First Resort Trip - Dining Advise?

[pgodden]

We are taking our first trip to Disneyworld as a guest of the Polynesian with the dining option.

I am overwhelmed with the number of resturants we can eat at. I would like to hear anyones respones to the pre-selections I have made for ADRs and any advise you would provide.

Some governing Info
- My Wife does not like seafood
- the ADRs we want to make are for sitdown restuarants
- the food, is the most important factor
- We need 7 days (1 per day) of sitdown ADRs, late lunch is ok.
- We have no little ones so disney content or cost is not a neccesity
- I would like to keep the reservations relatively easy to get too, but, we do have a rental car

Our Selections so far

California Grill
Cinderellas Royal Table
Crystal Palace
Ohana
Kona
Le Cellier
Mickeys Backyard BBQ
Yachtsmans Steakhouse
Trails End Rstaurant

This is the first list I am working on.. I am thinking I should remove one of the MK resturants.

Thank for any help in advance

 

[Darkside]

I don't think you will be disappointed in your choices, however, Cinderalla's Castle and the California Grill cost double, so you will be short dinners for other nights that you use your dining plan. Check the details in your dining guide.

 

[pgodden]

I don't think you will be disappointed in your choices, however, Cinderalla's Castle and the California Grill cost double, so you will be short dinners for other nights that you use your dining plan. Check the details in your dining guide.

Yes I thought that, however, I figured if I use more than I have then I would have to pay for the meal. Thanks for your input

 

[jenjersnap]

I don't think you will be disappointed in your choices, however, Cinderalla's Castle and the California Grill cost double, so you will be short dinners for other nights that you use your dining plan. Check the details in your dining guide.

Both Mickey's BBQ and Yachtsman's will also use 2 dining credits apiece. You are currently using 13 credits when you have 7 available. You'll be paying quite a bit out of pocket. If it were me, I'd consider deluxe dining and have a one credit breakfast and lunch and a signature or dinner show each evening.

 

[pgodden]

Both Mickey's BBQ and Yachtsman's will also use 2 dining credits apiece. You are currently using 13 credits when you have 7 available. You'll be paying quite a bit out of pocket. If it were me, I'd consider deluxe dining and have a one credit breakfast and lunch and a signature or dinner show each evening.

Interesting, I just dont know if we would use breakfast, lunch and Dinner. I will have to look at it. Generally we only eat one major meal er day seemslike I may waste far more than I gain.

 

[yxe dad]

Jiko @ the AKL is always on my list, it's the best food and service in WDW!

 

[jenjersnap]

Interesting, I just dont know if we would use breakfast, lunch and Dinner. I will have to look at it. Generally we only eat one major meal er day seemslike I may waste far more than I gain.

Yes, three meals is too much for us too so we use the deluxe dining plan like this:

One breakfast OR lunch: one credit
One signature dinner: two credits
Total used each day: three credits

You can try all of the awesome signature restaurants this way!

 

[pgodden]

that sounds ok, I was just a bit concered that I had wanted some CS meals (for quikness at the parks) and thought using sit down credits would be a huge waste. I must say the deluxe would make it easier. Maybe though your onto something with breakfast....

thanks

 

[Flossbolna]

I think I would only do one character meal if it is only two adults, otherwise I think all your chices are ok!

My approach to deciding on where to dine is the following: I use the crowd calender on touringplans.com as well as Tour Guide Mike to decide on a plan for which park for which day. Once I know that, I try to fit in meals with that. For example: Epcot show-case restaurant for the evening we want to see Illuminations. Restaurant at a resort in the MK area for our MK day etc. One thing I really like is combining a meal at Boma or Jiko with a day at AK.

If this is your first trip to Disney, I would really recommend a guide book like Passporter or the Unofficial Guide (if you have the UG, you also get access to the full crowd calendar at touringplans) or use Tour Guide Mike.

Have fund planning and have a great trip!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

California Grill- keep, this was one of the best meals we had in 2008, and the service was wonderful. We got a MK view window seat with no problem and our server was great!
Cinderellas Royal Table- lose, like a PP said- I'd only keep one of the character dining experiences but since it's worth two I'd drop this one.
Crystal Palace- keep, reasons above and it's worth one.
Ohana- keep, yum, yum, yum and you're staying at Poly.
Kona- keep, see above.
Le Cellier- lose, like many have said... it's just not worth it anymore and if you had to pick between YSH and Le Cellier, I am sure almost everyone who has dined at both would tell you YSH.
Mickeys Backyard BBQ- lose, it's worth two credits and good but...
Yachtsmans Steakhouse- keep, see Le Cellier. There's a reason why THIS is a signature restaurant and Le Cellier isn't.
Trails End Restaurant- keep, it'll give you a good chance to see FW and it's good... I'll be going there in Sept.


That leaves 8 right? Well depending what you pick for what ever meal, paying OOP for one of them would be fine. Kona Cafe for Breakfast is inexpensive, Trails End has good value and Ohana isn't too bad either.

This is just what I would do, unless you're looking to add the deluxe DP. Good luck and I hope you have a great time in which ever restaurants you do pick