***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[rasadkowski]

Hi everyone! Hope you're having a nice evening. I've been really trying to learn a lot about the ddp these past few days. I have a really, really dumb question, and I was hoping someone had a quick answer. If not, I'll ask on a dining thread I just couldn't figure out exactly where to ask.
so, we'll all have our own mb.....Say one of us goes to the quick service counter to order lunch for everyone. Do they need to scan all 6 magic bands to take off each persons snack/ qs meal, etc? Or is everyone's credits just thrown in as one big bundle onto all of our mb, so they just scan one mb to take whatever credits from "the pot"? Do I make any sense?
And this second question isn't as dumb, but still kinda dumb ....I saw that on the ddp that each qs includes one entree, one drink and one dessert. What if you don't want/order all three things at the counter? Do you just lose the dessert and drink credit if you only order the entree? If that is the case, I'd guess you just substitute the dessert for a snack or just pack it away in a bag for later?​

 

[Candycane83]

Hi everyone! Hope you're having a nice evening. I've been really trying to learn a lot about the ddp these past few days. I have a really, really dumb question, and I was hoping someone had a quick answer. If not, I'll ask on a dining thread I just couldn't figure out exactly where to ask.
so, we'll all have our own mb.....Say one of us goes to the quick service counter to order lunch for everyone. Do they need to scan all 6 magic bands to take off each persons snack/ qs meal, etc? Or is everyone's credits just thrown in as one big bundle onto all of our mb, so they just scan one mb to take whatever credits from "the pot"? Do I make any sense?
And this second question isn't as dumb, but still kinda dumb ....I saw that on the ddp that each qs includes one entree, one drink and one dessert. What if you don't want/order all three things at the counter? Do you just lose the dessert and drink credit if you only order the entree? If that is the case, I'd guess you just substitute the dessert for a snack or just pack it away for later?​

I believe you can use 1 mb. I think it's really pooled by room? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong pls) I think for quick service they do not differentiate between adult n kids credits too...

For substituting, I've read that you can substitute a dessert to a snack, even a drink to a snack in some cases (not all I think) . This is advertised on the 2016 dining plan pamphlet.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I believe you can use 1 mb. I think it's really pooled by room? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong pls) I think for quick service they do not differentiate between adult n kids credits too...

For substituting, I've read that you can substitute a dessert to a snack, even a drink to a snack in some cases (not all I think) . This is advertised on the 2016 dining plan pamphlet.

For part 2 you may be correct but I ~think~ the substitution must be made while at THAT QS restaurant. That is to say, I don't think you can substitute a drink for a snack at a later date. Someone please jump in if I'm wrong.

 

[Candycane83]

For part 2 you may be correct but I ~think~ the substitution must be made while at THAT QS restaurant. That is to say, I don't think you can substitute a drink for a snack at a later date. Someone please jump in if I'm wrong.

Oh you're right, I forgot to mention that, you can substitute to snack right when you purchase or you lose it.

 

[rasadkowski]

I believe you can use 1 mb. I think it's really pooled by room? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong pls) I think for quick service they do not differentiate between adult n kids credits too...

For substituting, I've read that you can substitute a dessert to a snack, even a drink to a snack in some cases (not all I think) . This is advertised on the 2016 dining plan pamphlet.

For part 2 you may be correct but I ~think~ the substitution must be made while at THAT QS restaurant. That is to say, I don't think you can substitute a drink for a snack at a later date. Someone please jump in if I'm wrong.

Thank you, both and yes, I did read something about it having to be used for that same transaction. So I guess I can assume that you'd just lose it if you don't use it... ...
... Hmmm, getting a bit overwhelmed here... Starting to just think about doing oop just to not stress about this...

 

[rasadkowski]

Oh you're right, I forgot to mention that, you can substitute to snack right when you purchase or you lose it.

Ok! That makes complete sense... Good, because if you were allowed to stash it away somewhere for later I'd need another chart for that. My head would explode!

 

[pigletgirl]

@rasadkowski -- Yes, at QS locations you can sub a dessert for a side. The CM's will tell you what you can have; i.e, piece of fruit, cup of soup, side salad, etc. The dining plan is hard to understand when read on an forum such as this (as least for me anyway), but once you are actually in Disney, everything we say here will click!

Anyone have any Disney memories to share? Does your family have any Disney traditions while in the parks?

For me, my first Disney trip was at 8 years old. We were traveling with another family (the neighbors), and I distinctly remember going down the serpent water slide at Port Orleans French Quarter, over and over and over again. It was late May, and all I wanted to do was swim and go down the slide. We also ate a chocolate donut every morning for breakfast.

DH and I got married in 2011 (April to be exact). For our honeymoon, we had planned on taking a cruise but it fell through so we had already had plane tickets to go to Orlando, so we decided to do Disney instead. We stayed in the Contemporary resort. I hadn't done any planning, so we thought we would have this go with the flow trip. It was chaotic and stressful! The best part about that trip though was a CM at the front desk had watched us be frustrated with finding at TS restaurant to eat at, so she literally handed us a reservation at the California Grill. It was the best meal and dinner we have ever had together (up until now, in fact!) It was just magical. The CM's name was Natalie. She was just amazing!

And then of course our first trip with DD1. She was 15 months. Like I've shared before, the best moments of the trip was when she was asleep in the stroller and we had time to tour and do whatever we wanted! It was great. Of course, watching her interact with the characters and CM's was awesome as well.

I'm very excited to be taking DD2 with us this time. Her memory of the trip probably won't be there, but it's memories for myself, DH, DD1, and the rest of our family. We're getting excited over here! 64 days and counting.

 

[Lisa F]

I was reading about disney updates and came across this tidbit:

Beginning this week, guests who book a Walt Disney Travel Company package at a Disney affiliated hotel with a minimum 3-day ticket, will be able to access a special new deal that allows them to purchase Quick Service dining cards at a discount rate.

For each day of theme park admission, adults in the party will receive $40, and children will receive $15 in quick-service dining gift cards, but will only have to pay $35 per adult/per day and $12.50 per child/per day. So for instance, a party of four with two adults and two children with a 3-day ticket included in their package would qualify for $330 in Disney Quick-Service Dining Gift Cards, but will only need to pay $285, using this discount.

This new deal is available for guests staying at the following hotels:

• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
• Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel

Guests can book this offer now through April 1, 2017 and is valid for travel dates between September 26, 2016 and April 4, 2017.

I have been saying that Disney hotels being booked up in December doesn't mean crowds will be higher because park capacity is so much higher than Disney resort capacity.... I posted an article by either kenny the pirate or easywdw saying that occupancy at disney resorts is pretty much the same all year round. here is another indication that offsite resorts are likely not all that full... a promo being offered by disney itself to get people to stay there. They probably realize this is related to the drop in attendance this year.

The halloween parties are also very lightly attended lately too it seems. Maybe good for us.

 

[Lisa F]

Hi everyone! Hope you're having a nice evening. I've been really trying to learn a lot about the ddp these past few days. I have a really, really dumb question, and I was hoping someone had a quick answer. If not, I'll ask on a dining thread I just couldn't figure out exactly where to ask.
so, we'll all have our own mb.....Say one of us goes to the quick service counter to order lunch for everyone. Do they need to scan all 6 magic bands to take off each persons snack/ qs meal, etc? Or is everyone's credits just thrown in as one big bundle onto all of our mb, so they just scan one mb to take whatever credits from "the pot"? Do I make any sense?
And this second question isn't as dumb, but still kinda dumb ....I saw that on the ddp that each qs includes one entree, one drink and one dessert. What if you don't want/order all three things at the counter? Do you just lose the dessert and drink credit if you only order the entree? If that is the case, I'd guess you just substitute the dessert for a snack or just pack it away in a bag for later?​

in general you can substitute both your drink and your dessert for any other thing with the DDP snack logo. One example - at flame tree bbq, substitute dessert for a side of onion rings. Another common one, substitute the drink at BoG for soup. When you do this, it is a LOT of food and you open up the opportunity for sharing. You only need to have one magic band in the room (any one that has charging privileges) and you can use as many credits as you want, even more than 6 (if say you wanted to treat other people). Or you could share and scan fewer... with subs and kids you may find that 4qs will feed all of you quite nicely. as someone mentioned above they do not distinguish between kid and adult credits it makes sharing even more of a possibility.

and finally, rather than letting your second snack expire, you can always swap it out for a bottle of water and save it for later. I would not recommend carrying around prepackaged desserts, people report ending up with a fridge full of those things if they do that. I recommend swapping for a savory snack and sharing OR swapping for a bottle of water for later.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Another trick about the dining plan: if you are eating a late dinner at your resort, grab a pastry as your dessert and then save it for breakfast the next morning. We did this several times, especially at CBR. They had decent muffins and Danish and those all kept pretty well until the next day. You should be able to find a "to go" station at the resort quick service where you can package your things to take with you in boxes and bags.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I've got World Showcase broken up into 3 segments, allowing an hour in each pavilion.

Day 1 - Coming into WS from International Gateway, we'll start at Morocco at 1:00 > France at 2 > UK at 3 > Canada at 4 > then over to a FEA fastpass hopefully from 4:30-5:30. After that we'll hit Mission: Space at 5:30 and Spaceship Earth at 6:30 before heading out for the day. We'll need to get back to AoA to get the camping mattresses set up for the little kids and generally get settled since we will have just moved that morning.

Day 2 at Epcot - GG 10:25 > Mexico at 11:30-ish > Norway 12:30 (FEA around Noon hopefully) > China 1:30 > Germany 2:30 > free time until 4:30 Biergarten dinner > more free time until Illuminations if we decide to stick around that late - Do you think I should make FEA for a bit later so we can spend more time in FW before we head into WS? Otherwise we could do FW after Biergarten.

Day 3 - FEA around 11:30 > Tutto Italia 12:30 > Italy afterward > American Adventure around 2:30 > Japan at 3:30 > free time for whatever or hop to another park for awhile (DHS has pm emh this night)

Day 4 - AK emh that morning > FEA at 1:00, no other specific plans today. Hit whatever we've missed up to this point.

 

[Karla07559]

LOL, I've been keeping it in case of emergency (plan D) and this was when I was supposed to stay at AKL... Just haven't gotten around cancelling (it's one of those what ifs since I dont know what is happening to SW fireworks )

I thought I was the only crazy with emergency plan d lol

 

[Maryemcd]

Okay, I'm 5 days behind on the thread so I hope everyone is doing well! Just a few days until FP+ day for those that can at the 60-day mark!!

I had a great, quick trip to Texas. Saw my sister's home and where she works in Marble Falls/Horseshoe Bay, toured the Alamo, San Antonio Riverwalk, Texas State History Museum, Capitol building, South Congress area of Austin. Had some good BBQ, Tex-Mex, and even got in some bar hopping on 6th Street in Austin. Now, it's back at work until Thanksgiving.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 

[Candycane83]

I've got World Showcase broken up into 3 segments, allowing an hour in each pavilion.

Day 1 - Coming into WS from International Gateway, we'll start at Morocco at 1:00 > France at 2 > UK at 3 > Canada at 4 > then over to a FEA fastpass hopefully from 4:30-5:30. After that we'll hit Mission: Space at 5:30 and Spaceship Earth at 6:30 before heading out for the day. We'll need to get back to AoA to get the camping mattresses set up for the little kids and generally get settled since we will have just moved that morning.

Day 2 at Epcot - GG 10:25 > Mexico at 11:30-ish > Norway 12:30 (FEA around Noon hopefully) > China 1:30 > Germany 2:30 > free time until 4:30 Biergarten dinner > more free time until Illuminations if we decide to stick around that late - Do you think I should make FEA for a bit later so we can spend more time in FW before we head into WS? Otherwise we could do FW after Biergarten.

Day 3 - FEA around 11:30 > Tutto Italia 12:30 > Italy afterward > American Adventure around 2:30 > Japan at 3:30 > free time for whatever or hop to another park for awhile (DHS has pm emh this night)

Day 4 - AK emh that morning > FEA at 1:00, no other specific plans today. Hit whatever we've missed up to this point.

I would say make the FEA as early in the day as you could (within your plans of course) the reason is if the ride breaks down at that time, they will give you an FP to come back... If you do it late and the ride breaks down, not sure what the alternative is but it may disrupt your plans.

 

[Maryemcd]

I don't have too many WDW memories....

I think I was taken to DisneyLand as a baby, but we never went to WDW when I was growing up. We took vacations at the VA/NC beaches, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Hershey Park, etc. For my honeymoon in January 2001, we decided on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise and on a whim decided to add 3 days in WDW. We stayed at the Grand Floridian but by the time we arrived I had bronchitis and the antibiotics from the ship doctor weren't working. I remember going to MGM Studios on the first day and saving MK for the second day. My DH grew up on stories of Space Mountain and it was his dream to ride it! Wouldn't you know, we run up to SM and see a big sign that it is CLOSED for repairs for the next 3 days!!! What a bummer!! My husband was so upset. I don't remember doing much in MK, but I do remember the Alien ride. We spent most of the next two days in Epcot where we really enjoyed the French restaurant (don't remember what it was called at the time), Biergarten, and as much walking around as I could handle.

 

[rasadkowski]

@pigletgirl that is such an awesome memory! I'm trying to keep myself in check here re the dining reservations. I've been trying so hard to get the perfect meal I think my family would like.. But it's not even fun anymore. I'm envisioning us being at each other's throats at CRT for some silly reason ( exhaustion, etc,,) and having the time of our lives sitting and resting with a dole whip from aloha cafe in adventure land!!! I think it'll all be about the experience and unexpected events like your California grill dinner

Favorite wdw memories :
- long queues for space mountain...and watching the giant chocolate chip cookies float by. I'm really excited to try fp, but those long waits are really a big part of my memories, and I'm feeling that they may have made me appreciate the ride a lot more..... Then again, probably not!
-breakfast on the empress lily
-riding through the poly on the monorail and always wanting to stay there. ( they have a little beach!)
... (I honestly couldn't decide, though... I remember all 3 monorail resorts so distinctly. The gf was truly so grand and pretty!!! And it was always so cool passing through the contemporary . I loved all three! Chose poly for our trip mostly because my girls love pools, and I think I said my daughter loves tiki islandy type things.)
-trying to play tricks on the car in front of you in the haunted mansion, but just being a bit more than arms length away from them, drats!
-I moved to fl in 3rd grade, leaving several friends back near Boston. A few years later, we randomly bumped into one of my best friends in a very crowed wdw, I don't think the area is there anymore... It was some sort of Mickey cartoon land ? It was still very cool.
- thinking that it was sooo cool that Ben Franklin was actually walking on the stage in the hall of presidents!!!

@Maryemcd that must have been a huge disappointment

 

[rasadkowski]

Thanks to all of you for the dining tips. Can I just ask, does the cm inform you if you are out of your credits? And it's just oop from there?

 

[Candycane83]

Thanks to all of you for the dining tips. Can I just ask, does the cm inform you if you are out of your credits? And it's just oop from there?

not sure but you could keep track of your credits by looking at your receipt. It will indicate how many credits you have left.

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks to all of you for the dining tips. Can I just ask, does the cm inform you if you are out of your credits? And it's just oop from there?

well the charge won't work (kind of like being above your credit card limit, you will get declined lol) but you should really have a plan going in as to how you're going to use them and as @Candycane83 said it is printed on your receipt.

how old are your kids again?

my gut feeling is that it may not be worth it to you to do the DDP and you would be better off OOP. I feel like at least two of your kids are older teens and I'm not even sure if one or both of the younger ones is over 9 (I can't remember, sorry... lol).

if you don't have at least half of your party as disney kids and combined with the fact that you want to do MORE TS than would be allotted and also combined with the sheer number of people you have to keep track of credits for, my gut feeling is that you will be scrambling to use up cs and snack credits at the end of your trip and you will be far better off just paying as you go.

I know you listed your TS but you never answered me about how many days you'd be there. I am not a DDP hater at all using it myself but my savings is coming from two places: half of the credits being kid credits (it is a HUGE value for kids at buffets) and going to a lot of good value restaurants as well as planning how to utilize the plan. @Candycane83 is an adult only party but also has put a lot of time into planning how to utilize the plan. Seeing your plans I think you are going to be stressed and unhappy with the DDP. I hope you don't take offense

 

[BDFmom]

FP+ are done!!! I got everything we wanted! I decent times!



I feel like a huge burden was lifted from my shoulders.

My earliest memory of Disney was when I was seven years old. We were visiting my grandpa in Miami and my parents decided to surprise me with a trip to Disney. I think they were ready to kill me in the car ride from Miami to Orlando. We finally arrive we checked into the Contemporary. I was in total awe of the monorail. I remember being seeing the fireworks from our balcony and then having to go to bed. The next morning we were off to MK. I fell in love with Cinderella's Castle and we got to eat there. At the time there were no princesses, in fact it was Sir Stephan's Royal banquet hall at the times. They had paper tickets at the time. I still have those stubs somewhere.