Character Dining Voucher questions

[coaches24]

I see mention of these quite a bit on these boards but dont really know much about them. We are planning to have lunch at AG in May because DD (3) is a huge princess fan and I was wondering if the voucher would be a good deal for my family?

And where is the best place to get them?

It would be 2 adults and one child.

 

[bakerudall]

You can get one as a bonus by booking any Costco package. It is good for regular or premium character dining. I don't know where else they are available.

 

[coaches24]

You can get one as a bonus by booking any Costco package. It is good for regular or premium character dining. I don't know where else they are available.

I already booked a package through the DL travel so thats out. I know I have read about people buying them seperate but not sure where or how much I would save.

 

[skiingfast]

getaway today. If you go during peak pricing they include the tip and tax, and for AG lunch can save approximately the amount of a tip. For breakfast about half the savings.

 

[awdsmama]

I already booked a package through the DL travel so thats out. I know I have read about people buying them seperate but not sure where or how much I would save.

Call them back and ask to add character dining on to your package.

 

[coaches24]

Call them back and ask to add character dining on to your package.

So they do have them? I dont remember seeing anything about that being an option when I looked at everything online.

 

[skiingfast]

So they do have them? I dont remember seeing anything about that being an option when I looked at everything online.

Yes but you probably won't save money doing it through Disney, I'm not sure the prices in the link are current.
http://bookdlr.reservations.disney....strPageName=2012_Guest_STD_DiningOption_PopUp

 

[3monkeys4me]

Yes but you probably won't save money doing it through Disney, I'm not sure the prices in the link are current.
http://bookdlr.reservations.disney....strPageName=2012_Guest_STD_DiningOption_PopUp

When I priced them for our summer trip they were the same price at disney and getawaytoday. $122 for 2 adults, 2 children for premium dining and $100 for regular.

 

[skiingfast]

When I priced them for our summer trip they were the same price at disney and getawaytoday. $122 for 2 adults, 2 children for premium dining and $100 for regular.

But when you buy them from Disney, is there a limit on when they can be used? Is the tax and tip included like with the GAT vouchers?

The reason I said the DL.com prices may not be current is because the seasonal prices have just gone into effect.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Ok so here's a question I need cleared up. When you purchase the voucher ahead of time does it cover all of the costs for you meal? If I buy the voucher does it cover the tip and tax? Can I just buy the vouchers through GAT? For me purchasing my meals ahead of time wouldn't be about saving money on the cost but having that money that money for food put aside for the trip. TIA

 

[skiingfast]

GAT advertises it includes tax and tip. For me this is a little fuzzy, but some say tip is always included even paying at the door for character meals, some say it depends on if it's a buffet or not(AG is not). I don't know any CMs working a character meal in DLR in a personal way to confirm candidly how they feel about tips. Are they getting a built in gratuity or not

I know in WDW, because I have friends who were CMs at character meals and we've discussed this. There, it's about 50% of guests who tip at these meals, and a chunk of the 50% who don't are foriegners who may not be aware of, or care for the US tipping custom. These CMs are paid a restaurant wage and tips are supposed to be the bulk of thier income.

 

[3monkeys4me]

But when you buy them from Disney, is there a limit on when they can be used? Is the tax and tip included like with the GAT vouchers?

The reason I said the DL.com prices may not be current is because the seasonal prices have just gone into effect.

The prices are the same for august as they were in March 2011 and pretty close to what we paid for our June 2010 trip (I don't have the exact numbers in front of me) They do include both tax and tip. Lastminutetravel.com had vouchers that were a few dollars cheaper 2 years ago but I found them to be a pain to use, since it took awhile for the hotel to switch the print out to actual vouchers. I would rather pay the extra $6 and not have the extra hassel.

 

[Babybears]

We have gotten the Character Dining vouchers both with a package through Costco, and directly through the WDTC when booking a different trip. Both times the voucher fully covered the meal, tax and tip. We never paid any additional. It was quite convenient!!

The Costco vouchers are good for any Character Breakfast (Premium or regular), but obviously better value if used on Premium Breakfast. When we added the voucher to our WDTC package, we specifially picked and paid for a "regular" Character Breakfast, as we knew we wanted to do Mickey and Friends that trip.

We have also went to Ariel's for Character Lunch and just paid with Credit Card that day. I believe that was the one place that they actually didn't have me pay before eating, if memory serves. I do know for sure that the tax and gratuity were added to the bill automatically.

Hope this helps!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Thanks guys! :good vibes

 

[Malcon10t]

Keep in mind if you have an AP/Disney Visa/DVC, the voucher might not be a good deal. I just redid my spread sheet, after 10 mins on the phone with Eric of Disney Dining. Here are the pricing options, for peak times, and the discounts. This includes tax and tip (except for Minnies, I did not include tip.) Note that off peak prices are a few dollars cheaper.

Meal Total Total DAP/10% Total PAP 15%
Goofy's Breakfast $37.73 $34.73 $33.23
Goofy's Dinner $45.27 $41.67 $39.87
Goofy Kids $20.12 $18.52 $17.72
Ariels Breakfast $45.27 $41.67 $39.87
Ariels Lunch $47.79 $43.99 $42.09
Ariels dinner $47.79 $43.99 $42.09
Ariels Kids B $25.15 $23.15 $22.15
Ariels Kids d $27.67 $25.47 $24.37
Minnies Breakfast $30.17 $27.37 $25.97
Minnie's Kids $15.09 $13.69 $12.99
Story Breakfast $35.21 $32.41 $31.01
Story Dinner $36.47 $33.57 $32.12
Story Kids $17.61 $16.21 $15.51
PCH Grill Break $37.73 $34.73 $33.23
PCH Kids $20.12 $18.52 $17.72
BTRU Lunch $25.15 $23.15 $22.15
BTRU Dinner $31.44 $28.94 $27.69
BTRU Kids $12.58 $11.58 $11.08

I had neat little columns in there, but it runs it all together. The first number is the standard price, the second is with 10% discount, the 3rd is for PAP with 15% discount.

 

[Malcon10t]

We have also went to Ariel's for Character Lunch and just paid with Credit Card that day. I believe that was the one place that they actually didn't have me pay before eating, if memory serves. I do know for sure that the tax and gratuity were added to the bill automatically.

Hope this helps!

Yes, Ariel's adds tax and tip to their bill. The only ones that don't add tips are Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and Minnies.

 

[AngelDisney]

I am going from August 18-25. Having Goofy's Kitchen Dinner on August 18. Definitely will get a premium dining vouvher for that. However, I am not sure whether the regular dining voucher is worth the price from August 20 onward when the prices of character meals drop back to regular pricing. To make a better purchasing decision, can anyone please tell me what % is being charged for dining taxes and tips normally?

I assume it's 7.75% dining taxes and 15% gratuity. With these percentages, I may not get regular dining vouchers for character breakfast meals at Minnies, PCH Grill and Storyteller's Critters Breakfast. Please advise!

Thanks!!

 

[coaches24]

Keep in mind if you have an AP/Disney Visa/DVC, the voucher might not be a good deal. I just redid my spread sheet, after 10 mins on the phone with Eric of Disney Dining. Here are the pricing options, for peak times, and the discounts. This includes tax and tip (except for Minnies, I did not include tip.) Note that off peak prices are a few dollars cheaper.

Meal Total Total DAP/10% Total PAP 15%
Goofy's Breakfast $37.73 $34.73 $33.23
Goofy's Dinner $45.27 $41.67 $39.87
Goofy Kids $20.12 $18.52 $17.72
Ariels Breakfast $45.27 $41.67 $39.87
Ariels Lunch $47.79 $43.99 $42.09
Ariels dinner $47.79 $43.99 $42.09
Ariels Kids B $25.15 $23.15 $22.15
Ariels Kids d $27.67 $25.47 $24.37
Minnies Breakfast $30.17 $27.37 $25.97
Minnie's Kids $15.09 $13.69 $12.99
Story Breakfast $35.21 $32.41 $31.01
Story Dinner $36.47 $33.57 $32.12
Story Kids $17.61 $16.21 $15.51
PCH Grill Break $37.73 $34.73 $33.23
PCH Kids $20.12 $18.52 $17.72
BTRU Lunch $25.15 $23.15 $22.15
BTRU Dinner $31.44 $28.94 $27.69
BTRU Kids $12.58 $11.58 $11.08

I had nTeat little columns in there, but it runs it all together. The first number is the standard price, the second is with 10% discount, the 3rd is for PAP with 15% discount.

Ok so if I have the Disney visa that discount is better than buying the voucher? If so I will just use that as I just got one of those recently.

 

[Malcon10t]

I assume it's 7.75% dining taxes and 15% gratuity. With these percentages, I may not get regular dining vouchers for character breakfast meals at Minnies, PCH Grill and Storyteller's Critters Breakfast. Please advise!

Thanks!!

Yes, it is 7.75 and 15%.

 

[Babybears]

Yes, it is 7.75 and 15%.

It's funny, I also was just trying to figure that out and it actually looks like the gratutiy is higher. I may be doing my math wrong , but the difference between regular price and full price (tax and tip included) appeared to be closer to a 26% difference. I was thinking maybe 8% tax and 18% gratuity, when trying to figure it, although that seemed high. I ususally only see that high an automatic gratuity on large parties. Thought anyone??