Got any tips on Disney World?

[bondjerys]

Hey
My partner and I are planning a trip to Disney World this fall and we are doing the works, flying, staying at a resort on the grounds, blah blah blah.. my question is what info can anyone give me on the Dining packages and whether they are worth purchasing with my trip package and if not why and if so why and you have any other tips for anything or anything i should book ahead to reserve my spot for any cool stuff please let me know!! Thanks in advance!

 

[NH Disneyfan]

Sounds like you've never been to WDW and this is a big trip. You will have a lot of fun, but doing up-front planning and research is key to a good time.

I will first suggest that you determine a general park plan (one park per day, hopping, etc) and what park(s) you expect to visit. You can find historical hours/showtimes on the internet at a variety of sites. Then, figure out where you want to eat in those parks as you can make reservations 180 days in advance. Hotel dining is terrific and well-themed too.

If you like sit-down dining but want to mix it with counter service, the dining plan is a great option. There are some benefits and some drawbacks, but for two adults it is likely to be a good deal. Just figure out where you want to eat, take a look at prices, and decide whether or not it is for you. I don't like it as much with kids because they just don't always eat. For two adults, it should be worth it.

Basically, the plan is $40 (2009 price) per person per hotel night. You get a sit-down (table) meal, counter fast-food meal and snack each day. It works like a debit card and they just deduct as you go so you start with the total until they are gone (no per-day use restriction). Gratuity is not included. So, $40 really isn't much for 2 meals and a treat (ice cream mickey is something like $4). Alcohol is not included, but soft drinks, meal and dessert is included in most meals. If you use the dining plan to your greatest advantage (table for dinner always, counter for bfast/lunch) you will get the best deal.

There's so much to learn and plan - have fun with it. I can't stress enough the need to outline a plan and make table service dining reservations - that will really help you enjoy your trip to the max!

 

[DisneyClown]

The best thing you can do is visit the various boards on this site and do a search on the different questions you have. The wdwinfo home site is a great place to find ALOT of information as well. Most anything you are wondering about has most likely been answered. You could also visit allears.net and mousesavers.com for lots more info. I found TONS of information for my trips this way. Planning your trip is lots of fun and makes for a better experience.
Good luck!

 

[mouserus]

When we stay on property and plan on doing the parks, we always get the dining plan. We are able to test out different restaurants and try things we normally wouldn't. My kids tend to go through the snack credits pretty quickly. They will go off on their own and they don't realize that a soda and a popcorn are 2 credits. But that's not that big of a deal with us. We usually will have a counter credit or two left over, not sure how that happens because we all seem to eat throughout the day.

Sounds like you are going to have a great time! Preparing ahead of time always helps and gets you really excited! Make sure you take time to relax while you are there. Remember it's a vacation that you have worked hard at!

Have a great time!

 

[Sidecar53]

Hey
My partner and I are planning a trip to Disney World this fall and we are doing the works, flying, staying at a resort on the grounds, blah blah blah.. my question is what info can anyone give me on the Dining packages and whether they are worth purchasing with my trip package and if not why and if so why and you have any other tips for anything or anything i should book ahead to reserve my spot for any cool stuff please let me know!! Thanks in advance!

...,,.......1st great idea~~Joining the Dis boards......read, read, read!! there is great advice on just about everything and If you still have a question SOMEONE will have the answer!! .......so, so, so glad I have joined it!!!!

Sounds like you've never been to WDW and this is a big trip. You will have a lot of fun, but doing up-front planning and research is key to a good time...........Have to agree with you.....up-front planning and research is very much key to a great time!!!.........

I will first suggest that you determine a general park plan (one park per day, hopping, etc) and what park(s) you expect to visit. You can find historical hours/showtimes on the internet at a variety of sites. Then, figure out where you want to eat in those parks as you can make reservations 180 days in advance. Hotel dining is terrific and well-themed too............see my first posting regarding the reading!!!

If you like sit-down dining but want to mix it with counter service, the dining plan is a great option. There are some benefits and some drawbacks, but for two adults it is likely to be a good deal. Just figure out where you want to eat, take a look at prices, and decide whether or not it is for you. I don't like it as much with kids because they just don't always eat. For two adults, it should be worth it.

Basically, the plan is $40 (2009 price) per person per hotel night. You get a sit-down (table) meal, counter fast-food meal and snack each day. It works like a debit card and they just deduct as you go so you start with the total until they are gone (no per-day use restriction). Gratuity is not included. So, $40 really isn't much for 2 meals and a treat (ice cream mickey is something like $4). Alcohol is not included, but soft drinks, meal and dessert is included in most meals. If you use the dining plan to your greatest advantage (table for dinner always, counter for bfast/lunch) you will get the best deal.

There's so much to learn and plan - have fun with it. I can't stress enough the need to outline a plan and make table service dining reservations - that will really help you enjoy your trip to the max!

The best thing you can do is visit the various boards on this site and do a search on the different questions you have. The wdwinfo home site is a great place to find ALOT of information as well. Most anything you are wondering about has most likely been answered. You could also visit allears.net and mousesavers.com for lots more info. I found TONS of information for my trips this way. Planning your trip is lots of fun and makes for a better experience.
Good luck!

.........I will 2nd the motion to Disney Clowns suggestion of the mousesavers.com and allears.net........sign up for their emails as well..........they also have an abundance of info for everyone..........

When we stay on property and plan on doing the parks, we always get the dining plan. We are able to test out different restaurants and try things we normally wouldn't. My kids tend to go through the snack credits pretty quickly. They will go off on their own and they don't realize that a soda and a popcorn are 2 credits. But that's not that big of a deal with us. We usually will have a counter credit or two left over, not sure how that happens because we all seem to eat throughout the day.

Sounds like you are going to have a great time! Preparing ahead of time always helps and gets you really excited! Make sure you take time to relax while you are there. Remember it's a vacation that you have worked hard at!

Have a great time!

........One last thing.........do research, talk it over with your partner... ....but DON"T stress over it..... ....it is a vacation.........roll with the flow............It is the Disney after all and it is to have fun no matter how old you are!!!! Here is some pixiedust for you......enjoy it........ ......................you can also go to the Disney web site and order the park maps..........and that may help you choose or give you ideas...........Good luck!!!!

 

[grammy grace]

The first few visits are fun to just explore. Sounds like two adults, no kids. This is how me and DH do it. We have breakfast at counter service at resort, your can eat a little or a lot, then just play the rest of the day by ear. If we want a snack the parks have great fruit stands or we'll split an item from a quick counter for lunch. Supper wil be a heaver meal from a nicer sit down restaurant. If you plan your meals you may spend a lot of time riding buses and may not be hungry for a big meal when it's planned. Three full meals and snacks per day are a bit much for us and we don't spend as much money just playing it by ear. You can find menu's online and look things over before you go. Try and plan to eat in the park you visit that day, running between parks eats away at your time.

 

[Harvestmooner]

I would do as much research as you can-with the disboards and allearsnet.com and even buy a guide book. On our first trip we didn't make any dinner ressies and it made it hard-and a little over whelming! I like having my dinning ressies all set-then I know for sure that we are going to eat by a certain time and sit down for alittle while.
On allearsnet.com they have all the menus for the restaurants at the parks and hotels so you can really know what to expect.
Don't stress about it-but do educate yourself because it is a HUGE place!!
HAVE A GREAT TRIP and enjoy the planning!!!

 

[PrncessA]

We recently just took our first trip to WDW and did the works as well. We had a PIN for free dining so we upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan and loved it. It was great not worry about the prices or when and where we wanted to eat. Alot of freedom!

The Dis boards are fantastic to learn everything you want to know!

 

[ZoZo]

Welcome to the DIS! Here are my recommendations:

1) Since it's your first trip, buy a guidebook as a starting place. I like the Unofficial Guide to WDW the best. Read through it as much as you can; it has tons of information for "beginners" about a huge variety of topics.

2) Use this chat board as a place to do some research (ie reading existing threads) then ask for help with targeted questions. I found it easier to read through a lot of posts on topics that you're interested in (use the "search" feature) first. After you've done a bunch of reading, you'll know "the basics" and will be able to ask more specific questions. I've found that, if your questions are too general, you might not get many responses -- the more targeted your question, the better. (Example: You might have more luck with a question like, "What's your favorite counter service restaurant at DHS?") There's lots of good information that's already out there on this board!

3) Of all the tips I'd give a "newbie," I'd recommend making reservations at some table service restaurants way before you arrive. If you wait to make dining reservations until after you arrive, you might not be able to get anything at all -- and certainly not the most popular restaurants! Go on the Dining and Restaurants forum and read through a bunch of the existing threads. It will give you some ideas about where to make dining reservations.

Good luck!