All this free dining business! I don't care!

[apartyof5]

Ok, I care....a little. We were going to go in september anyways....we lucked out and got the free dining included in our reservation! At first, I was so excited! Now, I really don't care. I have made one ADR character meal for dinner-we are a party of 7 (4 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant). After reading about the possibility that we may be split up and worrying about where we will be when....I have had enough. This is my fourth trip to disney and I have never had to put so much thought into what I will be eating just because we got the free dining plan!! My husband doesn't want to be held to a schedule and my father in law looked at me like I was a MAD woman when I asked where they were wanting to eat. He said we'd figure it out when we got there!

The way I figure it, if its free, we can use the table service credits for quick service meals if needed. I don't want to spend a large amount of our time on dining nor do I want to feel like I have to be anywhere at a specific time.

Am I crazy????? I feel like the free dining will help with the food expense but I am not going to stress out about where I am eating!

 

[smitch425]

Ok, I care....a little. We were going to go in september anyways....we lucked out and got the free dining included in our reservation! At first, I was so excited! Now, I really don't care. I have made one ADR character meal for dinner-we are a party of 7 (4 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant). After reading about the possibility that we may be split up and worrying about where we will be when....I have had enough. This is my fourth trip to disney and I have never had to put so much thought into what I will be eating just because we got the free dining plan!! My husband doesn't want to be held to a schedule and my father in law looked at me like I was a MAD woman when I asked where they were wanting to eat. He said we'd figure it out when we got there!

The way I figure it, if its free, we can use the table service credits for quick service meals if needed. I don't want to spend a large amount of our time on dining nor do I want to feel like I have to be anywhere at a specific time.

Am I crazy????? I feel like the free dining will help with the food expense but I am not going to stress out about where I am eating!

First of all, BREATHE.

If you don't want to make ADRs then don't. Just use your TS credits for QS meals and don't stress over it. They are your credits and you can use them the way you want to.

And, to the Disboards!

 

[Jacks2583]

Use TS credits for QS meals?!?! :Gasp: LOL

We love the food almost as much as we love the parks at Disney. We take full advantage of our TS credits and look forward to the food all year long. We also have a lot of fun planning which new TS places we will try each visit.

I would highly suggest making ADRs and getting excited about the food- getting to/from your ADRs isn't a big deal if you plan appropriately. Do not count on being able to walk in anywhere TS in September with free dining (it is possible depending on time and restaurant, but don't count on it)

 

[1princess1prince]

It can be quite overhwelming. If you are morning people - early breakfasts are great for not having to fit in. We are going in the summer, so knowing we would break in the afternoon, I made many dinner adr's and plan to head to the park after.

And honestly, I tried to solicit suggestions from dh but in the end I made all the adrs on my own. My kids will be happy with all the character meals and dh will be happy with Biergarten!!

Good luck and do whatever is the least amount of stress for you!!

 

[WDWFWfan]

I understand, trying to make ADR's for each day and then having to adjust your schedule everyday to be at a certain time and place just isn't worth it to me. You spend way much time traveling, eating, etc. that you loose a lot of time in the parks.

We were in the same situation last year, then after making all our ADR's and then thinking about the hassle, we rebooked at the Pop Century with just the QS plan, saved over $1,000 and had the freedom to do what we wanted (of course all QS). Plus, I have found that there are a number of really good places to eat for QS, you don't have to eat hamburgers all the time.

 

[Glennie5]

I understand what you are saying - I felt the same way last year when I was trying to book our ADR's. Once we got there and started our Character meals it made all the craziness worth it. I also wanted to add that many times we go to Disney with my sister and her family and for our meals it made us a party of 9. They have always sat us together at the same table. Even when I book an ADR for our family of 5 it says because of your party size you may be seated at a different table's and that has never happened either. Good luck, I am sure you will have an incredible trip!

 

[apartyof5]

I wouldn't mind making ADR's.....if everyone else in my party was on board. My frustrations are that:

1. No one in my party wants to talk about it (They think I am crazy!)

2. I have TRIED to no avail to explain that we will not be able to walk into a TS meal without a reservation-the response I get is "we'll be alright"

3. I have to consider my father in law and his fiance in the plans-if it were just us I would just make ADR's and they could deal with it!

What I fear is that we go...and low and behold I get the "why didn't you make reservations?!!?!?!?!" When they all find out that we can't get in anywhere.

Ugh...

 

[Dismom55]

Being older and diabetic a good table service meal is better for my health, rather than all those counter service meals where I end up getting a sandwich and fries. So we plan a good deal of our ADR's at the park we are going to be at for that day. Then things are not so stressful. Also for our last few trips the kids were old enough to stay longer at the parks while we would head back to the resort for some relaxation after dinner, so it gave us a chance to touch base one last time.

So while you can use your credits for quick service, you might consider a few table service if for no other reason the experience of some of the great restaurants, the thought that has been put into them is extraodinary and the planning can be fun too.

As to the last post, I would go ahead and make a few choices based on what you think they would like, they seem to not understand or not want to take the time, they might thank you in the end.

Good luck and do what you feel best, either way you will have a blast.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If they get annoyed with you for not making reservations once you're there, remind them what they said.

 

[Sheaboys]

I would look at menus, if there is something for almost everyone in your group. Then book it. If they want to change, once there, then try and change. But at least you have a reservation for a place to eat. And it's FREE!

 

[smitch425]

I would look at menus, if there is something for almost everyone in your group. Then book it. If they want to change, once there, then try and change. But at least you have a reservation for a place to eat. And it's FREE!

OP would just need to be sure to change with enough notice, as many restaurants now charge $10 per person for no shows and late notice of cancellation.

 

[saffsmom]

I would look at menus, if there is something for almost everyone in your group. Then book it. If they want to change, once there, then try and change. But at least you have a reservation for a place to eat. And it's FREE!

just make reservations at restaurants that DON"T have a credit card hold
that way you are free to cancel/change anything you want at any time
if FIL+ his girlfriend don't want to join you they can find their own food! (and you all may appreciate some time apart)
your DH will be happy to be fed, for free!!!

 

[Jacks2583]

I wouldn't mind making ADR's.....if everyone else in my party was on board. My frustrations are that:

1. No one in my party wants to talk about it (They think I am crazy!)

2. I have TRIED to no avail to explain that we will not be able to walk into a TS meal without a reservation-the response I get is "we'll be alright"

3. I have to consider my father in law and his fiance in the plans-if it were just us I would just make ADR's and they could deal with it!

What I fear is that we go...and low and behold I get the "why didn't you make reservations?!!?!?!?!" When they all find out that we can't get in anywhere.

Ugh...

I understand your frustrations. The first year, I couldn't get DH to help at all (he sounded a lot like your family- "I don't know what I will want to eat in 6 months" and "I dont understand why we need to decide so early") So I just made all the ADRs at places I wanted to go to based on my research and reading the menus.

When we got there, DH was glad I had made the ADRs and really enjoyed all the food. Since the first trip, he is itching to make ADRs and schedule everything months before we can even make our ADRs!

Long story short, I recommend making ADRs at places that you like. Make sure you match the park you are going to that day (assuming you don't have hoppers) with the ADR so you can get to the restaurant easily.

Good luck

 

[buffettgirl]

First, you wno't be split. I've never ever ever been split and we've routinely gone with 8 or 10.

Then, I do like the PP said. This year I am travelling with my brother and his wife and 4 year old. I have made only 2 ADRs for the trip but I did add them on. Just in case. If they don't want the ADR I will cancel them but I have this big feeling that once I say "oh hey, we have ADRs at xyz" they'll want to come.

in the past when we've had larger groups I simply tell everyone in advance that DH and I need to make a schedule at that we do not expect ANYONE to follow our schedule however if they choose to follow with us, then we also need to make ADRS otherwise we will not eat. I let it be known that I am making them, regardless. So I can add them or not.

With your FIL and DH- maybe just make all the ADRs and make your park day plan and then when everyone is stressing about where to go you can be the one who saves things and has a plan in place. That's always how it used to work for me. Until everyone learned the benefit of ADRs.

 

[apartyof5]

Perhaps I will just go ahead and make some reservations since I DO plan on going to certain parks on certain days.....Is there a way to tell which places have CC holds and which don't??

Also, how far in advance do I have to cancel my reservations without getting charged?

 

[apartyof5]

First, you wno't be split. I've never ever ever been split and we've routinely gone with 8 or 10.

Then, I do like the PP said. This year I am travelling with my brother and his wife and 4 year old. I have made only 2 ADRs for the trip but I did add them on. Just in case. If they don't want the ADR I will cancel them but I have this big feeling that once I say "oh hey, we have ADRs at xyz" they'll want to come.

in the past when we've had larger groups I simply tell everyone in advance that DH and I need to make a schedule at that we do not expect ANYONE to follow our schedule however if they choose to follow with us, then we also need to make ADRS otherwise we will not eat. I let it be known that I am making them, regardless. So I can add them or not.

With your FIL and DH- maybe just make all the ADRs and make your park day plan and then when everyone is stressing about where to go you can be the one who saves things and has a plan in place. That's always how it used to work for me. Until everyone learned the benefit of ADRs.

Its good to know that we may not be split up....I was really worried how that was going to work out especially during a busy time like free dining.

 

[buffettgirl]

they say it could happen but honestly I have never actually read of anyone being split.

I think only the signature restaurants and character meals charge a no-show fee. Otherwise, you have 24 hours to cancel I believe, but I'm sure the info is on the disney dining website. If you already know what parks then just make the ADRs. You'll be saving the day.

 

[Sheaboys]

"I don't know what I will want to eat in 6 months" and "I dont understand why we need to decide so early"

Am I the only one who thinks this statement is hilarious.

I looked at many table service restaurants, nearly every single one has a: chicken dish, a steak dish, a fish/seafood dish and salad dishes. While each restaurant has their own "type" of food, like Tony's is Italian, Teppan Edo is Habaci style, Ohana Polyonesian (I know I butchered the spelling), 50's Prime Time good home cooking, etc. They all still serve the same "food groups."

To me that is better than, hamburgers, chicken fingers, ribs/chicken and salads for the entire trip 2x a day. OK throw a fish n chip in there.

While I normally do not make food plans so far in advance, we are more of a decide in the car where we are eating family. I want to be able to have a place to sit down, someone serve me, eat at a table as a family, type meal. So yes, I made ADR's, and yes, I may try and change a few when there, but if I can't, I still know I have a place to eat.

 

[apartyof5]

"I don't know what I will want to eat in 6 months" and "I dont understand why we need to decide so early"

Am I the only one who thinks this statement is hilarious.

I looked at many table service restaurants, nearly every single one has a: chicken dish, a steak dish, a fish/seafood dish and salad dishes. While each restaurant has their own "type" of food, like Tony's is Italian, Teppan Edo is Habaci style, Ohana Polyonesian (I know I butchered the spelling), 50's Prime Time good home cooking, etc. They all still serve the same "food groups."

To me that is better than, hamburgers, chicken fingers, ribs/chicken and salads for the entire trip 2x a day. OK throw a fish n chip in there.

While I normally do not make food plans so far in advance, we are more of a decide in the car where we are eating family. I want to be able to have a place to sit down, someone serve me, eat at a table as a family, type meal. So yes, I made ADR's, and yes, I may try and change a few when there, but if I can't, I still know I have a place to eat.

GOOD POINTS! Hadn't thought about it this way...

 

[surrealrain]

"I don't know what I will want to eat in 6 months" and "I dont understand why we need to decide so early"

Am I the only one who thinks this statement is hilarious.

I looked at many table service restaurants, nearly every single one has a: chicken dish, a steak dish, a fish/seafood dish and salad dishes. While each restaurant has their own "type" of food, like Tony's is Italian, Teppan Edo is Habaci style, Ohana Polyonesian (I know I butchered the spelling), 50's Prime Time good home cooking, etc. They all still serve the same "food groups."

To me that is better than, hamburgers, chicken fingers, ribs/chicken and salads for the entire trip 2x a day. OK throw a fish n chip in there.

While I normally do not make food plans so far in advance, we are more of a decide in the car where we are eating family. I want to be able to have a place to sit down, someone serve me, eat at a table as a family, type meal. So yes, I made ADR's, and yes, I may try and change a few when there, but if I can't, I still know I have a place to eat.

Ditto!

Make reservations, you won't regret it.