Planning October Trip...need some help!

[Patriotic_Duck]

Hey guys,

I am planning to take my dad on a surprise trip to WDW for his birthday in October. He has never been to Disney and has always wanted to go so I really want to make this a special trip for him. I am thinking of staying at Caribbean Beach and getting the deluxe dining plan because we are both big eaters. I have a couple of questions in regards to dining and would appreciate your advice

I am a passholder, can I still add on the dining plan for both of us if I am only buying park tickets for my dad? Online it said you had to buy it all as a package.

Can I book the resort now and add the dining plan later on? Do I have to pay for it right now or when I check in?

My dad loves to be treated like a prince at restaurants. What restaurants do you suggest that have great service in Magic Kingdom and Epcot?

My dad and I both love japanese food. Which is your favorite: Tokyo Dining or Teppan Edo?

I just checked for reservations for Le Cellier online, there are none available. Do you think that something will open up? Can I put myself on some sort of waiting list?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Wild4Walt]

Can I book the resort now and add the dining plan later on? yes as a package

Do I have to pay for it right now or when I check in? You'll put a deposit down now and pay it in full about 45 days prior to arrival

My dad loves to be treated like a prince at restaurants. What restaurants do you suggest that have great service in Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Cindrella's Royal Table is great at MK and at Epcot Teppan Edo is always a must stop!

My dad and I both love japanese food. Which is your favorite: Tokyo Dining or Teppan Edo? It depends on what you like - Tokyo Dining is more sushi and Teppan Edo is Teppanyaki Style.

I just checked for reservations for Le Cellier online, there are none available. Do you think that something will open up? I haven't seen anything open up but we have been able to get in to lunch when walking up. Dinner is tougher.

 

[Patriotic_Duck]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I am a passholder, can I still add on the dining plan for both of us if I am only buying park tickets for my dad? Online it said you had to buy it all as a package.

Correct - from the Disney Passholder website "Dining Plans cannot be purchased separately. To enjoy either the Disney Dining Plan or Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, you must purchase one of these packages prior to your arrival. These packages are not available for purchase after arrival.'

Can I book the resort now and add the dining plan later on? Do I have to pay for it right now or when I check in?

No, see above

My dad loves to be treated like a prince at restaurants. What restaurants do you suggest that have great service in Magic Kingdom and Epcot?

It all depends on what type of dining experience you want - look on the DisneyWorld website to see what each park has to offer

My dad and I both love japanese food. Which is your favorite: Tokyo Dining or Teppan Edo?

Either is good.

I just checked for reservations for Le Cellier online, there are none available. Do you think that something will open up? Can I put myself on some sort of waiting list?

No there is no waiting list, you just have to keep checking ... As Wild4Walt said, dinner is always tougher to get a ressie for - plus since you only have 2 people dining, they only have a limited number of tables for 2 at Le Cellier. October is also Food and Wine Festival so restaurants in Epcot tend to fill up quicker than usual. When are you going in October?? I was just able to get a lunch ressie for our October trip on October 10th, and last week got a dinner reservation for October 11th.

 

[Patriotic_Duck]

I'm going October 23-26

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I'm going October 23-26

Just keep trying ... multiple times a day ... hopefully you'll be lucky and get a ressie

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I recommend Cinderella's Royal Table in MK and Teppan Edo and Akershus in Epcot. Yes two out of three are princess meals, but if your dad loves to be treated like a prince, then he sure will here!

 

[Patriotic_Duck]

Great idea about CRT guys, the more I think about it, the more I think he will love it! Thank you all for your help!

 

[Hopefully]

I would suggest you make your ADR's ASAP. The window for reservations opens at 180 days. The popular Park and Resort restaurants often book completely full. You are in that 180 day window.
We always choose which park which day (with the help of Touring Plans.com best and worst days chart) and then choose restaurants that are in that general neighborhood. You do not want to spend lots of time criss crossing the World for ADR's.
Take a look at the menus here on the DIS and at allearsnet.com for an idea of menu items and prices.
Did you know that as an Annual Passholder you are eligible to purchase for $75 the Tables in Wonderland (TiW) card? This gives you 20% off of food and beverages, including alcohol, at most WDW TS restaurants. There are only a few CS places where you can use it. It might make sense for you. The general rule of thumb is you must spend $375 to recoop the cost of the card. Above that you are saving money.
Enjoy

 

[Cafeen]

In response to the first question. The actual answer is yes.

Basically, you would book room-only for now, and pay the 1-night deposit, paid in full upon arrival. When (if) you decide you want to add a dining plan, you would then rebook (or convert if that's possible) as a "ticketless package", which will then fall under the standard package rules ($200 deposit, paid in full 45 days prior to check-in). The initial deposit will either be refunded or applied to the new reservation.

If you decide to convert/add the dining plan after that 45 day mark, any increase in cost would be due immediately. This can be done up to 3 days (72 hours) before arrival, but may be subject to change fees the closer you get.

As far as DxDDP vs TiW, a lot is in how you plan to eat, but if you do plan to eat as they suggest, they'll both save you money. The $375 mark for TiW is pretty easy to hit, especially with multiple people (1 card is all that's needed for up to 10 people!) and if you think you're going to be dining "off-plan" or not using the full entitlements per meal of the DxDDP, then it'll likely be the better way to go.

 

[JZCubed]

If you're a Passholder, maybe look into Tables in Wonderland 20% discounting instead of Disney Dining Plan. Your discount includes alcohol and is available at all Signature Restaurants and those at Swan & Dolphin too (i.e., BlueZoo, Shula's, Il Mulino, etc.).

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

Try Yachtsman Steakhouse instead of Le Cellier. Better steaks and just about the same price.