Just back used the DDP with DVC any questions?

[patsal]

Just back and used the DDP with my DVC ressie. We had no difficulty and absolutely no complaints. We did find some places interpreted the plan differently than others and at some places it varied by CM. None of this affected our enjoyment and it was well worth the $$. I hope the plan is still availbale for purchase in the future as it is something I would use again. Our party was four adults--DD and DS are 10 and 14. My children were told upfront that they could have what they wanted and not to feel they had to have an app or dessert if they did not want it, I also told them that they could order off the children's menu if they wanted to. The trip was broken up a bit so I had a 5 night w/DDP at OKW (1BR), 2 nights in studio w/out DDP and 4 nights at OKW 1BR with DDP, 2 nights AKL CL no DDP.
Summary of TS:
Crystal Palace
'Ohana
Mama Melrose
Coral Reef
Spoodles
Concourse Steakhouse
Boma
Le Cellier
Olivia's

OOP:
LTT lunch
House of Blues
Rainforest Cafe

Summary of CS:
Pinnochio's at MK
Cosmic Rays MK
Peco's Bill MK
Moracco Epcot
China Epcot
Sunshine seasons Epcot
Tusker House AK
Flatbread Grill MGM
Backlot Express MGM
Mara
All Star Sports
Earl of sandwich 2x
Peppermarket
A few drinks (margaritas, etc) were purchased OOP and some pastries in France as well--nothing was marked with the DDP symbol so we just paid OOP.
Service was excellent at all restaurants with the exception of the RFC. Using DDp I noticed no difference in the level of service or attention at any TS. Most everywhere I added a few extra $$'s to the tip to bring it to 20%.

 

[princesscrystal]

thanks for all the info! I'm glad to hear the ddp went well for your trip. At the counter service locations were you able to get a bottle of water with your meal (using a counter service credit)? There was another thread some time ago that talked about some people only being allowed fountain drinks.

 

[patsal]

We were able to get botteld water as the beverage at several locations. We were never told no, I believe the places we got the botteld water were Mara, All Star Sports, and Pinnochio's. DH had Iced tea, DS is a coke drinker, DD sprite or lemonade and I usually am the water drinker.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks, and I have one question. [ETA: actually two. ]

I've read that, if your DVC ressies are linked, the DDP was all days or nothing. It seems likely that you linked your ressies, since you went back to the same 1BR after the weekend and both OKW rooms were in the same bldg. Did you?

And if so, did you have any difficulty with getting them to do part DDP and part not?

 

[princesscrystal]

Thanks for the fast reply! I too am the water drinker of our group.

 

[Figment's friends]

Which were your favorite meals? Is there anywhere you wouldn't go next trip? Is there anywhere where you felt the CM's really went out of the way for you? Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[JimMIA]

FWIW, we were told "no" on water at EOS. Fine for snack credit, obviously, but not with a CS (the moment we were there, with that particular CM, etc, etc.).

 

[patsal]

Thanks, and I have one question. [ETA: actually two. ]

I've read that, if your DVC ressies are linked, the DDP was all days or nothing. It seems likely that you linked your ressies, since you went back to the same 1BR after the weekend and both OKW rooms were in the same bldg. Did you?

And if so, did you have any difficulty with getting them to do part DDP and part not?

I did not link the reservations. Since we had a car we really didn't care about moving. We had three separate reservations. This worked out best because credits don't expire until midnight on day of checkout so we had credits that could be used on both Fridays--We paid OOP for LTT in the middel of the second week and saved the DDP credits for Boma, and we had plenty of CS credits to use on the Friday we switched to the studio. I did have to make one call to MS and they did double check with me to be sure I didnt' want the DDP added to the studio days.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks for both the report and quick reply. Glad you had a great trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Do you remember what you had at Pinochio's Village Haus? I'm particularly wondering if you can get Figaro Fries there as part of a CS meal, rather than having to pay for them in addition. And I've heard they have some good desserts there. Also, do you remember what you ate at Coral Reef? I was just wondering, since their menu doesn't seem as big as it used to be.

 

[patsal]

Which were your favorite meals? Is there anywhere you wouldn't go next trip? Is there anywhere where you felt the CM's really went out of the way for you? Thanks in advance for any comments.

There was no where I would "not go back"
Service was exceptional at Concourse Steakhouse and the waitress was a little silly with the kids--this was our first time here and we were very pleased.
Coral Reef we had an excelelnt server that was great with DD--she showed her that there was a kids menu with apps that she might enjoy and of course the make your own sundae. The little extra time for her was appreciated and made the experience better.
Olivia's--ashamed to say it that though we've been to OKW about six times we've never eaten here. Very relaxed and comfortable. A definate must do for us.
Spoodles--just a really good time and excellent server
HOB excellent as well (though not on the DDP)

 

[patsal]

FWIW, we were told "no" on water at EOS. Fine for snack credit, obviously, but not with a CS (the moment we were there, with that particular CM, etc, etc.).

I thnk that is pretty much always at EOS--by far the strictest with the plan--perhaps it is all non-disney restaurants though as I found very strict adherance at WS as well. Oops, I forgot to add that we ate at Peppermarket--the hostess gave us strict rules about the desserts and then at checkout the CM asked why we all had cookies. I expalined what the other CM said (cookie, muffin or yogurt) and was told that I was given incorrect information since about May it was anything they have in the bakery.
At EOS it was a sandwich, a cookie, brownie or cupcake and a fountain drink.

 

[Diehl2229]

I'm glad you had a great time One question, we are on the DDP and I see you dined at the Crystal Palace and Le Cellier. We are dining at the Crystal Palace the first night for dinner and one night at Le Cellier. How was the food at the Le Cellier since I see mixed reviews about it Also how were the characters at the Crystal Palace

 

[patsal]

Do you remember what you had at Pinochio's Village Haus? I'm particularly wondering if you can get Figaro Fries there as part of a CS meal, rather than having to pay for them in addition. And I've heard they have some good desserts there. Also, do you remember what you ate at Coral Reef? I was just wondering, since their menu doesn't seem as big as it used to be.

At Pinocchios we had the pizza/salad combo meals--DD just cheese, DS cheese and pepperoni, DH and I veggie. They are not included as a part of any CS meal, but I did order figaro fries and you can use a snack credit for them.

Coral Reef:
DD ordered the crudite platter from the children's menu, NY Strip Steak (adult menu) and Make your own sundae from the children's menu.
DS ordered the caesar salad, NY strip and butterscotch brelee
DH had mixed green salad, Mahi, and butterscotch brulee
I had lobster bisque, crab cake dinner and the chocolate wave--this was a splurge day for me!
Though they do not charge 2 credits for this meal, it is a signature restaurant and the menu is more limited--I didn't notice any significant change from the last time we ate there and we eat there nearly every vacation.

 

[BCV23]

Enjoyed your report and I'm glad it worked so well for your family. We've used the DDP with DVC once so far and were very pleased as well.

It is also great to hear that you had a 10yo and the plan still worked well. And how nice of the waiter at Coral Reef to offer the kids menu to her as that would obviously affect his tip.

 

[patsal]

I'm glad you had a great time One question, we are on the DDP and I see you dined at the Crystal Palace and Le Cellier. We are dining at the Crystal Palace the first night for dinner and one night at Le Cellier. How was the food at the Le Cellier since I see mixed reviews about it Also how were the characters at the Crystal Palace

CP was pretty much the usual. Character interaction there is very good, but it can be as laid back as you would like as well. These characters are pretty in tune with how much or little time you want with them. We saw everyone and posed for a few brief pictures. The food was plentiful and fresh. This was ourt first time for dinner, the only thing I found unusual was that the dessert table always seemed empty--not so much as a result of the staff, but the families bringing plates piled high with cookies and brownies back to the table. Travel is back up to pre 911 levels and every place was packed--we were spoiled over the past few years and had to get used to the elbow to elbow crowds again.

Le Cellier was very good as well. This was the longest we waited for our table--about 20 minutes after checking in. Our Hostess didn't really know much about Ontario (where we were seated) and I was surprised that she had never been there but she was surprised that I had been! The food was good, but the server was rushed. What I love about places like Le Cellier and Coral Reef is that you are not stuffed to the gills when you enjoy a liesurely three course meal. Serving sizes are just right and you can comfortably continue through world showcase. The kids had the Maple glazed filet with cream cheese potatoes and DH and I had the mushroom filet with risotto. we all had cheese soup--DD and DS did not finish it as they were really enjoying the pretzel bread. The kids had the sorbet for dessert, DH had the strawberry dessert with the balsamic reduction, and I had the maple brulee. Dh had beer and I had wine. As I said service was not poor, but it was rushed.

 

[patsal]

Enjoyed your report and I'm glad it worked so well for your family. We've used the DDP with DVC once so far and were very pleased as well.

It is also great to hear that you had a 10yo and the plan still worked well. And how nice of the waiter at Coral Reef to offer the kids menu to her as that would obviously affect his tip.

I was thinking that too, but for DD she doesn't feel pressure to do anything she doesn't want to, so I guess an app from the kids menu and dessert from the kids menu made for a better tip than no app and no dessert would have!

 

[frannn]

I was hoping you could elaborate on what you got & what you could have gotten at China's and Sunshine Season's CS. I have been to Lotus Blossom OOP a handful of times, but wondering what is included on the DP (like if you order one of their "bowl" items, do you get a side, or does the rice in the bowl count as the side?

 

[patsal]

I was hoping you could elaborate on what you got & what you could have gotten at China's and Sunshine Season's CS. I have been to Lotus Blossom OOP a handful of times, but wondering what is included on the DP (like if you order one of their "bowl" items, do you get a side, or does the rice in the bowl count as the side?

Lotus Blossom was strictly an entree, dessert and drink. DD loves the orange chicken here so it was a must for her. She had the orange chicken bowl, almond cookies, and a medium fountain drink. The total with tax was just over $10.00.

Sunshine Seasons was more generous. You could have a combo platter or a sandwich. We chose sandwiches and were told at checkout to take a bag of chips or fruit for a side which we did not expect. We chose ice cream for our dessert and it was strongly suggested that we get it right away rather than come back for it because it was so very busy. We were able to get bottled water here as well.

 

[CherylA]

Not to jump in on this thread but I had wanted to mention ofter my trip in May when we stayed at OKW and had the dining plan with DVC. We found Olivias to be very strict about the dining plan. We ate here for breakfast and you couldn't get fruit or yogurt as an appetizer or dessert. It was just your main meal and a drink. Never had table service breakfast anywhere else on the dining plan so I don't know if maybe its a breakfast thing. Just thought someone might like to know.