Good Use of the Dining Plan? Anyone have better ideas?

[Piecey]

My brother and I are going in December and using the Dining Plan.

We're pretty picky eaters-- mostly just stick to the basics. It was pretty hard to think of the best ways to use the Dining Plan and get our $$s worth..

This is what I came up with:

December 17th
Nine Dragons- 6PM
(We've eaten here before)

December 18th
Sci-Fi- 6PM

December 19th
O'Hana- 8:45 (Trying to catch MVMCP Fireworks, think we'll make it?)

December 20th
Whispering Canyon Cafe- 7:20

December 21st
50's Prime Cafe- 7:30PM

December 22nd
Le Cellier- 8PM

Going back to Sci-Fi for the second time, too. Couldn't think of anything else to add, even though that lands us in MGM for dinner twice and MGM wasn't really a big park for us.
I'm not even sure about 50s Prime Time because I doubt he'll enjoy the servers behavior much-- if they notice he's really not into it, will they lay off or just get worse?? lol..

Thanks for any help!

 

[bicker]

The 50s Prime Time servers are pretty sensitive to their targets, and will back down once they realize someone's not into playing. Problems only occur when a guest explodes, after giving no clear indication that they're not into the game.

 

[tracys2cents]

How about Beaches and Cream instead of 50's Prime? Especially if you like awesome sundaes.

 

[bicker]

Here are the restaurants I'd recommend for folks interested in more basic fare:

Magic Kingdom - Liberty Tree Tavern (this is one of the few character meals I'd recommend going to with just adults).

(nearby) - Whispering Canyon, Grand Floridian Cafe, Concourse Steakhouse. (I don't consider 'Ohana to be basic fare -- you may want to look at the menu before your trip!)

Epcot - Coral Reef. (I would also read-up on Nine Dragons; I know you've been there, but gosh just about the rest of us have really had poor experiences there.)

(nearby) - ESPN Club, Big River Grille

D-MGM - 50s Prime Time Cafe.

AK - none

 

[laceemouse]

I don't consider Coral Reef "just plain food" as most picky eaters do not like seafood. The OP may be an exception. The most plain TS meal at Epcot is the Garden Grill in The Land. Meat, potatoes, veggies, bread....

 

[bicker]

Part of the problem is Coral Reef has become "just plain food" or "the basics" as the OP put it -- no different than Le Cellier in that respect. While there are some seafood options on the Coral Reef menu, it is a much smaller part of the menu than in the past, and you can also find the following items there:Grilled Chicken Breast, Vegetable Strudel and Grilled 12 oz. NY Strip Steak. For appetizers, they have a Cream of Mushroom Soup that sounds great, in addition to two different salads. An unremarkably, none of their desserts contain seafood.

I like Garden Grill, but wouldn't recommend it for two adults.

 

[Piecey]

Thanks. I'm really appreciating this.

I've called back and made a reservation for the Concourse Steakhouse and might cancel one of the other meals.... Looking at the menus, Le Cellier might be the one we kick out which is kinda crazy :-\ but if you're not going to eat the food.. there isn't much of a point in going, right?

And no.. I don't like seafood.. My brother, however, loves it.. so it's another thing that makes dining harder!

 

[bicker]

And no.. I don't like seafood.. My brother, however, loves it..

So Coral Reef might be a really good choice for you, because besides the Grilled Chicken Breast, Vegetable Strudel and Grilled 12 oz. NY Strip Steak that you might like, there are about five entrees which have seafood or shellfish.

 

[BCV23]

If you will be in the MK area any evening I would consider Kona Cafe at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian Cafe. Both have excellent food and service.

Both restaurants offer traditional WDW graciousness too. If you would like potatoes rather than rice...no problem if there is availability.

And for our family, taking the launch or monorail to dinner just is one more part of the magic.

 

[Mousema]

I would definitely look at Liberty Tree in MK. It has turkey, beef, pork done family style and the characters won't bother you if you don't want them.

 

[gmboy95]

I like the list except for the Sci-Fi....IMHO it is the worst at disney....cramped cars in a super quiet dark room playing boring old movie clips with really, really bad food....I would rather eat at Mcdonalds.....but this of course is just one mans opinion....recently i have enjoyed the Teppenyaki steak house, the food is good and the entertainment from the Chefs is great.

 

[bicker]

Just keep in mind that of all the Dining Plan restaurants, the most persnickity one, in terms of Dining Plan issues, is Teppenyaki. Otherwise, it is a great choice, in general, but not one I would recommend to folks who describe themselves as "picky eaters".

 

[JimMIA]

While there are some seafood options on the Coral Reef menu, it is a much smaller part of the menu than in the past, and you can also find the following items there:Grilled Chicken Breast, Vegetable Strudel and Grilled 12 oz. NY Strip Steak.

This is a good point. I just glanced at the CR menu prior to making our ADRs for our May trip. I saw 5 seafood entrees and figured it would be fine. When I got there, however, I found that none of the five appealed to me, so I got the steak. The steak was pretty good -- not Le Cellier good, but good.

If your brother loves seafood, I'd have him check the menu first and be sure he loves the particular dishes they are serving.