1st time NOT doing the dining plan

[pennylane16]

The past 2 times we visited WDW in 2013 and 2015, we did the dining plan. This year, due to a deal we scored with a TA, we cannot add a dining plan. I've been buying DGCs at Target to save the 5% and then transferring the balances to one card so I'm not carrying around a million GCs. Since we are not restricted to a certain amount of TS, QS, snack credits etc., per day, I feel a bit ore flexibility with booking ADRs and yet I still find myself counting the total to make sure I'm not booking too many or too few TS adrs, just out of habit!

We are a party of 5 - myself and DH, our two kids (10 & 6) and my mom. Any restaurant recommendations for either additions to this list or swap-outs for anything on this list? Something the kids would love? I've considered Sanaa both times but haven't booked it yet, bc not sure if it's just too out of our way.

-Akershus (I'm meh about this one as we've eaten breakfast here our past 2 trips, but DD would like a princess meal & she doesn't care if it's there or CRT and I think Akershus' prices beat CRT)
-Garden Grill
-'Ohana breakfast
-'Ohana dinner
-Spirit of Aloha (we're staying at the Polynesian so I thought it made sense to have a few of our ADRs be at home base, plus my kids are very interested in Polynesian culture)
- Chef Mickey (we went here the 1st trip, but skipped it last time, kids mentioned going back)
-Crystal Palace - we all loved this one, a big hit!

Thanks!

ETA: We've also done Tusker House 2x, CRT 2x, H&V, and 1900 PF (we loved it but DS was not thrilled with the Step Sisters lol)

 

[CraigInPA]

Your children will probably like the Spirit of Aloha, but the adults will find it to be like High School Musical with a Polynesian theme.

Your children may enjoy the antics at Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. Make sure one of them asks for ketchup.

 

[pennylane16]

Your children will probably like the Spirit of Aloha, but the adults will find it to be like High School Musical with a Polynesian theme.

Your children may enjoy the antics at Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. Make sure one of them asks for ketchup.

Haha! Thanks for the tip! I went back and forth on SoA, especially once I saw that you can do hula lessons in the GCH.

 

[elaine amj]

Check the new princess and prince breakfast (Ariel and Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn). I think its cheapers than Akershus. Without DDP, I would probably veer away from $$ character buffets (and save those for a future DDP trip)

 

[pennylane16]

Check the new princess and prince breakfast (Ariel and Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn). I think its cheapers than Akershus.

Could you tell me which restaurant that is at?? DD loves Rapunzel!
ETA - found it! Tratoria del forno?

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

Buffets and shows are EXTREMELY expensive when paying cash. I'd go with cheaper options like Trail's End if you need a buffet. Si-Fi diner, 50's prime time and beaches and Cream are other great cash meals.

 

[pennylane16]

Buffets and shows are EXTREMELY expensive when paying cash. I'd go with cheaper options like Trail's End if you need a buffet. Si-Fi diner, 50's prime time and beaches and Cream are other great cash meals.

Yes. I just paid the $350+ fee for our reservation at SoA, expensive indeed! We aren't really looking for buffets, just we love CP & CM because of the characters! So I guess I'm more about what's going to be a fun dining experience with food that isn't terrible.

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

This is an older article, but I think the choices still apply.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...nts-in-disney-world-a-tip-from-the-dfb-guide/

 

[Crystal824]

Buffets and shows are EXTREMELY expensive when paying cash. I'd go with cheaper options like Trail's End if you need a buffet. Si-Fi diner, 50's prime time and beaches and Cream are other great cash meals.

I agree. We usually don't do the DP. When we do, our restaurant line-up looks similar to what you have listed, mostly buffets and family style places. Typically, we do one or two character meals per trip, and we usually make those breakfasts as they are cheaper. Have you considered other places that don't have characters. Some of our favorites are Via Napoli, Beaches and Cream, Be Our Guest for lunch, Yak & Yeti, Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, the Plaza, 50's Prime Time. It seems like you visit Disney every few years. Why not use this non DP trip as an opportunity to try a few new places.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Yes. I just paid the $350+ fee for our reservation at SoA, expensive indeed! We aren't really looking for buffets, just we love CP & CM because of the characters! So I guess I'm more about what's going to be a fun dining experience with food that isn't terrible.

Each character buffet lunch/dinner, for 4 Disney adults and 1 Disney child, will likely cost $250-$300 (once tax/tip is included). Unless money is no object, I think I'd limit your character buffet choice to your favorite one (whatever that may be) and then book unique non-buffet restaurants.

 

[pennylane16]

I agree. We usually don't do the DP. When we do, our restaurant line-up looks similar to what you have listed, mostly buffets and family style places. Typically, we do one or two character meals per trip, and we usually make those breakfasts as they are cheaper. Have you considered other places that don't have characters. Some of our favorites are Via Napoli, Beaches and Cream, Be Our Guest for lunch, Yak & Yeti, Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, the Plaza, 50's Prime Time. It seems like you visit Disney every few years. Why not use this non DP trip as an opportunity to try a few new places.

I like this advice! Going to look into some of these. Thanks

 

[pennylane16]

Each character buffet lunch/dinner, for 4 Disney adults and 1 Disney child, will likely cost $250-$300 (once tax/tip is included). Unless money is no object, I think I'd limit your character buffet choice to your favorite one (whatever that may be) and then book unique non-buffet restaurants.

Definitely not in the "money is no object" camp I'm going to look around a bit - so basically the buffets are significantly pricier than non-buffets? I think there's a price list for the restaurants here on disboards somewhere, I'll go searching thanks!

 

[dledger]

Since you're staying at the Polynesian I'd definitely reccomend Kona! Personally I prefer there over Ohana for dinners - and we also really enjoyed the breakfast this past trip! Just my thoughts

 

[TwoMisfits]

Definitely not in the "money is no object" camp I'm going to look around a bit - so basically the buffets are significantly pricier than non-buffets? I think there's a price list for the restaurants here on disboards somewhere, I'll go searching thanks!

Taken from this page https://www.disboards.com/threads/buffet-character-shows-aycte-pricing.3108466/, here are the prices you are looking at for your specific meals...Akerhaus, even for just breakfast, will be $230 +tip (say 20% more) or $275ish. While Disney table service is expensive, the character meal and AYCTE prices more towards the signature dining places, not the 1 credit dining options...at those, you should be able to eat for about half that cost if you don't eat apps/desserts for each person (their entrees tend to be $18-$33/adult, $10-12/child + tax/tip)...

Akershus Princess Storybook: (incl tax, excl tip)
bfast . . . 11/23/2016 Adult: $50.06, Child: $29.82
lunch . . . 02/14/2017 Adult: $60.71, Child: $36.21
dinner. . . 10/02/2016 Adult: $60.71, Child: $36.21

Chef Mickey: (incl tax, excl tip)
bfast . . . 05/07/2015 Adult: $42.60, Child: $25.56
dinner. . . 10/02/2016 Adult: $53.25, Child: $31.95

Crystal Palace: (incl tax, excl tip)
bfast . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $34.08, Child: $20.24
lunch . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $47.93, Child: $28.76
dinner. . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $47.93, Child: $28.76

Garden Grill: (incl tax, excl tip)
bfast . . . 10/02/2016 Adult: $34.08, Child: $20.24
lunch/dinner . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $47.93, Child: $28.76

Ohana: (incl tax, excl tip)
bfast . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $34.08, Child: $20.24
dinner. . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $45.80, Child: $25.56

Luau Cove - Spirit of Aloha: (tax and tip included)
cat-1 . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $78.00, Child: $46.00
cat-2 . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $74.00, Child: $44.00
cat-3 . . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $66.00, Child: $39.00

 

[elaine amj]

Definitely not in the "money is no object" camp I'm going to look around a bit - so basically the buffets are significantly pricier than non-buffets? I think there's a price list for the restaurants here on disboards somewhere, I'll go searching thanks!

You can just go on the Disney website and look for each restaurant. Disney posts their menus and prices for everything.

For example, Sci Fi is a very inexpensive meal. Alternatively, u can share meals/order apps as meals to reduce costs at non-buffet meals. Restaurants like Sci Fi, 50s Prime Time, Whispering Canyon Cafe, have a fun theme without being buffets. Or what about the Plaza in MK? Yummy sandwiches and ice creams. Or go to Beaches and Cream and have the Kitchen Sink for lunch (we did that once and it will always be a super fun memory!).

Another option is going to a lounge and having apps for dinner (kids too). We've done that a few times - yummy food and our bill isn't too bad.

Boathouse is a 2 credit restaurant in Disney Springs and has 2 filet mignon sliders and fries for $14. Also good to keep in mind that kids meals OOP are pretty cheap at signatures.

 

[coolbrook]

Another thing we do is share some meals. If you eat at a buffet or All you care to eat place you can't do this of course. Sometimes we just want the experience of eating someplace, but not necessarily so much food. We plan to share meals on this upcoming trip at Coral Reef, Skipper Canteen, and Homecomin' at Disney Springs.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I'm going to look around a bit - so basically the buffets are significantly pricier than non-buffets?

Not necessarily. The Character meals (which are mostly buffet style) are the more expensive. Trails End is much more reasonable for a buffet.
The Wave at the Contemporary has one of the best and most reasonable breakfast buffets (IMO) and you can order alacarte so if someone doesn't want the buffet, you can go that route.
Don't discredit Disney Springs.There are SO many options there to eat now. And the resorts.
I will also second the lounges. You can make a very good meal there. Also the ESPN club. It's very reasonable compared to Disney owned places.