Newbie here!

[mrsnj91]

OK I was refered here from another board where I was asking questions about Disney. My name is Kimberly and have three children (2,9,14). Dh and I are looking into going MAYBE this August. I say maybe as it really depends on what deals I can find.

Looking over the site I have some questions...
What is the free meal plan? I just spent a week on the Disney site and have NO clue what the heck you all are talking about!

And we are looking into the Carribean Resort but I don't see much on here talking about it. Is this a good place??


And we are dealing with food allergies. Anyone on here have any suggestions traveling with a picky toddler who can't have any form of wheat??? I don't want a walk up or cafateria style resturant so that is one of the reasons we picked the Carribean. We really need more sit down style resturants or buffets.

And what the heck is a spread sheet?? I saw that in another area on here and have no clue what that is???

I am soooooooooooooo lost in this Disney world!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrsnj91]

And another question....which resturants do we look into??? I am sooooooo lost! We were told to do the prefered seating but how do I pick places when I don't know where or what they are????

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

OK I was refered here from another board where I was asking questions about Disney. My name is Kimberly and have three children (2,9,14). Dh and I are looking into going MAYBE this August. I say maybe as it really depends on what deals I can find.

Looking over the site I have some questions...
What is the free meal plan? I just spent a week on the Disney site and have NO clue what the heck you all are talking about!

And we are looking into the Carribean Resort but I don't see much on here talking about it. Is this a good place??


And we are dealing with food allergies. Anyone on here have any suggestions traveling with a picky toddler who can't have any form of wheat??? I don't want a walk up or cafateria style resturant so that is one of the reasons we picked the Carribean. We really need more sit down style resturants or buffets.

And what the heck is a spread sheet?? I saw that in another area on here and have no clue what that is???

I am soooooooooooooo lost in this Disney world!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the DIS!!

*The dining plan is priced $38.99/per adult per day and $10.99/per child (3-9) per day. For this, you get 1 table service meal (sit down restaurant; character meals included), 1 counter service meal ("fast service" restaurant"), and 1 snack (most things under $4.00 like popcorn, ice cream bars, pastries, shakes, dole whips, etc) PER PERSON PER DAY.

*The dining plan is FREE if you check in between 8/26 - 9/22, stay 3 nights or longer at a Disney property, and purchase at least a 1 day park ticket. This would be an EXCELLENT deal for your family as you have 3 adults and 1 child (the 2 year old is free for tickets and food); you would pay around $126 for the plan per day. I'm not sure about your plans for number of nights, but as an example your family would pay approx. the following:

6 nights at resort/7 day base tickets/INCLUDES FREE FOOD for your family of 5:

Value Resort approx $1,500
Moderate Resort approx $1,900

*The Caribbean Beach Resort is a moderate property, during value season you can expect to pay around $165 per night. The other moderates are Port Orleans (French Quarter & Riverside) and Coronado Springs. Overall, these are much more preferred by Dissers than Caribbean Beach. You can stay at a value for around $93 per night. I wouldn't base my resort choice solely on food options, as you are in the parks most of the time and can travel easily to other resorts.

*I don't have personal experience with food allergies, but I can tell you that at EVERY table service restaurant I book, they ALWAYS ask about allergies and 9 times out of 10 the chef will come and personally speak to you/help you choose dishes based on your allergies. Can someone else help with the counter service options???

*Some of us "Disney Addicts" make spreadsheets (usually Excel) detailing our dining plans, park touring, etc. Many will share theirs with you for planning.

ANY question you have can be answered on these boards, and you will probably get lots of opinions on specific resorts/restaurants/etc. Post or PM me and I will be glad to help you (as will most others here) with any questions or concerns you have.

WARNING WARNING - - - - DISNEY WORLD IS VERY VERY ADDICTING!!!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

This is a great place to look at menus and find out all kinds of Disney info:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

And click the link in my signature for my dining review, there are several restaurants there with pictures, prices, and a lot of feedback from other Dissers.

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

One more thing, if you want to book free dining you need to "hurry up" and book as the resorts are selling out fast for this promotion. They only allot a specific number of rooms for the promotion at each resort. I can tell you from experience (I've been 3 times in September) that it's a great time to go to Disney World - very low crowds and virtually non-existant lines!

 

[mrsnj91]

So the Carribean is not a good place? We should look into another?? I was looking into the mod. for the activities too as we are traveling with a toddler and it would be nice to have something more to do than a pool for the older kids when we have to go back. KWIM? SO the Carribean is not a good place? I should look into Port Orleans (French Quarter & Riverside) and Coronado Springs???

I don't think the plan is a good idea with the allergies. I need a bit more freedom I think than a kids meal of chicken nuggests. And the free plan starts the week AFTER we go!! Figures!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Look at this link for FAQ/Information on the different resorts. I am not saying Caribbean Beach is "not good", I'm just saying when I was researching staying at a Mod, Port Orleans and Coronado Springs just had much better reviews and recommendations from other Dissers.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=236234