The appeal of Disney parks

Being appreciative and being an irritable, attention-seeking cry baby are not compatible.

Carrie's right. Don't feed the trolls.

<looks for an ignore feature on Cbuzz>

The problem is, not everyone visiting Walt Disney World can eat at 6pm. (Though, if they could then I'd do some major power riding during that hour.)

The times aren't written in stone, the point is the kids need to eat every 5-6 hours. A 9PM dinner probably isnt going to work.

Like someone else said, if there is an entire cottage industry devoted to planning a Disney Vacation, then I'm not the only one who thinks the planning is a hassle.

GoBucks89 said:
bill -- You said you are going to Disney in part because you came across some money. What is your idea for the money rather than going to Disney?

I suggested a cruise or a 10 day Williamsburg (BGE couple days)/Outer Banks trip.

billb7581 said:
Like someone else said, if there is an entire cottage industry devoted to planning a Disney Vacation, then I'm not the only one who thinks the planning is a hassle.

That was me, but I suggested the fact that such services exist demonstrate the pressure to "see it all" - not the hassle involved in planning.

Although, I suppose you could look at it that way too, though I don't.

There's a difference between it being a hassle and feeling pressure to do it all.

I don't think it's a hassle - quite the opposite. I'm one of the ones who enjoy the planning process, but I do get the idea of feeling pressure to do it 'right' and get the most for your time and money.

I'm not getting a car so I am saddled with eating somewhere on property.

I was under the impression you needed a reservation for sitdown or else you were screwed.

I have 3 reservations now and I guess I'll play the rest by ear, if I can get something to eat somewhere, at the time I would like to eat, somewhere near where I am going to be, then I'll agree it wasn't as big of a hassle as I was making it.

No, you'll not be able to get anything to eat at any time that you're hungry. Unless you get a FastPass. Otherwise, you're going to be miserab...oh, wait. Nevermind.

I still don't understand why ever meal has to be a nice-sit-down-being-served kind of meal. Throughout your stay, when you and your family members are hungry, eat. There are probably as many places to eat at the parks then there are rides, shows, and attractions combined.

And if the kids get cranky because they are hungry, but the dinner reservations are still a few hours away, get some popcorn or some fries to share to tide them over until then.

Irritated dad, cranky kids, I wonder what the misses is like?

Yup. That's what food carts are for. Believe me, that is common sense for all parks, not just Disney.

LostKause said:
I still don't understand why ever meal has to be a nice-sit-down-being-served kind of meal.

They don't, but if I am already paying for 5 table service meals, you're saying I shouldn't use them? I reserved 3 out of 15 meals, you keep acting like I have a Clark Griswold itinerary.

Respectfully, Bill, and kindly...

Can't you save some of those dining plan points (is that what they are called?) by eating counter service meals? You are not stuck eating only sit-down meals. You get to choose.

Spend them on popcorn, or snacks too. You can use them for that, right?

That's what I would do. I think it would be a hassle while visiting the park to take the time to eat a sit-down meal every time. Everyone is different though.

And I'm sorry for coming across as a meanie. I mean it in a fun way. I really do. :)

I think I get 5 counter, 5 sit down and 5 snacks. Maybe I'm wrong. I thought you use them or lose them.

I'm not sure. I thought that you got points, and it was more points for sit-down service, and less for counter. That's what I've been reading here forever.

And with that, I probably should bow out of the conversation, because I just realized that I am discussing something that I have no experience with. All of my Disney trips included pay-as-you-go counter service, with the exception of a visit to Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney (I do not recommend eating there). I am more familiar with Universal Studios' offerings though. I have paid a many visits to most every restaurant at Citywalk, and a few sit-down-get-served places at the Universal parks.

Let me explain though, When I went to the Disney parks, I wanted to do it all every time I went, so I stayed away from full-service restaurants. The counter service dining was faster and cheaper, so I could run to the next ride or attraction.

YMMV...

Regardless, even if you aren't a tea person, Bill, definitely try the Mango Green Tea Slush from Joy of Tea (China pavilion) when you're in EPCOT. The bbq pork rolls they have at that stand are interestingly tasty as well (1 snack credit gets you 2 rolls), and might be something the kids would like.

As far as the credits go, it depends on which kind of dining plan you get. I don't remember off the top of my head how the credits work, as I haven't been there in about 3 months and have forgotten most of the details since I didn't deal with that to begin with.

billb7581 said:
I think I get 5 counter, 5 sit down and 5 snacks. Maybe I'm wrong. I thought you use them or lose them.

That is how It was when I went in '08.. Some sit down joints, like California Grill, take two credits.

And if you run out of counter service credits, you can use a table service credit at a counter. Not a great value, but it can be done.

I still can't imagine not using all of them. I've always ended up charging food to the room on the last day.

The Disney Dining Plan allots 1 Table Service meal, 1 Quick Service meal and 1 Snack per night of your stay. All credits expire at midnight on day of check-out.

Well I certainly want to thank everyone for their advice on Disney. My family keeps saying we are going to go there again and any tips I can get are greatly appreciated!

My wife finally located another dinner so now we have

Biergarten, Kouzzina, something I cant remeber, and the Hoop Dee doo musical review(?) that one costs 2 credits so I can just hit counter service and pay out of pocket on the last day.

Oh, are we still talking about your pain and suffering through the planning process? Sorry, I forgot about this thread.

Either way, I'd hate to see you in a real stressful situation.