Snacking or Table Service?

[Blue dear.]

We'll only be at WDW for two days. One day at AK and the next at MK. (I actually based the AK decision on the fact that I couldn't get reservations for Sci Fi Dine In at HS! GRR!)

I'll be traveling with my mom and my 17 yr old son who has a severe intellectual disability ON SPRING BREAK. My son loves Winnie the Pooh but doesn't really care about characters (He loves Chuck E. Cheese but when Chuck E. comes out, he could care less.) Regardless, this will be his first trip so I booked a lunch at Crystal Palace so he could at least "see" Pooh.

I just saw where buffets for adults are $40 - so that would be $80 for lunch for my son and I. We'd only eat one plate of food. I'm wondering if the experience (or ambiance) of eating at the Crystal Palace (something I've never done before) would be worth the hefty price.

I made reservations at Rainforest Cafe for AK day. Those are the only ressies I've made.

To make a long story short (TOO LATE!), I'm wondering if I should cancel my CP reservation and just "snack" instead. I've seen so many awesome "SNACKS NOT TO MISS" posts on Pinterest and I'd really like to try some. But I worry about crowds and lines since we'll be going on the last week of March.

Should I keep my CP ressies? Should I worry about my mom killing me when she finds out she's got to pay $40 for one plate of food just so her grandson can "see" Pooh?

Ugh.... I don't know what to do.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

If you're going to Epcot, you can see Pooh in the back of the UK Pavillion.

The snacks in MK are better than the food you'll get at CP.

 

[minnie mum]

IMO, if nobody in your party is really into meeting the characters, then its a waste of money. Plus, they're a time suck if you have a limited visit. If you would rather snack, or go to a CS restaurant, just avoid the peak meal times. Eat early or late ( or both, if you're just snacking).

 

[ontheuptick]

What about trying to find a CP breakfast reservation? It's quite a bit cheaper and you get the character experience (we've found the interaction there is great).

Schedule it as late in the morning as possible for breakfast prices but a brunch time slot.

 

[sharonabe]

What about trying to find a CP breakfast reservation? It's quite a bit cheaper and you get the character experience (we've found the interaction there is great).

Schedule it as late in the morning as possible for breakfast prices but a brunch time slot.

Breakfast is still $32/adult, so it's not much of a savings. I'm with others that this is probably too much for someone who isn't really into the characters.

 

[librarymom2007]

Not worth it. Ride the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and snack.

 

[B-Ride]

With only two days I wouldn't waste it eating TS and I definitely wouldn't waste a day at AK.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would cancel CP. Winnie the Pooh does a meet and greet right next to the Winnie the Pooh ride. If your son is interested, he can meet Pooh there. If not, you can at least point him out to him as you walk by. Character meals, IMHO, are REALLY expensive and if no one cares about meeting the characters, it's just not worth it.

Yes, snack lines can be long over holiday breaks. I think about the time we went during spring break and the longest line we stood in was to get a Dole Whip! Are there any QS restaurants that interest you? If so, getting to a QS right at opening is a pretty good bet to avoid long lines. We like Columbia Harbour House. Or, even getting a TS reservation at a less expensive restaurant - I would suggest the Plaza.

 

[Blue dear.]

With only two days I wouldn't waste it eating TS and I definitely wouldn't waste a day at AK.

Well... based on everyone's advice, I am going to cancel CP ressies and just snack instead.

But I'm curious - what parks would you suggest for two days? HS doesn't have much except Sci Fi (which I can't get into), Rockin' Rollercoaster (which my son won't ride), Tower of Terror (which my son ALSO can't ride), etc. I've been to Epcot several times and I don't think he'd dig that either. My bet though is that he will like seeing the animals - - plus it's my mom's favorite park.

If it were strictly an adult trip - I'd be all over MK and HS for sure.

 

[MudQueen22]

I'm not sure of the functioning level of your son, but we took our daughter on the first family Disney trip when she was 5, and she surprised us.
Since we had taken her to Six Flags the previous summer and she liked the rides, we made fast passes for lots of rides.
I booked character meals since I thought she would enjoy it
Those princesses turned out to be her favorite. I was so glad we did that. We did Akershus, 1900 Park Fare, and Cape May.
We ended up needing to cancel some fast passes since she didn't like the rides so much, but wanted the meet & greets. Who knew?
It's just a thought.
Maybe do a fast pass for a Winnie the Pooh meet & greet, then one for the Pooh ride. If he likes both, see if they have an opening at CP.

 

[Thing 1]

I am thinking a bit differently. With your mother, and a special needs son....I think you are going to want the break of a sit down meal at MK. That week is going to be very busy and and you will find your self in repeated lines if you choose to snack all day. It does not have to be CP, though I think that is a good choice and your son might like pooh when he actually comes to him. I think at this point your choices are going to be limited for sit downs in the park but I think you will want a good break that that meal can provide. A late lunch works best for a nice break.
. One other thought......if your son is developmentally on the pooh level, be sure you don't think RFC will scare him. My youngest was scared there as a preschooler. By five he as fine, but it can be loud and the animals are huge and move.

 

[caliope]

For another option while at MK, you could monorail to one of the resorts and eat either TS or QS there with somewhat smaller lines/crowds.

 

[B-Ride]

Well... based on everyone's advice, I am going to cancel CP ressies and just snack instead.

But I'm curious - what parks would you suggest for two days? HS doesn't have much except Sci Fi (which I can't get into), Rockin' Rollercoaster (which my son won't ride), Tower of Terror (which my son ALSO can't ride), etc. I've been to Epcot several times and I don't think he'd dig that either. My bet though is that he will like seeing the animals - - plus it's my mom's favorite park.

If it were strictly an adult trip - I'd be all over MK and HS for sure.

Skipping AK is a personal thing. Our family orders the parks MK, HS, Epcot and then AK. However, based on your situation it sounds like AK is a good choice for this trip.

 

[bababear_50]

Have a look here
Maybe do the park early then take a break over at Grand Floridian for a late breakfast.
Looks like Pooh and Tigger are there.
http://www.kennythepirate.com/dining/disney-world-character-meal-list/

 

[kda]

You know your son best (and what you and your Mom like). I will always love MK, but probably spend more time at AK now. It's a matter of personal preference. There's so many opportunities to slow down and truly enjoy the atmosphere and the animals. The Flights of Wonder bird show is fun (and a chance to sit down for awhile). There have been days when I rode the Safari 4 times. The trails to see the gorillas, the birds, and the tigers are just beautiful, and the tiger trail is so well themed........ I've even come to enjoy the bats! I can easily spend 1/2 hour in the aviary, hunting for the birds and colorful fish.
PS --- We've enjoyed the food at CP, but it IS pricey. The Plaza has very good sandwiches (and ice cream), and is a chance for a table service meal. We eat there often. Hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[BlueFairy]

You know your son best (and what you and your Mom like). I will always love MK, but probably spend more time at AK now. It's a matter of personal preference. There's so many opportunities to slow down and truly enjoy the atmosphere and the animals. The Flights of Wonder bird show is fun (and a chance to sit down for awhile). There have been days when I rode the Safari 4 times. The trails to see the gorillas, the birds, and the tigers are just beautiful, and the tiger trail is so well themed........ I've even come to enjoy the bats! I can easily spend 1/2 hour in the aviary, hunting for the birds and colorful fish.
PS --- We've enjoyed the food at CP, but it IS pricey. The Plaza has very good sandwiches (and ice cream), and is a chance for a table service meal. We eat there often. Hope you have a great trip!!!

Totally agree about AK.

But FoW is closed for March.

 

[Blue dear.]

Hey everyone - thanks for all the input - I really appreciate it!

Skipping AK is a personal thing. Our family orders the parks MK, HS, Epcot and then AK. However, based on your situation it sounds like AK is a good choice for this trip.

Yeah - I totally agree with your line-up! If it were just me, I'd be doing HS in a heartbeat as that is my favorite park. I've only been to AK once and thought it was kind of dull with the exception of the incredible job they do at making you feel like you're really walking in Africa and Asia (my favorite part of AK).

 

[DisMommyTX]

Choose parks based on the type of attractions your family will enjoy. My son has developmental delays but he likes seeing the animals and shows at AK, and I'm sure he will for many years to come.

I would skip the meals, for both time and cost. Plenty of snacks and quick service options to satisfy your taste buds for two days. Also, you can see Pooh and Tigger at their Meet and Greet walking by without actually standing in line or walking up to them.