Trying to decide my TS meals...please help

[loveDmouse]

We will be in Disney second week in December for 6 nights/7days. I have a list of where I would like to try some are 100% sure others not sure. Any opinions are appreciated. We are using the dining plan. 2 adults, no kids (our kids have 4 legs and fur)

Here they are:
100% sure, I think =)
LeCellier-Epcot- lunch or dinner?
Liberty Tree Tavern-MK character dinner
Capt N Jacks-DTD dinner? ( I like the idea of not being able to make a ADR cause I kinda hate having to make all these ADRs, feel like being pinned down to a strict schedule, and I have heard good food, including lobster)
50's Primetime Cafe-MGM lunch or dinner?
Whispering Canyon Cafe (WL-where we are staying)- b,l or d?

Not 100% sure about:
Concourse Steakhouse-Contemporary- dinner
The Garden Grill-Epcot- lunch or dinnner? (have eaten here before and really liked it-2001)
Coral Reef-Epcot-lunch or dinner? (also eaten here before and liked)

Had thought about Boma but then realized by looking at some of the reviews and closer at the menu that I am too picky of eater to try it.
Don't know if we should avoid ones we have done to try new ones?
Please help. Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Since you're on the dining plan, I wouldn't use any TS for lunch since dinner is more expensive. We finished our planning a couple of weeks ago and it turned out that our no reservation required WCC turned out to be a reservation required place. As for quality of the food, can't help you there as we haven't been to WDW since 1994.

 

[loveDmouse]

I figure I will need to make my ADRs for everywhere except the Capt N Jacks in DTD which does not accept them. Sounds like you really need them if there are places you really want to eat at.
Thanks for the advice about the TS for dinner only. I was thinking that would be the best use of the TS credits since dinner will be more expensive. Although a few of the places lunch would get us our $ worth as well.
Thanks. Hope you have a wonderful trip to WDW.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I hope you enjoy yours as well. We've gone to Disneyland many times for Christmas and it's wonderful. I would love to do WDW sometime, but on the west coast it can be a bit tricky. I would also make your reservations as early as you can. We were able to get into every place we wanted to, but had to juggle some nights. We're very fortunate especially since I've seen some people who were unable to get reservations for the same restaurants that we'll be at during the same time as we'll be there.

Looks like your family has similar tastes since we'll also be at Le Cellier, Liberty Tree, and WCC. We ate at 50s Prime Time in '94, but I don't remember much about it except the food was better than Sci-Fi.

 

[loveDmouse]

I can't wait to see WDW decorated up for Christmas. I hear it is wonderful and some people say they can't imagine going any other time.
I saw it on the Travel Channel over the holidays and said we have to go.
Those rests. I picked all look good to me. I can't wait to try LeCellier. I just need to narrow down the other few. I plan on making my ADRs as soon as I am able to. I still have until June but I am a little crazy over this planning stuff. I would rather have it figured out now.
Thanks again.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

It is great seeing Disney decked out for Christmas. Sleeping Beauty Castle has garland and wreaths on it, the park has a huge, beautiful tree(decked out in golden ornaments for the 50th this year), and the characters all usually wear Christmas themed costumes. Kids can even visit Santa Goofy at DL's Toontown. I would love to see EPCOT's Candlelight Processional sometime.

I know the meal planning can get stressful. My mom and I did all the meal planning for the family trip, which was complicated since I'm living out of state. I didn't even want to think about Disney Dining plans for a week after all the ADRs were made. That said, you will be glad you've done all this planning. When the ressies were made, both mom and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. We mapped out what days were recommended to visit what parks and tried to map our meals out by that guide since most of ours were in parks or nearby. Here's the link from the Unofficial Guide's website for what days to hit what parks. This did complicate things, but at least we can minimize travel time and what not to make our meals on time. Besides that, now we don't have to worry about where we're going to eat. All we have to do is get there.

 

[clombardi]

Concourse is a fantastic meal! Very tasty and plenty of food. I like the relaxed atmosphere there, as well. Also, you don't feel like you are sitting on top of the people at the next table.

 

[loveDmouse]

Sleeping Jedi Beauty-I think all the planning will be worth it even though right now it makes me want to pull my hair out. =) Thanks for the link. I will check it out.

clombardi-thanks for letting me know about Concourse Steakhouse. I thought it would be nice being so close to WL and the menu looked good. Nice to know you aren't packed in there like sardines too.

All this thinking about food makes me hungry!!!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[twinsmamma]

We will be in Disney second week in December for 6 nights/7days. I have a list of where I would like to try some are 100% sure others not sure. Any opinions are appreciated. We are using the dining plan. 2 adults, no kids (our kids have 4 legs and fur)

Here they are:
100% sure, I think =)
LeCellier-Epcot- lunch or dinner?
Liberty Tree Tavern-MK character dinner
Capt N Jacks-DTD dinner? ( I like the idea of not being able to make a ADR cause I kinda hate having to make all these ADRs, feel like being pinned down to a strict schedule, and I have heard good food, including lobster)
50's Primetime Cafe-MGM lunch or dinner?
Whispering Canyon Cafe (WL-where we are staying)- b,l or d?

Not 100% sure about:
Concourse Steakhouse-Contemporary- dinner
The Garden Grill-Epcot- lunch or dinnner? (have eaten here before and really liked it-2001)
Coral Reef-Epcot-lunch or dinner? (also eaten here before and liked)

Had thought about Boma but then realized by looking at some of the reviews and closer at the menu that I am too picky of eater to try it.
Don't know if we should avoid ones we have done to try new ones?
Please help. Thanks!!!!!!

yes definately go to concourse great food and coolto watch the monorail going by as you eat.
the garden grill has changed their menu since 2001 so check it out on this site also i think coral reef has as well.
i also suggest using dinner for t/s because better deal. I would get a breakfast in magic say crystal palace before park opening just for the walking up main street with no one else there. g reat picture opportunities.
the italian rest in epcot is also very good table atlittle close but food is excellent, the shrimp pasta is wonderful. le cellier is also amazing did not like the cheese soup but I think I am in the minority there, way to many onions for me.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks Twinsmamma-I will stay away from that Cheese Soup then. Onions are not my friends, if you know what I mean. Thanks for the heads up.
I will plan on Concourse. Sounds great. The menus at the Coral Reef and Garden Grill looked good to me. I have too many so someone has to get eliminated just not sure who. How about Whispering Canyon Cafe? Is that one worth doing or should I pick Coral Reef or Garden Grill to take its place?

 

[loveDmouse]

I have been thinking about this a little more and wondering what you guys think.
Maybe we should drop Liberty Tree Tavern for one of the others?

I am 100% sure (I think) about:
LeCellier(Epcot)-dinner
Capt N Jacks(DTD)-dinner
Concourse Steakhouse(Contemporary)-dinner
50's Prime Time Cafe(MGM)-dinner

Not sure about:
LTT(MK)
Coral Reef (Epcot)
Garden Grill (Epcot)
I am leaning to Coral Reef and Garden Grill but then I have 3 places in Epcot to eat. I guess that isn't a big deal cause it won't be a big problem getting back there. I really liked both of them last time we were there.

Thanks for the help!

 

[loveDmouse]

What about Chef Mickeys? I have seen a lot of good reviews on that.
I am having a hard time picking the last few TS places.

 

[twinsmamma]

What about Chef Mickeys? I have seen a lot of good reviews on that.
I am having a hard time picking the last few TS places.

chef mickey's is fun and the food is good, great sundae bar. the character interaction was good but not sure if there is no kids. donald did keep on sneeking up on me and scaring me though and my DS'Sons 12 thought that this was great. also goofy and chip and dale had a tickle fight with my one son whos fav is goofy this made his trip.
never been to LTT or garden grill orcoral reef so cant comment on those.
The world is grat at xmas time i loved the decorations but it was alittle cold this year dont know if this is normal. had the wear hatsaand mits most nights, didn't stop my sons from swimming at the hotel at midnight most nights, burr.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I've heard really good things about Chef Mickey's. We'll be doing a breakfast there on the last day of our trip. If you eat at a character meal, the characters come and visit your table regardless of whether or not you have kids. For what it's worth, I know that LTT dinner is character(Goofy, Minnie, Chip & Dale), and I think Garden Grill is too(Chip & Dale). I don't know how many character meals you both want to do. My family has 3 scheduled for the trip, and two of them were chosen because of characters.

WCC gets good reviews and is famous for it's silliness. Waiters throw straws, bring you 20 bottles of ketchup, stage pony races around the room with diners and all sorts of fun stuff. After reading about the antics of the CMs and the reviews for the food there, I mentioned it to my family, and it came out of nowhere to be one of the reservations we made.

 

[loveDmouse]

The only character meal we did last time was Garden Grill. WCC sounds like lots of fun too. I don't think I should cut WCC from the list, besides it is right where we are staying so it would be very easy to get to. Chef Mickey sounds like fun, thought we could do that for breakfast. I would do that oop not on the plan. I would rather use the plan for the dinners which is the smarter way to get our $ worth.
I thought about it and look at it this way..... where I don't get to eat this time will be where I can eat next time. Another reason to plan a trip.
Who knew it could be so hard to choose where to eat. lol
Thanks for the opinions.

 

[maggiew]

Do you have plans on what park you are going to do on what days? Or how many times you will be in EPCOT for dinner? That could make a big difference on whether you pick LTT or Garden Grill, for example.

All of your choices sound good. My DH did not like WCC (my family couldn't wait to get out of there.) I loved the food and the fun atmosphere, but DH was mortified that he had to get up and do a Buttercup dance in front of the restaurant. He did get up, but he just stood there while all the other men did the dance. So, if you do not think your DH would like something like that, you might want to avoid it. I thought the family would think it was fun, but they didn't. Oh well. I am now avoiding 50s Prime Time for that same reason.

Le Cellier is good, especially if you like steak!!!!! I do not remember the cheese soup being onion-y??? Maybe someone else can comment. DH got the shrimp cocktail and really liked that.

I thought the food at LTT was good. It is typical Thanksgiving comfort food. YUM!! I would go back for the butter alone!! It was so good. We ate there before MVMCP. If you plan to go to MVMCP, it is nice to get an ADR there before the party starts.

I also enjoyed the food at Garden Grill. It was a little similar to LTT, so you could do one or the other?? The characters are different, but there is turkey and flank steak family style at both, I believe.

I haven't been to the other places, but we are thinking about trying Coral Reef and Concourse next trip. I hear that Coral Reef is a good place to use the dining plan and the aquarium view is nice.

Maggie

 

[Jerseygirl63]

When we go to Disney we always dined at the California Grill. It's two table service points but it's worth it and we pay cash for dinner somewhere on a different night. Some nights we don't feel llike eating a big meal so it works out great. If you are into sushi(which Im not) then you're in luck. Many diners rave over the fresh sushi selections. I LOVE the beef filet! My hubby love the fillet and the pork tenderlion as well. What's great about CG is you can walk over to the open kitchen and look at the different entrees and the chefs will answer all your questions. The view is fabulous and the service is top notch.

 

[loveDmouse]

There is no way my husband is going to get up and do a buttercup dance. Only way he would do that is if he had WAY too much to drink. lol How embarissing for your husband. What is a buttercup dance anyway?
They do that kind of stuff at 50's Primetime too? I don't mind a little fun but being forced to get up and do something silly is not my idea of fun.
I haven't really planned what parks for what days yet. We are not in any particular rush for things. I really want to see everything all decorated up. I thought Epcot would be easier to get to than say some of the other resorts. We will see the other resorts because I want to see their decorations but I don't want to be pinned down and rushing around to get to them for a meal time since I understand it can be hard to get around the different resorts.?
MAYBE I should leave a few open spots and try my luck at getting in to some of the resort rests???? I don't know. Good thing I have til June before I need to make my final decision and call for ADRs.
We were thinking about LTT because I thought about doing MVMCP but we decided we didn't really want to do that. Nothing else really appealed to me in MK for a TS.
I really appreciate everyones opinions and advice. THANKS!!!

 

[loveDmouse]

I haven't even looked at California Grill. I will take a look. I must admit I didn't because it takes 2 TS credits and I was trying to get ones with just 1 TS.

 

[kcashner]

The food at the Garden Grill has changed slightly (especially the desset)...several times over the last several years. It was good in December, and is a fun place. We like Liberty Tree and Chef Mickey's also (dinner). Rose and Crown at Epcot is good. Sci Fi Drive in is a lot of fun, as is 50s Prime Time Cafe.

Personally, with kids, I wouldn't waste the California Grill (2 TS credits). Good food, great view....but I'd do adults since service can be slow.

Character dinner at 1901 Park Fare is also good.