Dining stress and ADLS

[swisely]

OK, there are 5 of us (4 adults and 1 child) going to WDW in August and I am stressing about ADRs, considering there is no calendar for EMHs yet for August. We are on the dining plus plan and I am beginning to wonder if it is worth the hassle. Do we really want to be tied to a time schedule? I want the dining experience for this first trip of ours and all, but I HATE the idea of being locked into a reservation while I might want to be at another park at that time. The QS plan is looking better and better all the time. And not knowing if I can get the restaurant of our choice is another issue. Any advice out there anyone?

 

[indigodisney]

I hear you - we are trying the dining plan for the first time for our trip in August and planning the ADR's and wondering which ones we will get is a little bit much.

I do like the Quick Service and that is usually what we end up eating with the odd dinner or lunch at a table service - maybe 2 times per trip, so this will be a bit of lifestyle change for us. it was all out of pocket and not that much!'

Good luck with your planning, one thing I do know is that there are tons of people on here who will kindly help you!!

 

[adventure_woman]

I have been to Disney more times that I can count, and I used to be a cast member. We did the DDP for the first time last month. I loved eating at all the places, but we spent a LOT of time eating or waiting to eat or going to eat. IMO, for first timers, I wouldn't do the DDP. I would rather spend more time in the parks. Pick a couple of character meals, but then just do CS. That is just my opinion.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I have been to Disney more times that I can count, and I used to be a cast member.

Same here

We did the DDP for the first time last month. I loved eating at all the places, but we spent a LOT of time eating or waiting to eat or going to eat. IMO, for first timers, I wouldn't do the DDP. I would rather spend more time in the parks. Pick a couple of character meals, but then just do CS. That is just my opinion.

I would give the exact opposite advice

OP, I'm not the biggest fan of the DDP. Not because of making all the ADR's but because sometimes: people get sick and can't use up their pre-paid credits and during the winter there are shorter park hours to work around.

That said, I'm a big believer in taking a break everyday with 1 sitdown meal --especially for 1st timers and families with small children! Since you're travelling in August, it will be hot. The hour or so you spend sitting down to eat in the air conditioning will reinvigorate everyone in your group The parks will be open late, so you'll have plenty of park time after resting/re-fueling.

As far as planning and making ADR's: reservations can only be made 90 days in advance now, so you have time to think about it. Park hours will be released about the same time as when you can make the ADR's. Do your research now and have an idea of what restaurants you want to go to, then when it's time to call you'll be ready.

It's funny, my family doesn't know what they want for dinner tonight, but no problem picking out what they're having in July It actually takes a lot of stress off of me when we're on the trip because we don't have the nightly "what should we have for dinner?" battle going on, we know what we're having. If for some reason we don't/can't make an ADR we call & cancel and do something else.

 

[swisely]

I have been to Disney more times that I can count, and I used to be a cast member. We did the DDP for the first time last month. I loved eating at all the places, but we spent a LOT of time eating or waiting to eat or going to eat. IMO, for first timers, I wouldn't do the DDP. I would rather spend more time in the parks. Pick a couple of character meals, but then just do CS. That is just my opinion.

Thanks for all your advice--I will stew on this and see what my family thinks.