Another dining plan question

[Debbied]

New to board, sorry I have read the other threads but....
We have just booked the free dining experience for Sept 07
and are confused as to what we get. I understand the meal type and ammount (I think) but having read some of the threads would like to know the following
1.do you have to choose from a different menu
2.how do you know what it cost and how much you have saved.
3.on the link to the menus, do you just choose what you would like
4.are you made to feel like a second class cheapskate

thanks for the advice
Debbie

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Debbied and welcome to the Dis

I have just got back from WDW and we had the free dining plan so I will certainly try and answer your questions

1.do you have to choose from a different menu
No
2.how do you know what it cost and how much you have saved.
At the end of every meal you are given a receipt to sign which details the actual cost of the meal if you were paying for it. What some people have done on here is to add all those up so they can track the savings. I'm not disciplined enough for that but just enjoyed all the free food

3.on the link to the menus, do you just choose what you would like You can have an appetizer (starter), entree (main course), and a dessert, plus a non alcoholic or "speciality" drink. We also had coffee a couple of times.This means things like soda, juice and milk are free but you may have to pay for the "smoothies" etc. We had a couple of meals where we were allowed smoothies free but I think we may have just been lucky.

4.are you made to feel like a second class cheapskate
Absolutely, positively, definitely, not. We have been to WDW 3 times in the last 3 years and have eaten at a lot of restaurants; this was the first time we had the Dining Plan (free or otherwise) and there was no difference whatsoever.

Hope that helps!

Where are you staying at WDW? Is it your first trip?

 

[paulh]

you get
1 Table service meal per night (TS)
1 Counter service per night (CS)
! snack per day
The above is per person so if 4 adults you get
4 x TS per night
4 x CS per night
4 x snacks per night
If you have 2 adults(A) and 2 children (child)you get
(2A + 2 Child) x TS per night
(2A + 2 Child) x CS per night
4 x snacks per night
You can eatat any of the resturants that are on the plan(some have been remove for the 2007 plan but this is we belive a contract isue and will proberly br added at a later date)
for each TS (A) you can order an appitizzer,entraydesert and drink
For each childs TS you have to order of the childs menu if they have one but of thee adult if they dont (they let you get a appitizzer if not on there menue)
CS can be use almost anyhere that seves food its a meal,desert and drink
Snacks are anything under $4.00 ie ices cream on mainstreet doubble scoop,anything in goofys candy shop except toffy apples
also you can use 2 CS to eat at a siniture resturant(sig):-
Hoo de doo,Mickeys BBQ,california grill ect
At eachmeal you just tell your sever your on the dinning plan at the start of ordering.You a treated the same a if paying cash you order of the same menues except adult drinks are not included (unless you would have got it if you paig cash ie dinner shows)
When you get your bill you give room key and they deduct eater 1TS,1 CS per person depending onthe meal.This then tis pays for mael tip and tax.Any remaining credits are shown on your recipt
Paulh
Jut done it so if any questions just ask

 

[Laurafoster]

Sounds like a good deal, may do it for my trip next year!

 

[Debbied]

Thanks for your help, it's alot clearer now. It seems all you have to do is
book... turn up... and eat.. can't wait. Next big dilemma is what restaurants still got a while to sort that one.

We are staying at the G.F for 5 days and then moving to the Buena Vista Palace as part of a two centre booking, only booked the G.F as an extra as we were let down with this years hols. We have been quite a few times before since honeymoon in 93' but never stayed on site, so it will be a totally new experience.
Roll on 07 can't wait

 

[paulh]

Debbied we did the free ddp at the end of this aug.I booked all my ADR`s in may.DW and friends thought i was mad,But they soon changed there tune when they saw everywere tuning people away as they were fully booked up.
You can download the resturants that are participatceing so far for 2007 on disneys web site.Part of the fun for us is the planning.You dont have to book right now but would advise you did it at least a month before you go
Paulh

 

[Debbied]

Paulh
I agree half the fun is in the planning, I will now probably bore DH senseless, the earliest we can book is 180 days beforehand.. hope to be ready by then!

We also have the Magical Express transfer, I heard US travellers just go to a meeting point without collecting their luggage.Do you know how this works for U.K travellers as we have to clear immigration?

 

[paulh]

We also have the Magical Express transfer, I heard US travellers just go to a meeting point without collecting their luggage.Do you know how this works for U.K travellers as we have to clear immigration?

If you are flying direct into MCO and are using the yellow me tags you get of plane do customs and just board the bus to disney
If you are doing a conecting flight you do customs and pick up your luggage and re-check it in on your next flight.Then when you arive at MCO you just board the bus without doing customs or picking bags up
Dont forget that it can be up to 4 hours before luggage is in your room.Thats ok for the ammericans as they get there earler than us uk visitors,so they go straight to the park.What we do is book ME with disney and dont use yellow tags and get our bags ourselfs and then use the bus then we know bags will be with us
Paulh

 

[Debbied]

Good advice, who want's to wait 4 hours for luggage to reach your room.We will collect it ourselves, like you suggest.

 

[Miffy2003]

Good advice, who want's to wait 4 hours for luggage to reach your room.We will collect it ourselves, like you suggest.

Debbie - the good thing about letting Disney pick your bags up for you is it saves you some time as you don't have the pick the cases up the second time at MCO

Also it means you don't have to lug all your cases about with you. We have used Magical Express twice and find it extremely convenient

 

[paulh]

Debbie - the good thing about letting Disney pick your bags up for you is it saves you some time as you don't have the pick the cases up the second time at MCO

Also it means you don't have to lug all your cases about with you. We have used Magical Express twice and find it extremely convenient

Would advuse taking an overnite bag with you with jimjams in, next days cloths and some swimware plus toothbrush ,Most uk flight arivei nto mco around 6pmish so it can be 10pm onwards before luggage in romm.Dont forget with the new resticions with handlugage no more caryons
Paulh

 

[Debbied]

Still probably think it's worthwhile collecting bags yourself, although a little inconvenient. As it stands at the moment with restricted hand luggage - would not be able to take toiletries ect...Also had cases go missing for 36 hours in the past, so probably a bit paranoid about that, If it happens to anyone you can bet I'm not far behind!............