We just returned from a 9 night vacation at Boardwalk, staying on DVC points. For the first time we decided to try something different, so instead of cooking in we did the Disney Dining Plan (2A and 1C). I want to share our experiences, observations and comments of the Dining Plan. For those of you who are contemplating on taking the dining plan or will be using the dining plan, hopefully this will answer some of your questions.
You can absolutely share meals. We had no problems at any of the restaurants sharing meals with our child. They do not separate the adult and child credits. The credits are polled, which means you can use your credits as you wish. There were many TS and CS meals which we only use 2 adult credits for the three of us. By doing this we had additional TS and CS credits for most of our breakfasts. We shared most of our meals due to the fact my child does not eat a lot, and there was more than enough food for the three of us with two meals.
If you love to eat then the Dining Plan is definitely for you. However, I am one that enjoys my food, but even I couldnt finish my meals. By the time dessert came I was way too full finish it. Dont get me wrong, we ate at some great restaurants and had some great meals. Our Dining Plan was worth the money it cost us as you will see below. The waiters and waitresses were very helpful, and the service at most of the restaurants was exceptional.
As for ADR and trying to keep those, well at beginning of the week this was not an issue. However, as the week went on we found ourselves trying to change dining times. This was due to weather, change in plans, or we just werent hungry at the time we had planned. Most of the restaurants were very accommodating and allowed us to make time changes. Of course, we couldnt pick the time, but it was very close to what we wanted. I think the dining plan did control some of our trip when it came to the TS reservations. I think the fact that you have to book these well in advance, it doesnt give you much room to modify your trip if things changes.
I am not sure if I would purchase the dining plan again. One of the main reasons is we belong to the DVC and we usually get the one bedroom, which has the full kitchen. This time we stayed in a studio, which is why we purchased the plan. However, for those of you who want to eat at great restaurants, enjoy good food and not have to worry about dining cost, then the dining plan is a great deal.
If anyone has any questions regarding plan and how you can benefit from it, please send me an email.
Our TS, CS and Snack options
TS CS Snack Total
25-Aug Coral Reef 2 $116.32 (TS 2)
26-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $4.88 (S 2)
26-Aug Lottawatta Lodge - Blizzard 2 $23.29 (CS 2)
26-Aug Chef De France 2 $109.00 (TS 2)
27-Aug Pizzaffari 2 $25.29 (CS 2)
27-Aug 1900 Park Fare 3 $89.60 (TS 3)
28-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $4.88 (S 2)
28-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $25.93 (CS 2)
29-Aug MGM Snack 1 $3.51 (S 1)
29-Aug Hollywood and Vine 3 $74.66 (TS 3)
28-Aug MGM Snack 2 $5.50 (S 2)
29-Aug Tusker House 2 $28.27 (CS 2)
29-Aug Norway 3 $89.60 (TS 3)
29-Aug Boardwalk Pizza 1 $10.50 (CS 1)
30-Aug Cape May Café 3 $60.97 (TS 3)
30-Aug Back Lot Express 3 $35.49 (CS 3)
30-Aug Spoodles 2 $98.51 (TS 2)
30-Aug Snack Boardwalk 1 $2.50 (S 1)
31-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $15.00 (CS 2)
31-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 1 $2.25 (S 1)
31-Aug Columbia Harbor MK 2 $24.33 (CS 2)
31-Aug Boardwalk Pizza 1 $6.00 (CS 1)
31-Aug Snack MK 3 $8.85 (S 3)
1-Sep Crystal Palace 3 $60.97 (TS 3)
1-Sep Toontown 1 $3.72 (S 1)
1-Sep Pinocchio Village 2 $25.29 (CS 2)
1-Sep LeCellier 3 $128.09 (TS 3)
1-Sep Snack Epcot 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Animal Kingdom Snack 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Spoodles 2 $21.00 (CS 2)
2-Sep Tusker House 3 $24.12 (CS 3)
2-Sep Plaza Ice Cream 2 $7.86 (S 2)
2-Sep Fantasyland Snack 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Liberty Tree Tavern 3 $85.87(TS 3)
2-Sep Lemonade MK 1 $3.72 (S 1)
3-Sep Lunch Downtown Earl 3 $25.00 (CS 3)
3-Sep Snacks 5 $15.00 (S 5)
Total 27 27 27 $1,280.77
Allowed/Cost 27 27 27 $782.73
Remaining/Excess 0 0 0 ($498.04)
You can absolutely share meals. We had no problems at any of the restaurants sharing meals with our child. They do not separate the adult and child credits. The credits are polled, which means you can use your credits as you wish. There were many TS and CS meals which we only use 2 adult credits for the three of us. By doing this we had additional TS and CS credits for most of our breakfasts. We shared most of our meals due to the fact my child does not eat a lot, and there was more than enough food for the three of us with two meals.
If you love to eat then the Dining Plan is definitely for you. However, I am one that enjoys my food, but even I couldnt finish my meals. By the time dessert came I was way too full finish it. Dont get me wrong, we ate at some great restaurants and had some great meals. Our Dining Plan was worth the money it cost us as you will see below. The waiters and waitresses were very helpful, and the service at most of the restaurants was exceptional.
As for ADR and trying to keep those, well at beginning of the week this was not an issue. However, as the week went on we found ourselves trying to change dining times. This was due to weather, change in plans, or we just werent hungry at the time we had planned. Most of the restaurants were very accommodating and allowed us to make time changes. Of course, we couldnt pick the time, but it was very close to what we wanted. I think the dining plan did control some of our trip when it came to the TS reservations. I think the fact that you have to book these well in advance, it doesnt give you much room to modify your trip if things changes.
I am not sure if I would purchase the dining plan again. One of the main reasons is we belong to the DVC and we usually get the one bedroom, which has the full kitchen. This time we stayed in a studio, which is why we purchased the plan. However, for those of you who want to eat at great restaurants, enjoy good food and not have to worry about dining cost, then the dining plan is a great deal.
If anyone has any questions regarding plan and how you can benefit from it, please send me an email.
Our TS, CS and Snack options
TS CS Snack Total
25-Aug Coral Reef 2 $116.32 (TS 2)
26-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $4.88 (S 2)
26-Aug Lottawatta Lodge - Blizzard 2 $23.29 (CS 2)
26-Aug Chef De France 2 $109.00 (TS 2)
27-Aug Pizzaffari 2 $25.29 (CS 2)
27-Aug 1900 Park Fare 3 $89.60 (TS 3)
28-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $4.88 (S 2)
28-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $25.93 (CS 2)
29-Aug MGM Snack 1 $3.51 (S 1)
29-Aug Hollywood and Vine 3 $74.66 (TS 3)
28-Aug MGM Snack 2 $5.50 (S 2)
29-Aug Tusker House 2 $28.27 (CS 2)
29-Aug Norway 3 $89.60 (TS 3)
29-Aug Boardwalk Pizza 1 $10.50 (CS 1)
30-Aug Cape May Café 3 $60.97 (TS 3)
30-Aug Back Lot Express 3 $35.49 (CS 3)
30-Aug Spoodles 2 $98.51 (TS 2)
30-Aug Snack Boardwalk 1 $2.50 (S 1)
31-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 2 $15.00 (CS 2)
31-Aug Boardwalk Bakery 1 $2.25 (S 1)
31-Aug Columbia Harbor MK 2 $24.33 (CS 2)
31-Aug Boardwalk Pizza 1 $6.00 (CS 1)
31-Aug Snack MK 3 $8.85 (S 3)
1-Sep Crystal Palace 3 $60.97 (TS 3)
1-Sep Toontown 1 $3.72 (S 1)
1-Sep Pinocchio Village 2 $25.29 (CS 2)
1-Sep LeCellier 3 $128.09 (TS 3)
1-Sep Snack Epcot 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Animal Kingdom Snack 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Spoodles 2 $21.00 (CS 2)
2-Sep Tusker House 3 $24.12 (CS 3)
2-Sep Plaza Ice Cream 2 $7.86 (S 2)
2-Sep Fantasyland Snack 2 $5.00 (S 2)
2-Sep Liberty Tree Tavern 3 $85.87(TS 3)
2-Sep Lemonade MK 1 $3.72 (S 1)
3-Sep Lunch Downtown Earl 3 $25.00 (CS 3)
3-Sep Snacks 5 $15.00 (S 5)
Total 27 27 27 $1,280.77
Allowed/Cost 27 27 27 $782.73
Remaining/Excess 0 0 0 ($498.04)
