Dining with Little One + WDW Dining Package?

[Muppetfan3]

Can someone give me some input?? We'll be going to WDW in December with our one year old and we're VERY excited! I was going to make dining reservations at the end of the month. I already have made reservations for the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Anyway, my question is two-fold (ok, maybe many-fold) LOL!

First, can someone tell me if all restuarants (besides Victoria and Albert's) are really kid friend??? We're wanting to try some neat things and really, really good food. For neat, we have in mind Boma and Marakesh. For good, I've heard California Grill, etc. Want to go to Fulton's perhaps (was there about 8) years ago and perhaps some other places. So, is there places we should just stay away from and what are some REALLY good places to eat and enjoy the atmosphere, etc., etc. (at the same time as having a one-year old with you). We do plan on taking her to a character breakfast at Crystal Palace to see Pooh, Piglet, etc. Is this good and fun for her?

Also, can someone please explain the dining package (discount thing) in layman's terms? We booked our reservations straight through WDW, so if we want to do it, hopefully it won't be a big ordeal to do. Is is complicated and does it really save money?

THANKS for your input!!!

 

[Princess89]

I can't comment on some of your questions except Crystal Palace. We took DD 1 at the time there and she loved it. We did early dinner late lunch she really had a great time! There was plenty of character interaction too.

 

[HayGan]

Virtually all the restaurants are kid friendly. Your DD may enjoy some more than others (Crystal Palace or any other character meal) but I wouldn't worry about taking her to any restaurant. We saw babies at every restaurant we ate at in December.

As for the dining plan, in order to get the dining plan you have to buy a package plan (room, tickets, dining plan) or rent points from a DVC member. The cost is $37.99+tax a day (each) for adults (your DD would be ineligible for the plan because she is under 3.) For each adult on the plan you would receive 1 table service credit (TS), 1 counter service (CS) credit and 1 snack per night of your package. So if you are staying for 5 nights you would have a total of 10 TS credits, 10 CS credits and 10 snack credits to use as you like throughout your trip.

All credits are pooled together so you can use them however you like. They will be loaded into a central account that anyone with a room key can access. You will just give your card to your server at the end of your meal (TS) or checkout (CS/snack)
Here is the official brochure for the dining plan
Disney Dining Plan

Hope that helps!

 

[ErinSLP]

we went in January with our 1 year old DD, and we found that all the restaurants were kid friendly. We ate at Le Cellier, 50's prime time, LTT, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and CRT. We had no problems anywhere. SHe ate off our plates and we ordered juice for her and were never charged. We have eated at California Grill before and there were always lots of kids there. We will be taking her there on our next trip in Jan, when she will be 2. If you have any other questions, let me know!!!!

 

[mydogisbo]

Just another vote for Crystal Palace--we took DS when he was not quite 1--he loved the characters & I think the food is good there for breakfast. It is my favorite character meal (thus far).

 

[jpolak]

I think all restaruants are kid friendly what is important is the time. I am sure people who make a 5pm ADR at a "nice" restaruant are expecting lots of children to be there. On the other hand as it gets later the expectation that there will children decreases. NOw I know it is Disney and you can expect children everywhere, but (flamesuit on) imho some common sense needs to be applied. Would you take your toddler out to dinner at home at 9pm? Maybe you would, but surely not after running around all day. I mean thats no fun for anyone, the parents included.