Help me narrow down my TS list

alex9179 said:

What fun! It sounds like you have a handle on the must-dos, so don't sweat the others. Just pick food/locations that work for you. I agonized over dining my first two trips. I've since realized that how I feel AT THE TIME contributes more to an enjoyable time than how excellent (or not) the food is. Stressing out over schedules/likes/expectations, even if the food is OK, makes for an unpleasant meal. A few bad experiences don't break the vacation and are the funny stories for later.

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Such a positive take on the situation.
It is a vacation after all.

alex9179 said:

What fun! It sounds like you have a handle on the must-dos, so don't sweat the others. Just pick food/locations that work for you. I agonized over dining my first two trips. I've since realized that how I feel AT THE TIME contributes more to an enjoyable time than how excellent (or not) the food is. Stressing out over schedules/likes/expectations, even if the food is OK, makes for an unpleasant meal. A few bad experiences don't break the vacation and are the funny stories for later.

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Thanks for the suggestions! And you're right, I need to remember that this is vacation and our dining experiences won't make or break our vacation!

celina14 said:

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I didn't really think about the transportation aspect to get to the Poly, we are staying at CBR. I may have to put some more thought into that. I'm thinking we may nix Coral Reef now. Sounds like it's not worth it just to eat surrounded by the aquariums and there's so many other options in Epcot. Red Lobster is definitely not a favorite of mine so maybe we should rethink that one.

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I would recommend a trip through the aquarium and a visit to the manatees followed by dinner elsewhere in Epcot.

celina14 said:

Hi! I'm currently planning our November/December trip and am trying to finalize dining reservations. I have too many TS places that I want to try and not enough dining credits so I need some help with narrowing it down a bit. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the restaurants I have listed. Also opinions on which ones to ditch! It will be myself, DH, DD5 and DS2 and we have free dining. Thanks!!

Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch only)- Would probably pay OOP for this if we do it.
Ohana Dinner- This is one we probably won't ditch.
Ohana Bfast- Probably will keep this too because of Stitch but would love to hear thoughts.
Akershus Bfast- Was only planning on this to get a FEA benefit but most likely will drop if I get a FP since we will be doing CRT already.
Via Napoli- Loved it last time but thinking maybe we should try something new instead.
Tepan Edo- I'm thinking we'll prefer Tokyo Dining to this but would love to hear thoughts.
Tokyo Dining- Would only do this OR Tepan Edo so would love to hear comparisons or thoughts on one or the other.
Chef Mickey's- We've done this one before so thinking we should try something new instead.
H&V Minnie's Holiday Dinner- I think my daughter will love this so would probably lean towards this over Chef Mickey's.
CRT- Not dropping this, it's for my daughter's 5th bday dinner. Any suggestions on if lunch or dinner is better?
Coral Reef- Is this really as bad as people say it is?
Y&Y- One of our favorite meals from our last trip and pretty set on doing this again but will probably pay OOP since I could sign up for the Landry's card.
BOG Dinner- We did lunch our last trip and it wasn't my favorite but is dinner better?
Raglan Road- Not sure if we will have time to do a dinner at DS but is this worth it to try and fit it in?

So, I have 9 TS credits per person and I'm open to doing a couple of the cheaper options OOP. What would you keep and what would you ditch? Also, should I add different ones in instead? Are there any really great options I'm missing. Keep in mind, I'm not really interested in any other signatures with my kids being so little and I'm not really too interested in any other sit down breakfasts than the ones I have listed (Ohana and Akershus). Thanks!

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Here's my opinion - when I say we I mean myself and my then 6 year old (in 2014) and now 8 year old son, planning for December.

Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch only)- this is an old favorite of mine. would keep it if it fits in with your plans.
Ohana Dinner- agreed
Ohana Bfast- We love this breakfast and love stitch. it is on the list of repeat visits from our 2014 trip. the food is not earth shattering but it is hot, good and plentiful - love Ohana atmosphere, love the characters.
Akershus Bfast- If you are doing CRT I would drop this unless you have reason for 2 princess breakfasts.
Via Napoli- agree with trying something new - then again I am highly disinclined to have pizza on vacation when I can get great pizza at home.
Tepan Edo- I am also disinclined to get hibachi on vacation since I can get it at home.
Tokyo Dining- of the two I would choose this one - the menu is more varied and interesting I think.
Chef Mickey's- I was back and forth on this one but decided not to do it with H&V in the plans
H&V Minnie's Holiday Dinner- We are doing this over chef Mickey's. Doing it with F! dinner package on the DDP is a great value too with the added benefit of the reserved seating. The characters are super cute and I have actually seen more good than bad reviews about the Holiday Dine.
CRT- I wish my son would bite on this one but he won't. the menu is far more appealing to me at dinner than lunch but you should see what appeals to you.
Coral Reef- this is one of my favorites and is on my list as well. I know it gets some bad reviews but I have always enjoyed my meals there and the atmosphere is unique (at least among restaurants I've eaten at).
Y&Y- on my list too, I hope I can fit it in (will depend on star wars dessert party availability for my trip and what has to give boooo)
BOG Dinner- I ended up cutting this from my plans because I couldn't fit it and Ohana and HDDR in. I haven't been to either lunch or dinner but I believe that some people prefer lunch, some prefer dinner... they are different enough experiences that it is probably worth it to try dinner even if you didn't care for lunch.
Raglan Road- another one I would have liked to fit in but couldn't so I'd do it if you have time

#1 For us, ONE TS meal per day is plenty, especially if it is a buffet. If we eat a buffet/AYCE, we only eat 2 meals, and MAYBE a small snack (mostly only if we stay out very late in MK). Two buffets in one day would make us ill. Really, a buffet every OTHER day is plenty for us.

#2. Small kids and long meals aren't always a great mix. For us, eating where we'll be is a relatively high priority. I pick meals based on where we'll be, not the other way around. If we stay deluxe, we eat at/near our home resort. going all the way to DS takes a good deal of transportation time. If you want to visit DS, by all means, go there. I just don't advise going to DS on a MK day.

#3. It sounds like you are planning more than 180 days out, but I'd drop anything I couldn't a get a good time.
#4. For us, being in the parks near RD is important. We mostly do light breakfasts.
#5. character meals aren't very relaxing or quiet. They are loud, busy, and expensive. At most, we only do a few. When we are in the LOUD, BUSY parks all day, meals are an opportunity to replenish. Plus, the food isn't that great. WDW's menu places tend to have better food.

Okay: LTT, Akershus (no reason to do two princess meals. Worse, you risk losing the MAGIC of princess meals forever for your two young kids, "Mommy, why does Cinderella look so different today?"), Via Napoli, Tokyo Dining (too much fried stuff)
Bettter: 'Ohana dinner (though can be a bit too spicy for small kids), Teppan Edo (I love Japanese food!), Coral Reef, BOG dinner
Never tried: 'Ohana bfast, Y&Y (we like the QS next door! We also like to combine AK with Boma), Raglan Road (too much fried!)

Not good (IMO): Chef Mickey's, H&V, CRT

Your locations: 6 in or near MK, 5 in Epcot, 1 in HS, 1 in AK.

I'd modify, in large part, based on where you are staying. If you are staying on the monorail loop, then eating near MK makes sense, but I'd do FAR less Epcot dining. Epcot's WS is far away.

If you are staying in an Epcot deluxe, then we'd skip most of the MK area options.

CRT is a double credit meal. Meal credits are non-refundable. If you keep more than 9meals, I'd pay oop for the LAST meal.