Bring Your Dining Scalpels...I need to Cut something!!

[Andrea73]

Okay, I just heard about the Wishes Dessert Party and REALLY want to do it.

I am also trying to stay on budget and my plan already calls for me paying for 2 less expensive meals, 50's Prime & CP breakfast as well as HDD OOP. I am out of control and need to STOP!!!

Here is my schedule. What would you cut so that I had less OOP meals and could include the Wishes Dessert Party.

The cut does not have to be an OOP choice. It could be a DDP plan one in which case I would move an OOP meal to DDP. I have 9 DDP credits.

Help this 1st timer get cut throat about staying on my dining budget!!



Wed 5/26-Arrive Late (10pm- midnight)

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 5:05PM

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. Stay for Illuminations

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

 

[Andrea73]

I wanted to add that the one "I" am least attached to is CRT, I was really torn about that choice.

Honestly, I only booked it because everyone said you should do it once and at 4 & 8 my girls are the perfect age to really be impressed by it. I don't know when we will be back to Disney for them to have another chance at dinner at the castle.

 

[zhazhazsu]

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM I feel like you could cancel this because that is alot of sitting and eating on an already short AK day and you have alot of other character meals, maybe do an early lunch at Flame Tree instead
Boma 5:05PM

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. Stay for Illuminations

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM I also feel like you could cut this, and do the dessert party here if available, and CS that day.

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

 

[stephmarty]

Personally I'd cut 50's Prime Time. It sounds like fun, but I really don't think it would compare to a character meal for my kids. And for my family, Les Chefs due to the menu and no real affinity for Remy, who may or may not show.

I can't answer these based on having eaten there, but based on the research I did prior to making our own ADRs. I did book most of the others you have chosen, so I'm guessing our tastes are similar. Have fun!

 

[ReneeA]

I would cut CRT and keep Akershus. You meet more princesses at Akershus, and the food is better. The dinner meal at CRT is jut "meh". The experience is a nice one, but not worth it IMO.

I also would cut out 50's...bu that's just me. We had a not so great experience there and I won't go back again. There are those that love it, though. I would also hope that your dinner that night is late since the meals at 50's are huge. You won't be terribly hungry for a buffet after that lunch.

 

[FigmentFinder]

Okay, I just heard about the Wishes Dessert Party and REALLY want to do it.

I am also trying to stay on budget and my plan already calls for me paying for 2 less expensive meals, 50's Prime & CP breakfast as well as HDD OOP. I am out of control and need to STOP!!!

Here is my schedule. What would you cut so that I had less OOP meals and could include the Wishes Dessert Party.

The cut does not have to be an OOP choice. It could be a DDP plan one in which case I would move an OOP meal to DDP. I have 9 DDP credits.

Help this 1st timer get cut throat about staying on my dining budget!!



Wed 5/26-Arrive Late (10pm- midnight)

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 5:05PM

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. Stay for Illuminations

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

I'm pretty sure Remy only appears at lunch.

If you're paying for that much OOP, maybe you should consider the DxDDP. Run the numbers see if you come out close or ahead.

 

[tluvstink]

Eating in the castle is nice but it isn't "all that" and, in my opinion, not worth two credits. Since you have Park Fare and Askerhaus booked you will have plenty of princess interaction. So if it were me that is the one I would let go.

I also agree with a PP that Tusker House and Boma may be a bit much for one day.

Terri

 

[oldbay]

Wed 5/26-Arrive Late (10pm- midnight)

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare
I would cut 50's prime time. Too much sit down food for one day, imo.

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)
Great show and worth it

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 5:05PM
I would keep Tusker house here, love donald's breakfast! My Dh liked Boma, not sure the kids will - this could easily go.

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)
This could also go, I am not a big breakfast person though. Plus, you are using a good time to tour MK eating - things won't get crowded for another hour.

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. Stay for Illuminations
Can you move it to a princess dinner?

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM
Good choice!

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

I think you are a little breakfast heavy. This is a great time to tour the parks before the heat and crowds. I would let a few of them go first. I also don't think they are a great value for your dining plan $$ Have a great trip.

 

[Andrea73]

I am listening and taking it all in. I just pushed Boma back to 6:15 to give us more AK time.

Keep the advice coming.

 

[angdbinkc]

I would cut CRT and keep Akershus. You meet more princesses at Akershus, and the food is better. The dinner meal at CRT is jut "meh". The experience is a nice one, but not worth it IMO.

I also would cut out 50's...bu that's just me. We had a not so great experience there and I won't go back again. There are those that love it, though. I would also hope that your dinner that night is late since the meals at 50's are huge. You won't be terribly hungry for a buffet after that lunch.

Agree with cutting CRT and keeping Akershus. Unless you are set on the food options at CRT...or on one of the possible princesses who may be at CRT that are not at Akershus I think Akershus is a better option!

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Fall1]

Here's what I'd do

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP) (CUT - will you be hungry for dinner if you have a big lunch?)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 5:05PM

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. (If only going for Remy, I'd cut and do a counter service place) Stay for Illuminations

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

 

[everythingALICE]

Personally, I would cut 1900 Park Fare or CRT. I haven't been to CRT, but I really wasn't too impressed with 1900 when I went for dinner. I have only been to Akershus for lunch, but I really enjoy it and the character interaction is super.

 

[Donop26]

I would reconsider the princess meals, and I'll give you my reasons. My daughters are exactly the same ages as yours. We went last Sept. when they were 3 1/2 and 7 1/2. I did all 3 princess meals you are doing, in the same order in fact. We did CRT last.

They loved 1900 Parke Faire, our first princess dinner, the step-sisters and Prince Charming, they loved it all! Then did Arkeshus dinner (fyi, would only do the breakfast, the dinner food...not so good). Again, they loved the princesses, saw 5 total, gorgeous pictures with Belle, great character meal.

Did CRT last, now don't get me wrong, they enjoyed it, and so did I, but by that point, the princesses were old hat. They had already seen all of them at the other two meals, except for Jasmine. So, they already had their autographs, photos with them, etc. Wasn't as big of a deal to meet them. I remember I thought to myself that I should have done this one first, or skipped it altogether because Arkehsus and 1900 PF basically had the princesses covered. It kind of took the excitement out of the whole princess/castle thing.

So, my thoughts, if you are going to do the other two meals, use your 1 TS credit for those and skip CRT. Or, do CRT and skip the other two. Just my opinion, hope it helps.

 

[hannaconda]

I loved Akershus I think I was in more of the Pics than my 7yr old. Lots of Princess who took thier time and made sure everyone got pics who wanted one and I got them all. I liked Tucker House as well. Big breakfast and then a light lunch was just right for my TS that night. I also liked 50's cafe. The food was actually good but I like southern food being from the south.

 

[Andrea73]

Thanks everyone.

I am not inclined to do DxDDP because honestly, we look over scheduled for meals as it is.

I am seriously considering dropping CRT. It would free up 2DDP. I can also cancel 50's even though I hear DHS CS is not so good. But we can rope drop and hit everything we want without being forced to sit down.

I was thinking that I wanted to do something "special" on the last night(CRT). But honestly, from a kids perspective, they may want to sleep in, swim and go to MK later and ride their hearts out. I may even save a GAD FP for this day.

I need to step back and look at things through my kids eyes instead of trying to plan a "perfect" vacation.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I'd cut CRT. You will see Cinderella at Park Fare and everyone else at Akershus. We liked Akershus much better than CRT.

My DDs (10 and 7) request 50's Prime Time over all other Disney restaurants, even character meals. I wouldn't cut it. The food is good and the experience is unique to Disney. DHS doesn't have great counter service options, either. If you pay OOP, split an entree with your DH and get a PB&J milkshake.

Boma is DH's favorite restaurant, and even my very picky DD7 likes to eat there. Unless you are staying at AKL, it is worth the trip over just for the animals and atmosphere, but the food at Boma is delicious!

Not a big fan of HDDR, but it should probably be experienced at least once.

Would not cut Tusker House or Crystal Palace. Although we like breakfast at CP the best, lunch was good too and might give you more touring time in the morning.

 

[Andrea73]

Tentative Changes

Wed 5/26-Arrive Late (10pm- midnight)

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch
Cancel Dinner at 1900 Park Fare Move to 6/4 so we can stay at DHS as long as needed with no rush

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 6:15PM moved from 5:05 to allow more AK time

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM Cancel to save DDP

Do 1900 Park Fare instead 4:55 available (we can go after any break before we head back to park)

This plan does not have any OOP sit down meals anymore. I think we have 9 DDP used with HDD still OOP. There was no Cat 2 left when we booked.

I may still adjust times a bit.

 

[maggiew]

Wed 5/26-Arrive Late (10pm- midnight)

Thursday May 27:
50's Prime Lunch (OOP)
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Friday May 28:
HDD 5:00PM (cat 1- OOP)

Sat May 29:
Tusker House Breakfast 10:00AM
Boma 5:05PM

Sunday May 30:
Crystal Palace Breakfast 10:25AM-(OOP)

Monday May 31:
Epcot Princess Breakfast @ Akershus 10:50AM-
Les Chefs de France 5:00 pm in hopes of seeing Remy. Stay for Illuminations

Tuesday June 1:
Cape May Clam Bake 5:00PM

Wednesday June 2:
Ohana's 5:10PM

Thursday June 3:
Cinderellas Royal Table 6:50PM

I would cut:
50s prime time
Boma
Chefs de France

Mainly because your kids aren't at an age to really enjoy those.

Maggie

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I would cut:
50s prime time
Boma
Chefs de France

Mainly because your kids aren't at an age to really enjoy those.

Maggie

I have never been to Chefs de France and can't comment on that, but my kids (10 and 7) love Boma and AKL. We've been going to Boma for years, and my kids have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere and just being at AKL. We do Boma every trip because it is DH's favorite restaurant and he doesn't ask for much, but we all love it.

My kids love 50's Prime Time more than any other restaurant at Disney, and they have been to most of them. They rank it above all character meals, and DD7 is a serious princess and Pooh fan, so that is saying something. I think the OP's 8 year old in particular will love it. We first went when DDs were 9 and 6 and they both thought it was hysterical. It was the first restaurant they requested when we planned this year's trip.

Different strokes for different folks, but I'm certain an 8 year old is not too young to enjoy Prime Time. I'd expect even a four year would appreciate watching Mommy and Daddy being scolded for not eating their vegetables.

 

[maggiew]

Well, what you say is true. Different kids like different things. But she is looking for things to cut. I guess my best advice would be to cut down to one table service per day. On the days she had 2 TS scheduled, pick the one that you think your kids would like the most. If the princesses, then keep 1900 Fark Fare and drop 50s Prime Time. If they are more likely to enjoy the antics at 50s, then do that.

This is the OPs first time and I seem to recall her kids are young. That is why I made the recommendations I did. But she knows her kids best.

My DD came into the room while I was reading this thread and she said, "Why is everyone suggesting she cut CRT. " She acted like she couldn't understand why anyone would want to do that. And my DD is 14! Ha ha ha. She loves it there for some reason.

Maggie