Yearning for old times :)

[disneyholic family]

What about Mama Melroses or Hollywood Brown at DHS and Liberty tree Tavern at MK. They are all good IMO but easier to get probably.

brown derby is two credits - they won't eat at any two credit restaurants - not value for money for them...

mama melrose wasn't available, but i think it's mainly pizza right?
i have to look at the menu, but i don't think there's anything they can eat there..

liberty tree actually wasn't available either, but it also doesn't have an appropriate menu for them...but in any case, it wasn't available..
at MK, only tony's was available - and they ate there last time -worst meal they'd ever had....so no repeating that one..

 

[wayneg]

mama melrose wasn't available, but i think it's mainly pizza right?
i have to look at the menu, but i don't think there's anything they can eat there..

I think there is only 1 pizza on the menu, its an Italian menu but not a great one IMO, eaten there 3 times and not really enjoyed any of the meals, only done it for the Fantasmic package.
Last time we ate there we had over 1 hour wait with a reservation, crazy busy.

 

[Elise79]

brown derby is two credits - they won't eat at any two credit restaurants - not value for money for them...

mama melrose wasn't available, but i think it's mainly pizza right?
i have to look at the menu, but i don't think there's anything they can eat there..

liberty tree actually wasn't available either, but it also doesn't have an appropriate menu for them...but in any case, it wasn't available..
at MK, only tony's was available - and they ate there last time -worst meal they'd ever had....so no repeating that one..

Sorry Beth - not picking on you but they have free dining and were considering trying to use TS credits at CS (which I don't think they will be able to do as I believe they stopped that a few years ago) how is a 2 credit restaurant any worse value?

Would they consider an evening at Hoop Dee Doo? I know its again 2 credits but is a evenings entertainment as well. Disney has a lot more to offer than just the parks

 

[scoobydooby]

Ate at Mama Melroses recently. It does flat bread not pizza, four different ones last time I was there. Pasta and seafood also available and there was a great steak with macaroni cheese which was gorgeous. No good for a vege though but they had several vege options. This is one of my daughter's favourites as she loves pasta and we have only ever had good service there , eaten there six times now.

Yes Brown Derby is two credits. I like it there but don't think it's particularly good value, just thought might be better value than CS options?

Just thinking. Is there a bar in DHS that does food? I never go in the bars because I always have the children with me but I thought I had read about a bar there. Might that be an option for your daughter?

 

[disneyholic family]

I think there is only 1 pizza on the menu, its an Italian menu but not a great one IMO, eaten there 3 times and not really enjoyed any of the meals, only done it for the Fantasmic package.
Last time we ate there we had over 1 hour wait with a reservation, crazy busy.

somehow we've never eaten there...mainly because we prefer either 50's or sci fi.....neither of them have great food, but we like the silliness and milkshakes at 50's and the burgers and veggie burgers at sci fi are good (as are the milkshakes.... )

Sorry Beth - not picking on you but they have free dining and were considering trying to use TS credits at CS (which I don't think they will be able to do as I believe they stopped that a few years ago) how is a 2 credit restaurant any worse value?

Would they consider an evening at Hoop Dee Doo? I know its again 2 credits but is a evenings entertainment as well. Disney has a lot more to offer than just the parks

if they eat at a 2 credit place that takes up two meals, so they'd have to pay out of pocket for a meal....they're trying to save money not spend it...

it would be different if it were me....i would probably go for the 2 credit meals...but they're not me...(hey, i would eat at V&A one of the nights...)

as for hoop dee doo.....we're probably the only people on the planet who didn't like it...
which is funny, because one of our very favorite shows used to be the diamond horseshoe review (which hasn't been around for years)....it was pretty much the same sort of thing and we adored it..
but we hate HDD......

we also used to LOVE the melvin the moose breakfast...also very similar to HDD (and held in the same place)....we loved it....but for some reason we hate HDD....go figure...

Ate at Mama Melroses recently. It does flat bread not pizza, four different ones last time I was there. Pasta and seafood also available and there was a great steak with macaroni cheese which was gorgeous. No good for a vege though but they had several vege options. This is one of my daughter's favourites as she loves pasta and we have only ever had good service there , eaten there six times now.

Yes Brown Derby is two credits. I like it there but don't think it's particularly good value, just thought might be better value than CS options?

Just thinking. Is there a bar in DHS that does food? I never go in the bars because I always have the children with me but I thought I had read about a bar there. Might that be an option for your daughter?

DD is a vegetarian - though she'll eat salmon sometimes...
her husband will eat meat, but he doesn't really like it, except burgers...
although if there's salmon on the menu, he will ALWAYS order that....

i usually make up a list for them with every restaurant that serves salmon and at which meals (e.g. BOG only serves salmon for dinner, not lunch)...
i have to make up the new list for them, as it tends to change from year to year..

as for brown derby...we've eaten there 3 times...always out of pocket (we weren't on the dining plan)..
i thought the brown derby was pretty good considering it was a park restaurant (though the service was a bit rushed, not quite what it should be for those prices)...i would probably eat there again, but my eating/money habits are different from my daughter's...

 

[dor1]

Reading this thread has me worried.
We havent been since all the changes with fastpasses and magic bands etc,we are going back next july.
I dont mind booking the odd ride on MDE but i dont wanna plan the whole holiday.
Seems like disney are catering for those who prefer the holidays planned with military precision.

 

[RDP]

Love the planning that goes with a Disney Vacation, having said that, we can’t be quite as spontaneous as we once were. On our honeymoon 15 years ago we were able to book Cinderella's Royal table on a monday for the wednesday! Those days are long gone unless you get lucky. Our upcoming holiday in seven days time will be a busy one, and one that has required meticulous planning. 4 nights universal, 3 nights Disney Dream, followed by seven nights at the Contemporary Resort on the DDP. Next year will be very different, using our DVC points we will probably only stay at 1 resort, no DDP and take things at a much slower pace. Although the cruises are becoming slightly addictive!

 

[thebadger]

No one is being forced to get any FP+, you can do what you like, do rope drop every day if you want, head straight for that ride you really need to do, try walk up to restaurants, do it all like the old days, there is nothing stopping you, I tried that with Beaches and Cream last trip, no spaces, not because of ADRs, but, because of walk ups, so I've done myself an ADR for this trip, I never do more than one ADR per trip, but, have done two for this one (breakfast at The Wave) if I change my mind I can cancel it 24 hours before as I did in May for a Star Wars Breakfast, dead simple using DME, much easier than calling up to cancel.
I first went in 1989 and have been a regular for the last 10 years, I like the changes, no more racing to Soarin' or Toy Story Mania at rope drop, but, I may give it a whirl on EMH mornings. And moaning about lack of choice for the fourth and after FP, why doesn't anyone ever seem to remember the old way of FP when you got your paper ticket for 4.30pm at 9.15am in the morning for the popular rides and being stuffed because you couldn't get another one anywhere until 4.30pm or whatever the time was. Get to the park at 10am and forget about a FP for Soarin' or TSM.
As for planning, several times last trip I decided to have a resort day, but, being me, at 10am I would decide to hit a park, perhaps because I'm not so entitled I would be happy to go to the park that had the most appealing FPs or get on the first bus and see what I could get, get nothing, no biggie, try another park and then park hop.
I agree though with the issue with tour groups and school parties, but, someone told me that you never see Brazillian tour groups from October to June as they tend to come when it is their winter (our summer) so if you don't like tour groups go then. I'd never do Spring Break after experiencing the first week of it last year.
You pays your money and you takes your choices, don't blame Disney, they are not forcing you to do anything beyond buy a park ticket.

After reading through the thread this is the post I agree with most! Now I speak as someone who has never been to WDW. This will be our first trip and I am happy that I know we have reservations at certain restaurants we have really mixed up our choices of places to eat so it won't be the same type of menu two nights on the spin.

We have done our touring plans with EMH included and also with crowd checker and we know what park we will be doing every day and now as I am at our 60 days out mark we have went for our FP+, I think it's a great idea, Mrs B isn't 100% convinced but I suppose neither of us will know until we are actually on site and doing it. It may seem a little OCD all this planning about what days we will have "rest days", park days, what days we will be away shopping etc for the the whole trip but forearmed is forewarned. Imagine everyone just decided to rock up to a particular restaurant and say "Hi table for 4 please" it would be chaos!! some places would be overloaded while others would be empty as everyone went en-masse to BOG

Maybe for the multiple trippers it starts to loose it's appeal and maybe after this trip we may find next visit will be 7 days at WDW and 7 off site but don't let planning spoil your holiday! You have worked damn hard to be on vacation so enjoy every minute of it!! I know I will be!! Now pass me those elasticated joggers,fanny pack & mouse ears! it's time to get fat and happy

 

[Tony Bush]

Nice to hear a few positive slants on it. I suppose all the extra days of planning have extended the holiday feeling ! I have mixed feelings. My original post was done whilst in the middle of a heavy planning phase and I just sort of lost the plot a bit
The new system has its pros and cons and I shall try to embrace the pros and push the cons under the carpet After all I'm not going to go with a negative attitude Been looking forward to this too long .

And to The Badger - If I see anyone in elasticated joggers, fanny pack and mouse ears, stuffing a cupcake whilst high tailing it to BOG, I shall think of you !!!

Tony

 

[thebadger]

Nice to hear a few positive slants on it. I suppose all the extra days of planning have extended the holiday feeling ! I have mixed feelings. My original post was done whilst in the middle of a heavy planning phase and I just sort of lost the plot a bit
The new system has its pros and cons and I shall try to embrace the pros and push the cons under the carpet After all I'm not going to go with a negative attitude Been looking forward to this too long .

And to The Badger - If I see anyone in elasticated joggers, fanny pack and mouse ears, stuffing a cupcake whilst high tailing it to BOG, I shall think of you !!!

Tony

Well our trips are only a week out so you may just see that*

*it's unlikely though as BoG is our wedding anniversary and Mrs B would kill me if I went like that

 

[scoobydooby]

After reading through the thread this is the post I agree with most! Now I speak as someone who has never been to WDW. This will be our first trip and I am happy that I know we have reservations at certain restaurants we have really mixed up our choices of places to eat so it won't be the same type of menu two nights on the spin. We have done our touring plans with EMH included and also with crowd checker and we know what park we will be doing every day and now as I am at our 60 days out mark we have went for our FP+, I think it's a great idea, Mrs B isn't 100% convinced but I suppose neither of us will know until we are actually on site and doing it. It may seem a little OCD all this planning about what days we will have "rest days", park days, what days we will be away shopping etc for the the whole trip but forearmed is forewarned. Imagine everyone just decided to rock up to a particular restaurant and say "Hi table for 4 please" it would be chaos!! some places would be overloaded while others would be empty as everyone went en-masse to BOG Maybe for the multiple trippers it starts to loose it's appeal and maybe after this trip we may find next visit will be 7 days at WDW and 7 off site but don't let planning spoil your holiday! You have worked damn hard to be on vacation so enjoy every minute of it!! I know I will be!! Now pass me those elasticated joggers,fanny pack & mouse ears! it's time to get fat and happy

Excellent attitude you will have a fabulous time with that frame of mind WDW is not the place for spontaneity. Unless of course you are able to visit twice a year for the rest of time. That's very different and even as an annual sometimes annual plus visitor (me) it's different than planning a one off. Frequent visiting is not what most people can do and the irritations of those that can and do go often should not, in my view, overly influence the first time or occasional visitor. I very much recall my first couple of trips and think you have approached this spot on. You will no doubt change some of your plans. But the fact you have them will make that so much easier to do. Spontaneity is not staring at a park map not knowing what to do next or what to do for the best. That's misery.

Good for you

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Reading this thread has me worried.
We havent been since all the changes with fastpasses and magic bands etc,we are going back next july.
I dont mind booking the odd ride on MDE but i dont wanna plan the whole holiday.
Seems like disney are catering for those who prefer the holidays planned with military precision.

You are partly right with your last comment, but, they are only making it simpler for the brigade who go around with Frommers in one hand, tablet in the other and maps in a pouch around their neck as well as enough supplies for an expedition to the real Everest. However, you can still do WDW on the fly, I make FP for every day of my trip knowing full well I will be spending at least one day at Universal and one day shopping, I'll just cancel the booked FP when I decide to go elsewhere. By thinking Disney are catering to specific sections is fair enough, but, remember Walt was one of the greatest innovators and he would have embraced and utilised all the modern technology available while still trying to make WDW fun for everyone, he would have been more disappointed with the attitudes of those who hate the changes of recent times.

 

[thebadger]

Excellent attitude you will have a fabulous time with that frame of mind WDW is not the place for spontaneity. Unless of course you are able to visit twice a year for the rest of time. That's very different and even as an annual sometimes annual plus visitor (me) it's different than planning a one off. Frequent visiting is not what most people can do and the irritations of those that can and do go often should not, in my view, overly influence the first time or occasional visitor. I very much recall my first couple of trips and think you have approached this spot on. You will no doubt change some of your plans. But the fact you have them will make that so much easier to do. Spontaneity is not staring at a park map not knowing what to do next or what to do for the best. That's misery.

Good for you

Thanks for your post. Glad for the feedback. Just in the process of looking at our "room" requests and checking that out! It's all very exciting and we as a family are very much looking forward to this holiday! We've saved hard for it and I think me and Mrs b are as excited as the kids!

 

[scoobydooby]

Thanks for your post. Glad for the feedback. Just in the process of looking at our "room" requests and checking that out! It's all very exciting and we as a family are very much looking forward to this holiday! We've saved hard for it and I think me and Mrs b are as excited as the kids!

I would just add this as these 'rules' still serve my family well. If someone is tired, let them rest. If someone is hungry. Feed them. If someone is thirsty. Get them a drink. If someone is overheating. Get inside the air conditioning. And sometimes despite your plans, the pool will just be more fun at that particular moment in time! You are going to have a great time. Enjoy

 

[Toryn]

The olden days are called Universal Studios

The above is exactly why we are less and less inclined to do Disney.

So agree .Also lots of adult families go to Florida now so US and IofA are more appropriate .This year our daughter and her husband are coming for the first week .So this will be the first time we've ever planned so we can fit everything in.But our second week will very much be taking it as it comes

 

[maclondon]

Next year is our first Florida Trip. On smaller closer to home scale - Center Parc's used to be all walk up for restaurants - book activities if you felt like it - then online booking came - and we got caught out - no hucks tables until 9pm

Now theres only 5 or 6 places to eat at center parcs so its not exactly a night mare to plan. But we book them all up (we like to eat with the kids at 5 - 5:30) so its never that busy in half the restaurants at that time (just hucks).

likewise you prebook your activities - again its 3 days with 3 or 4 things a day - one bonus is that you can use booked things as a way to move the kids along

when we are going next may its a party of 6 3 adults, 3 kids - Disney Dining Plan was free. I'm a little worried we wont get at any of the 'must do' places - but not that bothered as theres so much choice we can find somewhere to book!

also lucky that our kids wont want to do any of the meet & greets as they seem to cause the most FP+ hysteria.

When we've done Legoland windsor we end up only doing whats not got mental queues - do doing 3 'big' rides in a day seems like plenty - plus the smaller quirky things.

 

[scoobydooby]

Next year is our first Florida Trip. On smaller closer to home scale - Center Parc's used to be all walk up for restaurants - book activities if you felt like it - then online booking came - and we got caught out - no hucks tables until 9pm Now theres only 5 or 6 places to eat at center parcs so its not exactly a night mare to plan. But we book them all up (we like to eat with the kids at 5 - 5:30) so its never that busy in half the restaurants at that time (just hucks). likewise you prebook your activities - again its 3 days with 3 or 4 things a day - one bonus is that you can use booked things as a way to move the kids along when we are going next may its a party of 6 3 adults, 3 kids - Disney Dining Plan was free. I'm a little worried we wont get at any of the 'must do' places - but not that bothered as theres so much choice we can find somewhere to book! also lucky that our kids wont want to do any of the meet & greets as they seem to cause the most FP+ hysteria. When we've done Legoland windsor we end up only doing whats not got mental queues - do doing 3 'big' rides in a day seems like plenty - plus the smaller quirky things.

Maclondon. Can I suggest you read the Unofficial Guide and look at the Touring Plans website. You can get loads more than three rides a day done and apart from two or three places all restaurants are pretty easy to get if you book early. The Book and website I quote are linked and really, I am so half I discovered them. Happy planning

 

[scoobydooby]

^ glad not half!!!!

 

[maclondon]

^ glad not half!!!!

Yep i know we will get more than 3 things but if we can get 3 BIG rides a day anything else is a bit of a bonus

I'm all over the websites

 

[scoobydooby]

Yep i know we will get more than 3 things but if we can get 3 BIG rides a day anything else is a bit of a bonus I'm all over the websites

That was my point. You shouldn't see it as a bonus. It's infinitely doable. You can three bigs rides a day easily without FPP if you just get there for rope drop. More in fact. And you can't get three big rides currently with FPP at Epcot or DHS because of the tiering system.