23 Girls.....If you had to choose.....

[collins0616]

We are contemplating taking our 23 Girl Scouts to the Bridging into the Next Century Celebration in May and doing a couple of YES programs. We are extremely limited on funds, but I would like to take them to maybe 1 or 2 TS meals while we are there.

We have been to WDW several times as a family and have always done free dining so I never pay attention to prices, and we usually always eat at the same places that are our favorites.

We have a couple with food allergies, and range in age from K-5 grade. I would like to pick maybe 2 restaurants that are not outragiously expensive but also offer the best Disney experience possible. We have done Chef Mickeys, however I really dont want to pay the price for the lack-luster food.

If you could only go to 1 or 2 restaurants which would you pick? Please keep in mind: price & experience.
THANKS!!!
Samantha

 

[heartse]

The Plaza is a great place in MK that is inexpensive, but VERY Disney.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would probably do just one and either do a character meal, maybe crystal palace or do the tea at the Grand Floridian.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think you should probably call Group Dining and see which restaurants can even accommodate a party of that size. Then go from there. The PP's suggestion of the Plaza is a good one for price, but it's such a small place that they may have trouble seating all of you in the same time frame.

 

[minnie mum]

Have to agree with Sweet Melissa about this. You need to call Group Dining. Most TS restaurants won't be able to accommodate such a large group.

Take a look at the cost of meals. Disney is expensive. Check here under the dining tab. The search function under menus allows you to pick a price range, as well as location (Park, resort, DTD, etc.). You can also check menu prices at Allears.net. With a really big group and a very tight budget, expect pickings to be very slim.

You might just want to concentrate on selecting a few of the better CS places.

 

[collins0616]

Thanks for the suggestion about calling Group Dining. Like I said I have never went with a big party where I had to do the planning lol, We will be eating some CS places, but because we are on a tight budget I want to offer the girl one or two choices to be able to do something like character dining where they can enjoy Disney like we do when we go. None of the girls have ever been except mine, and probably will never have the opportunity to go again, so I want to make it as special as possible!

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the suggestion about calling Group Dining. Like I said I have never went with a big party where I had to do the planning lol, We will be eating some CS places, but because we are on a tight budget I want to offer the girl one or two choices to be able to do something like character dining where they can enjoy Disney like we do when we go. None of the girls have ever been except mine, and probably will never have the opportunity to go again, so I want to make it as special as possible!

I would suggest looking at the menus here on the DIS as well as allears.net.
Eating on a Tight budget at WDW is very difficult. It also means different things to different folks.
Good Luck

 

[luvmarypoppins]

As the others have said you have to call the group dining.

When our ds went on his class trip, they said they had to split the groups up like 15 minutes apart etc.

I would maybe think about a late character breakfast and try to turn it into a brunch type thing if finances are an issue.

For example at Crrystal Palace you might get in on the end of the breakfast foods and the beginning of the lunch foods etc but you would be charged the breakfast price if you are seated during the breakfast time.

Also breakfast would be cheaper than lunch or dinners etc.

Crystal Palace or Cape May Buffet or 1900 Park Fare might be options for your group.

Also with the large group a later time might give you a better option of even getting reservations etc.

Best of luck and have a great trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I would forgo a TS meal.
. . . your group will have a variety of income groups
. . . chances are some will be a tight budget
. . . maybe a very tight budget
. . . no sense in straining the parents' funds
. . . and maybe embarrassing the girl(s)
2) I suggest somewhere that is "close" to a TS.
3) Somewhere with lots of selections for decent money.
. . . Sunshine Seasons (Epcot, The Land)
. . . Pepper Market (Coronado Springs Resort)
. . . The Wave (Contemporary Resort)

NOTE: If kids need to shave a budget, they can easily feel
ashamed at trying to "eat cheap" at a more expensive TS
eatery. Of course, if all your girls come from Beverly Hills,
then disregard this posting.

 

[Mich123]

I agree with the PP who suggested Sunshine Seasons. There are so many choices and it's reasonably priced.

I was just checking out the menus at allears.net and most of the kid's dinner entrees at the World Showcase are under $10--you might ask if that could be an option for your group.

On the fun level, I think 'Ohana is great for kids. We've had both breakfast and lunch there and they were both lots of fun.

 

[collins0616]

The parents will be doing fundraisers to cover the costs so I would like to do something for 1 TS at least. If there is any cost out of pocket it will be very minimal. We will most likely be staying off property so most meals will be made where we stay

 

[cymbaldiva]

Agreeing with what most have said -

A group that large will be too large to accommodate for most table service establishments - too large for the wait staff to serve efficiently and honestly not a lot of fun for the other patrons who happen to be in the restaurant.

I'd suggest Sunshine Seasons - nice selection and plenty of room. If you insist on table service, go with a buffet ... maybe Crystal Palace of Chef Mickeys. Either of those has plenty of room so they should be able to accommodate your group.

 

[ShariVT]

I was thinking with that age group something served family style would be easier to manage. Ohana's has a very disney atmosphere with charters at breakfast and games for dinner that would be my choice.

 

[umieesa]

I think a TS breakfast would be your "cheapest" option. I would pick either Cape May or Crystal Palace. Both are good, both have advantages/disadvantages. With CP you will be in the park and if you get an ADR before the park opens that would be a nice experience for the kids and have nice photos of an empty main street and castle. Cape May is a nice atmosphere...very subdued with great character interaction. Keep in mind all prices will also have the 18% gratuity automatically added to your bill.

I suggest having a specific budget in mind and then check the menus on allears.net and see which fit the bill. While these suggestions are cheaper than say a TS lunch or dinner, they are by no means cheap. I think whatever you decide seeing that it will be their first trip to Disney I'm sure they will already be blown away with or without the meal!

 

[corgi_monster]

Any brunchtime character buffet gets my vote because:

1. Brunch covers two meals
2. People overeat at buffets. If my family eats at a brunch buffet, we usually skip dinner and just munch on light snacks. 1 buffet + snacks is cheaper than 3 QS meals.
3. Everyone eats at the same time, so no one's food gets cold, no one gets fidgety while waiting for others to finish eating, etc.
4. Kids love characters!
5. I've never done it, but I would guess that if you have the last breakfast seating, the restaurant might start bringing out lunch items while you're still there. Does anyone know how this works or if you're allowed to eat lunch items if you paid the breakfast price?
6. There should (hopefully) something for everyone - even the kids who have allergies or sensitivities.

Is there anything you can do to help fund raise for your trip?

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

We are contemplating taking our 23 Girl Scouts to the Bridging into the Next Century Celebration in May and doing a couple of YES programs. We are extremely limited on funds, but I would like to take them to maybe 1 or 2 TS meals while we are there.

We have been to WDW several times as a family and have always done free dining so I never pay attention to prices, and we usually always eat at the same places that are our favorites.

We have a couple with food allergies, and range in age from K-5 grade. I would like to pick maybe 2 restaurants that are not outragiously expensive but also offer the best Disney experience possible. We have done Chef Mickeys, however I really dont want to pay the price for the lack-luster food.

If you could only go to 1 or 2 restaurants which would you pick? Please keep in mind: price & experience.
THANKS!!!
Samantha

I would also suggest a late breakfast. The breakfast meals seem to be the cheapest (that is why we chose to pay breakfast OOP last trip).

I would suggest Ohana or Chef Mickey's for breakfast. Mickey is a classic character, so I would want to dine with him, expecially if this may be a once and a lifetime trip. I know what you mean about the food at Chef Mickey's, but it is an experience.

I would also check into Akerhaus, yes it is more expensive, but you are taking all girls and a princess meal would be something they would always remember (and the photos are included).

Crystal Palace would be my last choice, my kids kinda think they are baby characters so I am sure a 5th grader would feel the same. They do have good food there though, but characters are the least interesting for my kids.

You could find the pricing of a few and let the girls vote (or the parents that will be paying first, then narrow it down for the girls).

So I would vote, Akerhaus, Ohana Breakfast, Chef Mickey's then Crystal Palace. Note that I have always been on the dining plan as well and there may be some good choice not on the plan, so I have not tried them.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Tusker House for late breakfast or early lunch would be a reasonably priced character meal and I would think that seating of a big group like yours could be accomodated (though likely you'll get several smaller tables but all together). TH is great with food allergies and offers a wide variety of options.

Biergarten for lunch might also be a decent option. You'd end up with 3 side by side tables that seat 8 people each (I'm assuming the 23 includes adults who are going as well). The band is fun and the kids can get up and dance. The majority of the buffet is gluten and dairy and I believe nut free if those are among the allergens making this a very easy buffet with allergies. The chef does come out here as well just like all other Disney owned restaurants but because so many of the foods are already free of many major allergens it doesn't take nearly as long for the allergy sufferers to get their food as nothing needs to be specially prepared. If you have some fussy eaters though then the food may be a bit odd for them and they may not like it. My fussy 11yo found plenty to eat but not all fussy kids will. Lunch is significantly cheaper than dinner.

'Ohana for a late breakfast seating would be good from a food perspective but the tables just don't seem to me to be arranged well for group dining.

Crystal Palace would be good from a table arrangement perspective but they are VERY hit and miss when it comes to food allergies. People seem to have either stellar experiences or scary experiences (mine was the latter so I'm not a fan).

It's generally cheaper to go to restaurants where you order off menus rather than restaurants that are fixed price.

With allergies, I try to stick with restaurants owned by Disney because they are generally far better with handling allergies than the non-Disney places. Most of the Epcot WS restaurants are not owned by Disney (exceptions are Rose & Crown, Biergarten and Akershus) and most of the DTD restaurants are also not owned by Disney.

 

[collins0616]

Any brunchtime character buffet gets my vote because:

1. Brunch covers two meals
2. People overeat at buffets. If my family eats at a brunch buffet, we usually skip dinner and just munch on light snacks. 1 buffet + snacks is cheaper than 3 QS meals.
3. Everyone eats at the same time, so no one's food gets cold, no one gets fidgety while waiting for others to finish eating, etc.
4. Kids love characters!
5. I've never done it, but I would guess that if you have the last breakfast seating, the restaurant might start bringing out lunch items while you're still there. Does anyone know how this works or if you're allowed to eat lunch items if you paid the breakfast price?
6. There should (hopefully) something for everyone - even the kids who have allergies or sensitivities.

Is there anything you can do to help fund raise for your trip?

I am leaning towards a buffet, just because of what you said, everyone can eat at the same time, plus as much as they want. We have girls ranging from K-5th grade so some will eat more than others.
As far as fundraising, of course we have cookies coming up, but that wont be enough to cover the trip, extras, and operations for the troop for the next year, so we are looking for as many fundraisers as we can do as parents to cover as much of the costs as possible.

 

[karibritt01]

I would take Girl Scouts to Cinderella's Gala at the Grand Floridian. It's a buffet, so they can all eat at once. They have Fairy Godmother, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Stepmother and stepsisters so you get the character experience. It is not in a park, so you could do it on a non-park day if needed. My own kids have been there twice, and request to go back.

 

[collins0616]

I would take Girl Scouts to Cinderella's Gala at the Grand Floridian. It's a buffet, so they can all eat at once. They have Fairy Godmother, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Stepmother and stepsisters so you get the character experience. It is not in a park, so you could do it on a non-park day if needed. My own kids have been there twice, and request to go back.

Oh yes, we love 1900 PF. I did just get an email from Disney with group dining ideas. Here is what was listed:

Fort Wilderness Breakfast Buffet
Epcot Breakfast Buffet (doesnt say where???)
AK Breakfast Buffet (?)
HS Breakfast Buffet (?)
All Star Resort Bagged Breakfast
Ft Wilderness Dinner Buffet
AK Dinorama Dinner Package
Hoop Dee- Doo
Fantasmic Dinner Party
Fantasmic Dessert Party
Illuminations Dinner Party
Illuminations Dessert Party
Fantasia Gardens Dance Party

Anyone have any thoughts about any of these?