Totally clueless about PS! Suggestions/recomendations please!!!!

[Golf Widow]

Husband and I are taking our 7 year old daughter to DW for the first time in mid-october. We arrive Wednesday evening and will leave Monday night and we are staying at the Hilton.

My questions ... Does PS need to be done for EVERY meal? Is this something you *must* do?

How exactly does PS work?

How does one decide where to go and how soon in advance do you need to make reservatons?

We would like to do a breakfast with Cinderalla - which one is better - the one in the castle or the Tea Party in the GF?

Thanks in advance for your help! We just want to be prepared!

Kara a.k.a Gold Widow in MA

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Golf Widow
Husband and I are taking our 7 year old daughter to DW for the first time in mid-october. We arrive Wednesday evening and will leave Monday night and we are staying at the Hilton.

My questions ... Does PS need to be done for EVERY meal? Is this something you *must* do?

How exactly does PS work?

How does one decide where to go and how soon in advance do you need to make reservatons?

We would like to do a breakfast with Cinderalla - which one is better - the one in the castle or the Tea Party in the GF?

Thanks in advance for your help! We just want to be prepared!

Kara a.k.a Gold Widow in MA

Visit http://www.wdwig.com/dining.htm for more information on PSs and dining at WDW. I'm sure some of the DISrs will begin to add to this thread shortly. This link is a great start, though!

 

[zulaya]

I always make PS for every sit down meal. Then I know I won't be shut out of the restaurant. That happens sometimes if it's really busy, no walkups will be taken.

PS can be made 90 days before your trip. You said you wanted to eat with Cinderella. At this late date, it's doubtful you can get breakfast at the castle. That usually sells out right at 90 days out at about 7:02am. You never know though, so call and have them check. The princess meals at the Castle and Princess Storybook in Epcot require a deposit.

PS means that when you arrive 5 minutes before your PS time, you will get the next available table for your party. It's a great thing.

If you want to make some special PS do it before you leave. Otherwise, a lot of people have posted that they decide that morning where they want to go for dinner, call up Disney Dining and make a PS. Sometimes you have to be flexibile with the times, but it can work that way.

Check out the dining list here on wdwinfo.com or check out http://www.wdwig.com and click on the Dining and they have menus for everything. You can also see prices so that can help you with your meal budgeting. I always plan out my meals in advance.

Cinderella is not at a Tea Party at the GF. Cinderella's Gala Dinner is at 1900 Park Fare, a restaurant in the GF and she's only there for dinner. You probably will have an easier time getting in here than in the castle.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis Golf Widow It's not a bad idea to have PS for non counter service meals. In mid October the weekends could be pretty busy. It doesn't cost to make PS at most of the restaurants, so if you change your plans, no worries(nice to call and cancel the PS though). Have fun on your first trip. Believe me, you'll want to go back

 

[Harambe]

We make PS's, but only one meal a day. But if we don't end up going, we just call and cancel! Don't be a slave to the PS's!

Best advice - pick which parks you are doing on a particular day, then pick a restaurant in that park, or near. For example, on a MK day, go to Kona Cafe at the Poly for lunch, or California Grill for dinner - both a monorail ride from MK!

Doing Epcot - plenty of places to pick in the park, or head over to Cape May Clambake at the Beach Club!

On our first trip, DH was mad because every time the family was having fun - I'd say "Oh no! Time for our PS at Such and Such!" and we'd have to head out to another park or a remote resort.

 

[Grumpy92]

The General PS rule of thumb is you dont need one unless you are visiting during a holiday time or you want to go to one of the more popular restaurants (CG, Cindy, WC, Ohana, Le Cellier, PT Cafe, Sci Fi). The other time you should is if you want to do a character meal.