Help Us Get Started

[Foxy1031]

It has been awhile since I have planned Disney and I am slowly remembering all of these different tricks.

I completely forgot about the refillable mugs!

We are a military family, so I doubt we will be purchasing a package that includes tickets. Are there options for resort/dining only? If so, what meal package do you suggest? We have 3 kids, ages 16, 6 and 2. Is it even worth getting a dining package if we won't always want to eat sit down or quick service meals? Sorry if I am being confusing here, I am just trying to get suggestions before I call so I know what to discuss. I mean, in all honestly, there will be days where we are all fine grabbing coffee and bananas for breakfast....but of course we also want character meals too.

Which leads me to, what are your favorite Character meals? My oldest is a 16 year old girl and most likely won't have a huge preference. The youngest 2 are boys and while they would probably enjoy princesses, they are far from a must.

We might want to sneak over to check out Harry Potter for a day or 2 and haven't decided if we are driving to Disney or flying. If we fly, what are the options to get ourselves over to universal from Disney Resorts? Should we just write this portion of our trip off? We will be there for a week and while I know we could easily enjoy an entire week in Disney only, we would like to squeeze HP in.

If you have any other random suggestions, send them my way.

 

[Pesky]

You might be better off going without a dining package and going a la carte, especially if you think you might bring some of your own snacks or eat breakfast in the room even a few times. Garden Grocer delivers and if you are driving, you can stop by a grocery store.

Character meals: the ones I found most recommended in terms of decent character assortment and decent food (and sans princesses) would be Tusker House (hosted by Donald), Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and gang), and even Garden Grill (hosted by Chip and Dale). Chef Mickey's is one of the most popular but the food doesn't get great reviews. There is also Chip and Dale's campfire sing-a-long you can look into as well.

If you are flying and want to go to the darkside, you can taxi, uber/lyft/etc., rent a car for the day or two you want to go (you will need to tack on the cost of parking to your fees), or hire a service such as a shuttle service or a private car service. Lot of folks on the US/IOA boards seem to like Tony Hinds.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you say you might skip sit down or quick service meals you don't want the meal plan. You are paying for the meal weather you eat it or not and at the tune of $40-$50 or more a day per person it would be a waste. Rental car would be the best way to get to Universal and factor in the parking that which I believe is $20 or higher.

 

[Foxy1031]

Thanks. I think we have decided to drive.

I completely forgot about Chip and Dale's campfire!!! That would be fun. Also, I think we are leaning more and more towards SoG because it is so much less expensive and the best military rate we could get was at AKL, almost double the price and not on the monorail....

 

[jeepnjudy]

I would stay at SOG...we stay there all the time and it's an easy walk across the street to Poly to jump on the monorail. We typically do not use a meal plan as we eat breakfast in our room and pack in a lunch to the park to save money and avoid MORE lines! Then we treat ourselves to a TS for dinner. One of our favorite character meals is at MK at Crystal Palace...Pooh & Friends. both of my DS have a blast there. They have also been to Chef Mickeys with the grandparents but said the food was not as good there. Hope that helps!

 

[Foxy1031]

Thanks! I think I just need to get over my love for the Poly. SoG will be nice and location and price are huge there. I am getting really excited and about to book our SoG stay.

 

[Foxy1031]

And...SoG is booked Time to start planning meals

Ah, I am so excited.

 

[Mom@disney]

if you are staying onsite, you can add a dining plan at any point with your military ID. I would add a regular dining plan, 1 TS, 1 QS and 1 snack. You can use the snacks for breakfast or you can split a QS into 3 snacks, that along with the refillable mugs should get you a good breakfast and save you credits for in park dining.
Make sure you download the app, get your ADR and make fast passes and have fun!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

And...SoG is booked Time to start planning meals

Ah, I am so excited.

Not to rock the boat, but did you check for the military discount at the Poly? The 40% off makes it seem much more appealing.

Sounds like from your plans, the DDP would be a waste. I would just pick a few meals you're interested in and pay OOP for them.

If I was only at Disney for 1 week, I definitely wouldn't want to take two of those days away for Universal. I might consider it on a longer trip. We usually do 11 days...and even then stay at Disney the whole time.

 

[Foxy1031]

Poly wasn't even available when we are going. I think we are okay with SoG at this point.

I myself REALLY want to see the Harry Potter stuff, so I don't know that I am willing to give that up...we shall see...and yeah, def decided to not do a dinning plan.