Another question! How strict is WDW on sharing? I know at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland, they charge a plate sharing fee. I'm curious if WDW does this too. (I personally think it's stupid but that's probably because I'm the one paying the fee. heh)

There was no plating charge on any menu I looked at in May. I, too, wanted to share with my teens on the DDP. I asked if it could be done at: Prime Time 50's, Concourse, Coral Reef, and Raglan Road. At each place the response I got was a puzzled look and "no, I don't believe it's allowed". I did not push the issue.

What did work for those places where I didn't feel like eating starters, entree, drink and dessert was this: having the rest of our party order "soup to nuts" as to were on the DDP while I ordered what I wished and pay OOP. Usually what I wished was an adult beverage(which I'd have to pay OOP for anyway) and an entree salad. We still got to sample more TS places than the 8 we would have had doing DDP the "regular" way and I didn't have that "overly full" feeling. Plus, it allowed us to stretch our counter service and snacks to include breakfasts in addition to lunch every day.

We have one night where we have not planned a table service dinner for our upcoming trip...we are doing the Ohana breakfast that day, so I thought we would just do a cs for dinner. DH says that he will take me anywhere I want that night, since that is my 40th birthday and my bday is the reason for the trip. I wanted to do Cindarella's Royal Table, but it seems a bit pricey, especially the kids menu. I have a few questions: are the pictures included in the "package" price, and how is the food? Is this experience worth the price? What I want for my birthday is a great, fun family dinner. If not Cinderella, how is the Luau at the Polynesian? If we do the Luau, what is the difference in the "tiered" seating? Also, if anyone has any ideas for a great FAMILY idea (oh, DH does NOT want to do Hoop de Do..that is the only exclusion. I have no idea why, but he said it looks too goofy.:rolleyes:) that will make my 40th awesome, would love to hear them.

dahunter, Hubby and I ate dinner at the Royal Palace the last two trips. The last one we celebrated my BD there. We always get the prime rib and have enjoyed it. Yes, it is pricey but "your in the castle!" So, only you can answer the question if it is worth it for you. The picture is included in the price, it is an 8 x 10 that comes in a cinderella folder. You get your picture taken as you enter the castle in the lobby. You wait in a line, but it goes fairly quick. Once upstairs, the kids get either a plastic sword or crown. The entertainment is the Fairy Godmother and the two mice. The Fairy Godmohter sings and they all dance around. There are a lot of kids and the kids all seemed to enjoy it. The mice come along and pose for pictures. There is a time that they recognize birthdays (group). Our waiter brought me a fancy little dome cake with a candle in it and a box for me to take it with me. We also got a pair of wine glasses because it was also our Anniversary. This last time we got the DP so we used that, which was 2 credits each. We also did the Luau, which is also 2 credits on the DP. The food was good, served family style. We enjoyed it, but will not do it again. I thought it was a long evening and the entertainment during dinner was all kid related, with CM's singing and talking about friendship. Their was one time they let all the kids come-up and dance. It didn't really seem to hold young kid's attention too much, including me! The way the dessert is served is really cool. The actual luau dancing does not come until after dessert and was really good. Especially, the fire dancer. It did seem like a lot of families left before that entertainment came. It was a bit cool that night. It is in an opened area (roof, opened sides). You walk way down from the Poly lobby. They take your picture when you enter but they charge for it. As far as the seating goes, there are some that aren't too good.

Of course I know it is Royal Table, not Palace. I forgot to mention that we sat next to a large group that had a young one that was a picky eater. Their waiter went out of his way to make sure the little one had something to eat that they would like.

Oops ... made a mistake in my listing (forgot LeCellier) ... here it is again ... all comments/suggestions are welcomed! Thanks.

12/12 - Kona Cafe - Dinner
12/13 - Wolfgang Puck - Dinner - after Cirque Du Soleil
12/14 - 50's Prime Time Cafe - early dinner then get a seat for Fantasmic
12/15 - Coral Reef - after diving in the aquarium!
12/16 - Le Cellier
12/17 - Seaworld (not sure if I should make reservation or eat outside WDW
12/18 - Late lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern - MVMCP at night
12/19 - Prob CS before catching our flight at 3:00.

Looks delicious! If you REALLY want an Asian place, Yak & Yeti will have both counter and table service (or so we hear!). They're not taking ressies yet, as far as I know, but I would think that it would all be done by December. This seems to be the longest building project in Disney history!

We are trying Coral Reef for the first time, too. DH is a big seafood lover, this was his pick for dinner. I just think it's kind of weird to have a seafood place in the middle of that big of an aquarium...

I have said it before on here that I would feel too guilty eating Flounders relative as he swam by me and watched me devour his cousin....that is just creepy, LOL, I know you don't eat what just swam by you and you said "oh look how pretty" but still....they are related. LOL!

Here are our dinner plans. Please let me know if any changes/suggestions you have!

10/17
We fly in around 3:00
6:10 Cinderella's Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare, Floridian

10/18: Magic Kingdom morning
Extra morning Magic hours at Magic Kingdom
11:45 The Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom

10/19: Epcot
11:30 Princess Storybook Dining; Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Epcot
Extra evening Magic Hours at Epcot

10/20: Morning/Afternoon: Hotel; Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Magic Kingdom
5:55 Character Dinner; Liberty Tree Tavern,

10/21: Animal Kingdom?

10/22: MGM Morning?
8:20 Supercalifradulistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, Floridian
We fly out around 5:00.

Hi All!

My husband and I are taking advantage of the free DDP for our upcoming trip in September, too. We're not big planners and have made only one ADR (Crystal Palace on Day 2, after the Steam Train Tour) and have only one CS place we're sure we want to visit (Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station). We're also not too concerned about where we eat or when, as long as it's fun. Do you think we'll still be able to use all of our credits, specifically the table service credits? We're staying at the Beach Club, so it sounds like we've got pretty easy access to the Boardwalk, Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios.

Also, are there any restaurants overlooking a ride, similar to the Blue Bayou in DL? We love going there to watch the loading and unloading while we eat.

Third, for beer lovers (like my husband), Sommerfest or Rose & Crown or both?

Thanks for your help! I think I've used up my quota of questions. :)

MoKat72,
I get concerned when I see someone going during the free dining promotion without (most of) their ADRs. You are likely to be eating 'off hours' and not at the 'prime' locations, particularly if you're wanting to use your TSs for dinner and not lunch. Even if you can't get in to the Rose and Crown, you can go to the pub for a pint. Be prepared to eat at resort restaurants (vs park restaurants), and if you just can't bring yourself to make your ADRs now, do 'same day' with the guest services at the hotel when you're down there (don't try to do walk up).

ETA: San Angel Inn is next the the ride in the Mexico Pavillion, and Pinocchio's CS has some tables that look at the loading of Small World. Garden Grill looks at the Greenhouses that Living with the Land goes through, and the Coral Reef looks in on the aquarium for the Living Seas.

6:10 Cinderella's Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare, Floridian
Are you staying at the GF? I'm thinking if you fly in around 3, you'll have to get to the hotel and check in. It's going to be tight if you have any delays unless you're staying at the GF. 1900 is supposed to be great, though!

The Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom
We liked this spot. I assume b/c of all of the character meals, that you have kiddies?

Princess Storybook Dining; Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Epcot
Haven't been here--can't comment, but I know the princesses are in full force here.[/B}

5:55 Character Dinner; Liberty Tree Tavern,
[B]FAVORITE MK spot and one of my favorite restaurants at WDW. Kids will love the food here.


Animal Kingdom
Oh yes, make sure you go to AK. As far as "sit down" (Table Service), you could try Restaurantosaurus (if you're there before they close) or Tusker House (if you're there after they open). Yak & Yeti will be open sometime soon too.

10/22: MGM Morning
Sounds good!

I get concerned when I see someone going during the free dining promotion without (most of) their ADRs.
I broke down and made a couple more reservations, one at the Biergarten for 8:30 on the night we arrive and one at the Rose & Crown for 4:30 a few days later. I feel like ADRs at Epcot are a good choice because it's likely that we'll be there or at our hotel for a rest during those times. I was also very exciting to see that Beaches & Cream is a TS restaurant for the DDP. I can't wait to try it!

Is the Pinocchio CS restaurant the Village Haus? I love the one in DL (although based on the reviews, I may be the only one who does. :) )

Thanks for the tips!

Yep, it is. Not the greatest, but it is fun to sit and watch the people on It's A Small World (some windows overlook the boarding area and the beginning of the ride).

We are planning to use a dinner credit (WDW dining plan) at Captain Jacks in DTD. How is this restaurant ?? Wondering if there is a good counter service in downtown disney and then we can save this dinner credit for some other restaurant?

Other places we have reservations: Ohana, Coral Reef, 1950s Primetime Cafe and Cinderella's Royal Table

Any suggestions ??

Here's my plan, not yet reserved. Trip is from Dec. 19 (travel day-haven't decided where to eat) to Dec. 26. Three kids, 17, 14 and 11 at time of trip and 2 adults. Staying at Polynesian and have park hopper passes. All table service credits are going to be used for dinners.
20th-Teppanyaki (or whatever it's morphing into)
21st-Boma
22nd-Liberty Tree Tavern
23rd-'Ohana
24th-1900 Park Fare
25th-Le Cellier

I am going there for the first time myself this year after looking at the menu and was appealing to me.

You may want to check out the menus at http://www.allearsnet.com/ where there are comprehensive menus available online.

Just a note, this post may be merged into the "Need Advice on Dining Reservations" thread, since this is related to that. :)

On our recent visit...we were on the dining plan and had wonderful experiences at Captain Jack's, Ohana and LeCellier. All unbelieveable meals!!
We also ate at Mama Melrose's--the food was ok, waitstaff-fair to ok...nothing spectacular...also it's hidden! Whispering Canyon had great waitstaff entertainment-but the food was only ok. Not high on my recommendation list. And the final restaraunt we ate at was Raglan Road. Not a large selection of food that we like, but we had the fish and chips and it was extremely good and the service was wonderful.
I would highly recommend Captain Jack's, Ohana and LeCellier. Food was fabulous, waitstaff was attentive and courteous.
Just an FYI...when I made our ADR's - I asked that they note on our son's birthday that it was his birthday. Out of all our 7 dinners...6 brought a "birthday cupcake" and candle to our table for him. I ONLY asked that it be noted on his actual bday!! What a nice surprise!
Hope my "reviews" helped!

I broke down and made a couple more reservations, one at the Biergarten for 8:30 on the night we arrive and one at the Rose & Crown for 4:30 a few days later. I feel like ADRs at Epcot are a good choice because it's likely that we'll be there or at our hotel for a rest during those times. I was also very exciting to see that Beaches & Cream is a TS restaurant for the DDP. I can't wait to try it!

!

I suggest you use at least some of your TS credits on signature (2 credit) restaurants. That way, you will have fewer AR's, but will eat at higher quality restaurants. You don't mention having children along, so you could have at least one more romantic meal, at a less kid-friendly place. My brother and his wife recently had their first Disney World trip together, and they did a nicer place, on average, every other day, and enjoyed those meals very much. They also felt that they did not overeat as much on the dining plan. Check out the allearsnet.com website, and click on Dining, and then follow the link to the dining plan, which has a credit chart. You can also see the menus there. Most people would not waste a TS credit on Beaches and Cream, which is not an expensive place, although it is, technically a TS. If you want to eat there, pay for it yourself.

Here's my plan, not yet reserved. Trip is from Dec. 19 (travel day-haven't decided where to eat) to Dec. 26. Three kids, 17, 14 and 11 at time of trip and 2 adults. Staying at Polynesian and have park hopper passes. All table service credits are going to be used for dinners.
20th-Teppanyaki (or whatever it's morphing into)
21st-Boma
22nd-Liberty Tree Tavern
23rd-'Ohana
24th-1900 Park Fare
25th-Le Cellier

These sound like good solid locations for your group - but I'm not sure if you're going to be able to get Le Cellier for Christmas dinner at this point. You're past the 180 days, and that's one of the more popular restaurants.

The other thing you might consider with the Teppanyaki or Le Cellier (or whatever else you get that day) is using it for a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. It doesn't cost any more than a regular TS credit (though there are severe limitations on the times) and it allows you to see the Candlelight Processional with a shorter wait in time.

Drince-you were absolutely right about Le Cellier. I called as soon as I read your post. I got everything but Le Cellier. The reservationist was great though, letting me know what she had availability for and I decided on Coral Reef. The dinner times are all over the place but I am happy to have gotten all but one of my choices. Le Cellier looks wonderful so I can see why it would book up so early. Thanks for your post!

Hi All!

Third, for beer lovers (like my husband), Sommerfest or Rose & Crown or both?

Thanks for your help! I think I've used up my quota of questions. :)

Nah, there's no quota on questions-ask away!

I'm a beer lover myself-highly recommend the beer flight at Rose and Crown.

We didn't make it to Sommerfest for a meal but I know that you can do walk up(for just beer) in Germany and Norway-and the UK for that matter.

I don't see it in your plans-but I highly recommend Raglan Road(the Irish Pub in DTD) for adult beverages, entertainment and the food. Again-beer flight is a treat.:)

I was looking at the Raglan Road for that very reason. Not sure which day we're going to visit DTD, but we'll be sure to check it out. I think I remember reading somewhere that you can walk up there for beer as well. My guidebook (Unofficial Guide to WDW 2007) said that some adventurous souls have a beer in every country in the World Showcase. I'm not quite sure we're brave enough for that. Maybe if we split each one and space them out over the day, we might make it. :)

Are you staying at the GF? I'm thinking if you fly in around 3, you'll have to get to the hotel and check in. It's going to be tight if you have any delays unless you're staying at the GF. 1900 is supposed to be great, though!

Actually, we are staying at the Grand Floridian. I thought the kids would be tired after the flights so dinner and early to bed will be the plan. Oh, and yes, there are 3 kiddies: Ages 6, 4, and 1.

Thanks for the reply!

When I tried to make ADR for 1900 Park Fare for our trip, 9/8 to 9/15, I was told it would be closed, and that the characters would be at the Grand Floridian Café, so I made my ADR there on 9/10. Is this not true? If 1900 Park Fare is open, I want to eat there, I have heard it is awesome. Please help!!:confused:

When I tried to make ADR for 1900 Park Fare for our trip, 9/8 to 9/15, I was told it would be closed, and that the characters would be at the Grand Floridian Café, so I made my ADR there on 9/10. Is this not true? If 1900 Park Fare is open, I want to eat there, I have heard it is awesome. Please help!!:confused:

It wasn't in the standard 'refurbishments' part of the park updates, but I'd remembered seeing something about it at one point, and found this update. (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070108mg) The third item under 'quick takes' talks about the closure. I didn't search any farther to see if the dates had been altered, though, but it sounds like you're affected, even if the start/end of the closure has been changed.

What sit down restaurants or character meals are "must eats" in the resort? I have 3 kids ages 6, 8 and 9. We have never done any reservation dining at WDW. Only DL. Please help, since I am guessing that we need to call right away. Our trip is Dec 6-16.:)