mid Aug - do we really need PS every day? less expensive PS restaurants?

[newholidayx2]

was thinking of only making 1 or 2 but this is our 1st Aug trip
Will we NEED a PS every day? and if so what are the less expensive PS restaurants?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Two parts to this.

Mid August tednds to be very crowded and having PS for the measls may be the only way you can get into some of the most popularf restaurants.

If you go to Debbie's Board there are menus for all the restaurants at WDW, with the prices shown as well as the date of the menu so you can get an idea of the accuracy. That will give you a pretty good idea of prices.

 

[maggiew]

We find the less expensive PS restaurants to be the NON-buffet type, NON-fixed price, especially NON-character meals. If it is "order off the menu" thenyou have the opportunity to order inexpensively, maybe off the appetizer menu. Plus you have the option to share. Since my older DD is considered and "adult" when it comes to food, we have adopted this strategy. It just has become to expensive for us to do the set price buffets. WE have eaten at some nicer places and had a reasonable bill.

DH and I share a steak sandwich at Sci Fi lunch. He ordered a chili appetizer this last time too.

At Alfredos, DD12 and I both had a pizza appetizer. (They were huge - dinner plate size.) DD9 had a kids meal pasta and DH got a regular adult entree.

Rainforest Cafe has big entrees and are easily shared. DD12 and I shared the steak and shrimp combo. Appetizers there are big. The chicken tender appetizer is pretty big and can be a meal.

some of the better counter service is Columbia Harbor house in MK. Also Beaches and Cream (sit down place, non-PS). It can get crowded there but we find the entrees big enough to share. Especially if you get a dessert. One thing we like to do in EPCOT is to "eat around the world" at all the counter service places. We get one entree or a snack or something at each place and then each share a little.

Hope this helps.
Maggie

 

[Brian Noble]

We eat in sit-down restaurants perhaps once or twice every three days. For example, we have a six-day trip coming up. Plans include brunch in the castle, fantasmic dinner pkg, perhaps dinner in the Biergarten, and perhaps lunch at 50's Prime Time. We will probably only do one of these two "perhaps"es. Our family's touring style is to focus less on the restaurants (unless there is some entertainment there, too) and more on the shows and attractions, so we end up eating more counter service meals. Sit-down restaurants take too much time, and 4 and 6 year olds are not fond of waiting for food in the first place.

Even in Cedar Point, our "home park", we either do counter service, visit the dinner buffet, or the restaurant that includes waitstaff dancing to 50's rock hits. We have yet to eat in any of the other sit-down in-park restaurants, and we go there at least 12 days per year.

Your Mileage May Vary.

 

[crisi]

You will not starve without PSs. You may, however, never see a waitress or avoid having to stand in line for your food. Its often possible to walk into some restaurants, even during busy times, but if you want to be assured of sitting down - particularly at a specific place, book a PS.

Less expensive - we actually found every place we ate to come within $10 for four adults and two children - except Narcoosee's was more expensive. That was Biergarten, Teppenyaki, Le Cellier, Boma, Marrakesh. The trick to less expensive is above - book restaurants where you can order off the menu and choose less expensive options - the top and bottom of the menu is within a few bucks at all the "moderate" restaurants. Split meals (or at least courses, its unlikely everyone needs their own dessert). Don't drink alcohol, and if you can, stick to tap water. Sit down at lunch, the menu is usually cheaper, and have your counter service meal for dinner (those prices don't change).

 

[Selket]

We were there mid-August of 2003 and had at least one PS for every day (usually dinner). We saw many folks turned away or told very long wait times to dine if they didn't have a PS. It is HOT and still a bit crowded that time of year and it is wonderful to have a nice cool place to sit and relax and eat. I'd make the PS for any restaurants you might want to try - we were able to change some while we were there. You can always cancel some too if your plans change. But the PS is like GOLD if you're hot and tired and the park is crowded!

 

[Grumpy92]

You also might consider doing sit down lunches instead of dinners. The menus are generally the same except for the price.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Yes. Better be safe then sorry. Unless you don't mind a 3 hour wait.

 

[Cass]

We have been twice to Disney - staying for the last 2 weeks of August and we were so glad we had PS-s. We often saw people turned away.