Ditching dining to save dollars

[tina.tina]

Which of these would you ditch --If any?
We have reg ddp and are paying out of pocket for others & would like to save a little $$$. I' ve come up with the brilliant idea to cancel a dining res. Would you? Here is what we have. (first visit)
Thursday. none
Friday. 5pm HDDR
Saturday. 5:55pm Garden Grill
Sunday have 8:00 H&Vine breakfast but will probly not do this 1
3:55 H&Vine F! Pkg
Monday. 7:25am Chef Mickey
12:30 Le Cellier
Tuesday 8:10 Tusker House
will keep one of RFC res
12:30 & 6:30 Rainforest Cafe
Wednesday. 8:05 Crystal Palace
3:55 CRT @ castle

 

[mrmdisneyfl]

i recommend skipping Rain Tree Forest

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think the first thing on my chopping block would be the Garden Grill. It's not necessarily the most cost-effective thing to ditch, but I think it's the easiest on your list to do without.

 

[GatorLady]

Rainforest Cafe

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I agree....Rainforest Cafe. The second choice would be Garden Grill.

 

[dicelees]

I would definitely drop Rainforest Cafe, IMHO very expensive and not great food. Second probably Garden Grill too... you can get most of the same food at Sunshine Seasons, but it's counter service.

 

[robinb]

Thursday. none
Friday. 5pm HDDR
Saturday. 5:55pm Garden Grill
Sunday have 8:00 H&Vine breakfast but will probly not do this 1
3:55 H&Vine F! Pkg
Monday. 7:25am Chef Mickey
12:30 Le Cellier
Tuesday 8:10 Tusker House
will keep one of RFC res
12:30 & 6:30 Rainforest Cafe
Wednesday. 8:05 Crystal Palace
3:55 CRT @ castle

I would cancel one and probably both the the ones I highlighted. The Hoop Dee Doo is fun, but I don't think you should waste your time going to it on your first trip. In addition, I have not heard a single good review of Hollywood & Vine and I think it's a big mistake to go even once ... twice is way too often.

 

[jking6]

Rain Forest Cafe, Hollywood & Vine are the first I would take off this list.
My favorite on your list in the HDDR

 

[Disney DieHard]

Two of your suggestions that I would nix ... in order are:

1. Garden Grill
&
2. Le Cellier

Garden Grill for me is one of the more boring restaurants on property. I mean sure it rotates but other than that there is nothing really spectacular about it.

Le Cellier is an overpriced steakhouse. Maybe my family and I just don't have a sophisticated palate but I felt that I could get the same steak dinner at a LongHorn or Red Lobster ... at a cheaper price.

As far as canceling RainForest, I wouldn't. Is the food pricey? Yes, but you're at Disney ... what isn't? Besides, you're paying a little more for the enhanced ambiance! And, I happen to like the food ... especially the Chocolate Extinction or Volcano ... YUMMY!

Hope it helps! If you have any questions PLEASE post 'em!

Take Care & Be Safe!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[jamiesmom07]

IMO I would cancel Crystal Palace, my entire family was so disgruntled with the food there I don't think we will ever go there again. On the other hand, we loved the Garden Grill, Chip & Dale were great and we thought the food was delicious.
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

 

[RachaelRol]

I would ditch HV dinner and RFC. I would also ditch HDDR, save it for another trip!

 

[birdsmom]

As far as canceling RainForest, I wouldn't. Is the food pricey? Yes, but you're at Disney ... what isn't? Besides, you're paying a little more for the enhanced ambiance! And, I happen to like the food ... especially the Chocolate Extinction or Volcano ... YUMMY!

VOLCANO!!!!!! I can hear them yelling it now Again YUMMY!!! Oh and the rest of the food is good too!

 

[Silver Queen]

I would drop Rainforest Cafe or Hollywood & Vine Breakfast. I'd suggest H & V dinner, but I see that it's a F! package and you probably wouldn't want to give that up.

 

[canopynut66]

Which of these would you ditch --If any?
We have reg ddp and are paying out of pocket for others & would like to save a little $$$. I' ve come up with the brilliant idea to cancel a dining res. Would you? Here is what we have. (first visit)
Thursday. none
Friday. 5pm HDDR
Saturday. 5:55pm Garden Grill
Sunday have 8:00 H&Vine breakfast but will probly not do this 1
3:55 H&Vine F! Pkg
Monday. 7:25am Chef Mickey
12:30 Le Cellier
Tuesday 8:10 Tusker House
will keep one of RFC res
12:30 & 6:30 Rainforest Cafe
Wednesday. 8:05 Crystal Palace
3:55 CRT @ castle

Would dump Chef Mickeys as food not been so good last two trips in 2010. Tusker House and Hollywood and Vine good breakfast and we prefer over CP as well. Cape May has good breakfast with characters as well. (Goofy & friends) Rain Forest is a excellent meal for sure but maybe only do one there and try some where else. Boma's has great breakfast or dinner but no characters.Is in AK lodge. Whispering Canyons in WL is excellent and has family style and fun things for the kids to do while eating. O'Hana's is family style for breakfast with Lilo and Stitch in the Poly and is fun and dinner good as well. all these one TS

 

[homedad]

Rainforest and even though it won't save u money I'd switch to dinner at CM and eat breafast in room

 

[LoveMMC]

Friday. 5pm HDDR- KEEP
Saturday. 5:55pm Garden Grill KEEP= Great character interaction
Sunday have 8:00 H&Vine breakfast but will probly not do this 1 Get rid of this one
3:55 H&Vine F! Pkg KEEP= for pkg
Monday. 7:25am Chef Mickey Bad food and basic character interaction
12:30 Le Cellier KEEP= This is supposed to be good
Tuesday 8:10 Tusker House KEEP = Cant wait to try this one
will keep one of RFC res
12:30 & 6:30 Rainforest Cafe We can do this at home so we would skip it at Disney-
Wednesday. 8:05 Crystal Palace KEEP- Awesome
3:55 CRT @ castle KEEP= for experience

 

[tina.tina]

Not a single dinner reservation for Chef Mickey's the whole time we're there. I had one & cancelled it in favor of breakfast because of negative reviews. I thought about switching Chef Mickey's for Cape May.
Thank you all so much. I really appreciate all of these opinions and hope more people chime in. When people started posting last night, my husband said he was so impressed with the DIS and how helpful everyone is with sharing info. I said NOW do you see why I can't quit reading? It's fascinating. Thank you all!

 

[Hopefully]

We will never go back to H & V, I would drop it.
We love HDDR - I think it is a must. Great fun. It is a western themed show with lots of singing, dancing, and audience participation. The food is good "down home" cooking - fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, corn, backed beans, corn bread and salad. Strawberry Shortcake for desert, and unlimited beer, wine and sangria. It is great fun.
I would also skip Rainforest Cafe.
Good Luck