Questions for those who have used - or about to use and can research - the dining coupons from Connections.
1. I received my coupons today and noticed that "Children must order from the children's menu where available."
1a. I noticed in the menu website that some children's menus are listed - do we know if it contains all of them? The reason I ask is because it makes a big difference whether the Kids Menu contains the usual $6-8 chicken finger entree (with side and dessert - and sometimes beverage - included). If this is the case, it would be hard to justify 12.50.
1b. Does anyone know if the sit-down restaurants on the coupon list allow children to order from the adult menu - the restaurants have allowed it in the past, presuming that you get portions proportional to the price - i.e., usually 1/2 an entree for 1/2 price. They used to do this in the "old" coupon world (8 years ago) - and if know you can always ask for this today (at least as of Jan 2001) if you are paying cash. If this were the case, and they could order an appetizer, entree, etc from the adult menu in kids portions - this would be very desirable relative to the coupons......
By the way - I had a happy happenstance in the Coral Reef last January (2001). My kids (boys 11, 13) have really outgrown the kids menu options and portions. Give the high prices, we asked the waiter to split an adult meal in the kitchen. When the bill came, we were charged for the one adult meal, as expected. When it came time to pay the bill, I finally remembered to ask whether the Vacation Club, Disney Club or Annual Pass had any discounts. He replied that the kids eat free with the AP - and took the price of the adult entree off the menu. His tip reflected his willingness to facilitate the savings!!!
Also by the way - I don't have time to bounce over to the Coral Reef discussion - but it is one of our favorite restaurants. The prices are high, but I remind my family and guests that I figure I am paying about $5-8/head for the ambience. There is no place else in DW where you can "experience" this dining opportunity. I feel it is "worth it" but can understand that someone else doesn't care as much about ambience - or fish.
Back to the coupons.....
This is my preliminary opinion of the coupons:
1. They are not a part of a "budget" vacation. Period. "Budget", relative to food (for me) means eating breakfast in your room, preparing picnic for lunch, and figuring out ways to microwave soup in your room at night - and access to a grocery store (Goodings looks like a grocery store - but is priced like company store - if your food bill is likely to exceed $150, I would try harder to get to the Wal-mart on US-192), . I have done this and it is not that hard - but it takes forethought, discipline and a willingness for someone in the group (let me guess - the mom???) to incorporate this into the vacation.
2. Assuming that you consider food a significant part of your vacation and like to treat yourself, this is a good way to "justify" treating yourself well. Normally, we don't have an appetizer, drink water and share a dessert. With coupons, we can "live a little" because the extras have been provided by the coupons and our judicious use of them.
3. Then there is the "combo" food budget - eating 2 meals a day out of the frig - and counting on the coupons to provide the "main meal"..........
The open issue for me is knowing what the restaurants will allow relative to "optimizing" the use of the coupons. I'll let you know................
Oh yes, and here's probably a dumb question - Does Disney monitor this site - using the information to "stay out ahead" of us - "informed users"?
