All this talk of ADRs is making me second guess myself :)

[McIntoshTx]

With all the stuff I have been reading about making ADRs I feel like I am planing my visits to the theme parks around my meals now

I have the free dinning plan and really would prefer to just go with the flow and have a "plan free" time. My question is can I use my table service credits for counter service meals if I want to? I mean if I do not make ADRs at Epcot and check at a table service restaurant that has no tables available can I just wander over to a counter service place and use my table service credit? I know I wold not get the maximum value for my credits taking CS with TS credits but since it is free dinning plan I am not really worried about that.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[chartle]

With all the stuff I have been reading about making ADRs I feel like I am planing my visits to the theme parks around my meals now

I have the free dinning plan and really would prefer to just go with the flow and have a "plan free" time. My question is can I use my table service credits for counter service meals if I want to? I mean if I do not make ADRs at Epcot and check at a table service restaurant that has no tables available can I just wander over to a counter service place and use my table service credit? I know I wold not get the maximum value for my credits taking CS with TS credits but since it is free dinning plan I am not really worried about that.

Thanks in advance for your help!

One thing to keep in mind, you did pay for free dining by not getting a discount on the room and paying rack rate. So it does have a value.

 

[Nadjalu]

Above poster is right. Many people think that because they didn't pay for the dining plan that it is ok to take a loss on the meal.
So you may want to think about that and check to see if another form of discount works out better for you.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

With all the stuff I have been reading about making ADRs I feel like I am planing my visits to the theme parks around my meals now.......

Some people say don't plan your trip around meals.... but I'll admit I do that a bit. There are restaurants I want to go to... and I work them in with my park plans.

Other things determine which park I go to like... when the MVMCP Christmas parties are, fantasmic schedule, magic hours, etc... But dining is an important part of the vacation for us. Here's why...

We enjoy some

• very nice signature dinners without needing a child sitter... and introduces DS to finer restaurant dining.
• Restaurant dining is a nice break from the rushing and walking in the parks. We use the time to talk about our day, look at pictures and videos (with headphones) on the camera.
• We enjoy fun dining experiences not possible at home like the movies at Sci Fi, the music and games at Ohana, the characters, the music and belly dancing at Marrakesh, the entertainment at Biergarten, the 50s role playing at Prime Time, etc.

We do almost all table service on the deluxe dining plan. Even with free dining, you can pay extra to upgrade. We like that the deluxe plan includes appetizers, more snacks, and the refillable mugs. The only counter service we do are some early breakfasts at the resort - we usually bring breakfast back to our room and eat while getting ready and waking up DS.

 

[McIntoshTx]

Above poster is right. Many people think that because they didn't pay for the dining plan that it is ok to take a loss on the meal.
So you may want to think about that and check to see if another form of discount works out better for you.

All great points so far. I do agree that even the "free" plan has a value and we do intend to use a number of TS credits for TS meals with ADRs. I guess what I was trying to ask is in a pinch if we do not have ADRs and can not get into a TS meal can I use the TS credits at a CS meal? Or would I have to pay OOP for the CS meal and not use the TS credits?

Thanks

 

[JacksLilWench]

I have heard you can "cash in" TS credits for CS credits. I'm not sure if that's correct, or how it works, but it's something like you can get a CS meal and two snacks for one TS. I could be WAY off the mark here, but that's just what I've heard. I would assume someone in Guest Services would be able to tell you how it works. Again, I could be totally wrong on this, but it's something I've heard of people doing. Have fun on your trip!!

 

[McIntoshTx]

I have heard you can "cash in" TS credits for CS credits. I'm not sure if that's correct, or how it works, but it's something like you can get a CS meal and two snacks for one TS. I could be WAY off the mark here, but that's just what I've heard. I would assume someone in Guest Services would be able to tell you how it works. Again, I could be totally wrong on this, but it's something I've heard of people doing. Have fun on your trip!!

Thanks for the info, I will check into that option. I would guess this type of things occurs often at WDW and there is something in the process to accommodate it. Thanks again!

 

[chartle]

I have heard you can "cash in" TS credits for CS credits. I'm not sure if that's correct, or how it works, but it's something like you can get a CS meal and two snacks for one TS. I could be WAY off the mark here, but that's just what I've heard. I would assume someone in Guest Services would be able to tell you how it works. Again, I could be totally wrong on this, but it's something I've heard of people doing. Have fun on your trip!!

I remember something like this being posted a few years ago but it was like a tote bag instead of snack credits.

Also this was when FD was just coming out and a lot of guests (and it seems Disney) were unprepared and didn't think they needed ADR's.

While I'm pretty sure you can use a TS for a CS I don't think they give you anything else in exchange.

 

[melifeld]

We plan our meals based on what park we'll be in that day, instead of the other way around. We look at the crowd calendars, make our decisions about where we'll be which days, then make our ADRs based on where we'll be. We don't always get the exact restaurant and/or time we want, but we just work around it. It has worked out well for us so far!

Just a suggestion! Have fun, whatever you decide.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I'm certain you can use a TS credit to buy a counterservice meal... but it's a 1 for 1 exchange...but I wouldn't. On the regular DDP, I can easily find a TS restaurant for the TS credits... having at least 1 TS a day is a nice break, and all the fun places to dine too!

 

[McIntoshTx]

I'm certain you can use a TS credit to buy a counterservice meal... but it's a 1 for 1 exchange...but I wouldn't. On the regular DDP, I can easily find a TS restaurant for the TS credits... having at least 1 TS a day is a nice break, and all the fun places to dine too!

Again thanks to all for the replays! I think I will make some ADRs and leave some free days where we will just go "freestyle" and see what happens!

I do want to ADR at Epcot La Hacienda, Marakesh & Liberty Tree Tavern for NSSH dinner. Not sure about DHS or AK. Maybe I will play those two parks free style.