Our dining plans

[tink1953]

We are going to disney world Oct. 3rd to Oct 10th, Grandma, Grandpa and Little Drew who is two.

Sat...Could not get a thing for this day we wanted, so we will just use our counter service in Downtown Disney.

Sun. Disney Studios
Hollywood & Vine at 2:10 (only time I could get) but we wanted to see Fantasmic so will deal with it.

Mon. Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Royal table 10:35 (the surprise ADR)

Tues. Boma at 10:30 for breakfast (wanted Chef Mickey but couldn't get it either) Doing the MNSSHP in the PM

Wed. Whispering Canyon at 2:05 (only time available)
also doing the hayride, we debated on Mickey's Barbque

Thur. Disney Studios T-rex 2:30 (again could only get it at this time)

Fri. Animal Kingdom
Rainforest Cafe' at 5:15 (wanted Tusker house but no luck)

as you can see I had a frustrating time getting anything I wanted, you also have to work around the times they are having Fantasmic and Spectro Parade...Disney is making it really hard to make your plans...


thanks for all your suggestions

BArb

 

[Mickey country]

Keep checking online for what you really want, you never know, you might get lucky!

 

[septbaby]

If you are on the Dining Plan you won't be able to use credits to pay for meals at Trex or Rainforest. They are not part of the program.

Instead of Counter Service on Saturday there are two places that take TS credits, but don't take ADRs: ESPN Club and Beaches and Cream. You'll have to wait for a table, but don't need a ressie.

Is 2:10 a time for the Fantasmic package or a character lunch? I'm not sure if you wanted the Fantasmic package, but it is only good for dinner and you have to specifically book the package, not just have dinner there.

Other character meals to try for with a 2yo:
Crystal Palace, B, L or D
Hollywood and Vine, B or L
Cape May, B
1900 Parkfare, B or L

 

[mobes_jk]

Wed. Whispering Canyon at 2:05 (only time available) also doing the hayride, we debated on Mickey's Barbque

Taking the boat from WL to FW?

 

[tink1953]

I did not know you couldn't use credits for either rainforest or T-rex...wow that changes things for me.

I am about ready to skip the free dining and just do room only with AAA discount...it has been so frustrating trying to get what I want anyway...so I think I might just pay for one character meal and thats it.

I don't think the dining is worth the extra money....maybe when we come back next time with my son and his wife we will do it, but for just two adults and a two year old I'm not sure...what are your thoughts on that???

Like I said in my other post...Disney seems to be making it harder to plan anything with so few Fantasmic and Spectro parades going on...then to try to work around that for dining...just to much for me.

BArb

 

[natalielongstaff]

I think in your situation you would be better off skipping the dining plan

 

[septbaby]

"I don't think the dining is worth the extra money....maybe when we come back next time with my son and his wife we will do it, but for just two adults and a two year old I'm not sure...what are your thoughts on that???"

The Dining plan is worth $80 per night in savings for your group, not sure where you are staying, but I think its hard to save that amount with AAA during Value season on a room AND have your meals covered. Here are some suggestions I would make.

Don't eat at Rainforest and Trex. Honestly both those places are really loud and Trex might be scary for a 2yo. If you really want to take him there, just splurge on the build a Dinosaur area or gift shop. Our 5yo enjoyed Fantasmic in 2007, but he was scared during parts of it. He was fine while I held him on my lap. Unless you adults are dying to see Fantasmic I think it would be fine to wait until Drew is older to attend this performance.

The Dining plan is a wonderful way to enjoy Walt Disney World.

Your Hollywood and Vine is perfect for Drew and a 2:10 lunch is great. This is also a place where spots tend to open, so if you want another time, just keep checking. We had to do this for Coral Reef in 2007 and got a 2pm lunch slot that worked well for us.

CRT is good too, it takes two credits and you have those to spend.

Boma breakfast is absolutely amazing, a great choice.

Whispering Canyon is also very popular.

We had a very nice 2TS dinner at Narcoossee's, often the Signatures have availabilty. Narcoossee's isn't stuffy and Drew should be very comfortable there. We took the boat over from the Magic Kingdom and loved the ride. Strollers easily roll on and off the boat. The boat dock is just outside Narcoosee's and there is deck for any "timeouts" he may need. There were lots of kids dining when we were there and it was an absolutely fabulous time. Treat yourself and don't feel like you need to restrain Drew too much there.

I don't see any Epcot reservations, there are a lot of really good places in Epcot if you plan to visit that park. Wolfgang Puck's place in Downtown Disney is pretty popular.

Do the math and see how it works out for you. However, our experience was greatly enhanced by having the DP. My mother had been to WDW many more times than I haver been, but never had the DP she was absolutely wowed by the experience.

Though the DP isn't for everyone I think it could be a good deal and a helpful tool for you while you show Drew "the World". Good luck with your decision.

 

[mobes_jk]

I think the PP has made many great points. I would definitely use the discount that saves you the most money, no matter what. Apparently, in previous years, people doing Free Dining have been able to trade their TS credits for CS & Snack ones. This would offer you more flexibility if you don't want to mess with ADRs. I would definitely suggest, however, to keep on checking the online reservation site, as people cancel often. Also it might be a great help to check out the thread regarding cancelling and trading for the month of your trip.

Also, I actually like having a lot of lunch ADRs, as it frees up our evenings (though I'm not sure it would work for you). We always start out in our planned park, but often change our plans once evening rolls around.

 

[tink1953]

I took your advise and did the numbers...we won't save much more by having to buy our food and room only. So......

I added two more days to our trip and got to work:

Oct. 3-12th

Sat. arrive...will probally do Downtown Disney

Sun. Disney studios..Hollywood & Vine at 2:10

Mon. Magic Kingdom...Cinderella's Breakfast at 10:35

Tue. Magic Kingdom again...Crystal Palace at 3:25 for my Birthday (I just have to spend my B'day in the Magic place

Wed. not sure which park yet..O'hanna breakfast at 10:15

Thur. again not sure which park yet..Boma Dinner at 5:40..we are celebrating our 38th anniversary (we have celebratred with the mouse several times, it was nice of them to throw such a great party for our 25th we got married almost on the exact day they opened in 1971)

Fri. Animal Kingdom...Tusker House for dinner at 5:10

Sat. Plan to go to Fort Wilderness for hay ride....Whispering Canyon at 5:15

Sun. Epcot...wanted something special for Andrew without characters so chose Coral Reef at 4:20 (thought he would like the fish...seeing them not eating them LOL)

Mon Catch plane home

With resort (9 nights at pop century), tickets( 8 days) and free dining(whooo hooo) it comes to: $1,536.12

I am happy with what we ended up with..we can do Chef Mickey on the next trip (have done it twice already, but not with grandson)
We decided to skip the Halloween party this time, didn't think he would remember it anyway so saved $100 there)

Will also get a gift card for my Birthday too...so some souvineer money right???

thanks again for the encouragement

Barb

 

[septbaby]

Now that sounds like someone happy to be going to WDW! You have some time and flexibility, keep trying for Chef Mickey's, something could open up.

I think Coral Reef will be really enjoyable for Drew.

You mentioned the Hay Ride at Fort Wilderness, they also do Pony rides, not sure if Drew is old enough, but our little guy loved the ponies at that age. Now I think he may be too big for them.

Happy Birthday and spend that gift card on some nice things!