Counter vs Table "Getting the Meal Plan"

[DisneyBound2007]

I am now planning a trip with DM and DS for July 07 and we are trying to decide if the meal plan will be right for us. It would be an 11 day 10 night trip as of now and this would give us 10 snacks, 10 counters, and 10 tables. This would be a total of 30 of each of them. We dont really want to have 10 ADRs for the table services because this dictates where you need to be and how long you want to waste time sitting and eating. Are you allowed to use a TS for CS food. I have heard it has been done even though a CM may look at you like you are crazy. We cant figure out which would be cheaper to do. Just have no meal plan and buy all CS with like maybe 1 TS using a ADR. OR To just get the meal plana and have like 1-2 TS and use the other 8 TS on CS food. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[shyjade]

We're doing the free dining plan this September because like you, I usually just do CS but since we'll be on the dining plan, we get to eat at places we've never been because I could never justify/afford TS meals at Disney.

As for the cost, I believe you will definately be ahead by purchasing the dining plan because Disney meals can really add up, even if you're not doing many TS meals. But for us, this will be a "new" way to do Disney (TS meals) and I'm actually looking forward to trying something new.

As for whether or not you can use TS credits for CS, I'm not sure but I bet someone else can answer that (otherwise check out the dining forum). Depending on what time of year you are going, having to make ADR's for all your TS meals may not be necessary, although I would suggest it if you have a few "must do's" during your stay.

Good luck, whichever way you decide!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

We LOVE the dining Plan for a couple of reasons

1. You get to try restauratns you normally would not, we have had some GREAT meals, Ohana, Teppanki and Coral Reef to name a few.
2. The table service gives you time to relax and with going in July you will need it with the heat.

good luck

 

[HockeyMomto2]

We did the DP in September. The waits weren't long for TS meals, and they were well worth the rest. The AC alone was helpful to allow you to rest and recharge.

 

[kerri0616]

Don't forget you can do the Signature restaurants for 2 credits each. That way you'll have fewer ADR's and a chance to experience the fabulous dining at Disney's finest.

Kerri

 

[Ragnrok23]

Yes- you can use sit down credits at counter service places (as well as counter service for snacks)

Also I would just pick a few restaurants you want to visit and make ADR's. The rest i would wait till the trip and try to make reservations either that morning or a couple of days ahead of time

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We are doing an 8 day 7 night trip in July '07 too. There will be 10 of us. I figured if the group wanted to do at least 3 TS during that time, it would be worth it--even though I would hate to be tied to an ADR each night. So, I looked at the signature meals as the above poster suggested. It looks like we'll do 3 meals at 2 credits (grand gathering safari, CRT and Hoop de Doo), and two meals at one credit (Chef Mickey & Boma). Since the guys are not doing the princess thing at CRT, we will only have 3 meals OOP for our whole group.

 

[Julylady]

In my experience, making a priority seating reservation at a table service location during busy times (including July) actually SAVES you time. On our trip two weeks ago, we had priority seatings for most lunches at approximately 1:00pm. Some days we arrived as early as an hour ahead and were seated within a few minutes. So at least in our case, we could be a little flexible on time. I have had several occasions in the past when I waited 15 minutes or more in line to order at a counter service location. I have also waited for a table to open to sit at while holding my cooling food. So, if you are avoiding table service to save time, I would rethink that plan.

We did not purchase the meal plan, because we intended to share some meals. At most table service restuarants we purchased two salads and shared one entree. We rarely ordered dessert. We shared counter service meals several times and ate breakfast in the hotel room (granola bars) 2 days. We kept track and it would have been cheaper for us overall to have purchased the meal plan! Live and learn. The upside is I didn't gain any weight!

 

[sameyeyam]

Try making your TS reservations for about 9pm. Then your meal doesn't dictate your day. The restaurants are less crowded at that time, servers are more relaxed, buffets have been cleaned up from the earlier dinner rush.

We always make dinner ressies for late, enjoy a nice relaxing meal and then watch the parade or fireworks afterward.

When we had reservations between 4-7 it always seemed to cut into our day and we felt like we were rushing like a crazy person to get to dinner.

Now we arrive at parks first thing, enjoy lots of rides with hardly any lines. Have a snack around 11am, eat lunch at 2pm and go back to our room to rest & swim when it's hot and the parks are getting crowded. We then head back to the park around 7-8pm, eat our 9pm dinner and enjoy the park again in the late evening when its cooler and lines are once again shorter.

We LOVED the dining plan!