Has anyone used the Dining Plan at Disney World and is it worth it? Anyone ever go to All Star Movie Resorts?

Question

I'm trying to get a feel for what I want to do and stay at Disney? We're taking our 3 & 5 year olds. They love Herbie and Toy Story so figured Movies resort would be perfect. Want to stay by the pool though. Also, what would be good for their ages besides the Magic Kingdom. Prob spend half a day at Epcot and the other half at MGM. Already know we're spending a whole day at MK. Thanks for any input!

Answer 1

We went last year with a 2 and 5 year old. They absolutely LOVED Magic Kingdom, you will want 2 days there. Also, if you stay on property, you can get Extra Magic Hours where the resorts are only open to resort guests. Be sure to plan out your trip accordingly so check the calendar when you check in, we almost missed one! They are AWESOME because the crowds are small. Just make sure if the park is open late, you head back in the afternoon and TAKE A NAP! Our kids crashed so we wheeled them around in strollers and we took turns riding adult rides with the CHILD SWAP. This was not a bad idea either :) If you haven't heard of child swap, be sure to ask about it. It enables one person to ride (with the older child if they can go) and get a pass to hand off to the other parent to go back in the exit or special entrance and get on without having to wait in line again. This way, you don't spend your ENTIRE trip riding kiddie rides.

My kids were bored at Epcot but they did like the Journey Into the Imagination with Figment the little purple dinosaur and they had some fun things for the 5 year old to do in that room. Also, there's a Honey I Shrunk The Audience movie but if yours tend to scare easily, pass this by. There are snakes and mice and other creatures that appear HUGE and 3-D and there are special effects of air puffs and water and other things that may freak them out. Ditto on the Bug's Life movie at Animal Kingdom.

YOU MUST schedule a meal with Character Dining! We usually go to lunch at "the Land" in Epcot - I believe it's called the Garden Grill now (could be wrong) but it's a carousel restaurant which rotates through seasons on a farm. You are in a table with a view of all that and you are served family style as much as you want. The characters (Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale) come around and visit repeatedly with you as you dine. PERFECT photo op. If you have girls, I would recommend opting for the Princess meal at Magic Kingdom because the line to get Princess autographs otherwise is about 1-3 hours long! Just a thought. You NEED to make reservations well in advance so I would call NOW.

The parades are a BIG favorite as well as the night show at MGM - just plan ahead to see them as crowds pack them early. We like to sit in Frontierland in front of the saloon to watch most of the parades depending on the route they are taking, it's a little less crowded.

Our kids didn't eat enough to be worth using the dining plan and neither did we. We don't go to many fancy restaurants with kids -just the one character dining experience, so we mainly had hamburgers and hot dogs with fries at either Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland (under $7 if you don't buy a drink or the most giant burger) and they have lots of toppings for the burgers. There's a similar restaurant in Frontierland near the Splash Mountain area.
We brought peanut butter and jelly and bread with us to the hotel and packed a sandwich for each of the kids each day. If we didn't, they were so hungry and cranky by the time we actually made it to a ride, they were ready to leave. We just made a habit of eating breakfast before we left the hotel and then as soon as we made it into the park and to the land of our choice, we broke out the sandwiches and they chowed down (cut them in fours so if they don't want the whole thing, you can save it for later.)

Anyway, as far as the other parks go, if they like animals, they'll probably like Animal Kingdom but be sure to go on the Safari ride to actually see the animals - BUT visit the bathroom RIGHT BEFORE you go or you could be in a mess. Also need to get a fastpass for that ride or the line is usually quite long.

If you like adult thrill rides, MGM has the most intense with Rock N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Animal Kingdom has some as well and we HIGHLY recommend the Dinosaur ride (as long as you don't scare easily and don't mind being jostled around a lot - it's not one for those with physical ailment. The kids don't seem to remember too much beyond Magic Kingdom so I would definitely focus there at this age. We'll be going back many times over the future because we ALL have so much fun! Enjoy!

Answer 2

I think that All Star Movies is the way to go, especially because you're kids are into the Disney movies. I think that will be the best choice for them. Those resorts are geared towards families with young kids, so I think it's a perfect match.

As for the dining plan, I've heard good things about it. My fiance and I have never used it, but she used to work at the resorts at Disney and would recommend it all the time. Most of the meals at Disney are fairly large in quantity, so it may be too much to eat three full meals there. The snacks are a good idea because they can provide something to hold you over until dinner.

As far as the attractions go, MK is going to be the best place for the kids. You may also want to think about going a second day, in case there are rides you missed or something you want to ride again. Animal Kingdom is a good park for the kids too. Be sure to take them on the safari, Bug's Life and the Dinosaur-themed carnival. It should be fun.

Answer 3

Last year, we went in Sept and got the dining plan for free, (so it was worth it for us). BUT, I definitely would get it again, probably every time I go! The actual cost is something like $37 per person per day. (for adults, kids are probably cheaper) If you use one table service meal for say a character meal at Chef Mickeys, which costs (i think) $26-, then have a counter service meal that costs, say $12, then purchase a soda (as a snack) for $2. the total is $40. You have already saved $3.

Now if you eat at the fancier places, like Le Cellier at the Canada pavillion in Epcot, you get an even better deal.

Last year I kept track of what it would have cost us. (2 adults- 5 nights). The Dining plan cost $370. By tracking the cost of everything we ate, the total was $487.93. pretty big savings. Also, tax & gratuity is included in the plan! We also ate at some places we would not have otherwise tried- due to the costs!

It is a great plan! Buy a good guidebook ahead of time and you can plan what will be the best bet for the money. Don't forget to make reservations!

Answer 4

My wife and I used the dining plan when we went last Christmas area. It was great. It is expensive, but you get a big sit down dinner, a good size lunch (with desert and drink) and then snacks too. We were wishing we had some poor starving kid to go with us to eat some of the food we couldn't eat. We stayed at the all star music, and its the same thing, just different decorations of the Movie resort. Most of the parks all have great things for kids of different ages.

Answer 5

The dining plan is great if you can eat alot of food. For adults it cost around$38.00 each and for kids it is around $11.00 each.
It includes a snack, a counter meal, and a sit down dinner for each day of your trip. It also includes drinks, deserts, and appetizers, as well as tip and tax.

I have a 4 year old and there wasn't much for her to do at Epcot, she slept most of the time there. We are going back in December and are going to Animal Kingdom instead of Epcot this time. We are also staying at Pop Century. This resort is very nice for the money. Staff is great also. Very friendly.

Have fun!!!!!

Answer 6

The meal plan is definately the way to go with small kids.
My family has never done it personally, but really good friends have, and they swear by it.

Epcot is a lot of walking, not sure if the small kids will like it. Living Seas has a Finding Nemo thing that they will like, but other than that, not sure what they would like (my sister and I are 21/22)

You'll have a good time!!

Answer 7

i've stayed at the movies resort, and it's great. the restaurants are good, the shop great and the staff eager to help. there are two pools (that i saw), and perhaps if you ask you will be able to get a room near one, but all the rooms tend to be near them anyway. enjoy your stay!

Answer 8

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