What changes would you make?

[Shoshana]

We should arrive at WL on Saturday, December 13 by noon (flight lands at 9:30). I have too many ADRs booked and am not sure about a couple of them. We have park hoppers (for the first time). We like to spend most of our time at MK, we rope drop and we're not late night people. I'd love your advice!

Sat 12/13 4:00p (2) Hoop-de-doo (first time)
Sun 12/14 8:15p Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise (first time)
Mon 12/15 3:15p (2) Hollywood Brown Derby w/Fantasmic (first time at HS, really want to see Osborne lights, not so sure about Fantasmic, we weren't crazy about Illuminations).
Tue 12/16 7:45a (1) 'Ohana (dd loves Lilo)
Wed 12/17 7:00p (1) 1900 Park Fare (a favorite)
Thu 12/18 1:30p (1) Plaza Restaurant (first time, planned to pay OOP)
Fri 12/19 4:00p (2) Teppan Edo Candlelight Processional (first time for both)
Sat 12/20 3:30p (1) Akerhsus (a favorite)

We have an 8-day package so we're two over.
--Canceling Brown Derby would solve the problem and then I wouldn't have to pay OOP for Plaza Restaurant.
-- I could cancel Plaza, though I think it would be nice to relax there before the afternoon parade. It would be a good choice to pay OOP.
-- If I keep all of these (good grief) which other one should I pay OOP?

Any ideas are welcome! TIA!

 

[figment_jii]

How many nights are you staying? Dining plan credits are based on nights (not days). So if you're staying for 8-nights, then you have 8 TS credits, but if you're only staying for 7-nights, you would only have 7 TS credits.

 

[Shoshana]

Oh, I'm sorry for being unclear. We are staying 8 nights.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Consider paying for the 'Ohana breakfast OOP. Breakfasts are generally less expensive and the character breakfast price is fixed so you will know exactly what amount you will be paying- vs a restaurant where you order a la carte.

 

[figment_jii]

With the exception of the Plaza Inn, all of the venues you've selected are either buffets or fixed priced meals. Looking at the costs of the 1 TS locations ('Ohana breakfast, 1900PF dinner, and Akershus lunch), I think 'Ohana for breakfast is likely to be the least expensive (around $30). So I would opt to pay OOP for the Plaza Inn and 'Ohana (breakfast) and use DDP credits for the other meals.

 

[purple figment]

Scheduling a dinner show on arrival day is risky because the no show penalty is the full cost of the meal at Hoop De Doo. Traveling in December you're depending on everything going smoothly including the weather, although mechanical and other problems can occur at any time. While the weather at your airport could be fine, delays and cancellations can happen if there is bad weather elsewhere. While I've been willing to take a chance and booked a regular reservation with just the $10 per person no show penalty on arrival day, I would not book something as expensive as Hoop De Doo.

Of the reservations you currently have, Plaza and 'Ohana breakfast are probably the least expensive. Here's a thread with the prices for the fixed price buffets, family style meals, etc so that you can compare:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3108466

 

[Shoshana]

Thanks for your replies.

I never even thought about the risk of missing Hoop-de-doo. That's an easy fix. I'll cancel it and we'll go to the Fort for Chip & Dale's sing-a-long. It will save the two table service credits I was over!

Thank you again!!

 

[Roobear77]

Scheduling a dinner show on arrival day is risky because the no show penalty is the full cost of the meal at Hoop De Doo. Traveling in December you're depending on everything going smoothly including the weather, although mechanical and other problems can occur at any time. While the weather at your airport could be fine, delays and cancellations can happen if there is bad weather elsewhere. While I've been willing to take a chance and booked a regular reservation with just the $10 per person no show penalty on arrival day, I would not book something as expensive as Hoop De Doo.

This was not our experience, but it may just be we had a great CM on the phone Our 6 am flight was delayed over 12 hours last August, and we had a reservation for 10 people at HDDR for that evening. I called around 10 am that morning and told the CM our situation and she cancelled the reservation and refunded the whole cost, no penalty at all.