Park Dining Questions: EPCOT and DHS

[maya_]

I have some question about dining issues on our next trip:

My family just booked our first trip for eight years (eight years!) to WDW, and for the very first time we're staying on site. We're travelling from the UK, and we've always stayed off site. I ALWAYS wanted to stay in a Disney Resort, but my folks would never pay the extra $$$.

But this year we got a really great deal to stay at POR, and I'm ridiculously excited about it!

We've always eaten off site as well. We eat counter service in the parks during the day, but we've always gone to Fridays, Olive Garden etc in the evenings. I guess being from the UK those restaurants are still pretty cool to us. Also, again, the money issue.

So I've talked my family into a couple of table service evenings in the park. We've booked Le Cellier at Epcot for one. I've heard this is a good choice? We once ate at the Italian restaurant at Epcot before and were very disappointed, so I've had to work hard to convince them to go back. Did I choose right?

The main question, though: we've never seen Fantasmic, so I thought we should do the dinner experience. Is it worth it, how do I book it, and which of the three restaurants do you recommend?

Finally, is there anything else I should be pushing for? Is there any vital dining experience I've missed out? I can probably talk them into one more if I offer to pay ...

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[TDC Nala]

We once ate at the Italian restaurant at Epcot before and were very disappointed, so I've had to work hard to convince them to go back. Did I choose right?

You may have. It's not the same restaurant. Alfredo's closed in 2007 and was replaced by Tutto Italia, which is owned and managed by a different company.

 

[goofy4mykids]

I would go to the Hoop Dee Doo Review You will have a BLAST....
have you thought about the DDP or going during free dining??? We save money and enjoy alot of TS on the DP

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

How fun for you!

I like Le Cellier so that's a good choice.

I do not think going to Fantasmic is worth it so I can't give you comments about the dining experience. At DHS, definitely go to 50s prime time cafe for an authentic 50s 'American' experience. I LOVE this place. Very fun, totally cool theming, and yummy fried chicken.

Try places that look good to you. The food is absolutely important but pick someplace you can't get normally. Dinner with princesses? Good food, EXCELLENT company! Fancy dinner with no theming? Maybe for a romantic dinner but why do that if you can go dance and sing at Biergarten? So that's what I would keep in mind.

Have fun planning!

 

[TDC Nala]

I would go to the Hoop Dee Doo Review You will have a BLAST....
have you thought about the DDP or going during free dining??? We save money and enjoy alot of TS on the DP

The OP is British and so could probably have access to free dining pretty much any time through November, but there are a few differences to the British offer that we don't get here - in order to get a dining plan with table service credits, they have to book a deluxe resort. They would only get the quick service plan at POR. So the OP might not be able to save as much money on table service meals.

 

[maya_]

Thanks, guys!

We talked about the DDP but as well as only getting CS at POR, people in our party also want to do Universal, Busch Gardens, etc. So it probably wouldn't work for us.

I will definitely look into the Hoop Dee Doo thing.

Question: can you do the 50s Prime Time Cafe as part of the Fantasmic Dinner Plan? I didn't think you could ...

 

[TDC Nala]

can you do the 50s Prime Time Cafe as part of the Fantasmic Dinner Plan?

No, it's not one of the participating restaurants. The only restaurants that participate are Hollywood & Vine, Brown Derby and Mama Melrose.

 

[maya_]

Thanks, Nala!

Is Mama Melrose the best of those? I don't think we want the buffet one. I like the look of the menu at the Brown Derby. Is it a good place?

 

[Tikitoi]

Also keep in mind that Fantasmic is limited to a certain number of nights per week or so, so you have to plan accordingly. I love DHS with our without Fantas!