My tentative TS list, need advice

[lizzyb5280]

My ADR date isn't until May 11 for our Nov 7-13 trip, but I've got a lot going on between now and then so I'm trying to come up with a tentative plan on where I will use my TS credits (doing the standard dining plan). We will have 6 TS credits each, currently planning 1 1/2 days Epcot, 2 days MK, and 1 day each AK and Studios. Not sure when we'll be where yet, except our first half day (Sunday) at Epcot, and Tuesday at MK for DD's 3rd birthday. FWIW, we have DD booked as a 2yo for the duration of the trip, so she will be sharing off our plates. Thankfully though, she is a fairly free eater, not usually very picky and eats a lot of things many of her friends (or even older kids and adults!) won't eat.

What I've come up with so far is:

Epcot 1/2 day - Dinner at Akershus
Epcot full day - No TS
MK day 1 - CRT, thinking lunch?
MK day 2 - undecided
AK - Donald's Safari Breakfast
Studios - Playhouse Disney lunch

For starters, am I crazy booking FOUR character meals?? DD turns three on the Tuesday, so I'm really trying to make this trip about her (it's also her first time at WDW). And how about the choice to do CRT at lunch? My plan is to take her to the boutique before lunch so she can have her princess hair done (and put on dress from home) before we eat.

Secondly, do you think I'm right to make the Epcot full day the one where we skip TS? I figure there's soo much good counter service there, esp. in World Showcase, that we could eat well w/o getting tired of the usual counter service fare.

Finally, where would you recommend using our final TS credit in MK? The only sit-down meal I ever recall eating there is at Tony's about 20 years ago.

TIA!

 

[LaurenT]

You'll be in Epcot during F&W, so there'll be plenty to eat without a TS, but don't go to Epcot on the weekend...it'll be swamped with foodies! And for your little one, I would recommend Crystal Palace - the winnie the pooh buffet - you might even swap out the Akershus for it since she'll see the princesses at the castle.

 

[holden]

What about using your last TS credit in one of the monorail resorts since you'll be in MK? Ohana gets a lot of great reviews here. They do cute things with the kids (hula dancing, coconut races, etc). We have eaten there before and will be eating there again in Aug.

There are also good choices at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian. Check out the menus and maybe something will appeal to you. Plus the monorail ride is fun!

 

[jodywgirl]

I would actually try to get the latest breakfast at CRT instead of lunch the food is much better. We love both crystal palace and Liberty Tree Tavern but I agree with holden we love Ohanas.
Also if you are seeing the princess at CRT you might try Coral Reef or Chefs de France (see Remy) instead of dinner at Askerhus my family does not like the food here.

 

[Simba22]

For MK, I would also suggest either taking the monorail to MK and eating at one of the resort restaurants, or staying at MK and eating at The Plaza. I love their sandwiches!

 

[Tara]

I'd skip CRT for lunch and perhaps try breakfast at 1900 Park Fare instead. Or try breakfast at CRT. To be honest, it is a lot of buffets - I'd skip the last MK TS you're trying to find and pick something like Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge or Ohana at the Polynesian.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I would leave off CRT because you will see lots of princesses at Akerhaus (sp?). I think Kona or O'hana's would be a better choice on the monorail system too.

 

[MrsLS]

I don't think its a lot of buffet/character meals because you do have a young daughter and it might be easier & fun. We never do the buffets, I don't think I ever have been to one, we do regular TS but we're 2 adults. We might do one one day but right now we haven't.
For MK maybe CP but thats a buffet/character meal, one that I would consider on our next trip in the fall because I love the winnie the pooh characters & i've seen good reviews. Every trip we go to LTT for lunch and that is very good but they have a family style serving for dinner, not characters though.

 

[lizzyb5280]

I appreciate all of the opinions. For us the buffets actually work well since DD will not have her own dining credits. We can just chose whatever she wants from the buffet and let her have her own plate, instead of thinking of things that are either easy to split or that she'd be interested in (but she really doesn't eat enough to warrant her own kids meals).

Anyone else care to weigh in?

 

[bellefromboston]

I would definitely not skip CRT! It is such a magical experience, eating inside the castle. Really a must-do. I do agree, however, instead of eating another meal in MK I would hop on the monorail and go to 'Ohana.


Good luck deciding!

 

[Got Muchness]

My ADR date isn't until May 11 for our Nov 7-13 trip, but I've got a lot going on between now and then so I'm trying to come up with a tentative plan on where I will use my TS credits (doing the standard dining plan). We will have 6 TS credits each, currently planning 1 1/2 days Epcot, 2 days MK, and 1 day each AK and Studios. Not sure when we'll be where yet, except our first half day (Sunday) at Epcot, and Tuesday at MK for DD's 3rd birthday. FWIW, we have DD booked as a 2yo for the duration of the trip, so she will be sharing off our plates. Thankfully though, she is a fairly free eater, not usually very picky and eats a lot of things many of her friends (or even older kids and adults!) won't eat.

What I've come up with so far is:

Epcot 1/2 day - Dinner at Akershus
Epcot full day - No TS
MK day 1 - CRT, thinking lunch?
MK day 2 - undecided
AK - Donald's Safari Breakfast
Studios - Playhouse Disney lunch

For starters, am I crazy booking FOUR character meals?? NO, in the past we have booked up to five character meals for my little one. Now she is older and not asking for so many it is kind of sad. DD turns three on the Tuesday, so I'm really trying to make this trip about her (it's also her first time at WDW). And how about the choice to do CRT at lunch? CRT is a good one time experience in my opinion. But my bunch prefers to go see Cinderella at the happily ever after meal at the GF. It is more entertaining. My plan is to take her to the boutique before lunch so she can have her princess hair done (and put on dress from home) before we eat.

Secondly, do you think I'm right to make the Epcot full day the one where we skip TS? I figure there's soo much good counter service there, esp. in World Showcase, that we could eat well w/o getting tired of the usual counter service fare. Yes, if I had to skip a TS I would choose Epcot. So much good cs there.

Finally, where would you recommend using our final TS credit in MK? The only sit-down meal I ever recall eating there is at Tony's about 20 years ago. DON'T waste your time at their TS. Crystal Palace is great for breakfast but if you are looking for anything else get on the Monorail and go to Ohana.

TIA!

I put my opinions in red