Free Dining and QS Meal Plan???

[duckyfordonald]

Does anyone know if it is possible to substitute the QS Dining Plan for the Basic Dining Plan during Free Dining? My cousin is considering a trip in Sept. and she doesn't want to be scheduling around ADR's and taking the time for a sit-down meal. It would save $$$ for Disney, but I didn't know if it was an option.
I know in the past (during Free Dining) they offered a trade of TS credits for a CS, snack and lanyard (or something like that). But there is no guarantee they will offer it again.

 

[mbanks21]

No its not. But if Disney decides to allow people to swap TS for CS they will know when they get down there

 

[M5ward]

Sometimes being a slave to ADRs just isn't worth it. Our son (who joined us with his family last October) thought the ADRs made it way too structured.

 

[texaslady22]

If Disney offers the same type of promotions this year as previous years, you can swap 1 TS for 1CS and 2 Snacks. That would be a better deal than the QSDP.

 

[DisneyWisher]

If Disney offers the same type of promotions this year as previous years, you can swap 1 TS for 1CS and 2 Snacks. That would be a better deal than the QSDP.

When we've been in the past during FD we have done this at least for 1 TS per trip. We always go to HDDR so thats 2 TS at once. We hate being hostage to ADRs. This year DD25, Son-In=Law27, DGS3, DD16, and myself are going (2 rooms separate ressies). Its DD25 first time during FD so they want to do the TS. Chef Mickey is a definite but the other 2 are killing me. I should say they have only eaten at CS, Chef Mickey's and Planet Hollywood so I want them to experience more. I've sent her Allears website link to go through the menus. Whispering Canyon might be one and GF Cafe. I miss Concourse Steakhouse. Might even look for a TS that they can go to and I'll have DGS stay in my room.

I'm thinking on our first full day of Chef Mickey's for breakfast (late breakfast and skip lunch) and Pepper Market for Dinner.

 

[septbaby]

she doesn't want to be scheduling around ADR's and taking the time for a sit-down meal. .

Sounds like she hasn't tried it or taken a look at the restaurant options. It really isn't that hard to schedule and we all need a break, esp in the Sept heat at some point. A TS meal doesn't have to take that long. Also the meals can be as entertaining as the rides or shows. If there are children in the group this is great way to get them some character interaction, photos and autographs w/o standing in line in the parks. Also those meals aren't cheap and getting them "free" from Disney is so worth making a call and scheduling time.

We will have breakfast, lunch and dinner ADRs, but she could simply choose say breakfast meals: start the day with a great meal, some character interaction then hit the parks. Some try to book Crystal palace early for this reason: you're already in the park. H&V at DHS would do the same. Tusker House at AK and PSB Princess meal at Epcot. There are just so many options.

Another plan would be combine a show and a meal: Hoop Dee Doo Review is quite popular as a dinner show. It uses 2TS credits, is all you care to eat and adults can even have beer or wine included with the meal.

 

[jennyraye]

What if we make ADR and then once we arrive find out that we can switch out 1 or 2 TS for counter service plus snacks, is there an issue with cancelling an ADR?

 

[RMulieri]

What if we make ADR and then once we arrive find out that we can switch out 1 or 2 TS for counter service plus snacks, is there an issue with cancelling an ADR?

Nope as long as it isn't one with a Credit card guarantee.Then you need to cancel 24 hrs in advance to avoid charges

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I love the idea of the dining plan, you pay up front so you know your food cost right away which helps me budget

 

[duckyfordonald]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, my cousin has been to Disney several times, (they usually go in May) and has purchased the Basic Dining Plan in the past. They just found that all of the sit-down meals weren't for them. They are not big breakfast eaters - they just grab a granola bar or something on the go. They do have a daughter, age 7, but she said she isn't interested in any more character meals (she thinks she is too big for them - crazy kid!!!) My cousin called Disney yesterday to inquire about this and was told by the CM that she CAN trade her TS credits for CS anywhere, just to let them know when you are at the register that you will be doing this. I don't know if this is accurate info. or not. My advice to her was to go ahead with the free Basic Dining Plan, schedule ADR's, just in case they might feel like a sit-down meal, and then cancel the ADR's if they decide not to use them.

 

[mbanks21]

I find it hard to believe theres not a single TS meal that they would enjoy. Theres something like 200 restaurants they can use the DDP at

 

[Allison]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, my cousin has been to Disney several times, (they usually go in May) and has purchased the Basic Dining Plan in the past. They just found that all of the sit-down meals weren't for them. They are not big breakfast eaters - they just grab a granola bar or something on the go. They do have a daughter, age 7, but she said she isn't interested in any more character meals (she thinks she is too big for them - crazy kid!!!) My cousin called Disney yesterday to inquire about this and was told by the CM that she CAN trade her TS credits for CS anywhere, just to let them know when you are at the register that you will be doing this. I don't know if this is accurate info. or not. My advice to her was to go ahead with the free Basic Dining Plan, schedule ADR's, just in case they might feel like a sit-down meal, and then cancel the ADR's if they decide not to use them.

The CM's you speak to on the phone have quite a reputation for giving out information that is wrong so tell your cousin not to rely on that.

 

[duckyfordonald]

I find it hard to believe theres not a single TS meal that they would enjoy. Theres something like 200 restaurants they can use the DDP at

It's not that they didn't enjoy the meals that they had, they just prefer to not to take the time for a sit-down meal and didn't like, as a previous poster said so well, being a "hostage" to ADR's. To each his own, I guess. For their family, a free QS dining plan would suit their needs better than the free Basic Dining Plan. They do realize this is a downgrade, and not the best value for them, but it is what would work best for them.
I just didn't know if it was possible to book the free dining package with the QS plan, since there are no guarantees that TS can be traded for CS. She will just have to be prepared to pay OOP if they decide not to use the TS credits and can't trade them (if they really do not want to do TS).

 

[catne]

In the past, the counter service people couldn't take the table service credits - the computer wouldn't let them. Used to be you had to take your key card to the concierge desk at your hotel & ask them to trade the table service for counter service.

However, the last two years in a row the restaurants have been overwhelmed by Free Diners to the point there actually was not enough tables for the number of Free Diners so they were trading Table Service credits for 1 Counter Service & 2 snacks, or 1 counter service & a give-away (2008 it was a cheapie tote bag; in 2007 it was pin lanyard) So, though there is no "guarantee" it will be the same this year, chances are they will be able to trade the table service when they want to.

If there are any meals they are sure they will want to go to, they should book in advance.