If you weren't on the dining plan, would you do this?????

[TaraBara]

Would you plan 3 TS meals over a 7 day vacation?

We didn't want to do the dining plan because we don't want a TS meal every day. We have made plans to go to Ohana for dinner and Chef Mickey's for breakfast because they sounded fun for our boys (ages 7 and 4). However, the more I read on these boards, the more I keep second guessing myself!

Now, I'm wondering if we should add Crystal Palace to our list. Part of me doesn't want to incur the extra cost of a breakfast or lunch buffet. But, on the other hand I'm thinking it would be cool to go inside MK early (if we did breakfast) and it would also be great to have the chance to meet the Winnie the Pooh characters without the long lines and heat.

So is the experience of CP worth it? I just can't make up my mind!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Anthony1971]

I would say not to do the DP..
if you are at the park and want a TS you can get one even durning FD--I have never had a big problem, may not get my first choice but always someplace good...
I would stick with Lunch TS if any as they are by far cheaper and you get to sit in AC at the hotest part of the day and you have young kids
The one who is 4 for the most part would get a part of our meals and a side not a full meal as chances are it will not be eaten... you can always order or buy more food elsewhere..

 

[dismichael]

I love all three of them Chef Mickeys is by far my favorite breakfasts and Ohana has some amazing apps and bbq meat. I have only done Crystal Palace for lunch/dinner and it is awesome (they have a really good adobe (sp?) pork and salmon) I also hear that the breakfast is good though and being in the park before it opens is cool. I couldn't say to dump one and pick up CP but i would definitely say add it to the list

Hope it helps

 

[MYD714]

I've done CP for dinner and loved it. We're on the dining plan, and I thought of adding it and paying OOP.

Pooh played patty-cake with my friend's 2yo during our last trip and we had a blast. We loved it so much that we canceled other ADRs to go back almost every night. For her kids (2 and 3), it was perfect.

I think it all depends on if your kids are big Pooh fans. If yes, then it's worth it. If they don't care too much about Pooh, then I'd save the money.

We LOVE Ohana and Chef Mickey's. CM is one of the best way to see Mickey & friends without lines.

Have Fun!

 

[Hootch]

anything wrong with doing just a few TS meals. My kids have been in the age range where they're anxious to get to the parks all of the time. We've adjusted by reducing TS meals and therefore dining time. We still do some meals but not necessarily each day. Now my wife and I are wanting to add more meals but the kids are only this age for a short time.

BTW - I like CP. Do the breakfast since it is cheaper. I would either go with an early ADR before park opens or a later breakfast ADR. That gives you rope drop touring, the breakfast price and the ability to sample breakfast and lunch items.

 

[luvmy2sams]

These three TS meals are ones we do every single time we go to Disney. Ohanas for breakfast is our favorite! We haven't done the dining plan since our 2007 trip, though.

 

[KatMark]

Would you plan 3 TS meals over a 7 day vacation?

We didn't want to do the dining plan because we don't want a TS meal every day. We have made plans to go to Ohana for dinner and Chef Mickey's for breakfast because they sounded fun for our boys (ages 7 and 4). However, the more I read on these boards, the more I keep second guessing myself!

Now, I'm wondering if we should add Crystal Palace to our list. Part of me doesn't want to incur the extra cost of a breakfast or lunch buffet. But, on the other hand I'm thinking it would be cool to go inside MK early (if we did breakfast) and it would also be great to have the chance to meet the Winnie the Pooh characters without the long lines and heat.

So is the experience of CP worth it? I just can't make up my mind!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Personally, we prefer Crystal Palace over Chef Mickey's for breakfast, but that is a personal preference for the food and service. If you don't want to add another table service, you can find Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore in World Showcase in the book store in the United Kingdom. The line is never too long.

 

[glk2009]

I would totally add CP for a breakfast meal, even OOP. We have done that breakfast our last two trips and it's the weirdest and coolest feeling to walk down Main Street with only a handlful of other people around you if you have an early ADR. They also have photopass photographers on Main Street and can take a family picture for you without all of the normal crowds in front of the castle.

And the interaction with the characters is great! We had an 8:30 am ADR and the restaurant wasn't even full, so we saw some of the characters twice.

Enjoy!

 

[shannonstar]

My 7 year old says Chef Mickey's is his least favorite breakfast. He preferred Tusker House and Crystal Palace.
He liked the food and character interaction at both. He also liked that we got there at 8am and got to be the 1st people on some of the crowded rides.
We are trying Ohana's this year, so I can't comment on that one yet.
I don't think three is too many. It's a good way to get into parks early and avoid waiting in lines for characters.

 

[almostmortimer]

Being in the Magic Kingdom before opening IS amazing. The Disney Photographer is in front of the Castle, and you will get perfect pictures.

'Ohana is a ton of fun for kids. And of course, experiences like these are not only about the food, but the food is great too. 'Ohana has an incredible dessert that we talk about almost weekly. Table Service is an experience, and expect it take at least an hour. With transfers from transportation, expect the whole process to take a good 1.5 - 2 hour chunk of park time (more if you aren't coming from the Magic Kingdom). Best to do this on an "off" day from the parks.

 

[Quin]

Not being on the DDP does not relegate you to a full week of nothing but CS meals. Go right ahead and make reservations for as many TS meals as you want. Truely, the DDP is a good deal if ALL the food you would otherwise pay for is the same type/format as the DDP provides.

You could eat 1 TS nearly every day of your trip and still be financially better off than using DDP IF you pretty much just 'grazed' the rest of the time rather than wanting full entree/drink/dessert CS meals every day too.

So definitely make ressies for any and all TS meals that would appeal to your family. You are going on vacation and you are going to do the special things that you would most enjoy, DDP or no DDP.

 

[catne]

we just did Crystal Palace breakfast in May 2010 and we really, really enjoyed it (party of 3 adults, no less.) While the MK is not actually "empty" before the park opens (lots of people for breakfast at CP and CRT, and little girls heading to BBBoutique) it is more empty than you'd normally see. It is possible to get pictures with the castle or gardens in background and no other people--which is awesome.

We've also gone to CMickey's for breakfast, and it was fine. The food was good, but limited choices...the character interactions was great (again, we were a party of adults only.)

If you have to choose one, and want a really good breakfast & characters--go for Crystal Palace -more variety & better choices overall. If you can do two, I'd say do both -- that'll get you bunches of character pics with the kids (as well as some fun with the character marching & napkin twirling)

 

[bumbershoot]

Not being on the DDP does not relegate you to a full week of nothing but CS meals. Go right ahead and make reservations for as many TS meals as you want. Truely, the DDP is a good deal if ALL the food you would otherwise pay for is the same type/format as the DDP provides.

You could eat 1 TS nearly every day of your trip and still be financially better off than using DDP IF you pretty much just 'grazed' the rest of the time rather than wanting full entree/drink/dessert CS meals every day too.

So definitely make ressies for any and all TS meals that would appeal to your family. You are going on vacation and you are going to do the special things that you would most enjoy, DDP or no DDP.

I agree with all of this. Because it's what our plan is for our trip.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We aren't doing the DDP, and we have eleven TS meals planned for a week's trip! Having the DDP or not having it doesn't dictate where we eat.

I choose not to do the DDP, as it doesn't work that well for the way we eat. We often have appetizers and split entrees, or forego entrees altogether for a selection of appetizers, don't drink soda and rarely get dessert. I've done the math six ways from Sunday, and the best I do with the DDP is break even; I'd rather have the option to be more flexible.

So, if you want to plan a few character meals, I say go for it. We love CP breakfast, and being in the park early is a bonus!

 

[TaraBara]

Thanks for all the responses!!!

I guess I'm also having a hard time deciding on CP because I'm not a big breakfast eater. I would much rather go for lunch or dinner food, but the possibility of being in the MK before opening seems so magical! I'm so indecisive!!!!

 

[Taja]

Personally, I would do a maximum of 3 TS meals in 7 days. They take a fair amount of time out of your touring days!

I've had dinner at CP and the food was quite good for a buffet. We aren't big breakfast people--I like something very light, BFF likes an occasional hearty breakfast, her DD and DGD aren't breakfast people at all. Perhaps a slice of cold pizza. Did I mention they are not breakfast people? *LOL*

Doesn't help your dilemma, I know! Sorry!

 

[mainegal]

I really enjoyed my Crystal Palace lunch.

Something some people do is book CP for the very latest breakfast time. You get breakfast price, some breafast food. Then eat slowly until they start switching over to lunch food.

 

[TruBlu]

We've never tried breakfast. We like taking a nice, cool, long break at a TS for lunch or dinner. We've had both at CP, and we LOVE it! Character interaction is awesome!!!! It is well worth the money.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

Would you plan 3 TS meals over a 7 day vacation?

We didn't want to do the dining plan because we don't want a TS meal every day. We have made plans to go to Ohana for dinner and Chef Mickey's for breakfast because they sounded fun for our boys (ages 7 and 4). However, the more I read on these boards, the more I keep second guessing myself!

Now, I'm wondering if we should add Crystal Palace to our list. Part of me doesn't want to incur the extra cost of a breakfast or lunch buffet. But, on the other hand I'm thinking it would be cool to go inside MK early (if we did breakfast) and it would also be great to have the chance to meet the Winnie the Pooh characters without the long lines and heat.

So is the experience of CP worth it? I just can't make up my mind!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

If you do decide to do the 3 character meals, I actually recommend that you do the basic dining plan. Each day that you do a character meal, the cost of that one meal would more than pay for the cost of the meal plan for each of the kids for a full day.

Breakdown:
Ohana dinner..31 each adult, 15 each child plus tax=98ish
CP breakfast...21 adult, 12 child plus tax =67ish
CM breakfast..27 adult, 14 child plus tax=88ish
total for just those 3 meals is $253-ish

Dining plan for 6 nights (7 days) is
42 each adult x 2adults x 6 nights = 503
12 each child x 2 kids x 6 = 144

total for 6 QS meals, 6 TS meals, 6 snacks for each person is $647
you are already paying $253 for 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner.

For $394 more, you will have 6 QS meals, 3 TS credits and 6 snacks more for each of you.
Can you eat for the rest of the trip for everyone for under that?

I'm not a huge fan of the dining plan, but with 2 kids and plans to do a few character meals, it usually works out to your advantage.

You do not have to worry about the time with the 3 other TS meals. The kids might enjoy going to a meal at a Place like Sci-Fi, or even using 2 credits for something like Mickey's backyard bar b q, and that could use up the credits, give the kids a lot of fun and give you a lot of value.

Mickey's BBQ is $51 per adult and $21 per child plus tax OOP. That's another $155-ish right there and uses 2 credits. The Hoop Dee Doo would be even more cost and use 2 credits also. Both are at Ft. Wilderness and are a quick boat ride from the MK.

Also, when we had the dining plan, we actually felt like we wanted more freedom and time and we used some of the credits for Wolfgang puck express at DTD and got delicious meals (valued around 25 bucks..plus a lot of options for kids) and saved some time and weren't commited to anything. They will make anything from the menu in 'kid size' if you request it...says so right on the menu.

We never had any problems using the extra TS credits for some delicious Quick service meals when we had leftover credits.

Just something to think about when doing the budget...this might work out to be better for you.

 

[Tara]

We do a TS meal every day of any vacation, dining plan or not. We like the break it gives us.