CS meals vs. Sit down meals

[rbolbach]

We will be traveling to WDW with our 2 and 4 year old. This will be the first trip for all of us (a great family experience). We will definately do 2-3 character meals. My question is outside of the character meals, would you plan a lot of other sit down meals or just stick to CS. I am not sure what will be easier-given the two little ones. We are trying to decide if we should go with the DDP-- and we will probably only go with it if we decide to sit down at least once a day. Any thoughts?

TIA
Gina

 

[stitchlover]

Our family (DW, DH and DD 11 yrs) always do the dining plan. We enjoy the one sit down meal a day. It really is a personal choice. With little ones it might be nice to plan a sit down dinner for after an afternoon nap or swim. Then that will give them a little energy for some evening activities. Either in the park or at the resort.

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I going alone plan a lot of sit down meals including character meals. When we went with the 2 nieces we planned all character meals we could so the kids could get a kick out of their first trip.

The first night we arrived we did CM...a buffet with 2 kids was so difficult, DH and I barely got a chance to eat....the next day we decided to cancel our other character meals except the Princess one and just eat at CS places..that worked out so much better for us.

 

[MissionMouse]

...WDW with our 2 and 4 year old....definately do 2-3 character meals.... I am not sure what will be easier-given the two little ones...should go with the DDP... Any thoughts?...

It always comes down to personal preference. In this case, it also involves your eating life style and park season.

TS provides typically healthier meal choices over CS. You can find some healthy choices at CS restaurants but few provcide a decent number of healthy options. TS also provides you a table in a calmer environment where a CS ...depending on a season may result in no table or dashing to capture one. Not so easy with young children. TS provided us a parent break too.

Also, I would note just because you do 1 TS a day does not necessarily equate to making the DDP a deal. We sit down and do our homework (not fun and it does take time), using menus with prices and total out our plans (cost estimates) and compare. Right now, the DDP is not a deal for us, but maybe in the future...if Disney does not downgrade the plans from what they are today.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We always do at least 2 TS (Breakfast and Dinner) and a CS for lunch. Eating a TS meal in the morning is a great way for the kids to relax before a long day at the parks and for my DH and I to relax as well and have a couple cups of coffee. By the time dinner rolls around, we have wanted to sit down in an air conditioned building and relax, whether it is a character dinner or a more relaxed atmosphered one. We usually just snack when it comes to lunch, so we don't worry about that.

 

[septbaby]

Well there are two aspects to your question. First financial:
2yo eats for free and the 4yo will eat for $10.99/day, a steal if you ask me. Since you plan to do some TS character meals I say go for it as for $38.99 you will get those meals plus a CS meal and snack each day.

Secondly, now how to select those character and other meals:
I actually think breakfast or lunch character meals will work best for your little ones. They'll be awake and not cranky or too tired. Generally I suspect you'll have less wait to be seated time even with ADRs. Lunch might be the respite you need from the hot parks and it'll give you a chance to refuel. I think lunches can be scheduled from about 11am to as late as 3pm. A CS dinner at your resort will also be a sit down meal and you can even do this in the comfort of your room or patio area to make it even lower stress. If you plan to go back for naps/rest this will also eliminate any mad rush to get them up and running again in time for an ADR. I remember reading a post where one parent stayed with the kids, the other went and enjoyed a solo CS meal, brought back food for the family. I can't recall if the other parent went and had their alone time meal, but that is certainly and option too.

Sounds like you'll have a magical trip whatever decisions you make. Be sure to capture those precious moments on film!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We do at least 1 sit down meal per day. Some days, we do an extra sit-down because we like character meals, but we also like other ts meals.