? about Dining Plan and OOP $$ paid on Dining...

[starstruck93]

We just got back from a 6 night trip. I have three kids--DD5.5, DS3 (turned three our last day there) and DS13months. I will echo what the others have said. Most of these meals can take a long time, so you need to be aware of that. We did the following:

Akershus dinner (for DD for the princesses)
'Ohana dinner
Crystal Palace lunch
Whispering Canyon dinner
Chef Mickey's breakfast
Hoop Dee Doo

Hoop dee Doo went over the head of my three year old, which I sort of expected it would. This was a pretty good mix, though. We stayed at SSR so we had a kitchen and ate most breakfasts in the room and brought sandwiches with us for the non restaurant meal during the day. Chef Mickey's and HDDR were on the same day and it did limit our park visits that day, so keep that in mind.

We wound up being in the parks many nights very late for our kids (whose bedtime is usually between 7:30 and 8). I will say that by the fourth day, even though my 3 year old got a nap each day, he was starting to show signs of weariness. Although, if you are from the west coast, maybe this could work to your advantage if you could somehow keep your family on west coast time for the nighttime activities.

Hey! Yes, I totally see what you're saying about over doing it! It sounds like you did a great job with eating in (in the AM). That saved time and helped cut back on the hectic schedule of trying to run from point A to point B. I cut out 2 of our TS meals and then, the day of MNSSHP I made that a "hang out at the resort pool and relax" type day since that night will be pretty busy! Thanks so much for your help. It's so hard not to go overboard in Disney!! Glad you guys had a great time!

 

[starstruck93]

Sept. 9 (arrival day) Chef Mickey's 6:30 for dinner COST $85.00- DP
Sept. 10 Dinner- Mickey's BBQ 6:30 $117 OOP
Sept. 11 Breakfast 7:55 Ohana's $65 OOP :: Dinner 4:55 Crystal Palace $75 DP
Sept.12 Breakfast Cape May 8:00 $60 OOP :: Dinner Aloha Dinner at Luau Cove 8pm $130 DP
Sept.13 Donald's Safari Breakfast 8:05 $65 OOP :: Dinner Le Cellier 6:35 $130 DP
Sept.14 CRT Breakfast 10:30 $100 OOP :: Dinner Cape May 6:30 $70 DP[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

I would cut down on the TS. especially with a 3.5 yr old. You really don't want to have a melt down right in the middle of Character dinning. If you are planning for late night meals. Make sure to take a nap during the day for everyone. My DD at 3 would never have made it with all the TS. We just did CS and maybe 2 character meals then like the plaza or Tonys where things aren't so wild.
Just my thoughts [/QUOTE]


Hey! Yes, I'm planning a nap time everyday between Park time and dinner. I have the 8pm dinner for the Spirit of Aloha dinner because we're going to Blizzard beach that morning and that will give him time to unwind and nap before dinner. Plus I did'nt want us to have to rush out of BB in order to make the 5pm, Luau. Thanks for your help! April

 

[starstruck93]

Just to add, if your booking with the military offer you can't get the deluxe no matter who you talk to.

The Aloha and Mickey's bbq are things that generally get mixed to low reviews. Part of that is the cost and part of that is the time. IMO they are really best left for a future trip when you have credits to burn. If your having to pay for other things OOP, your going to more likely feel that some of these things aren't worth the money or time and it will impact your vacation. I can't stress to you enough how much there is to see and do here or the time that you can wind up spending on these meals. Again, it's not that these things aren't worth doing, this is just a common pitfall for first time visitors and can really color your impression/enjoyment.

One more thing, don't underestimate how taxing touring the parks can be! You'll tire out more quickly than you think! Between the sun, the walking and the constant adrenalin rushes, it can really wipe you out!

If you haven't already, I would recommend signing up for Tour Guide Mike to get a realistic idea of how to tackle the parks for what is important for your group. His advice really puts into perspective what it is you can reasonably accomplish as well as some ideas on how to tackle each park.

Either way, have a great time and know that no matter what you do, your only going to see the tip of the iceburgh!

Hey! Yes, I have a SUB. to TGM. After I figured out how to navigate the web-site it was really helpful. He helped me decide on the CRT meal at 10:30 am so I could enjoy the EMH that day I'm going to tweek my schedule more actually. I cut out both of my Cape May meals and I'm thinking about cutting out Mickey's BBQ. That one sounds like fun; I have'nt quite gotten up the courage to dial the reservation number and cancel that one yet!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Hey! Yes, I have a SUB. to TGM. After I figured out how to navigate the web-site it was really helpful. He helped me decide on the CRT meal at 10:30 am so I could enjoy the EMH that day I'm going to tweek my schedule more actually. I cut out both of my Cape May meals and I'm thinking about cutting out Mickey's BBQ. That one sounds like fun; I have'nt quite gotten up the courage to dial the reservation number and cancel that one yet!

That's a good start! I know. It can be hard to cancel sometimes.

I think the days that you have two ADR's are fine because the breakfast are before park opening ADR's. You aren't going to lose any park time doing those. That's the only time I do 2 ADR's a day....if I have an 8 am breakfast and then dinner.

Good luck deciding!!!

 

[geenerbell]

Just wanted to add that both Mickey's BBQ and Aloha are outside. That may be miserably hot after a hot day in the parks. We do the Basic DP and it's plenty of sit downs and plenty of food. We have breakfast in our room. Usually cereal or breakfast bars that we bring from home. We do CS for lunch and TS for Dinner. We always use one TS for breakfast at the Crystal Palace. Great Winnie and friends characters and great food. Try to get an ADR here before the park opens.