Did I make a mistake?? Help with OOP please.

[krolyat]

Did I make a mistake?

I thought the dining plan counted by the day instead of the nights stayed. Can you all help me decide which would be best to do as an OPP or if I'm thinking correctly. Any input is greatly appreciated since this is our first time using the dining plan. I was of just canceling the TS lunches and just doing counter service for those and planet Hollywood would be an OOP along with tusker house.

We will be there for 5 days and 4 nights. Our Current reservations are:

Day 1: Arrival - 10:58am (+ME to SSR)
Lunch: Le Cellier - 2:45pm
Dinner: California Grill - 9:00pm

Day 2:
Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern - 1:00pm
Dinner: San Angel Inn - 6:30pm

Day 3:
Lunch: Tusker House - 1:05pm (not sure if we can make this or not have a behind the seeds tour in Epcot @ 11:15)
Dinner: Tokyo Dining

Day 4:
Lunch: Le Cellier - 1:05pm
or
Le Chefs de France - 1:00pm

Day 5: Departure @ 6:11p
Lunch: Planet Hollywood - 11:30

I also have a few more questions about the dining plan.

>> Do we have to decide on using the credits from the plan prior to ordering food or can we decide once the bill comes?

>> Can we split the payment? For example if I know my meal will cost significantly less is there a way to only use his credits and I pay out of pocket for my meal?

 

[beroh2253]

The first time we did the dinnng plan we made the same mistake thinkig the number of days which went along with the number of tickets we purchased.
You should let them know when ordering that you are on the DDP, but you can get split checks and pay for one with the DDP and get one meal OOP. You must be on the deluxe DDP because these restaurants are all TS r sitdown is that correct. I see you have Le Cellier twice I would cancel 1 and maybe Tuskerhouse go to Flame Tree BBQ for a counter and pay OOP.
Or do all and check for the least expensive meal and pay OOP like you we thinking.

 

[Allison]

It is by the night so you will have 4 TS credits each to use if you are on the regular dining plan.

It looks like you have 9 TS credits scheduled as California Grill uses 2 credits.

 

[krolyat]

The first time we did the dinnng plan we made the same mistake thinkig the number of days which went along with the number of tickets we purchased.
You should let them know when ordering that you are on the DDP, but you can get split checks and pay for one with the DDP and get one meal OOP. You must be on the deluxe DDP because these restaurants are all TS r sitdown is that correct. I see you have Le Cellier twice I would cancel 1 and maybe Tuskerhouse go to Flame Tree BBQ for a counter and pay OOP.
Or do all and check for the least expensive meal and pay OOP like you we thinking.

No we are on the basic dining plan with 1 QS, 1 Snack and 1 TS. We did not think the deluxe would be beneficial since we would miss the 1st meal of the day almost every day except our last. Thanks I will cancel the first Le Cellier and keep Thursday's since that won't be a rushed day.

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm confused. Are you planning to share meals at all these sit-downs? Four nights with two adults = 8 sit-downs but on your list I'm counting 18 credits. It looks like you're going to be paying quite a lot OOP. If you can estimate how much you may eat at your choices, you may decide that Deluxe would be a better option. Also, unless you share, LeCellier is quite a lot of food to then eat another big meal 6 hrs later at Cali Grill. Just a thought.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Also, no way you will make a 1:05 lunch at the Animal Kingdom (Tusker House) following an 11:15 Behind the Seeds.

You'd be hard pressed to be having lunch in Sunshine Seasons (CS across the hall) by 1:05, never mind in another park in another part of the property.

 

[beroh2253]

I'm confused. Are you planning to share meals at all these sit-downs? Four nights with two adults = 8 sit-downs but on your list I'm counting 18 credits. It looks like you're going to be paying quite a lot OOP. If you can estimate how much you may eat at your choices, you may decide that Deluxe would be a better option. Also, unless you share, LeCellier is quite a lot of food to then eat another big meal 6 hrs later at Cali Grill. Just a thought.

I agree that is a lot of TS when does krolyat plan to use the CS and Snack credits? These can be used for breakfast and lunch and save the TS for dinner TS.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Yes, I'm afraid it looks like OP is misunderstanding the definition of 'TS' and 'CS' - where the basic DDP gives one TS per person, per night, and the restaurants listed are all TS restaurants, meaning that under the current plan the OP would end up paying oop for half of their meals. Unless they plan to share meals each time?

To the OP, I would plan on at least doing CG oop, if I was going to follow your plans, because then at least I would 'free up' two credits apiece to cover some of the other meals.

And to answer the later questions, no you do not have to declare up front that you are using credits or paying cash, and you are certainly welcome to pay oop for your meal and use a credit for your husband's since (I assume) you are both on the same reservation/plan, but planning on paying for lunches for both and using credits for dinners for both would probably cost you less in the end.

 

[kaytieeldr]

However, adding to PictureJumpr's (cool screen name, by the way!) answer: you can decide when the bill comes whether to pay with credits or with cash, but to pay for one meal one way and one another way at that point will make things more difficult. Your server will have to split/rerun your checks, which will extend the time you spend in the restaurant, which frequently (from what we've seen here) causes people to complain about bad service when, really, it wasn't.

And I reinforce her/his assessment that you will not be able to get to Tusker House for a 1:05 reservation following an 11:15 Behind the Seeds Tour. THe tour is scheduled for an hour and may run longer if many participants have many questions (and while I've seen it happen, it's really inconsiderate to the Tour Guide to cut out early to get to a lunch reservation).

 

[Luv2Roam]

The dining plans are based on nights due to check in officially not being until mid to late afternoon, and check out is 11 am.
Agree they will be paying a lot out of pocket if they were at all these sit down meals.
Looks like the OP needs to read and think through their dining plans a little more.
Glad they found all this out before their trip.

The first day alone almost wipes out their TS credits for their entire trip:
Day 1: Arrival - 10:58am (+ME to SSR)
Lunch: Le Cellier - 2:45pm
Dinner: California Grill - 9:00pm)

That's 3 TS credit per person right there. They only have 4 for their entire stay.

 

[krolyat]

Thanks to all who have responded. We have scaled down the first day and a few other days to reflect the advice given here.

Day 1: Arrival - 10:58am (+ME to SSR)
Lunch: QS in park or at SSR
Dinner: California Grill - 9:00pm

Day 2:
Lunch: QS in MK
Dinner: San Angel Inn - 6:30pm
Snack: Epcot

Day 3:
Lunch: QS @ Flame Tree
Dinner: Tokyo Dining - 9:00pm

Day 4:
Lunch: Le Cellier - 1:05pm
Dinner: Meeting Family

Day 5: Departure @ 6:11p
Lunch: Planet Hollywood - 11:30

 

[Tricia1972]

Never Mind, I took so long typing this that the OP replied and made my post completely irrelevant! :rofl:

 

[krolyat]

4 Nights - Basic DDP - 4TS Credits - 4CS Credits - 4 Snacks


If you want to share your touring plans along with your meals, I am sure that other posters (as well as I) will be willing to help you adjust your plans a bit. Are you open to eating at CS? There are some good CS options out there that will help you make better use of the DDP. Currently it's a toss up that you'll even get the $39.99 out of the plan per day that you're paying for it. Not all TS locations cost that much per person, and you don't appear to be using any of your CS.

We are very interested in CS meals.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Day 1: Arrival - 10:58am (+ME to SSR)
Lunch: QS in park or at SSR
Dinner: California Grill - 9:00pm

In-park. Any park. The selection at Artist's Palette is minimal.

Oh, and are you staying at SSR on points or as part of a Disney Vacation Package? If the latter, you will get a voucher for $15 off your check at Planet Hollywood. It can't be combined with any other discount (such as a dining plan, and that's according to the rules, your experience may vary), but that would fit your plans perfectly.

 

[Tricia1972]

MK

Cosmic Rays - Rotisserie Chicken and Rib Combo is very good and more like a 'meal' than burgers and fries. It's served with potatoes and veggies I believe.

Columbia Harbor House - Interesting sandwiches and deep fried chicken and fish. Their vegetarian chili is very good. A nice departure from burgers.

Casey's - Can't go wrong with a hotdog, fries, cracker jacks and a great view of the castle

I can't with good conscious recommend Pecos Bills. Many here love it, but to me the food was very much what you find in any burger joint across the country. They have a fixings bar, but that doesn't make it worth their dry burgers.


Epcot

Any of the CS locations around WS are good. Find a cuisine that appeals to you and give it a try.

Sunshine Seasons - In the Land by Soarin - VERY wide variety for a CS location and very little that is 'typical' burger fare. Rotisserie Chicken, Asian Infused meals. Rotisserie Pork Chops, Grilled Salmon. This place is definitely not the norm of fast food.


DHS

Well every silver lined cloud, still has a cloud surrounding it.

We found Backlot Express - they have a grilled chicken salad, grilled turkey and cheese, both of which were good.


SSR

We often take the boat over to DTD. I suggest either Wolfgang Puck Express for more of a 'full meal' feel. Otherwise Earl of Sandwich serves EXCELLENT sandwiches. Both are very close to where the boat will dock when arriving from SSR.



One question, it looks to me like you're hopping parks most days that you're there. Traveling park to park can take anywhere from 45 minutes up to an hour or even in horrible cases an hour and a half. Is it possible to consolidate more of your touring so you are staying in one park most days?

 

[PictureJumpr]

(cool screen name, by the way!) Thanks!


And I reinforce her/his assessment that you will not be able to get to Tusker House for a 1:05 reservation following an 11:15 Behind the Seeds Tour. THe tour is scheduled for an hour and may run longer if many participants have many questions (and while I've seen it happen, it's really inconsiderate to the Tour Guide to cut out early to get to a lunch reservation).

I agree, last time we took this particular tour we were in the greenhouses for about an hour and a half... Sunshine Seasons is a great CS right across the hall from the tour desk for lunch...