FAQ about the Disney Dining Plan

[RedRuby]

Another sharing meals question -- at an a la carte restaurant, do we *have* to order meals for the 4yo? For the longest time I was thinking that we *had* to order a children's meal for him, then I realised after seeing some dining reports, that perhaps it's only if he wants to order something using the credits, that he has to order off the children's menu.
For instance, could my sister and BIL order a single one-credit (adult) meal to share amongst the three of them? Could sister and BIL order two one-credit (adult) meals to share amongst the three of them? It may be a YMMV situation but we'd like otk now what (if any) the general experiences are.

I know that *we* can do that with our children, because they are under 3 so they neither have credits nor obligations to order/pay in a certain way.

This is relevant to budgetting because somehow my sister misunderstood that "free dining="three full meals a day" instead of "free dining= 1 table service + 1 counter service + 1 snack". Gulp. (I'll refrain from explaining how I have gone to great lengths to make sure that everyone understands our plans, ARs, meal credits, etc., and just chaulk this up to unfamiliarity or inadvertence on my sister's part. I'm trying to help her sort things out.)

 

[kristen17]

It's my understanding that the only places where the 4-year-old couldn't share and would have to order his/her own meal would be at buffets. Our kids are 6 and 8, but eat like birds, so we're planning on having them share a meal at ala carte places or even share with us at places where servings are large.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Another sharing meals question -- at an a la carte restaurant, do we *have* to order meals for the 4yo? For the longest time I was thinking that we *had* to order a children's meal for him, then I realised after seeing some dining reports, that perhaps it's only if he wants to order something using the credits, that he has to order off the children's menu.
For instance, could my sister and BIL order a single one-credit (adult) meal to share amongst the three of them? Could sister and BIL order two one-credit (adult) meals to share amongst the three of them? It may be a YMMV situation but we'd like otk now what (if any) the general experiences are.

I know that *we* can do that with our children, because they are under 3 so they neither have credits nor obligations to order/pay in a certain way.

This is relevant to budgetting because somehow my sister misunderstood that "free dining="three full meals a day" instead of "free dining= 1 table service + 1 counter service + 1 snack". Gulp. (I'll refrain from explaining how I have gone to great lengths to make sure that everyone understands our plans, ARs, meal credits, etc., and just chaulk this up to unfamiliarity or inadvertence on my sister's part. I'm trying to help her sort things out.)

I don't think you could get away with ordering 3 adult TS meals for 2 adults and 1 child, but you definately could get 2 and share.

And we definately had enough food, even only with 2 "meals" a day, as the CS meals were large and we didn't always order one for everyone. They probably will be ok $ wise.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I am sure this has been discussed and shoot me if you have to... but, can 3 adults and one child go to a sit down and order 3 adult meals using the TS credits, and pay for the childs OOP. This being that only two of the adults and the one child are even on the plan. Does the server even have a clue that this is the case, exact who is on the plan and who isn't? Just for the record, I am not talking about myself! Just wondering if anyone has done this.

 

[tommygirl79]

After I've read about half of the pages on here, I find out that there will be changes going on in 2006 to the dining plan. I'm confused enough as it is trying to realize just how to get the most out of the dining plan without being totally controlled by eating the whole time we're there....

Does anyone know EXACTLY what changes will be made in 2006 and exactly when they will take place? Our trip is January 7-13 so I was interested in knowing what to listen to on the boards or what will change by the time our trip rolls around. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[PLUTO2]

At the Liberty Tree Tavern dinner dessert is usually an extra charge. Is it included in the dining plan?

 

[stschaefer]

At the Liberty Tree Tavern dinner dessert is usually an extra charge. Is it included in the dining plan?

Yes, dessert is included in the dining plan. We ate there on the 5th and had a family style bowl of cherry cobbler with ice cream that was delicious!!! My daughter liked when Goofy came by and pointed at the dessert and then rubbed his belly in delight.

 

[jrogers345]

I am sure this has been discussed and shoot me if you have to... but, can 3 adults and one child go to a sit down and order 3 adult meals using the TS credits, and pay for the childs OOP. This being that only two of the adults and the one child are even on the plan. Does the server even have a clue that this is the case, exact who is on the plan and who isn't? Just for the record, I am not talking about myself! Just wondering if anyone has done this.

From what I understand, yes you can do that. They don't know who is on the plan.. and it is only shown as # of TS credits - not broken down by adult or child credits.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

From what I understand, yes you can do that. They don't know who is on the plan.. and it is only shown as # of TS credits - not broken down by adult or child credits.

Wow! I wonder how they will remedy this in the future, as I can see this being seriously taken advantage of.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Wow! I wonder how they will remedy this in the future, as I can see this being seriously taken advantage of.

Yes, I agree! Not everyone is as honest as us Disers!

 

[mike222]

I am going with my family in Jan 2006 to Disneyworld for 5 days there are 2 adults and 3 kids 15,13,9 and we have booked including dining. Does anybody have any suggestions for places to book for breakfast, lunch & dinner. We haven't been there before so we have no idea, we plan to go to Disneyland, Epcot, mgm studious, animal kingdom and either blizzard beach or disney quest.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

regards,

Mike

 

[952LisaR]

Hi Mike Welcome to the Dis. You will learn a lot as you plan for your trip.
I think you should do at least one character meal. Chef Mickey's is one of my favorites, it is located in the Contemporary Resort which is on the monorail to Magic Kindom (note in FL the park similary to disneyland is called Magic Kingdom) and that meals has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Chip & Dale. If your family really like Pooh there is a character meal inside Magic Kingdom at Crystal Palace.

Good luck planning!

 

[stschaefer]

I am going with my family in Jan 2006 to Disneyworld for 5 days there are 2 adults and 3 kids 15,13,9 and we have booked including dining. Does anybody have any suggestions for places to book for breakfast, lunch & dinner. We haven't been there before so we have no idea, we plan to go to Disneyland, Epcot, mgm studious, animal kingdom and either blizzard beach or disney quest.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

regards,

Mike

Mike,

Welcome to the board. I found this place and allearsnet.com and learned so much about where to go and what to do and how to plan. Here are places we enjoyed on the dining plan:

TS - Concourse Steakhouse, Chef Mickeys, Cinderella's Royal Table, San Angel Inn, Crystal Palace (breakfast).

CS - Cosmic Rays, Pecos Bills, All Star Food Court, Electric Umbrella, Wolfgang Puck Express

Check out the menus on allearsnet.com and see what looks appealing. Places we would like to try on upcoming trips are Whispering Canyon, Boma, Park 1900, Tusker House, Pinochio's House, Columbia House, etc.

Check the reviews from people, see the menus, and have a great time.

Any questions, let me know.

 

[billwendy]

Hi Mike,

We were just there with kids about the same ages!! Chef Mickey's is great because its not a "kiddie place" as the teens described it and also you dont have to sit and wait to be served cause it is a buffet...you can do breakfast, lunch or dinner there,,,we did dinner because the kids we were with dont like breakfast, so they had cereal in the room every morning.

They also loved the prime time 50's cafe because it was just "regular food" meaning pot roast, fried chicken and has awesome huge desserts.

The Concourse steak house also went over very well (if they like steak) as they offered some smoothies and milkshakes that were a treat to the kids.

They did not like Alfredo's at EPCOT. that meal was a total bust for us. many of the options were unusual to the kids, and they thought the sauce tasted funny to them. they thought dessert there was okay (chocolate mousse) but it wasnt anything special to them. It took a long time to go through the whole meal, and they got really fidgety.We wouldnt do this one again.

THey wish we had done the Sci Fi dine in at MGM studios instead as that sounded neat to the teens.

The food court worked well for us for counter service meals, make sure you use your credits with in the meal (dessert, drink) even if you just take a bag of pretzels or a bottle or water.

We loved the meal program, and no one went hungry at all!!!

have fun, Wendy

 

[DW mouser]

Mike, there is nothing like your first time to Disney World!!! I envy you!!! We are going in March ( I take my son and his 3 kids and wife) asnd while we are all excited, the first time is the best!!!

I agree with the above post that Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace are good places!! Also, don't miss Sci-Fi at MGM. Order sandwiches, the steak is not the best but the sandwiches are good!! That's the place my grandkids, ages 17,14,7 want to go back too!! We love Chef Mickey's because it gets wild with waving your napkins in the air!! A good way to start your vacation!!! Have fun and know that you will want to go back again!! We were going for a one time trip and this is our 5th time!!! I scrimp all year to be able to go and we have not been for awhile so I am excited!!!

 

[Planner999]

We're just back from our trip so I thought I'd report in. We had 4 "adults" (well, 4 of us are 10 or over - not really all adults !) and one under 10. We did NOT have "adult TS credits" and "child TS credits" as I'd read about before we left. There was no breakdown at all on our receipts indicating that any credits were for were a child or an adult.
Also, I'd heard that it was easy to use TS credits for CS meals (even though you lose value). Well, we asked about that at the POP check-in counter and the CM said that you could NOT do that. Then he backtracked and said we could do it only at the POP food court. Well, I did use 2 TS credits at the POP food court. It required them to go get a manager to override it. We also used 3 TS credits at Electric Umbrella at EPCOT and it was NO PROBLEM there. No manager to had to override it or anything.
We easily ate meals with 2-3 CS credits for 5 of us. That was enough food except we needed another drink or two from snack credits.

 

[mike222]

Thanks for the responses about the restaurants, we are there for a total of 5 days but we check out on the morning after our last day in the parks, if we still have a ts meal be used on your day of checkout for breakfast?

regards,

Mike

 

[msobotka]

My AAA agent said we had til 12 midnight day of checkout to use dining credits and extended hours benefit. Hope this helps!

 

[Planner999]

Thanks for the responses about the restaurants, we are there for a total of 5 days but we check out on the morning after our last day in the parks, if we still have a ts meal be used on your day of checkout for breakfast?

regards,

Mike

We just checked out last week and they said we had until midnight to use the credits. We did finish using up our meal and snack credits around 8pm that night.

 

[Kris & Steve]

Hi all!

We are heading to WDW in Jan. 2006 & I am 99% sure I am going to purchase the dining plan. I think I understand what it is, 1 snack, 1 table meal & 1 counter service meal per person per day...correct? I am guessing you are one your own for breakfast since it is not included anywhere in this dinig package. I have read that some breakfast items such as donuts, etc. could be considered a snack. Is this true? Are there places to eat preakfast in the parks? We are not big sit down breakfast eaters, we just need something little in the mornings. I am confused as to what is catagorized as "snacks" besides the ice cream bars, pop corn, etc. I have read the majority of posts in the thread but now I am more confused then I was before. Please help!

Thanks so much,
Kris & Steve