Now Approaching... Sleepingbooty's Sept. PTR (We're BAAACK! 9/26)

[All7OfUs]

That's the way I read it too. That if you had left over credits, you couldn't turn them in on the last day for cash. If you didn't use them, so sorry, sort of thing.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

That's the way I read it too. That if you had left over credits, you couldn't turn them in on the last day for cash. If you didn't use them, so sorry, sort of thing.

Just got official word from my travel agent: You CAN cancel the dining plan at no penalty up until the 45 day mark (just as you can cancel your entire package). After the 45 day mark, there may be a $50 change fee, if the cost of your package is reduced.

I'm sure we will keep the dining plan regardless, but it is good to have it all cleared up.

 

[eandesmom]

right, you can remove the plan, or change plans (go from DDP to QSP or DDP) anytime before the 45 days without penalty. After that if the value of the plan goes down you MAY have a fee. Any unused credits cannot be refunded.

 

[ladybugmom]

Well, if you were to book now, and only put down the $200 deposit, you could still make another ressie if you do get a bounceback. You'd be able to get your deposit fully refunded for the initial booking, or have it credited to the new ressie, right?

I have no idea--I've never had to change anything before. I will have to ask Angela about that!!

Just got official word from my travel agent: You CAN cancel the dining plan at no penalty up until the 45 day mark (just as you can cancel your entire package). After the 45 day mark, there may be a $50 change fee, if the cost of your package is reduced.

I'm sure we will keep the dining plan regardless, but it is good to have it all cleared up.

Good to know!!! Thanks for sharing the info!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

right, you can remove the plan, or change plans (go from DDP to QSP or DDP) anytime before the 45 days without penalty. After that if the value of the plan goes down you MAY have a fee. Any unused credits cannot be refunded.

And I kinda already knew this, but when it got brought up I wanted to confirm.

We've yet to leave any credits unused. Sometimes, on the last day, we'll have to load up on snacks to take home - but I always plan out how we'll use the TS and CS credits, so those are always used up.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I have no idea--I've never had to change anything before. I will have to ask Angela about that!!



Good to know!!! Thanks for sharing the info!!

I think as long as you are before the 45 day mark, you're fine. And even if they couldn't take your old deposit and credit it to your new reservation, they could just refund it to you. Either way, it would be to your advantage, I think, to go ahead and book something just in case.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 12. What kind of Diner are you?

So, what kind of Disney diners are we? I love our table service meals at Disney – it’s a big part of our trip, so I’d like to think we are adventurous eaters who love to try new places and dishes. But, really…. Not so much. Scott and I both do enjoy a wide variety of food, but I guess we shy away from things that are unfamiliar. We like to think we like ethnic food – but I imagine the stuff we prefer is the Americanized version of ethnic.

On the other hand, if you compare Scott and I to my parents, then we are foodies to the max. My dad is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. The man loves steak. He also happens to love ketchup on his steak. Sometimes this provokes a raised eyebrow or an upper lip curled into a sneer in the nicer restaurants, as you can imagine. This doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

Nana and Papa at Ohana in 2007, I think they're wondering what kind of dressing is on the salad

When I was a kid, I thought my mom was an adventurous eater – because she liked her food spicy, and she liked Chinese food. But now I’ve come to realize that’s ALL she likes. Enchiladas, sweet and sour chicken, salads, Cheezits, Oreos, and red licorice. Oh, and caffeine-free Diet Coke.

So given that Scott and I take comfort in the familiar – we will probably be repeating quite a few restaurants that we’ve already been to. I hope we can pare that list down a bit, as there are still many places at WDW that we’ve never dined at that I’d like to try. Choosing those new places is where things might get a bit sticky, since my parents will probably not be interested in any menu that lists ingredients like anchovy marmalade or figs smothered in garlic yogurt. Heck, who am I kidding? Neither would we.

Sci Fi in 2007, front row Jenna & Nana, middle Lucy & DB2, last DB1 & Papa, Scott next door:

Luckily, this jives well with the dining plan, as we could probably skip all of the 2 ts credit joints without regret. I imagine our list will include several buffets and family-style restaurants, although we probably won’t go out of our way to include character meals. The girls are sadly growing past that – so I think we’ll be choosing based on menu and ambience more so than characters.

One new thing I’m considering: Hoop De Doo Review. We’ve never done this before, and I’ve heard so many great things about it, that I think we may just have to give it a try. If so, that would mean we’d only have 5 other TS meals to choose (unless we wanted to pay out of pocket – probably not). I wonder if it would be worth it?

So, what kind of Disney diner are you? Not necessarily what restaurants, but what TYPE of restaurants do you prefer? Is it hard for you to choose where to eat? Do you try new places each time, or stick with what you know?

Click here for Ch.13: Taking the Planning to Another Level

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Rebecca, I would consider myself an ethnic eater. I like to try new things, but I only do this on vacation as I'm a raw vegan most of the year. BUT, when at Disney, I love more "exotic" places like Boma, Tusker House, & Marrakesh. I can't get this food where I live very often, so I really look forward to it. My husband is the same. We avoid any of the Mexico restaurants b/c my husband IS hispanic and we can eat that anytime! My oldest likes to try new things, but my younger 2 not so much. They joke about how Tusker House had the best Mac-n-cheese EVER!

I love those buffets though b/c there's something for everyone!

 

[The4bits]

Great question. We definitely prefer sit down table service. We really enjoy the character meals because the kids get into it. My DH is the only adventurous one in the family. He would try all of the unusual restaurants if we let him.

This year I'm looking forward to trying Liberty Tree Tavern because of the family style. We did the Garden Grill last time and really enjoyed that so maybe we are more family style eaters.

Great question though can't wait to see what everyone else says.

 

[The4bits]

Rebecca, I would consider myself an ethnic eater. I like to try new things, but I only do this on vacation as I'm a raw vegan most of the year. BUT, when at Disney, I love more "exotic" places like Boma, Tusker House, & Marrakesh. I can't get this food where I live very often, so I really look forward to it. My husband is the same. We avoid any of the Mexico restaurants b/c my husband IS hispanic and we can eat that anytime! My oldest likes to try new things, but my younger 2 not so much. They joke about how Tusker House had the best Mac-n-cheese EVER!

I love those buffets though b/c there's something for everyone!

I had to smile when you mentioned your husband being hispanic and you don't eat in Mexico cause you can have that all the time... My hubby is 1/2 Japanese and we have to eat in Japan every stinkin year. Good thing I'm growing to love the cuisine.

 

[ladybugmom]

The TS meals are my favorite. I'm the picky eater in the family so I try and find meals we all will like. In May we're eating at 3 of the same restaurants we ate at last May--with 4 of them being new ones. So we are trying something new this time around. But nothing too over the top!!

 

[Charlefours]

hmmm....good question: I would like to say we are adventurous eaters but we probably would not be--especially me as I cannot eat Indian foods and some others. We are trying some new places this go around since we have the say in where we eat (unlike last time when we went where we were told ) so I am really looking forward to trying some new places and visiting some favorites.

Congratulations on booking!! I have been OOT so I don't think I commented on it yet. CBR looks gorgeous--it is the other Moderate I would like to try some day.

 

[klacey1]

We love the DDP-- we like TS for dinners only. DBF is terribly predictable-- he had the chicken tenders for every lunch (except for Pizza Planet day!) and steak for dinner every night on our August trip. I feel there are SO many restaurants in Disney to try, so the next time we go, MOST will be new. However, DBF really fell in love with the Coral Reef, so I'm promised him we'll go back. That'll probably be our only repeat, though. I am more adventurous that DBF (I'll have seafood and other meats), but we'll just have to make sure there's a steak on the menu (or Chinese/hibachi) for him!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Rebecca, I would consider myself an ethnic eater. I like to try new things, but I only do this on vacation as I'm a raw vegan most of the year. BUT, when at Disney, I love more "exotic" places like Boma, Tusker House, & Marrakesh. I can't get this food where I live very often, so I really look forward to it. My husband is the same. We avoid any of the Mexico restaurants b/c my husband IS hispanic and we can eat that anytime! My oldest likes to try new things, but my younger 2 not so much. They joke about how Tusker House had the best Mac-n-cheese EVER!

I love those buffets though b/c there's something for everyone!

That's so funny - I remember on our last trip together in 07, my dad mentioning (more than once) how great the mac'n'cheese was! Come on! It's Stouffers, for crying out loud!

So, what typically do you eat when you ARE practicing 'raw veganism'? Does that actually mean what it sounds like: uncooked vegetables?

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Great question. We definitely prefer sit down table service. We really enjoy the character meals because the kids get into it. My DH is the only adventurous one in the family. He would try all of the unusual restaurants if we let him.

This year I'm looking forward to trying Liberty Tree Tavern because of the family style. We did the Garden Grill last time and really enjoyed that so maybe we are more family style eaters.

Great question though can't wait to see what everyone else says.

I love the sit-down meals as well, since we typically only do that a couple times a month at home (and not anywhere too nice) The only downside is the extra time it takes away from touring the parks. Although, it is nice to have that couple hours in a nice, quiet (yeah right) restaurant to relax from all the go-go-go.

We loved Liberty Tree Tavern (of course! It's all American comfort food). I wonder if they will still be having characters?

 

[Sleepingbooty]

The TS meals are my favorite. I'm the picky eater in the family so I try and find meals we all will like. In May we're eating at 3 of the same restaurants we ate at last May--with 4 of them being new ones. So we are trying something new this time around. But nothing too over the top!!

Sounds just like us - I think we will probably end up with 3 repeats, and 4 new places. Which are your repeats?

 

[Sleepingbooty]

hmmm....good question: I would like to say we are adventurous eaters but we probably would not be--especially me as I cannot eat Indian foods and some others. We are trying some new places this go around since we have the say in where we eat (unlike last time when we went where we were told ) so I am really looking forward to trying some new places and visiting some favorites.

Congratulations on booking!! I have been OOT so I don't think I commented on it yet. CBR looks gorgeous--it is the other Moderate I would like to try some day.

Isn't it funny? We all like to think we are adventurous eaters, but when it comes down to it - we like what we like.

So what's the story on your last trip? Why did you have to eat where you were told to - you've got me curious!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

We love the DDP-- we like TS for dinners only. DBF is terribly predictable-- he had the chicken tenders for every lunch (except for Pizza Planet day!) and steak for dinner every night on our August trip. I feel there are SO many restaurants in Disney to try, so the next time we go, MOST will be new. However, DBF really fell in love with the Coral Reef, so I'm promised him we'll go back. That'll probably be our only repeat, though. I am more adventurous that DBF (I'll have seafood and other meats), but we'll just have to make sure there's a steak on the menu (or Chinese/hibachi) for him!

Well, the good news is - just about EVERY menu at Disney has some sort of steak on it! You should try Ohana if you haven't already. That's my carnivorous father's favorite. We all loved it, too.

 

[glennbo123]

I'd classify us as pretty adventurous. I definitely didn't start out that way, and both Judy and I come from families that are pretty-much just meat and potatoes, but we've grown to enjoy trying new things. I think we've done a good job with our kids, encouraging them to try things, and they are waaaay beyond where I was at their age. At Disney, our favorite restaurant is Boma, where we can sample all kinds of things that we can't get at home.

Did you know that at most Disney restaurants, if you like a dish you can ask for the recipe and they will e-mail it to you? (Although now you can find a lot of recipes on allears.net or wdwinfo, I forget which.) Our first time eating at Boma, in 2001, Judy remarked to our waiter that now she'll have to get an African cookbook. He said, oh, just write down which dishes you'd like a recipe for, and your e-mail address, and we'll send it to you. They were in our e-mail when we arrived back home.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I'd classify us as pretty adventurous. I definitely didn't start out that way, and both Judy and I come from families that are pretty-much just meat and potatoes, but we've grown to enjoy trying new things. I think we've done a good job with our kids, encouraging them to try things, and they are waaaay beyond where I was at their age. At Disney, our favorite restaurant is Boma, where we can sample all kinds of things that we can't get at home.

Did you know that at most Disney restaurants, if you like a dish you can ask for the recipe and they will e-mail it to you? (Although now you can find a lot of recipes on allears.net or wdwinfo, I forget which.) Our first time eating at Boma, in 2001, Judy remarked to our waiter that now she'll have to get an African cookbook. He said, oh, just write down which dishes you'd like a recipe for, and your e-mail address, and we'll send it to you. They were in our e-mail when we arrived back home.

That's great that you've been able to encourage your kids to try new things- so many parents don't even bother. We've always served our girls whatever we are eating - we never make special 'kid meals' for them. I think because of that, they are used to eating vegetables and spicy foods that a lot of their friends won't touch. But even so, they love chicken strips and mac'n'cheese. Whatcha gonna do?

Boma is one of our favorites, too - although I confess there were some things I just wasn't enticed to try. I loved all the soups, meats, and desserts; but some of the salad and side dishes were a little... strange. I guess that's the point, right? Anyway, as much as we liked it, I don't think my folks would be into it - so I have a feeling we won't be repeating that one this year.