Disney Dining Plan Question

[FlowerJ723]

Hey all....I haven't been to Disney since November of 2000 and from what I heard the Dining Plan was a great option so we booked it. I just got word from a friend of mine that she heard if you have the dining plan the restaurants only give you a choice to 2 things to choose from and its really crappy. Is this true?? I don't know if its just a rumor or not but I thought I'd ask you wonderful people's advice! Thanks!!

 

[Namsupak]

We had heard that as well before we went on our December 2006 trip. It was definitely NOT true! We ate better than we ever had before. The only places there were some restrictions were at the Signature dining places like California Grill. Even then the restriction was that their sushi appetizers have to count as an entree, but you still get another appetizer. And believe me the sushi was large enough to be an entree. If you have any other questions or want some suggestions on how to spend all your credits then feel free to let me know. The dining section was also super helpful

 

[hiwaygal]

There is another board here on the DIS with all kinds of information on the Dining Plan...

I believe there is even a list of all the options.

You can visit the board at THIS LINK

Hope that helps some too!

 

[Icats]

This might help, too: Disney Dining Plan Brochure

 

[TinkerFairy]

Just another tip reguarding the DDP, I'd reccomend making your ADR's as soon as you reach your window. (180 days from arrival date)

I was able to make all of mine on Sunday, and was told if I had waited just another day or so I would not have gotten into CRT or Le Cellier.

 

[FlowerJ723]

So basically 180 days before the day of my arrival I can start making my reservations? This is all so crazy I can't believe the restaurants book up so fast! Anyone has any suggestions about nice places to eat. Some days it will be just me and my DF but other days we'll have our daughter with us. Ya'll have been such a great help!

 

[Tabetha]

You don't have to make all your reservations so far out, there is certainly some wiggle room. If you want to eat at someplace like Le Cellier, though, definately book as soon as you know when you want to go.

It depends on the time of year, and how busy they are. If you're going during the "free dining" period (that's what - August/September?), then you definately want to have your reservations locked down well in advance. We went this past February during President's Week, and had no trouble getting to eat where we wanted a few weeks out. But there were plenty of restaurants that were booked up with reservations once we got there, so if we had just walked up and hoped for the best, we'd have been hooped.

 

[TinkerFairy]

We'll be there October 19-28.

I went ahead and made all my ADR's just to have them.
There's a few MUST eat places for us, and I couldn't stand the thought of waiting and not getting in.

I'm a trip nazi and DF likes to call me.
I have to have a exact plan wrote out on paper for everything.
I would start packing now if I didn't think it would make me seem crazy.

Also, MNSSHP is going on while we're there, and I have it narrowed down to either Thursday or Friday, with ADR's in MK both nights.

As for your 180 days out, there is a calculator to determine when you can make ADR's if you're too lazy to count backwards/forwards/vertical like I am.
http://pscalculator.net/pscalc.php

 

[Namsupak]

YAY! I love giving food advice During our trip we had dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table and made reservations for 8:30 pm. Since the fireworks were at 9 that night it worked out wonderfully. We had requested a table by the window and got it. Seeing the fireworks like that was amazing. Food wasn't the best I've ever had but the atmosphere more than made up for it. took 2 table services

We went to Chef Mickey's for breakfast one morning and it was a blast. The food was really good too but then again you can't really mess up breakfast only 1 table service, if you're running low on credits then this is a good one to pay out of pocket for.

The coral reef restaraunt is good if you like seafood. Again it's a big deal because of the atmosphere. Appetizers and dessert were awesome entrees were like any other seafood place. we went right after they changed the rules so it was only 1 table service credit

We went to the Hoop Dee Doo and it was fun but the food was not my cup of tea. I don't like eating meat on a bone... weird I know... but you don't have a food choice there so if you're picky then it's not a good place. If you like fried chicken and baked beans then it's perfect for you. 2 table services

Our absolute favorite place though was Artist Point! The food was outstanding. Very gourmet. The cedar plank salmon was delicious and I've never had a piece of salmon cooked so perfectly. DF got a filet and it was also cooked perfectly. The service was great too. This one is great for couples but there were kids there when we went too. 2 table service credits

For a really good counter service I highly suggest wolfgang puck express in DTD. It was also delicious.

For snack credits a really fun way to use them was to go to Goofy's Candy Company in DTD and get pretzel rods or rice krispee treats. You get them made to order and they're great

I hope that was helpful and not just really boring. Good luck planning your dining

 

[PrincessShanShan]

YAY! I love giving food advice Our absolute favorite place though was Artist Point! The food was outstanding. Very gourmet. The cedar plank salmon was delicious and I've never had a piece of salmon cooked so perfectly. DF got a filet and it was also cooked perfectly. The service was great too. This one is great for couples but there were kids there when we went too. 2 table service credits

I agree about Artist Point. We had the dining plan for our honeymoon and our favorite meal was at Artist Point. The food was delicious and the atmosophere was really romantic. We also went to both Hoop Dee Doo and the luau at the Poly. The food at both was fine--nothing special, but not bad either--but the entertainment at both was fantastic! We especially loved the luau! Have fun planning and congrats!

 

[Cinderella_68]

Be prepared to be stuffed all vacation long! We tried the DDP last year with the free dining. We will definitely do it again next time, free or not! It was so nice to not have to keep track of how much you are spending, to try new things and new restaurants, and taste lots of desserts!
We had quite a few counter service credits left over, so the last day we bought counter service foods from the Bakery on Main Street that could travel well and packed them for our flights home.

 

[Tabetha]

I have to agree with Artist's Point. It was second only to Victoria and Albert's as far as quality of food on our last trip!

That salmon was amazing.