Please help me work out what to do for the best!!

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi, I have been planning my forthcoming Christmas trip for over 2 years, and whilst I have made several ADRS, I am now panicking in anticipation for this thursday and the opening of the Candlelight dinner reservations.

This will be our first (and possibly only) trip to the World over Christmas and I really don't want to miss any of the Christmas stuff. It is also our first experience of the dining plan, so I am still getting my head around it all!!

If I give you my situation, I was hoping some of you 'experts' could advise me on the best course of action in terms of what I want to get out of the dining plan and which way would make the most sense economically??


My current ADRs are as follows:

Dec 11th - Arrival day (No ADRS)
Dec 12th - O'Hanas dinner
Dec 13th - Crystal Palace breakfast / Whispering Canyon dinner
Dec 14th - Chef Mickeys breakfast / Liberty Tree Tavern for MVMCP dinner
Dec 15th - Le Cellier dinner
Dec 16th -
Dec 17th - 1900 Park Fare dinner
Dec 18th - Check out day

I really want to eat at Le Cellier (have never done so before) and I already know I want to order the cheese soup, mushroom filet (but substitute the risotto for potato!!) So I am trying to work out whether it is better to keep the 'regular' reservation and pay OOP for the starter (but will they still let me substitute the potato or will I also have to pay OOP for an additional side?), and will risk queueing for Candlelight

or

whether to increase to the CP package for 2 x TS credits and lose a meal -
but which one do I forego?? and will this second option then include a starter and allow for the substitutions??

I know these questions will seem daft, but I know that DH will not be pleased that I have booked the DDP and then not be able to eat the meal we will enjoy (ie neither of us will want the risotto)- and the less I need to pay OOP the better really.

Many thanks for any help!!

 

[free2div]

Hi, I have been planning my forthcoming Christmas trip for over 2 years, and whilst I have made several ADRS, I am now panicking in anticipation for this thursday and the opening of the Candlelight dinner reservations.

This will be our first (and possibly only) trip to the World over Christmas and I really don't want to miss any of the Christmas stuff. It is also our first experience of the dining plan, so I am still getting my head around it all!!

If I give you my situation, I was hoping some of you 'experts' could advise me on the best course of action in terms of what I want to get out of the dining plan and which way would make the most sense economically??


My current ADRs are as follows:

Dec 11th - Arrival day (No ADRS)
Dec 12th - O'Hanas dinner
Dec 13th - Crystal Palace breakfast / Whispering Canyon dinner
Dec 14th - Chef Mickeys breakfast / Liberty Tree Tavern for MVMCP dinner
Dec 15th - Le Cellier dinner
Dec 16th -
Dec 17th - 1900 Park Fare dinner
Dec 18th - Check out day

I really want to eat at Le Cellier (have never done so before) and I already know I want to order the cheese soup, mushroom filet (but substitute the risotto for potato!!) So I am trying to work out whether it is better to keep the 'regular' reservation and pay OOP for the starter (but will they still let me substitute the potato or will I also have to pay OOP for an additional side?), and will risk queueing for Candlelight

or

whether to increase to the CP package for 2 x TS credits and lose a meal -
but which one do I forego?? and will this second option then include a starter and allow for the substitutions??

I know these questions will seem daft, but I know that DH will not be pleased that I have booked the DDP and then not be able to eat the meal we will enjoy (ie neither of us will want the risotto)- and the less I need to pay OOP the better really.

Many thanks for any help!!

I just had to comment on this..I didnt think I would like it and it was FANTASTIC..the risotto...If they have potato they will prob sub..but I would not give up that ressie just because of rissoto.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I just had to comment on this..I didnt think I would like it and it was FANTASTIC..the risotto...If they have potato they will prob sub..but I would not give up that ressie just because of rissoto.

you're meant to be helping me decide - not complicate things!!

I must admit I had been wondering whether I should keep the risotto anyway and just order a side of the mash (again because the mash is another of the things that I really MUST try!!!)

I know DH will want some form of potato with his steak and he hates mushrooms, but loves Filet steak otherwise I would direct him to something else!!

Perhaps I need to stop worrying about the additional expense and just accept that Le Cellier is going to be the one place where I need to buy extras!! In that case, I think I have kind of made my mind up - as I can't really justify 'spending' 2 x TS credits on the CP package and still paying OOP for extras

So you have been a help to me after all - so thank you very much!!

 

[Cafeen]

Hi, I have been planning my forthcoming Christmas trip for over 2 years, and whilst I have made several ADRS, I am now panicking in anticipation for this thursday and the opening of the Candlelight dinner reservations.

This will be our first (and possibly only) trip to the World over Christmas and I really don't want to miss any of the Christmas stuff. It is also our first experience of the dining plan, so I am still getting my head around it all!!

If I give you my situation, I was hoping some of you 'experts' could advise me on the best course of action in terms of what I want to get out of the dining plan and which way would make the most sense economically??


My current ADRs are as follows:

Dec 11th - Arrival day (No ADRS)
Dec 12th - O'Hanas dinner
Dec 13th - Crystal Palace breakfast / Whispering Canyon dinner
Dec 14th - Chef Mickeys breakfast / Liberty Tree Tavern for MVMCP dinner
Dec 15th - Le Cellier dinner
Dec 16th -
Dec 17th - 1900 Park Fare dinner
Dec 18th - Check out day

I really want to eat at Le Cellier (have never done so before) and I already know I want to order the cheese soup, mushroom filet (but substitute the risotto for potato!!) So I am trying to work out whether it is better to keep the 'regular' reservation and pay OOP for the starter (but will they still let me substitute the potato or will I also have to pay OOP for an additional side?), and will risk queueing for Candlelight

or

whether to increase to the CP package for 2 x TS credits and lose a meal -
but which one do I forego?? and will this second option then include a starter and allow for the substitutions??

I know these questions will seem daft, but I know that DH will not be pleased that I have booked the DDP and then not be able to eat the meal we will enjoy (ie neither of us will want the risotto)- and the less I need to pay OOP the better really.

Many thanks for any help!!

If you're interested in the CP, then go for that package. If you are not interested in the CP, then keep your current reservation.

With either the CP package or paying OOP for the soup, you should be able to sub the risotto for potatoes without an issue. The main time that substitutions are not allowed is when ordering off of the 3-course prix fixe meal that is offered for 1 TS credit.

Now, as far as which one to drop, I say none . I would suggest paying OOP for adults at Crystal Palace breakfast, and then for any kids (that would be ordering kids' meals) at WCC and rolling those credits over to cover the CP package. CP breakfast is likely to be the cheapest for adults, while kids ordering off of kids' meals at WCC will likely be their cheapest.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

If you're interested in the CP, then go for that package. If you are not interested in the CP, then keep your current reservation.

With either the CP package or paying OOP for the soup, you should be able to sub the risotto for potatoes without an issue. The main time that substitutions are not allowed is when ordering off of the 3-course prix fixe meal that is offered for 1 TS credit.

Now, as far as which one to drop, I say none . I would suggest paying OOP for adults at Crystal Palace breakfast, and then for any kids (that would be ordering kids' meals) at WCC and rolling those credits over to cover the CP package. CP breakfast is likely to be the cheapest for adults, while kids ordering off of kids' meals at WCC will likely be their cheapest.

thanks Allan that is really good advice - I think I was worrying because I really didn't want to cancel a reservation, as although the character meals are not my ideal meals, my two boys are only 3 and 6 , so they are a MUST this trip!!

Your idea of paying part OOP for those 2 meals is a great one - thank you!!

 

[purple figment]

Typically you can substitute one side for another if both are sides for another one of their entrees. In your case cream cheese mashed potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes are sides on other steaks so people have said they've been able to sub one of them for the risotto. However, the risotto is delicious.

I don't know what time you've scheduled the Liberty Tree Tavern dinner on MVMCP night, but hopefully no later than 6. You don't want to cut into the party time to do a sit down dinner. If your reservation conflicts with the party then this is the one I would drop.

If Liberty Tree is early enough then I would keep all of the reservations and pay out of pocket for the least expensive meals.

 

[MissBritt]

We did CP on DXDDP last year at CdF (second choice since CP for LC was full). It was good, but a waste of 2 TS credits in my opinion. If I had it to do over, I would risk the standby line for CP.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Typically you can substitute one side for another if both are sides for another one of their entrees. In your case cream cheese mashed potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes are sides on other steaks so people have said they've been able to sub one of them for the risotto. However, the risotto is delicious.

I don't know what time you've scheduled the Liberty Tree Tavern dinner on MVMCP night, but hopefully no later than 6. You don't want to cut into the party time to do a sit down dinner. If your reservation conflicts with the party then this is the one I would drop.

If Liberty Tree is early enough then I would keep all of the reservations and pay out of pocket for the least expensive meals.

Hi Kim, I must admit I am a bit worried about the LTT reservation - it is for 5.10pm. Not sure if that is too late?? To be honest it won't be a long and leisurely dinner as our two boys are not known for sitting for ages after they have eaten, especially when they are in a theme park!! So do you think that we will be OK?? (I am not overly concerned about doing rides, but don't want to miss any of the Christmas stuff!!)

We did CP on DXDDP last year at CdF (second choice since CP for LC was full). It was good, but a waste of 2 TS credits in my opinion. If I had it to do over, I would risk the standby line for CP.

I think I am beginning to come to that conclusion too!! I don't have to necessarily sit down in the theatre but I do want to see one show. I was thinking of queueing for the last show - is that the quietest or the busiest?? (Ideally I would want to be there for the last show on Steve Curtis Chapmans last night as I am already at Epcot that day with a 6pm adr, but I know he is popular, so I could always come back the next night purely to queue for CP if I had to!!)

 

[Halbleib1]

We were told at Le Cellier there are no subsitutions allowed so be prepared in case they tell you the same.

We saw Steven Curtis Chapman in 2008 and he was definately the best narrator of the three we have seen so far. I would definately try to see him if you can.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We were told at Le Cellier there are no subsitutions allowed so be prepared in case they tell you the same.

I had heard that before too, that was what made me ask. Were you by any chance ordering the fixed price three course meal? I only ask as someone said that there were no substitutions on that, so I decided to avoid that choice!!

I am not too worried about myself, as I will try the risotto anyway(after all the positive reviews I have been given) and just order an extra side of potatos, but DH will definitely want the filet but will equally NOT want the mushroom risotto as he doesn't like mushrooms!!

 

[purple figment]

Hi Kim, I must admit I am a bit worried about the LTT reservation - it is for 5.10pm. Not sure if that is too late?? To be honest it won't be a long and leisurely dinner as our two boys are not known for sitting for ages after they have eaten,

You'll have plenty of time to eat, especially since everything is served family stye. You'll be finished before 7.

I think I am beginning to come to that conclusion too!! I don't have to necessarily sit down in the theatre but I do want to see one show. I was thinking of queueing for the last show - is that the quietest or the busiest?? (Ideally I would want to be there for the last show on Steve Curtis Chapmans last night

I haven't been to the CP, but many people have said the first performance is the least crowded, but it depends on the popularity of the narrator, and Steven Curtis Chapman is very popular so all of his shows might be quite busy.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

You'll have plenty of time to eat, especially since everything is served family stye. You'll be finished before 7.




I haven't been to the CP, but many people have said the first performance is the least crowded, but it depends on the popularity of the narrator, and Steven Curtis Chapman is very popular so all of his shows might be quite busy.

Thanks Kim - I am pleased about LTT as I really want to eat there and there isn't an earlier time available that night, so glad we should be ok for the party!

I just realised that my reservation for Epcot isn't until 6.30pm, so I guess I will have to go back the following night purely for Candlelight, but at least then I can queue for all 3 shows if needs be - its also the first night for Thomas Gibson and I haven't heard as many people wanting to see him as Steve Curtis Chapman so hopefully I will have a better chance of getting in then too!!

Thanks again for posting