Fill My Plate With Food, or You Wanna Order For Me?

[Disney Magic]

Originally Posted by Stitchy-poo

I was planning on eating there while we were in MGM....what's wrong with it?

I was wondering the same thing about Prime Time Cafe? I loved it there, much better than Sci-Fi Theater. Seems rather odd to warn people not to go there without giving a reason.

[erick13]

On my trip last Dec. there were 7 of us (Wife, 2 yr old son, and all 4 grandparents). Everyone had the dining plan and everyone saved money on it. Our cost per dat at that time was $35 per adult per night. Since tax and tip are included we were positive that we would at least be even or save a little. We saved out reciepts for the trip for every meal and and snack we got on the plan. Our difference was about $500 ($700 cost and would of spent $1200+) since we didn't worry about what we ordered or the cost each meal. We've already decided that next time we'll go with the plan again since it saved us so much. The biggest downside to the dining plan was that there was too much food. The night before we left we had to get a bunch of snacks for the palne trip home which was better then eating that stuff the airlines call food anyways.

[mrcoaster]

As an airline employee, I can safely tell you most airlines don't even bother offering food any more. You can buy some junk snacks if you want, however. You did the right thing by bringing snacks you picked up from WDW.

Barbaraann, you are welcome for the info. I love to meticulously plan things out as well. I like to throw in a little spontaneity here and there, but I like to have definite gameplans and dining reservations for the sitdown restaurants. I believe you are correct about being able to book up to two rooms on the AP rate, but I won't swear to it. I'm 99% sure of that, however. The reservation can be room only, but you can easily add tickets or dining plans as you see fit. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I generally just go with the Dining Experience discount card myself for eating at the restaurants, but you can add the dining plan if you like.

I believe the cancellation policies are the same as they are without the AP - variable depending on what you've booked and how far out. Anything less than a week is going to get you some pro-rated cancellation fee of your resort reservation. More than a week and you should be able to get a refund on the room only reservation.

Whispering Canyon Cafe is nice and it's a great way to see the rest of the WL while you're there. That's where I stayed on my last visit and my daughter and I thought it was wonderful. We ended up with a really nice view from our room of the courtyard/pool and Bay Lake off in the distance.

It's never too early to start planning for the next trip.

Almost forgot to mention...We LOVE the 50s Prime Time Cafe! The food is good and we enjoy the schtick from the CMs. I can understand how some people might not enjoy it, but we always have a pretty good time with it.

[DisneyPrincess4590]

Originally Posted by Disney Magic

I was wondering the same thing about Prime Time Cafe? I loved it there, much better than Sci-Fi Theater. Seems rather odd to warn people not to go there without giving a reason.

I was the one who warned against 50s Prime Time Cafe. The food was WAY overpriced. I realize that all WDW table service restaurants are expensive, but I do not mind paying high prices if the food is good and you get your money's worth. My parents and I both had the pot roast. It was just mediocre. For counter service, it would have been acceptable - NOT FOR TABLE SERVICE. Each potroast was $15.99. It was fairly small and only came with a few vegetables as a side dish. Our total at at Prime Time Cafe was MORE than at LE CELLIER. And Le Cellier is, IMHO, one of the best restaurants in WDW.

Also, I feel that the servers at Prime Time are occasionally a little too rude. I realize that they have fun w/ the guests, but in the end, they are still servers. They should still ask if the food is ok, check to see if you need more water, etc.

Hope this clears any confusion up!

[dsnylndmom]

Originally Posted by MandaBella

Because there is a hell of a lot more to Walt Disney World than running from attraction to attraction. However if you're main focus in visiting WDW is rides, then doing table service would probably slow you down too much. Dining is a very important part of any vacation I take.

I so so SO agree with You
Some of our best memories from our first family trip to WDW were at different restaurants When we started making our ADR's for our trip in 5 weeks both of my boys were really excited to help pick places out.

[captsmith84]

Get the annual, you'll use it.

[Disney Magic]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess4590

I was the one who warned against 50s Prime Time Cafe. The food was WAY overpriced. I realize that all WDW table service restaurants are expensive, but I do not mind paying high prices if the food is good and you get your money's worth. Each potroast was $15.99. It was fairly small and only came with a few vegetables as a side dish.

Also, I feel that the servers at Prime Time are occasionally a little too rude. I realize that they have fun w/ the guests, but in the end, they are still servers. They should still ask if the food is ok, check to see if you need more water, etc.

Welcome to the real world, where everything is over priced especially at theme parks. $15.99 actually doesn't sound too overpriced perhaps for the portion they gave you, but not terribly out of line with prices at the local Applebees or TGI Fridays etc... I don't remember what I've ordered but it was good and portions have been adequate. Five-Six bucks for a small crappy value meal at McDonald's is over priced too but hasn't stopped them from serving billions nation wide. I'd much rather go to Prime Time.

You do realize that "being rude" is part of their whole act and atmosphere. You kinda have to play along and speak up for yourself, after all your "server" is supposed to be family. Perhaps you really did have a bad experience or maybe you didn't know what to expect. Prime Time is one of my favorite dining spots in WDW and last time we were there it they couldn't seat us cause it was too busy.

*Now returning this thread back on topic*

[Barbaraann]

No the thread is on topic. I have opened up a discussion about eating at Disney World, and I welcome all comments about all the places to eat there.

I have eaten at Prime Time. I thought the food was good. I loved playing along. I got caught stealing the green beans off someone else's plate, and I deliberately blew bubbles in my rootbeer float. My grandson chewed gum, and we watched Annette Funicello on the television. Sean's mom didn't know who Annette was and we had to fill her in. It was a great time.

I am one of those people who doesn't worry too much about meal costs on vacation. If I have to pinch pennies, I will just stay home.

[MandaBella]

Originally Posted by dsnylndmom

I so so SO agree with You
Some of our best memories from our first family trip to WDW were at different restaurants When we started making our ADR's for our trip in 5 weeks both of my boys were really excited to help pick places out.

It's a lot of fun to pick and choose where you are going to eat isn't it!? I love looking at the menus on allearsnet.com to see what each place has to offer! Also, that's why I love the Food and Wine Festival so much. You can drink and graze your way around the World Showcase! Although, I have yet to get around the WS in a single evening. I usually have to do it in "shifts." I've already started getting ideas of where I am going to eat for my December trip. Right now...I'm debating on where to buy the Candelight Processional Dinner package this year. I haven't done Italy (no real desire since I'm part Italian), China (don't normally enjoy Chinese food), or Norway (princesses are keeping me away) yet.

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

I am one of those people who doesn't worry too much about meal costs on vacation. If I have to pinch pennies, I will just stay home.

EXACTLY!

$15.99 is not that expensive for an entree at many restaurants, especially not at WDW. If that's seems excessive to you, you may also want to avoid the signature dining places and V&A's...I think you'd been in for sticker shock there.

Oh I know someone mentioned the DDE card. I have one and love it! Unlike the Disney Dining Plan, the DDE card not only gets you 20% off your meal but it also gets you 20% off your alcoholic beverages. I'm not a big drinker, but when I'm on vacation I love trying new wines and cocktails! It's how I discovered I loved Bellinis, Ice Wine, pretty much all red wines, and pretty much anything with rum and/or peach schnapps in it.

[dsnylndmom]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

I am one of those people who doesn't worry too much about meal costs on vacation. If I have to pinch pennies, I will just stay home.

Same here, plus I couldn't imagine not doing some nice relaxing meals ie table service meals or character meals. My boys are 7 & 11 and they love character meals, it's a part of our trip not just a meal, kwim? And seriously, how much park time are you really losing by sitting down, getting off of your feet, relaxing and having a great meal with your family?


Mandabella, the food and wine festival sounds so wonderful!!

[Barbaraann]

This is the longest WDW vacation that I have ever been on. Being in Disney World in July is destined to be very warm. Having a respite from the heat planned into each day's itinerary is always a treat.

I love the character stuff. Sometimes, it's the best way to see the characters. I even like watching the children of perfect strangers getting all excited because a princess, or Mickey is coming, and they know they are next.

Another thing that I will never do on vacation is "hurry". If I have to hurry through the park, then I would just rather stay here in Chicago.

[dsnylndmom]

We're leaving for our second family trip to WDW in just over 4 weeks. We had a blast planning our meals and have some of the same choices as you
We're doing Whispering Canyon for lunch
Boma for brunch
Planet Hollywood for dinner(for my oldest son)
Ohanas' for breakfast
Liberty Tree for dinner
Sci Fi for dinner
Le Cellier for lunch
Chef Mickeys for late breakfast

[Speedway]

I absolutely love Hollywood and Dine at the Disney-MGM Studios. Best. Buffet. Ever.

[Barbaraann]

Originally Posted by dsnylndmom

We're leaving for our second family trip to WDW in just over 4 weeks. We had a blast planning our meals and have some of the same choices as you
We're doing Whispering Canyon for lunch
Boma for brunch
Planet Hollywood for dinner(for my oldest son)
Ohanas' for breakfast
Liberty Tree for dinner
Sci Fi for dinner
Le Cellier for lunch
Chef Mickeys for late breakfast

I have been to Boma for breakfast, and the food was great. The hotel is really wonderful. We stayed most of the morning there looking at the animals and visited the gift shop. Sean, my grandson, found a family to visit with in the Lobby and ended up playing Disney Uno with them, while we shopped for pins. They served a juice at breakfast called "frunch" and it was delicious.

I have never been to Le Cellier, Sci Fi Diner, Whispering Canyon, Planet Hollywood, or Liberty Tree. Then again, I have a list of places that I will try on future trips. Each vacation, I may do a repeat restaurant, but I always try new places.

Chef Mickey's is one that I always return to. I am planning on going there this time with my Goofy hat, and my Goofy shirt. I should get lot's of fun feedback from that.

[dsnylndmom]

Originally Posted by Speedway

I absolutely love Hollywood and Dine at the Disney-MGM Studios. Best. Buffet. Ever.

We ate there our last trip for the Fantasmic package! My oldest and I really enjoyed it, the rest of our party did not