[QuickGold]

As I'm sure you know, free dining has returned for 2008 for travel most nights 8/24/08 - 9/20/08.

If you are going to be taking advantage of free dining in 2008, post which restaurant(s) in the Studios you will be using your dining credits at!

[Rinjo]

Is this valid at shades of green or what? I am going down at this time again (I think) man this is the best two years of my life... and I may stay at a smaller resort if free dining is an option!

[QuickGold]

Rinjo said:

Is this valid at shades of green or what? I am going down at this time again (I think) man this is the best two years of my life... and I may stay at a smaller resort if free dining is an option!

Not sure, it would be a good question for a Disney travel agent

[Jeanine]

I couldn't get Le Cellier, but I have ADRs at--

Tutto Italia
Captain Jack
Tokyo Dining
Chef's De France
Narcoossee
Coral Reef
Artist Point

...but they usually change as time goes by. Particularly as I keep calling and bugging them about Le Cellier.

[QuickGold]

I've heard good things about Tokyo Dining and I want to try it out myself now

[Jeanine]

The big hurt is the absence of CA Grill, which is my favorite. Unfortunately, Len is right and the removal of the appetizer makes it a poor deal on the dining plan, given that the appetizer there was usually around 1/3 of the total meal price.

[QuickGold]

Jeanine said:

The big hurt is the absence of CA Grill, which is my favorite. Unfortunately, Len is right and the removal of the appetizer makes it a poor deal on the dining plan, given that the appetizer there was usually around 1/3 of the total meal price.

I've never been to CA Grill. I'm trying to save it for a special occasion (middle of September isn't one of them)

[DisneyKnight86]

I have a trip planned with the free dining package and am trying to decide which Studios restaurant to eat at before the Fantasmic! showing @8pm. Right now, I have a ressie for Hollywood and Vine for 5:10pm. I am not solid on this decision.

Should I go for a different restaurant?

Tell me what you think...please keep it to 1 table service credit.

[Eric]

DisneyKnight86 said:

I have a trip planned with the free dining package and am trying to decide which Studios restaurant to eat at before the Fantasmic! showing @8pm. Right now, I have a ressie for Hollywood and Vine for 5:10pm. I am not solid on this decision.

Should I go for a different restaurant?

Tell me what you think...please keep it to 1 table service credit.

I vote for the 50's Prime Time Cafe.

[Ken In Atlanta]

Eric said:

DisneyKnight86 said:

I have a trip planned with the free dining package and am trying to decide which Studios restaurant to eat at before the Fantasmic! showing @8pm. Right now, I have a ressie for Hollywood and Vine for 5:10pm. I am not solid on this decision.

Should I go for a different restaurant?

Tell me what you think...please keep it to 1 table service credit.

I vote for the 50's Prime Time Cafe.

I argee with Eric. Having eaten at both, I like 50's better than Hollywood and Vine.

[QuickGold]

I like both H&V and Primetime. In terms of value for your free dining plan, Primetime gets you more since it's far more expensive to eat at Primetime than at H&V and the s'mores at Primetime are amazing so the perceived value from Primetime is greater. Keep in mind that the free dining plan doesn't include appetizers but if you ate at H&V, technically you'd get an appetizer (since it's a buffet). In short, I'd lean towards Primetime but that's not to say H&V is a bad choice either.

[Jeanine]

The Studios is tricky for the dining plan as all the 1-credit places are relatively cheap in relation to the other 1-credit places, and the Brown Derby is cheap in relation to the other 2-credit places. We usually just go with a counter service in the park, and then move to a resort or DD for dinner after the park closes.

Quote

JI've never been to CA Grill. I'm trying to save it for a special occasion (middle of September isn't one of them)

I figured as much when you said there was no good sushi at WDW--the sushi there is very respectable. The only reason I would ever get the "plus" DP would be to have the sushi appetizers included.

Called back and got Le Cellier in exchange for Coral Reef. Good thing I knew THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT FREE DINING.

[Eric]

Jeanine said:

We usually just go with a counter service in the park, and then move to a resort or DD for dinner after the park closes.

This is another good idea. Walk or take the boat over to the Boardwalk and enjoy Spoodles.

[QuickGold]

Jeanine said:

I figured as much when you said there was no good sushi at WDW--the sushi there is very respectable. The only reason I would ever get the "plus" DP would be to have the sushi appetizers included.

I can only imagine how expensive their sushi is. No thanks, I don't need to overpay for a meager portion of sushi.

[DisneyKnight86]

Thanks for the votes everyone. I will most likely be changing over to Primetime, however the only thing that may deter me is the schtick. I'm not sure how my folks will react to the "cousins." I get it of course, but we are the types that just like to be left alone.

Hmm...I have some thinking to do.

[QuickGold]

The schtick is hit or miss. I've eaten there a few times and never gotten one that really razzed any of us (certainly no more than what's happened at Whispering Canyon). I think it's worth going to regardless.

[DisneyKnight86]

Ok...sold!

[Jeanine]

QuickGold said:

I can only imagine how expensive their sushi is. No thanks, I don't need to overpay for a meager portion of sushi.

Actually, depending on what you order, I don't think the portions are bad. I've had the snake-in-the-grass and the double-crunch roll, and I think both could easily serve as an entree for someone who wasn't voraciously hungry.

On the other hand, sushi in general isn't known for either its cheapness or its ample portions, but on the third hand, I generally think there are some things your probably shouldn't cheap out on, sushi being one of them. Because anasaki is the gift that keeps on giving.