nov 3-8, need some dining advice

[dizneyraver]

Hey, I think it has been YEARS since I logged in here, and about 2 years since I went to WDW. We are doing the dining plan for our trip nov 3-8. It is 5 nights, but we will probably leave early on the 8th and are considering combining at least 2 of our table services into something special. And we might do Planet Hollywood one night, so that might be another we can save.

What are these "private dining" places? I can't seem to find much about them, other then they exist at several places to eat.

In the past, we have enjoyed Boma, the one at The Living Seas (or whatever it is now), that nice one up in The Contemporary, and several others but I am sure there are plenty we haven't tried yet.

Also wondering about Fantasmic, I remember doing something before where we ate at that buffet in MGM and got special seating for a Fantasmic show.

This is sort of a last minute trip, so I know I need to make dining arrangements ASAP. Also, sorry for not being up-to-date on names and places, I'm workin on it

Thanks, great to be back

[mom22gls]

It is not likely that you will be able to get 5 TS ressies of places of your choice, when you want to eat, at this late date. I suggest that you book one or two "signature" (2 credit) meals, to use up the credits. There are some terrific places to eat, at the hotels. If you need assistance, you can go to www.allearsnet.com, click on dining, and you can find menus, and a chart with all the places in the parks and out, and the types of dining available, in terms of credits on the dining plan. Be flexible as to when you eat, as well. You may only be able to get a reservation for a very late lunch or a very early dinner. If you are interested in dining at the Wilderness Lodge, Boma is a great (1 TS credit) buffet. There is also a very nice, more upscale restaurant there, Jiko, for 2 credits. We have found it harder to use up our counter service credits, lately, so maybe plan a couple of days with just CS meals, and nicer dinners for a night or two.

[Drince88]

Call ASAP!

And slight correction to what mom22gls said - Boma and Jiko are in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko is probably my favorite restaurant on site - just ahead (barely) of the California Grill (top of the Contemporary). I've enjoyed my meals at Brown Derby (in the Studios) which is another signature. Actually, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to any of the signature's I've tried (I've tried all but Citricos and Flying Fish).

I think you need to just check out the menus, have a list of places you'd like to try, and call and be really flexible. Here's a linkto the 2007 Dining Plan guide - It identifies the signature restaurants as well as where each are located. Private dining is just Disney's way of saying "Room Service"

[mom22gls]

Call ASAP!

And slight correction to what mom22gls said - Boma and Jiko are in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko is probably my favorite restaurant on site - just ahead (barely) of the California Grill (top of the Contemporary). I've enjoyed my meals at Brown Derby (in the Studios) which is another signature. Actually, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to any of the signature's I've tried (I've tried all but Citricos and Flying Fish).

I think you need to just check out the menus, have a list of places you'd like to try, and call and be really flexible. Here's a linkto the 2007 Dining Plan guide - It identifies the signature restaurants as well as where each are located. Private dining is just Disney's way of saying "Room Service"

You are right, of course. We had dinner at Artist's Point at the WL on our last trip, and I must have had that stuck in my head. That's a good place too.

[littlej]

I'll second that. Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge is also a 2TS, and we love love LOVE it. Best filet of beef I've ever had. And I've never had a problem booking a dinner there, even at the last minute. Boma is also AWESOME. Tell us what you pick!

Oh, and when I called Monday to adjust some of my ADRs, the CM said that since a lot of people don't know about Tusker House being a new TS buffet, their bookings are wide open. You can use that to use up a TS.

Kona Cafe might be another little known place to use a TS. I've heard great things about it (we're trying it for the first time on this trip), but most people try to get into Ohana, which I don't like anymore after the menu changes.

[dizneyraver]

Thanks for the awesome advice, and so quick! www.allearsnet.com is gold, what a great site (thanks, mom22gls!). Drince88, thanks for the Private Dining clarification, I thought it was some more exciting

Well, here is where I am for now:

I called and the first thing I asked was if there was anything, any night for Fantasmic at Mama Melrose's or Hollywood & Vine. We've eaten at H&V and the Brown Derby before, and we really want to try some new stuff this time around. Also, I didn't think Brown Derby was worth 2TS when you look at other 2TS options. Result: There was nothing available for Fantasmic. Bummer.

Next, I asked about Rose and Crown for Illumations and scored 7:20! (show is at 9) That was better then I could have expected.

My next priority was Le Cellier. We have eaten there before but I can't get the cheese soup and pretzel bread out of my head. But, I guess I will have to skip it this time as there were NO spots for lunch or dinner any night.

I then tried for the Aloha show and there was nothing for any show in cat 2 or 3. My next choice was NARCOOSSEE's where we got a 6:15 spot (prolly not as competitive). (littlej: the CM suggested Tusker House too, we might try that)

Partner's mom likes home cookin' so we are going back to Liberty Tree for lunch at 12:00, and then dinner at 8:10 at Tony's (new to us). That's quite a stretch so I might call back and push LT to a little later in the day (sounded like they were wide open).

And that was it for our 5 TS credits! I had on my list to check (but didn't get to them) Boma, San Angel Inn, Coral Reef (2 of us have been to those, the mom-n-law hasn't); Kona, 1900, Les Chefs de France, Hoop-Dee-Doo, and Artist Point (all new to all of us).

Ended up with Liberty Tree being the only one we have tried before, so this will be plenty of new experiences.

I will prolly call back tomorrow and try again. I am not sure about NARCOOSSEE. It looks WONDERFUL, the lobster is calling my name, but Mom is a country girl and not very adventurous. I know she would like the Hoop-Dee-Doo. Artist Point sounds like a really nice atmosphere.

[Drince88]

Well.... since you'll be there at the beginning of November....
The Canadian Booth at the Food & Wine festival does have small samplings of the soup. Doesn't look like they have pretzel bread - but it's 1/2 of what you were looking for!

[dizneyraver]

that is good news!

they should start doing takeout at these places...

[dizneyraver]

Just called back today, I was disappointed that we couldn't get in to ANY table service restaurants in MGM. Based on the other DR's we have, there is one night we can see Fantasmic but there is nothing available (even without the Fantasmic seating) for that night. Oh well, perhaps we will counter-service it.

We did get Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, but had to go with cat. 3 at 9:30. That's unfortunate because I read that you can get cat. 1 with the dining plan if you go to the 9:30 show, but I guess it was full.

Also added Planet Hollywood and Boma, will probably be dropping Liberty Tree and (gasp) Narcoossee's. I can't bring myself to drop that one, it sounds so very good.

Just to clarify, I'm not expecting much as far as DR's, I realize we are total beggars who shouldn't try to be choosers at this point

[wishiwasthere]

Planet Hollywood dining certificates are included if you booked a package. At least it was with mine. Look at your packet that you received.

[CHEERMOM]

The Biergarten in Germany had pretzel rolls on the buffet that rivaled Canadas last time we were there. It is pretty easy to get a seating there and everything was good.

[dizneyraver]

Thanks for the info

@CHEERMOM Biergarten is good, we might have a weak moment and return even though we are trying to do new things this trip.

@wishiwasthere the certificates are why we are going to phwood, I think we will get 2 because we have too rooms. score!

Any suggestions for table service near MGM? What resorts would be easiest to get back to MGM from? Or, should I just go with any of the MGM/EPCOT resorts? (they seem to be bundled according to this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/propertymap.htm)

[littlej]

Yes, any of the Epcot/MGM resorts are walkable to/from MGM. If you like clams and mussels, my pick is the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake Buffet (might be the one furthest away from MGM, though). Check out the menu at one of the sites online - I use Allearsnet.com. We also enjoyed Spoodles and the Flying Fish Cafe. There's some highly regarded places at the Swan and Dolphin as well.

[CHEERMOM]

The Yachtsmans Steakhouse is a 15-20 min walk or you could take the boat ,and go back for Fantasmic afterward.

[ElephantEars]

You could have a nice late lunch at a table service restaraunt in Epcot or at one of the Epcot area resorts. At night in MGM grab some munchies to eat and go early to grab a seat for Fantasmic!
On our last trip we booked ADRs a little late in the game, and did a lot of sit down lunches and it worked out well for us!