just booked our very first disney vacation!!! questions...please help! : )

[so.this.is.love]

hi everyone! 

we just booked our very first ever disney vacation this morning.  we will be going in july of this year.  we purchased the dining plan along with our package that includes a dinner and a lunch meal per day.  i was wondering if we can use those anywhere on the disney grounds, or if they are good only at the hotel?? 

also, am i supposed to make reservations for our dinner?  i have no clue and forgot to ask the rep on the phone when booking our vacation. 

thanks in advance! : )

[littlefoots]

Congrats on your trip!!

For the dining  plan.. Here is the 2010 Brochure which contains all the locations. Reservations can be made up to 180 days out from the date of your arrival.  

As far as your dinner is concerned.. If you are eating at a table service meal, then yes, I would make your reservation asap within your 180 days. Some people prefer to wing it.. but it is a personal choice.  July is a busy month..so my personal suggestion would be to book it.

You can book via phone at 407-WDW-DINE or you can also book online now.

if you need help with menues.. here are a couple of great sites to help you.. and ask away in here!

http://allears.net/din/dining.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

Have fun...

[Dawne98]

I am so EXCITED for you!!!!

I have been many times but my DH has never been to WDW and our 2 year old DD has not been....but my going to be 12 year old DD and I have been many times! We are doing the give the day get a day so when we are in FL for the summer at mom's and dad's we are going to go just for one day:) Last night at dinner I asked my DH if we could do a family one in two years and he told me "YES"!!!!

YOU are going to have so much fun and the food at dinner time is great..we like to do lunches or dinners b/c most of the breakfast  one are the same food....

WE love 1900 Park Fare for dinner and Crystal palace for lunch! But if you like Catfish Granden Grill in Epcot is the best food!!!! They have dinner or lunch with Mickey:)

 You'll find a lot who like Chef Mickey's but we did a breakfast and it was not good at all...we are going to try dinner in Aug when we go:) ONLLY b/c of my two year DD loves Mickey..lol

[Mommyof3yippey]

 Are you going with kids? what ages? I might have some dining suggestions for you. I know it's important to book well in advance to get the dining choices you wanted and also the best timing. If you wait till the last minute, you might not get everything you want and oftne have to settle for a lesser choice.

Many people LOVE to eat at the Castle to see Cinderella, we have eaten there and yes, it's nice...BUT many people do not realize that the Storybook Dining in Norway located in Epcot has many princesses and it only takes ONE credit for your dining. The food was fresh and tasted good. And I think we saw, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, and Belle.... here is a picture..it was NOT crowded (like the castle) and we will go to that one again..

 

[angeldud]

I am assuming the you have the basic dining plan... one table service, one counter service and one snack??? is this correct????

they are good on disney property... the borchure that the other poster posted will help with that...

I HIGHLY suggest you decide on some character meals and make reservations in order to take full advantage of your dining plan... ones we are doing this time, most of which are repeats...

Chef Mickeys for breakfast

Ohana for breakfast

1900 park fare for breakfast and dinner (2 different sets of characters)

Garden Grill

Planet Hollywood (not character but my mom's fav resturant)

Donalds Safari Breakfast

Akershus for dinner

Liberty Tree Tavern only because Crystal Palace is being remodeled

 

 

[macmom3]

Congrats on your trip. Planning for the first time can be overwhelming, but this is a great board to help out. Personally we ALWAYS make dinner reservations. My in-laws went last year with out ressies and had a very difficult time getting into restaurants. Who wants to waste time looking for a place to eat instead of enjoying the parks. How many days are you going? How many people/ kids?

 Here are our favorite restaurants per park:

 Magic Kindom- Crystal Palace- character meal- buffet style- table service; Peco Bills- counter service

Epcot- Le'Cellier- Canadian Steakhouse- table service; Sunshine Season- land pavillion0 counter serive

Disney Studios- Sci-fi- table service; ABC commissary- table service

Animal Kingdom- no real great table service- Picnic in the Park- counter service

Resorts- Chef Mickey- Contemp resort- table service; Boma- Animal Kingdom Lodge- table service; Whispering Canyon Cafe- Ft. Wilderness Lodge- table service

These are some of my favs. Personally my fav is Boma.