Deluxe Dining Plan/ADR's good mix?

[tiggergalttfn]

Hello - this will be our 3rd trip to WDW. DH, myself, DS 8, and DD 6

This if for my 40th bday celebration! We started planning out our meals and then ended up upgrading to the Deluxe dining plan so be able to do the TS and also some of the dinner shows. Just wondering if these seem doable or if I am over doing with them?!?!

Arrive Friday night September 25th and will be staying 1 night at Dolphin so we will pay OOP for dinner that evening. May meet up with friends that live in the area. Then will transfer to Wilderness Lodge early next morning to start our package

Sat 26Sep - AK for 9:35 am at Tusker House breakfast
8:15 pm Spirit of Aloha category 2 seating

Sun 27Sep - my actual birthday 9:15 am Cinderella's Royal Table (so excited never been to this one before) and then 4:35 pm Crystal Palace dinner before MNSSHP that evening

Mon 28Sep - Askerhaus at 9:25 am and then Le Cellier at 5:35 pm

Tues 29Sep - Hollywood and Vine at 9:35 am and Mickey's Backyard BBQ at 6:30 pm

Wed 30Sep - Whispering Canyon at 9:25 am and Ohana's at 6:50 pm

Thur 1Oct - Just grab something quick at resort at Roaring forks, BOG lunch at 1:15 pm and Whispering Canyon for dinner at 7 pm

Fri 2Oct - Chef Mickey's at 9:30 am and T-Rex at 8:00 pm

Sat 3Oct - Ohana's breakfast at 9 am and then depart for home

 

[amomma23]

Sounds good, but 2 thoughts... Breakfast at 9:30 on the 26th might be tight if you are trying to check in at WL and then get to AK for your ADR that morning.

Also, breakfast at 9:30 at every park means your missing out on prime attraction time with lower crowds.
Just my $0.02.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Sounds good, but 2 thoughts... Breakfast at 9:30 on the 26th might be tight if you are trying to check in at WL and then get to AK for your ADR that morning.

Also, breakfast at 9:30 at every park means your missing out on prime attraction time with lower crowds.
Just my $0.02.

That was my first thought as well! No way would I do a 9:30 or so breakfast every single day. That first hour or two is usually some of the quietest time in the parks, easy to get on rides, etc. And you'll be giving it up to sit in a restaurant every single day. Especially those days that you're not eating in a park, I would assume you won't even go to the park until after breakfast. That means you'll be arriving just as they start to get really busy.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Agree with posters above. I know breakfast ADRs can be hard to come by but you'll be missing some valuable ride time. I would just keep CRT if you can't get another time (earlier a.m. or lunch, etc.). You're going to have a great time regardless!

 

[tiggergalttfn]

Thanks for the thoughts! On Sat 26Sep we have our own car and will be getting up really early (is the 1st day lol) so we can always drive ourself to AK if need be or we might just go straight to AK and check in later.

As far as the others I was with you and wanted earlier but for this week I had a really hard time coming by reservations.... honestly was really surprised as thought would be quieter week/time

Now Mon 28Sep did choose the later breakfast time as we have tickets to MNSSHP the night before so we will be out late. Also on Tues 29Sep we want to sign up the kids for Jedi Academy so figured best to get out spot there 1st and then head to breakfast; well at least hoping

 

[POTCfan]

Two things:

1) I think you have to check into WL that first morning before your breakfast so your dining plan is activated. I am pretty sure that if you check-in online and say you are arriving early, this should activate it (as you are giving them your credit card to link to your account). I've never tried to use a band without at least checking in online, so I am not sure whether the dining plan would work or not.

2) One of the great things about the Deluxe Dining Plan is that you can order appetizers at TS restaurants. It seems like you have a lot of buffets, so you can't take advantage of that. It's not a problem, buffets are great, it's just I would personally change a buffet or two back to a TS lunch or dinner where I could take advantage of the appetizer (which isn't available on the regular dining plan).

 

[tiggergalttfn]

Thanks POTCfan! Yeah I was wondering about if we did the online check in if we could go straight to AK and come back to WL later in the day and check in at that time. Guess I will have to call them and ask.

Thanks for the thought on the appetizers will have to think about that; yes lots of buffets but the kids love the character meals We also did the Dlx plan so we could do the Spirit of Aloha and Mickey's backyard BBQ as well. I will have to look at some other restaurant options.