Just returned, found out some stuff I thought I would share

[ccreighton]

Had a great week in FQ, and while in the parks I learned a few things. First is that in Epcot Living seas will be closed in 2-3 weeks for updating, and the guy who told me (late at night during magic hours and only 7 people in the whole crush show) said it hasnt been released he didnt think because they had just made the decision.

Second, we learned the second day if you on the dining plan and have children, you do NOT need to order off the childrens menu. My daughter didnt like the hot dog idea the first day, and the manager of FQ food court let me in on a secret of they dont keep childrens lunches and dinners seperate from adult, its all lumped together. So the rest of the week she ordered off the adult menu for cheeseburgers and such and didnt have a problem. If the counter person questions it just insist on it and they will put it through. Ended the week with no extra charges.

Also if you want to do lots of character dinners do not skip the dining plan, it more than pays for itself just in those.

Also as a hint, if epcot and MK both have a magic hour at night (wed i believe) go to epcot. It will seem like you are alone. We did this and watched crush three times in a row, rode soaring three times without unloading!!!!

Just a great week. If you have any questions I will be happy to try and answer. I will watch this thread for the next few days.

We were totally immersed in the parks for 7 days, from opening to close with about a 2 hour break in the afternoon

 

[Miss Kelly]

Had a great week in FQ, and while in the parks I learned a few things. First is that in Epcot Living seas will be closed in 2-3 weeks for updating, and the guy who told me (late at night during magic hours and only 7 people in the whole crush show) said it hasnt been released he didnt think because they had just made the decision. Actually that information has been reported here several times. It's not really a secret.

Second, we learned the second day if you on the dining plan and have children, you do NOT need to order off the childrens menu. My daughter didnt like the hot dog idea the first day, and the manager of FQ food court let me in on a secret of they dont keep childrens lunches and dinners seperate from adult, its all lumped together. So the rest of the week she ordered off the adult menu for cheeseburgers and such and didnt have a problem. If the counter person questions it just insist on it and they will put it through. Ended the week with no extra charges. Again, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but I've heard of the lumping of adults and childrens dining plan credits since the first day of the dining plan.

Also if you want to do lots of character dinners do not skip the dining plan, it more than pays for itself just in those.

Also as a hint, if epcot and MK both have a magic hour at night (wed i believe) go to epcot. It will seem like you are alone. We did this and watched crush three times in a row, rode soaring three times without unloading!!!! Wow! That sounds really great.

Just a great week. If you have any questions I will be happy to try and answer. I will watch this thread for the next few days.

We were totally immersed in the parks for 7 days, from opening to close with about a 2 hour break in the afternoon

I'm glad you and your family had a wonderful trip.

 

[NCombs]

That's funny the CM acted like the Living Seas refurbishment was not well known information yet. That's been published for a few weeks now.

If you want lots of heated debate about the dining credits, head over to the Restaurant board.

Glad to hear you had a great trip. I wish it was me!!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

This may sound silly, but I had no idea that they have extra hours at more than one park. Silly me!! So now knowing that, I'll take your advice when we go in Jan.

 

[DebbieB]

This may sound silly, but I had no idea that they have extra hours at more than one park. Silly me!! So now knowing that, I'll take your advice when we go in Jan.

I think that may have only been during the busy summer months. September & October schedules are back to 1 park per night.

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm

 

[RyMickey]

This may sound silly, but I had no idea that they have extra hours at more than one park. Silly me!! So now knowing that, I'll take your advice when we go in Jan.

Hate to burst your bubble on this, but...this was just a mid-summer event/test run. They only did this for a few weeks and for only one night a week. It's possible that they'll continue, but as of right now, there are no "two parks in one night" e-nights scheduled through October.

 

[jugglinfish]

I have to say we were at MK the same night there was evening EMH at Ecpot and the MK, and we thought MK was pretty empty as well - we thought everyone was over at Epcot. How funny!

 

[PandyPaws]

Hate to burst your bubble on this, but...this was just a mid-summer event/test run. They only did this for a few weeks and for only one night a week. It's possible that they'll continue, but as of right now, there are no "two parks in one night" e-nights scheduled through October.

As of right now, next week's schedule is showing AK & MGM both having an evening EMH on Aug 23

 

[ccreighton]

haha sorry to not be so "up" on the latest breaking news. Just going on what the guy there said so I thought I would pass it on.

I do know that the dining thing is right. If you have kids that want stuff from the adult menu, go ahead.

I just wish there were more villians out but alas, they say during october is the month for them

 

[freakylick]

Second, we learned the second day if you on the dining plan and have children, you do NOT need to order off the childrens menu.

You do NOT need to order off the childrens menu if you pay out of pocket. But if there is a childrens menu, all dining plan information says that children MUST order off of the childrens menu while on the dining plan. If a CM tells you otherwise, they are encouraging you to break to rules of the plan. I won't get into morality issues here because those have been dealt with extensively in other threads. I just want to clarify that you DO need to order off the childrens menu...if the CM tells you to try to get away with it, then it's up to your own set of morals as to whether or not to do it.

(The above comments put the childs appetizer issue aside as there are interpretation issues there.)

 

[ccreighton]

You do NOT need to order off the childrens menu if you pay out of pocket. But if there is a childrens menu, all dining plan information says that children MUST order off of the childrens menu while on the dining plan. If a CM tells you otherwise, they are encouraging you to break to rules of the plan. I won't get into morality issues here because those have been dealt with extensively in other threads. I just want to clarify that you DO need to order off the childrens menu...if the CM tells you to try to get away with it, then it's up to your own set of morals as to whether or not to do it.

(The above comments put the childs appetizer issue aside as there are interpretation issues there.)

IF WDW offered something other than hot dog at almost EVERY childs menu, and IF there was some good varience, then I would agree.

But when it comes down to my child not eating a lunch, or eating something that ISNT on a two choice childs menu (hot dog or cold chicken plate) then I am ordering off the adult menu

There are many other things to have confrontations with your children about. IF they put in a system where I would pay the $2 or $3 differance then fine, I would pay it.

But for WDW, for 5 lunches, for EVERY CM to tell me to just order what the child wants and not worry about it, then wake up and smell the coffee. I guess you can follow the official line if it makes you feel better, but I will do what I consider best for my child. Everytime. And getting food into her so she can continue to enjoy the park is a priority. No gas int he tank, the car stops running.

 

[NCombs]

See, ccreighton, I told you people get very touchy about the child credits for some reason. You did what you were told you could do. It doesn't sound like anyone was trying to encourage you to "get away" with something.

Freakylick, please lets not stir up this debate on this board. It's been done to death in other places.

Have a nice evening everyone.

 

[Miss Kelly]

But if there is a childrens menu, all dining plan information says that children MUST order off of the childrens menu while on the dining plan. If a CM tells you otherwise, they are encouraging you to break to rules of the plan. I won't get into morality issues here because those have been dealt with extensively in other threads. I just want to clarify that you DO need to order off the childrens menu...if the CM tells you to try to get away with it, then it's up to your own set of morals as to whether or not to do it.

 

[Luv2Roam]

WHAT! Children ORDERING Adult meals at the suggestion of a CM! That's CRAZY TALK! What is The World coming to?
The Living Seas being closed soon has even been on the Disney website for weeks. Not laughing at you. Just getting a chuckle on the inside scoop someone thought they had.

Glad you had a great week!

 

[ahappydisneymommy]

Thank you for the info. It's too bad some people have nothing better to do then squabble about specifics. I mean, it's a dining plan not the death penalty we are talking about here. Glad you had a great trip.

 

[daisy_77]

Glad you had a great trip! Thanks for sharing your info!!

 

[tnkrbell]

GREAT info thanks!!! Im also happy you had a nice trip! Im looking forward to our trip in Jan and I will take you hints into consideration!!+

 

[freakylick]

I was very cordial in my response. I did not judge. I put all morality aside and said to do whatever your own morals dictate. I never mentioned my viewpoint. I was only trying to illustrate that what was said ("if you on the dining plan and have children, you do NOT need to order off the childrens menu.") was a contradiction to what was printed in Disney media on the subject.


Continue on everyone...I am not so gracefully bowing out of this conversation as it seems as though I am not welcome.

 

[IwovMickey]

Thank you for letting us know how things went for you. I'm glad you had a good time. I'm really disappointed that living sea's will be closed. I loved it there. I will just have to have DH take me back next year! Again thank's and sorry some people had to ride you like that. I for one am grateful.

 

[Briarmom]

Glad you had a great trip! Is Crush at Living Seas? I really don't want to miss it in Nov.

Thanks!