Would Love Some Dining Planning Help/Suggestions!

[Christine]

I'm in the middle of planning a family trip to WDW for this coming November (2-9). We have a group of 16 that consists of adults ranging from 81 years down to 25 years old, then two small children (ages 4 and 3). This is a big family trip (multigenerational) centered around my aunt (78) who has been being treated for cancer for a year. She is still well enough now and her daughter (my cousin) felt that now was the time to have a nice vacation and make some memories. I've been posting about this trip for a few months now and I've gotten so much help on various things. I am now at the point where I'm trying to finalize meals.

Except for one night, we are not all dining together. So realistically, I'm looking for ADRs for my aunt's primary family (party of 9) and I am good to go off on my own (party of 6 or 7).

My cousin is footing the bill for most of this trip for her family, so for EASE and CONVENIENCE ( stressing this due to the long-running DDP convenience thread), she is considering the DDP for 2 of her 3 rooms but she also does not want to get ripped off with it. She does have some drinkers in her party and she also has two picky adults (she is one of them) who are willing to go anywhere but may order plain chicken or steak or a burger. They have not been to WDW since the late 90s and are so overwhelmed with the details/changes/requirements that she just shut down on planning, so I am getting all this done for her and she is grateful. I am trying to keep in my that we also have these two very young children with us that may or may not be able to handle too much dining. So, with that, here is what I have so far. I've been overthinking this for them and I'm at a loss on many of these days, so any ideas would be wonderful. I'm also on the TP reservation finder for some things already.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL: Grand Floridian Resort is our hotel.

5:15: Dinner for 16 at Citricos. Do not want to use DDP for this as there is no value in using 2 credits. Plus we are having a custom cake done, so the desserts on the DDP would be a waste.​

​

DAY 2: MAGIC KINGDOM: (I think we're good this day!)

Breakfast: In room or Gasparillas (OOP)​

Lunch: QS at MK (use Dining Plan)​

Dinner: Chef Mickey's (use Dining Plan)​

​

DAY 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS for Young Adults in the party Six of them will go to Universal this day. My cousin and her DH and mother will keep the kids. We will all go to Disney Springs and then play mini-golf. It's hard to plan things meal-wise. Those on the DDP and going to Universal will likely not use any dining credits that day.

Breakfast: No plans (this could be a good day for a breakfast but I think after Chef Mickey's probably good to take it slow in the AM)​

Lunch: QS at Disney Springs (Polite Pig maybe)​

Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe (part of party uses DDP unless the Universal Group makes it back early then all will go and use DDP)​

MAY TRY TO HIT EPCOT around 7PM. Have FPs for Test Track but could skip the park altogether forcing us to go on our MVMCP day.​

​

DAY 4: ANIMAL KINGDOM - Here is where I need something. Can't think of what to do. All AK restaurants may be too "exotic" for them so feeling really undecided on this one. I like Sanaa or Boma but I think some of them will hate it. Young boys might like Sanaa but can't get ADR anyway. Any other ideas, doesn't have to be AK?

Breakfast - No Plans​

Lunch - QS at S'atuli Canteen​

Dinner - No Plans​

​

DAY 5: EPCOT

Breakfast: 'Ohana Character Breakfast (At $34, might be hard to get good value on DDP, but will work with booze!)​

Lunch: Snack around F&W festival​

Dinner: Need dinner plan here that's good for DDP? Can be anywhere.​

​

DAY 6: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - I don't think we will be a this park all that long.

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: QS​

Dinner: No plans​

​

DAY 7: MVMCP. No earlier park plans unless we don't use our passes on DAY 3. Cousin is planning to take her group to water park and then we have MVMCP starting at 4:00-ish.

​

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: Water park probably for them.​

Need very late lunch or early dinner before MVMCP​

​

I realize this is a lot to ask but if you've got some time and ideas today, I'd love to hear them!

 

[sharonabe]

AK dinner: both Tusker and Yak n Yeti have some selections for picky eaters. Tusker has characters for the kids.

EP dinner: Teppan Edo would be fun for the family. Coral Reef has the aquarium. Biergarten is a fun show, but may be too much food with F&W snacking.

HS: 50s Prime Time is down home food and the antics are fun.

MVMCP day. You do know you can get in the park at 4:00 with your ticket, right? I would be trying to find a place near MK for 3:30-4:30 time frame, so you can head on to MK as soon as you're finished eating.

As for the DDP, finalize where you have them eat and then do the math to see if it will be a good value.

 

[Christine]

AK dinner: both Tusker and Yak n Yeti have some selections for picky eaters. Tusker has characters for the kids.

EP dinner: Teppan Edo would be fun for the family. Coral Reef has the aquarium. Biergarten is a fun show, but may be too much food with F&W snacking.

HS: 50s Prime Time is down home food and the antics are fun.

MVMCP day. You do know you can get in the park at 4:00 with your ticket, right? I would be trying to find a place near MK for 3:30-4:30 time frame, so you can head on to MK as soon as you're finished eating.

As for the DDP, finalize where you have them eat and then do the math to see if it will be a good value.

sharonabe: thanks for the suggestions. You have been such a good resource for me!!

I keep looking at the AK restaurants and then thinking of my cousin's pickiness and getting discouraged, even though she told me not to worry. Also debating whether I will have too many character meals if I go with Tusker. I mean, they might be frightened; I have no way to know until we're there.

Teppan Edo is a good idea; I'll see what I can find there.

Yes for MVMCP I know about the 4PM entry (I think I mentioned that in my post). Now I need to see if something pops up for that time.

 

[chri3060]

DAY 4: ANIMAL KINGDOM -

Breakfast - No Plans​

Lunch - QS at S'atuli Canteen​

Dinner - No Plans​

​

DAY 5: EPCOT

Dinner: Need dinner plan here that's good for DDP? Can be anywhere.​

​

DAY 6: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - I don't think we will be a this park all that long.

Lunch: QS​

Dinner: No plans​

​

DAY 7: MVMCP. No earlier park plans unless we don't use our passes on DAY 3. Cousin is planning to take her group to water park and then we have MVMCP starting at 4:00-ish.

​

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: Water park probably for them.​

Need very late lunch or early dinner before MVMCP​

​

I realize this is a lot to ask but if you've got some time and ideas today, I'd love to hear them!

AK: Tusker House might be a good option, and use of a dining credit, for breakfast or dinner! It's a character meal buffet, and has a good balance of the exotic and more "normal" foods to suit everyone's different tastes. If S'atuli Canteen seems too out there for some of your group, Flame Tree BBQ is also an excellent use of a QS credit in AK.

EPCOT: DH and I love Rose & Crown for a TS meal. Garden Grill, another character meal, is a good use of 1 TS credit. Meals are served family style in platters, and the characters (Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale) come to you at the table. DH and I have found breakfast here, which is delicious, and the characters came to our table several times. The restaurant also slowly rotates during your meal, so as you eat, you see different scenes from Living with the Land!

HS: DH and I love Sci Fi Dine In. Eating in a car while at a drive in is such a cool experience! I think everyone in your group would love this. Another option would be to take the boat over to the Boardwalk area. There are several dining locations between the Boardwalk and the Yacht/Beach Club. If you have any seafood lovers, Cape May Café would be a great use of 1 TS credit for dinner!

MVMCP: Crystal Palace in MK, Kona Café at the Poly, or the Wave... of American Flavors, in the Contemporary might be good options for late lunch/early dinner. Crystal Palace is another good use of 1 TS credit as it is a character buffet. The Wave and Kona serve delicious food. Bonus is you can either walk from the Contemporary, or take the monorail from the Contemporary/Poly to MK after dinner for the party!

Edit: just saw your prior post about not knowing if you want to do that many Character meals. Sorry I included so many!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I'm in the middle of planning a family trip to WDW for this coming November (2-9). We have a group of 16 that consists of adults ranging from 81 years down to 25 years old, then two small children (ages 4 and 3). This is a big family trip (multigenerational) centered around my aunt (78) who has been being treated for cancer for a year. She is still well enough now and her daughter (my cousin) felt that now was the time to have a nice vacation and make some memories. I've been posting about this trip for a few months now and I've gotten so much help on various things. I am now at the point where I'm trying to finalize meals.

Except for one night, we are not all dining together. So realistically, I'm looking for ADRs for my aunt's primary family (party of 9) and I am good to go off on my own (party of 6 or 7).

My cousin is footing the bill for most of this trip for her family, so for EASE and CONVENIENCE ( stressing this due to the long-running DDP convenience thread), she is considering the DDP for 2 of her 3 rooms but she also does not want to get ripped off with it. She does have some drinkers in her party and she also has two picky adults (she is one of them) who are willing to go anywhere but may order plain chicken or steak or a burger. They have not been to WDW since the late 90s and are so overwhelmed with the details/changes/requirements that she just shut down on planning, so I am getting all this done for her and she is grateful. I am trying to keep in my that we also have these two very young children with us that may or may not be able to handle too much dining. So, with that, here is what I have so far. I've been overthinking this for them and I'm at a loss on many of these days, so any ideas would be wonderful. I'm also on the TP reservation finder for some things already.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL: Grand Floridian Resort is our hotel.

5:15: Dinner for 16 at Citricos. Do not want to use DDP for this as there is no value in using 2 credits. Plus we are having a custom cake done, so the desserts on the DDP would be a waste.​

​

DAY 2: MAGIC KINGDOM: (I think we're good this day!)

Breakfast: In room or Gasparillas (OOP)​

Lunch: QS at MK (use Dining Plan)​

Dinner: Chef Mickey's (use Dining Plan)​

​

DAY 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS for Young Adults in the party Six of them will go to Universal this day. My cousin and her DH and mother will keep the kids. We will all go to Disney Springs and then play mini-golf. It's hard to plan things meal-wise. Those on the DDP and going to Universal will likely not use any dining credits that day.

Breakfast: No plans (this could be a good day for a breakfast but I think after Chef Mickey's probably good to take it slow in the AM)​

Lunch: QS at Disney Springs (Polite Pig maybe)​

Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe (part of party uses DDP unless the Universal Group makes it back early then all will go and use DDP)​

MAY TRY TO HIT EPCOT around 7PM. Have FPs for Test Track but could skip the park altogether forcing us to go on our MVMCP day.​

​

DAY 4: ANIMAL KINGDOM - Here is where I need something. Can't think of what to do. All AK restaurants may be too "exotic" for them so feeling really undecided on this one. I like Sanaa or Boma but I think some of them will hate it. Young boys might like Sanaa but can't get ADR anyway. Any other ideas, doesn't have to be AK?

Breakfast - No Plans​

Lunch - QS at S'atuli Canteen​

Dinner - No Plans​

​

DAY 5: EPCOT

Breakfast: 'Ohana Character Breakfast (At $34, might be hard to get good value on DDP, but will work with booze!)​

Lunch: Snack around F&W festival​

Dinner: Need dinner plan here that's good for DDP? Can be anywhere.​

​

DAY 6: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - I don't think we will be a this park all that long.

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: QS​

Dinner: No plans​

​

DAY 7: MVMCP. No earlier park plans unless we don't use our passes on DAY 3. Cousin is planning to take her group to water park and then we have MVMCP starting at 4:00-ish.

​

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: Water park probably for them.​

Need very late lunch or early dinner before MVMCP​

​

I realize this is a lot to ask but if you've got some time and ideas today, I'd love to hear them!

Looking fine for days 1,2, and 3.

Day 4: Possibilities are Flametree BBQ, Yak and Yeti's QS and Mr. Harambe's QS which is a grouping of different counter service eateries with central seating. Any of the above could be good choices for lunch and dinner and will be able to accommodate seating w/o ADRs.

Day 5: So many choices at Epcot that it really depends on what cuisine the overall group would like. Nothing wrong with splitting up here either. Biergarten and TE should be able to seat a large group should you be able to get a reservation. Don't forget that Touring Plan's reservation finder is your friend and try looking for "off-times" to eat. Possible to get good value at VN as well. Stepping out of the park nearby, you have the various eateries at Boardwalk; check the menus and see what looks good as it's a nice place to wander around before and after your meal.

Day 6: I'd consider going back to DS for dinner since if I recall, it's close to your friend's hotel and not far for you either. RR is a possibility but again you've a lot of choices. At Disney Springs, you aren't limited to MDE to make ADRs, you can use opentable.com which is game changing for my sight.

Day 7: I'd eat at one of the monorail resorts for your MVMCP night. 'Ohana is a family favorite capable of seating large parties; as is the Wave.

HTH

ETA: I don't recall how many character meals you've booked but think about 3 is good for a 6/7 night tour; keeps the magic.
Also haven't done a count of your credits but after having done so you may well find it's less expensive to choose a different restaurant to eat OOP.

 

[siren0119]

Just a fair warning about your Epcot Food & Wine day - you may find that Ohana, F&W AND a sit down dinner are too much food for a day. Ohana breakfast is pretty big, and there's SO MUCH good food at the booths at F&W - when we were there last year we basically hit every booth between 12 and 7:30pm, snacked our way through and there is no way we could have done a sit down meal on top of tasting everything. That might be a night to plan a light dinner back at the hotel or somewhere you don't really need a reservation (Big River Grille & Brewing or ESPN at Boardwalk are both options that wouldn't require an ADR, and they're a short walk from Epcot).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

On your AK day, I would consider eating at Rainforest Cafe, perhaps on your way out of the park. It's cute and the food is not exotic at all.

At EP, consider Biergarten. Again, they have items on the buffet that would appeal to just about everyone, can accommodate large groups and the atmosphere is fun.

On your MVMCP day, I would consider having a late lunch at the Wave at CR (they stop serving at 2 pm) and simply walking to MK from there to get in line to enter at 4 pm.

 

[Nanceliz319]

AK--yak and yeti
Epcot--Teppan Edo (one of our favorites in all of Disney!)
HS---Sci Fi Diner

 

[Christine]

Thanks for the all suggestions everyone. I've tried many of these and ADRs are tough. Again, even splitting up this is difficult. But I've got the "finder" on for both of those websites.

Garden Grill is a big one for us to try to score, but no luck yet. Also trying hard for 50s and Sci Fi on certain days and so far, just absolutely shut out!

I was also worried about that Epcot day. *I* plan on snacking around the world. As for the others, I think the snacks might be too exotic for them so I don't know that they will partake all that much.

 

[What_13th_floor?]

Just a fair warning about your Epcot Food & Wine day - you may find that Ohana, F&W AND a sit down dinner are too much food for a day. Ohana breakfast is pretty big, and there's SO MUCH good food at the booths at F&W - when we were there last year we basically hit every booth between 12 and 7:30pm, snacked our way through and there is no way we could have done a sit down meal on top of tasting everything. That might be a night to plan a light dinner back at the hotel or somewhere you don't really need a reservation (Big River Grille & Brewing or ESPN at Boardwalk are both options that wouldn't require an ADR, and they're a short walk from Epcot).

This! On our last trip we tried to use DDP credits on a few signature meals (Hopp Dee Doo and Cinderella's Royal Table BF) to allow us less time eating and more time doing. WDW as a whole has gotten to the point where even with 8 days you still may not see everything. The other side of that coin is how filling some meals are. We had the Kitchen Sink from Beaches and Cream (split between 4 adults and 2 kids) and we used 2 QS credits between my wife and I and our two kids and only 2 of our snack credits to whole rest of the day!

Thanks for the all suggestions everyone. I've tried many of these and ADRs are tough. Again, even splitting up this is difficult. But I've got the "finder" on for both of those websites.

Garden Grill is a big one for us to try to score, but no luck yet. Also trying hard for 50s and Sci Fi on certain days and so far, just absolutely shut out!

I was also worried about that Epcot day. *I* plan on snacking around the world. As for the others, I think the snacks might be too exotic for them so I don't know that they will partake all that much.

We had a party of 8 with my MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL along with us. We knew my FIL was not an adventurous eater but expected our BIL and SIL to be more adventurous as us (which is not much but we do not consider too much of the food as Disney that adventurous). They ended up with more snack credits then they could use in the end because they just did not use them. Good thing it was free Dining!

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm in the middle of planning a family trip to WDW for this coming November (2-9). We have a group of 16 that consists of adults ranging from 81 years down to 25 years old, then two small children (ages 4 and 3). This is a big family trip (multigenerational) centered around my aunt (78) who has been being treated for cancer for a year. She is still well enough now and her daughter (my cousin) felt that now was the time to have a nice vacation and make some memories. I've been posting about this trip for a few months now and I've gotten so much help on various things. I am now at the point where I'm trying to finalize meals.

Except for one night, we are not all dining together. So realistically, I'm looking for ADRs for my aunt's primary family (party of 9) and I am good to go off on my own (party of 6 or 7).

My cousin is footing the bill for most of this trip for her family, so for EASE and CONVENIENCE ( stressing this due to the long-running DDP convenience thread), she is considering the DDP for 2 of her 3 rooms but she also does not want to get ripped off with it. She does have some drinkers in her party and she also has two picky adults (she is one of them) who are willing to go anywhere but may order plain chicken or steak or a burger. They have not been to WDW since the late 90s and are so overwhelmed with the details/changes/requirements that she just shut down on planning, so I am getting all this done for her and she is grateful. I am trying to keep in my that we also have these two very young children with us that may or may not be able to handle too much dining. So, with that, here is what I have so far. I've been overthinking this for them and I'm at a loss on many of these days, so any ideas would be wonderful. I'm also on the TP reservation finder for some things already.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL: Grand Floridian Resort is our hotel.

5:15: Dinner for 16 at Citricos. Do not want to use DDP for this as there is no value in using 2 credits. Plus we are having a custom cake done, so the desserts on the DDP would be a waste.​

​

DAY 2: MAGIC KINGDOM: (I think we're good this day!)

Breakfast: In room or Gasparillas (OOP)​

Lunch: QS at MK (use Dining Plan)​

Dinner: Chef Mickey's (use Dining Plan)​

​

DAY 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS for Young Adults in the party Six of them will go to Universal this day. My cousin and her DH and mother will keep the kids. We will all go to Disney Springs and then play mini-golf. It's hard to plan things meal-wise. Those on the DDP and going to Universal will likely not use any dining credits that day.

Breakfast: No plans (this could be a good day for a breakfast but I think after Chef Mickey's probably good to take it slow in the AM)​

Lunch: QS at Disney Springs (Polite Pig maybe)​

Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe (part of party uses DDP unless the Universal Group makes it back early then all will go and use DDP)​

MAY TRY TO HIT EPCOT around 7PM. Have FPs for Test Track but could skip the park altogether forcing us to go on our MVMCP day.​

​

DAY 4: ANIMAL KINGDOM - Here is where I need something. Can't think of what to do. All AK restaurants may be too "exotic" for them so feeling really undecided on this one. I like Sanaa or Boma but I think some of them will hate it. Young boys might like Sanaa but can't get ADR anyway. Any other ideas, doesn't have to be AK?

Breakfast - No Plans​

Lunch - QS at S'atuli Canteen​

Dinner - No Plans​

​

DAY 5: EPCOT

Breakfast: 'Ohana Character Breakfast (At $34, might be hard to get good value on DDP, but will work with booze!)​

Lunch: Snack around F&W festival​

Dinner: Need dinner plan here that's good for DDP? Can be anywhere.​

​

DAY 6: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - I don't think we will be a this park all that long.

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: QS​

Dinner: No plans​

​

DAY 7: MVMCP. No earlier park plans unless we don't use our passes on DAY 3. Cousin is planning to take her group to water park and then we have MVMCP starting at 4:00-ish.

​

Breakfast: No plans (hotel)​

Lunch: Water park probably for them.​

Need very late lunch or early dinner before MVMCP​

​

I realize this is a lot to ask but if you've got some time and ideas today, I'd love to hear them!

I was concerned about booking ADR's at this date, but if you all are splitting up a bit you should find hat you need.

In DAK we like Flame tree BBQ. There is always plenty of seats available and the food is good. I was also looking at Burgers and Sundaes at REstaurantasaurus. I don't knwo if they take ADR's, I cant find them and would love to book it in advance if possible on our DAK day.
.
I like Garden Grill, any meal. It may be a tough one to get but is sure is worth it.

On MVMCP try Grand Floridain Cafe if you want dinner before going into the park.

 

[Christine]

I was concerned about booking ADR's at this date, but if you all are splitting up a bit you should find hat you need.

In DAK we like Flame tree BBQ. There is always plenty of seats available and the food is good. I was also looking at Burgers and Sundaes at REstaurantasaurus. I don't knwo if they take ADR's, I cant find them and would love to book it in advance if possible on our DAK day.
.
I like Garden Grill, any meal. It may be a tough one to get but is sure is worth it.

On MVMCP try Grand Floridain Cafe if you want dinner before going into the park.

Even with the split parties, it's proving to be tough at this point. I may be doing a lot of last minute changes when the trip comes as everyone else makes their changes. I managed to get The Wave for one night. We're already at the Grand Floridian Cafe on one evening. But I did an ADR search of everything on our MVMCP night (looking for something in the 3:00-4:00 timeframe). There's really nothing available unless I want to do a park admission (which I won't have) to some place in Epcot like Biergarten. It might just be a late lunch at QS Disney Springs and I won't have a table service dinner that day. Then I need to find a TS breakfast if on the dining plan.

 

[Nancyg56]

Even with the split parties, it's proving to be tough at this point. I may be doing a lot of last minute changes when the trip comes as everyone else makes their changes. I managed to get The Wave for one night. We're already at the Grand Floridian Cafe on one evening. But I did an ADR search of everything on our MVMCP night (looking for something in the 3:00-4:00 timeframe). There's really nothing available unless I want to do a park admission (which I won't have) to some place in Epcot like Biergarten. It might just be a late lunch at QS Disney Springs and I won't have a table service dinner that day. Then I need to find a TS breakfast if on the dining plan.

Honestly, QS that day might be a better option, and keep your breakfast for a different day. Trying to corral that many people for dinner on a party night, even if you split the parties up, can be problematic. Some of the resorts off of the beaten path may be a choice, but do you want to travel? I would not. Gasparillas is a nice CS meal, and lets you just relax until you eat, and then head to the party. Keep looking though. Tony's may open.

For breakfast (and dinner) the choices will open up as you draw closer to the 30 day mark. Keep checking because the packages need to be paid in full by 30 days out, so folks who were on the fence will cancel. At 60 days there will be more openings as well becuase people who are holding multiple ADR"s until after they book the fast passes will let the extra go.

I liek 1900 Park Fare and 'Ohana for breakfast. Both are fun, have characters, and did I mention fun? I also love The Plaza for breakfast, however I woudlnot hold hope all of you could get in there.