Question about using credits

[LONES]

We've never used the dining plan, so I'm not terribly familiar with how it works. We have friends that are leaving for Disney in a week. They purchased the dining plan for their family of 5, and just told me they have made no ADR's. I'm wondering if they absolutely cannot get into a TS restaurant on a particular day, can they use the TS credit for a CS meal? I realize this doesn't make sense financially, but in a pinch, will they let you do this?

[TDC Nala]

Yes, probably. It's not a specific feature or policy of the DDP but there are indications they can try in one of two ways: 1) ask your resort lobby concierge to convert TS credits to CS credits; or 2) just walk up to a CS restaurant and say you want to pay with table service credits.

Either way, it's possible to get "no" for an answer, since trading credits this way isn't DDP official policy.

Also let your friends know that it's not too late to get ADRs. If they want any table service restauants for sure, it's best they call right away and try to make them. If they want to be more spontaneous, they can call from their resort or a cell phone while they're there, or can even go to their resort concierge or Guest Services in a park and ask to book same day ADRs.

[Nadjalu]

Personally I would tell them they need to make what ressies they can now.
At least they can have some in place before they go or it could be a huge waste of money.

[dancin Disney style]

Personally I would tell them they need to make what ressies they can now.
At least they can have some in place before they go or it could be a huge waste of money.

I agree...snag anything that they can immediately. Also, there are several places that are less know and therefore less popular that they will be able to get into. Check out Olivia's and the Turf Club.

Another option is to arrive at the restaurant that they want into before they open for dinner and see if they will give them a walk in. For example, if dinner starts at 5pm they should arrive by 4:30 and wait at the podium.

[Kaleigh]

They should try to make ADRs now online, just to have something each day. Once they get there, then they can change/add if possible. Some places they should be able to get even now are: Wolfgang Puck's Cafe, Nine Dragons, Captains Grill, Kona Cafe, Plaza Inn, The Wave, Tutto Italia, Biergarten, Restaurant Marrakesh, Tokyo Dining. Some places are also easy to walk up to if you get there when they open: Yak and Yeti, Nine Dragons, Tutto Italia, Les Chefs de France and Wolfgang Pucks are all places where we have personally gotten a walkup recently. Also, Cape May Cafe at dinner (get there early)

[LONES]

We actually just got back from Disney on Sunday. We noticed a lot of the Downtown Disney restaurants didn't seem to be terribly full. Also, on the day we had reservations in Norway for the Princess lunch, my sister's family was able to easily get a walkup at Biergarten. Even with a party of 10, I was able to make reservations the day before for 50's Prime Time. The other kicker for them is that they don't have parkhoppers, so they will be limited to the park they visit that day, or else leaving to go downtown. They're staying at PORS, and my guess is they would probably be able to get into Boatwrights on most days without much trouble. Hopefully they'll be okay. This is their first time on site, and I was a little blown away that they didn't have any ADR's. We really only do ADR's for the character meals and LeCellier, but we never use the dining plan, and don't necessarily need to to Table Service everyday.