should we just wing it when it comes to dinner???

[MagicPrincess]

I have made reservations for one character breakfast for our short trip to Disney. 3 days/4 nights.
With a 2 year old- I'm wondering if I should even make a bunch of ressies for dinner and so forth- because who knows what her schedule is going to end up like after a day at the parks.
I plan on making at least one or two others- but besides that- should we just kinda wing it?
It is hard to get into restaurants?
Any suggestions?
Any past experience you'd like to share?
thanks!!!

 

[Selket]

I think this could depend on what time of year you are going (I didn't notice it in your post). If you are going during a busy time of year I would definitely make some reservations for the sit-down places because you probably cannot get in otherwise! We were there in August with two kids (ages 5 and 1) and making these dining reservations were the hardest because I was never quite sure, like yourself, where we'd be for dinner (or what time!). I did some shuffling around but several times these ressies let us sit down to an unhurried meal out of the hot and rainy weather. I saw many guests getting turned away or given long wait times for the places we walked right into pretty much. (Even with a PS we had a long wait at the Biergarten at Epcot but it was my 1 yr old's favorite restaurant because of the live band! This was the only time we had a problem with a PS).

So if you're there at a busy time just go ahead and make some ressies and you can always cancel or move them around!

 

[MagicPrincess]

thanks for the info-
I think we better make some decisions where we want to eat!!!

 

[BevS97]

if you want to do sit-down meals for dinner, then i would make some PS's, but if you are happy to have counter service then there is no need.

You can also make a PS at guest services during the day, if you don't want to pin yourselve down to soon, but the times available may be limited (but still better than walking from restaurant to restaurant unable to get a table)

bev

 

[disneymama73]

My husband and I always sit down and talk about where we'd like to eat. We travel at a relatively slow time (October), and we usually don't call for any PS until we get there, if at all. I know this probably makes a lot of people cringe, but here's an example. We go to Epcot in the morning and one of us says, "Wanna go to the Biergarten for lunch?" We head over there and make PS for that afternoon. Maybe we've just been incredibly lucky, or maybe it's because it's so slow, but we go there so often, I guess we really don't care if we "make it in." We figure we'll just go somewhere else. (Ok, I see some of you cringing! Stop it! LOL!)

We always go to Crystal Palace & Biergarten - they are our girls favorites as well as ours. We used to love the character breakfast and/or dinner at Hollywood & Vine, but they no longer have character meals. I haven't been to CRT since I was little, and now that the girls are getting a little older (they will be 3 and 5 on our next trip), I will probably call and try to get in. If not, I think we will do the Princess breakfast at Epcot.

Ok, I'm starting to ramble. I guess what I'm saying is to decide where you really would like to eat. Call and see how availability is. I hate to pin myself down to having to be at a certain place at a certain time. The kids are unpredictable. Sometimes they sleep in. Sometimes they're hungry 2 hours before our PS. IMO, for the most part, it is easier to just wing it.

 

[kiddoc]

Like others above, would recommend PS if you are going at a busy time. On another note, just thought I would offer some suggestions that my daughters -- now 4 and 2 -- have really enjoyed.

Cinderella's Royal Table -- hard to get it, but worth it
Chef Mickey's -- Our personal favorite
Crystal Palace -- Great atmosphere, but the food is not as good
as CM's
1900 Park Fare -- Not as lively as CM's, but excellent food

Hope that helps!

 

[sconstantz]

I say make some PS's and wing it. That means, do your research now as to the places you believe you would like to visit, take a look at your day schedule, so you have a fair idea which park you may be in on that day.

Then, wing it. If you aren't where you thought you would be, or your kids just don't look like they hang, call and cancel your PS. You will make some other "fly by the seat of their pants" person very happy.

Have fun.

I haven't checked to see if it still does, but the garden restuarant in Epcot used to do a family style dinner with Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale. The restaurant revolves around the land exhibit. My DS has always loved this restaurant. The prices for dinner are reasonable, the food is good (not excellent, but good), and the view is stimulating for kids while they wait for Characters to come around.

The dinner is served Family style, and is all you can eat. And the desserts are awesome!!

shelly

 

[dreamalittledream]

I would definitely at least make some PS for dinner if your child is on a schedule. You can always cancel and you'll feel better knowing that you have the option of "someplace" to go. Especially if you are tired from a day in the park. My DD is a bear if she does not eat by 5:30-6:00.

I have scheduled quite a few for our upcoming trip, some even for the same places on the different nights just to ensure that the group of 8 of us are fed without having to "decide" (not all of the group are planners LOL) and waste time.
To quote a freind of mine, "the Mickey police won't get you for that". I do plan to cancel any we are not going to use as soon as I know it so I can spread some Disney Magic.

I didn't have any trouble making the PS but I called at least 60 -90 days in advance and I booked for early times. I have also called once I was in the parks and gotten in but it depends on when you want to eat and how many are in the group.
Happy dining!