how exactly does the dining plan work?

[rsjj]

ok...so we're going to wdw for the very first time, and we have our dining plan. my question is...do we each get our own card (like a debit card?) that we just show the waiter and they scan it, to deduct our snack credit or table service credit or counter service credit out of it? or maybe the system is something completely different? thanx in advance!

 

[PictureJumpr]

All credits for your party/room are stored on all room keys/keys to the kingdom cards. The same card which holds your park tickets, and which opens the door to your resort room.

To use credits, you only need to present the cashier/waiter one of the cards, and all applicable credits will be applied to your bill. In most cases, this will zero out your tab and you will be on your way.

At TS restaurants, you will be asked to sign a slip which resembles a credit card charge slip to acknowledge the use of your credits. Anything extra, like adult beverages or appetizers or such, will be due and can be paid with cash, credit card, room charge, etc. You can handle the gratuity in similar fashion, either paying it in cash or charging it to a credit card or your room charge account.

At CS restaurants, the cashier will scan one of your cards and hand you a receipt which shows the credits used and the credits remaining. If you have extra items, or items not covered by the credits, then the cashier will give you that total and you pay it using cash or credit or room charge.

Snack redemption works just like CS redemption, with the cashier presenting you a receipt showing credits used and credits remaining for your party's cumulative account.


Any member of your party/room can present their card to cover everyone's meals. It only requires one card to take care of the tab. Many people who have room charging privileges on the adults' cards will present a child's card (without room charging privileges) when using dining credits to avoid having the meal be mistakenly charged to the room charge account instead of the dining credits. We've never had problems with credits or charging errors, but some folks have and it sounds like a good careful way to avoid it if you are concerned.

 

[a total tink]

The Disney Dining plan is amazing. When you check in you are given a key to the world which is really just like a hotel room card or store card. Each member in your party is given their own card with their name on it. If you have the DDP you are entitled to 1 table service meal, 1 counter service and 1 snack per night of your stay. There is a list of participating restraunts on the WDW website dining section and it's a huge list so there is something for everyone. You can check out restaurant reviews on the dis boards and many have posted pics. It is best if you choose DDP to make ADR (advanced dinner reservations) as soon as possible ( you can book up to 6 months in advance) as the really popular ones fill up quickly. At the beggining of your meal just tell them you have DDP and they'll let you know if something on the menu is not included, it is very rare that something is not so don't worry about that (alcohol is extra but soft drinks or milk is included). At the end of the meal they will take your key to the world card and scan it which takes off the meal. It is not necessary for everyone in your party to have their card if your in the same room as (example party of 4 in same room it would take off 4 meals). New to the DDP is that you now pay the tip. The tip is automatically charged to your bill and they give you the choice of 18% or 20% and this you must pay to your server. They also have you sign a receipt and give you a copy. The key card is also your hotel room key and don't worry if you lose it, it can easily be replaced from the concierge at your hotel. We usually go to WDW in September and the DDP is free as a promotion. Last year I travelled with myself and three teenagers who kept count of how much our meals would have cost if we had to pay and by the end of the week we were at an estimated 1479.00 not including snacks. Even for those who pay it is a great deal and a nice feeling to not have to keep shelling out money every couple of hours. One other quick thing as this is becomming a book, the meals are so plentiful that we often just grabed a muffin or piece of fruit (can count as a snack) from the hotel for breakfast and had a fairly early lunch and because lunches are so big we were fine until dinner. Have a fun trip

 

[rsjj]

thanx for the info! do the cards have our names on them? that sounds like a good idea...to use a child's card for meals.

another question...what happens if our DSs won't be w/us on one night. they'll be having dinner w/my DB & family, while we (DH & i) have dinner alone. do we just give my DB one of our cards? the one w/DSs name on it? my DB & family also have the dining plan...i guess they'll have to explain it to the waiter/cashier, so they can deduct the credits from the correct cards.

again, thanx for the info!

 

[a total tink]

Ha Ha...you just beat me to it...and said it more clearly than me ....Have a good night

 

[a total tink]

yes, if your son is not with you just give him the card with his name and the'll deduct his meal. Your brother can give his own card. It is all very simple and all the servers know of the plan and how it works. Many times there are several groups dining at the same table and each party gives their own card. You shouldn't have any trouble, it's Disney they make everything simple.