Disney Dining Plan and ADR's

[millerjmls]

This is the first time that we have bought a dining plan with our package. It looks like it will be a money saver and we are looking for tips and places to have lunch. I made the ADR's for each night at these restaurants: Let me know what you think, we have never been to any of these except The Garden Grill.

Plaza Restaurant 6:30 pm on day of arrival (Saturday)
Hollywood and Vine for 5pm dinner on Sunday(not Fantasmic package)
1900 Park Fare on Monday at 6:15
Crystal Palace for dinner at 4PM (wanted to get out early after dinner for parade and fireworks)
Maya Grill for breakfast buffet (we are staying at CSR) then planning a day visiting relatives outside of resort
The Garden Grill 4pm dinner Thursday
Planet Hollywood on Friday at 6:15

I am looking for some suggestions for lunch now. My son will be on the childs menu plan and I am looking for places that have more to offer than just chicken nuggets. He likes them, but not everyday. I thought the choices above include some buffets so he will have a variety.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Here are my thoughts:

This is the first time that we have bought a dining plan with our package. It looks like it will be a money saver and we are looking for tips and places to have lunch. I made the ADR's for each night at these restaurants: Let me know what you think, we have never been to any of these except The Garden Grill.

Plaza Restaurant 6:30 pm on day of arrival (Saturday)
Good food, not necessarily the best value on the DDP but we've enjoyed our meals there
Hollywood and Vine for 5pm dinner on Sunday(not Fantasmic package)
I heard that a few people like it, to be honest it's the only Disney restaurant that I won't go back to. Ever!
1900 Park Fare on Monday at 6:15
Strawberry Soup! Yum!!! It's been a few years since we've been there, but we really enjoyed it
Crystal Palace for dinner at 4PM (wanted to get out early after dinner for parade and fireworks)
Have not had dinner there, but have heard good things. We may add it to our summer trip
Maya Grill for breakfast buffet (we are staying at CSR) then planning a day visiting relatives outside of resort
Never been
The Garden Grill 4pm dinner Thursday
We've enjoyed every single meal here and the character interaction is great!
Planet Hollywood on Friday at 6:15
This has become a standard for us. We've had really good meals at PH!
I am looking for some suggestions for lunch now. My son will be on the childs menu plan and I am looking for places that have more to offer than just chicken nuggets. He likes them, but not everyday. I thought the choices above include some buffets so he will have a variety.

Have you looked at the CS menus? Some of our favorits by park: Epcot (so many choices!)Sunshine Seasons, any of the WS CS, even Electric Umbrella has pretty decent fast food burgers. AK: Flame Tree BBQ. MK: CHH or Cosmic Rays. DHS, maybe Starring Rolls or Studio Catering

 

[millerjmls]

Here are my thoughts:


Have you looked at the CS menus? Some of our favorits by park: Epcot (so many choices!)Sunshine Seasons, any of the WS CS, even Electric Umbrella has pretty decent fast food burgers. AK: Flame Tree BBQ. MK: CHH or Cosmic Rays. DHS, maybe Starring Rolls or Studio Catering

Actually, I have looked at some of the exact same places you have mentioned. I am glad to see that you agree. I hadn't heard anything bad about Hollywood and Vine. Thanks for the tip. What was it that you disliked about the place? I am open to suggestions for somewhere else.

 

[DisneyDancin7]

is it true that you can make an ADR for PH? if so, how far in advance can you make them? also, does anyone know the hours for PH and Downtown Disney during march????

 

[ChelleinNC]

Actually, I have looked at some of the exact same places you have mentioned. I am glad to see that you agree. I hadn't heard anything bad about Hollywood and Vine. Thanks for the tip. What was it that you disliked about the place? I am open to suggestions for somewhere else.

When we went, the food was awful and the buffet was not being kept up. Some of the food was too hot and some cold. Service was awful, drinks weren't refilled and plates weren't picked up and we couldn't even complain about the food because no one came by the table. It got to the point that we just wanted the check and to get the heck out of there. We love to eat at Disney and while we've had occasional issues here or there, nothing like the complete disaster at H&V. Since there are so many good places to go, we don't need to go back to H&V. Our favorite restaurant at DHS is Brown Derby-- Ok, it's one of our favorites at all of Disney, along with Jiko, Boma & LeCellier. We've always had good meals (not gourmet, but good) at Sci-Fi, 50's PTC & Mama Melrose.
Of course, you could go to H&V and have a wonderful meal and service. I've heard some people complain about Brown Derby and I've had nothing but spectacular service & meals there and we eat there a couple of times a year for the last couple of years. Everything is personal & subjective. A bad server could ruin a meal, or maybe you're in a "mood" because DH/DD/DS/the lady pushing the stroller..... ticked ya off earlier in the day (not that that would ever happen ) Something like that can leave you with a different impression that you might have otherwise had.
All that rambling to say, reviews can be helpful but no 2 experiences will be the same due to other factors.

is it true that you can make an ADR for PH? if so, how far in advance can you make them? also, does anyone know the hours for PH and Downtown Disney during march????

You can sometimes make ADR's for PH. Depending on time of year, you can make them for dinner or only for before 5pm. FWIW, we've had very good luck with just walking up at PH

 

[christophfam]

Plaza Restaurant 6:30 pm on day of arrival (Saturday)-- Since you are on the dining plan, why not go for something other than sandwiches? I like the Plaza, but not on the dining plan. What about O'hana? A wonderful first night pick near the MK?
Hollywood and Vine for 5pm dinner on Sunday(not Fantasmic package)--Again, why not take advantage of a nicer meal? You could do the Fantasmic package and you'll get the apptz. too. We have always had good luck at Mama Melrose.
1900 Park Fare on Monday at 6:15 This is a good one.
Crystal Palace for dinner at 4PM (wanted to get out early after dinner for parade and fireworks)I like this one, too.
Maya Grill for breakfast buffet (we are staying at CSR) then planning a day visiting relatives outside of resort For convience sake this would be all right, Boma is MUCH better.
The Garden Grill 4pm dinner ThursdayI've never been here, but you'll get a much nicer meal at LeCellier or Tuto.
Planet Hollywood on Friday at 6:15

Hope that helps, I go for free dining and want to make the most of every meal!

 

[millerjmls]

I have decided to definitely change the ADR at Hollywood & Vine and possibly also The Plaza Restaurant. You are right Christophfam, we will be hungry after our day of travel and want more than sandwiches. Thanks for the advise.

 

[christophfam]

You're welcome! And, just in case you don't have this link to the menus --
http://allears.net/din/dining.htm
it should help a lot with picking those CSs.

Have a fabulous trip!!