Concerning paying for dining OOP

[audracooper]

So we have never done Disney without the dining plan. Gonna try paying oop this time, but I have questions about the table service meals. We are used to being charged for 6 credits if there are 6 of us, but since we are paying out of pocket can we share meals? Can I just not order for my youngest and she eat a little from our plates? I would think we can, but wanted to check with the experts (you guys) first!

 

[hollypoast]

Yes to all. We do it all of the time. Remember to tip based on the entire group ordering individual meals.

 

[Alesia]

Yes, you can share meals.

 

[HM]

That is the great thing about not doing a dining plan. You can eat in any way you want. Share an appetizer, try a variety of appetizers for a meal, get one entree to split, skip dessert, etc. It's much easier on the budget most of the time too.

 

[LJSquishy]

Absolutely! You will never be forced to each order a meal (except in the case of buffets, etc where you will be charged for everyone in your party regardless if they eat or not) and you're able to share meals if you'd like. You'll even have the freedom now to order appetizers instead of entrees if you're not very hungry, or order dessert only when you actually want it. I think you'll like it better than having the dining plan!

 

[disneyseniors]

Wow, love all these comments. We are also going without the ddp this November. I can't wait to actually eat What we want, When we want, without trying to get to preset (6 months in advance) adr's. When we used the adr's before, we always got tired out trying to make it to Epcot for their meals. We liked the restaurants at Epcot so much better than the other parks or resorts. We always ended up cancelling these reservations the day before, as we were getting worn out by the end of our trip.
So, I can't wait for the ease of OOP. We also found we ate way more than we needed to, or wanted to, but felt we had to to get our movies worth out of the fdp.
OP, let us know how it went for you please!

 

[audracooper]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I will save money at least not having to buy a TS meal for my youngest since she only eats a few bites. We have Ohana, Chef Mickeys, T-Rex, and Whispering Canyon so far. So, everyone must pay at Chef Mickeys right? What about Ohana since it's family style? Thanks again!

 

[Allison]

Everyone must pay at 'Ohana.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Once you go without the DDP you will never go back to it! It is so freeing to order/eat any way you want. We haven't done the DDP in years.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

The first time we didn't do the dining plan I had some sticker shock when it came to the buffet restaurants. Now, we just pretty much avoid those and eat what we want, when we want. We actually eat a lot of counter service and rarely eat burgers and stuff like that. That's always been my rule with DD is she could only have a cheeseburger one or two nights. All the other meals had to be something other than that and fries. She's been eating more adventurous than most kids for years now and the dining plan really limits what kids get. That was another reason we stopped doing the plan.

 

[FofMM]

Wow, love all these comments. We are also going without the ddp this November. I can't wait to actually eat What we want, When we want, without trying to get to preset (6 months in advance) adr's. When we used the adr's before, we always got tired out trying to make it to Epcot for their meals. We liked the restaurants at Epcot so much better than the other parks or resorts. We always ended up cancelling these reservations the day before, as we were getting worn out by the end of our trip.
So, I can't wait for the ease of OOP. We also found we ate way more than we needed to, or wanted to, but felt we had to to get our movies worth out of the fdp.
OP, let us know how it went for you please!

I may be misunderstanding your wording, but remember, you still need ADR's whether Out Of Pocket or Dining Plan. In the good old days we loved just walking up and getting a table easily. Since dining plan that changed. ADR's are still important for popular places.

 

[siskaren]

So, everyone must pay at Chef Mickeys right? What about 'Ohana since it's family style? Thanks again!

Everyone 3 and older has to pay.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We have only had the dining plan once and while I'm certain it didn't save us any money it was nice to know that lunch and dinner was paid for in advance and with breakfast in the suite it really cut down on the amount of money needed once we arrived. I do miss the convenience of it but when a full meal for your four year old is two pieces of toast the cost really doesn't add up now.

 

[disneyseniors]

I may be misunderstanding your wording, but remember, you still need ADR's whether Out Of Pocket or Dining Plan. In the good old days we loved just walking up and getting a table easily. Since dining plan that changed. ADR's are still important for popular places.

No table service adr's, as we always did on free dining plan. We are going QS only!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I did QS OOP last time and it worked quite well for us. It did take a bit of planning though and we supplemented with veggies and fruits from the carts in the parks.

 

[Eureka]

We did two trips with DxDp and a third trip OOP. While it was great using the dining plan our for first trip (and the kids were still Disney kids), it was much easier to pay OOP (by then they were both Disney adults) and share meals, eat appetizers instead of an entree, etc. We like a good meal, eat desserts and don't order the cheapest things on the menu (in other words, we are the type of people the dining plan typically works for) but we still ended up coming out ahead and ate whatever we wanted. And less food waste, because many times we DID share appetizers and entrees...bc when we go out to eat, we never order FOUR appetizers! That all said, we still did make ADRs bc we like a sit down meal as a break, but we ended up canceling several. Actually on each trip, we always cancelled a few.

 

[sarah4770]

We have not bought the dining plan for several years and never come close to paying dining plan prices. However, we do not do a lot of the more expensive buffets. Have you considered having chef mickeys for breakfast or brunch instead of dinner? Also at Whispering Canyon, there is no sharing on the skillets. (don't know if you were planning to order them).

 

[LovesTimone]

Remember with TS, a party of 5 or more gratuity is added automatically. My friends just got back, and they have 3 kids, even though the youngest (4) ate off of someone else plate, they included the tip, When they asked the server, she said there are 5 sitting at the table even though you only ordered 4 meals. Its still considered a party of 5.

At most places you can share, most of the time they will split in the kitchen for you, others they will just bring and extra plate and let you do the splitting.

If your not going to make ADR's, walk ups are all most unheard of for dinner, you might get lucky with lunch.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Remember with TS, a party of 5 or more gratuity is added automatically. My friends just got back, and they have 3 kids, even though the youngest (4) ate off of someone else plate, they included the tip, When they asked the server, she said there are 5 sitting at the table even though you only ordered 4 meals. Its still considered a party of 5.

At most places you can share, most of the time they will split in the kitchen for you, others they will just bring and extra plate and let you do the splitting.

If your not going to make ADR's, walk ups are all most unheard of for dinner, you might get lucky with lunch.

Well then the waitress was lying, it's a party of 6 that gratuity is automatically added to the bill, not a party of 5.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining-plans/dining-plan-gratuities/

 

[LovesTimone]

Well then the waitress was lying, it's a party of 6 that gratuity is automatically added to the bill, not a party of 5.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining-plans/dining-plan-gratuities/

Thanks for that reference, it's only DH and I so this is never an issue for us, even when the kiddos where at home, only 4 then, I will let my friend know, I don't know if there is anything that can be done now.

Thanks again