Overwhelmed with options

[JoyAhead]

Hi all! Disney newbie here. Trying to plan for ADR day, which is coming up. Can I get some TS lunch rec's from each park and 1-2 TS dinner rec's from resorts?

Also, We want to visit CRT. That will use up an extra TS credit. Can we just pay for one of our meals out of pocket? Can we pick which meal, or do we have to use all TS credits first?

THANKS!

 

[greentea]

Hi all! Disney newbie here. Trying to plan for ADR day, which is coming up. Can I get some TS lunch rec's from each park and 1-2 TS dinner rec's from resorts?

It might help to know a bit more about your party. Are there kids, and if so, how many and how old are they? Picky eaters? Are you looking to do a lot of character meals or no?

Also, We want to visit CRT. That will use up an extra TS credit. Can we just pay for one of our meals out of pocket? Can we pick which meal, or do we have to use all TS credits first?

You can pick. When you want to use your dining credits, you just tell them that's how you're paying -- tell them when you place your order if you're using the dining plan, though they will often ask. Whether you use the credits or cash is completely up to you, so definitely choose the least expensive meal to pay out of pocket.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you have the deluxe dining plan? Three table service reservations, plus two snacks per day is an awful lot of eating. Doesn't give you much time in the parks, especially if some of your meals are at resorts and not the parks.

You can make TS reservations anywhere. You just have to have park admission if your reservation is in one of the parks. And if you are going to two parks that day, you need hopping added to your ticket.

 

[JoyAhead]

We have the middle dining plan - one ts one qs + snacks.
It's me, my husband and our 5 year old daughter. Characters would be fun, but not required. My daughter eats all the things typically on disney kids meals - chicken, mac n cheese, pbj, will eat asian food, loves Mediterranean food . Only thing is I cannot have anything that is a bleached grain due to an allergy (can have whole grains and wheat). So I avoid italian places since its usually all pasta and bread.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think little girls like castles so I tend to book all of them on a trip with kids.

I would book CRT and BOG in the Magic Kingdom. Even if Be Our Guest is for breakfast or lunch, it requires an ADR, but my girls loved being there.

I also like Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. I know character meals were not a requirement, but we sure enjoyed dinner there, and it gave us a nice break before heading back out to end the night with fireworks.

In DHS we like Mama Melrose for Table service. If you want to stick with CS there we enjoy Backlot Express. You all might like 50's Prime Time, or Sci Fi for TS. If we want TS we do book MM, but we generally stick to just counter service, Honestly, this is the day I would skip my TS meal in the park. You could book a TS meal elsewhere or just stick with CS for the day.

In DAK we like Flame Tree for CS. I enjoyed Tusker House with the family, but again, it is a character meal. You meet the Fab Five. WE have gone for breakfast, but scheduling lunch or dinner might make sense if you want to be there in the eveing and want to break up the day with a rest built in. We like Tiffins in DAK, but I am not sure you want another signature meal if you are using the plan.

In Epcot there are so many options to choose from. I would book Akershus for breakfast, even though you already have CRT on the roster. The breakfast is really good, and it is another Castle. I also think Coral Reef is a fun place for kids. That aquarium is amazing, and while the reviews are all over the place, we include it every time we have youngsters.
Garden Grill is another AYCTE meal that I think your daughter might enjoy. Farmer Mickey and friends come out, and it is a nice way to meet Chip and Dale. The restaurant is a revolving restaurant that give you a glimpse into Living with the Land. It is relaxing in comparison to other character meals.

In general, character meals are a very good use of credits, and do give you an opportunity to meet characters without standing in lines. Your CS credits are pooled and are not broken into adult and child, so you could stretch those credits if you chose to. If you wanted to order adult meals and split with your child, or pay for a kids meal OOP, you could make those credits go further, and add breakfast or the meal you loose by having a signature meal on CRT day.

 

[alliecat523]

In MK we like the Plaza and Liberty Tree Tavern. BOG for breakfast even though it's QS. We weren't thrilled with the lunch/dinner menu.

Akershus in Epcot would be good (we haven't been in years but enjoyed it last time). My daughter also likes Coral Reef for the aquarium. Teppen Edo was fun for us as well.

Trails End at Ft. Wilderness is great.

 

[KimBean]

I think little girls like castles so I tend to book all of them on a trip with kids.

I would book CRT and BOG in the Magic Kingdom. Even if Be Our Guest is for breakfast or lunch, it requires an ADR, but my girls loved being there.

I also like Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. I know character meals were not a requirement, but we sure enjoyed dinner there, and it gave us a nice break before heading back out to end the night with fireworks.

In DHS we like Mama Melrose for Table service. If you want to stick with CS there we enjoy Backlot Express. You all might like 50's Prime Time, or Sci Fi for TS. If we want TS we do book MM, but we generally stick to just counter service, Honestly, this is the day I would skip my TS meal in the park. You could book a TS meal elsewhere or just stick with CS for the day.

In DAK we like Flame Tree for CS. I enjoyed Tusker House with the family, but again, it is a character meal. You meet the Fab Five. WE have gone for breakfast, but scheduling lunch or dinner might make sense if you want to be there in the eveing and want to break up the day with a rest built in. We like Tiffins in DAK, but I am not sure you want another signature meal if you are using the plan.

In Epcot there are so many options to choose from. I would book Akershus for breakfast, even though you already have CRT on the roster. The breakfast is really good, and it is another Castle. I also think Coral Reef is a fun place for kids. That aquarium is amazing, and while the reviews are all over the place, we include it every time we have youngsters.
Garden Grill is another AYCTE meal that I think your daughter might enjoy. Farmer Mickey and friends come out, and it is a nice way to meet Chip and Dale. The restaurant is a revolving restaurant that give you a glimpse into Living with the Land. It is relaxing in comparison to other character meals.

In general, character meals are a very good use of credits, and do give you an opportunity to meet characters without standing in lines. Your CS credits are pooled and are not broken into adult and child, so you could stretch those credits if you chose to. If you wanted to order adult meals and split with your child, or pay for a kids meal OOP, you could make those credits go further, and add breakfast or the meal you loose by having a signature meal on CRT day.

Just for accuracy I do not believe Minnie Mouse is here?? I think 4 of the 5.

Edited because you probably can't read my mind. Referring to Tusker House.

 

[Shanti]

Here are my recommendations based only on places where we have actually eaten and liked the experience:

Park table service recommendations:

Magic Kingdom breakfast: Crystal Palace (Pooh characters)
Magic Kingdom lunch or dinner: Cinderella's Royal Table (princesses), Jungle Skipper Canteen, Crystal Palace (Pooh characters)
Epcot breakfast: Garden Grill (Chip, Dale, Mickey & more)
Animal Kingdom breakfast: Tusker House (Mickey & friends)
Hollywood Studios lunch or dinner: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater



Resort table service recommendations on the the Monorail loop:

Contemporary Resort breakfast: Chef Mickey's
Polynesian resort breakfast: Ohana's (Stitch & Mickey)
Polynesian resort dinner: Ohana's (no characters)



Resort table service recommendations not on the monorail:

Fort Wilderness dinner: Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner show
Wilderness Lodge breakfast, lunch or dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe (fun atmosphere)
Beach Club breakfast: Cape May Cafe (Minnie & friends)
Beach Club lunch or dinner: Beaches & Cream
Yacht Club dinner: Yachtsman Steakhouse
Animal Kingdom Lodge dinner: Sanaa

 

[Nancyg56]

Just for accuracy I do not believe Minnie Mouse is here?? I think 4 of the 5.

Edited because you probably can't read my mind. Referring to Tusker House.

I am not sure. She was there when I went, but that could have changed since then.

 

[CynBeth]

We love Boma at AKL for either breakfast or dinner.

 

[KimBean]

I am not sure. She was there when I went, but that could have changed since then.

I just thought they made a big point of only having 5 fab at chef Mickeys. If minnie was there then maybe someone else wasn't? But If it were the fab 5 I think they would promote it as such. But it is promoted as Donald and friends. Minor point but since the OP was new I just wanted to make sure.

 

[JZCubed]

We have the middle dining plan - one ts one qs + snacks.
It's me, my husband and our 5 year old daughter. Characters would be fun, but not required. My daughter eats all the things typically on disney kids meals - chicken, mac n cheese, pbj, will eat asian food, loves Mediterranean food . Only thing is I cannot have anything that is a bleached grain due to an allergy (can have whole grains and wheat). So I avoid italian places since its usually all pasta and bread.

Disney is very good helping with allergies. There are many Threads on that topic.

Magic Kingdom:
-- Be Our Guest for dinner if you want to meet The Beast. We also find dinner a good value for 1-credit. You will obviously be avoiding the cupcake dessert.
-- Cinderella's Castle, at 2-credits, is not the best use of your money (see Akershus).
-- Magic Kingdom is Qwik Service nirvana. Casey's Hotdogs with a live piano player. Sleepy Hollow Chicken'n'Waffle. Sandwiches & Vegetarian Chili at Columbia Harbor House (upstairs can feel like a real restaurant). Pinocchio Village to watch Small World boats pass.

Epcot:
-- Akershus is your chance to meet some Princesses for 1-credit. This is particularly beneficial if trying to ride Frozen Ever After. Strategy here is to come pre-Park opening for a very quick breakfast before general population enters the Park. You save a FP+.
-- Table Service, anything but Nine Dragons. Morocco (has belly dancer) or Spice Table (along the water) for a kid who enjoys Mediterranean (but someone with a grain allergy should review these menus first). Biergarten is fun with 'oompah music' & buffet. Teppan Eddo is table-side cooking. Coral Reef is a great room. With your allergy, I'd likely avoid the rice & tortilla laden Mexico given all the other choices.
-- QS - France is a great place to snack on Champagne, ice cream, & pasties (chocolate mousse has no grains).
-- As I recall, Morocco has some of the best 'value' for snack credits.

Hollywood Studios:
-- Sci-Fi is just too adorable. Food - meh? But you know that going in. Front-seat for 3 is perfect!
-- Prime-Time is a theme that I think is lost on young children. It was cool when I was young, because I had lived with formica tables and black & white TV's. The idea may be lost on a 5 y.o. But lots of food for the money. Matter of fact, you can likely save an adult credit by simply sharing one meal. Margarita's to-go .
-- Not that I enjoy the food, but there are 1-credit packages available for Fantasmic! at Mama Melrose and Hollywood & Vine. I'm not as interested in Pixar show, but this may work for you.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...music-of-pixar-live-fantasmic-dining-package/
-- QS - ABC Commissary is indoors and air conditioned. Otherwise, meh.

Animal Kingdom
-- Tiffins, for River of Lights Dining Package to obtain FP+, may be a good use of 2-credits. But with a 5 y.o. - may be a stretch to stay out so late. Nighttime shows can be tough at that age (my 8 y.o. still struggles). Rivers of Light package also available at 1-credit Tusker House Buffet.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...buting-february-17-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/
-- Yak & Yeti, which we don't love, is another 1-credit place.
-- QS is Flame Tree BBQ - good value.
-- QS - Satu'li Canteen in soon to open Pandora may be just for you. The base of the salads are mostly whole grains.
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/

 

[jsternad]

MK - BoG is cool to be in, so if you can get a bfast or lunch ADR for it, that would be a great option. I've heard dinner is great, too. I LOVED Liberty Tree Tavern when we were there a few weeks ago. I LOVE the Colonial theme, but it's not as much fun for the kids, but the food is EXCELLENT. It really is so nice to have a nice sit down in MK. And the Ooey Gooey Toffee dessert is to die for (thought that probably has flour in it). They were so nice to my mom - we all ordered the family platter and she doesn't like toffee (which is hard to taste) so they brought her something else. Maybe they would for you too! CRT was very good, but very expensive. Like others have said Akershus might be a better option for princesses.

Epcot - with your allergy I would vote for Le Cellier (MY FAV) or San Angel Inn. Lots of dishes made with corn tortillas and not flour. We ate there a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. (And MARGARITAS!)

HS- 50's Prime Time had a decent menu to choose from and I'd would guess the meal I had would be okay for you (the stuffed Pork Chop). It was really yummy. Every one we were with liked their meal a lot.

We don't ever eat at AK since we are only there for half a day usually.

The great thing? Disney is SO great with food allergies. I'm positive that I saw several places, at least, with options for gluten free pasta, and if they have that I think there's a good chance they have WW too. Definitely call and ask! It may not be listed on the menu but they are so accommodating! Every TS ADR we had they asked us if there were any food allergies. They're great!

 

[DisTXMom]

You can pay out of pocket for any meal- just tell them when you check in. We usually pay for CRT OOP because it's not a very good credit value at 2 credits.

We try and do some great meals, but also try and not be over-booked. We seem to do a lot of late breakfasts (1030) or lunches. 1 prepark opening breakfast- most likely at EPCOT. We try to limit dinners because we go back to our resort to nap and swim (we enjoy the parks at night but also rope drop every morning).

The key is to book what you're comfortable with.

 

[rosiebean]

Hi all! Disney newbie here. Trying to plan for ADR day, which is coming up. Can I get some TS lunch rec's from each park and 1-2 TS dinner rec's from resorts?

Also, We want to visit CRT. That will use up an extra TS credit. Can we just pay for one of our meals out of pocket? Can we pick which meal, or do we have to use all TS credits first?

THANKS!

As others have noted, you can pay for anything out of pocket...so it's easy to have a meal OOP to save up two credits for CRT.

You can either have two counter service meals one day (paying for one OOP and thus saving your TS credit)...Les Halles in France at Epcot is a fantastic place for an OOP QS meal, for example. You can also choose an inexpensive TS option and pay OOP. The Wave's breakfast buffet is really reasonable to pay OOP, and lots of people on the DDP pay OOP at Via Napoli given the relatively low costs there as well (though I'm not sure how good Via Napoli is with allergies). 50s Prime Time in DHS isn't 'cheap', but servings are HUGE and can easily be split among two, saving money.

So, rec's for parks and resorts from my family, which is a mix of adults, college to post-college aged nieces and nephews, and a few tweens:

MK for TS
Tony's Town Square: We are among the few who like Tony's Town Square . Tony's is also a good place for those with allergies, even gluten, from what I've read.
Crystal Palace: We LOVE Crystal Palace for lunch or dinner. Haven't been for breakfast. It's a character meal (Pooh and friends), and one of the best we've experienced. Very nice salad options. My older nieces and nephews (i.e., in their 20s) LOVED the kid's buffet with mac/cheese, meatballs, chicken nuggets.
LTT: I went years ago and was underwhelmed. My SiL went a few years ago for an early dinner and LOVED it. I'd go based on her recommendation.

Epcot for TS
San Angel Inn: great atmosphere and really good food. Caveat...it's 'authentic' Mexican, so check out the menu to see if it appeals to you. San Angel Inn gets some poor reviews from people who go in expecting Tex Mex and are understandably not happy when they get something else. But we loved our lunch there two years ago. And it's a great respite at lunch (wonderful a/c) when it's steaming outside.
Via Napoli: good pizza, appetizers, salads, and drinks. This was our favorite meal the last time we went.
Chefs de France: just a really enjoyable meal. The bisque was delicious.
Spice Road Table: open air seating is big here. There's interior seating, just beware you might be outside when it's very hot or very cold. When it's cold, they have outside heaters...which can get hot (we turned ours down when our water disappeared, and were quite comfy after). Lots of yummy small plates, good entrees. Service was hit or miss on our trip last year, but the manager brought out extra (on the house) fried calamari to make up for it (without us complaining, I must note...he just noticed we waited a long time for drinks and had some of our side orders messed up).

DHS for TS
50s Prime Time: great food, great shakes, servings are huge so sharing is very possible.
Sci-Fi Drive Inn: good food (not great), but the atmosphere is terrific. If you go with a burger and shake, it's a really good experience.

AK for TS
Yak and Yeti: we love it. Have eaten at Rain Forest Cafe and Tusker House, but Y&Y is our go to place from here on out.

Resorts for TS
Captain's Grille at YC (though it's temporarily moved to a space at BC for renovations) is really, really good.
Cali Grill at CR is our (all of my family's) all time favorite restaurant at WDW. GREAT atmosphere, really excellent food.
Artist's Point at WL has really, really good food and the best service we've ever had at WDW.
'Ohana at breakfast is really good with really great character interaction.
Boatwright's at POR was a surprisingly good meal (and my extended family is from Louisiana). We went in expecting 'ok' food that wasn't that authentic. The food is semi-authentic, but was really good when we were there!