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We are going to DIsney for a long weekend w/ our 7 year old and his grandfather and I have not made any plans other than knowing the hotel (Wilderness Lodge-- cabin) and getting the 4 day pass and meal plan (one table service, one counter service and one snack). I have very limited time to plan and am honestly overwhelmed by the website(s). I have read that California Grill and Artist Point are great places to eat, but that I will need to make reservations... This trip was a gift and I am grateful and want to make the best of our time w/o making myself crazy in the meantime.
Some say YES reservations and others say that reservations make you stop what you are doing and hustle and rush to something else. Character breakfasts aren't important to us... we just want to have a fun, family time.
Any advise?
Going to Disney for a long weekend and need help w/ dining plan options
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When are you going?
Because of the popularity of the meal plan, you will need reservations for your one table service meal of the day, particularly if you choose dinner for your table service meal. Call Disney dining NOW because the restaurants book months in advance. You will want to take that sit down meal break everyday, so plan your touring around it (visit the park or the park near the hotel where you will dine). You do not need reservations for the counter service meals and snacks.
We are going in early June.
"I have read that California Grill and Artist Point are great places to eat, but that I will need to make reservations..." That is exactly right!
Those restaurants are very good and very popular. They do require reservations as far ahead as possible. However, there are other restaurants that do not require such reservations, so you won't starve. BTW, you could always get on the waiting list for Artist Point and/or California Grill and just get in a little later whenever a table opens. But, as padams421 says, call Disney NOW!
I just got back from Disney and used the same dining plan you mention. Definitely get reservations but If you can't, you can show up at the restaurant anyway. They'll either turn you away or if they have a lot of no-shows, they might let you wait for a table. Even with reservations, I had to wait for a table anywhere from 20-60 minutes. So make reservations for a time (or try to just show up) before you are going to be starving.
Whether or not you are on the dining plan, I highly recommend making reservations for dinner. Also, if you can't get a dinner reservation for a particular restaurant, consider going to the restaurant for lunch.
One good place to start is this website: allears.net
Look under the "Dining" tab, and then navigate to where they post the menus for all the various restaurants. This may help you decide where you want to try and get reservations for.
There are so many eating options available and that website was very helpful in helping me decide where to make reservations at.