Need advice on Dining and ADR's? Come inside! [Merged]

[thrashers09]

Counter service places do not accept ADR's.

For the others-you need an ADR at ANY TS-that's dinner shows, character dining and signatures, sit downs. Especially since it's possible that you are going during a free dining promotion, you'll want to have everything booked before you get there.

That's not to say that you can't change/dump a reservation once you are there-you definitely can but in my view-why risk dining at a less than desirable place or a less than desirable time or-horror-not being able to use up those credits that you've already paid for in advance. You are also not locked into an ADR once you make it. Goodness knows, I changed ours often enough. The CM's are for the most part really pleasant and helpful. The only time you'll be charged for not showing up to an ADR is if it's one that's secured with a credit card-shows, fantasmic dining package, CRT, etc. But it is of course, good manners, to call and cancel prior, if you know you aren't going to keep an ADR.

You'll have credits for every night of your reservation-3 a night with the deluxe(yes?) so-that's 21(?)TS if my math's correct? So, there's a start-figure out where you want to eat(your most desirable) and how many TS's you want in a day.

And Tina-we didn't get to try Kona-but I know that I gave that menu the once-over on several occasions-the strip steak and the creme brulee kept calling my name. It gets high marks consistently-for something lighter the Kona salad sounds wonderful!

thanks. in you honest opinion, is that too much? will we be spendin more time eating than at the parks? should I "downgrade" to the regular dining plan?:confused:

[DVC Mike]

I've just made my March 2008 ADRs. We typically eat breakfast in the room and hit a CS for lunch. Thus, all my ADRs are for dinner.

Here are the dinner ADRs I have for my next three trips to WDW. Do they look good?

SEP/OCT 2007

Flying Fish Café
Kona Cafe
Artist Point
Jiko
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Grand Floridian Café
SpoodlesDEC 2007

Grand Floridian Café
Kona Café
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Boma
Spoodles
Marrakesh
Narcoossee’s
Artist PointMAR 2008

Jiko
Crystal Palace
Liberty Tree Tavern
Hollywood Brown Derby w/Fantasmic! dinner show
California Grill
Le Cellier Steakhouse
The Garden Grill
Citricos

[tjrj]

thanks. in you honest opinion, is that too much? will we be spendin more time eating than at the parks? should I "downgrade" to the regular dining plan?:confused:

It depends on how you and your party like to eat. If you're TS people-then I think two ts a day is fine-not sure I'd ever do 3 a day-too much time involved and too much food. Plus, with deluxe you'll get two snacks a day-I found that snack credits go quickly. But, you're certainily paying for the "privledge" of the deluxe plan. It includes the refillable mug, but you can buy the mug for $12 a day on the regular dining plan-we used ours alot. But if you're not going to be using the mug that much, why pay for it?

Some thoughts:

You're staying at Pop, right? Pop at breakfast is a complete zoo. If you're planning on breakfast-be there at opening-I'm not kidding. Think it's 7am for the hot items; the grab and go opens at 6am. It may be best to have one person go down and get breakfast for all and bring back to the room. After a couple of day of that, I'd think you'd appreciate a chance to have a sitdown breakfast-like I see on another thread you have scheduled with Kona and Ohana's, etc.

I would definitely pay extra for the fridge at Pop-think it's $11 a day. Good place to store, snacks, drinks, or leftover desserts.

The signature restaurants(2TS) look super nice-like Ca. Grill, Artist Point, Jiko's...etc. and a good way to "use up" 2 TS credits per day rather than doing 3 separate TS's.... Not sure I'd ever say we could "afford" that many wo the dining plan. Again, only you can determine if those place are worth it to you.

It's $69 a day for deluxe without tip-and unlike the '08 regular dining plan includes the starter as well as the dessert, yes? Again, if that's the way your party eats-then at $23 for a TS meal and that's NOT including the snack credits, plus the mug, then I think it's a good deal. But, if you're main motivation is the parks themselves-then realize that meals do take away from park time. There's simply no way around that.

I've got some other thoughts that I shared on the other thread that you started....

[tjrj]

Mike-your next THREE trips?....oh, color me green. Out of your list: I've only done Le Cellier(absolute favorite of the trip), and Boma's(delicious)-but those listed are consistenly raved about, and some are definitely on my "wish" list for next time.

[thrashers09]

It depends on how you and your party like to eat. If you're TS people-then I think two ts a day is fine-not sure I'd ever do 3 a day-too much time involved and too much food. Plus, with deluxe you'll get two snacks a day-I found that snack credits go quickly. But, you're certainily paying for the "privledge" of the deluxe plan. It includes the refillable mug, but you can buy the mug for $12 a day on the regular dining plan-we used ours alot. But if you're not going to be using the mug that much, why pay for it?

Some thoughts:

You're staying at Pop, right? Pop at breakfast is a complete zoo. If you're planning on breakfast-be there at opening-I'm not kidding. Think it's 7am for the hot items; the grab and go opens at 6am. It may be best to have one person go down and get breakfast for all and bring back to the room. After a couple of day of that, I'd think you'd appreciate a chance to have a sitdown breakfast-like I see on another thread you have scheduled with Kona and Ohana's, etc.

I would definitely pay extra for the fridge at Pop-think it's $11 a day. Good place to store, snacks, drinks, or leftover desserts.

The signature restaurants(2TS) look super nice-like Ca. Grill, Artist Point, Jiko's...etc. and a good way to "use up" 2 TS credits per day rather than doing 3 separate TS's.... Not sure I'd ever say we could "afford" that many wo the dining plan. Again, only you can determine if those place are worth it to you.

It's $69 a day for deluxe without tip-and unlike the '08 regular dining plan includes the starter as well as the dessert, yes? Again, if that's the way your party eats-then at $23 for a TS meal and that's NOT including the snack credits, plus the mug, then I think it's a good deal. But, if you're main motivation is the parks themselves-then realize that meals do take away from park time. There's simply no way around that.

I've got some other thoughts that I shared on the other thread that you started....

thanks. you are helping me soooooooo much!! :eek: We are staying at the Pop, I remember how crowded it was sometimes when we stayed at the Movies a few years back. I wonder if they would do the "free dining plan" again since they have changed it for 2008? That would be GREAT!! My kids love to eat ;), but I am not sure that they want to lose a lot of time at the parks. Plus, my best friend has had that gastric bypass gurgery a few years back, so she can't eat as much as she usually did. You are right about the mug, we had actually already budgeted for one, we knew we would HAVE to have one. I know we couldn't afford most of the restaurants without the dining plan.

[TinaMouse]

Mike, your choices are fabulous. You will certainly be eating well. And as for having 3 trips ON THE BOOKS? Wow! I'm in awe!

[jecon]

Hi everyone - any thoughts on my ADR's for our trip in April 2008? We signed up for the deluxe dining plan and are staying at the GF:

Monday - MK
B/L - flexible bc of travel....
D - Cindy Table

Tues. -MGM in am EP in PM
B - Grand floridian cafe
L - 50's prime time
D - LeCellier or France

Weds - MK all day
B - Chrystal Palace
L - counter service
D - Liberty Tree Tavern

Thurs AK in am EP in PM
B - Chef Mick's
L - Mexico CS (later lunch)
D - Coral Reef (later dinner)

Friday -
B - flexible
L - Princess story book lunch in Norway
D - Maybe Narcoossees at GF....

[Little John]

Wow Mike...three trips already set? Color me jealous.

jecon, your reservations look pretty good. If you want LeCellier for dinner book it as soon as you can. The CM told me that LeCellier is booked full for dinner into January.

I just finished making all of our ADR's. Let me know what you think:

Day 1 - Spoodles for Anniversary dinner
Day 2 - Hoop De Doo Review
Day 3 - Raglan Road (subject to change)
Day 4 - Ohana @ Poly for breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern @ MK for dinner
Day 5 - Le Cellier for early lunch, Wine Pairing at Coral Reef @ 3, then Welcome Home Wednesdays at Boardwalk.
Day 6 - Rainforest Cafe for breakfast, Artist Point for Dinner with an Imagineer
Day 7 - Whispering Canyon Cafe

Of course we will have to make time for Dole Whips (yes that is plural...I'm addicted), turkey lag, and an Earl of Sandwich trip.

We have been to Rainforest, Liberty Tree, Ohana, Raglan Road and Le Cellier before. The rest is all new to us. I'm really looking forward to Artist Point.

[jecon]

Little John - you will love Spoodles - one of my faves and a great place to celebrate an anniversary. I think it's one of the best restaurants...

[tjrj]

Jecon-the only thing I can think of is wondering about Cinderella's Castle for that first night dinner. Don't they charge your credit card if you don't show up? I hesitate, to book something that has that kind of a hard hold on a first night-anywhere not just WDW. Due to flight delays, tiredness, etc.

Little John-Coral Reef does wine pairings?-just wine pairings? Share please! If it were me, I'd be staying at Le Cellier and sampling more of that lovely ice wine! But, then I wasn't overly impressed with Coral Reef. I know they do tastings in Germany and Italy, wasn't aware some of the restuarants did them.... Yep, Artist Point itself looks lovely-and the added bonus of an Imagineer...:)

[Little John]

Little John-Coral Reef does wine pairings?-just wine pairings? Share please! If it were me, I'd be staying at Le Cellier and sampling more of that lovely ice wine! But, then I wasn't overly impressed with Coral Reef. I know they do tastings in Germany and Italy, wasn't aware some of the restuarants did them.... Yep, Artist Point itself looks lovely-and the added bonus of an Imagineer...:)


During the Food and Wine Festival the Coral Reef does the wine pairings. It's an extra $40.00 per person, but my wife and I haven't done one of these yet so we're going to try it.

I wish I had planned to be there on 11/4, they are doing a brewmasters dinner with Sam Adams beer. That sounds like fun and is already sold out.

[1st time family]

First time trip to WDW. We have 6 kids ranging in ages from 2-8 (nieces and nephews included; they're not all mine !!!)
We will be there for 7 days on DDP. All are dinners with the exception of Cinderella's breakfast at MK.
Crystal Palace
50's Prime Time
Chef Mickey's
Coral Reef
Ohana
1900 Park Fare

Does this sound like a good mix ?

[1st time family]

We will be in WDW for the 1st time in Dec. 6 kids from 2-8 (nieces and nephews too, not all mine !!!)

We are on DDP and will be doing all Table Service dinners:
Crystal Palace
50's Prime Time
Chef Mickey's
Coral Reef
Ohana
1900 Park Fare

+ Breakfast with Cinderella in the MK.

Does this sound like a good mix ???

[Drince88]

That sounds like a great mix, for your group. Some character meals, but not all.

[Bassman531]

We're planning a Christmas - New Year trip. I know it will be extremely busy but that is the only time we could go. (I suppose that's a big reason why it's so busy!)

This will be the first visit for all in our group of 5 adults. We'll be there 10 days so we're getting excited seeing the season change as we get closer. We are not on DDP so we're not counting credits or anything like that. We'll be staying offsite (Comfort Suites Maingate) with a rental car. Breakfast is included in the hotel so we're not going to do any park breakfasts.

Here are our ADRs:
Sat 12/22
No ADRs

Sun 12/23
Lunch: Marrakesh
Dinner: Rose & Crown

Mon 12/24 (Christmas Eve)
Lunch: Whispering Canyon Cafe
Dinner: Boatwright's Dining Hall

Tue 12/25 (Christmas Day)
Lunch: Fresh Mediterranean Market
Dinner: Trail's End Buffet

Wed 12/26
Dinner: Boma

Thur 12/27
Lunch: 50's Prime Time Cafe
Dinner: Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic package)

Fri 12/28
Dinner: Maya Grill

Sat 12/29
No ADRs

Sun 12/30
Lunch: Teppan Edo
Dinner: Coral Reef Restaurant

Mon 12/31 (New Years Eve)
Lunch: Crystal Palace
Dinner: Plaza Restaurant

It seems like a lot of TS restaurants and that is by design. We were lucky enough to be at DLR last year on New Years Eve and the crowds were so thick that the only time we had to relax was while we were eating! I'm not sure if it's the same at WDW but we're hedging our bets that it will be similar.

So, any reccomendations? Is there anything you would leave off this list or add to this list?

Thanks.

[Drince88]

Bassman531, I know you said you'd have a car, and so getting from point A to point B shouldn't be DIFFICULT, but it seems like there's a lot of 'not in park' meals - often lunch and dinner in two different hotels in two different parts of the world. I guess Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the two biggest ones screaming out to me. Are you planning on going to a park on those two days? Might be a bit difficult, if they're restricting access at all, since you'll be in the first group that they will be restricting from the parking lots.

I've never eaten at Mayan Grill, because I've never stayed at CS, and I generally don't go out of my way to eat at the table service in moderate resorts.

It's probably a little late, but I might want to try a 'signature' restaurant or two if you're traveling with adults only. You might still be able to get an ADR for some of them at this point, since so many people who ARE on the dining plan tend to shy away from them.

[witneys7]

I am so glad this thread exists:) I am sitting here contemplating whether or not my grandgatherings group should purchase DDP. So I am going to ask a few questions in hopes that i can get it all straight in my head (well... that might not be possible) but we'll try. Am I correct that if we purchase the DDP that it is for the number of nights we have booked at the resort hotel and not for the days of our tickets? So I have six nights booked and there are 9 people over 3 so on the basic package we would 54 TS, 54 CS, and 54 snacks, is that right? That seems like a lot but 9 people are a lot:) Do all grand gatherings shows and character breakfasts "cost" 2 TS per person? Also, on one site it said that the DDP was only available if you book a vacation package. Does this mean buying the room and tickets seperately disqualifies you from the DDP? Also, and this may seem like such an obvious question, but how does one know which restaurant is a character meal? Does it specify somewhere that I am not looking? We are traveling with younger children and I am all for character meals and buffets. Also, the whole DDP package for our size group would be just over $1700. Does that sound about right for food for this size group regardless of the DDP or not? I know it's a vacation and it's WDW to boot, but that number for food is crazy, no?:) So I guess that is another question. I would really like to do 1 or 2 character meals and perhaps a grand gathering special event thing, so would I be better off just to pay OOP for those and "brown bag" the rest of our meals? Okay, I think those are the questions that are roaming around my brain. Sorry if it reads like a big fat mess, but I really do appreciate any feedback, especially form those who have traveled with a larger group with a wide range of ages (2years to 57years)!

[Drince88]

Are you going in 2007 or 2008? Here's the brochure for 2007 (http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/images2003/languagespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/07Dining.pdf) and here's the one for 2008 (http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/images2003/languagespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf) Note that the 2008 may not be the final list of restaurants, but it gives you some of the changes in the program! Also, this weekly update (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070806mg#news3)from Mark has links to info about all the nuances with the 2008 plan.


Am I correct that if we purchase the DDP that it is for the number of nights we have booked at the resort hotel and not for the days of our tickets? So I have six nights booked and there are 9 people over 3 so on the basic package we would 54 TS, 54 CS, and 54 snacks, is that right? That seems like a lot but 9 people are a lot:)
Yes, that's correct. It's by number of nights booked at the resort.


Do all grand gatherings shows and character breakfasts "cost" 2 TS per person? No - see the appropriate link above for your year

Also, on one site it said that the DDP was only available if you book a vacation package. Does this mean buying the room and tickets separately disqualifies you from the DDP? That is correct - you MUST have a package

Also, and this may seem like such an obvious question, but how does one know which restaurant is a character meal? Does it specify somewhere that I am not looking? We are traveling with younger children and I am all for character meals and buffets.
See the brochures (they're really quite comprehensive, and not too many pages!)

Also, the whole DDP package for our size group would be just over $1700. Does that sound about right for food for this size group regardless of the DDP or not? I know it's a vacation and it's WDW to boot, but that number for food is crazy, no?:) You can check out the menus on MousePlanet, though not all restaurants have menus listed, or on www.allearsnet.com - and after you figure out where you would like to eat, 'select' your items that you'd order, and see what the total is.
So I guess that is another question. I would really like to do 1 or 2 character meals and perhaps a grand gathering special event thing, so would I be better off just to pay OOP for those and "brown bag" the rest of our meals?I think you have to run the numbers -but I don't recommend brown bagging it for a vacation - eating more counter service, yes, but not making sandwiches in your hotel room for every lunch!
Okay, I think those are the questions that are roaming around my brain. Sorry if it reads like a big fat mess, but I really do appreciate any feedback, especially form those who have traveled with a larger group with a wide range of ages (2years to 57years)! I haven't traveled with large groups, so can't help you out there.

[witneys7]

thank you so much! I did read the changes coming up in 2008 where gratuities will no longer be included in the DDP, which is kind of a bummer seeing as it's now not as good of a deal. Still haven't made a decision yet:) Thanks again though!!

[Bassman531]

Thanks for your input Drince88.

I figure that if we are denied re-entry to the parks, there should still be plenty for us to do (and it lets me justify a return trip to see what we missed).

I'm not thrilled about a couple of the restaurants at which we will be eating but everyone got to submit their preferred choices and we're going to do our best to honor those choices. We may just have to split up for a few meals.

[DWisher]

I'm a newby..first post, so hello :D and thanks to everyone for all the great info. I haven't been able to read much input on Narcoseese's. Does anyone have comments to share on this GF restaurant? I have ADR secured for 7:10pm, but looking for input incase I should change to another two TS restaurant.

[Drince88]

A couple of years ago my sister and attempted a 'progressive dinner' in the MK-area resorts. Entrees were at Narcoossee's. It was nice, but there were two things working against it that are 'personal issues', basically. One, we were running really late when we got there (due to trying to get from Wilderness Lodge where we had cocktails) and so it took us a little bit to get into 'dining' mode. Second, the decor is very 'beachy' (White clapboard walls, etc) and from my personal experiences, beach eating was always casual eating, so FOR ME, the decor was too casual.

The service was great. They even carded my sister who was over 30 at the time :D

There was a small wedding group having their post-wedding meal there (bride in gown is a dead giveaway of what they're doing ;)), so it obviously is one of the 'nice' restaurants.

We had a seat at the windows, so it was very nice looking out at the water, and if we'd been able to time it with the Electrical Water Parade, it would have been a nice bonus (we were timing our meal to have dessert at California Grill during fireworks, so that took precedence)

I fully intend to go back when I'm NOT rushed, but I've eaten at almost all the signature locations, and with my 'issues' with Narcoossee's, I want to try other signatures before I hit this a second time.

[swanie]

Drince,

I'm pretty sure Mr. Swanie and I saw a thread that included some info on WDW counter service locations that did not serve Kid's Meals. Instead we would be able to order off the regular menu and use the kid's counter service credit from the dining plan. Of course, we're leaving a week from tomorrow and can't find the darn thing. Do you know which locations do this?

Thanks!

Swanie

[DWisher]

Thanks for the input Cathy!


but I've eaten at almost all the signature locations, and with my 'issues' with Narcoossee's, I want to try other signatures before I hit this a second time.

Which signature would you choose if you had only one option. 10 year anniversary dinner-only two of us.

[Drince88]

I'm pretty sure Mr. Swanie and I saw a thread that included some info on WDW counter service locations that did not serve Kid's Meals. Instead we would be able to order off the regular menu and use the kid's counter service credit from the dining plan. Of course, we're leaving a week from tomorrow and can't find the darn thing. Do you know which locations do this?

Wow, I can't recall anything like this. However, I didn't think they kept kids counter service separate from adult counter service in your credits. I know they closed that loophole with the table service (keeping kid and adult differentiated), but I thought they'd left it open for counter service.

Which signature would you choose if you had only one option. 10 year anniversary dinner-only two of us.
My personal top two would be California Grill or Jiko, but I know the head chef at Jiko recently changed, and I haven't been back (or even looked at any changes in the menu) since Chef Annette left.

And like I said my reasons for Narcoossee's not being at the top of the list are 'personal issues' and may not apply for you. I'm presuming the bridal party had eaten there before and would not have selected it if it wasn't a top-notch option!