Our Dining Plan (Critique Please!!! along with a few Q's...)

[budafam]

We're going in May 2012 (yeah I know, super early planning!) It will be our second trip with my family (me, DH & DD3, DS5) and my mother in law's first time. We are going to take advantage of Deluxe Dining Plan only because it's the only time I will probably get to enjoy food (DH is very picky). We'll be arriving on a Saturday and leaving the following Saturday morning (driving both ways) and staying at Pop with park hoppers.

Night of Arrival Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - Cinderella's Royal Table
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner - California Grill (Contemporary Hotel) - What time is best to make a reservation if we wanted to see Wishes from here?
Snacks - Aloha Isle (Dole Whips)

Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Hollywood & Vine
Lunch - 50's Prime Time Cafe
Dinner - Pizza Planet
Snacks - Starring Rolls

Epcot
Breakfast - Akershus
Lunch - Les Chefs de France - Epcot (DH will not eat here with us - he'll get his meal at Cool Wash Pizza or Liberty Inn)
Dinner - Coral Reef

Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Tusker House
Lunch - Pizzafari
Dinner - Ohana

Universal Harry Potter Day
Breakfast - Kona Cafe - Polynesian Resort - Can you get the Lapu Lapu at breakfast time? I really wanted one of these drinks but the breakfast looks most appetizing to us so it looks like I'll be drinking early... lol (also, how early can you book for this? we'd like to get to Universal asap in the morning)
Lunch at The Three Broomsticks @ Universal
Dinner @ Pop Century

Disney Day - Choice
Breakfast - Pop Century
Lunch - Choice (this will be oop)
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian

Morning of Departure Breakfast - Chef Mickey's - Contemporary Resort



Any suggestions or warnings? Good times to book? What to order? TIA!!!

 

[basketlacey]

Sounds like a great time! I haven't eaten at all of these (although several are on my "to do" list)

My only word of caution is that it seems like a lot of food each day with the sit down breakfast most days. You might be able to skip some of the CS meals (those aren't on the DxDP anyway) and fill in with snacks for your "third" meal of the day. Just something to keep in mind.

Overall though, looks good to me! And its making me hungry!

 

[Cafeen]

We're going in May 2012 (yeah I know, super early planning!) It will be our second trip with my family (me, DH & DD3, DS5) and my mother in law's first time. We are going to take advantage of Deluxe Dining Plan only because it's the only time I will probably get to enjoy food (DH is very picky). We'll be arriving on a Saturday and leaving the following Saturday morning (driving both ways) and staying at Pop with park hoppers.

Night of Arrival Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - Cinderella's Royal Table
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner - California Grill (Contemporary Hotel) - What time is best to make a reservation if we wanted to see Wishes from here?
Snacks - Aloha Isle (Dole Whips)

Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Hollywood & Vine
Lunch - 50's Prime Time Cafe
Dinner - Pizza Planet
Snacks - Starring Rolls

Epcot
Breakfast - Akershus
Lunch - Les Chefs de France - Epcot (DH will not eat here with us - he'll get his meal at Cool Wash Pizza or Liberty Inn)
Dinner - Coral Reef

Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Tusker House
Lunch - Pizzafari
Dinner - Ohana

Universal Harry Potter Day
Breakfast - Kona Cafe - Polynesian Resort - Can you get the Lapu Lapu at breakfast time? I really wanted one of these drinks but the breakfast looks most appetizing to us so it looks like I'll be drinking early... lol (also, how early can you book for this? we'd like to get to Universal asap in the morning)
Lunch at The Three Broomsticks @ Universal
Dinner @ Pop Century

Disney Day - Choice
Breakfast - Pop Century
Lunch - Choice (this will be oop)
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian

Morning of Departure Breakfast - Chef Mickey's - Contemporary Resort



Any suggestions or warnings? Good times to book? What to order? TIA!!!

Without doing anything in-depth, it overall looks pretty good. I am a bit concerned about the 3 sit downs per day in some cases, but if they are spread out, it should be fine. It is going to take up a bit of touring time (estimate 60-90 minutes per meal), but if you're ok with that, have at it.

As far as ADR order...
#1 - 'Ohana. This has surpassed both CRT and LeCellier as THE ADR to get and is the most difficult one right now (dinner only, breakfast is a little easier). (Any F! packages go here too)

#2-5ish - CRT, CG, Akershus, 1900 PF.

#the rest - Pretty much any order for the rest, you should be fine on ADR day with whatever order for the rest of these.

Sounds like a great time! I haven't eaten at all of these (although several are on my "to do" list)

My only word of caution is that it seems like a lot of food each day with the sit down breakfast most days. You might be able to skip some of the CS meals (those aren't on the DxDP anyway) and fill in with snacks for your "third" meal of the day. Just something to keep in mind.

Overall though, looks good to me! And its making me hungry!

CS are on the DxDDP. Deluxe uses simple credits, each of the credits may be used at either TS or CS. Obviously, it's "better" from a pure monetary perspective to focus on TS meals, but they still can be used for CS meals just as easy (which is unlike DDP, where most of the time the TS cannot be downgraded to CS (sometimes yes, most of the time, no)).

 

[budafam]

Thank you, thank you! We're planning on the 2 Pizza CS's simply because of DH being so picky but I'm heavily considering switching out our "Pop" meals for something a bit more adventurous (maybe Boma?) My only concern would be DH but he can always grab some pizza somewhere with his credit. I'm hoping all of the TS's will give us the break we need from the parks everyday and maybe we'll be able to handle full days. If not, my MIL can always take the kids back to the hotel & DH & I will enjoy the kid free time at Disney (never thought I'd be able to say that!)

 

[umieesa]

[/COLOR]

We're going in May 2012 (yeah I know, super early planning!) I'm a compulsive planner myself It will be our second trip with my family (me, DH & DD3, DS5) and my mother in law's first time. We are going to take advantage of Deluxe Dining Plan only because it's the only time I will probably get to enjoy food (DH is very picky). We'll be arriving on a Saturday and leaving the following Saturday morning (driving both ways) and staying at Pop with park hoppers.

Night of Arrival Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - Cinderella's Royal Table
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern - I would go here just for the ooey gooey toffee cake
Dinner - California Grill (Contemporary Hotel) - What time is best to make a reservation if we wanted to see Wishes from here?
Snacks - Aloha Isle (Dole Whips)

Hollywood Studios I would probably skip Hollywood and Vine and just get some snack items from Starring Rolls and then either have a late lunch/dinner at Brown Derby or if you are dead set on keeping Mama Melrose have breakfast somewhere else before going to the park
Breakfast - Hollywood & Vine
Lunch - 50's Prime Time Cafe
Dinner - Pizza Planet
Snacks - Starring Rolls

Epcot - there are so many great choices in Epcot--Sunshine seasons has great dessert options and Boulangerie Patisserie and Kringla Og both have great items that you can use snack credits on
Breakfast - Akershus
Lunch - Les Chefs de France - Epcot (DH will not eat here with us - he'll get his meal at Cool Wash Pizza or Liberty Inn) have you thought about doing Le Cellier for lunch? You definitely have a lot of time to get an ADR
Dinner - Coral Reef

Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Tusker House
Lunch - Pizzafari
Dinner - Ohana ooooohh the bread pudding

Universal Harry Potter Day make sure you get the frozen butterbeer! (and if you have AAA you can get a discount on food and merchandise )
Breakfast - Kona Cafe - Polynesian Resort - Can you get the Lapu Lapu at breakfast time? I really wanted one of these drinks but the breakfast looks most appetizing to us so it looks like I'll be drinking early... lol (also, how early can you book for this? we'd like to get to Universal asap in the morning)
Lunch at The Three Broomsticks @ Universal
Dinner @ Pop Century I would suggest eating at WPE in the DTD marketplace--better use of credits and tastier food IMHO

Disney Day - Choice
Breakfast - Pop Century I would also recommend doing WPE for breakfast--definitely much tastier than what you'll get at Pop!
Lunch - Choice (this will be oop)
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian - haven't eaten here for dinner, but you may want to read some other reviews since it seems the the quality of the food is pretty poor

Morning of Departure Breakfast - Chef Mickey's - Contemporary Resort



Any suggestions or warnings? Good times to book? What to order? TIA!!!

My only other suggestions would be that since you'll have a lot of snack credits you may want to do more signature meals and TS breakfasts and then maybe snack your way through lunch. Even the regular DDP can be a lot of food, and with the choices you've made you may not be getting the full value of DxDP. You may want to crunch some numbers and study some menus, and see if it's the best thing for you and your family. Don't mean to be a downer, but as much as the plan can be great for many people it may be a lot of wasted food and not the best value for others. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll have a blast!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thank you, thank you! We're planning on the 2 Pizza CS's simply because of DH being so picky but I'm heavily considering switching out our "Pop" meals for something a bit more adventurous (maybe Boma?) My only concern would be DH but he can always grab some pizza somewhere with his credit. I'm hoping all of the TS's will give us the break we need from the parks everyday and maybe we'll be able to handle full days. If not, my MIL can always take the kids back to the hotel & DH & I will enjoy the kid free time at Disney (never thought I'd be able to say that!)

At a buffet, such as Boma, there is always a kids section with simple things like pizza and chicken nuggets. Boma also has a carving station with a selection of meats. So no need for you husband to eat the same food elsewhere. Plus there are better desserts, etc. than a CS.

 

[budafam]

Thanks everyone! I've looked into downgrading just the plain old dining plan but I feel like we'd have to cut too much out. Although no plans are cemented in yet. We'll see I guess.

I worry about some of the food that is brought out for DH. As I said, he'll eat mac & cheese but it has to be regular mac & cheese (no weird cheeses or weird noodles even... he's that picky). What if he sits down with us and asks about the food, then decides he doesn't want any of it? Will he still be able to just sit with us without using up one of his credits and be able to go elsewhere afterwards?

What signature would you recommend to add on? We'll have 2 small children with us. My mother in law & I love seafood (not so much sushi but more like crab & lobster type stuff). Any suggestions?

 

[Aristocath]

My concern would be for your WWOHP day. We were there last August and I'm sure the crowds won't be as bad for May 2012 but the key is to get there early. I'd just have a CS breakfast at POP and get to Universal. I guess I'm used to just staying on property at Disney but it seemed like such a hassle at Universal. You have to drive over there, park in the garage and walk what seemed like forever just to get to the park and then we had to walk the long way around the park to get to the WWOHP. You'll want to research how the crowds are but I'd recommend eating at the 3 Broomsticks relatively early or for a very late lunch.

I also think you'd enjoy WPE at DTD for dinner.

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks everyone! I've looked into downgrading just the plain old dining plan but I feel like we'd have to cut too much out. Although no plans are cemented in yet. We'll see I guess.

I worry about some of the food that is brought out for DH. As I said, he'll eat mac & cheese but it has to be regular mac & cheese (no weird cheeses or weird noodles even... he's that picky). What if he sits down with us and asks about the food, then decides he doesn't want any of it? Will he still be able to just sit with us without using up one of his credits and be able to go elsewhere afterwards?

What signature would you recommend to add on? We'll have 2 small children with us. My mother in law & I love seafood (not so much sushi but more like crab & lobster type stuff). Any suggestions?

Unless it is a buffet or a place like CRT, then yes he can sit there with out being charged. And some buffets may even let him just sit there, but again all the buffets have more "plain" foods he could probably eat. Look around for food pictures and maybe show him some of the dishes you think he might like.

 

[wezee]

I think i would try a few of the sig. restaurants like HBD at DHS or at Epcot walking down to YSH for a good steak dinner.