Need Help.. advice wanted

[RobAudJuliaMaya]

OK. We're going during free dining. Our cast consists of myself, DH, DD5 and DD2. We have 8 days worth of free dining credits but more ADRs booked causing us to pay for at least one TS meal out of pocket. Not sure whether to keep them all or drop a reservation to keep the costs of the trip down. We're travelling with another family of 5 so we have two meals together with them (Boma, Cape May Cafe) and one meal for the adults only (Cap'n Jack's). Willing to pay for the extra ADR's but would still appreciate the advice of my fellow DISers...

August 23: no ADR booked
August 24: Cinderella's Royal Table 1:50pm (trying to make earlier)
Chef Mickey's 6:50pm
August 25: Coral Reef 11:40pm with diver and personal menus booked
Princess Storybook Dinner 4:50pm
August 26: Boma 7:50pm (both families)
August 27: Crystal Palace 11:40am
August 28: Cape May Cafe 7:50pm
August 29: 1900 Park Fare 6:50pm
August 30: Cap'n Jack's 7:40pm
August 31: no ADR booked

My DDs are really into princesses. DD5 really wants to meet characters and get autographs so we booked alot of character meals to avoid having to line up in parks.

I really don't like the CRT ADR time we have and am considering cancelling this one. Either convince me I'm insane (because it's free and its THE CASTLE) or it's a smart move considering we have Princess Storybook booked.

So confused...

 

[KatMark]

Did you count CRT as two credits? Because if I am counting right, that gives you 10 credit meals and you only have eight to use.

 

[02AggieGirl]

OOH, that's a tough one! We did CRT last year and really loved it (for breakfast though not lunch). Since your ADR there is a late lunch, maybe it wouldn't be as crowded?!? Did you look at the CRT lunch menu and kinda price out what a lunch would cost you oop? Maybe that would help you decide whether it would fit into your budget.

 

[NurseJamie]

I was going to point out the same thing as KatMark - CRT is 2 TS credits rather than 1 because it is a "signature dining" restaurant.

But here is just my 2 cents. I've been on the dining plan twice now (before the revisions though) and it was SO MUCH food. We ended up getting desserts to go more often than not because we were just so full. So the idea of having 2 table service meals in one day is way too much for me. Also - sit-down meals take away a lot of time in the parks (you have to get there 15 minutes early, wait for a table, and then spend 1 hour - 1 1/2 hours eating your meal). And don't forget you also have 8 CS credits AND snacks!

If I were you, I would try to narrow it down to 1TS a day. But again - just my 2 cents. Good luck with your planning!

 

[02AggieGirl]

Did you count CRT as two credits? Because if I am counting right, that gives you 10 credit meals and you only have eight to use.

I could be wrong, but I think she knows that because she did say she would have to pay for a meal oop. And since CRT is 2 TS credits, if she paid oop for that, then she would be down to the 8 free meals. I think she was just wondering if it was really worth.

 

[KatMark]

I could be wrong, but I think she knows that because she did say she would have to pay for a meal oop. And since CRT is 2 TS credits, if she paid oop for that, then she would be down to the 8 free meals. I think she was just wondering if it was really worth.

You got me...I guess being Monday I'm not comprehending at work yet!

 

[KPLC]

We are in the same situation - have Free Dining and also lots of ADRS booked
Aug 24th Lunch at Chef Mickey
AUg 25th Princess Breakfast at Akershus @8:35 then lunch at Coral Reed at 1:30 ( trying to get it later)
Aug 26th Crystal Palace at 8:10
Ohana at 4:25 for dinner
Aug 27 Breakfast at Tuskerhouse at 8:15
Dinner at CRT at 8:20 ( trying to get it earlier)
Aug 28th Dinner at Whispering Canyon at 6:35
Aug 29th Dinner at Liberty Tree at 6:55
Aug 30th Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at 9:35

While I know that this is alot of eating the children 8 and 5 will probably need the down time to sit and relax and visit with the characters. We have also not been to Disney as a family ( my husband I went 11 years ago) so I think that the meals are part of the Disney experience. Also, If we get there and feel that we are overwhelmed with the meals and keeping to the schedule, I would rather cancel the adr's there at the park than now. It has been hard trying to get all the reservations and I have tried many times to change the times with no success especially Coral Reef and CRT. I like the fact that we will get into the parks early and will be abel to take some great photos.While I know that CRT is an expensive meal surely it is a once in a lifetime experience to eat in Cinderella's castle! While we are there we may as well spend the extra since we don't know how long it will be before we go back if ever.

 

[RobAudJuliaMaya]

OK...

I was aware that CRT was 2TS credits. I'm willing to pay for it OOP but am really rethinking whether we need to go to CRT and Princess Storybook and 1900 Park Fare. It's now looking like princess overkill. So, I wanted some advice on which one (or more) of those ressies to cancel.

I know CRT is a wonderful experience, but I really don't like that reservation time (1:50pm for lunch). We are early people and get hungry for lunch early as well. If I can change the time to an earlier seating, I'll be content. But with the time as it is, I'm not too pleased.

If I decide to keep CRT, then I will pay for that OOP which opens up 2 TS meals for free.

If I decide that I don't want to pay OOP for CRT, but am willing to pay OOP for another ADR, then which of all my ADRs would you suggest I drop?

 

[KatMark]

OK...

I was aware that CRT was 2TS credits. I'm willing to pay for it OOP but am really rethinking whether we need to go to CRT and Princess Storybook and 1900 Park Fare. It's now looking like princess overkill. So, I wanted some advice on which one (or more) of those ressies to cancel.

I know CRT is a wonderful experience, but I really don't like that reservation time (1:50pm for lunch). We are early people and get hungry for lunch early as well. If I can change the time to an earlier seating, I'll be content. But with the time as it is, I'm not too pleased.

If I decide to keep CRT, then I will pay for that OOP which opens up 2 TS meals for free.

If I decide that I don't want to pay OOP for CRT, but am willing to pay OOP for another ADR, then which of all my ADRs would you suggest I drop?

Sorry...didn't read your first message carefully enough. I would drop the princess dinner at Norway. Now, we've never done the Castle...we have boys and they wouldn't be caught dead eating with princesses in the castle...but DH and I tried the princess lunch in Norway and we were not fond of the food at all (and we went for the food).

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree drop Norway, you HAVE to eat in the castle at least once! On a meal you pay OOP I would do a CS like CHH or Sunshine Seasons, Cosmic Rays, Wolf Gang Puck Express. Somewhere the food is better than pizza or burgers but doesnt cost an arm and a leg . Thats what I did last trip b/c I wanted to try Boma for breakfast and it was so worth it! I believe we did WGPE and loved it also

 

[maj42169]

If it were me I would drop the CRT......I don't think it is worth the cost just to eat a less than average meal in the castle........but that is just my opinion, and I have a feeling that my opinion is not the norm on this topic.

 

[RobAudJuliaMaya]

Thanks everyone and keep it coming if others are viewing.

I'm leaning toward dropping Princess Storybook Dinner. I'm not that interested in CRT myself but my DD5 has her heart set on eating in the castle... so.. you get it.

No one has given me any opinions on 1900 Park Fare and how that compares to Princess Storybook Dinner.