Early December 2016 dining questions/CP packages?

[Aaryana]

We're planning a trip for the first full week of December. It'll be my mom and I, so 2 adults. First time going to the CP for both of us. I have a lot of questions, as this will be my mom's first ever "all Disney all the time" vacation. She's only ever been to one park here and there.

Epcot related
1. How is Garden Grill breakfast? We currently have a breakfast reservation for the Candlelight Processional at Garden Grill. Neither of us have had any TS at Epcot.

2. How does seating at the Candlelight Processional work with the dining package? Will this prevent us from having to line up hours in advance? Is the seating outdoors/in the amphitheater in the American Pavilion?

3. Is there a way to change the meal time but not the show time? We ended up with a brunch reservation to get the show time we wanted (6:45) since all the other meal times we would've wanted were giving us a 5 pm showing, which seems too early to enjoy the candlelight aspect.

4. Is Garden Grill all you can eat? Can someone explain how "family style" serving works?

HS related
5. I ate at (and enjoyed) the Sci-Fi diner when I went in February, but there are no reservations available for the week we're going. Anyone have other TS or QS recommendations for HS? We won't be spending enough for signature/$$$-$$$$ level dining. I was not super pleased with the QS options when I was there. Great desserts were abundant but food not so much.

6. Would we be better off hopping to a nearby resort or Epcot?

MK related
7. Can we book lunch at BOG just for dessert? I did not like my food last time but love the cupcakes!

It will also be my mom's birthday week, so I really want to make this a special event for her! Is there somewhere I could get her a small birthday cake? I read the thread on birthday cakes, but we don't need one that will serve 8 or more people since it will just be us. Maybe I could have a restaurant surprise her with a cupcake instead?

Thanks for any input!

 

[sharonabe]

We haven't had Garden Grill breakfast, but from all the reports, it sounds wonderful. I'd keep it.

CP pkg means you need to be in the line about 40 min before your show time. They open the seating around 30-40 min before. It's open seating in the amphitheater. My advice is that when you arrive at the line, politely ask the people for which show they are in line. That way you're not behind people who are waiting for the later show.

You could possibly get an earlier ADR and keep the 6:45. If you call and change it, you'll have a better chance of that. If you do it online, someone posted they just kept refreshing the page until they got the show time they wanted. I don't know how that works.

For HS, just keep trying for Sci-Fi. It will probably open up. You could also try 50s Prime Time. Hollywood Brown Derby has some lunch items and other things on the menu that are not "signature" priced. Take a look at the menu, you might be surprised. You can also do a walk-up (don't take ADRs) at the lounge outside the restaurant. You can order food from the inside menu in the lounge.

YES! You can get an ADR for BoG and just order a cupcake. They don't mind.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Family style is all you care to eat, but they bring it to you. It's not buffet. So the server does all the carry work. You can ask for more of anything.

 

[Aaryana]

Thanks! We will keep trying for Sci-Fi. I got the appetizer sampler when I went, and it was amazing! Good to know on the family style meals. I don't care for buffet style dining, so I actually think this sounds great. Never know who's kids are grabbing things bare hands off the buffet. LOL.