Need Some Dining/Snacking Advice from the Experts Please

[DevSnow]

Hi, well first off I'm a newbie for sure especially when it comes to Dining at Disney. My wife and I spent out honeymoon at the POP last November and really enjoyed it; however I'll admit we were not in any way prepared for the cost of food. We really went in blind and I wish I had found this site before we went. If we get to go back for our one year as we're planning I have a few questions that I would love to get some advice on.

Honestly at first we ate mostly bacon double cheeseburgers, though on our last night we were in MK for the first Christmas lighting of Cinderella’s Castle of the season and ate the taco salad’s at Peco’s Bill and we both loved it and thought it a great value compared to what we had been having. We only got to do one ADR which was at Kona Café and we loved it. We had an ADR at 50’s PT but we had to cancel as when we got there it was almost two hours behind schedule and we didn’t want to miss Fantasmic.

Since we’re likely going to be on a bit of a budget and honestly would rather not be tied to time schedules any more that necessary we don’t plan to do any ADR’s this time but if we find ourselves with a little extra we may spring for a sit down meal. This leads to my first question

If we eat at an earlier hour in the day would be have to have a reservation? I mean if we just popped in at a restaurant we happen to be near at like 3 in the afternoon would we likely be able to grab a bite?

Also what if we just wanted to stop for a drink? I’ve seen pictures of some on this site that look very good and come in collectable glasses and we would like to have some of these to bring back as souvenirs. Is it alright to just go in for a quick drink? One I noticed in one of the drink threads was The Potion of the Gods. Does that one still come in a glass you can keep? Also if anyone could recommend or know of a list of other drinks you can get that come in collectable glasses I would love to know of those as well.

I looked at the possibility of doing the Quick Service dining plan but at what would be 60 dollars a day I’m not sure that would be the best thing for us as we didn’t typically eat that much the first time. I was curious about what in your opinions are some of the best Quick/Counter service places to dine throughout the four parks that offer a variety (I noticed the other thread on the baked potato cart and will definitely check that out as I love me some spuds)

Also in keeping with that idea, how about snacks? Again in your opinions what are some of the best value snacks? We had eaten cinnamon rolls at the POP until we were at MK and got one from the bakery which was about 3 times larger for a better price. So we know we’ll stop by there for several of those but are there any others anyone would like to recommend?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, I’m sorry if I’ve asked questions that have been asked before and hope I’m not asking too much, I’m just very curious and want to be better prepared this time around.
Thanks, Dev –

OH one last question, I’ve seen them all over this site where is the best place to get a Dole Whip??? They look delicious, I can’t believe I missed those!

 

[squirrel]

Dole Whips are at Aloha Isle in MK, you can also get them at the Poly.

I found the 1/2 rotisserie chicken meals were good. At Cosmic Ray's you can even get ribs and the chicken. I don't remember the prices as I was on the Free Dining.

When are you going? It's hard to just walk up to most of the restaurants now, especially during busy times.

Can you make your trip start on Oct. 3rd? If you can and there are rooms available then you can get Free Dining. It's the plan with the TS, but it's free and you don't have to use the TS if you don't want.

 

[DevSnow]

Thank You squirrel I'll definetly head to Aloha Isle next trip. We are hoping to go sometime between the 28th of October and the first/second week of November as our anniversary is on the 31st so we want to be there during that time.

 

[4everWDW]

Looking at the dates you are going, really shouldn't be an issue, although I'm not sure how long the free dining is running for. Some resturants are easier to pop into, like Sci-Fi Resturant (one of my Fav at MGM Studios, I know old name but its what I know) versus a popular char dining like Chef Mickey (CR)
A lot of the parks have cheap little snacks you can pick up like a fruit bowl and water.
I don't know about popping in just to get a drink, never have done that
Good luck!!

 

[Alesia]

The QS plan doesn't really save you any money.

The best way to save money is to share meals. We shared every meal and snack that we bought on our trip.

It's very unlikely that you will be able to get into a TS restaurant without and ADR.

 

[squirrel]

Don't buy bottled water in the parks.

All the CS places will give you ice water if you ask. If you don't like the taste of Florida water bring some single serve-Nestea, Crystal Light, etc.

Also if you like popcorn you can bring your own microwave popcorn and pop it in the food court.

 

[ScottJoseph]

If you don't mind dining at 3 in the afternoon you should be able to walk up to any restaurant (providing they're open, of course).

I recently reviewed Nine Dragons at Epcot, and even at the lunch hour it was quite easy to walk right in without a reservation, which is what I did.

Scott
Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide

 

[teach22180]

It's very unlikely that you will be able to get into a TS restaurant without and ADR.

I don't know that I agree with this. You will need to be flexible, but I think you can get into SOME TS places at SOME times on SOME days! Your concierge desk at the resort or the guest services people in the parks can check for available spots. Or, you can just call the dining number and ask what is available. Then, pick whatever is closest at the time you want. Have a fun trip!!

 

[Alesia]

I don't know that I agree with this. You will need to be flexible, but I think you can get into SOME TS places at SOME times on SOME days! Your concierge desk at the resort or the guest services people in the parks can check for available spots. Or, you can just call the dining number and ask what is available. Then, pick whatever is closest at the time you want. Have a fun trip!!

That is possible, but just walking into the closest restaurant whenever you decide that you're hungry (which is what the OP asked) is not likely.

 

[DevSnow]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far . Are ADR's available all day then? I know that after 430 - 5ish restaurants start to fill up quick, but since were an hour ahead here in MS then the 330 - 4 time would only feel a little early for us to eat & with all the great snacks I'm seeing (again wish I'd have known this board before we went) we won't have any trouble staying full and not spending too much (looking forward to an ice cream cookie sandwhich from MK bakery) . I never even thought about the popcorn idea, that one will come in really handy We did keep granola bars and some bottled drinks in the room and took some with us, but again being new to everything we didn't pack quite enough.

The more I look at the QS plan the more I agree it's really not worth it in the end. We did share some of our meals and I usually only would get one drink at a CS which worked out pretty good. I wish I had the luck to walk into which ever restaurant I wanted too lol but I'm realistic, thinking more about it, do any of the restaurants not take ADR's? or do any keep extra table available for walk in's?

Thanks again everyone, please keep the advice coming
Dev

 

[Dreamfinder2]

It's ALWAYS good to see a fellow Mississippian on the DIS! We're an elite group!

None of the theme park restaurants have extra tables for walkups. But, if you're traveling around to some of the resorts, and go at an odd time, you might score a TS meal. And there are several restaurants, especially those that aren't Disney-owned, that don't take ADRs.

Check out the menus and DDP spots here on the Disbards, and also www.allearsnet.com (my other favorite Disney hangout.)

You CAN visit WDW and not have to take out a second mortgage to eat. I'd steer you away from the QS plan, because it's a break-even proposition at best, and if you don't get desserts and split soft drinks, you can save some real change.

 

[rlovew]

I would suggest if you want to save money- plan on doing lunch at a TS instead of dinner- many times you can get similar meals for less. Also look at what you want- the quiche in Chef's is fantastic but you can get the same one in the bakery for have the price- and then sit down at there tables to eat.

 

[DevSnow]

Hey Dreamfinder, yep another MS boy here on the Disboards

Just thought about it and our days at Epcot should be great on eating as I believe it'll be Food & Wine Festival time again, had some Canadian Chedder Cheese Soup last year and loved it. Hope that'll be going on at that time.

Looking over snacks I know for sure we'll be going to Goofy's in DTD for some treats as we missed that last time, and I know I want to try the School Bread in Norway (looks so great in pictures).

I've thought about heading to T-Rex or Planet Hollywood in DTD since that'll be where we spend our first evening, are either of them pretty good value/ammout of food?

Thanks again everyone for all of your advice & opinions,
Dev

 

[jcemom]

I just wanted to add that you can always call for an ADR when you're ready to eat, or shortly before. We've had good luck with that during not-so-busy times of year. I've even had a restaurant tell me they had no availability when I walked up (as mentioned by someone previously, they don't save tables for walk-ups) but I called immediately afterwards and was able to get an ADR for only 10 minutes from the time I called. So I turned right around, walked up to the podium, and checked in, LOL. Now I don't even bother walking up, I just call.

 

[DevSnow]

Thanks jcemom! I hadn't considered that.