When is free dining over?

[mollybeasley]

I don't know where else to look for this. I'm not staying at a Disney resort, and it sounds like the free dining promotion will affect my ability to get reservations. We're arriving December 13th. Is Free Dining going on then? If so, would I be better off eating off site?

 

[Nadjalu]

Free Dining is in affect Dec 10-21 of 2010 I believe. So yes your vacay is during a promo period.

Can you get adrs anywhere? Have you looked? Did you research menus to see where you would like to eat?

If not, then you may want to schedule some off property meals, if you are staying off property.

You can make ressies now if you would like, but you will be limited on where. Most people have had their adrs months ago.

Good luck.

Free dining is in affect (for certain dates) all the way thru Sept 2011. You can find this info on disneyworld.com under the special offers. (see all offers)

 

[mollybeasley]

Thanks for the info. No, I haven't even tried to make reservations yet because we don't know where we want to be each day. Plus, reading this board, it doesn't seem likely we'll have a lot of choices if we want to eat on property. We weren't thrilled with the restaurants we tried last time (though the kids loved the character b'fast we had).

This was sort of a last minute trip. We received a bonus week from Interval International and who could say no to that! We're staying off site and we have a full kitchen so we'll cook a few nights and eat lots of salad. The parks aren't open very late this time of year, so we won't mind eating after we leave the property. My main concern is Epcot since we'll be there the longest. The women in the group want to avoid big meals, but DH likes a full dinner.

 

[Nadjalu]

Epcot has many many choices. Is there a chance just you and your husband could do an alone dinner for a couple hours and meet back up with the group? That would be nice.

Not sure of his tastes, but Coral Reef is good, San Angel Inn is wonderful. Obviously the unicorn...LeCellier is great. But I hear wonderful things about Japan and France restaurants as well.
There is a character buffet Garden Grove (or Garden Grill) in Epcot that is usually not booked. You may want to look into that one. (the restaurant is in the land Pavillion in Future World, when you look for it).

 

[mollybeasley]

Epcot has many many choices. Is there a chance just you and your husband could do an alone dinner for a couple hours and meet back up with the group? That would be nice.

Not sure of his tastes, but Coral Reef is good, San Angel Inn is wonderful. Obviously the unicorn...LeCellier is great. But I hear wonderful things about Japan and France restaurants as well.
There is a character buffet Garden Grove (or Garden Grill) in Epcot that is usually not booked. You may want to look into that one. (the restaurant is in the land Pavillion in Future World, when you look for it).

The Coral Reef would be great since it's in a pavilion we expect to love. If we don't have reservation, can one person stay on line while the rest watch the tanks in the Sea Pavilion (or visit Crush). One person is a vegetarian and I'll bet the Land Pavilion would be most likely to please him. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Colleen27]

This was sort of a last minute trip. We received a bonus week from Interval International and who could say no to that! We're staying off site and we have a full kitchen so we'll cook a few nights and eat lots of salad. The parks aren't open very late this time of year, so we won't mind eating after we leave the property. My main concern is Epcot since we'll be there the longest. The women in the group want to avoid big meals, but DH likes a full dinner.

Epcot is probably the easiest park to get last minute ADRs or walk-ups, because of the number of restaurants, but you might have to be a little flexible about times and willing to try (Disneyfied, Americanized) ethnic foods.

As far as a balance between lighter meals and a full dinner for your DH, the ladies can always order appetizer/dessert and skip the entree or share an entree.

 

[Nadjalu]

The Coral Reef would be great since it's in a pavilion we expect to love. If we don't have reservation, can one person stay on line while the rest watch the tanks in the Sea Pavilion (or visit Crush). One person is a vegetarian and I'll bet the Land Pavilion would be most likely to please him. Thanks for the suggestions.

Ok, a bit confused.

Coral Reef is NOT in the Land Pavillion. It is by the Living Seas section, which is by the land pavillion. Just making sure you understood me.

Now if you are asking if 1 person stand in line (where???) while the others enjoy the tanks??
Do you mean can 1 person go check for a reservation at the restaurant and wait until called?
If so, no. If you are able to be on the "stand by" wait for a table, the whole party has to wait. Whether it is 10 mins or 2 hours.

Now the restaurant in the Land Pavillion is the Garden Grill . Same with that place. Everyone has to wait together.

 

[TDC Nala]

The restaurant is not near the public area with the fish tanks. You'll need to have the whole party with you to be seated.