Which would you skip?

[Jennkneefir]

I have a trip planned for September with extended family, and a family member has taken care of all the dining reservations, which is wonderful and makes my life easy! I have the option to opt out of a meal or two, which i am leaning towards for 2 reasons - reduce my overall food spending, and because i prefer to graze and snack throughout the day rather than eating a large meal in the evening. I worry that some of the buffet, family style, and prix fixe restaurants won't be worth the cost for me (personally). If there were options to order a smaller item and still tag along, i might be more inclined to keep myself on the reservation and only order an appetizer.

If i opt out of any of these, ill take some alone time to wander the parks, grab a quick-service meal or packed snacks, or relax.

If you were to pass on any of the following, which would you skip? All are dinner reservations. (purple = drop?, and blue = keep?) Would love to hear your thoughts/feedback, or recommendations!

1) Cinderella's Royal Table (Prix Fixe - $62)
2) Story Book Dining at Artist's Point (Prix Fixe - $60)
3) Boma (Buffet - $49)
4) Hoop-dee-doo Revue (Family Style - $69 for Category 2 seating)
5) 50's Prime Time (Regular menu - pricing variable)
6) Teppan Edo (Regular menu - pricing variable)
7) Trail's End Restaurant (Family Style - $29)

I am leaning towards dropping either Cinderella or Storybook dining (possibly both?), and Boma. I know the atmosphere is supposed to be great at all, and the food appeals to me at Boma. Boma will be after our Animal Kingdom day, however, and there are loads of quick service options that i'm already drooling over there.

Ps. At home i tend to eat a fairly diverse, veggie-based diet. I do eat meat, but usually sparingly. Heavy, sauce-based meals tend to make me feel sluggish and a bit gross. I'm anticipating larger/heavier meals than i am used to, and will plan accordingly (aka. packing pepto and metamucil)

 

[Skippyboo]

Boma’s dinner menu is pretty diverse. Great mix of salads and soups there.

 

[loves to dive]

Personally I'd skip all the family style, buffet and prix fixe. Like you I don't eat large meals so I never do buffets, period. If my son is along, I might do a family style since he can eat the bulk of it but both of you family style meals are at interactive type restaurants and I'm an introvert and just want to eat my meal. The same with 50s, we skip it most of the time. You can get some lightish meals there though so there is that. Prix fixe, again I never get my money's worth.

In your case you should ask yourself do you want character dining? If so, you wouldn't want to skip Cindys or Artists Point. Next question is do you like the interactive type meal? I'm assuming if you don't you could probably still do Hoop de doo and just not participate.

That leaves Boma which is buffet, could you eat $49 worth of non-meat items? Who knows, maybe.

 

[Jennkneefir]

Boma’s dinner menu is pretty diverse. Great mix of salads and soups there.

The menu looks wonderful at Boma. I am certainly on the fence about it. Any thoughts on some of the others?

 

[Jennkneefir]

Personally I'd skip all the family style, buffet and prix fixe. Like you I don't eat large meals so I never do buffets, period. If my son is along, I might do a family style since he can eat the bulk of it but both of you family style meals are at interactive type restaurants and I'm an introvert and just want to eat my meal. The same with 50s, we skip it most of the time. You can get some lightish meals there though so there is that. Prix fixe, again I never get my money's worth.

In your case you should ask yourself do you want character dining? If so, you wouldn't want to skip Cindys or Artists Point. Next question is do you like the interactive type meal? I'm assuming if you don't you could probably still do Hoop de doo and just not participate.

That leaves Boma which is buffet, could you eat $49 worth of non-meat items? Who knows, maybe.

Thank you for the honest feedback!! I've been struggling to justify the cost on most of the reservations, and it's validating the hear that other feel the same.
I'm happy to do 1 character meal, but it certainly wouldn't make or break my trip. I'm travelling with my sibling and his kids (+ a few extras) so it might be fun to see the kids reactions to characters.
Have you been to Hoop? Is the show worth the cost? In my mind if i'm picking one of the more expensive meals that one might be more (ish) worth it because it includes something other than just the food and ambiance.

 

[TOBS2010]

CRT is overpriced, especially considering what you are paying to only meet Cinderella when you go into the castle. Trails End isn't anything special in my opinion, I would only keep this one if you were staying at the hotel. Teppen Eddo is another one I would skip because we could go to a place like this at home anytime---but perhaps that isn't the case for where you live.

 

[loves to dive]

Thank you for the honest feedback!! I've been struggling to justify the cost on most of the reservations, and it's validating the hear that other feel the same.
I'm happy to do 1 character meal, but it certainly wouldn't make or break my trip. I'm travelling with my sibling and his kids (+ a few extras) so it might be fun to see the kids reactions to characters.
Have you been to Hoop? Is the show worth the cost? In my mind if i'm picking one of the more expensive meals that one might be more (ish) worth it because it includes something other than just the food and ambiance.

I have not done Hoop because of the reasons listed and it's not easy getting over to the Fort. I've seen video of the show and it looks fun. The food would be an issue for me. I don't eat fried chicken (and I'm from Georgia, I just don't eat fried food) I might eat one rib but I rarely eat ribs with sauce on them, my hubby smokes his on his smoker with a rub on them. So I'd pretty much be eating sides but that might be worth it with the show.

 

[Jennkneefir]

CRT is overpriced, especially considering what you are paying to only meet Cinderella when you go into the castle. Trails End isn't anything special in my opinion, I would only keep this one if you were staying at the hotel. Teppen Eddo is another one I would skip because we could go to a place like this at home anytime---but perhaps that isn't the case for where you live.

Were staying at the campground, so this one is reasonably close to where we are staying.
Thank you for the thoughts on Teppan Edo as well! Luckily i do have access to great Japanese food where i live, so i'll put some thoughts into dropping this one. Other than a handful of appetizers, the prices are pretty wild.

 

[Jennkneefir]

I have not done Hoop because of the reasons listed and it's not easy getting over to the Fort. I've seen video of the show and it looks fun. The food would be an issue for me. I don't eat fried chicken (and I'm from Georgia, I just don't eat fried food) I might eat one rib but I rarely eat ribs with sauce on them, my hubby smokes his on his smoker with a rub on them. So I'd pretty much be eating sides but that might be worth it with the show.

Thanks for the reply! I'm not huge on fried either. I'll scope out a few reviews before deciding on this one.
Ps. Homemade smoker is a dream!! So jealous.

 

[CinderEmma94]

I would skip CRT (no characters right now just meeting Cinderella before you go up to the restaurant). IMO it wasn’t worth the price even with the characters an I have a princess-loving kid. I’d rather eat multiple meals at Satuli Canteen in AK than Boma at AKL (I know I know people love Boma but I just didn’t).

Hoop de doo is worth it especially if you have never done it before. It’s classic Disney entertainment IMO and just a fun time. It does share a kitchen with Trails End so I’d just pick one of the two, and for me/my family it would be HDD.

 

[Jennkneefir]

I would skip CRT (no characters right now just meeting Cinderella before you go up to the restaurant). IMO it wasn’t worth the price even with the characters an I have a princess-loving kid. I’d rather eat multiple meals at Satuli Canteen in AK than Boma at AKL (I know I know people love Boma but I just didn’t).

Hoop de doo is worth it especially if you have never done it before. It’s classic Disney entertainment IMO and just a fun time. It does share a kitchen with Trails End so I’d just pick one of the two, and for me/my family it would be HDD.

Oohh! Thats a great tip that Trails end and Hoop share a kitchen. Especially since both will be family style dining.
The consensus about CRT is certainly swaying me!

Thank you for the feedback!! Very much appreciated.

 

[Lumpy1106]

It pains me to say it because it really is special eating in the castle, but you are paying for a character dine at CRT right now and not getting one. I'd skip CRT based on principal alone. If they'd drop the price it would be one I would keep though, especially if you don't have little girls. DW and I stumbled on eating breakfast there the first time we went. No characters, the price wasn't outrageous and we didn't even need reservations (didn't know you could even go up there in fact). I'd do that again in a heartbeat, but sadly that's not a thing anymore.

DW doesn't like Teppan Edo and it's far too pricey for what it is - I'd skip that.

Hoop de Doo is great IF you like BBQ and you come hungry. Otherwise that's a bit pricey for just the show.

 

[Jennkneefir]

Thank you for the feedback!! Everyone seems to be in consensus about CRT. I am childless, and my group will still be going regardless. I think the cost just won't be worth it to my 30-something self. Ill find myself some tater tots and save $50.

It pains me to say it because it really is special eating in the castle, but you are paying for a character dine at CRT right now and not getting one. I'd skip CRT based on principal alone. If they'd drop the price it would be one I would keep though, especially if you don't have little girls. DW and I stumbled on eating breakfast there the first time we went. No characters, the price wasn't outrageous and we didn't even need reservations (didn't know you could even go up there in fact). I'd do that again in a heartbeat, but sadly that's not a thing anymore.

DW doesn't like Teppan Edo and it's far too pricey for what it is - I'd skip that.

Hoop de Doo is great IF you like BBQ and you come hungry. Otherwise that's a bit pricey for just the show

 

[CarolynFH]

I would keep Hoop Dee Doo for sure - it's such a fun show, such high energy, nothing else like it on property (and probably not much like it where you live). The food is secondary!

 

[Jennkneefir]

I would keep Hoop Dee Doo for sure - it's such a fun show, such high energy, nothing else like it on property (and probably not much like it where you live). The food is secondary!

Thank you!! That's great feedback to hear. I'm leaning towards keeping one of the higher priced dinners, and the show that comes with hoop certainly adds value in my mind!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you!! That's great feedback to hear. I'm leaning towards keeping one of the higher priced dinners, and the show that comes with hoop certainly adds value in my mind!

I think it's especially fun with a family group - clapping to the music, laughing at corny jokes, having a grand time! Some people seem to have concerns about "audience participation," but they only bring about 5 people up on stage, and only if those individuals are willing - no coercion at all. Everyone else is part of the crowd, and no one will notice whether you laugh and clap or not.

 

[canopy]

I voted to skip Cinderella's Royal Table. The experience is great, but I find it to be more of a one and done experience (as an adult) than something that I would go to again and again. If I was bringing someone to Disney for the first time or it was a once in a lifetime experience I would definitely opt into Cinderella's table. However, since I imagine you're not a child and you seem to worry about the cost, I don't think that Cinderella's Royal Table will really give you everything you desire for the cost.

That said, as someone who does not have and never plans to have and generally doesn't like children one of my most fond memories of Cinderella's Royal Table was the way that the children's faces absolutely beamed when they met the princesses. It was super special so if you are going with children whose faces you would enjoy seeing light up it may be worth it as an experience.

I also can't say whether I would skip Storybook or Boma as I haven't been - but I think that Boma's theming alone would be enough for me to try it... Then again, I LOVE Animal Kingdom so our thoughts may differ there.

 

[Jennkneefir]

I voted to skip Cinderella's Royal Table. The experience is great, but I find it to be more of a one and done experience (as an adult) than something that I would go to again and again. If I was bringing someone to Disney for the first time or it was a once in a lifetime experience I would definitely opt into Cinderella's table. However, since I imagine you're not a child and you seem to worry about the cost, I don't think that Cinderella's Royal Table will really give you everything you desire for the cost.

That said, as someone who does not have and never plans to have and generally doesn't like children one of my most fond memories of Cinderella's Royal Table was the way that the children's faces absolutely beamed when they met the princesses. It was super special so if you are going with children whose faces you would enjoy seeing light up it may be worth it as an experience.

I also can't say whether I would skip Storybook or Boma as I haven't been - but I think that Boma's theming alone would be enough for me to try it... Then again, I LOVE Animal Kingdom so our thoughts may differ there.

Thank you for the details/feedback! I am a childless millennial travelling with my sibling and his kids. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for my nieces, so its going to be hard to balance in following along on all their excitement without losing myself (or my control of my bank account) in the process. It's tempting to want to do all the things with them, but i also recognize that there will be plenty of opportunities to experience their joy.

I am also a huge animal lover, and the food at Boma looks wonderful! Might leave that one as a game time decision or see if i can order off a menu rather than buffet.

 

[LuthienDragon]

Cinderella's food is pretty mediocre, the cost is the experience - which there is currently none since characters are gone.

 

[Skippyboo]

Thank you for the details/feedback! I am a childless millennial travelling with my sibling and his kids. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for my nieces, so its going to be hard to balance in following along on all their excitement without losing myself (or my control of my bank account) in the process. It's tempting to want to do all the things with them, but i also recognize that there will be plenty of opportunities to experience their joy.

I am also a huge animal lover, and the food at Boma looks wonderful! Might leave that one as a game time decision or see if i can order off a menu rather than buffet.

There’s no menu at Boma. It’s all the buffet. Alternative plan, while rest of your peeps eat at Boma. You could pick up some AKL’s quick service The Mara and explore multiple animal viewing spots or hang the pool bar or Victoria lounge (the bar is above Boma). The Jambo house lobby is gorgeous if you haven’t been. Epcot is perpetually having festivals so you could skip Epcot TS and hit the festival booths.,