Be Our Guest strategy

[LinderInWonderland]

Just for a counterpoint, we did 7DMT first thing on an EMH morning. We were not first in line to get in after the Welcome Show and we didn't walk all that quickly to get to New Fantasyland. We were in line less than 10 minutes for 7DMT, then rode Pooh (also less than 10 minutes) then Peter Pan (15 minutes). If you WANT to do the PPO breakfast, it can work for shorter lines, but I don't think it's 100% necessary that you have to do it.

 

[mshanson3121]

for budget planning this far out, I personally would budget as though we were doing the most amount of in park eating we'd possibly do. I find that planning high like that allows for more flexibility as dates get closer. it's always better to have more in the budget than you end up needing.

That's what I'm trying to figure out We stay off site and eat the majority of our meals off-site, so I know our grocery budget. I'm just trying to decide what meals in park will be worth it to us, and then we'll go from there.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That's what I'm trying to figure out We stay off site and eat the majority of our meals off-site, so I know our grocery budget. I'm just trying to decide what meals in park will be worth it to us, and then we'll go from there.

I guess what my point was was that, for us, it would be less about the specific restaurant at this point than about how many times we would eat on property, and what general price range we are willing to set aside for those meals. Save for the high end of the generalized range (which you can create looking off menus online for various similarly tiered restaurants), and then see what specific restaurants appeal to us as we get closer. Menus can change, as do portion sizes (and prices, as we've seen in the last few months). Even meal timing can change (see CP now serving dinner starting at 11am, Le Cellier going to 1 menu for lunch and dinner, etc), which can change pricing too. This far out, we find the general ranges to be more helpful than specific restaurant planning, since so much is variable

 

[mshanson3121]

I guess what my point was was that, for us, it would be less about the specific restaurant at this point than about how many times we would eat on property, and what general price range we are willing to set aside for those meals. Save for the high end of the generalized range (which you can create looking off menus online for various similarly tiered restaurants), and then see what specific restaurants appeal to us as we get closer. Menus can change, as do portion sizes (and prices, as we've seen in the last few months). Even meal timing can change (see CP now serving dinner starting at 11am, Le Cellier going to 1 menu for lunch and dinner, etc), which can change pricing too. This far out, we find the general ranges to be more helpful than specific restaurant planning, since so much is variable

Ah. For us it's not as cut and dried as one meal a day, or even having a set budget for meals per se. Eating on property for us is just a rare, special thing, based on special interests or what might help us out as far as things like BOG or dining packages for shows. But we will definitely plan on the high end of their menu like you suggest, since pricing etc... can all change.

 

[Kellie_G3]

Ah stealing a little of this for a question...... So those who have done the before park opens ADR's ... What time do you feel is best? I have an 8:25 at Crystal Palace.... We dont care about the characters... just had neverrrr eaten at Disney TS wise any time we went so we wanted 1 breakfast. Is 8:25 early enough to potentially get in lines before RD?

 

[WillAustin]

Is 8:25 early enough to potentially get in lines before RD?

I'd say no, unless you're skipping eating the meal.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

can I just mention managed to get lunch at BOG on the day. Try Guest Services and be VERY polite

 

[123SA]

Ah stealing a little of this for a question...... So those who have done the before park opens ADR's ... What time do you feel is best? I have an 8:25 at Crystal Palace.... We dont care about the characters... just had neverrrr eaten at Disney TS wise any time we went so we wanted 1 breakfast. Is 8:25 early enough to potentially get in lines before RD?

I agree. 8:25 will not get you out in time especially if they are still letting the crowd in before 9.

I always do the earliest -- 8:00 or 8:05am. We usually meet 3 characters (not all 4). I ask for the check after they drop off the drinks before the server gets really busy. We are usually out by 8:40. The photopass photographers were out last time and we got photos at the partner's statue and also a different castle location with no one at all in the background. Several poses. It was like a private photo shoot. The photographer was fabulous.

At 8:25, you may run into a line at the check in window. Your server will have many tables to handle and there will be some lines at the buffet, so I would think it would take longer than at 8:05 when the restaurant is empty. I would not take 8:25am if I wanted to be out before the rope drop crowd walks by.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

For Be our guest breakfast, can I (as an adult) get a kids meal? The kids french toast sounds yummier than the only vegetarian option.

 

[Hoopfamily]

We've had dining reservations at Chef Mickeys @ 7:15 or 7:30 and taken Monorail from ttc. It was still dark because we got there around 6:30 am. I think the first Monorail was running at 7.

 

[Robertfam08]

I love that BOG is a reserved option for a PPO meal. It's the perfect way to go, imo. It costs less and is a faster experience to get you in the park early. We have had two different experiences at the TTC that early in the morning. One time only buses were running. Last September, only the monorail was running. So it seems there is always one option, but I'm not sure there's a guarantee which option that will be.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

No not till next June. I was just curious. Trying to get an idea of how many in park meals we'll be doing as we want to get a budget going.

I'd budget to do early morning magic in each park, because I have a feeling by next June they are going to have that all over.

 

[Happyjen27]

Pre-park opening ADRs don't always stay that way. I had an 8:05, and was overjoyed at my plan. Then 3 weeks before our date, Disney changed MK hours from 9AM opening to 8AM opening.

It's usually safe to plan things and have them pan out exactly as you expect, but, sometimes you get a curve ball and you've just got to go with the flow. And cancel the ADR because we didn't want to sit and eat during the low lines time.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Something else to consider is that it's possible a year from now the demand on 7DMT will not be as crazy. Anna and Elsa won't be in the Magic Kingdom any more at that point, and the new Frozen experiences will be open and likely have the crazy morning demands. I don't know if the new offerings in Epcot are important to your family (new Soarin', frozen ever after, royal summerhaus), but if they are you may want to consider having your pre-park opening reservation at Akershus in Norway instead.

I know there will still be lots of people at MK at rope drop no matter what, but it's possible that just being there at rope drop and heading to 7DMT/PP will be more of a normal rope drop experience than the craziness that RD has been since A&E and 7DMT opened.