Nervous about dining plan...

[turnlisa]

OK, I have been reading reviews about the dining plan. When it came out, I thought it would be a great deal for me and my family. We usually eat at all the more expensive places anyway so now it would be just taken care of. The more reviews I read about snotty waiters, exclusions because of the plan, etc. I am starting to rethink my position. If we are going to be treated lousy because of something that we paid for, maybe I should just save my money. Has anyone cancelled the dining plan because of reviews they have read here? Did anyone have a positive experience? I don't like the thought of being limited by what I can and can't order. Maybe I would be happier without it. We aren't going until February. Any hopes that it will get better by then?

 

[kitkatsnindylou]

We were not on the dining plan in September, however people around us everywhere were. I did not see anyone having a problem in fact the waite staff in most places explained everthing to the people when they sat down and offered assistance with the menu's even showing them how to exchange things on the menu for somthing else. Hope this helps.

 

[indigoxtreme]

We had exceptional service at every TS we went to and even the Cs's. We went to LeCellier, CRT, LTT, Boatwrights, Hoopdedoo, Whispering Canyon, 50's prime time. Not once were we treated badly or were we asked if we were on the Fre dining plan. They just asked if we were on the dining plan and then proceeded to tell us what all it covered, ie appetizer, meal and desert. If their was a combonation meal on the menu with everything included they explained that this was the total meal. We felt it was worth it and have again signed up for the dining plan for our anniversary trip in Feb. The trip in Sept was family with 2 22yr old a 4 yr old a 70 yr old and me and my DH. Keep the plan you will really enjoy it. The only time we had to pay oop was for an apple juice at LeCellier this was the one restaurant that did not include the juice with the meal as a drink.

 

[nowellsl]

We had nothing put positive experiences with the dining plan (and it was free). It's a great idea if you normally eat at table service resturants. I won't be able to take advantage of it for a while because we upgraded out tickets to seasonal passes in Sept. but I would probably purchase it again.

 

[maxaroni]

We had the dining plan in August (first day of free plan) and had no problems whatsoever. We had great service and didn't find the plan hard to use at all. We used our CS's for breakfast as we are more breakfast people than lunch people and a few times, we had to say something to the CM about what was included but not a big deal at all. I would use it again in a heartbeat.

I also think that when there is a negative experience, the board seems to 'run with it' and all of a sudden, ones experience became a full fledged debate. You will find good and bad experiences whereever you go. It's ones persons experience and things are very subjective.

I also found that the dining plan sounded more confusing prior to going. Once there and using it, no problems

 

[lkneller]

the dining plan is great. early on there were some negative posts about service and I was nervous too. I was prepared to have bad service, but instead we had excellent service 6 out of 7 nights. the dining plan made meal time fun. (without the dining plan, we used to spend alot of our time reading menus and trying to find the best food value for our money). this time we didn't have to spend any time doing that. it was so much more relaxing and enjoyable. we could pick what looked good, instead of selecting the least expensive item. I can't imagine ever going to disney again without it after seeing how much it improved our vacation experience.

 

[RamseyTrio]

We just came back and were on the free plan - No problems at all. It was wonderful & easy to use. We were treated so well at every place we went to. At every TS we did, the staff would comment on how to make the most of the plan (of course their tip gets bigger too with the more they encourage people to order expensive items). They all said what a great deal it was. There were a few times when we left extra for a tip for an exceptional CM. Overall we ate $1365 worth of food.

Even paying $35/$10 a day for it would be a HUGE savings for us so next time we go we'll surely be doing it again!

Enjoy it!

 

[KTSMOM]

We used the free dining plan on our trip and never had any problems with any of the waiters. In fact they would remind us that we needed to order dessert.
The only issue I would have with the dining plan was that the "snack" list seemed to vary from place to place. One place we could get my daughter an apple juice and another we couldn't. Things of that nature. Other than that there were no issues.

 

[Bashful2]

We just returned yesterday after using the dining plan and it was wonderful. Didn't have any problem with snotty waiters and waitresses. In fact, our waiter at Chefs de France very gently tried to talk us out of extra salads because we would have to pay oop for them.

Anyway, I can't figure the logic in wait staff not liking the dining plan. They get an automatic tip on more food than people usually order if they have to pay oop. Also, I'm sure there are a lot of people like us who tip extra for the good service.

 

[GC&S]

No problems either - only good experiences. No one treated us any different. The only time we had a snotty waiter was at breakfast at Spoodles and we paid OOP!! The snack credits were a little confusing as like the person said before, different places let you have different stuff. Once we figured out the snack credit "symbol" on the carts at the parks it was easier to use our credits. Not all the carts are set up to get it so just look for the symbol. We would buy this plan in the future.

 

[DisneeDazed]

We Just got back and think the dining plan is a definite winner. My gut tells me that wait staff is snotty because they are snotty, not because of the dining plan. My family enjoyed CRT, Ohana's, Crystal Palace, LeCellier, Mama Melrose and Kona, the only complaint is that we each gained 5lbs from all the food.

 

[winterman]

My wife and I used the "free" dining plan 9-27 to 10-04. We have only compliments about the plan and compliments to the servers. We never encountered any negative impressions from anybody while using both the counter service and table service meals. An extra tip was left with every TS.

Olivias, Crown & Cork, Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, Boma

We wish everyone a great trip

 

[henrylovespooh]

We used the dining plan in March and were so happy with it that we're paying for it again on our next trip one week from now. We were never treated badly or were denied anything. We ate at wonderful places that we might not have otherwise tried and tried new and different foods as well. We also saved more than $300 over the course of a week.

 

[NYMomof4]

We had a great experience with the free dining plan and I bought it for our next trip. We were treated very well and at many of the places I shared a meal with my DS or the 2 boys shared the adult meal (9 &12 yrs). I did leave an extra tip $5-10 at each restaurant but that was based on good service. It seems like everyone has had more experience with the dining plan after the free dining.