MYW Dining Plan - Thoughts & Questions

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

They don't care if you do that at TABLE SERVICE? And here I was worried that I might end up with an extra $6 basket of chicken strips (adult) instead of a $3 peanut butter sandwich (kids)? Ok, then! Bring on the dining plan!

Thanks for all you do, Len! You guys are priceless!

 

[lentesta]

Thanks jackskellingtonsgirl. And thanks to you, susan137 and the others who voiced the idea. I'm on the phone with Disney Dining right now, and they've confirmed the "one big pool of meals" idea, including the possibility of paying cash for one member of a family. That's great news.

DD did not confirm that the Pepper Market participates in the dining plan, and they called the PM to check. I'm going to have to toss that back to Disney Media Relations. Very odd. Apparently from other posts, the restaurant is *capable* of doing it, but the word hasn't fully got out.

More news later.

Len

 

[Aevalin]

I do want to double check tho - if I check out at 11am, I have the rest of that day to use my meal credits tho correct?

 

[pooh2001]

I like the MYW dining plan - fine for DM,DH & 14 yr old DS - but... we have an 11 yr old DD who likes pizza, chicken nuggets, mac&cheese ... kids menu items. Now I would have to pay an adult price for her. So what about 3 MYW dining and 1 payee DD.

Also - we like the Dolphin - can we still get MYW dining with my 10 day park hopper pass ?

Do we have to be at a WDW resort to have MYW dining option ?

Thanks ! It's supposed to be 50 below zero here in NY tonight

Enjoy the warmth of WDW tonight !

 

[princessmomma]

I should have the UG's MYWwD page updated later today with this example, and specific steps on how to take advantage of this loophole.

Len Testa

Wow, Len where can I find the UG's MYWwD page?

 

[lentesta]

It's updated! Link: www.TouringPlans.com/MYWDining.html.

Woo hoo!

Len

 

[princessmomma]

Thanks Len, I really like your comparisons of Ohanas vs. Concourse steak house. I know Spoodles also gives you a great deal. Are there any other non-signature restaurants that you would recommend that would result in a larger savings?

Do you know if the non-alcoholic drink included in counter and sit-down meals could include smoothies, shakes or cappuccinos?

 

[lentesta]

I've asked about the smoothies - no official answer yet. In the same vein, I asked whether the flatbreads and other starters counted as appetizers, too.

As far as restaurants, the ones we listed in the article are rated at least 2.5 (out of 5) stars by our food critics, and have received at least a 75% "thumbs up" rating by our readers. The savings depend on what you order, of course. To maximize that, you'd want to stay away from any of the fixed-price offerings: 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, LTT, and so on. But then you'd be missing out on some wonderful buffets at Boma and Cape May. I'd suggest checking Deb's menus (http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm) for specific restaurants and prices.

I just noticed I should probably add the Kona Cafe to the recommendations list. Anyone see anything else I've missed? Has to be at least 2.5 stars and 75% thumbs-up in the Guide.

Len

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Does anyone know if I can book the plan for our 2 rooms (2 adults, 17year old, 12 year old and 5 year old) but my parents not book the dinning plan. They are in a seperate room but we are all using the same post card rate. I am thinking that our "pool" of meals would be enough for all of us and my parents as we often are very happy to share a meal. We can always pay cash for some too as needed. Anyway can one room have it added but not the other? Thanks!

 

[jjohnson]

I just noticed I should probably add the Kona Cafe to the recommendations list. Anyone see anything else I've missed? Has to be at least 2.5 stars and 75% thumbs-up in the Guide.

Len[/QUOTE]

Thanks for breaking this down for us. You do need to add dessert to the counter service tables.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I called today and was told that my parents room would not have to be the same package as ours since they have thier own reservation #. But our 2 rooms have the same reservation # so we would all have to be on the same package. I am thinking about getting the dinning for our family of 5 and then sharing meals with my parents. Then they can just pay for whatever extras they want. It might work for us this way and save us some money? I think I'll look at some menus to see before I book it!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

I have another question....

We have 2 adults, a 10 year old and a 7 year old. Therefore we have 3 adult meals each setting. There is no way dd, 10, can eat a three course meal. Can she share with her sister, thus saving a meal at each non-buffet sit-down?

Geesh, this is confusing!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

Another thing....

Say at Shutters for the dessert...
French Toast Bread Pudding with Bananas and Coconut Ice Cream, topped with a caramel sauce, enough for two $7.99

How will that work if it's a dessert 'enough for two'? Will it count as 2 of your desserts or one?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

This thread was very enlightening- especially since our upcoming trip I was planning on doing the dining plan but I'd have a child over age 9 that would always eat the kids menu anyway... so I wasn't sure how I was going to make this "worth it". I was planning on trying to do character meals, signature meals, etc. to try to use up the adult meals we'd have on the plan.

I read the website linked to on this thread and have a couple of questions:

3. Having a car allows you access to many good, participating restaurants, especially at Epcot, the Disney-MGM Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. Choices are much more limited if using Disney transportation.

I don't understand this. You have the same access to those restaurants at the park even if you are using Disney transportation. Your TIME may be more limited if not driving yourself, but access is not denied if using Disney transportation. So this comment has me totally confused.

Also it mentions paying out of pocket for character breakfasts like CRT and such- character meals are considered table service, no? It seems that way on the pdf file I downloaded- so couldn't you use your table service for that day on a character breakfast?

Please let me know- this may be the deal breaker for us if you can't get character breakfasts using your table service meal on the dining plan.

 

[disneyjunkie]

This thread was very enlightening- especially since our upcoming trip I was planning on doing the dining plan but I'd have a child over age 9 that would always eat the kids menu anyway... so I wasn't sure how I was going to make this "worth it". I was planning on trying to do character meals, signature meals, etc. to try to use up the adult meals we'd have on the plan.

I read the website linked to on this thread and have a couple of questions:



I don't understand this. You have the same access to those restaurants at the park even if you are using Disney transportation. Your TIME may be more limited if not driving yourself, but access is not denied if using Disney transportation. So this comment has me totally confused.

Also it mentions paying out of pocket for character breakfasts like CRT and such- character meals are considered table service, no? It seems that way on the pdf file I downloaded- so couldn't you use your table service for that day on a character breakfast?

Please let me know- this may be the deal breaker for us if you can't get character breakfasts using your table service meal on the dining plan.

You can use the dining plan for a character breakfast. However, you'll get more bang for your buck if you use the plan dinners.

Some of the character breakfast are only $17.99 (CP) while a few of the character dinners are $27.99 (1900 Park Fare). I have PS for both of these meals. I plan to pay cash for Cystal Palace and use the dining plan for 1900 Park Fare. I'm also paying out of pocket for CRT.

I'm only using our sit down options for dinners.

 

[sarahsmom73]

This is great everyone! Keep it coming! Len! You are amazing thanks for all of the great insight!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Also - we like the Dolphin - can we still get MYW dining with my 10 day park hopper pass ?

I have not seen where a guest can stay at the Swan or Dolphin and particiapte in the MYW dining.

 

[clkelley]

3. Having a car allows you access to many good, participating restaurants, especially at Epcot, the Disney-MGM Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. Choices are much more limited if using Disney transportation.



I don't understand this. You have the same access to those restaurants at the park even if you are using Disney transportation. Your TIME may be more limited if not driving yourself, but access is not denied if using Disney transportation. So this comment has me totally confused.


I agree with you on that one. The Unofficial Guide seems to preach about having your own car to enjoy the good restaurants and I have NEVER found that to be the case. I have even suggested to Bob that with a little pre-planning, it's possible to eat anywhere you wish without transportation hassles. Of course, myself and most of us on this board are not your typical guests. I never need a park map anymore, just the times guide. I know the transportation system like the back of my hand. I always stay at Values or Ft. Wilderness and have eaten at just about every restaurant on property and the resorts and ALWAYS use Disney Transport. I have even made it to Pop Century for an 8am breakfast from Ft. Wilderness using Disney Transport. So don't worry about needing your own car.

Carol

 

[WeemanMom]

I can relate to the fustration of trying to book the dining for a longer stay. We are staying 16 nights and therefore have two back to back reservations to accomodate. In order to purchase the dining, first we were told only one admission ticket had to be purchased for the room (perfect since we were thinking about purchasing Premium Annual Passes). Then we were told it was one admission ticket per person per room. If one person in the room is on the dining plan, everyone must be.

We were told the max was seven days, then we were told the max was eight days, recently we found the max was ten days.

I agree, hold onto your seats, call back often, and expect to make many changes to your reservations as WDW makes many more changes to their dining plan.

The plan was also explained to me that as a family paying for four adults (as two of my children are adult age and one is under two years old), we would receive four counter service, four snacks, and four table service per day. It was not outlined as Mom gets, Dad gets, etc, etc, etc.

 

[skiingwife]

I'm debating whether to get the MYW Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Experience (which means I have to purchase the annual pass). My husband says he doesn't want to eat big, expensive, sit down meals and buffets everyday, which is what we'd do if we had the dining plan. If we want to stick to lighter, more moderately priced food, I'm wondering if we'd be better off getting the DDE.

Has anyone compared food costs using the Dining Plan vs. the DDE?
Also, if we get the MYW dining plan, does that mean I'll be paying rack rate for the room? Or will they give a discount on the room if a code comes out?


Thanks!