Attention Disney Dining Veterans

[BillyFeat]

This is our first Disney Trip using the free dining. We will be at Disney August 16-23 and need advice on dining choices. My wife and I are not big eaters. DD's 8 & 6 don't eat much. I am leaning toward character meals as the best entertainment/meal options. After gathering information on the dis, I am leaning toward the following dining experiences for TS meals:

1900 Park Fare - Dinner
Chef Mickey's - Breakfast
Donald's Breakfastsaurus
Crystal Palace - Breakfast
Whispering Canyon - Dinner
Mama Melrose - Fantasmic Package
Sci Fi Dine In - Lunch

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[yellowfish78]

Sorry, double post.

 

[yellowfish78]

I think your choices are fine. Four of them are buffets, so you'll be able to pick and choose and eat what you want at them.

Where are you staying at? Does your resort have a fridge? Remember that even if you don't eat much, and your resort has a fridge, get your dessert to take home after dinner even if you don't really want it. Then you'll have a late night snack from Whispering Canyon if need be.

I've eaten at Chef Mickeys, Breakfastaurus, Crystal Palace, and Mama Melrose out of your choices. Breakfast favorite is Breakfastourus, Dinner favorite is Mama Melrose. Their Veal is HEAVEN and tirimisu is really good too!!

Another suggestion might be (since the family doesn't eat much) is to use some of your TS meals for a Signature meal exprience. Maybe use Sci Fi for milkshakes only, and then eat a good meal at California Grill or Narcoossee's for example.

Just suggestions!!!

 

[BillyFeat]

Thank you yellowfish78. We are staying at WL. This is also a new experience for us. I like your idea regarding signature meals. I haven't even thought of CS meals during our stay. We are not used to planning our meals while on vacation.

 

[yellowfish78]

My feeling on counter service is that they will come up when you get hungry and table service you plan. If not OVER PLAN them. That way they are there if you need them.
And since you are at the WL, why not make a reservation for Artist Pointe?

 

[3princesses4us]

Wow! Looks good to me. You'll have a wonderful time and so will your girls.

 

[Dana]

1900 Park Fare - Dinner We ate there and loved it. Lots of selection, very attentive servers. Food was hot and tasty.
Chef Mickey's - Breakfast- I always enjoy myself here. For breakfast and dinner. I loved their breakfast pizzas. MMM! Everything was hot.
Donald's Breakfastsaurus- Sorry never tried. I've heard mixed reviews though
Crystal Palace - Breakfast-Only eaten here for dinner which we really enjoyed. Breakfast is supposed to be very good. I think they still make the b-fast lagansa which pple on the boards seem to enjoy
Whispering Canyon - Dinner-Another one I've never tried but pple on the boards love it. Bottomless shakes, fun antics, supposed to be a hoot.
Mama Melrose - Fantasmic Package-We've eaten here a few times and everytime we have enjoyed it. Love the flatbreads and salads.
Sci Fi Dine In - Lunch- I know this restaurant is controvercial on the boards but we've eaten here at least 6 times and never had a bad meal. Last time (Dec) we tried the ribs and LOVED them. So tender and a good portion. I've also had their hambuger, bbq chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich and loved them all. Very good. I'd go just for the ambiance alone. I love the old hokie B films.

Have a great trip!!!!!!1

 

[BillyFeat]

Thank you for your reply Dana. Your insights are helpful.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This is our first Disney Trip using the free dining. We will be at Disney August 16-23 and need advice on dining choices. My wife and I are not big eaters. DD's 8 & 6 don't eat much.

If you're not big eaters and you like similar food I'd upgrade to a couple of signature restaurants and split meals. For example on our last trip we did CG with DS6 and my goddaughter who was 10. The portions were huge and two meals (so 4 credits, same as a character meal) would have been plenty (silly us we ordered 2 adult meals and 1 kids meal to share and had WAY too much food and we're all big eaters) and the kids thought that watching the fireworks from the tower was sooo magical.

Other than that I've only been to a few on your list (Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and Mama Melrose's) but we enjoyed them all. I just think that something more grown up than a character meal might be a nice change of pace mid-vacation.