I know its late, but please help with planning???

billwendy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 28, 1999
Messages
4,963
HI- we are on free dining plan from 9/8-9/13th and need help with meal planning,,,,,i know it might be too late to get into some places, but if you could give suggestions anyway, I'd love that!!! we are going on the 7 hour tour which includes lunch at Mama's, so that will count as the sit down that day without taking it from our package......we are also doing the illuminations cruise on the 10th with some of the other dis'ers!!!

we are pretty plain eaters who love steak and more standard foods - no fancy sauces etc,,,,,,just FYI - we are also doing night of joy on the 8th, spectro on the 11th, famtasmic on the 12th if that helps you with figuring out were we are and what we should do,,,,,it will just be DH and I this trip!!!

thanks so much for your help, Wendy
 
Wendy,

We had to get all new reservations last week when our party changed from 6 to 7 people. The ONLY place we couldn't get into was Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic Package. I suspect you will be ok for all but the most popular of popular places.

Have you checked out the restaurant page on Ourlaughingplace.com? They have reviews, menus, photos, etc.

American Fare places that spring to mind...

Liberty Tree Tavern
50's Prime Time Diner
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickeys
Beaches and Cream
Yachtmans Steakhouse
Cape May Cafe
Whispering Canyon Cafe
 
All the other posters recommendations are great for "regular food". I would also throw in the Plaza at MK. If you're trying to get reservations and can't get the places you want ask the CM helping with dining to tell you what they do have that day. You may be able to get in on a late lunch or early supper.
 
Most of the resorts have pretty good places to eat too. We like the Concourse Steakhouse at the CR, Kona's at the Poly. Both are on the monorail so should be easy to get to. We are trying the GF Cafe on an upcoming trip and Maya Grill (CSR). You need to go to the menu page and check out the menus to see if there are things you would like to eat. Keep in mind that when ordering you can always request them to hold the sauce if things look too creepy for your taste. For good down home cooking, you could always take the boat from MK to Trails End for dinner too. That is about as "regular" food as you could get. Most places at resorts should be able to get you in, especially a table for 2. Good luck.
 

2nd time on the Dining Plan, so here are some overall suggestions:

Choose some nice resort restaurants, generally they will have more availability. You can have a lovely meal at Ohana's or 1900 Park Fare and be back in the MK within 15 minutes with much less hassle.

Don't go wild with the 2-credit "Signature" meals . . . unless you have TS credits to spare. I would just as soon pay cash and save the TS for dinner with others.

Similarly, considering paying cash for breakfast Table Service meals. Or just have breakfast snacks. We enjoy a few of the breakfast character meals for their entertainment value -- the food is moderately enjoyable.

Choose "off times" - we are doing Liberty Tree Tavern at 4:30pm for an early dinner.

EpCot has a huge number of dining options - to paraphrase Len Testa, "EpCot handles large crowds more effectively than any other park." A relatively small percentage of them will "sell out". We've never had problems getting in to someplace there.

IMO, Animal Kingdom has two of the best Counter Service restaurants in the entire WDW - Tusker & Flame Tree.

We have never done it, so I can't be positive but it seems the time requirements for the Fantasmic Dinner Package are just as long as simply eating at a different restaurant and getting to Fantasmic 60 mins early.

I have other thoughts, but that's a start. Good luck!
 
Be sure and try to get the Brown Derby or Hollywood and Vine w/the Fantasmic package on the day you are doing MGM.
 














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