Couple Dining Plan questions for someone that has never used it...

[marshallandcartersmo]

and a DH that will never pay for it

We plan to go in early November, and IF it's offered free while we're there, thinking that could push us to stay onsite this time (always stay at a timeshare offsite).

Couple questions:

When people say "I saved $XXX by getting free dining", I'm assuming they had already purchased the dining plan and are just getting it free now?

Will my 11 year old picky eater be required to order off the adult menu, or can he use his credit for a kids meal?

If we did happen to get it free...we would just get the Counter Service option...don't like getting tied down to reservations. But DH has a fear of eating burgers and chicken fingers the whole time. So we can order ANYTHING as a counter service meal credit, as long as it's from a counter service restaurant?

TIA

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a lot of ways to calculate the savings possible on free dining, but the most common way of calculating it is comparing it to the price of the same package with paid dining. If someone is comparing their free dining package to a discounted room superseded by free dining, the amount of savings would vary based on the level of resort and the amount of the room discount, which is why it is possible that a high percentage discount on a deluxe resort may actually be a better deal than free dining at the same resort.

I am not aware of any menu restrictions at quick service restaurants, so yes, within the parameters of the plan (entree or combo meal, dessert and non-alcoholic drink, no dessert if the meal is breakfast) you can order anything at any participating CS. Note that sides are not included, unless they are part of a combo (burger served with fries for example - but if the fries are sold separately, they're not included).

You could likely use the adult credits of your 11 year old to buy meals off the children's menu at most a la carte restaurants. You can also pay out of pocket for a children's meal for him, and save the credits. Any adult in your room can use those credits.

 

[BearcatsFan]

When people say "I saved $XXX by getting free dining", I'm assuming they had already purchased the dining plan and are just getting it free now?

Here is how I calculated our savings:

Original booking:
POFQ, 2 queen beds w/garden view, 2 day tickets, QSDP = $1500

New booking with "free dining":
POFQ, king bed, 2-day tickets, "free" DDP = $1450

Looks like a savings of only $50, right? However, if I would have had to pay for everything I booked under the free dining promo, it would have been priced at $1950. Therefore, my actual savings is about $500.

(I rounded up my figures to the nearest whole dollar amount for ease.)

 

[KCMiller]

and a DH that will never pay for it

We plan to go in early November, and IF it's offered free while we're there, thinking that could push us to stay onsite this time (always stay at a timeshare offsite).

Couple questions:

When people say "I saved $XXX by getting free dining", I'm assuming they had already purchased the dining plan and are just getting it free now?

Will my 11 year old picky eater be required to order off the adult menu, or can he use his credit for a kids meal?

If we did happen to get it free...we would just get the Counter Service option...don't like getting tied down to reservations. But DH has a fear of eating burgers and chicken fingers the whole time. So we can order ANYTHING as a counter service meal credit, as long as it's from a counter service restaurant?

TIA

He shouldn't be concerned about eating burgers and chicken fingers - the counter service meals at WDW are outstanding in their variety. Check out the menus on AllEars - if he thinks it's all burgers, he's in for a BIG surprise! I've had everything from ribs to chicken to pizza to panini to . . . well, the list just goes on. My favorites are at Epcot - Sunshine Seasons has counter service meals involving things like seared ahi tuna, grilled chicken and huge salads, and the Morrocan, Japanese and British counter service selections are scrumptious!

KC

 

[txnana]

There is also an awesome trip report over on the trip report section about doing 11 days on quick service without ever having a burger and the pictures are awesome. Here is the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2831857&page=6

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Thanks so much for the responses!