Please critique...first timer to WDW and on DXDP

[meredith1]

Would love your suggestions for our dining plan. My H and I are taking our 3.5 yr old for our first visit. We are staying at CR w/ MK view with the dxdp. I'm going by what I read on here. Please make any suggestions....please. Am I making the most of my dining credits????

Sunday (arrive at 10:20 am) Magic Kingdom Day
L-The Wave
D-?????
evening event-MVMCP

Monday-Epcot Day
B-Kouzzina-H is friends with KK so, he's pumped to try this one.
D-California Grill
evening event-Electrical Parade/Wishes

Tuesday-Animal Kingdom Day
B-Tusker House
D-Citricos (anything better on the way to DTD???)
evening event-DHS-Osborne Lights

Wednesday-Magic Kingdom Day
B-Cinderealla's Royal Table
D-1900 Park Fare-My H will be out on business this night-Just my DD and I.
Other suggestions for just the two of us????

Thursday-Open Day to do whatever-Need dining suggestions!!!
B-GFC
D-??????
evening event-???? There is EP/Wishes this evening-Maybe the Dessert Party

Friday-Departure in the early afternoon (1:20 pm)
B-Chrystal Palace
Maybe go to DTD prior to leaving for the airport....

 

[mom2brooke76]

You do know that you'll need a ticket to gain access to Crystal Palace, right? Just didn't know since you said that you depart at 1:40

 

[mom2brooke76]

Oops! Should have been 1:20

 

[vicki_c]

All personal opinion of course, but I think a first trip with a 3.5 year old and deluxe dining is a mistake. You will spend so much time sitting and eating and transporting from one place to another you will severely cut into your time for the parks. Especially since the majority of your restaurants are not even in the parks. Factor in some down time for naps and stuff and your park time is really limited.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I know for my dd, who is now 6 and has been going to WDW regularly since right before her first birthday, she would have never made it through a 2 hour dinner at a restaurant like California Grill or Citricos at that age. Now that she's 6 she does so much better (we do the Disney cruises where some of our dinners have taken about that long), but she'll still get antsy towards the end.

 

[boundfordisney]

This may not be just a dining suggestion but have you considered cirque at dtd, it is awesome took my grandchildren and they loved it ! Even the little ones from 2 and up just sat there the whole time watching the stag and I mean for the complete show! There is quite a few dining options at dtd , I have done a number of them including trex.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I have 2 young ones (2 and 3 when traveling) and I made sure to plan restaurants in or near the parks that we are playing at that day. I see that on your Epcot day you are eating at Cali Grill. I would place this on an MK day and maybe due Le Cellier on your Epcot day.

 

[staceylynnga]

We loved Hoop dee doo Revue! My then 18 month old couldn't get enough and we are going back this summer with our 2 boys (who will be 4 and 19 months at the time of our trip). We did the 715 seating and loved category 3.

I also think deluxe is too much food, never mind the kids but for my husband and myself too. The regular ddp is perfect for us.

If you are looking for another 2 ts, try Flying Fish or Jiko.

 

[meredith1]

You do know that you'll need a ticket to gain access to Crystal Palace, right? Just didn't know since you said that you depart at 1:40

I have 6 day park hoppers! : )

Emerson does well in restaurants but since having the twins we don't go much any longer. She has been begging to go out to eat lately and she considers very much a treat. I will go back and look at the locations.

If we asked the waiter at citrico's to limit the meal to an hour I'm thinking he would accommodate us.

I thought the dxdp would be good because of all the character meals we wanted to incorporate into our trip.

Please keep opinions coming!

 

[cd&kids]

I agree that Deluxe Dining Plan sounds like overkill for your family, but that's a very personal choice. Do what you think is best.
I love the 1900 Park Fare for you and your daughter -- I think that's perfect. Enjoy.

 

[meredith1]

I have 2 young ones (2 and 3 when traveling) and I made sure to plan restaurants in or near the parks that we are playing at that day. I see that on your Epcot day you are eating at Cali Grill. I would place this on an MK day and maybe due Le Cellier on your Epcot day.

We are staying at CR and we'll be napping after Epcot. I thought Cali Grill would be good to do prior to parade and wishes.

 

[tr-ray]

I think DxDDP is a little much for a trip with small children. Each meal can sometimes run up to 2 hours. If you spent 4 hours a day eating, you would be drastically cutting your park time.

I say 2 hours generally meaning you may or may not have to wait for your table, even with an ADR, and travel time to/from restaurants that aren't in the park you are visiting.

ETA: I just re-read your plans, and they actually seem pretty aggressive. On one day you are going to AK, but then want to eat at DTD on the way to DHS for Osborne Lights -- this is a pretty rough day for adults alone, never mind a toddler/preschooler, especially when you add in 2 major meals.

 

[meredith1]

I think DxDDP is a little much for a trip with small children. Each meal can sometimes run up to 2 hours. If you spent 4 hours a day eating, you would be drastically cutting your park time.

I say 2 hours generally meaning you may or may not have to wait for your table, even with an ADR, and travel time to/from restaurants that aren't in the park you are visiting.

ETA: I just re-read your plans, and they actually seem pretty aggressive. On one day you are going to AK, but then want to eat at DTD on the way to DHS for Osborne Lights -- this is a pretty rough day for adults alone, never mind a toddler/preschooler, especially when you add in 2 major meals.

My thinking was that we would be leaving AK by noon to 1:00, rest for the afternoon, have a 5:00 ressie and go see the Osborne lights. Is this to much? I really don't know-never been there. Thanks!!!!

 

[staceylynnga]

Another thing that we found, and you may have a different experience, is we had plans for many evening activities (wishes, elec water pageant, spectromagic). For one reason or another, whether we were too full from dinner, too tired, rain, etc, we missed them all. Flexibility is huge for Disney, especially when traveling with little ones. Enjoy yourselves and don't try to push it too much. After all, its supposed to be a vacation. What you miss, you can always come back to in 2 or 3 years.

Also with character dining, unless you know how your daughter is going to respond to them, 2 or 3 may be enough. You can always do meet and greets in the parks. Good luck and have fun planning!!!

 

[tr-ray]

My thinking was that we would be leaving AK by noon to 1:00, rest for the afternoon, have a 5:00 ressie and go see the Osborne lights. Is this to much? I really don't know-never been there. Thanks!!!!

I think that your best bet is to have a general idea of what you want to do, but I really think having deluxe dining is a little much for your first trip. There will be tons for you to see/do, and spending all that time eating will really limit your flexibility, especially since small kids can really do a 360* at any given time and throw a wrench into your plans.

I would suggest the regular dining plan. This way you can do the character meals you want, and enjoy a decent meal once a day, but not be so tied down to a schedule.

 

[Skylarr29]

Crt and 1900 Park Fair in the same day seems a little over kill since Cinderella is at both of them.

For your Sunday dinner before MVMCP I would eat inside the park so as not to waste too much party time (The plaza or liberty tree tavern). You could also make an early dinner ressie at Kona or 'Ohana for before the party starts.

I wouldn't worry too much about being on the deluxe plan. As long as you are flexible you can use your credits for counter service or room service so it's not like you'll starve.

Best advice I can give you is to make the earliest reservation you can for when the restaurant opens. That way they won't be backed up and you won't have to wait for your table to be seated.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm going to disagree with all the PPs. It looks to me like you've done your research and have planned your days and dining very well for YOUR family. You have 12 of your 15 credits used too.

The only two things I might suggest are:

1. Why do you want to go to DTD before Osborne Lights? Perhaps that was not what you meant. However trying to do Citrocos and get to Osborne at that time of year may be difficult. Studios will probably close around 7:00 and you'll have to be in the park before that. I think I would move Citrocos to another evening and do an ADR in Studios for this evening to be sure you are there.

2. Your free day to do whatever you want you have GCF for breakfast. You might want to try Chef Mickey or Ohana for breakfast that day as they both have characters.

 

[christine*]

If you're willing to eat at Tusker House for lunch from 1-140 you can get tickets to the Nemo show at 3:15 and that will save you time from standing in line. For your Thursday night maybe consider a Fantasmic dinner package since I didn't see Fantasmic on your list.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Would love your suggestions for our dining plan. My H and I are taking our 3.5 yr old for our first visit. We are staying at CR w/ MK view with the dxdp. I'm going by what I read on here. Please make any suggestions....please. Am I making the most of my dining credits????

Sunday (arrive at 10:20 am) Magic Kingdom Day
L-The Wave
D-Crystal Palace
evening event-MVMCP

Monday-Epcot Day
B-Kouzzina-H is friends with KK so, he's pumped to try this one.
D-California Grill
evening event-Electrical Parade/Wishes

Tuesday-Animal Kingdom Day
B-Tusker House
D-Citricos (anything better on the way to DTD???)
evening event-DHS-Osborne Lights

Wednesday-Magic Kingdom Day
B-Cinderealla's Royal Table
D-1900 Park Fare-My H will be out on business this night-Just my DD and I.
Other suggestions for just the two of us????

Thursday-Open Day to do whatever-Need dining suggestions!!!
B-GFC
D-??????
evening event-???? There is EP/Wishes this evening-Maybe the Dessert Party

Friday-Departure in the early afternoon (1:20 pm)
B-Chrystal Palace
Maybe go to DTD prior to leaving for the airport....

My Suggestions:

Sunday: eat at Crystal Palace for dinner before the party
Monday: eat at Akershus for breakfast. It will be really awkward to get to Kouzzina's for breakfast from CR (unless you have a car)
Thursday: Do another character breakfast here - maybe 'ohanas. Then perhaps you may want to spend some time at Hollywood studios as you won't have been here during the day yet.
Friday - Chef Mickeys then a last few rides at Magic Kingdom. There really isn't that much at DTD besides shopping and it is a pain to get to via bus from CR, keep your first visit nice and enjoy the MK for your daughter.

 

[Colleen27]

Would love your suggestions for our dining plan. My H and I are taking our 3.5 yr old for our first visit. We are staying at CR w/ MK view with the dxdp. I'm going by what I read on here. Please make any suggestions....please. Am I making the most of my dining credits????

Sunday (arrive at 10:20 am) Magic Kingdom Day
L-The Wave
D-?????
evening event-MVMCP

Monday-Epcot Day
B-Kouzzina-H is friends with KK so, he's pumped to try this one.
D-California Grill
evening event-Electrical Parade/Wishes

Tuesday-Animal Kingdom Day
B-Tusker House
D-Citricos (anything better on the way to DTD???)
evening event-DHS-Osborne Lights

Wednesday-Magic Kingdom Day
B-Cinderealla's Royal Table
D-1900 Park Fare-My H will be out on business this night-Just my DD and I.
Other suggestions for just the two of us????

Thursday-Open Day to do whatever-Need dining suggestions!!!
B-GFC
D-??????
evening event-???? There is EP/Wishes this evening-Maybe the Dessert Party

Friday-Departure in the early afternoon (1:20 pm)
B-Chrystal Palace
Maybe go to DTD prior to leaving for the airport....

For the Christmas Party, I'd plan a late lunch/early dinner at The Wave before the party, and then in-room dining for afterwards when your little one will be tired and not necessarily up for a sit down meal.

Unless you're driving or will have a rental getting to Kouzzina for breakfast from CR is going to be a hassle. You'll have to walk to MK to take a bus to the Boardwalk or take a bus to Hollywood Studios and then walk or boat to the BW.

Your Animal Kingdom day has me a little confused... You're going to Animal Kingdom, then Downtown Disney, then the Osbourne lights? Or did you mean DHS when you typed DTD? For dinner in the vicinity of DHS I'd recommend Flying Fish. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is really charming.

For your open evening, I'd suggest Kona. The food is very good and the Poly is a charming resort to just look around and take pictures. I don't think I'd bother with the Wishes dessert party, though. Believe me, you're not going to need extra food after a 3 course DxDDP meal!


As far as the deluxe plan with young children, we love it. Our youngest was 16mo on her first trip and 2.5 on her second and the deluxe plan worked out wonderfully for us. She likes to eat, behaves well in restaurants, and prefers "adult" foods, and very much enjoyed our signature dinners. All the extra snacks were great too because she developed quite a taste for Disney's blueberry muffins and wanted an overpriced banana every time we passed a fruit cart.

We really don't feel like counter service is a big time saver; eating at peak times it can take nearly as long as sitting down for a meal and comes with more headaches. I'd rather take the extra half-hour and sit comfortably in an air-conditioned restaurant while someone waits on me than save the time by standing in line to order, hunting for a table, fetching my own condiments, etc.