Completely new to dining plan and want to confirm some items

[kbmartin]

My DH and I have decided that we are going to take advantage of the BB offer and go for free dining next year. We've never used the dining plan. I did the math (literally combed through every menu for prices), and it looked like we'd end up staying at a moderate with free dining for just a little bit more (around $100) as staying at a value with 30% off and paying out of pocket for food. We'd be able to "live it up" quite a lot more (no more PB sandwiches for us!). We'll have the standard dining plan. It is my understanding that next year, each person will have two snack credits per day instead of getting dessert with a counter service meal.

Before we pull the trigger, I wanted to ask about a few items. These are really specific questions, and any responses would be so helpful.

• Starbucks locations: Do they all serve breakfast sandwiches? Could you get that and an iced coffee or frappucino as a quick-service meal, or are those drinks too fancy for that?
• Narcoossee's and Yachtsman Steakhouse - is there any entree that does not count towards the plan? My DH and I love lobster and steak.
• Do ALL cupcakes count as snack credits? I like the fancy ones - not just plain vanilla or chocolate.
• How do caramel apples work? I saw somewhere that only the "plain" ones count. Last year, we had a fancy caramel apple at Goofy's Candy Co. with caramel, chocolate, sprinkles, etc. and I want to make that a tradition.
• Typically, are all desserts at counter service restaurants considered snacks?

 

[jon18uk]

• Starbucks locations: Do they all serve breakfast sandwiches? Could you get that and an iced coffee or frappucino as a quick-service meal, or are those drinks too fancy for that?

I think you can (as QS meal is snack and entree and all SB drinks are snacks), but it is still awful value for a quick service credit. To get value from the plan you need each QS meal to be $17-20 and a breakfast sandwich and drink is going to be $10 or so even if you get a Venti drink. Pay OOP for the sandwich and use a snack credit for a venti drink might be the best value. Generally you are better using credits for lunch or dinner as at breakfast you don't get the dessert/snack element and breakfast entrees are cheaper.

• Narcoossee's and Yachtsman Steakhouse - is there any entree that does not count towards the plan? My DH and I love lobster and steak.

Narcoossee's no longer does steak and lobster as an entree. Its now $49 for the steak and $27 for the lobster tail. If you want to add the lobster you need to pay out of pocket. See http://allears.net/dining/menu/narcoossees/dinner

• Do ALL cupcakes count as snack credits? I like the fancy ones - not just plain vanilla or chocolate.

As far as I know yes.

• How do caramel apples work? I saw somewhere that only the "plain" ones count. Last year, we had a fancy caramel apple at Goofy's Candy Co. with caramel, chocolate, sprinkles, etc. and I want to make that a tradition.

Look for the purple DDP logo to confirm, most of the decorated apples are too expensive to get be snacks. I'm pretty certain at Goofy's for the create you own only the rice krispy treats are snack credits.

• Typically, are all desserts at counter service restaurants considered snacks?

Generally yes, but look for the purple DDP logo to confirm.

 

[kbmartin]

Narcoossee's still has the steamed Maine lobster on the menu (I didn't mean like a surf and turf entree). That still works as an entree, right?

 

[sharonabe]

Starbucks yes you can do that and I believe they all have the breakfast sandwiches. It's not a very good use of the credit. Each QS credit is worth a$16-18. Even with free dining, you want to get good value.

Any entree anywhere that says "for two" will require both of you to order it, otherwise there should be no problem.

I can't think of any cupcakes that don't as long as it's not a TS restaurant.

Caramel apples I don't know.

Yes, typically any QS dessert is a snack credit.

 

[sharonabe]

at breakfast you don't get the dessert/snack

2017 DDP, no QS meal gets a snack, so this part of the logic no longer applies, but breakfast entrees/drinks are still far cheaper than lunch/dinner.

Narcoossee's still has the steamed Maine lobster on the menu (I didn't mean like a surf and turf entree). That still works as an entree, right?

Yes it does

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We had the lobster at Narc last September. It was two credits and worth it.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I can confirm any drink and I mean anything, a venti frappacino with 3 extra shots of expresso....it's included. So that's a great use of the snack credit.

Just the plain caramel apples and the ones with nuts are included.

I can't think of any dessert at a CS location that's not a snack credit, currently. I don't think I've ever seen a cupcake that's not a snack credit. All ears is a pretty good resource for looking at what's a snack credit and whats not

 

[Pumbaa_]

This year changes can be made to what credits can be used for what at any time.