Sorry Disney, I Can't Eat On-site

[lugnut33]

For us it comes down to the fact that time is money. We're staying in a cabin for our next trip so we're planning breakfast in the room (in our family, that's muffins or fruit & juice for the kids, coffee for DH and tea for me) and a couple of dinners on the grill, but we're not willing to waste time leaving the parks, much less leaving Disney property entirely, for our midday meal.

Yes, Disney restaurants are more expensive than comparable quality in the real world, but we don't feel that the savings from going offsite would be enough to justify the time spent doing it and the gas to get to those cheaper restaurants. But we haven't had the dismal experiences some here have posted about; there have been some "misses" to be sure, but we don't seem to have a hard time finding choices where the total package of food and atmosphere is enjoyable enough to keep us coming back.

I think if you went back through this thread I've never said the Disney restaurants are bad. I certainly don't begrudge anyone for eating at them. People should be happy I'm going off-site since I won't be calling at 180 days out and fighting for a reservation with them. I don't really care for planning my restaurants that far out. Eating offsite also gives us flexibility.

Like I said earlier, we are not going to stay in the parks all day during August. That mid-day heat is unbearable. So, let me give you an idea of our first days itinerary for our August trip (staying at Kidani):

7am, wake up and eat breakfast in the room (we will have a full kitchen).
8:30, Jump in car and head to DHS for 9am open
9-12:30pm - Follow Unofficial Guide touring plan
12:30-5pm - Head back to room for lunch (sandwiches, snacks, etc), swimming, resort activities, animal watching, game playing, etc
5-9 - Swing by fast food joint, eat while heading back to DHS

For us that is a good day and our total food bill will probably be under $70 because we will also have snacks in the parks (love Mickey Bars).

Next day will be a Magic Kingdom day:

6am - Wakeup, eat breakfast at resort, be to MK by 8
8-12 - Follow UG touring plan
12 - eat at Pecos Bills
2-7 - Head back to resort for rest, swimming etc. Run out and grab pizza for dinner in room.
7-11- Head back to MK for parades and fireworks.

Again, our total dining bill for that day will probably be under $70.

Are we really missing out on anything?

Sharona, you and I think exactly alike. Scary isn't it?

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd go offsite if I wanted to pay for a car. I don't want the car. I agree the food isn't what it used to be and some of it isn't worth paying for. I have said before I don't like DDP. If there were really nothing at all I wanted to eat at WDW I would get the car before I'd get DDP.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I wonder where a lot of people live that Disney prices are a LOT higher than your local restaurants? The prices are sometimes higher, but not by much, than our restaurants. The quality of food is about the same. We went to dinner the other night at a nice restaurant (nothing hugely fancy) and the specials were $56 each and the filet was $44. It was a good steak - not fantastic or out of this world. I would have much rather been at Le Cellier for the ambience, servers, and the ability to walk outside the restaurant and see the waterfall! Even when we go to Montana for branding or shipping, the local restaurants up there have prices equal to what I find in our 'big' city. And don't get me started on prices at ballgames or such! Outrageous prices (more than Disney) and not as good as Disney counter service.

And sure - you can always get gas station pizza, mcd's, or a loaf of bread and peanut butter at the store for less. But you are offsite, have to drive, and still have to compromise some of what you choose for a cheaper meal (either you cook it or you are going to buy cheap food).

Of course, to each their own and if driving offsite and eating is what you like - great! On my vacations, I don't want to drive. We do budget (bring a lot of our own breakfast foods and snacks in a suitecase) and split meals if needed. But I don't want to drive or cook

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Right there with ya. We bought into DVC at 1000 points and go A LOT and refuse to eat a single meal in a TS restaurant. We either buy groceries at the store or leave for dinner and go back!

 

[lugnut33]

Right there with ya. We bought into DVC at 1000 points and go A LOT and refuse to eat a single meal in a TS restaurant. We either buy groceries at the store or leave for dinner and go back!

There's a rumor floating around that DVC members will start getting a discounted DDP rate because I think there are a lot of us that don't eat on-site (table service) anymore.

 

[River Country]

Who am I to tell people how to spend money. But a 10 day trip renting a car and the cost of gas driving to and from the resort just seems like a hassle. At a DVC resort with a kitchen pick some things up for breakfast before you leave stay out fr the day and grab a lite snack for lunch relatively in-expensive, i.e a hot dog from Casey's. Enjoy the parks and if you do not want to spend alot on dinner then go off property. But INMHO i am not going on vacation to eat at a Chick-fil-t

 

[kmk1180]

It's not like going offsite is some major trek. We jump in the car and in 10-15 minutes we are offsite. There are also some really nice shopping places offsite. One time we even went to New Smyrna Beach which was fantastic. Really not a big deal.

.

Like I said before, hey do what you want.
Far as i'm concerned that's one less family in line for food or rides for my family to enjoy them faster.

But it is a major trek.
No major attraction is at the front of the park.
Say your at Splash and want lunch..Pecos Bills is litterally 1 minute away.
You would take the 10-15 minutes to walk to the front gate up to the monorail. Wait for the next one and ride to the TTC. Another 10-15.
Then walk to your car or wait for the tram another 10-15.
Your already at 45 minutes. (meanwhile I'm already done eating at Pecos used my FP for Thunder and off to HM and you haven't even left property.)
Finally get to your car, drive the 10-15 to your fast food place.
Stop and eat say 30minutes. Now your at 1hr 15minutes.
Time to go back. Drive the 10-15 and park. Walk to tram or TTC.
10-15, Wait for monorail, ride monorail, walk and stop for security.
Get through gate another 10-15 and finally 10-15 walk back to Frontierland.
Your at 2 hours easy if not more to get to the same place.
All to save $10-15 on food.

Figure base park tickets are $82. (without tax included yet)
If the park is open 9am to 10pm that's 13 hours it's open a day.
That's $6.30 an hour.
With at even just 3 of you leaving to eat you just spent $18.90 of your park tickets and got nothing for it.

Again do what you wish..... while you think your saving money, I think your not getting your moneys worth, certainly not the price your paying for the the savings.

 

[lugnut33]

Like I said before, hey do what you want.
Far as i'm concerned that's one less family in line for food or rides for my family to enjoy them faster.

But it is a major trek.
No major attraction is at the front of the park.
Say your at Splash and want lunch..Pecos Bills is litterally 1 minute away.
You would take the 10-15 minutes to walk to the front gate up to the monorail. Wait for the next one and ride to the TTC. Another 10-15.
Then walk to your car or wait for the tram another 10-15.
Your already at 45 minutes. (meanwhile I'm already done eating at Pecos used my FP for Thunder and off to HM and you haven't even left property.)
Finally get to your car, drive the 10-15 to your fast food place.
Stop and eat say 30minutes. Now your at 1hr 15minutes.
Time to go back. Drive the 10-15 and park. Walk to tram or TTC.
10-15, Wait for monorail, ride monorail, walk and stop for security.
Get through gate another 10-15 and finally 10-15 walk back to Frontierland.
Your at 2 hours easy if not more to get to the same place.
All to save $10-15 on food.

Figure base park tickets are $82. (without tax included yet)
If the park is open 9am to 10pm that's 13 hours it's open a day.
That's $6.30 an hour.
With at even just 3 of you leaving to eat you just spent $18.90 of your park tickets and got nothing for it.

Again do what you wish..... while you think your saving money, I think your not getting your moneys worth, certainly not the price your paying for the the savings.

If you looked at the itinerary I posted, you'll note that one of the day I have Pecos Bill's as the place we are eating and then leaving the park to go back to the room. I'm not illogical. I'm not going to run to the Hess gas station to buy a snack.

The other places we will eat in the parks are Flame Tree BBQ at AK and Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. DHS does not have any good quick service locations if you ask me.

And we have DVC Annual Passes, so our per cost per day is not as high as $82. I know what you're trying to say though.

I would bet you that I can leave the MK, eat, and return faster than you can leave the MK, eat at Yachtsman Steak House, and return using Disney transportation.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I enjoy some Disney restaurants, many have lost their appeal over the years. We drive in and I find that ORlando has many wonderful restaurants that give offer both good value and great menu choices. I've been going to Disney for more than 30 years taking some time out to eat outside of Disney is not a big deal.

I specifically don't like to have my entire day revolve around ADR's!

We combine breakfast at the resort, and a few lunch and/or dinner at Disney, and the rest of the time we experience Orlando or eat at the villa.

I say do what works for you!

 

[maggiew]

I think if you went back through this thread I've never said the Disney restaurants are bad. I certainly don't begrudge anyone for eating at them. People should be happy I'm going off-site since I won't be calling at 180 days out and fighting for a reservation with them. I don't really care for planning my restaurants that far out. Eating offsite also gives us flexibility.

Like I said earlier, we are not going to stay in the parks all day during August. That mid-day heat is unbearable. So, let me give you an idea of our first days itinerary for our August trip (staying at Kidani):

7am, wake up and eat breakfast in the room (we will have a full kitchen).
8:30, Jump in car and head to DHS for 9am open
9-12:30pm - Follow Unofficial Guide touring plan
12:30-5pm - Head back to room for lunch (sandwiches, snacks, etc), swimming, resort activities, animal watching, game playing, etc
5-9 - Swing by fast food joint, eat while heading back to DHS

For us that is a good day and our total food bill will probably be under $70 because we will also have snacks in the parks (love Mickey Bars).

Next day will be a Magic Kingdom day:

6am - Wakeup, eat breakfast at resort, be to MK by 8
8-12 - Follow UG touring plan
12 - eat at Pecos Bills
2-7 - Head back to resort for rest, swimming etc. Run out and grab pizza for dinner in room.
7-11- Head back to MK for parades and fireworks.

Again, our total dining bill for that day will probably be under $70.

Are we really missing out on anything?

Sharona, you and I think exactly alike. Scary isn't it?

Like I said before, hey do what you want.
Far as i'm concerned that's one less family in line for food or rides for my family to enjoy them faster.

But it is a major trek.
No major attraction is at the front of the park.
Say your at Splash and want lunch..Pecos Bills is litterally 1 minute away.
You would take the 10-15 minutes to walk to the front gate up to the monorail. Wait for the next one and ride to the TTC. Another 10-15.
Then walk to your car or wait for the tram another 10-15.
Your already at 45 minutes. (meanwhile I'm already done eating at Pecos used my FP for Thunder and off to HM and you haven't even left property.)
Finally get to your car, drive the 10-15 to your fast food place.
Stop and eat say 30minutes. Now your at 1hr 15minutes.
Time to go back. Drive the 10-15 and park. Walk to tram or TTC.
10-15, Wait for monorail, ride monorail, walk and stop for security.
Get through gate another 10-15 and finally 10-15 walk back to Frontierland.
Your at 2 hours easy if not more to get to the same place.
All to save $10-15 on food.

Figure base park tickets are $82. (without tax included yet)
If the park is open 9am to 10pm that's 13 hours it's open a day.
That's $6.30 an hour.
With at even just 3 of you leaving to eat you just spent $18.90 of your park tickets and got nothing for it.

Again do what you wish..... while you think your saving money, I think your not getting your moneys worth, certainly not the price your paying for the the savings.

Did you read her post at all??? She is eating at the same Pecos Bill's as you. Before her afternoon break. Before they go back to the parks after their afternoon break, she is picking up a pizza to eat in the villa. (Maybe at the boardwalk pizza window, maybe at papa johns, don't know). Then head to the park. She is not wasting 2 hours like you suggest.


We have been to Disney enough that we are no longer commandos. We do kind of do commando from park opening until noon or so, but then we go back to the room for swimming and resting. Then head back around 5:30 - 6 pm for dinner and fireworks. Believe me, we see everything there is to see thanks to Tour Guide Mike EVEN with taking the afternoon break. I didn't believe it the first trip using TGM, but I am a firm believer now. Our trips have increased in quality about 10 fold! We have yet to eat offsite because usually we don't have a car. But we definitely don't do buffets or fixed price places anymore. We just make different choices on where we eat - places we can order off the menu that are reasonable. I haven't given up on eating inside the parks, but I have given up eating at the buffets. My younger DD (16) might eat a roll for dinner. I'm surely not going to pay $50 for that!! However, if we go again, I might be tempted to go offsite. I have read a lot of reviews of great places lately that I want to try (Cafe Tu tu Tango sounds fun!) I also discovered restaurant.com certificates for many Swan/Dolphin restaurants that we used last August! Those are still on property but our dinner at Il Mulino was pretty cheap because of the certificate - plus delicious!! And sushi at Kimonos! We also used one at House of Blues on our Downtown Disney day.

This summer we are going to Universal instead of Disney scared1. The kids want to see Harry Potter World. We will be there for 7 days onsite. So I think there will be enough free time to head offsite for a little while. We might go shopping at the outlets and Point Orlando. I think we are going to test the waters eating offsite a few times during that week. Once we see how it goes, we might apply the same principle during our Disney trip.

I live in the Chicago area and prices are pretty expensive here. And I think Disney prices are outrageous (for buffets and fixed price places mainly). There is no where that we go out that costs $50 per person! (Maybe DH and I for a special occasion, but not daily like at Disney). We might go to TGIFridays, Rainforest Cafe, or local places. We can leave for well under $100 for 4 adults (our kids are teens) including tax and tip. That is just how we roll.

Maggie

 

[POOHsie]

Just planning our itineraries for a 10 night trip at the end of August and I am having trouble pulling the trigger on any meals inside WDW due to the cost of said meal. We will have a car and a kitchen in our DVC and that is another reason why I can't see us eating meals on-site.

Heck, me and my 13 year old were looking at making a reservation and even she decided it is too expensive to eat at the parks. When we looked eating at the Sci-fi, even with out Tables In Wonderland card, we just couldn't justify the price considering we can buzz off property (while heading back to the room for our afternoon break) and grab some Chick-fil-a or something like that. It's not like the food is that good at the Sci-fi. Other than Boma, I've been disappointed in our buffet meals lately

Anyways, I'm not sure we'll eat more than one meal on-site the whole time we are there.

If you looked at the itinerary I posted, you'll note that one of the day I have Pecos Bill's as the place we are eating and then leaving the park to go back to the room... The other places we will eat in the parks are Flame Tree BBQ at AK and Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. ..

You have changed from eating one meal on-site, to at least 3 meals on-site. I think your real argument is that Disney table service is priced too high. You state that Sci-Fi is overpriced, and you will take the family to Chick Fil-A. That's hardly a comparison in experience -- one is a sit-down restaurant with wait-service, one is self-serve fast food. If you are choosing to go off-site but then only going to fast food places, you have no argument about Disney table service prices. If you said you were going off-site to table service restaurants, then I would be interested in your value comparison to Disney table service restaurants.

Your real point seems to be that your are trying to budget conservatively for restaurant food expenses. I have no problem with that argument.

 

[kmk1180]

Did you read her post at all??? She is eating at the same Pecos Bill's as you. Before her afternoon break. Before they go back to the parks after their afternoon break, she is picking up a pizza to eat in the villa. (Maybe at the boardwalk pizza window, maybe at papa johns, don't know). Then head to the park. She is not wasting 2 hours like you suggest.


Maggie

First, actually no I didn't see the post with the itinary.
Second, I was commenting on it's not as quick to leave and return as she made it sound. Not her plan.
And finally, I'm not arguing with OP. I'm not being rude to her, she's not being rude to me. Don't see why you need to be rude.

Just pointing out the leaving for lunch and returning isn't as quick as she made it sound.

If you looked at the itinerary I posted, you'll note that one of the day I have Pecos Bill's as the place we are eating and then leaving the park to go back to the room. I'm not illogical. I'm not going to run to the Hess gas station to buy a snack.

I would bet you that I can leave the MK, eat, and return faster than you can leave the MK, eat at Yachtsman Steak House, and return using Disney transportation.

But then again I wouldn't leave MK to eat Yachtman and return to MK
That would fall under bad use of time to me.
So it's not a accurate example.

We're not commando either but looking at the itinary I wouldn't leave for 5 hours of the day either.
In one day your there 3 hours, gone 5 hours?? and back for 4.
7 hours there 5 hours gone. Basically gone for 40% of the day.
With the price of tickets, even AP, that's too much time wasted for me.
(if savings is an issue, I can swim in a pool and eat chic filet at home much cheaper.)
But then again I'm not a AP holder, I probably don't get there as much as you do so to me that time is money.

POOHsie just made a good point.
Comparing quick serve to sit down.
Have you figured what the savings would be if you compared sit down off site to sit down on site?

Like I've said, hey do what you wish.
I'm not arguing here, just discussing.

 

[maggiew]

First, actually no I didn't see the post with the itinary.
Second, I was commenting on it's not as quick to leave and return as she made it sound. Not her plan.
And finally, I'm not arguing with OP. I'm not being rude to her, she's not being rude to me. Don't see why you need to be rude.

Just pointing out the leaving for lunch and returning isn't as quick as she made it sound.

Really I wasn't trying to be rude. And I apologize if I came across that way.

It's just that you used the most time demanding example there is. Yes, leaving MK and heading back to MK is time demanding due to the parking set up there. However, you can still eat offsite while having an MK day. For example, eat a counter service at MK for lunch. Then do the afternoon break. Then go offsite to eat dinner on way back to MK. Doesn't really take up much more time than if you did the same thing but eat somewhere on property for dinner.

Like I said, we've never eaten off property, so I am not defending myself. But then, I can see the benefit of eating off property for some. And I don't think its as big of an ordeal as some people are making it.

As far as us going back to the hotel for 5 hours out of the day. Yes, we do. We feel that part of the enjoyment of a Disney trip is enjoying the hotel a little. There is nothing like a nice break back at the Beach Club slowly floating around the lazy river to perk you back up on a hot summer day. I quickly realized that you can't (at least we can't) go 24/7 at Disney. People get cranky. People get tired. How many times have you seen parents yelling at their kids "You better stop crying and have fun because I've spent $$$$$ money for this &*^*(&%$ trip!" We've found that taking those few hours makes everyone enjoy the trip more (for our family). We also see everything we want to see and more. So I am not sure how we are wasting time and/or money. (And we don't have APs). But we've been there many times already, so we are trying to stop and smell the roses a little more.

Maggie

 

[kmk1180]

Really I wasn't trying to be rude. And I apologize if I came across that way.

It's just that you used the most time demanding example there is. Yes, leaving MK and heading back to MK is time demanding due to the parking set up there. However, you can still eat offsite while having an MK day. For example, eat a counter service at MK for lunch. Then do the afternoon break. Then go offsite to eat dinner on way back to MK. Doesn't really take up much more time than if you did the same thing but eat somewhere on property for dinner.

Like I said, we've never eaten off property, so I am not defending myself. But then, I can see the benefit of eating off property for some. And I don't think its as big of an ordeal as some people are making it.

As far as us going back to the hotel for 5 hours out of the day. Yes, we do. We feel that part of the enjoyment of a Disney trip is enjoying the hotel a little. There is nothing like a nice break back at the Beach Club slowly floating around the lazy river to perk you back up on a hot summer day. I quickly realized that you can't (at least we can't) go 24/7 at Disney. People get cranky. People get tired. How many times have you seen parents yelling at their kids "You better stop crying and have fun because I've spent $$$$$ money for this &*^*(&%$ trip!" We've found that taking those few hours makes everyone enjoy the trip more (for our family). We also see everything we want to see and more. So I am not sure how we are wasting time and/or money. (And we don't have APs). But we've been there many times already, so we are trying to stop and smell the roses a little more.

Maggie

Thanks
And we do take breaks too. But 5 hrs is too much of a break for us.
We usually rent a car too, so break, swim or nap then back or to another park for us usually is about 2-3hrs.
Also depends on time of year...if we go in off season when park hours are shorter we might make rope drop and stay till we're done but not nessessarily close.
And spend the evening relaxing.
During busy season we might leave relax and catch a dinner somewhere then return.

But to save money on food we'd rather grab an apple and juice for breakfast, skip lunch or just grab a snack then eat an early dinner.
next day make Lunch the big meal. Another day Breakfast.
So basically we're only doing 1 counter or sit down meal a day.
For us that saves the money without wasting the time.

And why we don't usually do the DDP.

 

[maggiew]

Thanks
And we do take breaks too. But 5 hrs is too much of a break for us.
We usually rent a car too, so break, swim or nap then back or to another park for us usually is about 2-3hrs.
Also depends on time of year...if we go in off season when park hours are shorter we might make rope drop and stay till we're done but not nessessarily close.
And spend the evening relaxing.
During busy season we might leave relax and catch a dinner somewhere then return.

But to save money on food we'd rather grab an apple and juice for breakfast, skip lunch or just grab a snack then eat an early dinner.
next day make Lunch the big meal. Another day Breakfast.
So basically we're only doing 1 counter or sit down meal a day.
For us that saves the money without wasting the time.

And why we don't usually do the DDP.

This is the kind of stuff we do too and why we haven't resorted to eating offsite yet. We eat a cereal bar or something for breakfast. Then eat an early lunch at some sit down place that has a menu (not fixed price or buffet). Then do the afternoon break. Then have either another Table service or counter service for dinner.

But ... if the ala carte places start to increase in price as much as the buffets have, we might be going offsite next time around. At least for a couple meals.

Maggie

 

[MelissathePooh]

There's a rumor floating around that DVC members will start getting a discounted DDP rate because I think there are a lot of us that don't eat on-site (table service) anymore.

Whether they give us the discount or not who knows, but I can certainly see the probablity that members are somewhat "over it". So much of what I notice about the pro/con DDP/eating at Disney tends to fall along the lines of whether or not the persons/families involved are DVC members or frequent WDW guests in general.

When you go 3-4 or more times a year - the cost and decline is just much more noticeable. Exploring off-site is much more acceptable and common. If you only go once a year or every other year - you probably don't want to leave WDW. The price hikes and decline in quality aren't necessarily as blatant when its been a year or two since someone was there. When you're at Disney every couple of months its obvious and much more reasonable to factor in some off-site meals.

 

[Planogirl]

Really I wasn't trying to be rude. And I apologize if I came across that way.

It's just that you used the most time demanding example there is. Yes, leaving MK and heading back to MK is time demanding due to the parking set up there. However, you can still eat offsite while having an MK day. For example, eat a counter service at MK for lunch. Then do the afternoon break. Then go offsite to eat dinner on way back to MK. Doesn't really take up much more time than if you did the same thing but eat somewhere on property for dinner.

Like I said, we've never eaten off property, so I am not defending myself. But then, I can see the benefit of eating off property for some. And I don't think its as big of an ordeal as some people are making it.

As far as us going back to the hotel for 5 hours out of the day. Yes, we do. We feel that part of the enjoyment of a Disney trip is enjoying the hotel a little. There is nothing like a nice break back at the Beach Club slowly floating around the lazy river to perk you back up on a hot summer day. I quickly realized that you can't (at least we can't) go 24/7 at Disney. People get cranky. People get tired. How many times have you seen parents yelling at their kids "You better stop crying and have fun because I've spent $$$$$ money for this &*^*(&%$ trip!" We've found that taking those few hours makes everyone enjoy the trip more (for our family). We also see everything we want to see and more. So I am not sure how we are wasting time and/or money. (And we don't have APs). But we've been there many times already, so we are trying to stop and smell the roses a little more.

Maggie

That is what we often do. We've been to WDW enough that leaving for a few hours is not only no big deal but very much desired! I love coming back refreshed and ready for the nighttime at the parks.

 

[Colleen27]

I think if you went back through this thread I've never said the Disney restaurants are bad. I certainly don't begrudge anyone for eating at them. People should be happy I'm going off-site since I won't be calling at 180 days out and fighting for a reservation with them. I don't really care for planning my restaurants that far out. Eating offsite also gives us flexibility.

Like I said earlier, we are not going to stay in the parks all day during August. That mid-day heat is unbearable. So, let me give you an idea of our first days itinerary for our August trip (staying at Kidani):

7am, wake up and eat breakfast in the room (we will have a full kitchen).
8:30, Jump in car and head to DHS for 9am open
9-12:30pm - Follow Unofficial Guide touring plan
12:30-5pm - Head back to room for lunch (sandwiches, snacks, etc), swimming, resort activities, animal watching, game playing, etc
5-9 - Swing by fast food joint, eat while heading back to DHS

For us that is a good day and our total food bill will probably be under $70 because we will also have snacks in the parks (love Mickey Bars).

That's why I said "for us". One big difference I see is that we usually go during the off season when the park hours are much shorter. When we go, DHS usually closes at 7 and MK at 8, so long breaks just cut too much into park time.

Our plan for Studios on our Aug trip, for example, is the same as yours through noon but after that we take in some shows, track down a few characters for DD2, have a sitdown lunch around 2 to get a break from the heat, and wrap up any missed must-dos/use up the fastpasses between lunch and the 7pm park closing. I don't see how, even with a car, we could fit an off property lunch into those park hours without missing a lot.

 

[lugnut33]

And for us, part of the Disney experience are the deluxe accomodations we get to stay in that have outstanding theming. There are often so many activities going on at AKL that you literally do not even need to go to the parks. It's pretty cool sitting in the community hall playing Uno and checking out the animals in the savannah. The Disney magic extends out to the resorts also. It's not just in the parks.

We also do some things that might drive others insane. We have been and will be going again to see La Noube at DTD. We'll also go to one of the water parks. Instead of going to a park one evening we might head to DTD and catch a movie then go have a sundae at Ghiradelli. See, I'd rather spend my money on those types of things rather than overpaying for food at a restaurant.

And I'll say it again, I wish I had not used Chick-fil-a (eventhough for us northerners it's a novelty) as a comparison. I should have used Sweet Tomotoes or Macaroni Grill. Sorry about that.

 

[lugnut33]

Colleen, the parks don't close at 7 in August.

We have been there in Oct when the parks close early and we didn't leave the parks at noon either unless we were at DHS. That's a super easy park to get into and out of.