want to do Disney on the cheap

[Thrif-t]

A word about SkyAuction, I've used them too, but you have to pay attention to the fees.

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/2935208

^This unit at Silver Lake, which I've heard is a good resort but have never stayed, has these fee's in addition to the buy it now price of $325 for 7 days depending on when you go:

Surcharges
Date Surcharge (6/22/2018-7/29/2018, 11/23/2018-11/25/2018) for $75 per unit
Date Surcharge (11/16/2018-11/18/2018) for $225 per unit
Date Surcharge (12/21/2018-12/30/2018) for $675 per unit
Date Surcharge (3/29/2019-3/31/2019) for $525 per unit
Date Surcharge (4/5/2019-4/7/2019) for $375 per unit

Travel Details

Check-in Dates Allowed:
Fri, Sat, Sun within the following date(s):
5/18/2018 thru 11/25/2018, 12/21/2018 thru 12/29/2018, 3/31/2019 thru 4/7/2019
Minimum/Maximum Stay:
7 nights.
First possible travel day is 2 day(s) after submission of travel preferences.
One Time Processing Fee: $20

You always pay 20 processing fee on all properties and it looks if you go in October you don't have any additional unit fee's but you always have to look at those and take them into consideration before renting a unit because they are added in on top of the rental or buy price.

[~bs]

We don't either. I did take the kids to that place where the waitresses are all mothers and tell you to eat your veggies, they thought that was hilarious but that was 10 yrs ago at least. That was my last sit down dinner at Disney, the food just isn't all that great for the money, IMHO.

I think that stuff may have some value as far as the "experience" the first time or two you go there. Like some of the other themed snacks and treats.... but if you're more seasoned, makes more sense to avoid the unnecessary money pits.

[Like2Plan]

My family generally goes to WDW in October (we usually make 3-4 visits during the year). The main draw for me in October is the F&W festival (a lot of times DH and I only visit EPCOT if it is just he and I going ). I prefer later in the month but sometimes we go during Columbus Day weekend to accommodate our extended families’ schedule. The reason I like later in the month is it is usually a “little” bit cooler.
From my perspective you’ve picked a great time to go!
One other event that goes on at WDW during the month of October is Mickeys Not so Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom during select dates. It is a separate admission event. I generally don’t go to it because it takes place way past my bedtime and I don’t think it is worth paying extra. (When they first started doing this, the price wasn’t so dear). But anyway, if you decide to go, there are strategies to maximize the value— don’t use a Park day that day—while they advertise the start time of MNSSHP at 7pm, (in the past anyway), they let you in as early as 4pm. On the other hand, if you are generap admission you don’t want to go to the MK on a MNSSHP day because they close the park to general admission folks early.

[Like2Plan]

Food and wine Festival

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

MNSSHP

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

As others have reported, Disney has done a good job of attracting crowds almost all the time. But, you can still have an enjoyable time with a little planning.
For example, the food and Wine festival (F&W) has food kiosks set up all over the world showcase (EPCOT). Weekday days— generally short (to no lines), but evenings and weekends the crowds pick up.

[FLA]

You couldn't pay me to do MNSSHP! All those kids hyped up on candy and rides and characters, yikes!

Food and Wine is a different story

[disneysteve]

I think that stuff may have some value as far as the "experience" the first time or two you go there. Like some of the other themed snacks and treats.... but if you're more seasoned, makes more sense to avoid the unnecessary money pits.

Very true. A perfect example is Be Our Guest restaurant at Magic Kingdom. You enter and dine in Beast's castle from Beauty and the Beast. It is absolutely beautiful in there and exquisitely themed and immersive. You feel like you stepped into the movie. The only way to get in and see it is to eat there. We had dinner there once after it opened and I'm very glad that we did, but I would never do it again. It's way too expensive for what you get.

But if a first-timer asked me, sure, I'd tell them to do it if they were interested (and if they could get a reservation which is extremely difficult). But if you're trying to cut costs, don't even think about it.

[FLA]

Very true. A perfect example is Be Our Guest restaurant at Magic Kingdom. You enter and dine in Beast's castle from Beauty and the Beast. It is absolutely beautiful in there and exquisitely themed and immersive. You feel like you stepped into the movie. The only way to get in and see it is to eat there. We had dinner there once after it opened and I'm very glad that we did, but I would never do it again. It's way too expensive for what you get.

But if a first-timer asked me, sure, I'd tell them to do it if they were interested (and if they could get a reservation which is extremely difficult). But if you're trying to cut costs, don't even think about it.

I took DD there for lunch. She had Croque Monsieur, which is fancy grilled cheese for $15, she was 14, hot and cranky so she didn't even enjoy the experience (I did). That was the only on site planned meal we had. She's happier with the salad bar at Sweet Tomatoes down the street, which is $6 with a coupon, lol.

If I was to plan one on site dining experience to do with DBF what all would you recommend as your favorites? I wouldn't mind showing him some of that Disney wow factor and theming you just can't get anywhere else.

[disneysteve]

If I was to plan one on site dining experience to do with DBF what all would you recommend as your favorites? I wouldn't mind showing him some of that Disney wow factor and theming you just can't get anywhere else.

I can't really answer from personal experience since we rarely do table service dining onsite. I know the places that consistently get the best reviews are California Grill at the Contemporary, Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Flying Fish at Boardwalk, Monsieur Paul at Epcot, and Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios. Those are the top ones that come to mind. I've never been to any of them myself.

[MooseBucks]

I can't really answer from personal experience since we rarely do table service dining onsite. I know the places that consistently get the best reviews are California Grill at the Contemporary, Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Flying Fish at Boardwalk, Monsieur Paul at Epcot, and Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios. Those are the top ones that come to mind. I've never been to any of them myself.

I’ve been to the brown derby and wasn’t impressed. I’m somewhat a fan of le cellier (need to check spelling on that) in Epcot but it’s definitely overpriced. I like the buffets more than a la carte but you’re also going to pay an arm and a leg for those.

[Like2Plan]

I took DD there for lunch. She had Croque Monsieur, which is fancy grilled cheese for $15, she was 14, hot and cranky so she didn't even enjoy the experience (I did). That was the only on site planned meal we had. She's happier with the salad bar at Sweet Tomatoes down the street, which is $6 with a coupon, lol.

If I was to plan one on site dining experience to do with DBF what all would you recommend as your favorites? I wouldn't mind showing him some of that Disney wow factor and theming you just can't get anywhere else.

What kind of food does your DBF enjoy?
Are you looking for a theme park restaurant, resorts or Downtown Disney?
Do you want dinner with a show? A signature dining experience? A character dining experience?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

How do you choose character dining? Can you tell when a character is showing up? Or just book and take a chance? I can finally do it because my kids have been terrified of people dressed up until now. We went once to Goofy's kitchen at DT disney LA and my 2 year old barely could speak. She ended up in our laps and my baby was in a bucket. That was our test whether we could do disneyland. We didn't and went for the first time last year with a 5 and 7 year old. Mostly because every time we saw a person dressed up before my 5 year old would run out screaming. Took a long time to get them over this phobia.

[Like2Plan]

How do you choose character dining? Can you tell when a character is showing up? Or just book and take a chance? I can finally do it because my kids have been terrified of people dressed up until now. We went once to Goofy's kitchen at DT disney LA and my 2 year old barely could speak. She ended up in our laps and my baby was in a bucket. That was our test whether we could do disneyland. We didn't and went for the first time last year with a 5 and 7 year old. Mostly because every time we saw a person dressed up before my 5 year old would run out screaming. Took a long time to get them over this phobia.

They generally tell you who will appear before you book it. I hadn’t done a character meal in a long time, but a couple years ago we planned a trip with my niece who's favorite character is Cinderella. We couldn’t get the character breakfast at the castle, but we were able to get 1900 Park Fare (at the grand Floridian) Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
Enjoy an enchanting buffet dinner as the honored Guest of Cinderella and Prince Charming! They do say, “Character appearances and entertainment are subject to change.”
It is a buffet, but anyway my niece was beside herself with joy and even “I” had a great time.
(The wicked stepmother/sisters were a riot. )

[FLA]

DBF will eat just about anything, he's a but of a foodie. I'm looking hopefully someplace in a park that's romantic and themed well, Disney decor with that wow factor. No characters.

I forgot about Le Cellier. I've heard that's great.

[disneysteve]

DBF will eat just about anything, he's a but of a foodie. I'm looking hopefully someplace in a park that's romantic and themed well, Disney decor with that wow factor. No characters.

I forgot about Le Cellier. I've heard that's great.

I listed two that are in parks earlier. Another one that really doesn't get enough attention is Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco pavilion. Theming is great and it's tucked way in the back of the area so you really feel immersed in the surroundings and almost forget you're in a theme park.

[Like2Plan]

Our top 3 at EPCOT:
Monsieur Paul would be a good choice for a foodie. I think it has a nice romantic vibe. It’s a signature dining experience (very expensive! We don’t go there very often, but we would love to ).

I believe they change the menu seasonally. I remember one time we ordered pumpkin soup in October (it was really good, of course). They used to have soufflés on the menu for dessert.

Another vote for Le Cellier. It’s hard to get a ressie at Le Cellier, but not as hard as it used to be. I think this is because it used to require only 1 credit on the dining plan (a great deal for folks who were using the dining plan) and then they changed it to 2 credits. If you can’t get a ressie here— during food and wine they set up a food kiosk and you purchase a small serving of their delicious cheese soup.

DH and I love to go to Tutto Italia. (But, Italian is his favorite food). I wouldn’t say it has that Wow! Disney Theming you might be looking for, but we like the food and the staff had always been really terrific.

Here’s another off the wall suggestion (for a foodie during food and wine they have a party for the senses. They have wine and all sorts of small plates prepared by chefs (sometimes— tv personality chefs ). You might want to check this out.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/#/drawer=drawerGrandTastingEvents