First Time on the Dining Plan

[Brer Brett]

Hey gang -

I've been a long time Disney-goer with my family. My extended family and I indoctrinated my wife of two years into Disney last May, and she is now hooked - so just the two of us are going back this May.

Since this is/was my first time booking the reservation/ADR's etc, I was unsure whether to go with the Dining plan. But ultimately, I've decided to go with it.

My question for all of you veteran dining planners is whether my ADRs that I booked do a good job of taking advantage (economically) of the dining plan. I guess I'm also looking for general affirmation that the dining plan was the way to go for just me and my wife. I thought I'd give it a try because a) I love good food, and b) my wife will be 5 months pregnant at the time of our trip and I thought she'd be extra hungry

So let me know your thoughts on a) whether the dining plan is a good way to go for us in your opinion, and b) whether my ADRs take full advantage of the the dining plan, and c) any other suggestions you may have on how to fully maximize the dining plan for the two of us!

thanks! here's my ADRs as of now:
5/22 - Mama Melrose (dinner)
5/23 - Coral Reef (dinner)
5/24 - Brown Derby (dinner)
5/25 - Sci-Fi Diner (lunch)
5/26 - Rose and Crown (dinner)

 

[LizinSTL]

Hey gang -

I've been a long time Disney-goer with my family. My extended family and I indoctrinated my wife of two years into Disney last May, and she is now hooked - so just the two of us are going back this May.

Since this is/was my first time booking the reservation/ADR's etc, I was unsure whether to go with the Dining plan. But ultimately, I've decided to go with it.

My question for all of you veteran dining planners is whether my ADRs that I booked do a good job of taking advantage (economically) of the dining plan. I guess I'm also looking for general affirmation that the dining plan was the way to go for just me and my wife. I thought I'd give it a try because a) I love good food, and b) my wife will be 5 months pregnant at the time of our trip and I thought she'd be extra hungry

So let me know your thoughts on a) whether the dining plan is a good way to go for us in your opinion, and b) whether my ADRs take full advantage of the the dining plan, and c) any other suggestions you may have on how to fully maximize the dining plan for the two of us!

thanks! here's my ADRs as of now:
5/22 - Mama Melrose (dinner)
5/23 - Coral Reef (dinner)
5/24 - Brown Derby (dinner)
5/25 - Sci-Fi Diner (lunch)
5/26 - Rose and Crown (dinner)

First of all- have a great trip! I'm sure you guys will have a great time no matter what!

I have a few questions for you.....
* Do you plan to spend 3 days/evenings at Disney Studios? w/ the other 2 at Epcot? If not, that's a lot of travelling to get to meals.
- I plan my ADRs around what park we'll be touring that day.
* Have you considered the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose? It will include "preferred" seating at Fantasmic AND an appetizer w/ your meal- it's a better value on the DDP due to the inclusion of the appetizer, I think.
* Did you know that the Brown Derby is 2 TS credits per person? It's not a fabulous value on the DDP, especially since appetizers are no longer included. There are other 2 TS credit restaurants that are a better value like Narcoossee's, Grand Floridian or maybe the California Grill, Contemporary.

Now for a few thoughts- they are just my opinion.
* Sci-Fi, esp at lunch isn't a great value on the plan. UNLESS you both order the most expensive item on the menu for entree, dessert AND included beverage. It's not any fun, IMO, to use the DDP if you have to hunt for the best value at every place you sit down. The best part of the DDP is NOT looking at the prices. Of course, if you LOVE Sci-Fi, go and ignore everything I just wrote!

* If you are planning an AK day, consider Yak & Yeti or Boma for dinner ....

* If you are planning a MK day, consider a MK resort restaurant for a meal. It just saves some travel time, I think.

* Oh and one last thought- if you change any meals to fixed price or buffet locations- your weekend is a surcharge weekend (starting the 25th, I think) so your value "increases" then.


We'll be there the same time as you too. Have a great trip and I'll be crossing my fingers for great weather.

 

[Tricia1972]

5/22 - Mama Melrose (dinner)
5/23 - Coral Reef (dinner)
5/24 - Brown Derby (dinner)
5/25 - Sci-Fi Diner (lunch)
5/26 - Rose and Crown (dinner)

You actually have pretty low 'bang for your buck' restaurants on the whole. The exception to this is Coral Reef. I have figured out your average value per credit below. Brown Derby is so low because it requires two credits, but when you look at averages on the meal portions, you'll see that it comes in just below Coral Reef, and Coral Reef is just one credit.

Mama Melrose - Average Entree $17.34, Average Dessert $5.79, Soda $2.20. Average Value per credit $25.32

Coral Reef - Average Entree $24.10, Average Dessert $7.39, Soda $2.20. Average Value per credit $33.69

Brown Derby - Average Entree $25.75, Average Dessert $8.00, Soda $2.20.
Average Value per Credit $17.98

Sci Fi - Average Entree $16.26, Average Dessert $5.39, Soda $2.20.
Average Value per Credit $23.85

Rose and Crown - Average Entree $19.19, Average Dessert $5.59, Soda $2.20.
Average Value per Credit $26.98


Some restaurants where you'll experience better bang for your buck are:
Restaurant Marrakesh, Les Chefs de France, Maya Grill, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, San Angel, Kona, Chef Mickey's, Spoodles, Tony's, Akershus, 1900 Park Fare, Cap'n Jack's, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Yak & Yeti, Concourse Steakhouse (may be closed by the time you're there), Boatwrights, Cape May Cafe, Raglan Rd, Garden Grill, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Olivia's Cafe, Nine Dragons, Hoop De Doo, Spirit of Aloha, Tusker House, Yacht Club Gallery, Grand Floridian Cafe, Shutters, Biergarten, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Boma, 'Ohana, Rose & Crown, Hollywood & Vine, 50's PTC, Turf Club, Mama Melrose, Sci Fi, Planet Hollywood, Big River Grille, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Mickey's Backyard BBQ, Narcoosee's (Unless you're doing the lobster - then this will move up to around Mama Melrose for Value), Flying Fish Cafe, Artist's Point, Citricos, California Grill, CRT, Sand Trap, Jiko, ESPN, Trail's End, Beaches & Cream, Hollywood Brown Derby, The Plaza, Crockett's Tavern.

**(Thanks Robinb for your quick list which I copied shamelessly from)**

Anyway, as you can see, your choices are pretty low on the list of average value per credit. If you are spending a lot of time at the Studios, maybe consider a quick trip to Epcot for dinner. The parks are fairly close together and travel between the two is not outrageous.

Good luck!!

 

[Brer Brett]

Thanks for your tips! They were most helpful. I've already made some changes to my ADRs. Now what do you think?

5/22 Mama Melrose dinner -(now with the fantasmic package)
5/23 Coral Reef - dinner
5/24 Narcoosees - dinner
5/25 San Angel Inn - dinner
5/26 Rose and Crown - dinner

I'm excited about Narcoosees, becase we've never been - and its on the water close to MK, so that will be convenient - we can just head over to MK before or after.

I think we're taking better advantage of the dining plan with these changes . . . what do you think? Thanks again

 

[patsal]

Thanks for your tips! They were most helpful. I've already made some changes to my ADRs. Now what do you think?

5/22 Mama Melrose dinner -(now with the fantasmic package)
5/23 Coral Reef - dinner
5/24 Narcoosees - dinner
5/25 San Angel Inn - dinner
5/26 Rose and Crown - dinner

I'm excited about Narcoosees, becase we've never been - and its on the water close to MK, so that will be convenient - we can just head over to MK before or after.

I think we're taking better advantage of the dining plan with these changes . . . what do you think? Thanks again

Your changes make better sense from an economic and transportation stand point! I take it you'll be spending serious time at Epcot?

 

[LizinSTL]

Thanks for your tips! They were most helpful. I've already made some changes to my ADRs. Now what do you think?

5/22 Mama Melrose dinner -(now with the fantasmic package)
5/23 Coral Reef - dinner
5/24 Narcoosees - dinner
5/25 San Angel Inn - dinner
5/26 Rose and Crown - dinner

I'm excited about Narcoosees, becase we've never been - and its on the water close to MK, so that will be convenient - we can just head over to MK before or after.

I think we're taking better advantage of the dining plan with these changes . . . what do you think? Thanks again

I agree. That's 6 TS credits you are using- you are staying 6 nights, right? If not, then you'll pay for one meal out of pocket (or share an entree a couple times.) I'd love to do the meals you planned but we are much heavier on the character meals

Are you checking in on the 21st or the 22nd? If it's the 21st...... Have you added the free upgrade to parkhopper/water parks and more to your MYW vacation package yet? If not, call today and do that.