Noobie Dining plan questions

[PMGuernsey]

My wife and I have never been to Disneyworld, and as selfish as it sounds, we want to go before we start trying to have kids this fall. We found the Free Dining plan offered in August-Sept, and booked 5 nights and upgraded the quick service plan to the Regular dining plan (1 snack, 1 quick service, 1 table service), only $55 extra each and we like the restaurants in Disneyland. This is where I have questions.

Can we order any entree off of the table service menus regardless of price and it will be covered?

Do we really need to make reservations now or can we wait until we get there?

Any suggestions of threads that give away the ins and outs to using disney dining?
Thanks for the help!

 

[micharros]

Yes you can order off of the the menu. There is no seperate menu for the DDP.

Definitely make reservations for your table service meals. Especially if you are going during a busy time.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[deakam]

Yes you can order any entree and dessert--cost does not matter. Alcohol and appetizers and tips are not included.

I would make advanced dining reservations but with it only being 2 people you may be able to get in without ADR's. You could be waiting up to an hour--especially since there is free dining. Almost everyone there will have the dining plan.

Allears.net has a comprehensive list of menus and tips on the use of the dining plan.

Have a great trip...we will be there the end of September.

 

[Froggee44]

I suggest making reservations for table service meals!!!!! Enjoy your trip...I also suggest getting tickets for mickeys not so scary halloween. Its a fun filled night.

 

[Cafeen]

#1 - This has been answered quite thoroughly . Note that with your plan (DDP, aka Disney Dining Plan or "Regular"), you are entitled to 1 Entree, 1 Dessert, and 1 Non-alcoholic drink per credit (or 1 Buffet/All you can eat/fixed price thingy). So any alcoholic drinks, appetizers, and additional side orders (beyond what come with the entree as it is) will be extra.

#2 - Without knowing when you are going in Sept, more than likely yes, you will need reservations for any specific times and places you want to eat (at least the TS places of course). The middle Sept weeks tend to be a bit slower, but the Free Dining offer fills the restaurants up much more than the parks. There's a chance to get into places without reservations, but it's not something I'd rely on. (And certainly most of the popular and/or in-park restaurants will be fully booked).

#3 - Check the "Everything you need to know..." sticky at the top of this forum. Beyond that, just ask away.

 

[PMGuernsey]

Wow, that was extremely fast, thanks for the help everyone! We are going to be there Aug 28 - Sept 2 Sun-Fri

 

[TDC Nala]

Selfish? Since when is it selfish for adults with no kids to go to Disney World? I'll have to stop running down there every month.

Can we order any entree off of the table service menus regardless of price and it will be covered?

Almost.

The Kitchen Sink sundae at Beaches and Cream is not covered (that's a dessert, but it's still an item that isn't covered)

The multi-course "feast" meals at Marrakesh can be ordered IF a surcharge between $5-7, depending on which "feast," is paid for each person ordering.

Yes, you need reservations if you do not want to run the risk of having noplace to eat when you are ready to start looking.

Remember that some TS restaurants cost 2 credits per person.

 

[jkstewart1800]

As much as I have read about the DDP, I started to get nervous that I had missed something. A friend of mine was there during free dining last year (their first time) and I just ran into them yesterday. They complained a blue streak about the DDP saying that 'you just get the same thing" at every restaurant.
I was totally confused, because I have NEVER ordered the same thing at ANY restaurant on property .... He said "i mean how many times can you eat chicken strips?" then he said "and don't forget to ask for your dessert, because even if you don't want it then they all come pre packaged and you can just take it with you."

"WHAT"????? I have NEVER had a prepackaged dessert brought to me at a TS restaurant?

So he's got me all freaked out!!!

 

[aripantaloon]

It sound like he's talking about counter service restaurants. I know that their desserts are pre-packaged like carrot cake in a little plastic container with a lid or a sugar free brownie that is pre-wrapped and not fresh. They aren't BAD, but they aren't nice fresh desserts with variety.

The table service places definitely offer variety and you won't get the same meal at Tony's that you will get at Sci-fi, for example. Check out the menus on allearsnet to get a feel for what's available.

ETA: You can also get variety with counter service if you just look around and do some research. Cosmic Rays has a good variety of food in MK, there's flame tree in AK and others that I know exist all around. You won't be "stuck" with the same food all the time.

 

[PMGuernsey]

Some more help maybe. I have looked at several of the menus and there are too many options out there to make a decision. Does anyone have some favorites that they really like. It will just be for my spouse and I and character dining isn't really our thing. Also, I realize that this will depend person to person depending on taste, but I just want to know if there are some restaurants that if you were going, you would be sure not to miss. Thanks again.
Paul

 

[jkstewart1800]

It sound like he's talking about counter service restaurants. I know that their desserts are pre-packaged like carrot cake in a little plastic container with a lid or a sugar free brownie that is pre-wrapped and not fresh. They aren't BAD, but they aren't nice fresh desserts with variety.

The table service places definitely offer variety and you won't get the same meal at Tony's that you will get at Sci-fi, for example. Check out the menus on allearsnet to get a feel for what's available.

ETA: You can also get variety with counter service if you just look around and do some research. Cosmic Rays has a good variety of food in MK, there's flame tree in AK and others that I know exist all around. You won't be "stuck" with the same food all the time.

I have always enjoyed eating a variety of things at WDW. We hardley ever eat at the same place twice and I have never had a burger or chicken strip ever! I love Pirate and Parrot (or whatever it is called now) and Pecos Bills... we always in WS while at Epcot and LOVE Yak n' Yeti at AK.... I have a list of snacks that are approved and see a lot of variety from location to location.... I guess he didn't do as much research as I have

 

[TDC Nala]

Some more help maybe. I have looked at several of the menus and there are too many options out there to make a decision. Does anyone have some favorites that they really like. It will just be for my spouse and I and character dining isn't really our thing. Also, I realize that this will depend person to person depending on taste, but I just want to know if there are some restaurants that if you were going, you would be sure not to miss. Thanks again.
Paul

what kind of food do you like? What kind of restaurants? Upscale or family atmosphere? Buffets or a la carte? Themed, or just a decent place to eat? Do you prefer to match your restaurants to your park touring days, i.e. choose a restaurant inside the park you are going to be at for any given day? We can't even start to choose for you without that kind of information.

 

[PMGuernsey]

what kind of food do you like? What kind of restaurants? Upscale or family atmosphere? Buffets or a la carte? Themed, or just a decent place to eat? Do you prefer to match your restaurants to your park touring days, i.e. choose a restaurant inside the park you are going to be at for any given day? We can't even start to choose for you without that kind of information.

We like a lot of different foods, not really a fan of Chinese, but we like Italian, American, Mexican, Indian, really anything else. Oh, except fish. I would say we like either Upscale or Family style. I think we probably prefer themed restaurants, but good food would out way a theme. We would probably prefer to choose restaurants that are inside the parks, maybe one night we would go somewhere else. In Disneyland our favorites are Blue Bayou (Especially the creme brulee dessert), as well as the Orleans Cafe (French Onion Soup), We also like the Thunder Mountain ranch BBQ. Don't know if this helps but figured I would through those out there. My wife really likes upscale stuff, we don't want to go anywhere we can't use our dining plan for though.

What about Chef de France?

Thanks again

 

[TDC Nala]

Sounds to me like you would like Chefs de France. I like having lunch there. I don't bother with it for dinner. There really isn't an equivalent to it at Disneyland though. If you like Napa Rose take a look at Artist Point or Citricos (those will cost you 2 credits though)

If you like Indian flavors take a look at Sanaa, although it is off the beaten path at the Animal Kingdom Villas. Going there would give you a chance to take a look at the Villas and Lodge though, which if you like the African theme and the animals would be a destination in itself.

 

[disneynan]

First off, let me say that you are not selfish to go before kids - you are smart! We went on our honeymoon and have been twice since without the kids.

I would recommend the following restaurants as favorites of ours:

Tangeriene Cafe at Morocco in Epcot. Get the chicken shwarma platter. We always split this as there is so much food. You can eat outside and crowd watch.

Le Cellier for lunch is still 1 TS credit. The food is fantastic, especially if you like steak.

Columbia Harbor House in MK. Great CS place. Eat upstairs.

Boma - at AKL is hands-down our favorite buffet. Most of the food is unusual, but we like to try new things.

Mama Melrose - surprisingly good Italian TS at the Studios.

O'Hana at the Poly - this can be hit or miss, but is great on a good day.

Flame Tree BBQ at AK; fantastic CS. The ribs and baked beans are awesome. Beautiful shaded, outside seating overlooking the lake and Mt Everest.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Most of our favorites are in the hotels - Boma, Whispering Canyon, Ohana, Le Cellier in Epcot

 

[maddhatter_34]

Make reservations now! With the meal plan being offered there will be a lot more people eating at the full service eateries. Having been there this past week - I watched people get turned away at some locations such as Le Chefs in France and Via Napoli in Italy - and this was mid may. Worst case you dont go and you cancel your reservation - but its much better to be safe than sorry.

 

[PMGuernsey]

OK thanks guys! We are going to make all the reservations today, and then change them as needed. I wanted to ask though what time of the day the parks are the busiest? This way we can plan to eat during that time.

Also, how quick can we go from one park to another? We have park hopper passes and this will help us determine where to make reservations. We will be using Disney's transportation, is it relatively quick and available?

 

[TDC Nala]

Also, how quick can we go from one park to another? We have park hopper passes and this will help us determine where to make reservations. We will be using Disney's transportation, is it relatively quick and available?

In general, outside of resort to park in certain areas, there is nothing quick about Disney transportation. You can go relatively easily between parks, although in many cases you will need to wait for a bus. If you are going between Epcot and MK you can take a monorail (you must switch monorail lines at TTC; that's what cuts down on quickness) and if you are going between Epcot and Studios you can take a boat (half-hour boat ride; add extra time in case you have to wait for the boat to arrive) or you can walk (about a 20 minute walk at a fast pace). Otherwise, you'll be taking buses. It is pretty much recommended to allow at least 45 minutes to go from park to park.

Resort to resort is where Disney transportation gets complicated. Only the monorail resorts and the Epcot area resorts have easy transportation between one another. Otherwise you'll have to take buses. There aren't any direct buses between resorts and it becomes necessary to use a park or Downtown Disney as a hub. (there are no resort buses at TTC). Allow at least an hour to travel between resorts by bus - and you may want to allow more.

 

[PMGuernsey]

Has anyone tried Tokyo Dining at night to watch the fireworks? I read somewhere on these boards that it was a good idea, but I couldn't find it. What time should I make reservations for if the fireworks are at 9:00? 8:50 or earlier?