I put this together myself to try to answer some of the more common questions about the new Dining Plan. If you see I have missed a question, please post it and someone will answer it for you. If you notice that I have given some incorrect or unclear information, please PM me and I will update the thread.
From the Disney Web Site: (current as of May 20, 2005)
Disney Dining Plan
Experience over 100 selected Walt Disney World® restaurants including our legendary Disney Character Dining. For each night on your package, you enjoy:
1 table-service meal including appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage and gratuity charge
1 counter-service meal including entree, dessert and nonalcoholic beverage at select counter-service locations
1 snack, such as a frozen ice cream bar, box of popcorn, 20 oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani water or a medium fountain soft drink at select snack cart locations
As an added benefit, you may exchange 2 table-service meals for either 1 Signature Dining Experience at one of our finest restaurants, such as the acclaimed California Grill or for 1 Disney Dinner Show, such as Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
Children age 3-9 must order from the Children's Menu if available.
Here is the link to the brochure from Disney about the package. It has the most current list of restaurants on the plan.
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...gespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/MYWDining.pdf
or try this link:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/packages05a.htm
Now, for some of the more common questions about the plan.
How much does the plan cost?
It is $35 for adults and $10 for children 3-9 years old. This is the cost per night of stay.
Do I have to stay onsite?
Yes, you must be staying at a Disney hotel and book a package.
Is this the same as the DDE card I keep reading about?
No, it is not the same thing. The Disney Dining Experience card gives you a 20% discount at most Table Service restaurants.
Here is a great thread that explains DDE:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=819460
How many credits do I get?
The number of credits you receive is based on the number of nights you are staying at the resort. You must at least purchase a basic one day ticket, but you do not have to purchase a ticket that matches the number of nights you are staying.
Can I still get my AP or other discounts?
As of today, you must pay rack rate for the room, unless you book your entire package with
AAA. There have been some reports of people getting to use their pin codes (not public ones) and add the dining plan. If you are unsure, call Disney directly and ask.
Can I share meals?
Yes, you can share the meals unless they are from a buffet or all you can eat.
Can I pay for my childs meal and save his/her TS/CS credits for another day?
Yes, you can. You will be given a separate ticket with tax. You will need to tip for this ticket as it is not figured into what the server will be tipped from the dining plan.
Why would you want to do this? (Question from another poster)
Is the tip really included? What percent do they give the server? Can I tip more?
Yes, the tip and tax are included. It has been reported that the server receives 15% at most restaurants and 18% at a few. They receive the tip on the total of the bill, so they are willing to show you how to best use the plan because it increases their tip. And yes, you can tip your server additional $$$ and may be a great thing to do for wonderful service.
Is the package a good deal?
The answer to this question depends on you and your family. You need to determine how much you save doing your trip with and without the plan. For some, it is a better deal to get the discounts, but for others, the food expense is greater than the amount saved. You need to review the list of participating restaurants and try to set up a sample meal plan for your trip. Make sure to include all your snacks, drinks, tax and tip. Try to compare apples to apples. Make out your list showing where you would eat if on the plan. Then compare where you would eat if not on the plan, but were still able to eat what you wanted. Then compare that with how you would eat if Disney did not have this plan at all.
Does my child still get an appetizer and dessert if they order from the childs menu?
Yes they do. If there is not one on the kids menu, they can order from the adults menu. This was told to me by two different CM's when I called and has also been reported on the boards by numerous people.
What if I go offsite for the day, do I loose my credits?
No you do not loose them. They are for the entire trip. You could, in theory, save all your snack credits and use them on your last day.
Is there a special menu we must order from?
No, you order from the regular restaurant menu.
Isnt this a lot of food? Is it still cost effective if we do not order/eat the appetizer or dessert?
Each family needs to determine if it is cost effective for them. You do not have to order the appetizer or dessert. If you are too full, then dont. Many families have reported that they ordered a dessert they could take with them to the park, such as a muffins or cookies.
Doesnt this plan force me to stick to a schedule?
You can look at it that way, but others like knowing that they have a reservation made at a certain restaurant for a certain time. You can always call and cancel the reservation when you are on site and change your mind.
If I order my meal, but do not get dessert, can I order it later?
No. Once your ticket has been processed, you loose that credit. --updated-- It has been reported that some people have had their ticket stamped that allowed them to return to the restaurant later for their dessert. I am not sure if this is the norm, or just an isolated case. I will update this as we learn more.
Do I have to make Priority Seating arrangements for all my Table Service meals?
No you do not HAVE to, but for many/most of the restaurants it is a good idea. If you have your heart set on eating at a special place, make the reservation so you know you have a spot. You can walk up the day you are in the park and put yourself on the walkup list, but you may have a long wait. You also do not have to tell them you are on the dining plan when you make the reservation.
Does the family have to eat together, or can we split up?
The way I understand it, the credits are put on all the cards, so you can split up and eat. They are subtracted the same way as if you were all eating together. So, Mom and daughter can go to one place, and Dad and son can head to another and eat at the same time. Or the kids can ditch the parents and eat what they want.
Here is a link for those who want help with the planning of their meals (thanks Robinb)
Hopefully this will help to answer some of the questions that keep popping up about the plan. As with anything, you will need to determine if it is the best choice for you and your family. Have a great time planning 
Thanks. I wasn't sure if we would need to pay out of pocket for one of the days or if it was like the old LOS passes that were good from the moment you checked in until 12 mid of the day you checked out (8 days)...
