Staying at Contemporary, Dining Plan - Help

[KellifromCanada]

Hi everyone:

My dh, my dd (13) and I will be arriving at the Contemporary late afternoon on Nov. 15. It will be a non-park day because of our late arrival, and so we thought we'd have only time to basically check-in and look around the hotel.

We are on the dining plan for this trip, having never done it before, I feel overwhelmed and of course, concerned there won't be any ADR left. It occurred to me (duh) that we will be able to use the dining plan for dinner on the 15th! I usually have this all planned, but Real Life has been in the way.

So, at this late date, where, at the hotel, would you recommend we eat?
And...where can we watch the fireworks from the hotel?

Thanks!

Kelli

 

[2girlsmom]

chef mickeys or the Wave are the 2 TS restaurants, I believe there is some ability to see the fireworks from the Wave.

 

[Hootch]

at the Contemporary is good if you're wanting to stay at the resort. There is a balcony on the fourth floor from which you can watch the fireworks.

It's also simple to get on the monorail and head to the Poly or GF. You could go to Kona for dinner and the beach at the Poly for the fireworks.

 

[havoc315]

From the California Grill, you get a great view of the fireworks and a supposedly excellent meal, but it is 2 credits.

There is also a fireworks viewing area on the 4th floor. And as already mentioned, the 2 regular TS restaurants are The Wave and Chef Mickey's.

 

[KellifromCanada]

Ok - I'm really sorry but what does "2 credits" mean? Totally clued out on how the dining thing works....Does that mean that you are "spending" two dinners from the dining plan to eat there once because it is more "posh".

We are happy to have something more casual...Ack...I should have been making these decisions a while ago.

Sorry for the last minute whining. There's probably a thread to explain the dining thing and I'm being a pain....

Kelli

 

[Belle72]

Signature dining uses 2 dining credits--Cali Grill being one of them, as do shows like the Hoop Dee Doo or Luau.

 

[Agri]

If you want to stay at the resort, The Wave and the Contempo Cafe (quick service) are both really good. The Wave is usually overlooked and service can be a bit slow, so allow some extra time for that. We love the cupcakes at Contempo Cafe - we always stop here at least once during a trip.

Kona Cafe at the Poly is also really yummy and easy to walk-in.

How late will you be getting in? If you're taking the ME, you need to add about 1.5 - 2 hours to your arrival time at the airport to get your mealtime. It takes about an hour to get to the hotel from MCO and checked in. If that still puts you at late afternoon, before dinnertime, I'd head to Downtown Disney and eat a meal there OOP and then come back to the CR, watch the fireworks, and then use a snack or qs credit for an after the fireworks snack/meal and call it a day. If it puts you at dinnertime, I'd do Contempo Cafe and grab a snack for later and call it a day.

 

[MHSweb79]

You could take the monorail to the Poly and watch the fireworks from the beach. Kona almost always has availability and it's a nice resort to spend some time at. Or you could just eat at the food court.

Keep in mind that your credits are tied to the number of nights of your stay. Say you're staying for 7 nights but you'll actually be there for 8 days. If you use a TS credit the first day there, then you won't have one left over for your last day there.

On the regular plan, you get 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack credit per night. Most restaurants "cost" one TS credit, but a few fancier places or shows will cost two credits. So you may end up sharing a CS meal now and again to stretch those credits, or just paying out of pocket for a meal.

It's not really that complicated so please don't stress out. Plus it's a lot of food. We always have a bunch of snack credits to use up on the last day.

 

[KellifromCanada]

Ok - thanks. There were no reservations left at the Grill so I booked us into The Wave which I hope will be good.

My daughter is a vegetarian/pescatarian (what is it with teen girls and vegetarianism) and my husband will appreciate the healthy choices.

Then, we can just watch the fireworks from the outside balcony as posters suggested. What time should we head for the 4th floor balcony for Wishes which appears to be at 8pm?

THANKS a ton...

Kelli

 

[KellifromCanada]

If you want to stay at the resort, The Wave and the Contempo Cafe (quick service) are both really good. The Wave is usually overlooked and service can be a bit slow, so allow some extra time for that. We love the cupcakes at Contempo Cafe - we always stop here at least once during a trip.

Kona Cafe at the Poly is also really yummy and easy to walk-in.

How late will you be getting in? If you're taking the ME, you need to add about 1.5 - 2 hours to your arrival time at the airport to get your mealtime. It takes about an hour to get to the hotel from MCO and checked in. If that still puts you at late afternoon, before dinnertime, I'd head to Downtown Disney and eat a meal there OOP and then come back to the CR, watch the fireworks, and then use a snack or qs credit for an after the fireworks snack/meal and call it a day. If it puts you at dinnertime, I'd do Contempo Cafe and grab a snack for later and call it a day.

We will be cabbing over from the dark side...(Univ**sal lol) but I have no idea when dh and dd will want to leave there and arrive at DW (we've never been to the dark side before) so I figure I better have options in place for supper in case we are hungry. My dh will be just coming off of competing in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and he tends to NEED a lot of calories. I hate being tired and unprepared about where to eat and I seem to be the person who does the planning so, yeah, people tend to look at me for this sort of decision making. KWIM??? lol

 

[TDC Nala]

If you haven't booked any TS meals for your dining plan, I'd suggest you start looking for meals to book.

You may want to read the dining plan sub-board. There is a sticky thread on that board titled "Everything you always wanted to know" and will help you to understand how the dining plan works.

 

[KellifromCanada]

If you haven't booked any TS meals for your dining plan, I'd suggest you start looking for meals to book.

You may want to read the dining plan sub-board. There is a sticky thread on that board titled "Everything you always wanted to know" and will help you to understand how the dining plan works.

I am just looking for/booking reservations now! Garggh I can't believe I haven't done this already. Sigh. On my way to edumakate myself on the dining thread. Thanks!

 

[KellifromCanada]

Booked for Tuskers - why does it say we "may be seated at more than one table?" (Party of 3)

Kelli

 

[Agri]

Booked for Tuskers - why does it say we "may be seated at more than one table?" (Party of 3)

Kelli

It's a generic warning everyone gets. You'll get it even when booking for just 1 person.

 

[KellifromCanada]

I'm sorry for ANOTHER question - Its about Hollywood Studios. I found a reservation for dinner there, at 7pm on the 16th at 50's Prime Time. The park closes at 8pm. I chose this park because its NOT a Fantasmic night and therefore may not be as busy and we wanted to see the Osborne lights (never been!) and so now I'm wondering --was this smart - will we will have time to eat and see the lights before closing - does the park stay open past the actual 8pm for guests already there to finish their dinners (hopefully???) ooh and aaaah at the lights and meander out.

Thanks!

Kelli

 

[Agri]

I'm sorry for ANOTHER question - Its about Hollywood Studios. I found a reservation for dinner there, at 7pm on the 16th at 50's Prime Time. The park closes at 8pm. I chose this park because its NOT a Fantasmic night and therefore may not be as busy and we wanted to see the Osborne lights (never been!) and so now I'm wondering --was this smart - will we will have time to eat and see the lights before closing - does the park stay open past the actual 8pm for guests already there to finish their dinners (hopefully???) ooh and aaaah at the lights and meander out.

Thanks!

Kelli

It won't stay open - I'd keep the reservation and check in early. Or eat at a resort before heading to the park.

 

[KellifromCanada]

It won't stay open - I'd keep the reservation and check in early. Or eat at a resort before heading to the park.

Ok, good plan - For now, cuz I'm so late doing this, I'll keep with the 7pm rezzies.

But... if they close at 8pm, then why do they show reservations for even after 7, like even one at 7:50 pm? And the park closes at 8pm??? How can that be?

Thanks,

Kelli

 

[JZCubed]

Chef Mickey's is buffet. The Wave is a 'contemporary' restaurant. Both are inside the Contemporary Hotel. Also inside is the California Grill - more upscale and requires two full-service credits if you're on the dining plan. Fireworks can be seen and heard (via audio) at the California Grill.

Also, anything at Grand Floridian and Polynesian are close to you at Contemporary, since Monorail will take simply a few moments. Most of these places (Narcoossees, Citrico's, Victoria & Albert) are also two-credits. Grand Floridian Cafe is a one-credit option.

You might find that dining in these hotels offers a better opportunity for a late date ADR.

Good luck and safe travels!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Ok, good plan - For now, cuz I'm so late doing this, I'll keep with the 7pm rezzies.

But... if they close at 8pm, then why do they show reservations for even after 7, like even one at 7:50 pm? And the park closes at 8pm??? How can that be?

Thanks,

Kelli

Park closing is mostly when the lines for lines are closed. Shops and restaurants continue to operate for about an hour. Sometimes ADRs are for after park closing. The good news is the Osbourne lights will be on when you finish eating, and you likely will be allowed to go view them before you leave.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

One more thing, you are 'next door to the Grand Floridian. When we went last month, I snagged an ADR for Grand Floridian Cafe the day before we left. It was the best meal I've ever had at Disney. An amazing steak, incredible mashed potatoes and roasted corn. If you have trouble getting ADRs, this is a good'un.