[earl2165]

looking to see if the dinning plan is cheaper then going down without have 2 adults and child going down in oct after the 4th.hoping to get in on the free dinning plan,wondering if they will extend.

[Willbegone]

Well, we are going down the 14-22 and I'm doubting they will extend it. We are also 2 adults and 1 child. We have decided to not do the dining plan because we always eat breakfast in our room and I will split with DH or get a kids meal at the counter service meals. We are doing alot of sit down and character meals but from the calculations we've done the dining plan is not going to save us any $$. Do the calculations and decided for yourself. You can see all the menus and $$ at www.allearsnet.com However, I do hope they extend it so that will definetly save us $$!

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

Just this last week I sat down to figure out if the dining plan was a good deal or not. There are two adults and one child in our group. I planned based on eating cheep (a hot dog and drink). No appetizers, no deserts, no extra fries or anything! We are staying for 5 nights so I planned on the same number of meals that we would get from the plan. In the end eating cheep and only eating 2 table meals that week we were saving less than $50. I figured for aprox $50 we would enjoy ourselves. Now we have 6 tables reserved for the week (1 we are paying for). We will eat pretty good now! I picked some pretty cool restaurants that I normally wouldn't be able to eat at. It adds to the anticipation and enjoyment of the trip. I hope all the walking will keep me from gaining weight! Now we get appetizers, dinner, desert and the drink. I am gonna pick the better CS places too! Make the most of it!
P.S. Some friends of ours just got back and they have two kids. They stayed about 5 nights and spent over $600. They only eat 2 times at TS places.

Check out the menu's for yourself. Average adult CS is $8-10+ and kids $6-8. Don't forget to add tax and tips that the plan would pay for.

[BuzzLightyear]

The dining plan really is great, but you do need to schedule those "sit down" meals in advance and take advantage of them.
We really enjoyed having it this past May, and we saved a lot of money, as well as being able to eat "sit-down" every night.
Enjoy!!!

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

Yeah, it is a really nice perk knowing that you get a sit down meal every day. We are eating most of them in the evening when we will be tired and hot. This will be a great refueling for the night. I can't say how great this plan is for those still trying to decided weather to do it or not.

I still can't believe how quickly they get booked. I am so glad we went ahead and made reservations and now I can just sit back and look forward to it.

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

Does anyone know if a "family style" meal is considered a buffet on the Dining plan?

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally Posted by BESUNNYSIDEUP

Does anyone know if a "family style" meal is considered a buffet on the Dining plan?

The "family style" meals are like an all you can eat buffett, execpt they bring the food to your table. Wispering Canyon and Liberty Tree Tavern are 2 that I know of that do it family style.
On the plan this would be considered a "table service" meal.

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

I know. I guess what I need to know is if they serve family style then can I still order a special dessert if I want one. With buffet you don't get an additional dessert (only buffet and drink). Since family style is like buffet I didn't know. If it counts as a regular table then I should be able to get appetizer, meal (family style), dessert and a drink. Has anyone tried this?

[Goofy3]

Hi there!

We did O'hanas in March using the dining plan. I guess that could be considered "family style" and YES, we did get to order a dessert off of the dessert menu for each of us under the plan. INCLUDING the pineapple & caramel *yum*. Definately a LOT of food for the money! We are looking forward to using the plan again in Dec!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by BESUNNYSIDEUP

Just this last week I sat down to figure out if the dining plan was a good deal or not. There are two adults and one child in our group. I planned based on eating cheep (a hot dog and drink). No appetizers, no deserts, no extra fries or anything! We are staying for 5 nights so I planned on the same number of meals that we would get from the plan. In the end eating cheep and only eating 2 table meals that week we were saving less than $50. I figured for aprox $50 we would enjoy ourselves. Now we have 6 tables reserved for the week (1 we are paying for). We will eat pretty good now! I picked some pretty cool restaurants that I normally wouldn't be able to eat at. It adds to the anticipation and enjoyment of the trip. I hope all the walking will keep me from gaining weight! Now we get appetizers, dinner, desert and the drink. I am gonna pick the better CS places too! Make the most of it!
P.S. Some friends of ours just got back and they have two kids. They stayed about 5 nights and spent over $600. They only eat 2 times at TS places.

Check out the menu's for yourself. Average adult CS is $8-10+ and kids $6-8. Don't forget to add tax and tips that the plan would pay for.

I agree, we did the math and for few dollars more than eating burgers and fries every day we can eat at a nice restaurant every evening!

Just one meal at Le Cellier can save our group of four $160 off the sticker price! Those of you doing calculations remember you have to add at least 22.5% in tax and tip to those table service menu prices...

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally Posted by BESUNNYSIDEUP

I know. I guess what I need to know is if they serve family style then can I still order a special dessert if I want one. With buffet you don't get an additional dessert (only buffet and drink). Since family style is like buffet I didn't know. If it counts as a regular table then I should be able to get appetizer, meal (family style), dessert and a drink. Has anyone tried this?

Yes, but I believe it depends on the resturant. At Wispering Canyon we were able to have an appetizer, and desert along with the family style meal..................WAY TO MUCH FOOD.

At Liberty Tree we went with whatever they brought to the table, there were no appetizers offered, and only one desert.

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

Does anyone know if the garden grill dinner or Sci-Fi is any good? I have read bad reviews and don't want to waste a dinner. I tried to pick them so my son would enjoy the food and the "wow" of the place.

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally Posted by BESUNNYSIDEUP

Does anyone know if the garden grill dinner or Sci-Fi is any good? I have read bad reviews and don't want to waste a dinner. I tried to pick them so my son would enjoy the food and the "wow" of the place.

The Sci Fi has decent food, you shouldn't be dissappointed. And your son should love the atphosmphere there.
Never been to Garden Grill.

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

Thanks for the tips! I am still wondering about Garden Grille. I might change it for LeCellier. I don't think my son would like it as much. ??????

[Laneysdad]

Garden Grill is the lesser of your 2 options here (IMO). It slowly rotatesthrough different views of our "land". Its an OK restaurant. Having characters is never a bad thing. Your son will probably really enjoy it - Provided service is prompt and characters are aplenty.

Sci-Fi is a must do at least once. Your son will enjoy it. The foods your average burger fries drive-in flavor. The WOW is WOW. We enjoyed it for the experience but because nothing can really change there we have a "been there done that" attitude towards it. You sit in cars facing a Drive-in screen watching campy Sci-Fi trailers. Useless fact: the license plates are the Initials of Imagineers and their families.

50's Prime Time Cafe is our favorite MGM eatery and we plan to never miss it on future trips. The food is excellent too! The servers are actors treating you like a guest in "Mom's" home. Each table is set up to look like a 50's kitchen. It's neat.

We've done Crystal Palace at WDW and that was a good one. Cinderella's Royal Table is cool - Inside the castle.

Quick Synopsis: I've done both restaurants you're suggesting. Your son will enjoy them. The food is OK. The WOW factor is there for both. I think you're safe but Disney offers better out there just depends on what you're looking for.