Suggestions on how to use the DP???

[MakinMagicforBunky]

Newbie heading down in NINE days with a small child (5yo). We're on the dining plan, and I've made ADR's for most of our TS meals, mostly character meals and mostly dinners (one breakfast planned).

So with it being two of us, me an average eater, my son, a very healthy eater (always cleans his plate), what's the best way to use our credits? If we go out to eat here at home and it's a burger, we share it, esp if there's a dessert planned (as we'll have on the plan). On the weekends, we tend to grab breakfast and then maybe a midday snack, with an early/regular timed dinner, so we don't always eat 3 meals, yk?

I'm bringing portable breakfast foods and some snacks so we can eat breakfast at the hotel without using any credits.

I've been reading some posts saying that there are CS meals that are big enough for two (or more!) so I'm not sure how to work this to the best advantage.

We will be there 6 nights, but 7 full days as well, as we're flying in early the first day, and leaving later the last day, so we only have 6 days worth of creidts and the one free meal at Planet Hollywood (from AAA).

My plan is this:

Day 1: Magic Kingdom...6 pm TS @ Crystal Palace
Day 2: MGM...6 pm TS @ Mama Melrose (for Fantasmic package)
Day 3: Magic Kingdom...7:05 TS @ Liberty Tree Tavern
Day 4: Epcot...3 pm TS @ Garden Grill
Day 5: DTD...Planet Hollywood @ noon (free meal, we'll share) and 7:15 @ Sci-Fi in MGM
Day 6: No meals scheduled, but plan to be back at MK
Day 7: Breakfast @ Ohana's (TS) around 11 am

So, given the above info, what CS restaurants would be good for us? From what I've read, Cosmic Ray's is great and we'll probably do lunch there on our first day. I'm thinking we'll have to use 2 CS meals (each) the day we do Epcot as we've got the weird midday reservation at the Garden Grill (all they had and we don't wanna miss Illuminations) and on the 6th day, we're probably gonna get a later start to take advantage of the extra hours at night.

Which restaurants at which parks would give us the best bang, especially if we want to try to save some credits for the later days and the 'extra' day?? (if that makes sense??)

THANKS!

In 1.5 hours, it will officially be ONE WEEK until I can finally tell him the secret..and 12 hours later, we'll be heading to the airport!!! I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

They all look great! The only thing that concerns me a bit is I am not sure they will let you share the free meal. A kids meal though isn't going to cost you a fortune and will be a good deal for a meal for two. I just didn't want you to surprised if they don't allow it. Have a wonderful time!

 

[MakinMagicforBunky]

Thanks...so which restaurants have the bigger portions for CS meals? After I posted this last night, I sat and tried to figure out when we'd need to use our credits, and have like 2 days where we should try to share a CS meal so that we can cover the 'extra' time we're there.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

This thread talks about which CS meals are big enough to share, and this one has some CS meals that were good values and/or a nice departure from the norm.

 

[formernyer]

You have mostly buffets listed, so you can't share much in the way of TS meals, but I would DEFINITELY plan to share at Sci-Fi. I was there a few weeks ago and the onion rings appetizer was enough to feed 3. Add an entree and dessert to that and you'll probably still have some leftovers between the two of you. You can also get a milkshake as the beverage, which is also very filling (just ask for a water on the side because it isn't very thirst-quenching).

The credit that you saved there can be used for another sit-down TS meal. Since you seem to be sticking to kid-friendly places, I'd probably recommend either Coral Reef, Whispering Canyon Cafe, or 50s Prime Time. All three have servings big enough to share. (The Self-Appointed Disney Ethics Police will enter this thread shortly to remind you that the saved credit was purchased at a child's price so it would be cheating to use it on an adult meal).

 

[BuzzAndWoodyBoy]

Did you plan a day for AK? I know it has nothing to do with food but my boys 4 and 5 preferred that to MGM. Is your son, by chance Jordan?

At almost every CS place, we only got 2 counter service meals for the 4 of us. It was always enough. Plus you can always get an icecream or other snack later.

Have fun...