First time on DDP

[DVCAustralia]

When we have been to WDW and DL before we have done one or two character breakfasts during the stay as they are cheaper than lunch or dinner, fit our schedule and are buffet. However this time for our trip to WDW we will have DDP for some of the time, firstly for two nights without park access and later for a few nights with park access.
Since there will now be no difference in cost what are the best places to do character meals and the best restaurants without characters both in and outside the parks, and what is the best meal to do there. Whilst we enjoy the choice of buffets we are open to non-beffets if they are really good value.
Thank you for the informaiton provided.

 

[Hootch]

set of questions. My personal favorite character meal is still Crystal Palace. We usually go for dinner. Breakfast is favored by many others. Food is good and the Pooh characters are great. That's an in the park option.

There really aren't too many other in the parks character options. Tusker House breakfast in Animal Kingdom is good. Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom is currently a must do for us since we have a princess age daughter. It's two dining credits and characters are only at breakfast and lunch. Askerhus in Epcot gives you princesses for only one character. Haven't been, see comments on CRT. Garden Grill dinner and Hollywood and Vine breakfast are also in the park character meals.

Outside the parks there is Ohana breakfast which is good. Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary has the benefit of having five major characters. We usually do this but it's not my personal favorite. (My daughter's view is different however.) Cape May has a breakfast similar to Tusker House but outside the parks and a clam bake dinner.

I always recommend picking meals that have a mix of characters. CRT, Askerhus and 1900 Park Fare dinner for princesses. Crystal Palace and some at 1900 Park Fare for Pooh. Major characters at Tusker, CM, Ohana and Cape may with Lilo and Stitch at Ohana and Daisy at Tusker.

Non characters are a different issue. There are a lot of choices and a lot of opinions. Epcot has a number of fun and good restaurants. Le Cellier for steaks, Biergarten for German food and Restaurant Marrakesh for Moroccan to start. Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge has African inspired food for breakfast and dinner and is a real winner for both. Kona Cafe in the Poly is another.

 

[abc999]

Are you staying at two different resorts? Because the dining plan is based on the number of nights you stay, not the number of days you have on your park tickets.

 

[DVCAustralia]

Thank you for your comprehensive information.

We are staying with DVC will change resorts so we are in control of how many nights we get it for and can have it before we start our park ticket.