Dining packages - worth it for a 10 year-old that eats very little?

[Canadian Harmony]

I know I'm probably over-thinking this, but when we go (October), the oldest will be 10 turning 11, and she's considered an 'adult' at the park when it comes to meals. But seriously, she eats barely enough to keep a bird alive - maybe a dinner roll and some cucumber. It's RARE that she eats a lot, maybe one dinner out of 3. And it's not because I'm a bad cook

So, say we want to catch fireworks or WOC one night and I'm thinking of doing a dining package at AO even though we weren't planning on eating there (I can change plans). When I get the food package, can I just say there's two kids instead of one when I order them? Do I order them at the park or only online? Our 10 year-old looks old enough to be her age, but she couldn't finish even half of an adult meal and I don't want to pay a ton of money for a meal she won't finish.... do they do doggie bags?

 

[figment_jii]

I know I'm probably over-thinking this, but when we go (October), the oldest will be 10 turning 11, and she's considered an 'adult' at the park when it comes to meals...When I get the food package, can I just say there's two kids instead of one when I order them?

I will warn you now, that folks that suggest lying about the children's ages usually do not get a warm reception here on the Disboards. The policy of this board is to follow the rules as written by Disney, which in this case means, regardless of how much you daughter eats, she is considered an adult and would therefore need to pay the adult price at AG for the WoC dining package.

So, say we want to catch fireworks or WOC one night and I'm thinking of doing a dining package at AO even though we weren't planning on eating there (I can change plans).

Why pay for the dining package if you aren't going to eat there? You won't get the WoC tickets until after you pay for your meal.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I will warn you now, that folks that suggest lying about the children's ages usually do not get a warm reception here on the Disboards. The policy of this board is to follow the rules as written by Disney, which in this case means, regardless of how much you daughter eats, she is considered an adult and would therefore need to pay the adult price at AG for the WoC dining package.


Why pay for the dining package if you aren't going to eat there? You won't get the WoC tickets until after you pay for your meal.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to start anything. I'm still relatively new around here, that's why I asked the question.

I believe it's a waste of money and food to charge 2x as much for someone who would eat 1/2 the meal. That's why I asked if there is a doggie bag option because I know for a fact that if she was to receive a full-sized meal, that we'd end up taking about 3/4 of the plate home. If there's no way to take the remainder back to the room, then I'll have to re-think a dining package for the events. Knowing what my kids will and won't eat is playing into a lot of this decision too.

We want the WoC and 60th Fireworks and a decent site to see them. That was part of my question too - are the dining experiences worth it to get a good spot to see the show? We can always change where we eat dinner. Depending on when the Mickey's Trick-or-Treat is (a Monday or Tuesday), we're going to eat two dinners in DL and two dinners in DCA.

One meal at DL will be a birthday dinner at CC and the other will be a birthday dinner (really a late lunch/early dinner) at AG for their last lunch sitting. The other two dinners are more open-ended and if WoC and the DL 60th fireworks are still offering the dining packages, then perhaps a dining package would be better than eating at FM and PI like I was planning.

Again, I wasn't trying to start anything. I'm honestly asking these questions so I can plan the trip the most efficient way I can.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to start anything. I'm still relatively new around here, that's why I asked the question.

I saw that you only had 59 posts, so that's why I just gave you the warning to try and give you a heads up about how things like that go here on the Disboards.

I believe it's a waste of money and food to charge 2x as much for someone who would eat 1/2 the meal. That's why I asked if there is a doggie bag option because I know for a fact that if she was to receive a full-sized meal, that we'd end up taking about 3/4 of the plate home. If there's no way to take the remainder back to the room, then I'll have to re-think a dining package for the events. Knowing what my kids will and won't eat is playing into a lot of this decision too.

Most places do have left over boxes, but they may not have bags to carry them in. Plus you'd have to cart the food around with you.

We want the WoC and 60th Fireworks and a decent site to see them. That was part of my question too - are the dining experiences worth it to get a good spot to see the show? We can always change where we eat dinner.

There hasn't been any fireworks dining packages at DL, so there is no way to know if they'd be worth it or not. In terms of WoC, so folks think the dining packages are worth it, other do not. My sense is that you still have to get there early if you want a prime viewing spot, even within dining package viewing area. The viewing area (along with the rest of the WoC infrastructure) is undergoing a major refurb right now, so it's not known if there will be improvements made so that more people can see WoC with a decent view. I'm in the group that feels that the WoC viewing area is very poorly designed and only the guests right at the railing have a good view. If you can't see over the person standing in front of you, you'll miss half of the show.

One meal at DL will be a birthday dinner at CC and the other will be a birthday dinner (really a late lunch/early dinner) at AG for their last lunch sitting. The other two dinners are more open-ended and if WoC and the DL 60th fireworks are still offering the dining packages, then perhaps a dining package would be better than eating at FM and PI like I was planning.

What is "FM" and "PI"? I'm going to guess it's French Market and Plaza Inn, but I haven't run across those acronyms before. I really like both of those options.

The bottom line is that my general sense is that no dining package is worth it if you don't want to eat at the restaurant in the first place. They usually add a premium to the

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Yes, FM is French Market and PI is Plaza Inn. I love acronymns! LOL

For some reason, I thought the F! dining packages were at DL, no? So if F! was not being run for the 60th I thought they'd switch the dining packages to reflect the other show that was replacing it (Paint the Night?).

My original plan was just to get a FP for WoC the day we're at DCA anyway and then just go when the show was on and not bother with a dining plan. If it's not worth adding a plan to it, then I won't bother. I don't need to cart four 'souvenier' cushions home with me in my luggage.

 

[figment_jii]

For some reason, I thought the F! dining packages were at DL, no? So if F! was not being run for the 60th I thought they'd switch the dining packages to reflect the other show that was replacing it (Paint the Night?).

There are Fantasmic! Dining Packages, but no fireworks dining packages at DL. Currently, there are no F! dining packages being offered after February 28, so I don't know if means they're discontinuing the F! dining packages, suspending them, or they haven't loaded them into the reservation system.

For the 60th, there will be three new night time shows:

• Paint the Night is the new parade for the 60th anniversary.
• Disneyland Forever is the new fireworks show.
• World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney is the new version of WoC.

They have only offered dining packages for F! and WoC. I don't think they can just switch the F! dining packages to fireworks or parade dining packages because the viewing areas would need to be different.

There have been no indications that DL would stop/suspend/retire Fantasmic! with the start of the 60th anniversary entertainment.

My original plan was just to get a FP for WoC the day we're at DCA anyway and then just go when the show was on and not bother with a dining plan. If it's not worth adding a plan to it, then I won't bother. I don't need to cart four 'souvenier' cushions home with me in my luggage.

Only the F! dining plans come with a souvenier cushion. The WoC dining packages do not.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

So confusing.

Ok... I thought F! was a fireworks show but I guess it's more than that, eh?

I guess I'll know more come July.... sooooo far away....

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

So confusing.

Ok... I thought F! was a fireworks show but I guess it's more than that, eh?

Check this out: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disneyland/fantasmic/

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

So confusing. Ok... I thought F! was a fireworks show but I guess it's more than that, eh?

No worries...longtimeluker gave you a great link, which includes information about the dining packages and FP options for F!. "F!" is the acronym used (sometimes) for Fantasmic! here on the Disboards.

If you are going after May 22nd, then this thread will be helpful:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/wh...-anniversary-in-2015-starting-may-22.3280301/

I guess I'll know more come July.... sooooo far away...

Are you going in July? The new fireworks, WoC, and parade will debut on May 22nd, so we should have a lot more information about viewing areas a little after that point. The actually anniversary is on July 17, but the new shows will have debuted by then.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

No worries...longtimeluker gave you a great link, which includes information about the dining packages and FP options for F!. "F!" is the acronym used (sometimes) for Fantasmic! here on the Disboards.

If you are going after May 22nd, then this thread will be helpful:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/wh...-anniversary-in-2015-starting-may-22.3280301/


Are you going in July? The new fireworks, WoC, and parade will debut on May 22nd, so we should have a lot more information about viewing areas a little after that point. The actually anniversary is on July 17, but the new shows will have debuted by then.

Thanks for that link. I've been watching the thread.

We're going in October, in time for HT and all that stuff. That's why I said July because then all the dates for the Trick or Treat and stuff will be released and I'll have a better idea of what will happen when.

 

[figment_jii]

Be sure to join us on the HalloweenTime SuperThread.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...iting-info-about-halloween-time-2015.3270919/

I'll just caveat the note about July...that's when the information was released last year. With all the changes that may be coming due to the 60th, there is always the chance that the information will be released later in the summer. Also, just to avoid confusion, the Halloween party has been called Mickey's Halloween Party (MHP) for the last several years. It was called Mickey's Trick or Treat Party in 2008 and 2009, but most folks know it as MHP.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I've been stalking that thread too . I forgot about the MHP acronym, but I knew it was something like that.

I think what I'll budget for is a F! dessert experience for the afternoon we arrive which is a Sunday. I think F! is shown on Sundays in October from what I remember?

I can always call DV and ask them about reserving for that day, right? We'll be checking in around 4ish, so we can get our tickets at the counter (I'm planning on going through cheaptickets probably) and ensure the F! dessert pkg is ready to go I should think. We can wander over there after dinner in DTD.

 

[figment_jii]

In October, F! is typically presented on Saturdays and Sundays (if MHP moves back to DCA, that might mean it will also be presented on Fridays). I don't know if the Dessert Party will be back by then or not. The original Dessert Party was replaced by the one at the Hungry Bear, but they aren't taking reservations for it at this point (Hungry Bear is closed for refurb). I'm not sure what is going on with the F! packages because none of the packages are booking beyond Feb 28 at this point.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dessert-party/

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I saw that on the site. I'm holding out hope there's a dessert package for F! on the Sunday. Like I said... waiting til the summer... seems so long away...

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'm not sure what is going on with the F! packages because none of the packages are booking beyond Feb 28 at this point.

I keep seeing this comment and speculating. I wonder if it just has to do with Disney not being sure yet about exactly when WoC is coming back and whether they will continue to offer daily Fantasmic! showings even when WoC is back. I would expect daily Fantasmic! during spring break, but maybe they are just holding back booking dining until they get all their dates hammered out so they don't have to call a bunch of people back and cancel reservations.

 

[figment_jii]

I think there are a couple of things that are happening. I do think it has something to do with the return of WoC in mid-March. I wouldn't be surprised if F! drops back to the weekend only schedule after Spring Break. I also think it might have to do with them trying to decide whether having all of the packages are cost effective or not. They might be trying to decide whether it's worth having two TS options, a dessert party, and a to go meal option during the non-peak season. Lastly, I could also chalk up the lack of early March times (when F! is slated to run nightly because WoC is still down) to something wonky with the dining system or the dining not yet being loaded for March.

 

[MommyJKM]

hen I get the food package, can I just say there's two kids instead of one when I order them?

I'm not sure why Figment was snappy with you, Canadian Harmony. It seemed you were innocently asking if they make exceptions at Disneyland for kids that don't eat much. You weren't insinuating you wanted to lie and it was a valid question and I don't think you did or suggested anything wrong.

I would ask when you call to make Dining Reservations if any restaurants at the parks allow adults to order child sized portions.

The Fantasmic and WOC Dining Packages are going to stick with the age so your 10-yr old will have to be an adult, but you can take food with you and when you look at the dining choices - there may be some things you all can share to make it worth your while.

I think these boards are a great resource for information and you should feel comfortable asking questions...so ask away!

 

[figment_jii]

I'm not sure why Figment was snappy with you, Canadian Harmony. It seemed you were innocently asking if they make exceptions at Disneyland for kids that don't eat much. You weren't insinuating you wanted to lie and it was a valid question and I don't think you did or suggested anything wrong.

I don't think I was being snappy...in fact, I was very careful about the wording I used when responding initially to Canadian Harmony. While she has since cleared it up, her first post did imply that she intended to try and pass off her 11 year old as Disney child to save money. See the bolded parts of the original posting below. Now perhaps that is not what she meant, but that is how the wording sounded. So it seemed better to clear that up immediately.

I know I'm probably over-thinking this, but when we go (October), the oldest will be 10 turning 11, and she's considered an 'adult' at the park when it comes to meals. But seriously, she eats barely enough to keep a bird alive - maybe a dinner roll and some cucumber. It's RARE that she eats a lot, maybe one dinner out of 3. And it's not because I'm a bad cook

So, say we want to catch fireworks or WOC one night and I'm thinking of doing a dining package at AO even though we weren't planning on eating there (I can change plans). When I get the food package, can I just say there's two kids instead of one when I order them? Do I order them at the park or only online? Our 10 year-old looks old enough to be her age, but she couldn't finish even half of an adult meal and I don't want to pay a ton of money for a meal she won't finish.... do they do doggie bags?

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Sometimes my writing doesn't come across properly. I definately meant it innocently and not as a 'get around'.