Do We Have To Plan Everymeal We Eat! PLEASE HELP!

[WyndyB]

Yikes! I have been reading all of these threads. It seems as if it is a science to eat at wdw I purchased myw dining and have no idea where to eat. This will be my first trip and I don't want dinning to stress me out. I only have a week now to figure this out . If I can figure out what park I will be in for that day. How do I know what resturants there are in that park. So far it looks like ohanas is a good choice but what else? I am so excited I think Thanks wyndy from NEVADA!

 

[Merandab4]

The first two times I went to Disney with my family, We had never heard of PS (priority seating), Now called Advance dining reservations (or something like that) and we made out just fine.

This past trip, We made arrangements ahead of time for a few meals including Cinderella's Royal table, (inside the castle), Spirit of Aloha dinner show, and 1900 Park fare for dinner (for 20 people).

We also ate at some table service resturants where we did not make arrangements ahead of time and did not have to wait too long (if at all)to be seated. These include Hollywood and Vine, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, Crystal Palace. I think the longest wait was at Rainforest Cafe. It was like 25 minutes, but that was okay because it gave us time to browse some of the nearby shops in DTD.

Keep in mind just because you make a PS does not mean you have an actual reservation. That just means that they will give you the next available table during that time.

if you need some suggestions on where to eat, check out the menus on allearsnet.com That should be very helpful as it tells you what park or resort each resturant is located, whats on the menu and what the price range is. Good luck and don't feel overwhelmed.

 

[renessa]

WyndyB-

Just tell us what you're looking for....for instance...

Magic Kingdom- dinner- table service.

You'll get a lot of choices, but when you combine those options with the menus on allearsnet.com then you can decide what your family will enjoy most.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[tigertam]

Wyndy,

I am in the same situation. Yesterday I made my first AR at LTT for 4:00 p.m. for a party of 10.(4:00 was all they had left for a table of 10 when I finally got off hold) But I feel pretty good about that, we have young ones.
This morning I think I am putting the finishing touches on my plan.(I have been reading for along time and planning for a week)

In our party there is 10. Myself and husband, sons 17, 15, daughters 11, 9, 2 and 1 and my parents. The first things people will need to know to help you are a few basic facts. How many in your party and the ages & genders of the children. What are your basic ideas that you have? Do you want to do character meals? How long are you staying? There are lots of people on here who are willing to help and give advice. I am willing, as long as I make it on the computer to check on your responses. I love to plan?

By the way I am assuming you must be going in Sept. around our dates if you are close to making AR?

TigerTam

 

[baileybelle]

WyndyB This link lists dining info to help you make your decisions http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[Matt'sMom]

Don't panic. With the MYW dining plan, you really only need to figure out in advance where you want to make AR's for table service meals. The list of all currently participating restaurants (& their locations) is available via the official Disney website, and menus are posted on various fan websites, such as allears.net.

I would highly recommend trying to decide on your t/s preferences, and making the appropriate AR's, ahead of time. That way you can be assured of getting into most of the restaurants that you would prefer, during the approximate time periods that you would like to eat. With the new dining plan, it appears that many of the table service restaurants are becoming very busy during prime times. People without AR's are sometimes turned away, or being told to come back several hours later because there are no available seats for 'walk ups' at the time. If you change your mind later about which park you will be in on the day, or where specifically you want to eat, you can always call and try to make adjustments. (Unless they have changed things recently, you can dial *88 to make AR's, from any WDW phone.) With Advance Dining Reservations in place, you won't have to worry about getting to WDW and finding that you are having difficulty getting into any restaurant in order to use your table service credits. You will be assured of having a place to sit down and enjoy a relaxing meal.

For counter service & snacks, there is very little need to plan ahead. WDW will provide you with a list (at check-in) of participating locations within each of the parks. Whenever you decide you are ready to grab a bite to eat, or a cool drink, simply check the list to identify a nearby location where you can use your dining credits. No need to put any more effort into planning your c/s and snacks than what you are comfortable with. Now, if you want to find out which c/s locations serve what specific types of food (particularly useful if you have family members who are 'picky eaters'), then do also check out the links to menus that have already been provided.

 

[WyndyB]

Thanks so much hopefully with a party of 3 it will not be hard to get in to selected resturants. So all I have to figure out is 7 table service resturants. Anyone else have some of there favs . Lets pray the humidity dosen't kill
us.

 

[momsgoofy]

Thanks so much hopefully with a party of 3 it will not be hard to get in to selected resturants. So all I have to figure out is 7 table service resturants. Anyone else have some of there favs . Lets pray the humidity dosen't kill
us.

WyndyB...just finished my dining reviews from our trip 6/1 to 6/6. I did see many folks turned away without the ADR (old PS) so if there is a location you're dying to try get an ADR and save the hassle...that's not what vacation is for. Also, like another posted, just because you have an ADR for 5pm, only means that you will get the next available not a reservation as we all wish. Most times on our recent trip we were seated within 5 or 10 minutes..think 50's Primetime was the longest at 15.

Suggestions?? Well, without knowing the ages or gender of those going, not sure exactly...girls who love princesses would love 1900 Park Fare dinner...Cinderella, Prince Charming, Perla, Suzi, and Fairy Godmother. We loved Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge...posted photos on the food photo thread here. We always enjoy 50's Primetime...be prepared for some good natured scoldings and good comfort food.

I agree with others, check out the dining info/menus at allearsnet.com for tons of great information. Also, check out the thread here on posting your Disney food...has great photos to see what you might like.

Good luck!

 

[skyhawk]

It's easy to fall into the trap of "over planning". Remember - you are going on vacation - you're supposed to relax. What I would suggest, is to make PS at a character meal or two (or three), but for everything else - go where you want to at the time, and if you have to wait a bit, so be it. If you have to wait a long time, pick another restaurant. Above all, don't stress over this. Silly to stop what you are doing because you "have to be there in 10 minutes".

 

[CATMANDO]

IMHO I would not have done the dinning plan the first trip there is sooo much to see and do that you don't want to take time for a dinner. I am on my 5th time and just now can take time not rushing around to see all and do all. Since it is done I would make a few PS and try to use the dining as a theme park of disney also. If you are not careful you will rush through your meals and not enjoy them as much. Dinner at Disney is magical so enjoy all of Disney even the dining. Don't Rush savor

 

[kmjmom]

On our last visit we called to make a PS for Whispering canyon and were told there were none available. We decided to give it a try anyway..we walked up to the hostess and were seated immediately. They do take walk-ins even though it is not communicated to be the case. I won't hesitate in the future to take my chances and just arrive at a restaurant to see what my chances are. Good Luck!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I tried just a few days ago to make a few last minute changes for our trip in just a few days and all of my top 3 choices showed no availability. I would highly reccommend calling and trying for any character meals you might want, as well as any other high profile places. Like previously stated, you MAY be able to just walk up, but at this busy time of year, I wouldn't count on it unless you eat at really off times.
Not trying to be negative, just trying to keep you from being too disappointed.

Have a great trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were in WDW from 6/3 until 6/13. We extended our trip by three nights because of TS Arlene. We had PS arranged for the first seven nights, but not the last three because we did not plan on being there. So on Friday AM we started trying to get PS for several restaurants for dinner. There was no availability for 1900 PF, Cape May breakfast, and several others. When we did have PS, we saw many, many people turned away because they had failed to make any. The dining package, plus the availability of the DDE to AP holders is making it hard to get table service.

You really need to have as many TS reservations made ahead of time so you will be able to eat those meals.

Some of the places that were easier to get PS at a late date were San Angel Inn and Yacht Club Galley for dinner and LTT for lunch. Character meals were tough. We did get Cape May breakfast for our last morning at 7:40AM. We were a party of three. If there was any availability at all, it was for ones and twos.

 

[Cyndy]

Seem to have added to the need for PS/AR seatings. We were there last week also and we saw so many people stunned at lack of seating times, everyone kept saying that they never had this problem before the big summer push and I think they were caught off guard. For you own peace of mind, make the ARs and work around the crowds, for at least one meal per day, pickup the snacks at your resort or location of choice. We eat most of our breakfasts and lunches in our DVC villa, but I read that many families eat in for breakfast in all the resorts. Whatever you do just try to enjoy the magic and not get caught up in the commando mindset....it is expensive, but take some time to relax and enjoy it.

 

[WyndyB]

OK just called wdw dining and to my suprize I was able to get seats next week at the Spirit of Aloha dinner show I then booked seats for 'Ohana, Wispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey's for are character breakfast For the rest of our trip we will play it by ears .No pun intended . So until I leave I will no longer worry about ps . Thanks you guys!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

OK just called wdw dining and to my suprize I was able to get seats next week at the Spirit of Aloha dinner show I then booked seats for 'Ohana, Wispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey's for are character breakfast For the rest of our trip we will play it by ears .No pun intended . So until I leave I will no longer worry about ps . Thanks you guys!

I am so glad you were able to get what you wanted. I guess the reason we were having trouble is because we are a party of 8. Still, better safe than sorry.