining plan? uh oh....
I just called and Cinderellas Royal Table is booked solid.:mad: what a bummer....I guess I could call everyday to see if anyone cancels? Longshot though I bet.

I'm trying to do at least one or two character dining meals for my dd10

[k5thbeatle]

I want to make a reservation for after we are checked in. I know we'll be hungry since we're arriving at dinner time. I was wondering where is good to go that is not located inside one of the parks? We're staying at the All Star Movies hotel. We do have park hopper tickets I guess we could visit one of the parks to eat but I'm not sure what to do.

Flying Fish!:wizard: Flying Fish!:wizard: Flying Fish!!!:wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

[Pumbaa_]

I am moving this to the DDP board. At the top of the board, there is a sticky for DDP 2008 FAQ. This will help you understand the dining plan that you have purchased.

ADRs are booked up to 6 months is advance. You may have difficulty getting the places you want at the times you want.

I suggest calling NOW! and having 2-3 backup choices for each place you want to dine.

For your first day, what time do you get in? Are you taking DME? Allow 1-1.5 hours for transfer. Then you have to check in. Allkow up to 30 minutes for that. Now, what time will it be for you? That may influence where you want to eat your first day.

Here is a link to the menus here on the DIS (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm)

Here is some information on the Disney buses (http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/bus_schedules.htm)

Good luck planning and please come back with questions

(there is also trip planning chats on Monday nights, and a chat every night where you can come and ask questions. Hope to see you in chat!)

[Kae]

Things get booked up fast during free dinig 180 days out. One good Char meal is Cape May at the Beach Club for breakfast, sometimes it is easier to get. Chef Mickey is open for lunch during FD.

Kae

[blanq]

Although I am a Boma fan, I guess I would not recommend trying this when you arrive. As you pointed out, it will be dinnertime. You likely may be tired from your travel to FL. Personally, the last thing I would want to do would be to deal with bus transfers when I am tired and hungry. So, I would recommend DTD. There are great restaurants there and it is always a lively, fun place to hang out. It's a fun first evening at WDW to walk through DTD and enjoy a nice dinner! Our family likes WPG Cafe. Also, WGP Express is one of the best fast food options at WDW, if you don't want to hassle with a sit down option. Another great quick meal option is Earl of Sandwich. You could do a quick service meal, and then save some room for Ghiradelli sundaes!!! :worship: Yum!

[TheMadScrapper]

I was able to make some reservations. I think I will follow advice and do DTD for the first night we will be tired and not really in the mood to deal with rushing so that is good advice I think thanks!

I was able to reserve lunch for Princess Storybook in Epcot for the next day is that a good character dining experience? I am not giving up on Cinderellas Royal table though. I will keep calling to check for cancelations. The operator suggested this.

I am planning our meals around what park we will be in that day. Is that a good way to do it? The first day of our trip we're doing Epcot.

[abc999]

Plan your meals for restaurants at the park you will be in or at a resort near the park.. For example, if you can't get something in Magic Kingdom, try a restaurant at the Polynesian, Contemporary or Grand Floridian.

Keep calling and good luck. pixiedust:

[perriwinkleblue]

My DD loves the Princess Storybook meal at Epcot - great Princess interaction. You'll get some wonderful pictures and Akershus is very castle-like. We've always enjoyed our time there. When we ate there last we had picky eaters in our group and they were allowed an "adult portion" of something from the kid's menu;) .
We also like Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare. They may be hard to get. The Crystal Palace in MK is buffet dining with Pooh and friends. Good food - the deserts are yummy:cloud9: .
Good luck with your ADR's and keep trying...

[Amy&Dan]

I was able to make some reservations. I think I will follow advice and do DTD for the first night we will be tired and not really in the mood to deal with rushing so that is good advice I think thanks!

I was able to reserve lunch for Princess Storybook in Epcot for the next day is that a good character dining experience? I am not giving up on Cinderellas Royal table though. I will keep calling to check for cancelations. The operator suggested this.

I am planning our meals around what park we will be in that day. Is that a good way to do it? The first day of our trip we're doing Epcot.

I like the Princess Storybook better than CRT and its only one table service credit.

Going to DTD is a great first night thing to do! I am so glad you got some ADR's. Have a fun trip!

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

You make a good decision!

After a long day, and with an evening arrival, I'd sldo steer away from dining at another resort. You'd have to make the bus or monorail transfer in each direction (coming and going) which can eat up some significant time. Taking the bus to DTD and dining there (no bus transfers) was definitely your best option.

Have a great trip! :goodvibes