Our Dining Plan - How does it look?

[Wendy31]

Hi, everyone!!!

DH & I are taking our 2 children (5 year old daughter & 3 year old son) to WDW from 5/22 through 5/28. We're staying at a FW cabin & have 7 day MYW w/ park hopper & the dining plan tickets.

Following is our current dining schedule - -

SUNDAY, 5/22 - Arrive

Dinner - Liberty Tree Tavern at 5:35 pm

MONDAY, 5/23 - Epcot

Breakfast - Trail's End (at FW)
Lunch - Counter Meal
Dinner - Counter Meal

I need some good suggestions for counter meals at Epcot. There doesn't seem to be many good choices at Epcot w/ the Dining Plan. I was thinking we could "picnic" for dinner at wherever we're going to view Illuminations.

I was really hoping to schedule the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grille. According to various sites, the Garden Grille is supposed to re-open in May, but, when I called to schedule it, the CM's at Disney Dining say it will not open until June 21st. Has anyone else experienced this? (I had thought that I had read somewhere on this board that someone HAD scheduled the Garden Grille for May.)

TUESDAY, 5/24 - MGM

Breakfast - Cabin
Lunch - Counter Meal (Toy Story Pizza Planet)
Supper - Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood & Vine at 4:30 pm

I'd like to get our dinner rescheduled for a later time, if I could. But, I also don't won't to miss the MGM Parade which is, I think, scheduled for 5:30 pm this day. (And, we'll probably miss it anyway - I so wish Disney would post the park hours at the same time you can begin making your PS's!!)

WEDNESDAY, 5/25 - Magic Kingdom

Breakfast - Cabin
Lunch - Crystal Palace at 11:50 am
Dinner - Cabin (Grilling Out)

THURSDAY, 5/26 - Animal Kingdom

Breakfast - Cabin
Lunch - Counter Meal (I think DH & I would probably prefer Flame Tree, but I think the kids would like Restaurantsaurus.)
Dinner - Boma at 5:00 pm

FRIDAY, 5/27 - Magic Kingdom

Breakfast - CRT at 8:25 am
Lunch - Counter Meal
Dinner - Counter Meal

Since this is our last day, I'd like some really good suggestions for Counter Meals in MK - especially for our dinner. In looking at my options, I'm considering Peco's Bill, El Pirate, Casey's, or Pinochio's Haus. Suggestions?

SATURDAY, 5/28 - Depart

Breakfast - Chef Mickey's at 9:30 am

----------------------
Since we have the Dining Plan, we get 6 table meals & 6 counter meals, so I'm trying to get 6 of each so we're not wasting the plan, if that makes sense. Also, we cannot use the dining plan for the Fantasmic Dinner Pkg.

And, since we're staying at a FW cabin, I'm trying to utilize the kitchen a little since that's one reason we chose to stay at a cabin.

Am I missing a "don't miss" meal? I currently have 6 table meals & 6 counter meals, but, if there's a "don't miss", that I'm missing . . . we could redo our schedule.

The only thing that I don't have scheduled that I'd really like for us to try is the Mary Poppins Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Ya'll also have me really wanting to try Beaches & Cream.

By the way, I called Disney Dining today to see if there were plans to continue the Heroes Character Meal. The CM w/ whom I talked was kind of snooty & wanted to know how I had found out about this particular character meal. She had to check because, at first, she didn't even see it for the Mother's Day brunch. She put me on hold a couple of times . . . At any rate, according to her, there are no plans to schedule it past the Mother's Day weekend. It would be so nice too because I'm really not happy w/ my Epcot day's meals.

-------------------------
So, how does our schedule look? Would anyone change anything? Suggestions? Tips? Advice?

I appreciate so much everyone's help!!! W/o the advice from these & other boards, I wouldn't even have known that I needed to make PS's!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I need some good suggestions for counter meals at Epcot. There doesn't seem to be many good choices at Epcot w/ the Dining Plan. I was thinking we could "picnic" for dinner at wherever we're going to view Illuminations.

I was really hoping to schedule the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grille. According to various sites, the Garden Grille is supposed to re-open in May, but, when I called to schedule it, the CM's at Disney Dining say it will not open until June 21st. Has anyone else experienced this? (I had thought that I had read somewhere on this board that someone HAD scheduled the Garden Grille for May.)

I know I read about the Ice Cream Social opening back up in May on Mousesavers. But perhaps work is going slower that initally expected.
We like Beirgarten so for a counterservice I am sure that we would like Somerfest. I would also try Beaches/Cream. Your plans looked great !

 

[cranbiz]

I would consider Tusker House at AK. It is by far one of the best counter service restaurants at Disney!

Pecos Bills is a good place to eat counter service at MK. They have a great fixin's bar and a good selection of meals.

For a don't miss table service with kids, I think that you have done well in your choices and shouldn't change a thing.

 

[CAL]

Is this part of the Mother's Day Brunch at Epcot?

 

[tclowe]

Maybe you can go for fish & chips for counter service in Epcot. And Columbia Harbour or Cosmic Ray's for counter service in MK.

 

[arizonacolbys]

I just wanted to add that we really love Flame Tree at AK - since both places are counter service, you could always p/u food for the kids at Restaurantosaurus & get food for the 2 of you at Flame Tree. There is a great seating area overlooking the water behind Flame Tree that you could all eat at. Just a thought -

You've included some of my favorite character meals - Liberty Tree, Crystal Palace & Chef Mickey's - your kids will have a lot of fun at all of these, and the princess breakfast in the castle, too!

For counter service in Epcot, maybe try finding a country you'd like to try. A lot of people like to just sample different things in each country as you walk around. I've heard the American Pavilion might be good for the kids meals. We always eat at the counter service in Mexico twice every trip - we really love it there. Just depends on what type of food you're looking for. We were also looking forward to Garden Grill - it was closed in January when we were there - but, I believe it will still be closed in May. There's always next time. I think your plan looks great - have a great time!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I think your choices are really good. I agree with above poster: We really liked Flame Tree. I would pick up food for your kids and head over there and eat. It was nice and relaxing out of the way of everything.

Do you have room for another person? I wanna go! Seriously, you picked some of our favorites. You dd is going to love CRT and they will both enjoy cm and cp. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[jjohnson]

I noticed you purchased PH tickets but looking at your schedule your not hopping. You might want to get rid of PH & save yourself some $$.