How much is too much?

[a1tinkfans]

It’s all about Your familys’ eating Style. Regardless of our length of trip.. several days, to 2+ weeks, we Always have a Sit down meal each day. Time to unwind, cool down, laugh and dare I say.. bond and enjoy our favorite restaurants.
Just works for us.
Enjoy, whatever you decide

 

[JeninTexas]

The restaurants are one of my kids' favorite parts of the trip. We have at least one TS meal every day. We find most of the QS options (outside of Epcot) to be not very good, and we don't enjoy having to hunt down a table so we can sit down for the QS meal. At a TS restaurant you won't have to worry about finding a seat whereas at a lot of QS places it can be difficult because the restaurants are crowded and you have to wait for someone to leave and try to grab their dirty table as quickly as possible before someone else gets it. That has been our experience anyway with summer trips.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Our last trip was 12 full days and we scheduled 13 ADRs. One day, we had a breakfast and a dinner and it wasn't too much for us. We ended up cancelling our last ADR only because it was in a different park and we decided the night before that we didn't feel like park hopping, so we ended up just doing quick service that day. All but one of our ADRs was for dinner and that worked well for us with a toddler and 7 yo. The kids usually just had a snack or some cereal that I packed for breakfast. We'd get quick service early afternoon, then have dinner around 7 or 730. We enjoyed the breaks and doing dinner helped as then we weren't stuffed to the gills and going back outside into the sweltering heat to go on rides. We often shared quick service lunches since none of us wanted to eat a ton during the heat of the day. We enjoy being able to relax near the end of the night and not have to wait in line for quick service, fight for tables, etc. It gave us the boost we needed to ride a couple more things and get back to the hotel without being completely worn out.

 

[sullyfam]

The reality of Disney is that even though there is tons of fun to be had, everyone has to eat and you get worn out and need breaks. My kids would not be able to keep up if we didn't fuel them up and stop for meal breaks. If you are fine with doing QS then that's one way to go. You can also pack lunches and a lot of people do breakfast in their rooms to cut down on costs. We are not fans of standing in line to order food only to have a hectic run down to find a place to sit and eat (QS) when we are in the parks, so we opt for table service for most meals. We like knowing what our meal plans are and working around those for the rest of our day, knowing we have a place to sit and eat for an hour or whatever it may be. For us, the restaurants are a big part of our vacation. But everyone is different, my advice is usually at least 1 TS per day and go from there. You can always add or drop things as needed.

 

[JimC77]

I appreciate everyone's input!

I know it ultimately comes down to our family's personal preference. We've been on some long family vacations and generally the boys do well at restaurants. As I've been wading through the options of where to eat I wanted a sanity check from others who have done this with kids on how realistic/enjoyable it actually is. My wife and I have been to Disney before but this will be the first time for the kids.

When we went last time we stayed off property and watched every penny we spent. This time we can do a TS dinner every day, just second guessing if that is a good use of time/$. We're staying in a 1br at AKL so we'll have a kitchen, I'm planning to do a grocery delivery so we'll do breakfast in the room each day and probably some snacks (not a full lunch) while we're in the park.

Right now I'm planning:
BOG - I know its QS but will probably take the time of a TS
Chef Mickey - its the kids first time, need to have a character meal in here somewhere!
'Ohona for dinner while we are in MK
Boma for dinner - we're staying at AKL
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater while we are at HS
Going between Beaches and Cream or San Angel Inn while we're at EPCOT

I was contemplating adding HDDR on our down day or possibly Cape May Cafe (we're big seafood fans). I'll be sure to start a trip report with what we actually end up doing!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I appreciate everyone's input!

I know it ultimately comes down to our family's personal preference. We've been on some long family vacations and generally the boys do well at restaurants. As I've been wading through the options of where to eat I wanted a sanity check from others who have done this with kids on how realistic/enjoyable it actually is. My wife and I have been to Disney before but this will be the first time for the kids.

When we went last time we stayed off property and watched every penny we spent. This time we can do a TS dinner every day, just second guessing if that is a good use of time/$. We're staying in a 1br at AKL so we'll have a kitchen, I'm planning to do a grocery delivery so we'll do breakfast in the room each day and probably some snacks (not a full lunch) while we're in the park.

Right now I'm planning:
BOG - I know its QS but will probably take the time of a TS
Chef Mickey - its the kids first time, need to have a character meal in here somewhere!
'Ohona for dinner while we are in MK
Boma for dinner - we're staying at AKL
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater while we are at HS
Going between Beaches and Cream or San Angel Inn while we're at EPCOT

I was contemplating adding HDDR on our down day or possibly Cape May Cafe (we're big seafood fans). I'll be sure to start a trip report with what we actually end up doing!

Our first trip to Disney we did all QS, partly (or maybe even mostly) because of the cost of TS dining. I'd also say we weren't terribly familiar with Disney dining options at the time (this was before the Internet was much of a thing). Knowing what I know today, first trip with kids I'd do 1 TS meal a day because I think the food quality is much better than QS and it's a good chance to get off your feet for a bit. There are a lot of Disney restaurants that will be fun for kids, but I'd also select restaurants that are close to where I think we'll be that day. We've been to Disney many times now, so we don't need to spend tons of time at the parks, and I'm ok with traveling to a resort restaurant where I might get a bit better food, but I wouldn't want to travel to a resort just for food after spending the entire day at a park with kids who are probably pretty tired. In any event, your plan looks pretty good to me, and I'd only add that my kids would have preferred Beaches & Cream to San Angel Inn for the ice cream.

On edit, with respect to the money question, I think TS can be a good use of money/time for the reasons I mentioned, but if you are paying out of pocket then 'Ohana, Chef Mickey and Cape May are going to be expensive.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I think your plan is a good one especially considering you are staying at a deluxe resort and want to and should, spend time there. We go very often and find we don't always want to drag ourselves away from the pool to get to an ADR. Our next trip is 6 nights. I have 3 TS dinners booked. If we decide to add a dining plan it will be for 4 TS meals but I will schedule a lunch TS to cut down on us rushing to dinner. You can always make more ADR's while there. Availability really opens up the day before.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I appreciate everyone's input!

I know it ultimately comes down to our family's personal preference. We've been on some long family vacations and generally the boys do well at restaurants. As I've been wading through the options of where to eat I wanted a sanity check from others who have done this with kids on how realistic/enjoyable it actually is. My wife and I have been to Disney before but this will be the first time for the kids.

When we went last time we stayed off property and watched every penny we spent. This time we can do a TS dinner every day, just second guessing if that is a good use of time/$. We're staying in a 1br at AKL so we'll have a kitchen, I'm planning to do a grocery delivery so we'll do breakfast in the room each day and probably some snacks (not a full lunch) while we're in the park.

Right now I'm planning:
BOG - I know its QS but will probably take the time of a TS
Chef Mickey - its the kids first time, need to have a character meal in here somewhere!
'Ohona for dinner while we are in MK
Boma for dinner - we're staying at AKL
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater while we are at HS
Going between Beaches and Cream or San Angel Inn while we're at EPCOT

I was contemplating adding HDDR on our down day or possibly Cape May Cafe (we're big seafood fans). I'll be sure to start a trip report with what we actually end up doing!

Sounds like a plan that should work for both generations.
Just a head's up though. Beaches and Cream is scheduled to be closed in August for about 3 months.

We like TS restaurants as it allows us to seat down, eat at a leisurely pace and take stock of how the rest of the day will go/and or talk amongst ourselves on what we experienced already. A/C can also be welcoming during the hotter months which of course September can be.

Have fun out there!

 

[Disneypro1]

We only do 1 table service meal per trip. Counter service only. The rest. It’s easier and no issues about reservations. Our trip doesn’t revolve around getting to the reservation on time. Not to mention the $$ savings.
And frankly it makes a more enjoyable vacation. We open and close the parks. When we do our TS meal. It’s always at Epcot Center

 

[JimC77]

Just a head's up though. Beaches and Cream is scheduled to be closed in August for about 3 months.

Have fun out there!

Oh no! I’ll have to check the renovations and have a backup plan.

 

[Kerriowl]

Do you usually take your boys out to eat at sit down restaurants? How much they are used to sitting down at a restaurant may affect how many TS meals you want. I take my two boys 8 and 11 out to sit down restaurants at least once a week so they are very used to how to behave in a restaurant and how the meal progresses. If a sit down restaurant isn't something you do very often, I might make fewer TS reservations, or concentrate more on the buffets that don't have you waiting to order, waiting for food, waiting for a bill. We usually do about one TS meal each day and it varies which meal it is.

 

[DISNEY1975]

We do all TS. Character breakfast and a dinner show/signature dinner/Epcot dinner. We do things we cant do at home or on any other vacation. in between meals, we are really only hungry for a snack or ice cream. I like TS to be waited on (Im on vacation!!), go get off my feet for a bit and most of all AC !!!

Yes, it can get expensive, but we always get the dining plan and just think of it as part of the price of the trip. Love only having to pay tips and being able to order anything we want without thinking about the cost!

 

[meggiebeth]

Our first two trips, we had the deluxe dining plan, and at times had three TS meals a day scheduled. It was too much food for us - we ended up booking a lot of signature dinners for two credits and that worked out well.

As for now, we try to have two sit down meals a day. We prefer sit down to counter service and as we usually do buffets for breakfast, they don’t take much longer than a quick service meal!

 

[bearzabout]

Keep in mind that it could be 100 degrees in September. I eat way less when it is hot out. It also may rain a lot, and sit down meals would be great on rain days. Flexibility is the key. Late lunches and early dinners are easier to do with no reservations.

 

[cmwade77]

We generally do one TS per day, this upcoming trip we aren't doing quite as many, because we are doing a couple of two TS credit meals and we tend to do the dining plan.

 

[Farro]

We (two adults) go for 9 nights, I will have a table service dinner planned for each night. Some may be late, after 9 when a park closes or early so we can hit a park late night, but I loooooove relaxing at dinner with a glass of wine. We don't always eat a full meal, could be just appetizers and cocktails.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I will also add that time of year makes a big difference. If the parks are closing early at 8pm, and the high of the day was 68 degrees and sunny, I don't want to waste 90 minutes inside a restaurant having dinner. Not only do I not want to sit inside and freeze in the AC, but I also will likely end up missing the nighttime show at whatever park I'm at. I'd much prefer grab a QS dinner with patio seating or stay until close and dine somewhere after the park closes.

Now when the park is open until 11pm, spending 90 minutes on dinner doesn't seem to be so much of a time suck. And when it's hot, we often aim for a lunch table service to get a break from the sun.

The truth is that EVERY restaurant has availability at the last minute - you do not have to box yourself in with reservations way in advance. Make the ones in advance that are important and if your family needs a break one day, jump on the app and make a reservation

 

[eeyoresmom]

I will also add that time of year makes a big difference. If the parks are closing early at 8pm, and the high of the day was 68 degrees and sunny, I don't want to waste 90 minutes inside a restaurant having dinner. Not only do I not want to sit inside and freeze in the AC, but I also will likely end up missing the nighttime show at whatever park I'm at. I'd much prefer grab a QS dinner with patio seating or stay until close and dine somewhere after the park closes.

Now when the park is open until 11pm, spending 90 minutes on dinner doesn't seem to be so much of a time suck. And when it's hot, we often aim for a lunch table service to get a break from the sun.

The truth is that EVERY restaurant has availability at the last minute - you do not have to box yourself in with reservations way in advance. Make the ones in advance that are important and if your family needs a break one day, jump on the app and make a reservation

I wouldn't count on every restaurant having availability at the last minute. especially for a family of 5. You are likely to find something, but EVERY restaurant certainly will not be an option.

 

[mckennarose]

....

Right now I'm planning:
BOG - I know its QS but will probably take the time of a TS
Chef Mickey - its the kids first time, need to have a character meal in here somewhere!
'Ohona for dinner while we are in MK
Boma for dinner - we're staying at AKL
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater while we are at HS
Going between Beaches and Cream or San Angel Inn while we're at EPCOT

I was contemplating adding HDDR on our down day or possibly Cape May Cafe (we're big seafood fans). I'll be sure to start a trip report with what we actually end up doing!

Sounds like a plan! One thing I would mention is that Ohana can take up a lot of time. They rarely seat you at your reservation time and it can take up to an hour to be seated. We've been there many times for breakfast and dinner and always had a wait. It could be 15 minutes, a half hour or longer. We never plan Ohana on a park day because of the time, but we also always take a daily afternoon resort break to recharge and don't use dining reservations as our "break time". If you are using the Ohana reservation as a nice longer break it should be fine. Just wanted you to be aware it can take a while.