Free Disney Dining Plan

[RachelNinja]

I know I could go to the "Disney Restaurants" part of this forum, but I wanted to ask here since I'm curious to know the opinion of VMK DISers specifically.

Before I jokingly said to my parents that we should go back to WDW at the end of August because I had just seen the advertisement for the free DDP. They actually told me to look more into it! Woot! Of course, after further investigation, we figured it's easier for us to go some other time for many reasons (it'd be expensive, it's easier to just use a week from our timeshare, it's a LOT of food and we really don't eat that much, etc.). It would make more sense if I went during free DDP with my cousins or friends because then I'd only have to worry about paying for my way there, haha.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else looked into DDP before or experienced it before. I read a lot of dining reports in the restaurants section, and I really would love to try certain restaurants like Le Cellier! So any opinions or comments? Even if you never used DDP before, what are some of your favorite places to eat on site? Again, I know these threads are open in the other section, but I'd like to know what my wacky VMK family thinks

 

[Mcat]

I know I could go to the "Disney Restaurants" part of this forum, but I wanted to ask here since I'm curious to know the opinion of VMK DISers specifically.

Before I jokingly said to my parents that we should go back to WDW at the end of August because I had just seen the advertisement for the free DDP. They actually told me to look more into it! Woot! Of course, after further investigation, we figured it's easier for us to go some other time for many reasons (it'd be expensive, it's easier to just use a week from our timeshare, it's a LOT of food and we really don't eat that much, etc.). It would make more sense if I went during free DDP with my cousins or friends because then I'd only have to worry about paying for my way there, haha.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else looked into DDP before or experienced it before. I read a lot of dining reports in the restaurants section, and I really would love to try certain restaurants like Le Cellier! So any opinions or comments? Even if you never used DDP before, what are some of your favorite places to eat on site? Again, I know these threads are open in the other section, but I'd like to know what my wacky VMK family thinks

Le Cellier is my favorite place to eat at disney! You have to go! I like scifi dine in at the disney studios too. I will post more later.

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

We've done free dining in the past and we're doing it again this August.... I think it is so worth it; it's a great deal if you can go during that time of the year.

The only thing you have to remember with free dining, is that the restaurants fill up fast. You'll have to make your ADR's for most of the table service restaurants well in advance or it will be hard to get in. We made our reservation for LeCellier at 6 months out and there weren't many spaces available, we could only get a dining time of 8:30pm, but I'm happy we got in.

Also, with free dining, we were able to eat at places we normally wouldn't pay for. We did the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and this year we're going to try the Luau at the Poly. We've also been to the Yachtsman Steakhouse and Narcoossee's; if we would have paid for those places the bill would have been over $200 for the 4 of us, so it was a real bargain getting it for free.

It does seem like alot of food, but they have changed the dining plan this year; an appetizer is no longer included and neither are gratuities. Quite a few times I split my meal with my daughter and it was more than enough for the both of us. That's why we were able to do a couple of the more expensive restaurants that required 2 table service credits. I think it's a great deal if you can swing it.. let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Goofy05]

I did the DDP last July and wow it's a LOT of food! If you're used to eating big meals every day, then it's well worth the expense, as you can dine in some awesome restaurants, however, if you don't eat large meals all the time you'll find yourself with a lot of extra points left at the end of your vacation. For me, it isn't worth the expense, as I don't normally eat big dinners or lunches. Oh! Make sure you pay attention to some of the restaurants' requirements, some require double DDP points!
I noticed an ad that says if you book through this site, you can get a free DDP and that would totally ROCK! Hope you get to go! I miss WDW like crazy!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Ditto to what Sparkle said. A lot of folks made ADRs in advance in anticipation of free dining; plus the resorts only have a certain number of rooms set aside for the free dining packages. So, you really need to decide (and quick like) if you're going, and if so, when you are going and where you'll be staying. Time is of the essence, I cannot stress that enough.

As for TS places I enjoy:

Chefs de France in Epcot: We always go for dinner. Love the french onion soup and the desserts.

Hollywood Brown Derby at the Studios: Cobb Salad is awesome, and the Grapefruit Cake is a fave of mine. We always go for lunch; prices are cheaper than dinner (not really a concern if you're on the DDP though!).

Chef Mickey's for breakfast: Awesome character interaction, great variety of food.

California Grill: You can't really beat having the chance to go out on the Observation Deck to watch Wishes there with the sound pumped in. Amazing experience.

This trip, I'll be eating at the following new-to-me places. Will let you know when I get back what I thought of them.
Kona Cafe (breakfast)
Ohana's (breakfast)
Tony's Town Square (lunch)
Crystal Palace (dinner)
Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian (Afternoon Tea; not on the DDP)
Cinderella's Royal Table (dinner)
Le Cellier (lunch)

Best of luck, my friend. Decide quickly though!

 

[Mnementh]

Just curious... how much extra is it for the plan? I thought about doing this, as well, but I haven't really looked into it at all.

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

The dining plan is $37.99 adult/day and $9.99 child/day.

If you book during the free dining period, which runs from 8/24 - 9/20 this year, you can get the plan free for your length of stay, as long as you buy at least a 1-day park ticket (the dining plan comes as part of a room/ticket package). The free dining promotion must be booked by 6/22/08. This is the fourth year in a row Disney has done free dining, and it always offered during the same time period. But who knows how long they will continue offering it We know how they can pull their successful promotions at any time.....

 

[RachelNinja]

Thanks so much for all of your responses!

Le Cellier is my favorite place to eat at disney! You have to go! I like scifi dine in at the disney studios too.

The dining reports section is one of the sections I'm on the most so I've seen all these restaurants (along with all the fantastic food porn!). I know there are always mixed reviews when it comes to places like Sci-Fi Dine-In, but I think a lot of it has to do with the experience, and I definitely want that experience, even if it means paying a lot to just eat really greasy onion rings in a car, haha.

The only thing you have to remember with free dining, is that the restaurants fill up fast. You'll have to make your ADR's for most of the table service restaurants well in advance or it will be hard to get in.

It does seem like alot of food, but they have changed the dining plan this year; an appetizer is no longer included and neither are gratuities. Quite a few times I split my meal with my daughter and it was more than enough for the both of us. That's why we were able to do a couple of the more expensive restaurants that required 2 table service credits. I think it's a great deal if you can swing it.. let me know if you have any other questions!

Do you find it difficult to schedule something so far in advance? When I go to WDW with my family, we don't even decide what day we're going to the parks. We check out the weather channel when we get there and then see how we feel. But like you said, I know you can only get a place if you reserve extremely early ...

With the credits, let's say for the TS credits you mentioned ... that would mean that for the one meal you split with your daughter, it only required 2 TS credits as opposed to 4 total if you each got your own meal?

I was wondering about the appetizer thing. I saw it on the deluxe plan, I think. I much rather try appetizers than desserts so the basic plan made me pause for a second.

If you're used to eating big meals every day, then it's well worth the expense, as you can dine in some awesome restaurants, however, if you don't eat large meals all the time you'll find yourself with a lot of extra points left at the end of your vacation. For me, it isn't worth the expense, as I don't normally eat big dinners or lunches.

Thanks for your opinion! I think I may be like this too. I physically can't eat a lot at once anymore (doctor's orders post cholecystectomy and because of a sluggish stomach ... it takes longer for my stomach to deal with food), so I'm starting to lean towards it not being worth the expense (UNLESS I go with people who end a LOT and will be more than happy to finish my share~ haha, I'm more interested in trying all the restaurants have to offer). So it might make more sense if I went to a restaurant and paid OOP and just ordered the things I wanted to try with my cousins/friends so we could all split everything to taste.

So, you really need to decide (and quick like) if you're going, and if so, when you are going and where you'll be staying. Time is of the essence, I cannot stress that enough.

Yeah, then maybe this year might not be the best year to do something like this. I don't have the time right now to research anything, and I really would like to do a TON of research before taking a trip like this (especially since this would be the first time I'd stay on Disney property as well!).

Looking forward to hearing your opinion about those restaurants! Haha, I'm really behind in terms of knowing about and trying Disney food. I grew up on hamburgers and chicken fingers ... didn't know that there were other options until I came to Dis! It was actually only because of Dis that I was able to finally have a Dole Whip this past February! So I've got a lot to learn! And taste~

The dining plan is $37.99 adult/day and $9.99 child/day.

So this dining plan price is for any other time of the year as long as you stay on WDW property? Because that sounds like a good deal too. I mean, even though it obviously doesn't beat FREE, it's still much cheaper than paying OOP, right? Do you know what that price includes? Also, when you get your credits, do you have them all at the beginning of your vacation to use whenever you'd like or does it have to be a certain amount per day?

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your advice and opinions! Keep it coming if there's anything more you'd like to add!

 

[thesupersmartguy]

We have had our trip booked for months. I saw last week where there was free dining, but we still think we should stick to next weeks YC and GF reservations.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

So this dining plan price is for any other time of the year as long as you stay on WDW property? Because that sounds like a good deal too. I mean, even though it obviously doesn't beat FREE, it's still much cheaper than paying OOP, right? Do you know what that price includes? Also, when you get your credits, do you have them all at the beginning of your vacation to use whenever you'd like or does it have to be a certain amount per day?

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your advice and opinions! Keep it coming if there's anything more you'd like to add!

You can use your credits in any combination you want. For example you can use three table service meals in one day. or use 1 snack on one day, then not get one the next.

 

[Goofy05]

Thanks so much for all of your responses!



The dining reports section is one of the sections I'm on the most so I've seen all these restaurants (along with all the fantastic food porn!). I know there are always mixed reviews when it comes to places like Sci-Fi Dine-In, but I think a lot of it has to do with the experience, and I definitely want that experience, even if it means paying a lot to just eat really greasy onion rings in a car, haha.



Do you find it difficult to schedule something so far in advance? When I go to WDW with my family, we don't even decide what day we're going to the parks. We check out the weather channel when we get there and then see how we feel. But like you said, I know you can only get a place if you reserve extremely early ...

With the credits, let's say for the TS credits you mentioned ... that would mean that for the one meal you split with your daughter, it only required 2 TS credits as opposed to 4 total if you each got your own meal?

I was wondering about the appetizer thing. I saw it on the deluxe plan, I think. I much rather try appetizers than desserts so the basic plan made me pause for a second.



Thanks for your opinion! I think I may be like this too. I physically can't eat a lot at once anymore (doctor's orders post cholecystectomy and because of a sluggish stomach ... it takes longer for my stomach to deal with food), so I'm starting to lean towards it not being worth the expense (UNLESS I go with people who end a LOT and will be more than happy to finish my share~ haha, I'm more interested in trying all the restaurants have to offer). So it might make more sense if I went to a restaurant and paid OOP and just ordered the things I wanted to try with my cousins/friends so we could all split everything to taste.

Wow, sorry to hear about the surgery! ~hugs~
You can split meals, I did this, too. There really are large portions served everywhere at WDW restaurants, so this is a good idea no matter if you pay or use the Plan. Some places you can't share meals, and those would be the places that charge per person, like the character dining, sit-down dinners or buffets.

Yeah, then maybe this year might not be the best year to do something like this. I don't have the time right now to research anything, and I really would like to do a TON of research before taking a trip like this (especially since this would be the first time I'd stay on Disney property as well!).

You will LOVE staying on site! I swear you will never stay off-site again!

Looking forward to hearing your opinion about those restaurants! Haha, I'm really behind in terms of knowing about and trying Disney food. I grew up on hamburgers and chicken fingers ... didn't know that there were other options until I came to Dis! It was actually only because of Dis that I was able to finally have a Dole Whip this past February! So I've got a lot to learn! And taste~

LOL! This is me, as well! Chicken fingers! Woot! WDW, yes? Do the Flying Fish Cafe on the Boardwalk, if you like steak and seafood. Yummmy! Brown Derby has awesome food, but both places are pricey (double points on the DDP)! Gosh, so many great restaurants...I did the luau at the Poly, but wasn't too impressed with the food. The show was great, though. Definitely try the cakes and pastries at the France cafe, sorry the name escapes me...there's a chocolate cake that is to DIE for! Avoid the Mexican Cantina outside the Mexico pavilion, the food there is rather bland, not at all spicy. The Princess dinner at the Castle is also double points, and the food was unimpressive. Go only if you want the Princess pictures, don't go for the food. LOL Ressies fill up fast, too, so reserve early! Gee, so many places to eat! My mind is drawing a blank...hopefully someone else will post more opinions for you!

So this dining plan price is for any other time of the year as long as you stay on WDW property? Because that sounds like a good deal too. I mean, even though it obviously doesn't beat FREE, it's still much cheaper than paying OOP, right? Do you know what that price includes? Also, when you get your credits, do you have them all at the beginning of your vacation to use whenever you'd like or does it have to be a certain amount per day?

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your advice and opinions! Keep it coming if there's anything more you'd like to add!

The price includes an appetizer, main course and dessert, I believe. Oh, and one drink, non-alcoholic. That would be dinner. You also have snack credits you can use for bottled water, soda, cookies, brownies, fruit, most any snack. Most places have a list for you to choose from. You can always ask the servers, too. They really are very helpful and they'll tell you how many points you have left for each category. Everything is included except the tip. Yes, you start out with all your points, then they are subtracted as you use them. I think your points are split between dinner, counter service and snacks.
Hope this helps a little, maybe someone who has more experience with the DDP will offer more info, I have only used it once.
Have an awesome trip!

 

[Coasterguy]

The price includes an appetizer, main course and dessert, I believe. Oh, and one drink, non-alcoholic. That would be dinner. You also have snack credits you can use for bottled water, soda, cookies, brownies, fruit, most any snack. Most places have a list for you to choose from. You can always ask the servers, too. They really are very helpful and they'll tell you how many points you have left for each category. Everything is included except the tip. Yes, you start out with all your points, then they are subtracted as you use them. I think your points are split between dinner, counter service and snacks.
Hope this helps a little, maybe someone who has more experience with the DDP will offer more info, I have only used it once.
Have an awesome trip!

DDP changed in 2007, no appetizer with dinner and you now pay gratuity, still one snack and one counter service meal. You can get a lot of useful information here. My personal faves were Hoop-De-Doo Musical Review, Liberty Tree Tavern, Brown Derby and Boma. Oh yeah, and frozen bananas.

http://www.wdwinfo.com

 

[mtblujeans]

We have tried the free dining plan once before. Last summer, I took all my kids: 4 adults, me, 1 child. We ate ourselves sick! I am not that familiar with the on-site restaurants yet but I would recommend the free dining plan if you can swing it. Not only to try new dishes but it is time-saving to just stop and eat and get back to the activities of the park.