Are the menus marked DDP?

[ribbot]

Still deciding here whether to do DDP or not, but thought of this question---if you are at, let's say a counter service---how do you know what is considered a credit?

Will I be walking around the whole time with my nose in a book trying to figure out what's covered and what's not? Or will I be put into a situation where I constantly have to ask--is this covered? or is that covered?

When you are at a Table Service--does the waitstaff clearly tell you that you can have an entree, an appetizer, dessert etc? Or do I have to pull my trusty book out again to be sure I am getting what I'm supposed to? And do they tell you if something is NOT covered while knowing that you're on the plan?

Sorry for all the questions--am new to the DDP and am trying to totally understand it.

 

[Santa]

A snack credit is anything under $4.
A counterservice credit is a combo type meal (such as but not limited to: sandwich, chips & drink).
A table service credit is an appetizer, entree, dessert & drink.

As long as the establishment is listed as a DDP participant it's your choice. You do not get whatever they give you.

 

[bicker]

I wouldn't worry too much about having to "walk around the whole time with your nose in a book" -- the CMs will be happy to help you understand what is or isn't included: Just ask.


Some clarifications regarding what Santa wrote:

Actually, there are some items under $4 which you cannot get for a snack credit. You'll need to check with the cashier for items not marked with the DDP logo, in order to be sure.

For CS meals, if you don't order a combo meal, sides are not generally included.

For TS meals, appetizers are not included at breakfast, but instead you may order a juice (in addition to your beverage).

 

[FormrCastMbr]

We just used the DDP for the first time in Dec...it was great! You can't beat the price and its way too much food but we would probably pay more OOP for less food.

The server at a TS meal will greet you and ask if you are on the DDP and then they will explain what you get...app, entree, dessert and drink...

I would say most, if not all, snacks are marked with the DDP logo...you will see this logo on the DDP paperwork that explains the plan.

It was very easy to get used to the experience of the plan...just review the list of restaurants and make ressies ahead of time and you will be fine...most CS take the plan as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[ZekeKelso]

We constantly asked. In fact, it was a big joke when we got home. Out to eat and grandma's and asking her, "we are on dining plan - what can we order".

The CM's were all great and happy to talk about the plan. Many made specific recommendations (normally I recommend X, but for people on the plan I suggest Y). CM suggestions to get fruit cups and fancy drinks instead of dessert saved us from drowning in cake and cookies.

Even if you've read and know everything, I recommend starting off each meal - CS or TS - with an announcement that you are on the plan and a question as to what can be ordered.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Everytime I got to the cashier at a counter service place I started with "I am on the Dining Plan." the cashier would generally say something to the effect of "Okay" or "That's fine, what would like?" and then I would give my order. A few times I didn't order dessert and the cashier was very good at bringing it to my attention that I was entitled to one. At BC marketplace, the cashier made sure that I got everything I was entitled to (including the bag of chips they allow as a side).

At table service, I found most of the time the server would ask if we were on the dining plan and then ask if we knew how it worked.

 

[frndofpooh]

You should not have much trouble at all. The only thing that was a problem for us was that we found that lots of the things that would count as a snack were NOT marked (we generally got snacks at the general stores in the resorts) so you have to ask. CM's were really helpful. $4 is a good guideline, but it's good to inquire before you stand in line. There is a list somewhere on the DIS of all of the things that have been confirmed to be snacks and that was helpful too. Enjoy!

 

[tashasmum]

Having just come back from WDW, at the restaurants we ate in we were always asked if we were on the ddp before we ordered.

 

[ribbot]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm about 18 hours away from making my decision as to DDP or not---and after careful review, we're now thinking yes.

My next question is----I've been reading posts on here about people sharing their meals. How does one go about sharing a meal at a TS? Do you come right out and ask them if they allow it? I would think this wouldn't be allowed as the wait staff would be getting less of a tip from the total price, etc.

So what are the "sharing rules" exactly?

I also have to admit---I'm kinda scared about this DDP. It just seems so confusing to me and all of the different opinions of what is or isn't covered from what I've read on here. And having to keep all receipts and watch what is charged, whether it's a childs or adult credit.

I hope I come back in August and rave about the program, but right now it's giving me the willies!!

 

[bicker]

THow does one go about sharing a meal at a TS? Do you come right out and ask them if they allow it?

Yes.

I would think this wouldn't be allowed as the wait staff would be getting less of a tip from the total price, etc.

Servers would surely be less happy about the prospect of a lower tip, but there is an expectation that folks who split a single meal between two diners will make up for that by providing an extra gratuity. In the case of the Dining Plan, that would generally be done by leaving cash on the table. I would personally leave at least an extra $3 for each (adult) diner seated but not ordering an entree at a 1TS restaurant.

So what are the "sharing rules" exactly?

Currently, none of the Disney-owned restaurants at WDW have any specific "sharing rules". Of course, prix fixe meals (like buffets) require everyone to pay (use credits), but beyond that, it is up to the servers and especially their manager to do whatever they see fit.

 

[serene56]

I too am wondering abou tthe meal deal.

But have a question--- why would we share a meal? We all have the same credits.

By sharing wouldnt we wind up with a lot of left over credits at the end of the time?

 

[julie222]

In reguards to the question about sharing meals, is it my understanding that instead of useing 2 table service vouchers (one per person) that my husband and i could use one TB for lunch and split that meal and then one for dinner and share that meal?
using our counter service for a breakfast type meal? is there anyone out there that actually does this? or has anyone been asked not to share a meal ever?
i have never used the meal plan but plan to this april............we are not big eaters so this may work for us..........any comments on this would help.
thanks

 

[bicker]

why would we share a meal? We all have the same credits. By sharing wouldnt we wind up with a lot of left over credits at the end of the time?

Splitting a single meal between two or more guests would indeed result in you having a lot of credits left over, but only if you stuck to one quick service meal and one table service meal per day. I think those who engage in this practice are aiming to turn the Dining Plan, which is offered as a "two meals plus a snack per day" plan, into a three meals plus a snack per day plan. By splitting a single meal between two or more guests, they hope to be able to cover more meals. It's a lot of extra work, IMHO, figuring out how to juggle credits like that, and not really worth it, AFAIC, since we already are spending a lot of time in restaurants already -- I wouldn't be inclined to spend even more time for more restaurant meals. Breakfast is a grab-and-go kind of thing for us, and snack credits serve that need pretty well anyway.

 

[bicker]

In reguards to the question about sharing meals, is it my understanding that instead of useing 2 table service vouchers (one per person) that my husband and i could use one TB for lunch and split that meal and then one for dinner and share that meal?

It's theoretically possible, assuming y'all will be happy eating just half of an appetizer, half of an entree and half of a dessert, as well as being okay with covering the expected extra gratuity which is appropriate when splitting a single meal between two diners.

is there anyone out there that actually does this? or has anyone been asked not to share a meal ever?

Both scenarios have happened, the former much more often than the latter, but neither are any where near "common".... the most common scenario is the most straightforward: Everyone orders a meal; everyone uses one TS per day, one CS per day, etc.

 

[salmoneous]

I also have to admit---I'm kinda scared about this DDP. It just seems so confusing to me and all of the different opinions of what is or isn't covered from what I've read on here.

The "problem" is you are reading this board, where people are coming up with complicated schemes to squeeze every last $$ out of the plan (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that)

If you just use the plan in a straightforward manner it's a very simple plan. You got to restaurants, you get lots of good food. To me, the simplicity and ease of use is the best part of the plan - even better than any monetary savings.

 

[RachaelRol]

If you just use the plan in a straightforward manner it's a very simple plan. You got to restaurants, you get lots of good food. To me, the simplicity and ease of use is the best part of the plan - even better than any monetary savings.

Yes, exactly!!!

 

[ribbot]

The "problem" is you are reading this board, where people are coming up with complicated schemes to squeeze every last $$ out of the plan (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that)

If you just use the plan in a straightforward manner it's a very simple plan. You got to restaurants, you get lots of good food. To me, the simplicity and ease of use is the best part of the plan - even better than any monetary savings.

It's not that I'm trying to squeeze the plan for everything it's worth, plus some---it's that I'm concerned about eating too much on the plan that is not needed. Splitting a meal would cut the calories in 1/2 and still let me taste things that Disney has to offer. I can't gorge myself for 9 days and not expect to pay the price

Using our Disney Visa points is easy also---you just give them the card, they swipe it and you see your remaining total in money on the receipt. True, the cost of the meal might be higher on DDP because I might order something I normally wouldn't eat, but I'm not going to order lobster if that's something I don't like in the first place just because it's "cheaper".

Our plans are to use it as it's supposed to be used and like I said, I hope I can come back in August and have a better understanding of it all.

 

[DisneyMom5]

It's not that I'm trying to squeeze the plan for everything it's worth, plus some---it's that I'm concerned about eating too much on the plan that is not needed. Splitting a meal would cut the calories in 1/2 and still let me taste things that Disney has to offer. I can't gorge myself for 9 days and not expect to pay the price

Using our Disney Visa points is easy also---you just give them the card, they swipe it and you see your remaining total in money on the receipt. True, the cost of the meal might be higher on DDP because I might order something I normally wouldn't eat, but I'm not going to order lobster if that's something I don't like in the first place just because it's "cheaper".

Our plans are to use it as it's supposed to be used and like I said, I hope I can come back in August and have a better understanding of it all.

We don't split TS meals, as I agree with Bicker that we'd be in a restaurant all day, BUT if we did split TS (or as more likely for us, CS) it would not be replacing any meals we would have paid out of pocket for. So therefore we would not be scamming WDW. It would only be "cheating the system" if you were trying to not pay for things you would normally pay for. Does that make sense?
We usually bring our own snacks for breakfast, have an early lunch and the supper on the plan, and use our snacks for beverages during the day.

Besides, the dining plan is already PAID FOR. If you don't eat the food, you actually SAVE WDW money! You might even buy your second person's drink OOP, TWICE, which gives them more $.

If you split your TS meals into two meals, it's still using two credits over those two meals. As Bicker pointed out, the only person who MIGHT lose out is your waiter at that moment. But the waiter you have at another meal might not have gotten your tip to begin with, and now will.

Sharing already paid for meals is NOT cheating the system if you weren't going to pay OOP for the second meal.

 

[bicker]

it's that I'm concerned about eating too much on the plan that is not needed.

Just order less, and/or eat only what is needed, leaving the rest behind. Easy peasy.

 

[Lewisc]

Sharing meals isn't cheating, because Disney doesn't have a rule against it. It's that simple.

If everyone shared, using one credit to feed two guests, the restaurant capacity would be cut in half. Disney would make a few dollars with extra drinks. The cost of the food is a small portion of the cost of running the restaurant. Disney would basically have half the revenue with almost the same expense.

It will become a problem if the number of "sharers" get large enough so restaurants are turning away guests that could otherwise be accomodated. Character meals and dinner shows are priced per person.

We don't split TS meals, as I agree with Bicker that we'd be in a restaurant all day, BUT if we did split TS (or as more likely for us, CS) it would not be replacing any meals we would have paid out of pocket for. So therefore we would not be scamming WDW. It would only be "cheating the system" if you were trying to not pay for things you would normally pay for. Does that make sense?
We usually bring our own snacks for breakfast, have an early lunch and the supper on the plan, and use our snacks for beverages during the day.

Besides, the dining plan is already PAID FOR. If you don't eat the food, you actually SAVE WDW money! You might even buy your second person's drink OOP, TWICE, which gives them more $.

If you split your TS meals into two meals, it's still using two credits over those two meals. As Bicker pointed out, the only person who MIGHT lose out is your waiter at that moment. But the waiter you have at another meal might not have gotten your tip to begin with, and now will.

Sharing already paid for meals is NOT cheating the system if you weren't going to pay OOP for the second meal.