Wwyd?

[my2boyz]

Have decided that we are going to book a trip to DW late Nov to Dec 2nd. There are 2 options as far as special offers. 1 is a % off the Polynesian hotel and the other is free dining plan. The difference in price is 475.04. Now it seems to make sense that getting the meal plan would best but the problem is that since this was a last min trip there are little reservations available that work with our days we are there. Would you risk not getting any reservations or any walk ups and still get meal plan ( is it still worth it just using up snacks and quick service) or would you opt for the room savings? Do many reservations open up for these retaurants: Ohana Breakfast, Kona Dinner, Le Cellier?
Thanks for any insight!

 

[Cafeen]

Have decided that we are going to book a trip to DW late Nov to Dec 2nd. There are 2 options as far as special offers. 1 is a % off the Polynesian hotel and the other is free dining plan. The difference in price is 475.04. Now it seems to make sense that getting the meal plan would best but the problem is that since this was a last min trip there are little reservations available that work with our days we are there. Would you risk not getting any reservations or any walk ups and still get meal plan ( is it still worth it just using up snacks and quick service) or would you opt for the room savings? Do many reservations open up for these retaurants: Ohana Breakfast, Kona Dinner, Le Cellier?
Thanks for any insight!

What is the make up of the party? Remember that if you take a room discount, you can still pay for the dining plan to be added to the reservation. For deluxe's with less than 4 "adults" this typically works out to be cheaper than the free dining promotion.

As far as the last bit, Kona is a possibility, but the other two are usually packed pretty tight.

Depending again on the party make up, I'd book the Room Discount and add the dining plan (paying OOP for it) and then start making reservations. If you find you can get them all by a week* out, drop the dining plan and any restaurants you don't feel like paying OOP for.

*I say a week, but the Disney policy is 3 days. So there's some leeway in there. It would just suck to miss the deadline and be stuck .

 

[ScoJo15]

What about checking out some places that you haven't been? I don't know your WDW history, but there are definitely many places on the level of and better experiences than the three you mentioned (Le Cellier is way overrated IMO). Or maybe most of those are booked too?

It's an awesome thing about WDW...there are SO many great places to eat.

Just a thought

 

[Cafeen]

Le Cellier is way overrated IMO

While I do enjoy Le Cellier, I agree with this. The filet is even more so overrated. I had it this year after 2 years of NY Strip. I'll get the strip again next time.

 

[Pugrpooh]

We booked a relatively last minute trip too to get in on the free dining before Christmas. Granted we have had a bit longer to get ADR's than you, but I had been looking for 'Ohana for a couple of weeks a few times each day online, and I was able to book it the day we wanted last night.

I was also able to book lunch at CRT. All of our other ADR's are set and we're happy with them.

So keep trying online to see what you can get - you may be able to get more than you think right now.

 

[my2boyz]

Ok so here are some more details:
We've been to DW 2 times and usually had free dining both times but really only used it for character meals/buffets and Kona,Ohana since the kids were still too young to go anywhere else(we always wanted quick painless) but this time around we want to stay away from buffets, the kids don't need the charcater interaction as much (esp since we were just in DL in August for DS 5th bday)!
We are a grup of 6: 3 adults (DH, myself and my mom) one of whom is quite picky, will usually eat from kids buffet section unless there's a carving station or build your own pasta bar (DH) 3 kids (5,7 and 1).
We are there for 4nights but only doing the parks for 2 days and then the MVMCP one evening so this limits the days for or reservations to any of the park restaurants as well.
I just priced out the difference btw buying DP OOP with the room discount and it's $87.52 more than getting free dining without room discount.
Hmm, need to check out reservations again and see if anything has opened up before I decide and book this morning!
So know what this now what restaurants would you suggest for us other than the ones I mentioned??