Which meal should we pay OOP?

[mickey mommy]

We've got the ADR's made and I don't want to change anything around now and I don't think I could if I tried! Anyway, we are doing Hoop Dee Do so we have to pay OOP for one meal and we are trying to decide which would be best. Here's what we've got lined up:

8/13 Le Cellier
8/14 50's Prime Time
8/15 Crystal Palace
8/16 Cap'n Jacks (definitely want the lobster!)
8/17 Hoop Dee Doo
8/18 Whispering Canyon

I know there are many options, sharing, etc, in order to spread out the TS but I don't want to have to make the kids share. I think it would be easier just to flat out pay for one meal for all of us and be done with trying to figure out what we've got left. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Diehl2229]

Your in the same jam I'm in We are going to the Poly Luau and we decided to pay OOP for the Kona Cafe. Not sure if that was the right move But were going to the Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey, Luau, Kona Cafe, Le Cellier, and Alfredo's in Epcot. Any advise?

 

[CarolA]

If it were me I would front load my use and plan to pay OOP for WC for example. That way if you don't make one or two of these you don't wind up with something left at the end. (And while I know lots of folks do, things happen.. kids don't feel well, you don't want to eat that much food AGAIN etc.)

 

[LadyOmega]

To both of you, I would suggest paying OOP for one of the buffets. Since they are set prices, you'll know how much to expect to pay, and if you pay DDP with the others, you won't be worrying about how expensive an item is, and pretty much get whatever you want regardless of price.

 

[mytwotinks]

To both of you, I would suggest paying OOP for one of the buffets. Since they are set prices, you'll know how much to expect to pay, and if you pay DDP with the others, you won't be worrying about how expensive an item is, and pretty much get whatever you want regardless of price.

This is what I am planning on doing. I am going to leave it for one of the ones at the end though like the earlier poster said. In case we miss a meal. Sometimes you just don't feel like eating or maybe even one of us won't so we maybe won't have to pay for the whole thing! I'd hate to pay early on and then leave with unused credits.

 

[Hannathy]

Looking at the menus I planned on paying for 50's prime time. (we are doing what you are and will be one short) The most expensive item there is about what the buffets charge most are a lot less. We probably won't be getting appetizers there and with desserts all week may not need it that night or could share

 

[RangerPooh]

I would pay OOP for WCC. The meals are reasonably priced, and fairly inexpensive in my book. This is one that we plan to pay OOP on our trip next week.

 

[Diehl2229]

To both of you, I would suggest paying OOP for one of the buffets. Since they are set prices, you'll know how much to expect to pay, and if you pay DDP with the others, you won't be worrying about how expensive an item is, and pretty much get whatever you want regardless of price.

Thanks I think that is the way I will do it

 

[Ms.Mouse]

We are going to places like Alfredo's, Raglan Rd, GF Cafe, Chefs de France, Flying Fish and decided to pay OOP for 50's PT because it's the cheapest to do it with... If you go on Allears and search the menus of the places you're going, you want to (of course) compare and pay OOP for the cheapest meal!!!

 

[jenjersnap]

I am paying OOP for WCC myself. Here's the method to my madness: if we were paying OOP, we don't need for ALL of us to order appy, entree and dessert anyway so it would be cheaper. Their appetizers and desserts don't thrill me anyway, so I think we'll order entrees and milkshakes only.

I agree with the advice of going to the allearsnet.com menus and getting an idea what you'd order from other 50s or WCC. Compare that in cost to CP and go from there.

 

[travelitis]

First go read the menus for 50's PT and WCC. The servings are big, and you'll want to save room for dessert at 50's PT.

I'd pay OOP at 50's PT or WCC. The buffets are always more expensive for us than the ala carte menus. My dh and I split the fried chicken and mashed potatoes and a Dad's (not super anymore) Sundae last week at 50's PT. He thought he was going to need more food, but by the time he had dessert, he was filled to the gills. Disney buffets cost us more than ala carte without exception.

 

[Stacerita]

I agree with those posters who say to use your credits at the front of your trip and then pay OOP for whats left at the end. You may end up with extra credits for the last meal. This way you know for sure your credits wont go to waste.

 

[LBelle]

For us, we find that there is ALWAYS way too much food, with being allowed an appetizer, entree and dessert, per person!!! We never order that amount of food outside of the WDW Dining Plan!!

With that in mind, we think it best to pay OOP for these meals, albeit the more reasonably priced ones, of course. At the buffet/family-served meals you have a choice as to how much you all want to eat. Of course, that is also true with Le Cellier, 50's Prime Time, WCC, etc. BUT we would choose, in your case, WCC, as it is not too $$$ and we would likely order only 2 entrees with, say, 1 appetizer/salad (if needed), etc. to be shared by the 3 of us. I really don't feel the need to eat any MORE than I would on any regular day at home, so sharing with DS10 and both of us stealing from DH's meal would suffice!! No, it wouldn't be the most $$$ choice on the menu (check them beforehand) but when I've compared for us how it would be best I've found that we could easily eat a good dinner for the price of 2 dinner buffets. With the buffets, 3 people = 3 x $25 (on average) so there is no choice re. cost. I'm also the 'buffet establishments dream customer'...go up for 1 serving and maybe a little dessert...not worth it for us to pay that much $$ for eating that little.

I guess it would depend on how each family chooses to eat, bigger eaters or not, etc.

 

[Fabooliss]

Edit:
Oops... sorry didn't read the original post closely enough. I didn't realize that the OP had already made ADRs.
Never mind.

 

[dianemb]

Last trip we paid OOP for our lunch at Coral Reef. Of course there we only ate the meal, no appetizer or dessert. I would also think about leaving a meal towards the end of your trip to pay for. You certainly don't want to have a TS left over. (PS Bravo for you not wanting to go through the hassel of sharing meal credits ect.)

 

[mom2my3kids]

Here are our ADR's

O'Hana's
50's Prime Time
Lecellier
Chef Mickeys
CS meal as dinner on MNSSHP night

Our our of pocket meal will be Beaches and Cream for a early dinner..

 

[married@wdw]

I didn't read the responses, but I would just wait and see -- if you find a meal where your family isn't very hungry, order light and pay OOP. If you get to the last meal and you haven't paid OOP yet, do it then.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

First go read the menus for 50's PT and WCC. The servings are big, and you'll want to save room for dessert at 50's PT.

.

FYI, this post seems to indicate portions at 50's PT are decreasing to accomidate the DDP, at least the desserts. Not enough to worry DDP users but it may hurt OOP and DDE users.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1185460

 

[Cool-Beans]

You pay between $30-$40 for each TS credit, right? If I'm wrong, skip the rest.

Hoop-Dee-Doo requires two credits, so you'll end up paying over $60 per person. If you pay for that yourself, you'll spend $50.

I'm voting pay for Hoop-Dee-Doo. You'll save money and get an extra meal out of the deal.

 

[disneyde]

if your crystal palace ADR is for breakfast buffett I would especially vote for paying for this one oop.