If I had it to do over again, and yes, it really is ALOT of food

[kcrew]

I memorized menus, I read hundreds(thousands?) of reviews, and I read the dining board for hours on end and I still didn't get it right!

1. Even though we are big eaters(overeaters ) it really, really is a lot of food. We left 18 snack credits, and 13 CS. I definitely mismanaged. Not to mention the suitcase full of untouched snack and breakfast items. I think the biggest factor here was time. We were constantly rushing, rushing and we just didn't get up early enough to eat breakfast. Snacks were too time consuming. We nerver wanted to waste the time to sit and eat an ice cream, or stand in line for other snack items. I had my kids share snacks sometimes-I shouldn't have bothered. We asked for free ice water rather than use credits for drinks-again we shouldn't have bothered. We shared lunches-we shouldn't have bothered, although desserts often went in the garbage and we didn't finish meals as it was. We never bothered to share TS. What would have been the point?

2. There was me, DH, DM and DS's 6,8,9. I purchased the adult plan for the 2 older boys. This was a smart move for us. The kids TS meals were small for the most part, appetizer choices were limited or nonexistent, and they definitely would have been unhappy with the child plan. We ate at all menu TS(7 nights). This was a mistake. The food just wasn't worth the time investment. No place was really that good. There was never a night everyone could find something they liked on the menu. Night after night entire entrees were thrown away. Someone was always unhappy. It was a huge disappointment for us. We should have just done buffets or even CS. We ate at Kona, Spoodles, Mama Melrose, Marrakesh, Tony's, Grand Floridian, and Coral Reef. I would be happy to answer questions or give specifics on any of these places it anyone is interested.

3. That being said, the dining plan (free) was a fantastic deal. I would just manage it differently next time. I doubt I would pay for it however.

 

[dnoyes]

But did you have a good time?

I like your review, honest and to the point. It is free and that's the way we're looking at it too. If we want to eat where we made ADRs 5 months ago we will, if we don't feel like a big meal because it's hot or we're tired then we can hit the food court for a quick fix and give the ADR to someone who wants it.

Sounds like you left a few credits on the table? I think that's a better idea then trying to use them all just because you can and turning your trip in to a mission rather then a vacation. Hope you had a good time at Disney

 

[kcrew]

But did you have a good time?

I like your review, honest and to the point. It is free and that's the way we're looking at it too. If we want to eat where we made ADRs 5 months ago we will, if we don't feel like a big meal because it's hot or we're tired then we can hit the food court for a quick fix and give the ADR to someone who wants it.

Sounds like you left a few credits on the table? I think that's a better idea then trying to use them all just because you can and turning your trip in to a mission rather then a vacation. Hope you had a good time at Disney

Yes, we did have a good time, and now I know what I would do differently! Again, FREE!!!!

 

[Delaware Mike]

We left 18 snack credits, and 13 CS. I definitely mismanaged.

Thank you for your honest posting. DW and I leave in (look below)...that many days...to enjoy free DDP. We're both so excited, and love reading about everyone's experiences!

I don't think you mismanaged at all. Honestly, after reading DDP posts for several months now, I've arrived at the opinion one must keep sight of the original intention of a WDW trip. It's about having fun, relaxation, time with loved ones, and time to recharge from life's everyday pressures. It's not about food...

Credits were left behind...no problem, as long as you eat enough to ensure you had a great time, that's what's important.

I'm glad you had a great time.

 

[aubriee]

I love what he said. When all the hubabaloo came out about a month ago concerning possibly not being able to share on the DDP, I almost rebooked alot of my ADRs, but then came to the same conclusions as Delaware Mike. We prefer TS and so what if we have to pay for some meals OOP. Most of our meals are going to be free. We are not even going to try to share now (unless one of us is simply not hungry one night). We have fifteen TS meals planned for eight nights, so know we are going to be paying for seven meals OOP. We'll have some CS credits leftover and maybe some snacks, but we are eating what we want, having fun, and relaxing with loved ones and over half of our meals are going to be on Disney.


To OP if you had fun that's all that matters.

 

[kmcqueen]

I love what he said. When all the hubabaloo came out about a month ago concerning possibly not being able to share on the DDP, I almost rebooked alot of my ADRs, but then came to the same conclusions as Delaware Mike. We prefer TS and so what if we have to pay for some meals OOP. Most of our meals are going to be free. We are not even going to try to share now (unless one of us is simply not hungry one night). We have fifteen TS meals planned for eight nights, so know we are going to be paying for seven meals OOP. We'll have some CS credits leftover and maybe some snacks, but we are eating what we want, having fun, and relaxing with loved ones and over half of our meals are going to be on Disney.


To OP if you had fun that's all that matters.

We also found that there was too much food when we stayed for 2 weeks at the Poly in mid-august. We took the following approach: For breakfast we ordered two "Big Kahuna's" at Captain Cooks. This gave enough eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, etc etc for the 4 of us (myself, wife, son 13 and daughter 15). While my wife was ordering breakfast I would get a couple of coffees for us at the Kona Cafe (far better coffee and worth paying for). While we were at the parks we would order 2 lunches and share amongst the four of us. Even sharing two lunches there would sometimes be too much food for us. We then would use 4 TS for dinner. It all depends on how much you eat I guess...I just can't believe the amount of food that would be given to us for one meal! I think O'Hanas was the worst for that. We felt terribly guilty about not eating everything, but it just wasn't possible for us!

 

[paulh]

I just can't believe the amount of food that would be given to us for one meal! I think O'Hanas was the worst for that. We felt terribly guilty about not eating everything, but it just wasn't possible for us!

We couldent beleve what we left on the table after we eat there
Paulh

 

[dodukes]

!

It's about having fun, relaxation, time with loved ones, and time to recharge from life's everyday pressures. It's not about food...

Can i just tell you that you had me cracking up cuz to me Disney is all about eating..well to me anything is about eating.. my coworkers laugh cuz i tell them that for my two upcoming trips i am most excited about the free dining and cant wait to go eat.....really seriously my one big exciting for my two trips one in which we are leaving in just 10 hours...lol..and one at the end of them month is the fact that i can eat all i want for free....

 

[Mom of 3]

Quote: There was me, DH, DM and DS's 6,8,9. I purchased the adult plan for the 2 older boys.

I was curious how this works as we also have the free dining plan but would have happily paid for my DS6 to have the adult plan as I know he won't eat the stuff on most kids menus. Do you pay the difference between the free kids plan and the cost of the adult plan?

Some of you may think it's crazy to have an adult plan for a 6 year old but I think a lot of the choices are healthier on the adult menu as well as being more appealing. Yes, he may not eat $39 worth of food a day but eating is a big deal to my kids and if it made him happy it would be worth it. My kids like adult food. They don't like chicken nuggets and burgers all the time.

Thanks.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

you had to book them as a child over 10 i believe and then pay for the tadult ticket. that's what i am assuming at least!

 

[Brygida]

2. There was me, DH, DM and DS's 6,8,9. I purchased the adult plan for the 2 older boys. This was a smart move for us. The kids TS meals were small for the most part, appetizer choices were limited or nonexistent, and they definitely would have been unhappy with the child plan. We ate at all menu TS(7 nights). This was a mistake. The food just wasn't worth the time investment. No place was really that good. There was never a night everyone could find something they liked on the menu. Night after night entire entrees were thrown away. Someone was always unhappy. It was a huge disappointment for us. We should have just done buffets or even CS. We ate at Kona, Spoodles, Mama Melrose, Marrakesh, Tony's, Grand Floridian, and Coral Reef. I would be happy to answer questions or give specifics on any of these places it anyone is interested.

I hate to say it, but you picked at least 5 restaurants that are know for low-quality food (Spoodles, Mama's, Tony's, GF, Coral Reef). I would have been very unhappy on your meal plan too!

I wonder if your response would have been different if you had picked more high-quality food TS's. They are all fairly accurately rated in the Unofficial Guide. (e.g. Akershus, Boma, Teppanyaki, Chefs De France, Raglan Road).

 

[kcrew]

Can i just tell you that you had me cracking up cuz to me Disney is all about eating..well to me anything is about eating.. my coworkers laugh cuz i tell them that for my two upcoming trips i am most excited about the free dining and cant wait to go eat.....really seriously my one big exciting for my two trips one in which we are leaving in just 10 hours...lol..and one at the end of them month is the fact that i can eat all i want for free....

I'm sorry to say that life is about food for me too! I love McDonalds to escargot and everything in between. However, for my familty, and the TS we chose, I found the dining experience to just be a waste of our time. But, it was free! However, every night when the bill came my husband and I was just be incredulous that people actually pay out of pocket for these meals!

 

[kcrew]

Quote: There was me, DH, DM and DS's 6,8,9. I purchased the adult plan for the 2 older boys.

I was curious how this works as we also have the free dining plan but would have happily paid for my DS6 to have the adult plan as I know he won't eat the stuff on most kids menus. Do you pay the difference between the free kids plan and the cost of the adult plan?

Some of you may think it's crazy to have an adult plan for a 6 year old but I think a lot of the choices are healthier on the adult menu as well as being more appealing. Yes, he may not eat $39 worth of food a day but eating is a big deal to my kids and if it made him happy it would be worth it. My kids like adult food. They don't like chicken nuggets and burgers all the time.

Thanks.

The only way that Disney can currently handle this situation is to book a younger child as a 10 year old. You do not lie about your child's age or need to do anything sneaky/unethical as some others have suggested. When you book (or I'm sure you can make a change) you say that you wish to book your 6yo as an adult(10yo). I'm sure that someone will chime in that Disney will then have your child in their system as 4 years older than they really are, and you will have to age your child with Disney to infinity and beyond. That's ridiculous. In the future if you want the child's age corrected you tell them it's wrong! You have a birth certificate!
You then have to pay for the adult park ticket which for us was an additional $35 per child(for a 1o day ticket). Because of free dining we paid nothing else! If you were going without the free dining promo then you would pay for not only the adult park ticket, but also the adult meal plan.

I never had any problems at Disney and no inquiries about ages were ever made. When checking in for meals they always ask how many adults and children, I would tell them 5 and 1 and the 2 older boys would be handed adult menus. I didn't bother to get the adult plan for my 6yo because he really only eats "kids" fare.

I would definitely look into it if I were you! Hope that helps!

 

[kcrew]

I hate to say it, but you picked at least 5 restaurants that are know for low-quality food (Spoodles, Mama's, Tony's, GF, Coral Reef). I would have been very unhappy on your meal plan too!

I wonder if your response would have been different if you had picked more high-quality food TS's. They are all fairly accurately rated in the Unofficial Guide. (e.g. Akershus, Boma, Teppanyaki, Chefs De France, Raglan Road).

Hmmm....well, dining is so subjective I guess, who's to tell? As I stated, I read reviews until my head was spinning! For every rave review on a restaurant there was a scathing one. Currently on the 1st couple of pages of the review board there are glowing reports on Spoodles, GF, and Coral Reef! I can't believe we actually were in the same places!

I think the major problem was that the choices at each restaurant are so limited (most with only 6 entrees), that it was almost impossible for all 6 of us to find something we liked/wanted. It was more of a process of elimiation. Many entrees were thrown away. It also seemed after a couple of nights, that every menu had the same dishes with slight variations!! Great if you love steak, but I don't care if I ever eat one!

BTW, we had breakfast at the Crystal Palace the morning that we left. It was the only meal we were all happy!

So much for my grand plan to give my children a true "dining experience"!!rotfl: We should have just ate at buffets every night!

 

[Delaware Mike]

Can i just tell you that you had me cracking up cuz to me Disney is all about eating..well to me anything is about eating.. my coworkers laugh cuz i tell them that for my two upcoming trips i am most excited about the free dining and cant wait to go eat.....really seriously my one big exciting for my two trips one in which we are leaving in just 10 hours...lol..and one at the end of them month is the fact that i can eat all i want for free....

Some people see the rays of sunshine while others see only the clouds. To each their own, I guess...

...enjoy your trips.

 

[sherreis]

That's why I am so confused. From reading the reviews and the menus I have selected our ADRs. Just when I think I'm happy with the reviews of a certain place, I'll read a bad review followed by many others. What's the planning person of the family to do?

As to the selections being limited - is that just the whole menu or do they have only certain selections allowed for DDP?????

We're eating at a fair amount of buffets so we will have more choices but then you have the downfalls of it being a buffet. DS10 who will be DS11 by trip time is excited about having more options to eat by not having to eat chicken nuggets. He doesn't know it but he will be sharing some of his food with DS6 so that so much food won't go to waste.

Our ADRs are at Cape May Cafe for clambake (that's the only place I could get that will seat 9 as we'll have extra people with us that night), Garden Grill, Coral Reef, H&V, Le Cellier, CP-dinner, Ohanas - breakfast

 

[jessica52877]

If I remember right it seems that all the kids choices aren't just mac and cheese and nuggets. My son doesn't care for those either, mainly it is table service I am speaking of, counter service kids menus need help. But don't most restaurants have one "normal" kids entree? Steak at Concourse, chicken at Tepanaki (sp?) and so on?

We go the end of this month so I guess I'll experience it first hand, I'll also share with my son if there is nothing he likes, they are welcome to take a credit for it too. I won't feed him "junk" just because it is what they offer. I normally still hardly purchase a meal for him, he is not yet 4 though!

 

[dsneygirl]

I don't think you mismanaged at all. Honestly, after reading DDP posts for several months now, I've arrived at the opinion one must keep sight of the original intention of a WDW trip. It's about having fun, relaxation, time with loved ones, and time to recharge from life's everyday pressures. It's not about food...

I have to respectfully disagree. WDW has some wonderful dining reservations and its something DH and I really look forward too. Also eating an ice cream and watching the crowds go by on Main St is one of the simple pleasures of a WDW vacation. I guess everyone has different ideas about what is important on their vacation.

 

[Karel]

I hear you, OP.

I thought I had every thing figured out but we still paid a lot for OOP food. Part of that was my husband - he's a smart man, really, but couldn't grasp the whole free food thing. I thought I was going to burst a blood vessel when he paid money at the France bakery.

Things like using snack credits for breakfast I could have done better. But we did save up enough TS from my daughter (even though she's considered an adult, we paid for her TS kid meals) that we had enough for a last day extra meal.

But we liked the dining very much - great to tell our teens boys order whatever you want - and would pay for it.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Spoodles...low quality food???? I think not. Some of the restaurant choices just have a more limited menu that isn't appealing to everyone especially young adults It is so much easier when the kids can eat kid food and you only have to please the adults