Disney Dining/Shulas

[jdtopgun71]

Does anyone know if Shula's is part of the Disney Dining Plan?

Also where can I find info on which restaurants are considered counter service and which are table service?

 

[3princesses4us]

Unfortunately, Shula's is not part of the dining plan. Something to do with the fact that it's in the Dolphin resort and technically the Swan & Dolphin are not Disney-owned/operated (is that correct?) therefore none of their eateries are on the plan.
That being said, however, we chose this place for our anniversary meal and it was to die for! We spent about $150 (including a hefty tip) out of pocket and my hubby still tells everyone this was the best meal all week. I would still encourage anyone to try it once.
On disneyworld.com, you can print a downloadable brochure of the restaurants that participate in the dining plan. As a general rule of thumb, table service ones are the ones where you are served by a waiter at a nice sit-down place. Counter service is usually a walk-up and order your food, pay and then take it to a table to eat kind of thing. Some of the really nice (expensive) restaurants are counted as 2 TS credits as are the dinner shows. The good news is that all character meals count only as 1 Table service credit and there are some really good restaurants that also only count as 1. Check it out and print one off. I spent hours grazing this list trying to make up my mind. Choices, choices...

 

[bicker]

The Swan and the Dolphin are operated by Starwoods. They are not Disney resorts.

 

[jdtopgun71]

Thanks for the info. I have been to Shulas in Norfolk, Va and the meal was phenominal but was very expensive. I was hoping it would be part of the dining plan.

Does anyone have an opinion as to which restaurants give you the most bang for the buck when using the dining plan.

 

[3princesses4us]

IMO, Le Cellier (Epcot's Canada) is a very popular, fantastic steak house (in our minds, second to Shula's) that's only 1 TS credit and was almost as expensive ($115 for two of us). Also, if you're going after the new year, Coral Reef (Epcot's fancy seafood restaurant) is going from 2 credits down to one! I am not a seafood lover, but I hear they have steak as well and that seems like a great deal- definately on my list for next time now!
That's all I can attest to, but Le Cellier is one of the most well reviewed and sought after reservations on property and I have a feeling Coral Reef is going to go up in popularity after this change as well. Apparently, beautiful setting!