Critique My Dining!

[Melissa Sheridan]

Hey experts!
So I will be at WDW with my husband, our two kids (10 & 8 at trip time) and my Dad, in Feb 2019. We will be staying a BLT at the Contemporary, we will use Disney transportation/ubers.

These are the ADRs I'm going to shoot for, what are your thoughts? (Also, debating the Regular Dining Plan which we haven't done before but I think would fit our needs, in terms of how we like to eat while there.)

Ok, here goes:

Feb 2 (arrive MCO approx 3:00pm)
O'hana Dinner (TS)
Feb 3 (MK Day)
B: hoping for EMM
L: Columbia Harbor House (QS)
D: Chef Mickey's (TS)
Feb 4 (EP & HS)
B: PPO Akershus (TS)
L: Sci-Fi Diner (TS)
D: Woody's Lunchbox (QS)
Feb 5 (AK)
B: QS or Snack Credits at BLT
L: Rainforest Cafe (TS)
D: Flame Tree (QS)
Feb 6 (EP, maybe HS for a bit)
B: QS or Snack Credits at BLT
L: Beaches & Cream (TS)
D: WS Booths
(hoping for Frozen Dessert Party here)
Feb 7 (MK)
B: PPO BOG (QS)
L: Golden Oak Outpost (QS)
D: Pinnochio's (QS)
Feb 8 (Universal Studios)
B: QS or Snack Credits at BLT
L & D @universal
Feb 9 (leaving)
B: 1900 Park Fare (TS)

Thoughts??

Thanks everyone! Happy Planning! Have a great day!

 

[Tksolomom]

I think having Akershus for breakfast and Sci-Fi for lunch might be too much so close together. Haven’t no 2 TS meals in one day is a lot. If you are going to Universal the dining plan might not make sense.

Other than that it looks great.

 

[GillianP1301]

I think your plan looks great. Some really good choices on there and I agree that the regular dining plan will suit your plan well. Personally, I have no issue at all with 2 TS a day, especially when one is PPO and Sci-Fi is one of our favourite places to get away from the noise and heat (although maybe not so hot in February). It is one of the quietest places in all of WDW. It's also a really great experience overall.

My personal opinion on your AK day would be to try something other than Rainforest Cafe. It's fine, but we have one not too far from us, so I tend not to bother with it at Disney. Yak & Yeti at AK is a really good TS option that I would choose over Rainforest.

 

[drwadadli]

I think your plan looks good except I agree with two point previously mentioned. I would be concern that having Akershus for breakfast and Sci-Fi for lunch might be too much so close together unless you push Sci-Fi lunch back to like 1 - 2 p.m. The other is I wouldn't pick Rainforest Cafe. For us, when we go to Disney we try not to eat at chains which Rainforest Cafe clearly is and there is better food that the cafe to eat at like Yak & Yeti.

 

[Rich M]

I think your plans look pretty good and if the DDP works for you and your plan then I recommend it. I also recommend Yak N Yeti over Rainforest Cafe at AK. I really like the meal there and the won ton dessert is so good. I also recommend paying OOP for Beaches & Cream as it is not a good use of a TS credit since its basic food. Other than that have a great trip.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

What time is your Ohana dinner on arrival day? Personally I don't like to book ADRs for arrival day in case of flight delays, etc.

I think Akershus and Sci Fi will be fine on the same day, but I would plan to do Sci Fi as a late lunch or early dinner and skip Woody's Lunchbox. I doubt you will be hungry for a 3rd meal that day.

 

[Melissa Sheridan]

Thanks, guys!

Tksolomon - I wouldn't normally want two TSs in the same day but because one is PPO, I think in this case it would be ok. Also because of the Universal day, it was a good way to use up the dining credits.

GillianP1301 - I'm with ya on Rainforest but since we're from Alberta there's isn't one close to us and it's one of the kids' faves! : )

 

[KenHutch]

I like your ideas but I would suggest something other than Rainforest Café. It is loud and the food very average, there are several good places in Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti is incredibly good or perhaps a buffer? Tusker House is a character buffer and is very good as well.

 

[Mika02]

Thanks, guys!

Tksolomon - I wouldn't normally want two TSs in the same day but because one is PPO, I think in this case it would be ok. Also because of the Universal day, it was a good way to use up the dining credits.

GillianP1301 - I'm with ya on Rainforest but since we're from Alberta there's isn't one close to us and it's one of the kids' faves! : )

I think the 2 TS are fine but my kids who have big appetites once we did a TS for Breakfast either didn't want lunch (depending on the time) or not a big lunch. So the TS at dinner would work but maybe not at lunch if you could I would try to swap sci fi for dinner and woody for lunch.

While the food at Rainforest Cafe is good it really takes a lot of time out of your plans for the day so I would just be as aware that they delay any plans you have I learned this the hard way.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I haven't been having good luck booking 'Ohana, may be tricky to get on your arrival day.

 

[Lisa F]

I find if you space TS out 5-6 hours from start time to start time, it's about right. so 8am at akershus and 1-2 pm at sci fi would work just fine for me.

 

[MomOTwins]

I count a 7 night stay and only 4 TS restaurants that are good value on the dining plan (O'hana, Chef Mickey's, Akershus, and 1900 park fare), so I'm not sure dining plan will save you much money. I also suggest moving O'hana later into your stay (maybe Feb 7 instead of pinnochios since Ohana is close to MK), since Ohana dinner is so hard to get a rezzie for.

 

[Melissa Sheridan]

Agreed on the O'hana/arrival day comments, thanks.
I've debated doing Chef Mickey's on arrival day, since it's at our hotel. IF (and that's a big IF!) I can get O'hana for the Saturday, I'll take it! Otherwise, Chef Mickey's will work just fine for us!

 

[Rich M]

Agreed on the O'hana/arrival day comments, thanks.
I've debated doing Chef Mickey's on arrival day, since it's at our hotel. IF (and that's a big IF!) I can get O'hana for the Saturday, I'll take it! Otherwise, Chef Mickey's will work just fine for us!

I was lucky enough to get a late Ohana reservation on my arrival day using the Touring Plans Reservation finder. I know some don't like going late but I love being there when the fireworks are going off at MK. Its a great way to start your vacation.

 

[Lisa F]

Agreed on the O'hana/arrival day comments, thanks.
I've debated doing Chef Mickey's on arrival day, since it's at our hotel. IF (and that's a big IF!) I can get O'hana for the Saturday, I'll take it! Otherwise, Chef Mickey's will work just fine for us!

You might want to think about swapping ANYWAY. The value of ease on arrival day should not be underestimated!

 

[gharter]

It look like a good mix of TS and QS and a nice assortment of restaurants.
As far as DDP, I would play with the menus, see what you would normally order and see how the number work out.
We did it once when it was free and for us it was way too much food.
Your EPCOT and HS day, I would try and move Sci Fi a little later than noon since you have a character meal that morning.
Would agree with swapping Chef Mickey and Ohana if possible. Or set it for a late ADR in case the plane is delayed or it takes longer to get from teh airport than you expect.

 

[Melissa Sheridan]

Hmmm, maybe I try for O'hana on an MK day instead...
The dining plan is something my Dad is interested in trying this time, as we did not last time. More so for the ease of everything being paid for ahead of time, not so much for the (potential) savings. We'll see if they offer the Stay, Play and Dine next year during this time or not....

 

[Melissa Sheridan]

It look like a good mix of TS and QS and a nice assortment of restaurants.
As far as DDP, I would play with the menus, see what you would normally order and see how the number work out.
We did it once when it was free and for us it was way too much food.
Your EPCOT and HS day, I would try and move Sci Fi a little later than noon since you have a character meal that morning.
Would agree with swapping Chef Mickey and Ohana if possible. Or set it for a late ADR in case the plane is delayed or it takes longer to get from teh airport than you expect.

Yes, I was definitely going to do SciFi closer to 1:00/1:30. Thanks!