FAQ - 2010 DDP, DxDP and QSDP Everything you always wanted to know

[TDC Nala]

"When I called WDW DINE today a cast member informed me that none of the reservations I have would hold should I add the DP onto my reservation now! They would have to be re-booked subject to availability, per a new Disney policy!"

This was quoted in a post above. It's completely incorrect. No matter what you do to your resort reservation, it will not cancel or change your restaurant reservations. Whether or not you are on a dining plan is completely irrelevant to your restaurant reservations (except for CRT or a dinner show as far as prepayment goes, and even then the reservation will not be cancelled automatically should you change or cancel your resort reservation; you will have to cancel it yourself if you want your prepayment back or you go on a dining plan and don't want to wait for a refund until you arrive.)

Don't let anyone tell you that if you convert your reservation to a package and add a dining plan that it will automatically cancel all your restaurant reservations, because it won't. The two systems are separate.

Although you can link a resort reservation to a restaurant reservation it's only done for purposes of confirming that you are eligible for 180 +10 restaurant booking (and exemption from prepayment for CRT or dinner shows for those who have already booked a dining plan), not for any other reason.

 

[heathers4um]

Hi All!

My head is swimming with all of the info I am trying to soak in and I have a few questions I am hoping someone wouldnt mind helping me with:

A little backstory - my DBF and I are going to celebrate: our 1st trip home as DVC'ers, his 1st trip to WDW, our 1st trip EVER without kids and my 40th birthday

We will be there from midday 10/31 - evening of 11/5. I have decided to get a meal plan even though we have the kitchen...hey, this is supposed to be special! And there will be lots to see whereas he has never been there!

I am bouncing back and forth from keeping it simple allowing us alot more time parking it and spending quality time in the gorgeous resort OKW, or going all out and doing some signature dining.

~ If I get the DXDP wiill they allow me to book a Sweetheart Dinner for 2? And how many TS credits would it be? Will they let me book it on the DDP with 2 credits?

~ Do the meal credits expire on midnight of the day you actually leave the resort or is it midnight before? For example we leave on Nov 5th...is it midnight going INTO the 5th or midnight going into the 6th? We will be there until about 6 pm the day we check out.

~ I am debating between the DDP and the DXDP - since we are DVC members and will be getting an AP a part of me thinks that the DDP and the TIW card may be better for adult beverages and add ons? Does anyone have experience with that?

WHY are there SO many options?

 

[TDC Nala]

If I get the DXDP wiill they allow me to book a Sweetheart Dinner for 2?

No, you can't book this and pay with DDP. DDP does not apply to special meal packages other than Fantasmic or Candlelight Processional.

Do the meal credits expire on midnight of the day you actually leave the resort or is it midnight before?

They expire AFTER you check out.

I am debating between the DDP and the DXDP - since we are DVC members and will be getting an AP a part of me thinks that the DDP and the TIW card may be better for adult beverages and add ons? Does anyone have experience with that?

Unless you are going to be using the TIW to purchase more than $375 worth of food/beverages during your year's membership, you will not get your cost back on the discount program. That may be difficult to do if you are paying for all your meals with DDP, so you'd need to know if you are sold on DDP for all your trips for a year, if you plan to purchase more than $375 in just appetizers and alcoholic beverages. On the other hand if you are going to take a night and go to Victoria & Albert's (which you can't do on the dining plan) the TIW will almost pay for itself just on two adult meals with wine pairings.

 

[heathers4um]

Thanks for your reply...and yes I have been stalking the thread all day!

So may I ask another question? I am finding the DDP not quite enough but the DXDP to be too much. I know I am not the only one who feels that way...but I was hoping to get your opinion - I am thinking it would be better to go with the DDP and pay as we go for any additional meals and adult bevs since I cant inagine that adding up to the remaining $400 I would have to pay to get the DXDP....right? Or no?

OH! And I forgot to mention that we will be there for the F&W so thats almost a whole day of just grazing...which you cant pay for with the DDP...right?

No, you can't book this and pay with DDP. DDP does not apply to special meal packages other than Fantasmic or Candlelight Processional.



They expire AFTER you check out.



Unless you are going to be using the TIW to purchase more than $375 worth of food/beverages during your year's membership, you will not get your cost back on the discount program. That may be difficult to do if you are paying for all your meals with DDP, so you'd need to know if you are sold on DDP for all your trips for a year, if you plan to purchase more than $375 in just appetizers and alcoholic beverages. On the other hand if you are going to take a night and go to Victoria & Albert's (which you can't do on the dining plan) the TIW will almost pay for itself just on two adult meals with wine pairings.

 

[TDC Nala]

In past years you have been able to use snack credits at the food/wine booths (for anything but alcoholic beverages). It's assumed it will be the same this year.

It's probably best to look at the menus and add up where you want to eat and what you might order, and see if it would turn out better to get DDP and pay for extras or just get a TIW.

 

[snow's sis ariel]

Don't let anyone tell you that if you convert your reservation to a package and add a dining plan that it will automatically cancel all your restaurant reservations, because it won't. The two systems are seperate.

TDC Nala, thanks so much for the clarification. After all the careful planning I was afraid I would have to start all over and loose all those precious dining reservations. Now, here's hoping my 30% off room reservation will transfer to a pkg. Or better yet, maybe I will be fortunate and benefit from another free dining code not yet released (maybe on 7-13).

I cannot put into words how distraught I was after reading some of the misinformation. I clarified some on my own but had to post questions to those I couldn't. Geez, it finally got me to post after lurking for years!

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Hey there Quick question...my DS will just barely be 3 when we go down in December...so he gets the DDP with the rest of us. I was just looking over the info on the WDW website, and it said at TS meals the kids get an appetizer?!

Do they get to choose from all the regular apps on the menu or is it from a special list on a childrens menu? I'm just curious because there's NO WAY my little guy could eat an app/entree/dessert and drink in one sitting!

If "he" can choose any kind of app at the restaurants, I'm thinking it could be one we all can share, or DD could eat as her meal, etc.

Thanks!

 

[rgf207]

Hey there Quick question...my DS will just barely be 3 when we go down in December...so he gets the DDP with the rest of us. I was just looking over the info on the WDW website, and it said at TS meals the kids get an appetizer?!

Do they get to choose from all the regular apps on the menu or is it from a special list on a childrens menu? I'm just curious because there's NO WAY my little guy could eat an app/entree/dessert and drink in one sitting!

If "he" can choose any kind of app at the restaurants, I'm thinking it could be one we all can share, or DD could eat as her meal, etc.

Thanks!

Most restaurants have a kids menu and there are "Kid" appetizers there. There are a few restaurants (I can't remember which) that do not offer appetizers for kids. If this is the case, he can order an app of the regular menu.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are a few restaurants (I can't remember which) that do not offer appetizers for kids. If this is the case, he can order an app of the regular menu.

I do not believe children are ever entitled to an appetizer from the regular menu.

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Most restaurants have a kids menu and there are "Kid" appetizers there. There are a few restaurants (I can't remember which) that do not offer appetizers for kids. If this is the case, he can order an app of the regular menu.

I do not believe children are ever entitled to an appetizer from the regular menu.

I've been looking on allears at menus and don't see a lot of them having childrens menus listed. Do you guys happen to know which restaurants do have the childrens apps? These are the non-buffet places we have ADRs for so far: Akershus, Coral Reef, Bomas, Ohanas, CRT and Whispering Canyon Cafe. Thanks.

 

[MichaelColey]

The "kids' appetizer" is typically something like a small container of carrot sticks.

Unless your kids have a very, very small appetite, it'll be the kids eating things off of your plate, not the other way around.

 

[TDC Nala]

Akershus and CRT are fixed price restaurants. Kids will get whatever is on the kids menu and I believe they are also entitled to the cold appetizer selection at Akershus at lunch or dinner. 'Ohana is family style; unless you order something specific for them off the alternate menu that you have to ask for, they will eat what the adults eat, including the appetizer course. Boma is a buffet. Everywhere else you've listed (Coral Reef and Whispering Canyon) has a child's menu that includes a child's "appetizer."

The above post is correct: children's "appetizers" are really small side items like carrot or celery sticks, a cup of chicken soup or a small green salad. Not an adult "appetizer" and not large enough to share with the family.

The only place you may encounter no child "appetizers" are non-Disney-operated restaurants like Planet Hollywood. Not sure if Planet Hollywood now has a children's appetizer menu. At any rate I have read that if there is no appetizer on the children's menu the child does not receive an appetizer - they don't get to order from the regular menu. At any rate should you encounter a restaurant that has no appetizers on the children's menu, you can ask about a regular appetizer, but don't be surprised if they say "no." The cost of the Disney dining plan for children does not cover regular menu appetizers.

At all Disney-operated TS a la carte restaurants you will find the 3 course child's menu. Children are not entitled to appetizers at CS.

 

[ShellyShellfish]

thanks for the clarification, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Sounds like it'll be perfect for my just barely 3 year old. He eats like a bird.

 

[Albertan mom]

Hi all
Don't know if this is the right place to ask this or not....

I was thrilled to see that WDW has extended free dining, because we want to go in November. However, the dates we want to go (Nov 5-14) are not available for free dining!
Does anyone know why so many dates are blacked out?!???
Any chance they will open up more dates?
Thanks

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi all
Don't know if this is the right place to ask this or not....

I was thrilled to see that WDW has extended free dining, because we want to go in November. However, the dates we want to go (Nov 5-14) are not available for free dining!
Does anyone know why so many dates are blacked out?!???
Any chance they will open up more dates?
Thanks

Free dining is a promotion to fill rooms. I am assuming that this year they have decided they don't need as many rooms filled at certain times, or they are going to try different methods to fill them.

Some posters say they have received a PIN code that allows them to get free dining on blackout dates but it may not be available at value resorts. Call and check if you can use it.

 

[luckylady131]

When looking at Disney's website, it seems the regular free dining plan being offered is for Moderate resorts only? The quick service free dining is available for values.

I was looking to see if it would be worth staying a shorter period of time to upgrade to a Deluxe resort. But not if deluxe resorts aren't included in the FD promotion.

I am currently booked at CSR for 9 days/8 nights (Nov 27-Dec 5th). Have been looking at upgrading to WL for 5-6 nights. But would FD be offered if paying rack rates on the room???

This is our first time going to WDW, and have a 4 yr old and 9 mo old at the time of the trip.

 

[serene56]

We are booked at pop century during free dining. We were able to upgrade our QS to regular dining for 10.00pp per night of our stay.

 

[100AcreWood]

Is there an easy way to tell which snacks qualify for the snack credit?

 

[heathers4um]

hey 100Acre!

Click here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2381706

Is there an easy way to tell which snacks qualify for the snack credit?

 

[Tricia1972]

The list is a very comprehensive list of what other board members have been able to use snack credits for throughout the year, and a wonderful resource.

If you have any questions when you're 'in the field' at Disney, just look for the little purple and white DDP emblem next to items on menu boards, or near prices of items on shelves. Disney is great at marking menu boards with the symbol and pretty good about marking shelves.

If you have a question about an item after that, the general rule of thumb is "Under $4 and a single serving item" If it's labeled "fun to share" or something like that, it's not a snack credit.