Best BANG for the Dining Plan...WHERE??

[vpack05]

So, if I'm going to be paying adult dining plan rates for myself, DD 12, DD 11 and child rate for DD 7 (thank god baby isn't 3 yet!!), I'm looking for your advice on where the best BANG would be?

I know about the Luau, California Grill, etc. but is it really a good deal if I'm having to use TWO sit down dinners EACH (total 8!!) for one meal??
Feel like I'm not being the smartest mom here!!

HELP!

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the more expensive 1 credit restaurants like CRT (if you go before it changes to 2 credits), Le Cellier and Concourse steak house cost almost as much as some of the 2 credit restaurants. The 2 credit restaurants don't cost twice as much as those restaurants.

First decide what kind of food you want to eat. You'll "break even" at almost any restuarant.

So, if I'm going to be paying adult dining plan rates for myself, DD 12, DD 11 and child rate for DD 7 (thank god baby isn't 3 yet!!), I'm looking for your advice on where the best BANG would be?

I know about the Luau, California Grill, etc. but is it really a good deal if I'm having to use TWO sit down dinners EACH (total 8!!) for one meal??
Feel like I'm not being the smartest mom here!!

HELP!

 

[vpack05]

My girls are NOT picky eaters at all, very healthy appetites. My DD11 finished an entire rack of ribs on her own and my DD12 ate the entire sushi entree at the California Grill by herself!

We like full meals so I see the counter services as being a frustrating search for good food!

Is there another thread on this topic already? I like the idea of going to the most expensive 1 credit, but is there an easy way to figure this out?

 

[Lewisc]

mousesavers has a section where Mary lists which restaurants will potentially give you the biggest bang for your buck.

In general the 2 credit restaurants don't give you good value. The dinner shows cost around $50 and even the cheaper one credit meals will cost more than $25 when you include tax and tip.

Le Cellier generally allows MYW guests to order the surf and turf. I got "sucked in" and ordered it. A steak would have been a better choice.

 

[vpack05]

Thank you! I'll check the site out.

 

[vpack05]

I can't find the article on Mousesavers. Please help!

 

[Partridge4ever]

www.allearsnet.com has the menus and prices for all of the restaurants. I've been looking at those to see if we should get the dining plan. I know we'll save money based on the amount of food we're getting versus ordering all that without the plan. But we don't usually order appetizers, we often split a dessert, sometimes we eat in the room etc., so I'm not so sure we'll ACTUALLY save money.

 

[nbodyhome]

www.allears.net has the menus and prices for all of the restaurants. I've been looking at those to see if we should get the dining plan. I know we'll save money based on the amount of food we're getting versus ordering all that without the plan. But we don't usually order appetizers, we often split a dessert, sometimes we eat in the room etc., so I'm not so sure we'll ACTUALLY save money.

You very well might not. I am not the only person I know to have a whole bunch of credits at the end of the trip. I had the plan for free, I'd not pay for it myself.

Denise

 

[ducklite]

The best bang is eating where you want to eat and what will make you happy rather than worrying about squeezing every dime out of the plan.

Anne

 

[kutchyone]

LeCellier, Chefs deFrance, Kona, Tonys (if you order right), Teppanyaki even with the restrictions that they impose. You can also use the TS credits for the Fantasmic Dinner Package at MGM. Brown Derby is two credits so stay away from that one even though the food is better then the other two, Mama Melrose and Hollywood and Vine are one credit.

There are also some great counter service locations that you get a pretty good bang for your buck:

Cosmic Rays
Tangierinbe Cafe
Flame Tree BBQ
Tusker House

The top place to spend CS credits I think is Peppers Market at CSR.

Yeah, eat where you want to eat but I'm with you, why not go for the gusto and get the most for the money.

 

[3princesses4us]

I totally agree about Le Cellier. In fact, I think it used to be 2 TS credits (is that right?). Definately get your money's worth there! Also, if you're going after Jan. 1st, Coral Reef is dropping from 2 credits to 1! I hear the atmosphere is beautiful and it seems like an even better deal now!

 

[oots]

our most expensive meal on the dp was at kona cafe!

 

[gigi1313]

our most expensive meal (that we did not have to pay for LOL) was at boatwrights in POR... not sure why 'cause we ate well everywhere, but the bill there came to about $180 for 2A/2C (one child is over 10 but i believe she ordered from the kids' menu, although w/an appetizer and dessert from the adult menu)... they also allowed ds8 to order appy/dessert from the adult menu (but he has food allergies and some of the kids' selections were not safe for him)...

we found the biggest "waste" of TS credits was at sci fi drive in...

 

[Merriwind]

The best bang is eating where you want to eat and what will make you happy rather than worrying about squeezing every dime out of the plan.

Anne

ITA! If you don't like it, it has no value to you regardless of cost. To the OP, the beauty of the DP is not having to worry about cost. I would encourage you to look at the menus at Deb's site and pick the restaurants that appeal to you and your family most. Enjoy!

 

[maggiew]

I totally agree about Le Cellier. In fact, I think it used to be 2 TS credits (is that right?). Definately get your money's worth there! Also, if you're going after Jan. 1st, Coral Reef is dropping from 2 credits to 1! I hear the atmosphere is beautiful and it seems like an even better deal now!

I hadn't heard about Coral Reef dropping to 1 credit. Where did you read that? Thanks.

Maggie

 

[ItsJustMe]

In September we used the dining plan for the first time and loved it. Our most expensive meal was at Alfredo's. It was also the most delicious!

 

[mlg32]

I booked Coral Reef for May 2006 and it is 1 TS credit---

 

[3princesses4us]

I hadn't heard about Coral Reef dropping to 1 credit. Where did you read that? Thanks.

Maggie

I actually heard about it on here first (DISers are good), but it is on the new downloadable Dining Plan Brochure on WDW's website. Exciting huh?

 

[jtlover]

I am choosing the following places to eat on my plan

Le Cellier (Epcot)
Nine Dragons (Epcot)
Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
Nacoosees (Grand Floridian) (2)
Kona (Polynesian)
Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)

I have heard good reports about Boma and as we are staying there I am really looking forward to it.

 

[bicker]

The best bang is eating where you want to eat and what will make you happy rather than worrying about squeezing every dime out of the plan.

That's really it, in a nutshell. Following the prices instead of following your stomach is a sure-fire way of being disappointed.