Need help with dining and we're going Saturday!

[Mom2six]

We've never been to Disney World and there are some issues I find confusing! We are staying at Shades of Green. We will not have a dining plan. We leave this weekend

1. My daughter, 5, barely eats much at one time, and ordering a separate meal for her would be a waste. Do the restaurants mind sharing. Could we share our meal with her without a hassle?

2. From this board, it seems like you can go eat at restaurants at other resorts. Is that true? How do you do that? And are there other things you can do at the other resorts, or just eat (for instance, I think one resort has minature golf...can you do that if you aren't staying there?)

3. I didn't make reservations for dining. At this time of year, it is a problem at a lot of the restaurants?

Thanks ahead of time for the help!!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

WELCOME.

You are welcome to share your meals with your little one where ever you like. No problem.

You can eat at any resort as well. Some of the resort amenities are reserved for the hotel guest (swimming, some children's activities etc), but you are welcome to visit any resort to eat, shop, or just tour the beautiful resort.

There is a miniature golf but it is not at a resort. It is open to everyone.

I would encourage you to make some reservations. I think free dinning is going on and restaurants fill up FAST. You will find some places open but it may not be when or what you want. I would consider trying to find a character meal for your family! You can book on line.

Good luck!! Prayers for a wonderful trip!

 

[plutolovr]

Sharing should not be an issue at Disney-owned restaurants, but the ones that are not Disney-owned have their own rules but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't have any problems. If you dine at buffets or family-style restaurants you will have to pay the full child's price for your DD.

You are free to visit any Walt Disney Resort to dine and partake in recreational activities, however, you are not allowed to use the pool. There is no miniature golf course at any resort, there are 2 on property though, one call Fantasia Gardens which is near the Boardwalk resort and one called Winter/Summerland which is next to Blizzard Beach Water Park.

If you want to dine at a restaurant in a resort you just have to drive there, or take Disney transportation. The guard at each resort will ask why you are there, just let them know you're there to eat. If you are driving and dining at one of the deluxe resorts with monorail, boat or walking access to parks, you will not be allowed to leave your car in the lot and visit the parks, you will have to move your car to the park's lot.

Reservations are usually necessary all times of the year, especially with Free Dining. This is very true when it comes to Character Dining. I suggest going online to see if you can secure a few restaurants that are must-dos for your family.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I just noticed by your name you have a wonderfully large family. I would say this makes reservations even more necessary as there are far fewer tables for larger parties and they may require a much longer wait.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

to the DIS!

Sharing at a la carte restaurants definitely won't be a problem. The good thing is, if she decides she wants her own meal, kids meals are a relatively good deal at WDW. The adult meals are where you'll wish you were sharing.

Naturally, everyone has to pay at buffets & family style restaurants. If you want a character meal, you should make an ADR (reservation). Those are hard to get as a walk-up. You should also consider making ADRs for any other restaurants you definitely want to eat at. If you're not set on any one restaurant, you should be able to walk in somewhere. I find it's easier to go to guest services at the parks to inquire about in park availability than to go to each individual restaurant. That said, people have been told no at GS only to walk to the restaurant & get in, but I definitely wouldn't count on that. Usually GS at your resort can look for dining availability also, but I'm not sure if that's true at Shades of Green. You can always call the dining line to inquire, when you get there.

 

[Mom2six]

Thank you for the advice! This was a last minute trip and since I've never been there before it seems a bit overwhelming to plan it!

Is parking expensive if you drive to another resort to dine?

I'll definitely look into reservations for some of the restaurants, but I'm thinking getting anything for the character dining will be difficult at this late date.

Still, it's DISNEY...I'm so excited, no matter where we eat.

 

[purple figment]

Sharing should not be an issue at Disney-owned restaurants, but the ones that are not Disney-owned have their own rules but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't have any problems. If you dine at buffets or family-style restaurants you will have to pay the full child's price for your DD.

.

Along with buffets and "all you care to eat" family style restaurants, you will be charged the full child's price for your daughter at dinner shows (Hoop de Doo, luau, Mickey's backyard barbecue) and CRT. Also you cannot share if you order the adult skillet entree at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Since you're paying OOP, you should be able to share at any other restaurant.

Since all the character meals require a credit card guarantee now, more people are cancelling to avoid the financial penalty if they can't go. You can check with the concierge at any resort, go online or stop by guest services in the park to see what is available. If you're willing to be flexible about the restaurant or time you may get lucky.

There is no charge for parking at the resorts while you dine, shop or just look around there. Just tell the guard at the gate why you are visiting. They may or may not give you a 3 hour time limit...probably not at this time of year.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Parking at other resorts is limited to your dinning time but there is no cost.

Don't forget there are lots of good sit downs inside the parks that might work better with your touring plans.

I "played" with your family on the ADR site and found quickly an ADR for Crystal Palace for dinner, on I think i did Monday, so there is hope!

I would recommend going out and buying a really good guild book to help you understand how things work and ask ANY questions here that you might think of!

 

[JennSaint]

Thank you for the advice! This was a last minute trip and since I've never been there before it seems a bit overwhelming to plan it!

Is parking expensive if you drive to another resort to dine?

I'll definitely look into reservations for some of the restaurants, but I'm thinking getting anything for the character dining will be difficult at this late date.

Still, it's DISNEY...I'm so excited, no matter where we eat.

If you are interested in a character meal I would look at the disneyworld.com site right now. I just plugged Monday's date in and there are still some character meals available for breakfast. So I would definitely look into it.

 

[Mom2six]

Great! Thank you so much. I was able to make 2 reservations! 1900 Park Fare, and Crystal Palace.