Suzanne74
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 2,933
I can understand how the dining plan does not work for some but people should realize in advance whether it is worth it for their family or not. Figure out the pricing and what you probably normally eat with the dining plan and see if it is worth getting. If you know your family shares plates, doesn't order appetizers or desserts, then obviosly it is not a good choice. If you go during peak season and have reservations for a restaurant an hour or so after it opened, you will be waiting to be seated.
I am not sure if I would have liked the dining plan as a newbie at the world but I sure do like it now. Trying different restaurants and atmospheres, especially in Epcot is half the fun.
Here are some of my tips to maximize the dining plan, your valuable park time and not feel "stuffed"
Take breakfast or energy bars with you and have one with coffee or juice in the morning before getting in the park. Be at the park at opening and hop on as many rides as you can.
Eat lunch at 11am at a counter service venue in whatever park you are in. The crowds will be low for lunch at that time and you will have worked up an appetite.
Use your "snack" for a bottled water or soda mid afternoon when it is hot out.
Book all you ADR's in advance (obviously) but make sure your times are within 30min of the restaurant opening or dinner being served. You won't have to wait to be seated and your service is MUCH quicker getting you in and out. Most of the time, our ADR's are for 5 or 5:15pm. We are usually back on rides by 6:30pm for the remainder of the night.
For dinner, choose a non carb appetizer like shrimp cocktail, salads, even a small cup of soup. Stay away from nachos or anything too heavy. For your main entree if you are going to order a big steak, stay away from the starches which will just make you feel like crap - order a veggie side instead. For dessert, get whatever looks good and then just take a few bites if you are too stuffed.
Hope this helps!!!
I am not sure if I would have liked the dining plan as a newbie at the world but I sure do like it now. Trying different restaurants and atmospheres, especially in Epcot is half the fun.
Here are some of my tips to maximize the dining plan, your valuable park time and not feel "stuffed"
Take breakfast or energy bars with you and have one with coffee or juice in the morning before getting in the park. Be at the park at opening and hop on as many rides as you can.
Eat lunch at 11am at a counter service venue in whatever park you are in. The crowds will be low for lunch at that time and you will have worked up an appetite.
Use your "snack" for a bottled water or soda mid afternoon when it is hot out.
Book all you ADR's in advance (obviously) but make sure your times are within 30min of the restaurant opening or dinner being served. You won't have to wait to be seated and your service is MUCH quicker getting you in and out. Most of the time, our ADR's are for 5 or 5:15pm. We are usually back on rides by 6:30pm for the remainder of the night.
For dinner, choose a non carb appetizer like shrimp cocktail, salads, even a small cup of soup. Stay away from nachos or anything too heavy. For your main entree if you are going to order a big steak, stay away from the starches which will just make you feel like crap - order a veggie side instead. For dessert, get whatever looks good and then just take a few bites if you are too stuffed.
Hope this helps!!!
