We spend 2 weeks each July at WDW as we are DVC members. That being said, we've eaten pretty much everywhere (except for sea food restaurants, V & A and a few dinner shows like Hoop de Doo and Luau). We usually eat 2 TS per day, but this year since we are on DP, we have had CS for lunch. Here are our observations of DP (first time we've used it):
1. Children - We've always found children's meals to be lacking, but some restaurants have improved by offering applesauce, carrots, rice, etc. Disney still has a way to go to, IMHO, but choices are getting better. Every TS server has been specific about explaining whether or not our DD3 is to order off of children's menu or not - some restaurants like Earl of Sandwich which is a CS credit, allow children to order off of regular menu. Other restaurants, let children also order appetizers (like adults), and still others do not. You need to listen to your server as he/she will explain things. If you have a question, make sure you ask as substitutions are allowed at lots of places due to allergies, sensitivities, etc. TS restaurant servers have been very good about making sure that children use children credits, and not adults. No debate needed, as this has been our experience over the past 10 days.
2. Cards - Despite cards not separating credits, as stated, servers are doing a great job of keeping things running correctly. Receipts have total credits at bottom, but, servers (who are real people!) are punching in the info and that is what is important here. Not interested in starting the child/adult credit debate as my feeling is that honest adults know how they should be using the plan, but, at TS restaurants there is no way to "cheat" the system unless the server does so. At CS restaurants where my hubby has gone up to counter by himself, he's been told that he must order 1 meal off of children's menu - eg. Pinnochio Village Haus (terrible kids' menu, but we were hungry). Hubby rushed up to counter as DD was very hungry, didn't notice the kid's menu, so ordered 2 chicken finger meals and a sandwich. The CM immediately cancelled this once she saw my hubby's card (he immediately apologized for the error) as she said he had to order 1 child, and 2 adults, so, CMs are keeping on top of this.
3. Service - Our worst service has been at Rainforest AK, where we paid cash for meal as they don't participate in DP. Despite some people's worries about getting bad service on DP, that has not been our experience at all.
4. Amount of food - As I said, we eat very well (come from a restaurant family) on a consistent basis, whether on vacation or not. We are used to eating 2 TS meals a day, with exception of Tusker House and Earl of Sand. We eat small breakfasts in our room, and then eat a CS for lunch, with a TS for dinner. Not many snacks in between - lots of water and juice (we don't drink pop) to stay hydrated, so for us, the amount of food is just fine. If we can't eat a dessert, we don't order it, as that is a waste of food - no one should be throwing food away at all, just don't order it! I've posted about this before as well, and my hubby and I really think that most people are full because they eat junk all day - ice cream, popcorn, pop, etc., whereas we don't. For us, food is an important part of our WDW vacations, and so we eat accordingly. I have low blood sugar with allergies, DD has allergies, and so does hubby with bowel issues as well, so if we have figured out how to eat healthy in the scorching heat in July, anyone can!
5. CS - Not that impressed with CS places, although I know that they've improved since we first starting vacationing to WDW. We don't eat fast food at all, so it's nice to be able to eat a sandwich or soup for lunch. That being said, some places still need to improve their offerings - it's beyond me why tosn of CS places have a $4.00 piece of cake as a dessert choice, but not a fruit cup? A lot of places still need to adjust their menus for DP (when people are paying cash, then they of course are going to offer expensive dessert options to entice people to spend more), and so they really should be offering fruit cups for dessert as well.
6. Beverages - Some places only allow for limited beverage selection (both CS and TS) - pop, coffee/tea or milk. If you want a juice or bottle of water, must use a snack credit. This is annoying as we can't drink the tap water, and we don't drink pop, so this is something that we've learned for future reference. On a related note, some TS places allow you to order $5.00 smoothies or milkshakes - it all depends on the restaurant!
7. Favourites - As always: Le Cellier, Marrakesh and Kona Cafe. Yummy!
8. CM knowledge of plan - Excellent! Every CM we have had understands the plan, whether CS or TS or even snack credit. Since most of us DISers are planners, I think we worry about things that we do not need to worry about. Don't sweat it! The CMs are great and if you find one who isn't, ask to speak to someone who can better explain the plan to you. Contrary to many threads on here, the DP is not complicated, but it's the users who make it so, IMHO. Listen to your server, and you will be good to go!!
I'm sure there is more, but my post is long enough. I welcome questions or comments, but only have the Internet until tonight, so if I can't respond right away, that is the reason. We will be home on Saturday after 2 glorious weeks in our favourite place in the world!
Happy eating to all! Tiger
1. Children - We've always found children's meals to be lacking, but some restaurants have improved by offering applesauce, carrots, rice, etc. Disney still has a way to go to, IMHO, but choices are getting better. Every TS server has been specific about explaining whether or not our DD3 is to order off of children's menu or not - some restaurants like Earl of Sandwich which is a CS credit, allow children to order off of regular menu. Other restaurants, let children also order appetizers (like adults), and still others do not. You need to listen to your server as he/she will explain things. If you have a question, make sure you ask as substitutions are allowed at lots of places due to allergies, sensitivities, etc. TS restaurant servers have been very good about making sure that children use children credits, and not adults. No debate needed, as this has been our experience over the past 10 days.
2. Cards - Despite cards not separating credits, as stated, servers are doing a great job of keeping things running correctly. Receipts have total credits at bottom, but, servers (who are real people!) are punching in the info and that is what is important here. Not interested in starting the child/adult credit debate as my feeling is that honest adults know how they should be using the plan, but, at TS restaurants there is no way to "cheat" the system unless the server does so. At CS restaurants where my hubby has gone up to counter by himself, he's been told that he must order 1 meal off of children's menu - eg. Pinnochio Village Haus (terrible kids' menu, but we were hungry). Hubby rushed up to counter as DD was very hungry, didn't notice the kid's menu, so ordered 2 chicken finger meals and a sandwich. The CM immediately cancelled this once she saw my hubby's card (he immediately apologized for the error) as she said he had to order 1 child, and 2 adults, so, CMs are keeping on top of this.
3. Service - Our worst service has been at Rainforest AK, where we paid cash for meal as they don't participate in DP. Despite some people's worries about getting bad service on DP, that has not been our experience at all.
4. Amount of food - As I said, we eat very well (come from a restaurant family) on a consistent basis, whether on vacation or not. We are used to eating 2 TS meals a day, with exception of Tusker House and Earl of Sand. We eat small breakfasts in our room, and then eat a CS for lunch, with a TS for dinner. Not many snacks in between - lots of water and juice (we don't drink pop) to stay hydrated, so for us, the amount of food is just fine. If we can't eat a dessert, we don't order it, as that is a waste of food - no one should be throwing food away at all, just don't order it! I've posted about this before as well, and my hubby and I really think that most people are full because they eat junk all day - ice cream, popcorn, pop, etc., whereas we don't. For us, food is an important part of our WDW vacations, and so we eat accordingly. I have low blood sugar with allergies, DD has allergies, and so does hubby with bowel issues as well, so if we have figured out how to eat healthy in the scorching heat in July, anyone can!
5. CS - Not that impressed with CS places, although I know that they've improved since we first starting vacationing to WDW. We don't eat fast food at all, so it's nice to be able to eat a sandwich or soup for lunch. That being said, some places still need to improve their offerings - it's beyond me why tosn of CS places have a $4.00 piece of cake as a dessert choice, but not a fruit cup? A lot of places still need to adjust their menus for DP (when people are paying cash, then they of course are going to offer expensive dessert options to entice people to spend more), and so they really should be offering fruit cups for dessert as well.
6. Beverages - Some places only allow for limited beverage selection (both CS and TS) - pop, coffee/tea or milk. If you want a juice or bottle of water, must use a snack credit. This is annoying as we can't drink the tap water, and we don't drink pop, so this is something that we've learned for future reference. On a related note, some TS places allow you to order $5.00 smoothies or milkshakes - it all depends on the restaurant!
7. Favourites - As always: Le Cellier, Marrakesh and Kona Cafe. Yummy!
8. CM knowledge of plan - Excellent! Every CM we have had understands the plan, whether CS or TS or even snack credit. Since most of us DISers are planners, I think we worry about things that we do not need to worry about. Don't sweat it! The CMs are great and if you find one who isn't, ask to speak to someone who can better explain the plan to you. Contrary to many threads on here, the DP is not complicated, but it's the users who make it so, IMHO. Listen to your server, and you will be good to go!!
I'm sure there is more, but my post is long enough. I welcome questions or comments, but only have the Internet until tonight, so if I can't respond right away, that is the reason. We will be home on Saturday after 2 glorious weeks in our favourite place in the world!
Happy eating to all! Tiger
