FAQ about the Disney Dining Plan

[jjan]

We will be using the free dining plan for our 3 night stay. For the two of us, we will have 6 TS credits, however we would like to use them at a couple of signature restaurants (Artist Pointe and Yachtsman Steakhouse). Can anyone tell me if we can exchange our snack/counter service points for these restaurants to make up the 2 point difference? I would rather pay cash for a counter service meal and use the points for finer dining.

No, you cannot. The only thing that you can do to switch around credits is use TS credits for CS which really doesn't make sense $ wise.

 

[DW mouser]

I thought children had to order off the child's menu so how could you save their set down meal for an adult meal? Also, can you use your counter service meal for a breakfast at a food court?

Sorry! I just realized there were more pages and read them all!! Next time I'll look first! I feel like an idiot!!

 

[stschaefer]

I have heard and will report on our trip in two weeks that all meals are pooled. DD is 3 and she doesn't eat much. We have 5 nights and 6 days. Planning to use 3 credits for LTT, Cafe Mickey, and Crystal Palace breakfast. We will share a meal at San Angel, Concourse Steakhouse, and Mama Melrose. This way we have a dinner each night but still use our 15 credits.

You can use a counter service for breakfast. Drink, entree, and dessert - fruit, muffin, or rice crispy treat can be used as dessert (We will be staying at ASMu and planning on getting the Mickey Waffles with bacon, water bottle for park, and rice crispy treat to take in the park as a snack).

15 days and counting!!!!

 

[DW mouser]

My one fear is that they are going to be loosing money and change this plan (no sharing) before we go in March!! We are small eaters (7) and could make it work for us without buying a lot of extra. If we each have to order they're will be a lot of wasted food!! Good thread!! Thanks!!

 

[DW mouser]

What is a HDDR? Something for alcoholic drinks?

 

[kona-kraft]

HDDR = Hoop Dee Doo Revue (a dinner show at Fort Wilderness)

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

I just got done reading all 44 pgs, I thought I saw a loophole with the dinning plan? I thought children had to order off the child's menu. Now I thought I believe someone said the counter service is grouped together and "they don't care" if you order regular entrees for your kids? Does this mean my DS and DD can get Mickey waffles and chocolate chip pancakes now, instead of one choice off the childs menu at my resort food court?

 

[HaleyB]

Yes all the credits are pooled together, so your kids can get the adult breakfast platters . This is also true of TS credits but if a child orders at a TS they have to use the kids menu (however you can pay cash for them and use the TS credit later for an adult meal).

 

[HaleyB]

I am not sure if anyone else has posted this-

If you want to pay cash for some kids meals so you can have credits for signature meals check the menus on www.allearsnet.com

At some of the Signature places it makes a lot of sense to pay cash for the kids- just tell your server when you sit down that the kids will not be using credits and the adults will.

Here is Jiko as an example:

Grilled Chicken Strips with red skin mashed potatoes $6.25
Jiko's Kid Puzzle with mini banana split $5.50
Kids drink $2.20

Total: $13.45 plus Tax and Tip= approx $ 17.50 credits saved 2 so cost per credit is $8.75

The kids menu at several of the Signature places is priced this way-
Flying Fish
Citricos (unless they order the most expensive choice)
Le Cellier
Coral Reef

The TS credits are pooled for your family (actually they all are).
At the bottom of receipts you will see your balance and it will read
TS: 08 CS: 10 Snack: 16 (or whatever your balance is) with no distinction between childand adult credits.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

HaleyB thanks for clearing that up. On a whim I called my Travel agent and asked the same question. You would have thought I asked if I could steal her car or something. "YOu must order off the children's menu everywhere everytime, even if the only have one item!" OK I thought then saw on the way out they are "Official Disney Planners" and remembered who butters thier bread. I going to try it and the worst thing that happens is the CM says no.

OH well 32 days and counting.

 

[bayknox]

If we are staying for 6 days and 5 nights can we use the meal plan on the 6th day which would be the day we check out? We were planning on using a CS meal on that day as well as snacks.
Just let me know-may have missed this somewhere. Thank You

 

[nybound]

bayknox, simple answer is yes.

We stayed 8 days and 7 nights and had no problems using meal credits on our last day.

I believe the credits expire at midnight the day you check out.

 

[bayknox]

Thanks nybound for the quick reply. It puts me at ease!

 

[Txcamper]

I've been reading all the Q and A's. I have a question now.
My family and I will be going to Disney in November. We will have the dining plan for 2 adults and 1 child (6). My 2 younger son's (1 & 2) won't need a dining plan.

When we go to a buffet will my younger son's be totally free (even at character meals)? Will they be able to get their own plates?

Also, when we go to a sit down restaurant (order off menu), can we order 2 adult meals and have all 3 boy's eat off our plates. By the time we order everything our plan allows...there will be more than enough food for the 5 of us.

Thanks!
Tammy

 

[dward1961]

Does anyone know if you can order Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Brew at CRT or Mickey's Be-Bop Drink or Grandpa's Electric Milkshakes from Prime Time on the Dining Plan? Thanks

 

[annie1995]

Does anybody know that do snacks include a drink and a snack, or is it one or the other?? I have heard it both ways? Thanks

 

[WDWBetsy]

Does anybody know that do snacks include a drink and a snack, or is it one or the other?? I have heard it both ways? Thanks

For snacks, you can choose from ONE of the following:

*Frozen Ice-Cream Novelty, Popsicle or Fruit Bar
*Popcorn Scoop (single serving box)
*Single Piece of Whole Fruit
*Single serving Grab Bag of Frito-Lay’s Chips
*20 oz. Bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. Dasani Water
*Medium Fountain Soft Drink or Apple Juice

Some CMs may be more lenient/generous on what counts as a snack, but this is the official list of snacks.

 

[BBGirl]

Does anyone know if you can order Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Brew at CRT or Mickey's Be-Bop Drink or Grandpa's Electric Milkshakes from Prime Time on the Dining Plan? Thanks

I ordered the Bibbiddi Boddiddi Brew at CRT in July on the dining plan and just had to pay $3 for the glass, if I wanted it, which of course I did.

 

[HaleyB]

When we go to a buffet will my younger son's be totally free (even at character meals)? Will they be able to get their own plates?

Yes and a drink

Also, when we go to a sit down restaurant (order off menu), can we order 2 adult meals and have all 3 boy's eat off our plates. By the time we order everything our plan allows...there will be more than enough food for the 5 of us.

Thanks!
Tammy

Yes you can share with your boys and you can order as many adult meals as you have adults sitting down at a TS. They will bring extra plates and sometimes even split things up for you. At a CS you can order as many adult meals as you want.

Your Welcome! I think this huge thread makes things seem more complex than they really are. Sometimes a CM will deviate from the normal plan for someone and that mucks up the water even more... maybe we need a FAQ that consolodates the information here.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Going back (in January!) to the Poly Concierge and we're thinking seriously about the meal plan. Wife, me, 4-year old son and me.

Can we get 2 adult and 1 child meal plan (instead for everyone)?

My mother-in-law eats sparsely and will probably fill up at the concierge stand . . .

From this thread it seems as if she could eat my wife's appetizer and my dessert and we'd have plenty . . .

Travel Agent says we must buy 3 adults and 1 child but I suspect the Concierge would be a bit more flexible, yes?

Thanks for all this great info.