First Trip WITHOUT the Dining Plan!!??!!

[yellowfish78]

Hello Everyone!!
Well, I guess this is going to be our first trip (of many) without buying the dining plan. (Disney only offers a room only discount for TA's now.) So here's the scoop: There is four adults going, two of whom have NEVER been to Disney! We are attempting to still save money on our food, but don't want to skimp too much on meals and/or quality. Here's what we've come up with as of now...

For sure we are going to be doing these:
MK: Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner
MGM: 50's Prime Time Cafe for late lunch

Here's where I can't make up my mind:
The couple that are going with us are not big breakfast eaters. So do we skip Restaruantosaurus at AK?

EPCOT: Garden Grill, Coral Reef, or Rose and Crown; we are looking at doing an early lunch and a late dinner..

We are only getting a 5DPH, so we are also looking at other restaraunts as well, like Ohana's, Fulton's, Boatrights, and ??

So here's the problem...where to eat in EPCOT? We are going during the Food and Wine Festival, so should I even bother with a dinner? Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

I'd skip the AK breakfast, unless they really want a close encounter with
Donald Duck while they eat.

Boatwright's isn't one of the restaurants I'd chose for dinner.
Any of your Epcot choices sound good to me.

But, as you state, during the F&WF, you might choose to graze for dinner.
It can get pricey, but it's a fun way to have a meal.

 

[eblack0409]

I'd skip breakfast..but I would say Coral Reef is a must do....

As far as EPCOT...Le Cellier at Canada is fabulous!

 

[yellowfish78]

If we hit Le Cellier, it would just be for soup. I had a horrible softshell crab sandwich there the last time I went, it felt like it was breaded in salt.
I mentioned Boatrights because (as of now) that's where we are staying. We are hoping to get a 2 bedroom in EPCOT area in January.
Is Coral Reef worth the money?
Is the Garden Grill a buffet? I just thought (with the Garden Grill) that it was neat to know that all the food was grown there.
And how about the Rose and Crown? I thought this might be nice for them during Illuminations...if they still do dinner during this time that is..
Thanks for everyone's opinions!