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

[DWisher]

I called rez they had an opening for CaliGrill, but not on the day I really wanted:( I want to have the nice dinner on the night we arrive...no parks that day. Otherwise, we would have to leave park early, get dressed and travel time... I think I will feel frustrated with all that.
With the helpful suggestion of the CM at rez I moved the reservation at Narco... early-545p, this way we can have a drink while we wait for a terrace table (best view of fw) and then slowly dine till 8pm. After that I think we will hang out by the beach and wait for the Elecparade. I'm so excited...I went over all this with DH...he really doesn't get all the planning stuff...but it works...I get to have control of this and he doesn't mind one bit.
Thanks for info..I'll let you know how the dinner goes.

[mickeyreeds]

Wondering what you think of our ADR's--group consists of me, dh, dd (11), ds (6)--both kids rather picky eaters! We are planning on DDP as of right now--bummed about the changes for 08

Day 1--Liberty Tree Tavern
Day 2--Mama Melrose (fantasmic)
Day 3--Garden Grill
Day 4--Whispering Canyon
Day 5--1900 Park Fare
Day 6--Le Cellier
Day 7--Chef Mickey's Breakfast (departure day :crying:)

We wanted Tony's instead of Liberty, but they are closed for refurb during that time (scheduled to reoped while we are there, but seems risky!) May switch to Crystal Palace and see if Tony's reopens?--What are your thoughts?

Thanks!!!

[TinaMouse]

Mickeyreeds, I think your ADRs look good for kids. BTW, you'll like LTT. It is one of our favorites!

[eyenjeff]

We arrive on Nov 6th and leave on Nov 11th.

Nov 6- MK- no Adr's as we are meeting up with family for the day and don't know where they will want to eat.

Nov 7- MGM- Hollywood and Vine character meal at 12:55pm

Nov 8- AK- Donald's Breakfastosaurus at 9:00am, probably epcot in the afternoon

Nov 9-MK- crystal palace at 8:20am, and LTT at 4:30pm

Nov 10-MGM/MK- Cinderella's Gala Grand feast at the GF at 1900 Park Fare at 4:50pm.

We have been to the following in the past:

Hoop de doo 3x
crystal palace 2x
Hollywood and vine fantasmic pkg 2x
La Celier
The plaza
Ohana 2x
Chef Mickeys 2x
The Brown Derby
Wispering Canyon

We have a 1yr old and a 9 year old plus us (mom and dad)

We plan on staying as long as we can at the parks, my daughter is pretty flexible and will sleep in the stroller, we plan on bringing her pj's with us and change her at night in case she falls asleep for the night. Plus they are warmer for the night air.

Is there anything we are missing? Any suggestions? We are open to anything really.

Thanks!

[TinaMouse]

Looking at what you've done in the past and what you've chosen for this trip, Eileen, it looks good to me. Looks like you guys like the character meals! Cool for you! I like how you had a big breakfast and then an early dinner on a couple of nights. That should work out well, especially if your daughter ends up needing an early night here and there. (How DID you get her to sleep in a stroller?? I am SO impressed!)

Have a great trip!

[eyenjeff]

Looking at what you've done in the past and what you've chosen for this trip, Eileen, it looks good to me. Looks like you guys like the character meals! Cool for you! I like how you had a big breakfast and then an early dinner on a couple of nights. That should work out well, especially if your daughter ends up needing an early night here and there. (How DID you get her to sleep in a stroller?? I am SO impressed!)

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the info! As far as the stroller.....I just put her in and if she is tired, she goes to sleep, sometimes sitting up in her high chair. One mint she is eating, the next she is bent over in her tray sleeping! LOL! She also seems to love being outside, and in her stroller, she can see everything from her seat! We had a 1st bday party for her with a ton of people, and she was sitting in her highchair in the middle of the deck with alot of noise and people arond, and she decided that she was tired and just went to sleep! Hope this continues!!!

[scoobydooby]

I did use the search button but couldn't find the answer. I know when we had the fantasmic dinner package before we had to pay in advance - or at least we left credit card details, can't quite remember. Does this mean that you can't use a DDP credit to book a fantasmic dinner package?

[Drince88]

One thing with searching is that you may want to do the 'advanced' search, and then select ALL the WDW forums. Only a few threads got moved into the split up forums, so it might still be in the Current Events forum.

ANYWAY, I did see reference to someone using the DDP for the Fantasmic Package, so it looks like you can. You may still have to give a credit card if you no-show, but I'm not sure exactly why, since you wouldn't get the paperwork you need to get into the special section that way.

[eyenjeff]

We went 2 yrs ago and used the DDP and did not have to leave a credit card. So unless it has changed it should be no problem.

[Disneylush]

I am bring a cast of Characters(Me 29, husband 34, Son3, Daughter1, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt1, Aunt2, Cousin17) down to the World this Jan. (my favorite time to go) My Husband and I are AP holders, so no DDP for us. I do hope however that not having the tip included in the DDP in 2008 means that the cast members at the restaurants will change their attitude's and we will have better service. My parents have gone 3 times and the rest are newbies. One aunt is on weight watchers and is very worried about all the food. We are all use to simple comfort foods and do not want to spend a ton on fancy food.... we are on a bit of a budget. We are not big breakfast eaters and I really don't want to have to drag people out of bed to eat so I have put down the hotel or food we bring for breakfast every day. Here is what I have booked for ADR's so far:

Jan 1 ~ B - Airport and in flight
L - Everything POP
D - 'Ohana 9:05pm (hopefully we can see wishes of water pageant
Jan 2 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Whispering Canyon
D -
Jan 3 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Crystal Palace 12:50
D -
Jan 4 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - ESPN Club
D -
Jan 5 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - 50's Prime Time Diner 12:45
D -
Jan 6 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Flame Tree Barbecue
D - Raglan Rd. 7:00pm
Jan 7 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Hollywood & Vine 12:30
D -
Jan 8 ~ B -
L -
D -
Jan 9 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L -
D -

So what do you think? What should I add? What do you think of Raglan Rd? I have never eaten there. I keep looking at the menu and thinking will they like it? Thank you for any tips you can provide!

[Drince88]

Disneylush - I didn't notice an Epcot restaurants on your list. I'd fill in with some of those!

For the person on Weight Watchers - I would provide her links to the menus of the places that you'll be going to, so she can plan what she's going to eat. She will be doing a lot of walking, so that will help with Activity Points - so as long as she's making reasonable decisions at meal time, and for snacks, she should be ok. Also, one hint my WW leader has made is you should decide before a vacation what you'll be happy with when you come home: Do you want to have a loss; maintain; no more than X gain? Also, for the buffets (which are something I try to avoid on WW, so you might want to ask her about that, before you book any more), reviewing the buffet beforehand is a good strategy before starting to fill her plate.

Another thing that should help her is NOT being on the dining plan. So if she sees an appetizer she'd like to have for her entree, she can do that and not be 'wasting' money!

And one of my favorite snacks is pretty points friendly - the Strawberry bars at the Ice Cream Carts. Not sure if you'll need 'cool' snacks in January, but if so, they are a decent alternative when everyone else is getting a Mickey bar.

(I'm assuming you have a DDE card - if not, get it!)

[littlej]

Agreeing with everything Drince88 has to say. If you'll be at Epcot, try Sunshine Seasons for a counter service meal (it's inside of the building for the Land). There's a very wide variety of choices, and plenty of light fare for those who prefer it.

[tjrj]

I did use the search button but couldn't find the answer. I know when we had the fantasmic dinner package before we had to pay in advance - or at least we left credit card details, can't quite remember. Does this mean that you can't use a DDP credit to book a fantasmic dinner package?

Hey Scooby...as of May '07-yes, I could book the FDP with the DDP(love those abbreviations!) but I did have to leave a credit card when I book them at the 180+ mark. At Mama Melrose's-we ordered off the regular menu-1TS credit for each of us.

[tjrj]

One aunt is on weight watchers and is very worried about all the food. We are all use to simple comfort foods and do not want to spend a ton on fancy food....

Jan 1 ~ B - Airport and in flight
L - Everything POP
D - 'Ohana 9:05pm (hopefully we can see wishes of water pageant
Jan 2 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Whispering Canyon
D -
Jan 3 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Crystal Palace 12:50
D -
Jan 4 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - ESPN Club
D -
Jan 5 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - 50's Prime Time Diner 12:45
D -
Jan 6 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Flame Tree Barbecue
D - Raglan Rd. 7:00pm
Jan 7 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L - Hollywood & Vine 12:30
D -
Jan 8 ~ B -
L -
D -
Jan 9 ~ B - Everything Pop or room
L -
D -

So what do you think? What should I add? What do you think of Raglan Rd? I have never eaten there. I keep looking at the menu and thinking will they like it? Thank you for any tips you can provide!

ITA with everything Drince said. Long time WW here! Those strawberry bars are yumm-o! Breakfast was usually fruit and/or yogurt(they have yoplait lite) from the counterservice place with a high fiber granola bar from home. Lunch was usually a salad with dressing on the side or two starters like soup and fruit plate and dinner was(usually) a sensible entree-like roasted chicken and rice or steak and baked potato with dessert sampled and enjoyed. Check out menus here or at allears.net so as to have some idea of what might be the healthier options to enjoy. It IS possible to sample favorites of everything that WDW offers, and still be eating for the most part healthier than choices made pre-WW. I felt I tried everything that I wanted to; didn't feel deprived(a key for me), had a wonderful time and only gained 2 pounds-after 10 days of the DDP.

I adored Raglan Road-it was a highlight! One thing-live entertainment doesn't start until later-think about 9pm or so. Our ADR was 8pm and we found that to be perfect timing-to enjoy our food as well as the entertainment.

I really liked the choices at Everything Pop!food court-seemed to have more variety than at CBR. One thing-the size of the food court AND especially the seating is severely inadequate for a resort of it's size-eat at off times, be there at opening for breakfast or be prepared for a l-o-n-g wait.

And I also agree-no Epcot TS choices? Say it ain't so!

[Disneylush]

tjrj - WOW way to go on the WW I just started and it is rough going so far. The strawberry bar sounds wonderful. Being from MN even 60 degree night are short and t-shirt nights with ice cream bars!

I did not have any epcot ADR's because we usually snack our way around the world. I thought about San Angel but have heard the cantina is jst as good and cheaper. I also thought about leCeller but is a steak there really that much better then any where else?

What is everyones "do not go home with out eating in Epcot......"

We are doing buffets for the char's we did Hollywood and Vine in May and my then DS2 LOVED it. I can wait to go back with my DD1 now. (we were there in May for his free before three with mom and dad trip)

I am still very nervous about Raglan Rd. Is there another favorite place for people at Downtown Disney?

Thank you so much for your input everyone.

[Disneylush]

oh and we thought about biergraten :)

[Drince88]

oh and we thought about biergraten :)

I went with a group of people in December last year - and it was really good. It is another buffet, but I really enjoyed the food. Not sure how points friendly it is, but it was good, and there was some entertainment.

[tjrj]

I I also thought about leCeller but is a steak there really that much better then any where else?

What is everyones "do not go home with out eating in Epcot......"



I am still very nervous about Raglan Rd. Is there another favorite place for people at Downtown Disney?

Thank you so much for your input everyone.


Le Cellier was another highlight-but yep, budget wise(and point wise for that matter) it was an a splurge. bbq filet, cream cheese mashed potatoes, creme brulee, pretzel breadsticks and ice wine were worth every penny and point.
The cantina in Mexico had ok food-chicken salad seemed fairly healthy-but the atmosphere was lacking-whereas the TS place in Mexico looks beautiful.

I didn't find Raglan Road to be too adventuresome in terms of food. It certainly could be but there are also fried fish and french fries, steaks, roasted chicken, etc. We did try Planet Hollywood as well. Movie props were fun, loud with lots of music(it was Saturday night after all), kid-friendly(see loud) atmosphere and food choices. Glad we went-once-but it's not on the list as a "must return". Rainforest is another kiddo friendly place-but I detest the one at DL and for no amount of $ would I return(but that's me-others love it).

[scoobydooby]

Hey Scooby...as of May '07-yes, I could book the FDP with the DDP(love those abbreviations!) but I did have to leave a credit card when I book them at the 180+ mark. At Mama Melrose's-we ordered off the regular menu-1TS credit for each of us.
Thanks tjrj, that's good news as we are hoping to get Mama Melroses.


tjrj - WOW way to go on the WW I just started and it is rough going so far.
I am still very nervous about Raglan Rd. Is there another favorite place for people at Downtown Disney?


WW is hard to start isn't it! I am dwelling on this because I have to go back and quick! Arrived at Disney last Easter 10lb too heavy, left 7lb heavier than this and then piled on a bit more feeling sorry for myself on return :crying: Now I have got to lose it all to go again. As I've got quite a while I'm using it as motivation and hope to get 7lb under goal so I can just enjoy the FREE DDP ;)

As for Raglan Road - we ate here, last day, really just killing time waiting for a very late flight. Thought it might be a bit homely. Atmosphere nice and I enjoyed a pint but the food we had was average - (and the only place we got small portions...) and the service, given we were 4 of 12 diners, was really slow. Still, got us back in the psyche for being back across the pond!

[sherry]

I honestly don't know what I would do without this site, it is so helpful. My ignorant question is my husband and I are only interested in reserving resturants for dinner , can't we just wing breakfast and lunch, We have never used this plan is it better to go this way, We dont eat alot so 3 meals might be to much

[littlej]

Hi Sherry,
If you've already decided that the Dining Plan is for you (see earlier posts on the topic to help make the decision), the regular Dining Plan includes one Table Service credit (1TS), one Counter Service credit (1CS) and one snack (1S) per person per night. So that would seem to work with your plan of making one reservation per day. Many people say that the amount of food served at the counter service restaurants for one meal is enough to split between two people. If you were to do it that way for every meal, you could use your CS credits to cover breakfast and lunch for both of you every day.

[tjrj]

Sherry-my $.02-if you want to eat at a Table Service restaurant for ANY meal, then an ADR is helpful-and in some cases necessary and in other cases essential. Sure you can try winging it at Table Services places for the desired meal-you can call the dine line while in WDW or at Guest Relations at any Park-but you may be shut out at a desired time and/or a desired place.

We switched our biggest meal between lunch and dinner several days. Some times it's nice to have that Park break in the middle of the day; other times it's nice to have that to look forward to at the end of the day.

We-Mom and 2 teen boys-stretched our counter service credits(using a combination of snack and meal credits) to cover 3 meals per day. Some counter service places serve h-u-g-e portions(Cosmic Rays and Wolfgang Puck come to mind) while others, though tasty(thinking Columbia Harbor House) are smaller more single serving portions.

You also don't have to keep every single ADR you've made-just call and cancel-but I'd rather have it and not need it than be shut out.

[ElephantEars]

Please all you Disney food guru's let me know how this list looks.
Me - 27, DH - 26 for June 08 Honeymoon
On the standard DDP.
(does anyone have lists of probable EMH park days for June to help us pick restaraunts?)

California Grill - wasn't originally on our list, but this board and others say such good things - 2 credits

Rose & Crown OR Coral Reef - Epcot day (which is better?)

Boma - we want an Animal Kingdom place, so maybe we will switch the Yak & Yeti if reviews come back good and it gets put on the plan..but Boma looks really good too!

O'Hana Dinner

Victoria & Alberts - out of pocket, a wedding gift to each other...that is if we can get an ADR.

We are going for high quality food and neat atmosphere for dinner...then we will gorge our faces on fast food for counter service meal! hehe

- ElephantEars

[littlej]

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptuals! I found some advice on EMH (http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=43) at Touringplans.com (the website of the Unofficial Guide to WDW, which I heartily recommend).

We loved California Grill, fine dining and upscale atmosphere. I don't necessarily recommend getting an ADR during the fireworks. If you get a table by the windows for them, be prepared to share your personal space with kids. But if hoping to view the fw while there, the view certainly is spectacular. It is not a quiet restaurant, because of the architecture.

Can't comment on R&C or CR.

We LOVE Boma!! My guess is that if you like ethnic food, you'll have more of a chance of it at Boma than at Yak & Yeti inside the park.

O'hana - well, if you want my opinion, try the Kona Cafe instead. Quieter, more upscale meal. But if you like the fun and interaction of O'hana, enjoy the vast quanitities of yummy grilled meats and have fun watching kids sweep coconuts in a race past your table.

V&A, call as soon as you can!

Our tastes seem similar to yours. Another meal that we thought was the best on our honeymoon in 2003 was Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Not heavily themed, but a beautiful, serene atmosphere, and stellar food and service.

Oh, have fun!!

[ElephantEars]

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptuals! I found some advice on EMH (http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=43) at Touringplans.com (the website of the Unofficial Guide to WDW, which I heartily recommend).

We loved California Grill, fine dining and upscale atmosphere. I don't necessarily recommend getting an ADR during the fireworks. If you get a table by the windows for them, be prepared to share your personal space with kids. But if hoping to view the fw while there, the view certainly is spectacular. It is not a quiet restaurant, because of the architecture.

Can't comment on R&C or CR.

We LOVE Boma!! My guess is that if you like ethnic food, you'll have more of a chance of it at Boma than at Yak & Yeti inside the park.

O'hana - well, if you want my opinion, try the Kona Cafe instead. Quieter, more upscale meal. But if you like the fun and interaction of O'hana, enjoy the vast quanitities of yummy grilled meats and have fun watching kids sweep coconuts in a race past your table.

V&A, call as soon as you can!

Our tastes seem similar to yours. Another meal that we thought was the best on our honeymoon in 2003 was Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Not heavily themed, but a beautiful, serene atmosphere, and stellar food and service.

Oh, have fun!!

Thanks for the advise! I read some reviews of Kona and the food does look good. I'll have to run that past my fiance. He may be in the "endless meat" camp though.

I have to wait until 12/12 to make my ADRs, but wdw website says 120days (so 3/12) for V&A. Maybe I will make an ADR for another very nice place just in case we don't get into V&A. I really have my heart set on it though!!

I've been to Boma once with my family and LOVED it too! I'm a big soup person so I was in soup heaven and the chef said he never saw someone have as much as me.