Free Dining question mentioned on the podacast

[Minnie Lor]

I'm going to WDW for the first time during free dining but I'm not taking advantage of the promotion. I'm traveling solo and the discount codes were a better deal for me.

I was very interested in this weeks topic on the Dis Unplugged podcast. I didn't realize that they dumb down the menu and substitute less quality products during the promo. That doesn't sound appealing to me when I'm literally scrimping and saving for this trip.

I have an ADR at Boma for dinner and i don't want to give that one up. I am rethinking my late lunch ADR's at LeCellier and Brown Derby. I'm not going back to my room for R&R each day. I was hoping for a relaxing lunch as a respite from the heat. Based on your discussion, it sounds like every table will be full and the wait staff at full throttle. It's sounds chaotic and definitely not relaxing.

The ADR's will not make or break my trip. I can find plenty of CS that makes me just as happy. (I'll need to remember to eat at off times) What would you all do? Cancel these two ADR's and just go CS? Keep them and take a chance that it'll all be good? Wait til trip to decide if I'm desperate to get out of the afternoon heat for some down time over a meal? I feel guilty holding an ADR during free dining and then canceling the day of. I'm so confused.

TIA for any advice.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm going to WDW for the first time during free dining but I'm not taking advantage of the promotion. I'm traveling solo and the discount codes were a better deal for me.

I was very interested in this weeks topic on the Dis Unplugged podcast. I didn't realize that they dumb down the menu and substitute less quality products during the promo. That doesn't sound appealing to me when I'm literally scrimping and saving for this trip.

I have an ADR at Boma for dinner and i don't want to give that one up. I am rethinking my late lunch ADR's at LeCellier and Brown Derby. I'm not going back to my room for R&R each day. I was hoping for a relaxing lunch as a respite from the heat. Based on your discussion, it sounds like every table will be full and the wait staff at full throttle. It's sounds chaotic and definitely not relaxing.

The ADR's will not make or break my trip. I can find plenty of CS that makes me just as happy. (I'll need to remember to eat at off times) What would you all do? Cancel these two ADR's and just go CS? Keep them and take a chance that it'll all be good? Wait til trip to decide if I'm desperate to get out of the afternoon heat for some down time over a meal? I feel guilty holding an ADR during free dining and then canceling the day of. I'm so confused.

TIA for any advice.

They do not change the menus just for the promotion.

They have changed the menus due to the dining plan, which is available all the time.

I'm guessing it was because people were ordering the most expensive items available in order to get the most out of the dining plan.

There were many discussions on the Dis about everyone ordering the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail to get the best deal. Needless to say, the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail are gone.

This is not just during free dining....it's all year long.

Please do not misunderstand what I was saying about ADRs. Holding a reservation is not my issue. Making multiple ADRs at various restaurants because you want to have a choice of restaurants available is a problem...in my opinion. I think that's greedy.

I hope that helps.

Oh....I forgot....go enjoy your lunches. We love Brown Derby.

 

[Kimberle]

I've eaten during free dining and regular dining times. WDW has gradually been changing the menu's, taking out the more expensive options, "homonogizing" or standardising. I agree w/ Kevin, it's due to the dining plan in general, not FD.

You'll find the menu's on this site & at Allears.net.

 

[Minnie Lor]

They do not change the menus just for the promotion.

They have changed the menus due to the dining plan, which is available all the time.

I'm guessing it was because people were ordering the most expensive items available in order to get the most out of the dining plan.

There were many discussions on the Dis about everyone ordering the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail to get the best deal. Needless to say, the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail are gone.

This is not just during free dining....it's all year long.

Good to know. I knew that the menu's had changed due to the dining plan but wasn't sure if they took it a step further during free dining. I can still get my Cobb Salad at Brown Derby and the shaved Prime Rib sandwich at LeCellier.

Please do not misunderstand what I was saying about ADRs. Holding a reservation is not my issue. Making multiple ADRs at various restaurants because you want to have a choice of restaurants available is a problem...in my opinion. I think that's greedy.

Oh I knew that you were discussing the multi-ADR's for the same meal problem. We've booked single ADR's on past trips and canceled them during our trip due to various issues. I figure that helps the average Joe walk-up. I hope there aren't people during free dining trying to do a walk-up. I'm just so undecided about LeCellier. I hate to wait til I'm there to make the decision but that's probably the way that I'll go.

I hope that helps.

Oh....I forgot....go enjoy your lunches. We love Brown Derby.

It does and Thanks!

I've eaten during free dining and regular dining times. WDW has gradually been changing the menu's, taking out the more expensive options, "homonogizing" or standardising. I agree w/ Kevin, it's due to the dining plan in general, not FD.

You'll find the menu's on this site & at Allears.net.

Thanks. I don't book anything without studying the menu's on both sites.

 

[Mindy5767]

I've got dining plan and non dining plan over the last 5 years. The very first year I did dining plan, 2007, Appetizer, entree, dessert, beverage, tax and tip were all included. It was a no-brainer deal, no matter WHAT you ordered on the menu. IMHO it was too much food. However, once they removed the appetizer and especially the tip, the convenience factor was removed. It actually ended up being somewhat of a pain to have to run one receipt for the meal and another for the tip. You still had to have your credit card ready. (unless you bill to your room). The expensive meals were removed and the menus revamped. We did the meal plan again in October 2008. My DH said NEVER AGAIN. We felt like we were running after our ADR's all the time. That's no fun. We did end up canceling a few ADR's at the last minute because we were in the wrong park to be able to get there in time, so we opted for a new location and time. It happens. You do your best. However, do not think you need a TS reservation to get out of the heat! You do not. We are also going during free dining, but are not taking advantage of it. The summer saver and AP rate was better for me. There are many QS locations that offer respite from the heat. For instance, the inside of the American pavilion, Tangeirine Cafe, Yakitori House and the Pub park of Rose & Crown at EPCOT and the Sunshine seasons food court in Future World. Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Rays and Pinnochios Village Haus in MK. Pizzafari at AK and I think Restaurantasaurus, At DHS there is the CBS Commissary which I don't recommend because its horrible. On the board walk there is Beaches and Cream which is TS, but doesn't require ADR's.

 

[Minnie Lor]

It happens. You do your best. However, do not think you need a TS reservation to get out of the heat! You do not. We are also going during free dining, but are not taking advantage of it. The summer saver and AP rate was better for me. There are many QS locations that offer respite from the heat. For instance, the inside of the American pavilion, Tangeirine Cafe, Yakitori House and the Pub park of Rose & Crown at EPCOT and the Sunshine seasons food court in Future World. Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Rays and Pinnochios Village Haus in MK. Pizzafari at AK and I think Restaurantasaurus, At DHS there is the CBS Commissary which I don't recommend because its horrible. On the board walk there is Beaches and Cream which is TS, but doesn't require ADR's.

Great ideas! Thanks. I'm really considering canceling the LeCellier. There are so many good places to eat at Epcot. Love the Tangeirine Cafe. I've never tried Yakitori House.

 

[Mindy5767]

Great ideas! Thanks. I'm really considering canceling the LeCellier. There are so many good places to eat at Epcot. Love the Tangeirine Cafe. I've never tried Yakitori House.

The food at Yakitori House is alot like shopping mall food court Japanese.. so its not anything to write home about. Its perfectly acceptable though. And you can eat inside that little pagoda house where its cool. I believe this is where I had the ginger cake for dessert on a different trip (when we ate in the garden), THAT was very good. It had a lemon sauce over it....

 

[kaligal]

I did the dining plan once. It was such a headache. I found myself actually saying, "No, we can't go to Epcot that day because we have to go to the Animal Kingdom and eat at Tusker House."

While we were there, we had to make sure to be at all these ADRs.

It was a total pain. This was back when you got the appetizer, tip-included, whole bit. The menus hadn't changed yet.

And I still said, "Never again." My friend called it, "The tour of food." And we left with a gazillion snacks we didn't use.

Not only do I think the dining plan is a pain in the patootie, I know it wouldn't save me any money. AND it eliminated some of my favorite menu items.

Don't like it. Didn't hear what the podcast said (yet), but that's my two centaroonies.

I'm not sure about how Beaches and Cream runs now, but back then, it was Table Service if you sat down to eat and Counter Service if you took it to go from the little counter.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I would keep the ADR's and play it by ear. If you decide not to keep the ADR, be sure to cancel, but I think you might regret cancelling now. You may totally want that Brown Derby ADR that day in DHS. Kevin won't I agree, but I TOTALLY recommend the Grapefruit Cake. Sooooooooooooooo delish!

 

[PeterPan09]

They do not change the menus just for the promotion.

They have changed the menus due to the dining plan, which is available all the time.

I'm guessing it was because people were ordering the most expensive items available in order to get the most out of the dining plan.

There were many discussions on the Dis about everyone ordering the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail to get the best deal. Needless to say, the filet mignon and shrimp cocktail are gone.

This is not just during free dining....it's all year long.

Please do not misunderstand what I was saying about ADRs. Holding a reservation is not my issue. Making multiple ADRs at various restaurants because you want to have a choice of restaurants available is a problem...in my opinion. I think that's greedy.

I hope that helps.

Oh....I forgot....go enjoy your lunches. We love Brown Derby.

and this is why eating at Disney is no longer as much fun as it was before the dining plan. We've gone to so many disney places that we used to LOVE and are now just "eh". It's also made spontaneous visits less enjoyable. My family has been in the area for 12 years, and we used to be able to pop over for a day trip and actually get a table at Le Cellier, Cinderella's Royal Table or Crystal Palace as a walk up! Not since the dining plan arrived. If we want to eat anywhere nicer for a day trip, we've got to plan it in advance. Not that easy to do with elderly parents who have "good days and bad days".

I know it's a great business decision, it's not going away and I know a lot of people love it-but it has it's downside.

 

[Mindy5767]

Exactly, unless you are not park hopping, and you're picking your restaurants by what park you're going to be in, and you're not going to regret not being able to go over to EPCOT to try for Test Track again because you have an ADR at Tusker House, then it might be less of a pain. We have AP's and we always park hop. If we can't get on certain rides, we may leave the park and try again later. This totally messes with ADR's. I prefer now, to select ADR's in resorts, because its easier to jump from resort to park, than park to park.

The quality is totally effected by supply and demand. Disney restaurants had to be a bit better to lure you in before the dining plan. After the dining plan, they know that it doesn't matter how well they do their jobs, tables will be full and tips will be had. Its really quite sad actually.

As for Quick Service. They're effected by this too. Quality down. The meal plan gives you a meal with a dessert. Not everyone can even HAVE dessert since some people are diabetic. What a waste! I'd much prefer waiting and eating dessert when I'm hungry again. Quality has suffered due to even this increased demand. In fact, after this last trip, I have a new resolution. I'd rather go hungry than eat at the ABC Commissary!! It is THAT bad. We were once again in DHS a little late and we had not eaten dinner. We couldn't find anything open, except the ABC Commissary. It was reaaaaly bad. I decided after that, that I was better off eating nothing than that!

 

[exwdwcm]

I've got dining plan and non dining plan over the last 5 years. The very first year I did dining plan, 2007, Appetizer, entree, dessert, beverage, tax and tip were all included. It was a no-brainer deal, no matter WHAT you ordered on the menu. IMHO it was too much food. However, once they removed the appetizer and especially the tip, the convenience factor was removed. It actually ended up being somewhat of a pain to have to run one receipt for the meal and another for the tip. You still had to have your credit card ready. (unless you bill to your room). The expensive meals were removed and the menus revamped. We did the meal plan again in October 2008. My DH said NEVER AGAIN. We felt like we were running after our ADR's all the time. That's no fun. We did end up canceling a few ADR's at the last minute because we were in the wrong park to be able to get there in time, so we opted for a new location and time. It happens. You do your best. However, do not think you need a TS reservation to get out of the heat! You do not. We are also going during free dining, but are not taking advantage of it. The summer saver and AP rate was better for me. There are many QS locations that offer respite from the heat. For instance, the inside of the American pavilion, Tangeirine Cafe, Yakitori House and the Pub park of Rose & Crown at EPCOT and the Sunshine seasons food court in Future World. Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Rays and Pinnochios Village Haus in MK. Pizzafari at AK and I think Restaurantasaurus, At DHS there is the CBS Commissary which I don't recommend because its horrible. On the board walk there is Beaches and Cream which is TS, but doesn't require ADR's.

so true. We found on this last trip in december with free dining, the meals totally took over the trip. everything revolved around them and i felt like i was eating constantly and wasting precious touring time.

we also had a large party of 14, which made paying the bill extremely difficult each time. at 50s Prime Time, it took a FULL HOUR for the waitress to figure out the 5 different bills and tip and all that. talk about a hassle. man we were angry. now that we bought DVC, we will never do free dining again, much less pay for it. TIW card it is.

and i agree on the booking multiple ADRs for the same time/meal. I think that is just so wrong and selfish. I've never booked like that. I ONLY book one ADR per day (we only eat one sit down a day, if that) and if i can't get time or place i want, i take what is available or try somewhere else or call back later. and the minute i know we might have to cancel a meal, i call and cancel - never doublebook!! how selfish are people? don't answer that.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin won't I agree, but I TOTALLY recommend the Grapefruit Cake. Sooooooooooooooo delish!

yack!

 

[safetymom]

I wasn't impressed with it either. I tried it because so many raved about it on the DIS. I wouldn't order it again. It must be an acquired taste.

 

[Mindy5767]

so true. We found on this last trip in december with free dining, the meals totally took over the trip. everything revolved around them and i felt like i was eating constantly and wasting precious touring time.

we also had a large party of 14, which made paying the bill extremely difficult each time. at 50s Prime Time, it took a FULL HOUR for the waitress to figure out the 5 different bills and tip and all that. talk about a hassle. man we were angry. now that we bought DVC, we will never do free dining again, much less pay for it. TIW card it is.

and i agree on the booking multiple ADRs for the same time/meal. I think that is just so wrong and selfish. I've never booked like that. I ONLY book one ADR per day (we only eat one sit down a day, if that) and if i can't get time or place i want, i take what is available or try somewhere else or call back later. and the minute i know we might have to cancel a meal, i call and cancel - never doublebook!! how selfish are people? don't answer that.

Welcome to DVC membership! I've been very pleased with my purchase and only wish I'd bought more points while the market was up and I had the extra money. Our home resort is SSR. We totally love it. Love the themeing, the rooms, the location. My son SO wants to stay at BLT, but I'm really a turn of the century charm kind of gal, not a future tomorrowland type. I told him when he gets his engineering degree he'll be able to afford to buy into BLT. I also told him I'd consider getting him BLT as a wedding gift. Meanwhile, no girlfriend and he's just starting college.

DVC does offer the meal plan, but it isn't free. We once did a direct comparison. Since I keep ALL receipts not matter how minor and put them in my folder, I added up our entire cost of dining on one trip, then I compared it to how much it would have cost if we'd done meal plan. Guess what!! It was nearly identical. Sure, on the meal plan, we probably would have simply eaten more food and desserts, but really... do we need all those extra calories?

 

[dansyr2514]

Whether the dining plan is worth it or not depends upon your style of doing disney. The first few times I went....it was counter service meals all the way. I wanted to spend as much times in the park as possible. Now that I'm on my
13th trip and have a dbf who is not necessarily a park lover the meals are a big part of our trip. We are going during free dining but are only taking advantage of that for a few days...the rest of the time we are staying DVC and paying for the deluxe dining plan. We really enjoy a more relaxing vacation. We'll hit the parks for a bit and hang by the pool for awhile and then go out for signature dinner. So as a veteran disney vacationer the dining plan works well for us.

 

[Mindy5767]

Whether the dining plan is worth it or not depends upon your style of doing disney. The first few times I went....it was counter service meals all the way. I wanted to spend as much times in the park as possible. Now that I'm on my
13th trip and have a dbf who is not necessarily a park lover the meals are a big part of our trip. We are going during free dining but are only taking advantage of that for a few days...the rest of the time we are staying DVC and paying for the deluxe dining plan. We really enjoy a more relaxing vacation. We'll hit the parks for a bit and hang by the pool for awhile and then go out for signature dinner. So as a veteran disney vacationer the dining plan works well for us.

You are so totally right. It really depends on how you prefer to approach your vacation. When we first came to Disney, we ate only Quick Service. As we started coming more frequently, it was all about the food and trying different restaurants. But as we have gotten older, and more health conscious about eating, I'm too critical of the large meals and can't really eat big meals like that anymore. We're back to planning on nibbling our way through the day. We have also had luck walking up at TS restaurants. We even succeeded with walk-ups during Spring Break 2008. They key was resorts. It is easier to find available seating in resorts. Even for QS. I really don't like much of the food in Magic Kingdom (except Dole Whip Bakery treats), so we found it easy to hop on the monorail and find something at the resorts. The Contemporary has a nice QS location, so does the Poly. I love the Grand Floridian Cafe. But my favorite dining experience by far is Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge. I've done it two trips in a row, ladies only, and it was relaxing and delicious.