1st visit to Dis. Free DDP. Best way to dine thru parks? POP Resort..

[wdwmoxie]

This will be our first visit to Disney. We are 2 adults and our Son (14).

- August 31
- 5 nights at Disney POP Resort (Value).
- Opting for the 6 day hopper pass.
- The Free Disney Dinining

I have a few questions:

1. How do you dine through disney with the free DDP? Can you go anywhere?

2. What's the best way to plan dining? do you need to plan or can you just wing it?

3. Are we going to miss anything by going with the free dining plan?

Thanks....

[brymolmom]

Please DO make ADR (advanced dining reservations) for ALL of your table service credits. That way you will be able to use them easily.

The list of participating restaurants is at the sticky at the top of the dining board under 2009 dining plan.

You can, and should, call on or near 90 days before the start of your trip (coming up early next week for you) to make your ADR's.

Since you'll have park-hoppers - just go through the menus (allears has them) - to find restaurants you want -and book them. You can go to whatever park and always hop over.

[RMulieri]

Check out the Stickys at the top of the forum regarding Dining plan and restaurants.You can use your TS credits at any participating restaurant.BE aware that signature dining places require 2TS credits per person.YOU MUST make adrs ASAP .You can call disney dining 90 days before arrival date. Call and ,make adrs. DIsney holds NO tables for walk ups or standby.At some times of year walk ups are possible.NOT during free dining. Everyone that goes for free dining is looking to use their credits too and make ressies.You don't want to find yourself with no place to dine.

[DISNEYNY]

Yes, you can go anywhere, but you really need to make ADR's. I believe your day to call which is 90days out from 8/31 would be June 2. Since it is your first trip I would make ressies at the park you are in or at a resort nearby so you don't waste alot of time traveling around. For example - Magic Kingdom day go to Crystal Palace or a restaurant at a monorail resort. Are you planning on using the extra magic hours to go early or stay late at the parks? This could make a difference too on the Adrs you make. Feel free to ask questions. :goodvibes

[kentear]

People will tell you that you don't "need" reservations but take it from me...you do during the free dining promotion. We have been going to Disney for years and we NEVER made reservations. When the free dining hit, it was tough, if not impossible to get a table at some of the more popular restaurants (Coral Reef, Le Cellier, etc...) You can ALWAYS find great food to eat when you are ready, but for a first trip, you probably won't know all the great options available.

You are going to have so much fun. I remember my first trip and it was amazing!!!