First timer...how do I know what "counts" on DDP?

[lehnski]

First, let me say I am so glad I found these boards, tho all the strings of letters are making my head spin! LOL
We are leaving for our first vacation at WDW next Thrusday and have the basic DP - I know there are tons of options (thanks to this forum esp.) but am wondering how I will know once we get there what is DP "approved" - are there icons on the menu or something? I have already booked some character meals and know that those will come off the plan thanks to the woman who booked them, but am wondering how I will know, for instance, what counts as a "snack" or a "lunch" or whatever as we are inside the park(s). Also, when I check in (we are on property) will I get some type of guide as to where the DP is accepted?
Any guidance out there is appreciated!

 

[World Bouncer]

Here is a link that you should find very helpful:

2008 Dining Plan Brochure

This is a link to the frequently asked questions for the 2008 Dining Plan, the first post in this thread should also be very helpful for you.

Frequently Asked Questions for 2008 Dining Plan


Hope you have a great trip

 

[World Bouncer]

Oh Yeah....

Welcome to the DIS!!!

​

 

[lehnski]

thanks for the info... all of this is making my head swim!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

The servers in the TS restaurants will let you know what you can get. So will the cashiers at the CS restaurants. They'll prompt you, "you can get a combo meal, a drink and a dessert." Believe me, they are used to it and they'll help you.

For snack items, the menus usually have little icons next to the items that you can use your snack credits on. Like at a street vendor, there will be a little picture by "20 oz Coke product" and "Mickey ice cream bar" for example. It's pretty easy to figure out - you'll see!

If you have not booked as many TS meals as you will have credits, you need to try to work out the rest of them. Reservations (ADRs in the DIS lingo) are pretty booked up.

You will be able to get a DDP brochure at your resort when you check in.

Have a magical vacation!

 

[becfehr]

For each night of your package stay you will enjoy:


1 Table-Service meal including entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
1 Counter Service meal including entrée, dessert (lunch/dinner) and single serving non-alcoholic beverage or 1 complete combo meal, dessert (lunch dinner), 1 juice with breakfast and single serving non-alcoholic beverage
1 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice
2 Table-Service meals may be exchanged for one of the following: 1 Cinderella's Royal Table Meal, 1 Signature Dining Experience at one of Disney's finest restaurants, 1 Disney Dinner Show, 1 Private Dining meal or Pizza Delivery.


This is from the following link for more about Dining Plan:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm

And WELCOME to DIS!! You are right, there are LOADS of info, and you just can't take it all in... my suggestion, copy and paste the info you think is important into a word processor, like MSWord, and then you can read it all together or a little at a time. Or Bookmark the web links that have alot of info.

There are TONS of info at www.wdwinfo.com