Overwhelmed by Disney Dining options

[mrshandy]

If you could only eat at one place, where would you go? and what meal?

We're going with DS - 5 and DD - 2.

Our travel agent made like two breakfast reservations which seems odd to me. I would rather eat breakfast in the room then use the dining plan for lunch and dinner.

[lindsaymg]

My favorite dining reservation is Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian timed during the Magic Kingdom fireworks. You get to see the electric water parade, see the fireworks without crowds with the matching music piped in. It is my "must do" every time I go.

ETA: We usually do this on Animal Kingdom day because you have to be up early for AK day and can have it finished pretty early, go to the hotel and clean up, rest or swim, eat a quick serve lunch at the hotel, snack, then have a late(r) dinner.

[bcarp30]

Do you want a character meal or a good dinner? Those are not usually at the same place.

[Ashley&Scott]

Oh man I wish I could get breakfast reservations! With breakfast reservations before the park officially opens you get access to a quiet park & awesome photo ops. Also, breakfast is M's favorite meal & morning happens to be his happiest time of day.

Which ones do you have booked currently?

[Deleted]

Are they pre rope drop breakfasts? Where are they?

I mean there are so many options choosing one is hard. I am a BIG Crystal Palace breakfast fan. I love California Grill for a grownups meal. Everywhere in Epcot is good.

For Character Meals I like

Garden Grill
Crystal Palace
Tusker House

Princesses

Cinderella's Royal Table


For 1 credit sit downs I like

Teppan Edo
Marakesh
The Plaza
Olivia's at Old Key West
San Angel Inn
O'hana's dinner
Grand Floridian Cafe
Saana
Boma
Yak and Yeti
Be Our Guest Dinner 

For 2 credit sit downs
Le Cellier
California Grill

Shows -

I really like Hoop de Doo Review

Counter Service

Contempo Cafe
Columbia Harbor House
Yorkshire Fish Shoppe
Morocco ( what's that place called?)
Starring Rolls
Flame Tree


Where are you staying? When are you going ?

[Ashley&Scott]

Jul 29, 2015 13:43:54 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

We are doing free dining & mostly character meals. This way, we can see the characters while the kids are still happy and we don't have to wait in line to see them later.

So are we. I think DH is overwhelmed that we're doing 5 character meals, lol.

[mrshandy]

Chef Mickey's

Cinderella's Royal Table

edit: Hollywood & Vine

I don't know if I care about character meals that much. Maybe like one would be fine. DD doesn't care about characters and DS isn't too crazy about characters other than lightning mcqueen. I'm sure he'll like it, but he's not obsessed or anything.

We also have California Grill for a grown up meal.

We're staying at Art of Imagination and going over Halloween weekend staying 5 days 4 nights.

[ribollita]

Jul 29, 2015 13:36:31 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

If you could only eat at one place, where would you go? and what meal?

We're going with DS - 5 and DD - 2.

Our travel agent made like two breakfast reservations which seems odd to me. I would rather eat breakfast in the room then use the dining plan for lunch and dinner.

Way too many variables here. Where are you staying? How many days will you be there?

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2015 13:45:48 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

Jul 29, 2015 13:43:54 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

We are doing free dining & mostly character meals. This way, we can see the characters while the kids are still happy and we don't have to wait in line to see them later.

So are we. I think DH is overwhelmed that we're doing 5 character meals, lol.

5 is a LOT because sometimes you need a break from characters ( and stimulation ) for a meal or 2. What 5 are you doing? 

I currently have 3 booked for my 5 day trip in January and I'm like... UHM... gotta get rid of one of these. LOL! 

[Ashley&Scott]

Jul 29, 2015 13:47:27 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Jul 29, 2015 13:45:48 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

So are we. I think DH is overwhelmed that we're doing 5 character meals, lol.

5 is a LOT because sometimes you need a break from characters ( and stimulation ) for a meal or 2. What 5 are you doing? 

I currently have 3 booked for my 5 day trip in January and I'm like... UHM... gotta get rid of one of these. LOL! 

We're basically doing 1 day.

Tusker House - lunch
Crystal Palace - breakfast or late dinner (need to choose 1)
Chef Mickeys - super early breakfast or lunch (need to choose 1)
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast
1900 Park Fare - dinner

[lindsaymg]

This thread is making me so happy that soon I will have a reason to go to princess character meals! DS isn't anti princess but certainly would pass in lieu of other options. I haven't been to one since I was 9.

I had to con my family of boys into "blowing a fast pass" for the meet Belle thing last month, let alone spending two dining credits to see princesses.

No longer will I be the only girl!

[mrshandy]

Jul 29, 2015 14:00:27 GMT -5 bailarina said:

I would also consider Akershus in Epcot if you are looking for a princess meal. Way cheaper than CRT and I thought the atmosphere was more relaxed. My kids loved it at 5 and 3.

I'm assuming the CRT is covered under the Dining plan. Honestly, I don't really care about a princess meal since DD is only 2 and doesn't know what a princess is. Not sure DS cares that much either or he might like something else better.

[Amy]

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

[Amy]

If DS is into pirates, I'd highly suggest the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise, it's fun!

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2015 17:46:44 GMT -5 Amy said:

If DS is into pirates, I'd highly suggest the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise, it's fun!

I'm doing this in January! So excited!!

[ssmjlm]

Isn't CRT 2 table credits? OP I would make sure that won't eat into your plan too much.

Chef Mickey's for Breakfast and Crystal Palace for lunch were our big hits. Hollywood & Vine was good, but E only knew Doc, so that was a bust character wise.

1900 Park Fare - meh
Tusker House - meh

We also did Be Our Guest for the breakfast trial and it was terrible.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2015 17:45:56 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

Can you PM me more about your job? It's my dream but I am having a hard time finding an agency that I can work with because I haven't done the cruises ( because $$$$).

[auntie]

California Grill, for the fireworks and Cali wine list

Artist Point for the PNW wines

[bronxgirl]

Jul 29, 2015 13:54:53 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

Jul 29, 2015 13:47:27 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

5 is a LOT because sometimes you need a break from characters ( and stimulation ) for a meal or 2. What 5 are you doing? 

I currently have 3 booked for my 5 day trip in January and I'm like... UHM... gotta get rid of one of these. LOL! 

We're basically doing 1 day.

Tusker House - lunch
Crystal Palace - breakfast or late dinner (need to choose 1)
Chef Mickeys - super early breakfast or lunch (need to choose 1)
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast
1900 Park Fare - dinner

when I went two years ago we did all these same character meals, plus dinner at Akershus.  We had a dining plan so we definitely got our money's worth with character meals,but I wouldn't pay for them out of pocket.  this trip we did Cinderella's royal Table which was fun, but pricey.

[puppylove64]

Jul 29, 2015 17:45:56 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

Can you get onto the free dining plan after it is not listed on the website? I know it is available when we will be there....but I guess we booked too late

[Amy]

Jul 29, 2015 20:16:14 GMT -5 puppylove64 said:

Jul 29, 2015 17:45:56 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

Can you get onto the free dining plan after it is not listed on the website? I know it is available when we will be there....but I guess we booked too late

No the offer expired last week

[Amy]

Jul 29, 2015 19:57:23 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Jul 29, 2015 17:45:56 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

Can you PM me more about your job? It's my dream but I am having a hard time finding an agency that I can work with because I haven't done the cruises ( because $$$$).

done

[Amy]

Jul 29, 2015 20:16:14 GMT -5 puppylove64 said:

Jul 29, 2015 17:45:56 GMT -5 Amy said:

I'm a Disney TA and for a client with a 5 and 2 year old I would've done the same. But with your update about not caring about characters, you might let her know that and look into some of the ones mentioned.
I just made our reservations for Jan and did :
'Ohana dinner
Tusker House Bfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe
BOG lunch
CRT dinner
Les Chefs dinner
Via Napoli dinner
Crystal Palce Bfast
Raglan Road dinner

Can you get onto the free dining plan after it is not listed on the website? I know it is available when we will be there....but I guess we booked too late

but you should be able to get the fall room discount - if you want my help just PM me

[hymen]

I love character breakfasts, so I can understand why your agent would book them, lol. I would rather eat a big breakfast, snack for lunch, then a counter service for dinner.

I love Crystal Palace for breakfast. It's a character buffet with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. If you time it right you can get into MK before the park opens and get pics of the castle with the streets empty. We leave Saturday for our next trip and are reservation is at 8:00 am, park opens at 9. We have eaten lunch there before too but I like breakfast better

Other faves include 50s Primetime Cafe at HS, Rose and Crown at Epcot (England), and Chef Mickey just because of the Fab 5 (it is a bit pricey for food quality). We are trying out T-Rex this trip for the first time at DTD.

[Ashley&Scott]

Jul 29, 2015 20:08:22 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

Jul 29, 2015 13:54:53 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

We're basically doing 1 day.

Tusker House - lunch
Crystal Palace - breakfast or late dinner (need to choose 1)
Chef Mickeys - super early breakfast or lunch (need to choose 1)
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast
1900 Park Fare - dinner

when I went two years ago we did all these same character meals, plus dinner at Akershus.  We had a dining plan so we definitely got our money's worth with character meals,but I wouldn't pay for them out of pocket.  this trip we did Cinderella's royal Table which was fun, but pricey.

We have free dining too. I agree paying out of pocket for this many would be too expensive.