Dining plan surprises

[AintGonaGrowUp]

I was wondering what kind of “surprises” have you ran across while using the Dining Plan...

-What things do you think would be covered and they weren’t?
-What things were you surprised that were covered?

 

[mreid1974]

I didnt find anything that i thought wouldnt be covered. But was surprised when we arrived for the first time and had lunch at the food court at the hotel and found that counter service meals include the food, drink and a dessert. And if you want ice cream with your meal they will stamp your reciept and you can go back and get it like a hour or 2 after you cashed out. Never expected dessert.

 

[Nadjalu]

There was nothing that I wanted that I couldn't have kind of suprise.

We had nice suprises, like at Cosmic Rays the CS combo meal of rib/chicken was ok to get. We figured it wouldn't be on the plan, that the most expensive things wouldn't be permitted....but THEY ARE!!!

A good deal if you usually eat the most expensive thing on the menu (which I usually do LOL.)

 

[Ress76]

Not a surprise, but I think a lot of people don't realize that, since you don't get a "dessert" with breakfast, you can get a second drink (like, coffee and juice). It seems like every time we go, there is a steady stream of people holding up lines in the food court to send their kids or spouse back to the cooler for another drink.

I think the biggest thing is, really look over the dining plan and understand what your options are. First trip I had it, I was with my son and husband and had explained exactly what they could get and what counted as a meal, and once you knwo how it works, you will be amazed at the number of people every day saying "oh, I get a drink with this? Oh, this comes with dessert? Wait, this is a snack, why doesn't it count as a snack?"

A little planning goes a long, long way when it comes to the DDP.

 

[jlm]

At sci-fi you can get a shake/malt for your drink! They are yummy!

 

[Nadjalu]

Not a surprise, but I think a lot of people don't realize that, since you don't get a "dessert" with breakfast, you can get a second drink (like, coffee and juice). It seems like every time we go, there is a steady stream of people holding up lines in the food court to send their kids or spouse back to the cooler for another drink.

I think the biggest thing is, really look over the dining plan and understand what your options are. First trip I had it, I was with my son and husband and had explained exactly what they could get and what counted as a meal, and once you knwo how it works, you will be amazed at the number of people every day saying "oh, I get a drink with this? Oh, this comes with dessert? Wait, this is a snack, why doesn't it count as a snack?"

A little planning goes a long, long way when it comes to the DDP.

They actually discontinued this "extra" drink with breakfast starting in 2011. If you check around the boards (in the dining sections) you will see multiple threads about it a bit back.
You are only allowed your meal and your drink.

 

[francis6306]

We ordered and got the "make your own" snacks at Goofy's and found that they were no longer on the DP as a snack There were a TON of things in the candy shop that WERE on the plan, but the make your own treats were not. Sooo... we had to shell out the $15 for our 3 snacks... and we still had 3 snacks to use! haha

 

[jmay]

Not a surprise, but I think a lot of people don't realize that, since you don't get a "dessert" with breakfast, you can get a second drink (like, coffee and juice). It seems like every time we go, there is a steady stream of people holding up lines in the food court to send their kids or spouse back to the cooler for another drink.

I think the biggest thing is, really look over the dining plan and understand what your options are. First trip I had it, I was with my son and husband and had explained exactly what they could get and what counted as a meal, and once you knwo how it works, you will be amazed at the number of people every day saying "oh, I get a drink with this? Oh, this comes with dessert? Wait, this is a snack, why doesn't it count as a snack?"

A little planning goes a long, long way when it comes to the DDP.

this person is write there are alot of people that do this it can be annoying but theres also desert lines at every disney resort. i think the meal plan is kind of point less ive been going there since i was and now im 16 never had a meal plan and the food dosnt change and the discounts arent that great either

 

[sjs314]

Not a surprise, but I think a lot of people don't realize that, since you don't get a "dessert" with breakfast, you can get a second drink (like, coffee and juice). It seems like every time we go, there is a steady stream of people holding up lines in the food court to send their kids or spouse back to the cooler for another drink.

I think the biggest thing is, really look over the dining plan and understand what your options are. First trip I had it, I was with my son and husband and had explained exactly what they could get and what counted as a meal, and once you knwo how it works, you will be amazed at the number of people every day saying "oh, I get a drink with this? Oh, this comes with dessert? Wait, this is a snack, why doesn't it count as a snack?"

A little planning goes a long, long way when it comes to the DDP.

They actually discontinued this "extra" drink with breakfast starting in 2011. If you check around the boards (in the dining sections) you will see multiple threads about it a bit back.
You are only allowed your meal and your drink.

Yes Nadjalu is correct about this change for the 2011 DP

Kinda upsetting since I always have juice and coffee

 

[DanG07]

One unexpected surprise is that counter service credits are not split between adults and children like the TS credits are. Therefore, your kids are not stuck with the generic chicken nuggets kids' meal. You can actually order them something different if you want. Of course my kids could live off of chicken nuggets for every meal, so we really didn't take advantage of this option, but for those parents who have children with a wide-ranging palate, it is nice to know that they have options.

 

[starstruck93]

One unexpected surprise is that counter service credits are not split between adults and children like the TS credits are. Therefore, your kids are not stuck with the generic chicken nuggets kids' meal. You can actually order them something different if you want. Of course my kids could live off of chicken nuggets for every meal, so we really didn't take advantage of this option, but for those parents who have children with a wide-ranging palate, it is nice to know that they have options.

Yes! This is wonderful for us! DS eats everything....veggies, lots of salads, shrimp, pretty much anything! He's only 5 but we ordered him adult meals for our entire trip in Dec. I was at Cosmic Rays one night complaining that DS didn't really see anything he liked on the kid's menu. That's when the CM told me that the QS are all the same; the computer doesn't differentiate between the 2. That was a really nice surprise! thanks! April

 

[managerdreamer]

We were eating at Wolfgang puck in DTD and I wanted a lemonade the waiter said we have lemonade here but it is not on the dinning plan. Then he tell me they have COKE products well I'm not a huge Coke fan. So I ordered a coke. But When the drinks came the waiter had a lemonade for me and he passed it through the dining plan sometimes it just pays to ask if you don't see something you want. The CM really want to make your stay magical.

 

[Momof2texasdolls]

Having not read everything before we went the first time I wasn't aware that the meal plan is actually only good for the nights you stay not the days. Not really a big deal though for us.

 

[OhdahLolly]

One unexpected surprise is that counter service credits are not split between adults and children like the TS credits are. Therefore, your kids are not stuck with the generic chicken nuggets kids' meal. You can actually order them something different if you want. Of course my kids could live off of chicken nuggets for every meal, so we really didn't take advantage of this option, but for those parents who have children with a wide-ranging palate, it is nice to know that they have options.

I never knew this before! Thank you so much! I was kinda scared that my kids were going to get sick of PB&J/pizza/nuggets. Its glad to know that they have option for different food if they want it!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

We LOVED the dining plan and are using it again this time! Saves so much money for our family of 7! We got so much food that we often shared meals when it was CS. That meant we had enough meals for breakfast and either lunch or dinner every day we were there plus our TS meals! At 50's Prime Time you can also get milkshakes or malts, so that was fun for the kids. One surprise I had this year when planning my reservations was that certain restaurants that accepted the dining plan in 2010 (when I originally made the reservations) didn't accept them in 2011. Teppan Edo was one. I was afraid we would get there and they would tell us they wouldn't honor the dining plan due to that. We decided to change reservations rather than call and find out. Anyone who scheduled in 2010 needs to check their reservation sheets to make sure the restaurant still honors the dining plan. Some changed so that they only honor the premium and such. If they don't, you can always call to see if your reservation will be honored under the dining plan since you made the res. in 2010 and it was still accepted. We end up with so much food that we fill our fridge!

 

[cpamperin]

After seeing so many people with questions about Teppan Edo on here, I got nervous. We leave in 8 days and have ADRs there. The CM I spoke with checked and assured me that Teppan Edo is still on the regular dining plan, not just the deluxe plan. I sure hope she was right and when we get there for dinner, we won't have to leave and find somewhere else to eat (on the fly)!
Claudia

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

maybe I'll call and ask why it says it's not on the regular dining plan. My sheet I printed out says it is not included on the regular dining plan. I am looking at it right now, and it says it is ONLY included in the deluxe. Weird. I will have to call.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I just called too and got the same info you did! I am glad I said something! My reservation paper still says the same thing, but I have another sheet that talks about the dining plan and gives a list of the participating restaurants, and Teppan Edo is on there. I had kept my reservation b/c I was just gonna pay out of pocket, so I just have to cancel my other reservation I made in place of this one! Yay! Thanks for calling!

 

[cpamperin]

Teppan Edo is one of our favorites, but I really don't think DH would pay out of pocket for it. I was so upset when I thought it wasn't included, especially since our trip is so soon and dining choices are limited right now. I sure hope we don't have any problems next week!
I'll update when we return if we have trouble.

 

[Moira222]

One unexpected surprise is that counter service credits are not split between adults and children like the TS credits are. Therefore, your kids are not stuck with the generic chicken nuggets kids' meal. You can actually order them something different if you want. Of course my kids could live off of chicken nuggets for every meal, so we really didn't take advantage of this option, but for those parents who have children with a wide-ranging palate, it is nice to know that they have options.

that is great to know! DD really does get tired of the kids meals.

I also didnt know you could ask them to stamp your QS reciept so that you can get an ice cream later! I never eat dessert immediately following a meal so this is great to know!