Don't Even Know Where to Start!!

[PrincessJen09]

I keep reading that I should make my ADRs soon because of the free dining promotion. My family has been to WDW several times, but never with this plan. We usually just make one or two ADRs for characters and wing the rest. I have no idea how to start planning my meals now. What advice do others have? Are there some must eat at restaraunts on the plan? Thanks!

 

[Karel]

It can get a little hairy in the beginning, trying to plan which park to which restaurant. Look at the menus and see where you would like to eat. Is there anywhere you want to go back to? How do you plan your park days and do you have park hoppers?

Then plot out where you think you'll be everday, or at least near by, and plop in those restaurants and hope for a time available!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

First look at park hours,EMH, list of best days from unofficial guide to plan which park on what day.
Then look at desserts.
There will be more restaurants to eat at than meal credits or even meals. So then decide based on characters , types of food and value from previous visitors reviews.
Finally,some will be booked already so you'll have to pick an alternate.

 

[PrincessJen09]

We do have the park hopper option. I know that my mom will want to go to Crystal Palace, my sister would love a meal with Villians if they have one, and I would love a meal for the Princesses. We want to go to MNSSHP also.

 

[aviva5675]

If you will be eating at the park you are in each day- check for EMH if you want those, then plan what parks which days when. Id look at menus on Allears then narrow those to the parks you'll be in. If you want to go back to hotel each afternoon- you have more of a choice. Will you have a car? If not, that makes it tougher getting from your resort to some other far off park for dinner. Some thoughts...hope it helps.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We do have the park hopper option. I know that my mom will want to go to Crystal Palace, my sister would love a meal with Villians if they have one, and I would love a meal for the Princesses. We want to go to MNSSHP also.

1900 Park Fare had the best food of the Princess meals IMHO. Dining room is nothing special but hotel is gorgeous. Lily Pulitzer shop in the lobby! 1 TS and have Prince Charming. Only 1 Princess though.

Castle 2 TS but a photo included. Food supposed to be very good for lunch though not much choice. MIL thought Pork Loin was the best she had ever had. Cinderella in the lobby and 4 more visit the table.

Princess Storybook breakfast at Akershus last week had Belle in yellow dress in lobby. Photo for 32$ and could take your own also. 3 0r 4 princesses more visit table. Food was fine.

These book up Castle first, then Akershus, then 1900 Park Fare(maybe because not in park?).

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I agree with reading all the menus. Also you can read the recent reviews on allears.

We are going to be at our resort 7 nights. So only had 7 table services to select. We chose to do one character meal at the Garden Grill, then the rest seemed to follow all the good comments here on the Dis. i.e. LeCellier, Rose & Crown, Sci-Fi, 50's Prime, Coral Reef, and then I needed a table service for MK. That one was harder for me to pick. I ended up choosing Tonys.

After the reservations were made, then I read more menus in order to pick out 7 counter services. Thank goodness I don't need reservations for those. We can be more flexible.

 

[PrincessJen09]

Are reservations a must for all of the table services? Usually, my family has ADRs for the character meals, but we wing everything else. However, we have never used the dining plan or been there during a free dining meal promotion.

 

[aviva5675]

If you mean for dinners- if your family will want to sit down somewhere, fancy or otherwise and eat dinner, I'd say better safe than sorry, and make a reservation/ADR. But that's me. Also I have in mind the places I'd like to go, so want to be sure of being able to get in. I think alot depends on how flexible you are. But from what it sounds like on the boards its getting harder and harder to just show up somewhere and get in.