How does the plan work?

[CinderShelley]

My husband wanted the dining plan and I have no clue how it works.
Please help. He already booked it.

Thanks Shelley

 

[james'mommy]

Basic plan you get one table service, one counter service and one snack per person per night of your stay. Over 9 is consudered an adult. 3-9 is a less expensive price. Age 2 or younger there is no dining plan for. The kids can eat off your plate at that age. The credits are your to use as you choose through out your stay. You can use 2 table services one day and none the next if you choose. There is a brochure that lists the participating table and counter service restaurants. That can be found at wdw.com. The table service meal includes entree, dessert and beverage. The counter service is meal, dessert and drink or combo meal. The snack is a single serving snack under $4. That is the DDP in a nutshell.

 

[Rylee]

My husband wanted the dining plan and I have no clue how it works.
Please help. He already booked it.

Thanks Shelley

On the Basic Dining Plan, each person receives credits for, 1 snack, 1 Counter Service meal (CS) and 1 Table Service meal (TS), multiplied by the number of nights you are staying.

To be a value, you really need to use all your dining credits. To make the best use of your credits, you should make Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's) for your TS meals... without reservations, you may not get into the restaurants. ADR's can be made 180 days in advance.

Read menus, here, and at the allears site.

Check the Park Calendar at the WDW site, and try to figure which park you'll visit each day, then try to schedule ADR's in or near the park you're visiting.

When are you going and do you have children? (If so, they would probably enjoy a character meal.)

 

[CinderShelley]

Ok, I'm trying to learn a new language here (disney speak or something)

What is adr?
Cs= fast food and ts = restaurant? seems right.
where do i find the menus? that might help

I am totally overwhelmed, I guess this trip was booked months ago, but hubby just told me now. I feel like I am spinning in circles.

 

[CinderShelley]

oh, and we are going the last week of august before Labor day.
and we have 4 kids. they are 12, 11, 7 and 3.
(I think my husband told them that Suzy is 2, even though she just turned 3 last week. I have no clue what he is doing.)

 

[james'mommy]

ADR is advanced dining reservation- disney speak for a reservation. The menus are at allearsnet.com under dining and then menus. It's divided by park or hotel. It may take a while but it's a good idea to read thru the menus before choosing places to eat. The plan works if you intend to eat sit down meals. If you really don't want to spend the time or money to sit down then the dining plan may not be for you. If you prefer quicker counter service meals no plan would be cheaper. We like to eat a sit down meal every day so we always go with the plan. It helps to have a gameplan on where you will be on what day and at what hours before you make ressies. That way you know ahead of time what to choose. Don't wait too long because the high demand places (like Cinderella Castle) book quick. You can book 180 days in advance.

 

[james'mommy]

oh, and we are going the last week of august before Labor day.
and we have 4 kids. they are 12, 11, 7 and 3.
(I think my husband told them that Suzy is 2, even though she just turned 3 last week. I have no clue what he is doing.)

Okay so you need to decide what to do quick. I know DH was trying to do something nice but he may have waited yoo long. See if he booked the dining plan. Also you probably need to update the age for Suzy. Do you have free dining booked? Free dining is during then so your hubby may have booked it and you don't know about it. Lots of questions to ask DH.

 

[CinderShelley]

He will be home in a few hours. I am excited but panicking. The more i read here the more worried i am getting! I have called him 3 times since noon...he told me to stop.

He thought this was a fun idea, but neither of us knew how much we had to plan until a girl at work told me to come here and read...she said "HURRY!"

I am really glad she did.
I will be up all night for a week trying to figure this out.

 

[Rylee]

He will be home in a few hours. I am excited but panicking. The more i read here the more worried i am getting! I have called him 3 times since noon...he told me to stop.

He thought this was a fun idea, but neither of us knew how much we had to plan until a girl at work told me to come here and read...she said "HURRY!"

I am really glad she did.
I will be up all night for a week trying to figure this out.

Okay... When your husband gets home, ask him if he has made any dining reservations. (Is it possible he booked dining reservations when he booked the trip?)

If not, read the menu at allears. Many restaurants have fun, cool themes, and at some, you can dine with the characters. (A great way to get autographs and pictures without standing in long lines. If you book any character meals, be sure to pick up an autograph book before going to the restaurant.)

Not to confuse you more, but did he purchase the Park Hopper tickets?
("Hoppers" allow you to visit more than 1 park per day.)
If so, you'll have a little more freedom with where you schedule reservations.
If not, you need to check park hours on the calendar at the WDW site, and try to come up with a schedule of where you'll be each day. (Most people like to visit the park with the Extra Magic Hours (EMH), to take advantage of the extra hours, you need to go to that park, on that day, unless you have hoppers.)

Try to make reservations in or near the park you will be visiting, as this helps cut down on traveling time, to and from the restaurants. Be aware, a few restaurants don't accept the Dining Plan and a few restaurants require 2 dining credits.

Before calling... I recommend having a few choices for each day, and being very flexible with your times. We usually book 1 character breakfast, and make dinner reservations for the rest. We rarely book lunch, as we like to return to our resort for an afternoon break, nap, swim. We usually grab CS for lunch and have pop-tarts, granola bars, etc., in the room for breakfast, as we are getting ready.

A few suggestions...

In or near MK ...
Crystal Palace - Pooh characters
Chef Mickey's @ the Contemporary - Mikey & Friends
'Ohana @ the Poly
1900 Park Fare @ GF
Kona @ the Poly

In or near DHS -
Si-Fi Dine-In - Sit in cars at the drive-in movies... we do this one for the kids... they love it!
Cape May @ the Beach Club (just a nice boat ride away.)

In or near AK -
Boma @ AK Lodge
Yak & Yeti - We trying this for the first time in Aug.

Epcot - (Lots of choices!)
Le cellier in Canada
Teppan Edo in Japan
Coral Reef - one entire wall is an aquarium, helps to keep the kids entertained so Mom and Dad can relax and enjoy.)

Don't forget to consider restaurants at Downtown Disney, the Boardwalk, (easy to get to from Epcot and DHS) and the Resort restaurants.

When you have an idea of what you might like to try... call ASAP!

 

[asmit4]

oh my gosh! Congrats on the trip! I wanna call and book ADRs for you NOW! LOL!

I read your issue on the 2yo/3yo. You have some options. Your 3yo is barely 3. Your hubby made a mistake and put 6 people in 1 room at GF. IMO- I'd let it go. I know this is lying, but your hubby didn't know what he was doing and this might mess up things further for you. (like having to book 2 GF rooms and upping your trip costs by 1000's) As others have said- just let it slide. he didnt do this to cheat, he did this in good faith and IMO- that's good enough in my book.

The DDP is NOT available for 2yos (and since you DH said she was 2, you have to stick with that) SO...so you can use the DDP (disney dining plan) for all of you, pay OOP (out of pocket) for the 3yo as needed and she can eat off your plate for FREE if you would like (even at buffets).

She also gets tickets (entrance) to ALL parks for FREE b/c she is 2.

Check out the menus and start calling in your ADRs tonight. Many many people have booked already so I don't know how much luck you will have. Just keep trying. You can stay on the phone and they will help you by telling you what places are available for your party size. Sometimes people spend 20-40 minutes on the phone booking.

Goodluck! If you have any questions just post!

 

[CinderShelley]

Rylee, James'mommy and asmit4 THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I have so much to plan it's overwhelming but you three gave me so much information that I am truly touched.
I will spend the day tomorrow reading the menu's because he did get the dining plan and I am starting to understand I will need those reservations made very soon.
I think the age of the little one might have been an honest mistake, she was 2 when he booked. I havn't asked him yet...the potential answer worries me.

She looks like an almost 3 so I am not too worried about it, just I don't want to get kicked out of the hotel or something. That would be awful!

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!! I am touched by your help!

 

[Krmrr]

Don't want to worry you more, but it must be asked.

Did your DH buy the package with free dining (ok, that's been covered). OR,

Did he buy the Deluxe Dining Plan. My bet would be on the free dining. But, you MUST be sure.

Don't panic about making the ADRs. Disney has lots of places to eat; if you look at the menus; you should be able to plan out a great vacation. IMHO, I really like the Marrakesh Rest. in Epcot. The Coral Seas are also a great place to go. Don't forget the resorts, La Boma has an excellent buffet dinner with an African Twist and is easy to get to from the Animal Kingdom.

Come back here for more help and info.

Best Magical Wishes

 

[james'mommy]

Have you figured out more stuff?

 

[asmit4]

Please stay on the DIS and keep us updated!

 

[CinderShelley]

I want to do mostly buffets, it is just easier with the kids. Waiting for dinner is not their best ability. Other waiting they can do, but not when they're hungry. (I was up half the night reading here and the menus)

I am going to try to get some of the ones Rylee suggested (that was a great list, thanks!)

Chef Mickey's @ the Contemporary - Mikey & Friends
Kona @ the Poly ...[I]that is not a buffet but THE DESSERTS sound so good. [/I]
Si-Fi Dine-In - Sit in cars at the drive-in movies THIS LOOKS SO CUTE!! I FOUND A PICTURE AND THE KIDS WOULD LOVE IT.
Teppan Edo in Japan looks fun!!!

Then I found the princess dinner at the Grand Floridian.
and the Narcoses (I know that looks spelled wrong)

And I want to go to the Mexico one that is inside the temple ride. I floated past it years ago, and I want to eat there.

Coral Reef - one entire wall is an aquarium, helps to keep the kids entertained so Mom and Dad can relax and enjoy.) THEY WOULD LIKE THIS ONE TOO.

And I want to eat in the castle. I dont think that is going to happen because every thing i read last night says I had to call last year to get in there.

I started with no idea where to eat, and now I think I have too many. You guys have been great.

 

[james'mommy]

I think Narcoossee's is the best. It's a must do every trip. But it a signature meal which means it costs 2 table service credits. But it is well worth it. Try the raspberry mojito. Yummy.

 

[ReneeA]

Have you called for ADR's yet?

You may have to be a bit flexible in your choice of dining times since it's only a couple months away now. We just called for our August trip a couple weeks ago, and things were booking up fast at that point. I still can't get a Coral Reef dinner, but we did manage to get in for lunch there.

As long as you can eat at "off" hours, you'll do fine!

Hope you have a fantastic trip!!

 

[Rylee]

I want to do mostly buffets, it is just easier with the kids. Waiting for dinner is not their best ability. Other waiting they can do, but not when they're hungry. (I was up half the night reading here and the menus)

I am going to try to get some of the ones Rylee suggested (that was a great list, thanks!)

Chef Mickey's @ the Contemporary - Mikey & Friends
Kona @ the Poly ...[I]that is not a buffet but THE DESSERTS sound so good. [/I]
Si-Fi Dine-In - Sit in cars at the drive-in movies THIS LOOKS SO CUTE!! I FOUND A PICTURE AND THE KIDS WOULD LOVE IT.
Teppan Edo in Japan looks fun!!!

Then I found the princess dinner at the Grand Floridian.
and the Narcoses (I know that looks spelled wrong)

And I want to go to the Mexico one that is inside the temple ride. I floated past it years ago, and I want to eat there.

Coral Reef - one entire wall is an aquarium, helps to keep the kids entertained so Mom and Dad can relax and enjoy.) THEY WOULD LIKE THIS ONE TOO.

And I want to eat in the castle. I dont think that is going to happen because every thing i read last night says I had to call last year to get in there.

I started with no idea where to eat, and now I think I have too many. You guys have been great.

Buffets are great for picky eaters, too.

Our youngest son (7) is quite picky and some of the children's menus are limited, so... we just feed him whenever and wherever he wants. If we are going to a restaurant, where I know he won't eat well, we feed him a CS meal right before or immediately after we dine.

Helpful tips...

Since your youngest won't be on the dining plan, she can eat from your plates, but also, you can just pay OOP, now and then, too.

If you want to dine at a signature restaurant (swipes off 2 credits) you could just do 2 CS meals one day, and pay OOP for one meal, or check prices on the menus and pay OOP for your cheapest TS meal.

Another way to stretch your dining credits is to share some CS meals... portions are usually large enough, too much, in fact, for my family. We certainly do not go out of our way to save credits, but in the Florida heat, and snacking along the way, we find we just aren't all that hungry sometimes. (At Sunshine Season in Epcot, you can get Half Rotisserie Chicken with two sides for 1 CS credit. Same deal at Cosmic Ray's at MK and Flame Tree BBQ at AK.) Sometimes for our family (6 on our next trip) we order 4 combo meals using dining credits, (share the fries and desserts, and I still throw some away) and pay OOP for 2 burgers, etc.,... saving 2 of our credits. Then, we'll use these 2 credits at another time, like for some breakfast items in the morning. (We also keep pop-tarts, granola bars, fruit snack, juice, etc. in our room.)

Have fun planning.

Let us know what you book...

Try calling early in the morning, and keep calling if something you really want is not available at first... people cancel all the time!

We'll be there from Aug. 22 - Sept. 3!

 

[PrincessMama605]

This might be a little off topic, but what has really helped me was the WDW site. It keeps track of your trip reservations, and helps you build an itinerary of what you want to do each day. You can also type in your ADR's and then print out your schedule.

This is our first trip and I am an obssesive planner!