Disney meal plan?

Travel Info
I'm going to Disney World this Nov11-18th. First time using the meal plan and staying at the Port Orleans Riverside. How long before the trip should I start to make any dinner reservations? Also any good dinner spots you can share that were good using the dining plan? Im more concerned about evening dinner options. Thanks to all. Peace!!!!!

Travel Tips

We went to WDW in Nov 06 and used the Disney dining plan. LOVED IT! Of course I have two teenage boys so it was really worth it. It really is a good plan if you desire to have lunch and a sit-down dinner.

You really do want to look at the menus and restaurants now (see web link below) and make reservations. The only place we had so/so service with the plan is the ESPN club on the Boardwalk. It was disappointing. It seemed that once she saw that our large party was on the plan the service just plumeted. No where else did we experience this though, to include Spoodles & the Flying Fish. Both were excellent but know that the F/Fish is 2 meal credits, though you should still be okay b/c the plan begins on the day of arrival. Character dining is 2 credits as well. If you don't arrive until 4 pm then you still have a snack & a counter service for that day. Just use a counter service on another day instead of a dinner one. If you don't use all your snack credits then be sure to hit the snack stand in your hotel or bakery along the way to enjoy on the trip home. You did pay for it after all.

The steakhouse in Canada is wonderful as is the Teppanyaki house in Japan. If you would like chicken skewers, rice & side salad for lunch then this can be found at the Hibachi house (on the hill) in Japan and counts as a counter service. Be careful when ordering counter serive in The Land at Epcot b/c you could get a sandwich with a coke & your entire counter service credit is taken. Compare that with what you get at Japan & it's not reasonable.

For a good idea on the menus and what you might like to enjoy go to this website and look at the restaurant menus. http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm... It was a huge help in determining where we would eat. The Disney Dining Plan keeps the "M" in the Magic. Have a great time!
Others

Right now..they take reservations 6 months in advance
All the popular places you will need to book a minimum of 6 mths in advance.
The dining plan is great. You must make reservations in advance to guarantee a table. Your Hotel's concierge desk should be able to help you out with making a same day reservation (they can check availability) I stood at the Coronado Springs and used the dining plan almost anywhere. The theme parks, other disney property hotels, ect.

My favorite was the 50's Primetime cafe at MGM Studios
I was their last year for a week.
180 days before arrival...for some of the poplular resturants...start booking as soon as you can. DH and I are going 09-22 through 09-29 and we cannot get into some of the restuarnats that we want...so if you 180 day window is now...start calling.
Start now, because better to be too prepared, and some places will fill quickly. I found with dinner it was pretty crazy. We did some character meals and those we made reservations the day before and it didn't matter, but the nicer places to eat it was a few months ahead.