Cheaper by the Dozen – Lukas’ 1st Birthday Extravaganza! - Page 6 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We all know the dining choices are a very important process in the Disney trip planning, but everyone I’m going with – not so much. The Disney veterans gave some input, but really I had to make the decisions myself. It’s overwhelming to make food choices for 10 people (the additional 2 weren’t going at the time I planned all this, so that’s a whole ‘nother post). I figured one meal a day would be ok so we don’t have to rush around everyday to eat – something I learned from Dylan’s 1st birthday trip. We have a dinner planned every night but one and one character breakfast as well. I tried to pick places that I thought would be good for a big group. So without further adieu … Sat 9/17
Breakfast - @ the airport
Lunch – depending on if we wait for Kevin & Becki to arrive at the airport we might grab something at MCO or wait until we get to the lounge
Dinner @ Via Napoli @ 5:45pm
Thu 9/22
Breakfast – lounge (My parents, brother, & Dylan will be eating at Pizzafari after the Sunrise Safari)
Lunch – CS somewhere
Dinner – 50s PTC @ 4:35pm (Ryan & Laura have an ADR here for 2 @ 4:20pm, so hopefully we can sit together or at least close)
Fri 9/23
Breakfast – lounge
Lunch – CS @ MK or Contemporary
Dinner – Garden Grill @ 6:30pm (Ryan & Laura have an ADR here for 2 @ 5:35pm)
Sat 9/24
Breakfast – lounge
Lunch – CS somewhere
Dinner - @ MCO L
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Looks like you are eating at the lounge a lot. I guess they offer enough food to make it a meal? This is good to know since we will most likely be doing the same thing.
This is why we have started to talk about staying club level and ditching the dinning plan. Sounds fabulous.
We had two ADR's last year that were 10 min off from my SIL, we got there early and told the CM out front and both times we were all seated together and all was fine.
Have you done GC before? I am really wanting to try that place next time, and we just had a blast eating on the bleachers in Casey's last fall. Josie goes nuts for those old school Mickey cartoons.
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Nice plans Kelly, I'll be interested to see how the multiple ADR's work. We have 11 going and on two ADR's I had to make 2 bookings for the same time party of 5 and party of 6. I'm still hoping to convert to 1 booking but not having any luck right now.
Looks like you are eating at the lounge a lot. I guess they offer enough food to make it a meal? This is good to know since we will most likely be doing the same thing.
For some of us - yes it will be enough. Breakfast of course is the easiest and they have cereal, bagels, juice, milk, yogurt so it's easy for breakfast. Other times I think it can be enough to make a light meal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
This is why we have started to talk about staying club level and ditching the dinning plan. Sounds fabulous.
We had two ADR's last year that were 10 min off from my SIL, we got there early and told the CM out front and both times we were all seated together and all was fine.
Have you done GC before? I am really wanting to try that place next time, and we just had a blast eating on the bleachers in Casey's last fall. Josie goes nuts for those old school Mickey cartoons.
We have never done the dining plan - just hasn't really suited us yet.
Good to know about the being seated together.
I'm assuming you meant GG (Garden Grill). We've eaten there 3 times now, so this will be the 4th - we go every other trip. This was the dinner we had on Dylan's actual 1st birthday so I thought it appropriate to include it on this trip since his birthday is 2 weeks after Lukas'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Nice plans Kelly, I'll be interested to see how the multiple ADR's work. We have 11 going and on two ADR's I had to make 2 bookings for the same time party of 5 and party of 6. I'm still hoping to convert to 1 booking but not having any luck right now.
Well, technically we have 3 ADRs for Garden Grill as we have 2. Via Napoli is the same way. We shall see!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
The lounge option sounds wonderful but I fear I would just become a lounge lizard enjoying all those AB options!!
That's ok - maybe that would be worth the price of club level then. Mike has always brought beer back in the room for him for times when it's not out and I think I'll be doing the same, but maybe with wine.
dinner choices sounds great! I think the lounge sounds like a wonderful thing to have with small kids, so many times they don't eat or want what you are having in the parks, so having snacks and things to nibble on back at the room is great. we may have to try to book club level at least once at 7 months out.
__________________
Teresa
Sammy 5 years and Peyton 15 months - September 2013
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Great dining plans! I think you'll be fine with breakfast at the lounge, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the selection we found around lunchtime. There just wasn't much and it didn't seem, to us, as if it would be enough for a meal. There's a lot later - the cheese selection is quite something, as are the desserts. Do ask for the details of what comes out when - we didn't and missed the best bits on our first day there.
Looks like you have some really good meal choices Have to say kind of glad ours don't coincide this way based on size of your little band I know where I'm at will still have some food left (only kidding) See you at MNSSHP Just look for smile behind Big Mustache
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I love the tattoo Your dining plans look great and yummy choices. I love the idea of the lounge, I would have loved to get club level this trip, but by the time I knew we were adding an AKL leg onto the trip there was no club level studios left but I guess that is a good thing, if we did I don't think I would ever leave the resort...lol
So many great choices! Club level snacks sound great and quick!
Thanks! They usually are yummy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
Great dining choices!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbr2015
dinner choices sounds great! I think the lounge sounds like a wonderful thing to have with small kids, so many times they don't eat or want what you are having in the parks, so having snacks and things to nibble on back at the room is great. we may have to try to book club level at least once at 7 months out.
The breakfast and night time snacks are great with little ones! The other time we stayed with Dylan club level Mike would get him a banana and Fruit Loops and he was good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lexiemom
You did a fabulous job with your choices. I have only planned a trip with 4 people at the most, so I can't imagine planning a trip with 10!
It's a little difficult, but overall I'm pretty much doing what I want - I am the planner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great dining plans! I think you'll be fine with breakfast at the lounge, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the selection we found around lunchtime. There just wasn't much and it didn't seem, to us, as if it would be enough for a meal. There's a lot later - the cheese selection is quite something, as are the desserts. Do ask for the details of what comes out when - we didn't and missed the best bits on our first day there.
You're right Cheryl! The dinner options are much better. At least the mara is near by if we need more. If all I had was the juice they have out I'd be ok - I love it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
Looks like you have some really good meal choices Have to say kind of glad ours don't coincide this way based on size of your little band I know where I'm at will still have some food left (only kidding) See you at MNSSHP Just look for smile behind Big Mustache
You're prbably better off not eating near us! Hope to see that Big Mustache!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I love the tattoo Your dining plans look great and yummy choices. I love the idea of the lounge, I would have loved to get club level this trip, but by the time I knew we were adding an AKL leg onto the trip there was no club level studios left but I guess that is a good thing, if we did I don't think I would ever leave the resort...lol
This will be the 3rd time staying club level at AKL - and it definitely spoils you! Thank goodness for DVC or we would not experience it at all.
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That's ok - maybe that would be worth the price of club level then. Mike has always brought beer back in the room for him for times when it's not out and I think I'll be doing the same, but maybe with wine.
Teresa
PassPorter Guide Author
I think you'll be fine with breakfast at the lounge, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the selection we found around lunchtime. There just wasn't much and it didn't seem, to us, as if it would be enough for a meal. There's a lot later - the cheese selection is quite something, as are the desserts. 
Do ask for the details of what comes out when - we didn't and missed the best bits on our first day there. 
Hope to see that Big Mustache! 
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