dining without the dining plan

[essmom]

We are staying at the Beach Club and are NOT doing the dining plan mainly because we like to eat wherever and whenever- I read there are several restaurants at Beach/Yacht club and the boardwalk and we are right near Epcot- will we have trouble finding a restaurant somewhere -will we have to wait forever because those on dining plan will have reservations- is that correct?

 

[formernyer]

Whether or not you are on the DDP you can still make ADRs. I highly suggest doing this...most of the restaurants are now booked to capacity prior to opening the doors each day and have no walk-in times available at all.

I'm not trying to push the dining plan or anything, but I don't think I understand your reason for not using it. Whether or not you have the dining plan, you'll have very little luck being able to eat at a TS restaurant "whenever you want." Even the places that still have a few walk-in slots available will most likely not have them right away. You'd just be getting a reservation at the door for a few hours down the line.

 

[LoveWDW]

If you mean that you are not going to make reservations anywhere, then you may have to wait a long time or even find that you have to hunt around for a restaurant that can seat you at all. So you may want to go ahead and make reservations. You don't have to be on the dining plan to do this, and you can always cancel if you find it is not a good place after all for you. I don't know about the restaurants at Swan and Dolphin- I don't know if they can take walk-ins or if they are booked up, also. Beaches and Cream does not take reservations, so there is a place you may be able to eat, although I hear the wait can be long- since they don't take reservations.

Having said that, the dining plan worked great for us, and if you making reservations anyway you may want to reconsider not getting it.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We are not using the dining plan either, but I still have adr's planned. With the idea, if our plans change we go try to wing it, but have a fall back plan in place. You can always cancel the adr, or again there is no plenalty for not showing up. This way we can eat at a ts as scheduled if we want or not.

We where there last august during the plan, and felt very in the minority by the wait staff. They would ask about the dining plan, and say no, we don't have it. That was about the big difference.

Chose not to do the plan because, I had won a contest a few years ago, and it virtually had the "free dining" thing with it, but we spent all our time, getting the most out of the dining and missed to much. Not to mention ate too much. But it was great fun that one time.

mky

 

[patsal]

With or without the dinng plan you should have ADR's. Depending upon the time you are travelling you may be completely closed out of restaurants without them. In December (the second week) we were being seated as others were told there was no walk up availability at MGM, the MK had no sit down availability and a sign was directing anyone who might want to eat to CS locations. We planned for all but one meal which we able to get in at Cap'n Jack's at 9:30 pm on a Monday night--very late for dinner with a 10yo--we first asked for availability at 5:30pm and were told to return at 9:15. I don't like to plan things to the last detail, but I find it easier to have an ADR especially with so many now using hte dining plans.

 

[essmom]

Thanks for the quick replies- can someone give me the # to make the reservations please and how far in advance can you make them- it's all coming back to me now- haven't been since 1999 and it is a big blur-.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Here is your number... 800-828-0228. I think you're doing the right thing by making ADR's. When we were there last October, almost every day we entered the parks there was a sign telling us there was no more room at any of the TS restaurants. I was so glad we'd made ADR's(we always do anyway). Maybe the dining plan won't work for you, but if you plan on eating at TS meal every day, then you might think about doing this. At $38 per person per day(adults) you really are getting your money's worth. We did it last year and it was amazing. Have a great trip!

 

[essmom]

thanks- the main reason we aren't doing it is both my kids are older than 10 and would be 38 also but they aren't big eaters so I really don't think we'd break even-118 /day on food- I'm still thinking about it- does it work at every restaurant you go to- in every park etc.

 

[clydenora]

First, I must agree that it is highly necessary to make TS reservations. They are filled nearly every day. You can cancel if you need to. You might (just might) be able to get in to one if you go really early. Or, try one of the TS for lunch...again, early. Last week, we managed to get into Mama Melrose and Liberty Tree Tavern for lunches, both at 11:40 or so, and walked out (after eating) to lots of people waiting.

We had ADRs for all our evening meals, and simply called to cancel if we changed our minds...tried to call as early as possible, so others might benefit. We did not use the DP, and I figured out (out of curiosity) that we saved money. We have 4 in our family, me, DH, DS14, and DS12 (both big eaters). We ate what we wanted, and where we wanted (with ADRs), and still saved money. Of course, if we had ordered 4 appetizers and 4 desserts with every meal, as we would have been able to do on the DP, we would not have saved money...and would have wasted a lot of food. But, as I said, we ordered anything we wanted to eat and ate where we wanted to eat, and saved money. The DP is not for everyone; you should do what you think is best.

But, do make those ADRs.

 

[stacie_d]

You can use it pretty much anywhere in any of the parks and at any of the disney resorts.

 

[patsal]

thanks- the main reason we aren't doing it is both my kids are older than 10 and would be 38 also but they aren't big eaters so I really don't think we'd break even-118 /day on food- I'm still thinking about it- does it work at every restaurant you go to- in every park etc.

It will depend on where you eat (but the plan is good at all park restaurants that are owned and operated by Disney--that leaves out AK RFC) it is good in all food courts, disney hotels, and at several locations in DTD), but with the change over for adult pricing on kids 10+ for any character dining experiences you might find it worth it. One thing you might check is all ears they have the menus for each of the restaurants and you can get an idea of the pricing--you might even get the kids to split some meals and save the extra credit for signature dining. In additon, if your kids are more traditional in their CS choices you may have problems feeding them from the children's CS options--though much more healthy, they are much more limited. Again even if they share a CS for lunch you'd just have an extra CS they could split for breakfast. As for snacks--it is only 1 per person per day, so one soda or one water or one ice cream, even if you used 2 everyother day and got a popcorn and water. In addition it is good to remember that tax and tip are included. The way I figure it if we get a CS meal for about $9.00-$11.00 (combo plus dessert or entree, drink dessert), dinner for about $20-25 (appetizer, drink, entree, and dessert)and snack $2.50 after tax and tip are added it is at least a breakeven. I have a similiar scenario withthe two kids , both are considered adult by DD standards. Since I am paying for them both to eat as adults, DD and DS could share one full adult TS meal (between the appetizer, entree and dessert there would be plenty of food in many cases), I'd just save the extra credit and use it somewhere else during the vacation. I don't mind purchasing an extra drink--heck I often drink water so she could have my drink. DD also didn't like many of hte children's CS options--many places didn't have hotdogs, burgers and chicken fingers on the children's menu and there is no children's pizza at pizzafari.
If I were you I'd check the menus to be sure that the dining plan wouldn't at least be a breakeven.

 

[essmom]

It will depend on where you eat (but the plan is good at all park restaurants that are owned and operated by Disney--that leaves out AK RFC) it is good in all food courts, disney hotels, and at several locations in DTD), but with the change over for adult pricing on kids 10+ for any character dining experiences you might find it worth it. One thing you might check is all ears they have the menus for each of the restaurants and you can get an idea of the pricing--you might even get the kids to split some meals and save the extra credit for signature dining. In additon, if your kids are more traditional in their CS choices you may have problems feeding them from the children's CS options--though much more healthy, they are much more limited. Again even if they share a CS for lunch you'd just have an extra CS they could split for breakfast. As for snacks--it is only 1 per person per day, so one soda or one water or one ice cream, even if you used 2 everyother day and got a popcorn and water. In addition it is good to remember that tax and tip are included. The way I figure it if we get a CS meal for about $9.00-$11.00 (combo plus dessert or entree, drink dessert), dinner for about $20-25 (appetizer, drink, entree, and dessert)and snack $2.50 after tax and tip are added it is at least a breakeven. I have a similiar scenario withthe two kids , both are considered adult by DD standards. Since I am paying for them both to eat as adults, DD and DS could share one full adult TS meal (between the appetizer, entree and dessert there would be plenty of food in many cases), I'd just save the extra credit and use it somewhere else during the vacation. I don't mind purchasing an extra drink--heck I often drink water so she could have my drink. DD also didn't like many of hte children's CS options--many places didn't have hotdogs, burgers and chicken fingers on the children's menu and there is no children's pizza at pizzafari.
If I were you I'd check the menus to be sure that the dining plan wouldn't at least be a breakeven.

can you tell me what CS stands for and what is signature dining- I'm new to this dining thing and trying to figure it out. I don't really understand all of this- so if I pay $ 38 each for them then they must order off adult menu- he is so picky and eats about 8 things- I don't think it makes sense.

 

[bicker]

CS = Counter service

Signature dining refers to the fine dining table-service restaurants at WDW.

Typically, as long as you're paying for an adult meal, they'll serve you a child meal if you like. However, it may still make sense to pay for meals out of pocket instead of getting the dining plan.

 

[patsal]

can you tell me what CS stands for and what is signature dining- I'm new to this dining thing and trying to figure it out. I don't really understand all of this- so if I pay $ 38 each for them then they must order off adult menu- he is so picky and eats about 8 things- I don't think it makes sense.

I see what you are saying. I would check out the menus and then you'd know for sure if what he likes is available on the adult menu. In your case it may save money for you not to use the plan. On the dining plan as an adult your child can order off the children's menu and get a bigger portion of the foods he/she likes. the big difference here is that a child payign child prices cannot order from the adult menu, but an adult can order from the children's menu. Check your PM's !