Has anyone else on a plan not planned out every TS, ...

[beattyfamily]

sit down meal, counter service and snacks for their trip on the dining plan, free or not free?

I'm leaving Thurs night. My plan is free and it starts Friday thru Monday; we leave Disney around 3:30p - 4:00p for home. I have one sit down meal scheduled each day execpt we have 2 on Sunday. I will be going without DH, with my 2 DDs age 5 and 9. My 5 year old is a very picky, light eater.

I'm starting to think I should have planned everything out better. I was just going to go to our restaurants and have us each order our own meal. Whatever my DDs eat, they eat, whatever they don't, they don't. But I've been reading about people sharing etc...

I also haven't planned out any of the counter services or snacks. I was going to play it all by ear. Maybe breakfast at the resort, lunch at MGM back lot, snacks at Sleepy Hallow etc...

Who else don't plan and think it all out?

Should I share some meals with my picky eater so that all our meals can be in the plan (I was going to do one meal OOP) or just have fun and not worry about it? I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to ask to share.

I guess now that the trip is so close, I'm second guessing my more laid back approach to the dining plan.

FYI, we're eating at:

Friday night: Sci Fi

Saturday night: Le Cellier

Sunday breakfast: CRT

Sunday Dinner: Tony's

Monday lunch: PSB

I was just going to pay OOP for one, still not sure which yet, but of course, not at Le Cellier...was thinking maybe Sci Fi. I know we cannot share at CRT and PSB so it would be either at Tony's or Sci-fi.

Oh, I'm so confused now! Guess I just needed to vent a little. Thanks everyone! If you have any advice on what you'd do, I'd love to hear it.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

For our November trip, we planned our TS meals and got ADRs for those. For CS meals, we've talked about places we like, places we'd like to try, places we've never been to before... but most likely those will be eaten "on the fly." Ditto for snacks... never planned those -- even Dole Whips -- and don't plan to start now.

 

[beattyfamily]

For our November trip, we planned our TS meals and got ADRs for those. For CS meals, we've talked about places we like, places we'd like to try, places we've never been to before... but most likely those will be eaten "on the fly." Ditto for snacks... never planned those -- even Dole Whips -- and don't plan to start now.

Oh good, then I don't feel so bad. I thought I should have every meal planned out to get my money's worth!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Oh good, then I don't feel so bad. I thought I should have every meal planned out to get my money's worth!

I have a feeling that we'll get our money's worth on the dining plan -- even if it isn't free when we go. A Disney CS and TS meal each day should be enough for our crew.

I'm with you though on planning... some is good, like TS meals. We have a favorites or must do list. We try to add 1 new restaurant where we've never been before on each trip.

CS meals, however, are so easy to do. Not planning those gives us some spontaniety. Often we head for whatever is closest when we are hungry.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

The only thing I planned was the TS meals. I don't normally do that but I sure am glad I did. Everything else is up in the air.

 

[Frantasmic]

Many diners who have recently returned have mentioned paying OOP for thier kids and saving their credits.

That is an option that seems to be available at most places. Paying the child's buffet OOP for a few places might save a credit or two for later use rather than planning on paying OOP for all of you at one place.

However, if you do want to do that, OOP at Sci Fi is probably the least expensive route.

 

[eeyore45]

Not only would I have them share a meal with you at Sci FI, but also LeCellier (you cant with Buffets) Think about it - you can share your appetizer, and if your dd is a light eater that alone may fill her up, if she's like my dd, she's happy with fries, and fills up on that!! so then pay oop for her drink, etc...

Same for LeCellier!! We went last year with the vouchers and DH and I split one lunch and we were FULL!! I cant even remember what DD had, but I'm sure we split an appetizer, she ate breadsticks, and maybe french fries!!

 

[eeyore7567]

We made reservations for all of our TS meals, but we ended up changing 1/2 of them when we decided to eat earlier or later or had a change of cuisine in our head. It's good to have some sort of loose structure so that you can fall back on something. We went in the middle of September and it wasn't very busy...so changing times and restaurants was pretty easy for us. This included popular places like Artist Point.

Have a great trip.

 

[madge]

Who else don't plan and think it all out?

Should I share some meals with my picky eater so that all our meals can be in the plan (I was going to do one meal OOP) or just have fun and not worry about it? I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to ask to share.

I guess now that the trip is so close, I'm second guessing my more laid back approach to the dining plan.

nope, same boat here. I have some buffets planned that will require 1 TS per person, and I booked them that way just so I don't have to think about the "value" of the plan. At the moment, I have 8 TS credits that I need to use....and haven't quite figured out what to about that. I plan to try the trial buffet at the MK, and after that? not sure.

the only thing I have planned, in regards to CS meals? On Monday morning, we are eating breakfast at the food court. I'll pick up muffins as the dessert, so we will have something quick to eat on Tuesday morning...I'm getting 2 mugs, and picking up bottled water for the parks. Other than that? Totally winging it, LOL....

 

[scrapperjill]

We made ADR for all of our TS meals...but plan on playing it by ear with the CS and snacks. We have opted to share meals (except for buffet meals) simpley because it seems like there is SOOOO much food with each TS credit. I couldn't imagine eating an appitizer, entree and dessert... plus...by sharing were able to go to a couple more TS places durring our stay....there are four of us and were planning on using two-three TS credits at each meal...(except for the buffet...where we'll use 4). Besides thinking we'll have plenty of food even with sharing...we'll still have all of our CS meals and Snack credits to use.

I couldn't think of planning all snacks, TS and CS meals...IMO planning the TS meals is hard enough (trying to coordinate everyones schedules and make sure there in the right park at the right time...or leaving the parks and heading to a resort with enough time) no way could we do that for every thing ate.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I have ADRs for our TS, CS-I have a general idea of where we may eat.

Have a wonderful trip with your beautiful girls. They are going to remember this trip forever.

Lori

 

[beattyfamily]

I have ADRs for our TS, CS-I have a general idea of where we may eat.

Have a wonderful trip with your beautiful girls. They are going to remember this trip forever.

Lori

Thank you very much!

It's nice to go to Disney once in awhile without DH, just the girls...and to make it a birthday celebration to boot!

Thanks everyone for sharing how you are handling it.

Maybe I'll try and share with younger DD and check out the menus today. Or maybe I can have my 2 DDs share as their tastes are more similar!

thanks again!

 

[Hopefully]

I have ADR's for all of our TS meals, but with the CS and Snacks we will "Wing It". Actually, I am thinking we may even have left over CS meals. Even though we are paying for the Dining Plan in October, I believe we will get our values worth even without using all of the credits. I am determined not to worry about it. We made the decision to buy the plan, and now I am just going to enjoy it. We are looking forward to our TS meals, and having a worry free vacation.
Have a Great Trip!