NEW! Universal Dining Plan Starting July 1!

[-Hope-]

Did you have to buy a three day ticket?

I'm not sure if the system would have allowed me to change it or not. The three day base ticket is the default when you select the package and that's exactly what we needed so I didn't attempt to change it. I'd just go into the system and see what happens when you change the number of days. Good luck!

 

[Planogirl]

I think that it would be easy to eat in the parks with this plan but not so much in Citywalk. We could eat at Pat O'Briens but otherwise... Is the Bob Marley restaurant any good?

 

[Dynamoliz]

We have booked the package that includes 2 days of free dining for offsite partner hotels. The package also includes early entry, and our tixs will include Wet N Wild. I looked at a lot of different options prior to booking, including onsite, vacation homes, other hotels, buying tix separately etc., but this really does seem to be decent value, and a way of getting early entry without the expense of staying onsite. We are travelling with our adult daughter and didn't want to be sharing a standard style hotel room ... no privacy ... so we needed a place with two bedrooms, and there were several properties offered to choose from that suited us, and so it really did seem like the 2 days of free dining were indeed free. We're staying 6 nights and so it is not like we are just stuck eating at the free dining designated restaurants our entire trip. I'm sure there will be enough variety offered to keep us all happy. This is the first time I've booked a "package" so we'll see how it goes. It will be our first time back since WWOHP opened and our first HHN. We will have a fabulous time I'm sure!

 

[Dynamoliz]

I do wish that we could see somewhere online what menu items will be available on the plan. You can see all the participating restos, but the UOR rep that I spoke with did say that not all items are on the plan. My daughter is vegetarian and I was hoping to know ahead of time her best options. So if anyone is there ahead of us (end of Sept!) I'd appreciate any info you can provide!

 

[Rileygirl]

There is a couple of threads on the Universal hotel forum about the dining plan. I think someone mentioned that a TM informed them that everything would be available on the dining plan restaraunts except for lobster dishes.... Not that this is something to base your plans on, take it for what its worth.

However, some TMs are more helpful then others, so it may be a good idea to call again, and talk to them specifically regarding vegetarian dishes and the dining plan. Maybe ask to speak to a manager if you get no where with the tm...

HTH

 

[Dynamoliz]

Thanks Rileygirl. We're not too worried about lack of higher priced entrees for ourselves, but it is good to know that if a veg'n dish is on the menu it is likely to still be included in the dining plan. I was told that veg'ns can be accommodated at "most" restaurants ... The vegetarian options are a bit blah at UOR as it is, so if the few items that appeal to her weren't available it would be disappointing. But ... she can live on veggie burgers if necessary for a few days! We'll probaby use our free dining credits for breakfast and lunch one day, so on that day she can at least look forward to a decent dinner somewhere!

 

[-Hope-]

I do wish that we could see somewhere online what menu items will be available on the plan. You can see all the participating restos, but the UOR rep that I spoke with did say that not all items are on the plan. My daughter is vegetarian and I was hoping to know ahead of time her best options. So if anyone is there ahead of us (end of Sept!) I'd appreciate any info you can provide!

The rep I spoke with told me that everything on the menu EXCEPT lobster dishes is included if the restaurant is on the plan.

 

[Dynamoliz]

Thanks Hope! This helps me with my plans!

 

[Seeker615]

I'm just wondering if paying for the dining plan would be worth it. I looked at the sit down places and tried to calculate in my head if we would get our moneys worth.

For adults is about 46.00 per day.

Meal at a sit down place would run around 20 -25 with drinks and dessert.
Counter service is around $10-12? (I am guessing)
Then there is drinks and a snack $10?

That would be about 47 dollars.

I noticed that there is a lot of cheaper options on the menus as well. I just wonder if we would get our money's worth if we opted for cheaper meals like burgers or sandwiches at the sit down places.

 

[macraven]

hopefully, someone that has used the dining plan will post about it.


i'm waiting to see the reviews and opnions of the new dining plan for those that paid for it.

 

[-Hope-]

With the limited restaurant options I probably wouldn't pay that price but I think everyone has different priorities. A friend of mine likes the DDP because she doesn't want to think about food prices on vacation and would rather pay ahead of time. I'm more interested in the best bargain. We're booked with free dining in just 37 days and it was a good deal for us because it's FREE, lol. I will absolutely report back with our experience as soon as we get back.

 

[jlines]

Has anyone tried the dining plan yet? I want details! I've talked to 2 CS reps and read a few blogs yet am still not clear on how it really works. Its been out for almost 2 months - certainly someone has used it and can provide details?

 

[-Hope-]

At this point we haven't heard back a word (and I've asked on other sites as well). We'll be trying it out for 2 of our 3 park days in just a few weeks. In the mesntime, I've spoken with a few TMs myself so may have some info even though its not first hand (yet). What specifically do you want to know?

 

[mousefan5]

Is the entree and dessert selection limited?

 

[macraven]

when the dining plan was first advertised, it stated dessert was house choice.



but, no one has come to the boards to state if they did the dining plan and their first hand thoughts about it.

 

[-Hope-]

The TM I spoke to didn't have info on the dessert (she was willing to check but I wasn't interested enough to be put on hold). She did have info about entrees, snacks and drinks though. She stated that lobster dishes are excluded from the dining plan but all other entrees are included. She also stated that snacks are available at some restaurants not listed on the dining plan for a full meal, including almost all non-entree menu items. Butterbeer, for example, is included (I think from a cart, not 3 Broomsticks or The Hogs Head). However since it's a "premium beverage" it requires a snack credit instead of a drink credit. HTH!

 

[jlines]

My biggest question is whether it works like the DDP - can the credits be spread out or do all 4 components have to be used in one day. With the 2 day free offer you have to stay 4 nights and get 3 day tickets so it would be nice if the meals could be spread out over the 3 days, especially since our lodging choice includes breakfast.

 

[-Hope-]

My understanding, from the TM I spoke with, is that it can be spread out.

 

[jlines]

My understanding, from the TM I spoke with, is that it can be spread out.

That's why I'd like to hear from someone that has used it. I've had 2 CSR's tell me they can't yet read that others have talked to one that said yes. We are going to do the FD offer anyway, but I'd like to be able to plan.

 

[Dynamoliz]

That's why I'd like to hear from someone that has used it. I've had 2 CSR's tell me they can't yet read that others have talked to one that said yes. We are going to do the FD offer anyway, but I'd like to be able to plan.

I was told by a CSR that the credits can be spread over your stay ... eg if you have the 2 day Free Dining pkg you don't have to use them all up in two days. In 30 days I'll be able to provide first hand information. Whoot! Can't wait!