Trying to decide if I should even DO reservations

[kristennn]

Going to be at Disney late Feb/early March. parents rented condo nearby and we are staying with them. I have been to disney maybe 6-7 times, almost always stay on site, almost always do dining plan. Always make reservations 180 days out and obsess about them months before that date. This time so far i have zero dining reservations. I cant decide if I should even make some, or if we should just stick to snacks, counter service and eating at the condo when we get home.

What are other people doing? Any suggestions for an in park or at a hotel dining option for a group of 9? mostly adults with 1 17 year old girl, an 11 year old girl and a 7 year old girl. My 7 year old niece has never been to Disney and I feel a little sad she is experiencing it during Covid

 

[n2mm]

I’m similar. unless we get our vaccine prior to our March trip, we don’t plan to do parks. We wouldn’t be even going if we didn’t have a ton of DVC points to use. We booked a 1 bedroom so can do our meals there. Just 2 adults. We are also not planning to dine inside unless vaccinated. Our state is getting ready to move to 70+ so my husband would be covered but not me at 65+. I may do a beaches & cream just in case. I really don’t want to go, but losing 300+ DVC points is pushing me. We will not rent. Ugh. Good luck.

 

[MaxsDad]

I’m similar. unless we get our vaccine prior to our March trip, we don’t plan to do parks. We wouldn’t be even going if we didn’t have a ton of DVC points to use. We booked a 1 bedroom so can do our meals there. Just 2 adults. We are also not planning to dine inside unless vaccinated. Our state is getting ready to move to 70+ so my husband would be covered but not me at 65+. I may do a beaches & cream just in case. I really don’t want to go, but losing 300+ DVC points is pushing me. We will not rent. Ugh. Good luck.

We are in the same boat. We have an april trip planned but won't go without a vaccine. I am supposed to be there now but we had to cancel that trip. Our use year ends 1 February, and I had about 160 points left. I rented out about 40 and logged in one day to find that disney magically moved the rest of my points to next year. I was so shocked I had to call to confirm it wasn't an error.

Anyway, we are deciding if it is worth making ADRs as well. We usually like the character meals, two birds with one stone and all, but the ones we really love closed and the others modified so I just don't know now. We will be there for my daughter's 10th birthday and would like to do T-Rex cafe on her birthday. Might try topolino for breakfast before Epcot one day. Other than that no ideas.

 

[LovesTimone]

Yes do some ADR's, and mix it up..

Sitting down and having a meal, is so nice - gives you a chance to take off the mask, and do something normal that you enjoy, get some air conditioning... Disney is doing a great job... I would give it a chance...

We are locals and heading into MK shortly and having a early dinner at Tonys tonight...

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think you need to try to organize and make plans since it is so different and want you to avoid disappointment.

 

[Dakota731]

We will do some counter and some table service and I will reserve what I can. If dining plan is available I’ll purchase, and if not it will give me a chance to see which method is cheaper for me! For those who have made 60 day reservations are they harder to get now than the 180 days of old?

 

[ksw5261]

Just back from a trip to the parks for 5 days (with just my boyfriend and I, our experience could be much different than others) We usually packed a lunch with groceries we picked up at Aldi. Things like granola bars, PB&J, conduct sandwiches, and other snacks. This gave us a little bit more flexibility for when we wanted to eat, like if lines got too long or if we just wanted to sit down and take a mask break. We usually ate dinner at either quick service or had reservations. Reservations for odd times (like a late lunch or dinner) are a little bit easier to come by, so if you don't mind being flexible it is pretty common to find reservations just a day or two before!

 

[kristennn]

Thanks guys. I am just not sure where I even want to make reservations for honestly, a lot of the places we went to before were buffet, or places designed to make the most of our dining plan credits. I guess this is the time to try restaurant that are good table service value. We will have nine for the trip = but part of the time we will only have 5. Im just not feeling excited about this trip the way I normally would. One of my close friends went in November and it kind of sounded like a bummer.

 

[kristennn]

I think you need to try to organize and make plans since it is so different and want you to avoid disappointment.
Assuming you have a car...
First familiarize yourself with the closest grocery and quick service options near your resort. For instance, Nearby Kissimee has a good side and a not so good ... I kinda think the Publix in Celebration as a good central location . Celebration does have a Panera and 5 Guys and PeiWei , ChikFilA(crazy busy) etc... Also like the Target nearer the AK side, if that makes sense. Across street from that Target is a lot of fast food choices. Recommend Tortilla Flats and new Cheddars . Culver’s slightly further drive also very popular.
Hoping you plan to arrive early at theme parks with mid day break back to your condo. Then decide if you want to return for evening.
Don’t forget to have your daily park entry dates reserved.
You can also make tentative dining reservations for a break with option to cancel before midnight ...
Also plan to factor the parking lot with entry times and remember No Tram Service currently creating long walks from car to turnstiles along with temp check lines...and security .
Also remember to study the dining, quick service and snack cart options including The Disney Springs . Nothing is worse than trying to read & scan the menu in front of the restaurant at the last moment.
You will not be able to enter until your phone alert states Ready for pickup... frustrating for one multiplied by your group of 9 !!! Good luck.
Also suggest knowing where the designated Mask free zones are for your daily plans in case you need a break .
I can make more suggestions. Haha

We always go for rope drop. With the parks closing so early, and not being on site, I dont think we will be going back to the hotel for an afternoon break. A lot of the parks are only even open til 7.

 

[robl45]

Thanks guys. I am just not sure where I even want to make reservations for honestly, a lot of the places we went to before were buffet, or places designed to make the most of our dining plan credits. I guess this is the time to try restaurant that are good table service value. We will have nine for the trip = but part of the time we will only have 5. Im just not feeling excited about this trip the way I normally would. One of my close friends went in November and it kind of sounded like a bummer.

I am making them tomorrow but think its probably a waste. I always did dining plan and did the character meals for the kids. Kids aren't so little anymore 10 and 12 but they still like it. Unfortunately the prices are skyhigh without the dining plan for character dining and really doesn't make sense when the characters aren't available for pictures. I'm booking cheaper restaurants since I used to go to the expensive ones because of the dining plan. Will we eat at them, I don't know, I'm thinking we do a trip similar to universal where we just eat what we want at quick service or even skip meals and just have some snacks instead. We never got to eat at 50's prime time cafe because it was a waste with the dining plan so we will try that out and see how it is.

 

[LolaNJoe]

We are heading out soon and we are not using any park time for sit down ADRs. Since the parks close so early, mostly just around dinnertime, we tend to grab a snack for breakfast at the condo in the morning, snacks and quick service during the day, and dinner at Disney Springs that night.

 

[TinkSassy]

I’m going about the same time. I did 2 ADRs but not sure if I will keep both. I don’t intend to eat indoors - so one is WBG that I know has outdoor seating and the other is one I’m struggling with as I want to eat at the Brown Derby but they are not serving food at the outdoor lounge. I may cancel that one. I know my CS options and will use those for outdoor options.