Offical free dining watch 2008

[wildirishrose]

can you use your AAA discount and get free dinning if it becomes available. I thought you couldn't double up .


Thanks

 

[Goofy'sPrincess]

This is really hard to answer... you almost need to know everywhere you'll be eating for the week and prices (you can get menu prices from allearsnet.com).

However, my suggestion is this - I'm not sure it will save you money in the long run, but it certainly makes things easier in terms of figuring things out.

Keep your DxDDP and use as MANY Signature Dining experiences as you think you can handle. Sure, that costs you two "meals" per day, but also remember that on the DxDDP, you also get 2 snacks EACH per day. Believe me, that can almost cover your breakfast. You already get the refillable mug on this plan (so fill that up with coffee at breakfast), and then use the two snacks to get something like a muffin and fruit - just enough to get you going in the morning.

With that system, you can eat at a signature restaurant (2 meal credits) still have lunch at a non-signature sit-down or buffet restaurant (1 meal credit) and eat your breakfast on your snack credits.

On days you DON'T go to a signature dining experience - you're fine. Use a meal credit to have a nice breakfast somewhere, a meal credit for a nice lunch and a meal credit for a nice dinner - all at TS or buffet restaurants if you wish. You'll still have two snacks each on those days to use as you wish.

Anyway, that's my suggestion, and I don't think you will have to pay for food OOP much, if at all.

Remember, only the REGULAR DDP has limitations on TS meals (one TS/day, one counter service per day, one snack per day). DxDDP is three MEALS per day - whether you eat those at a CS or TS is ENTIRELY UP TO YOU! Yes, signature cost TWO MEALS, but on days at Epcot where you want to have lunch AND dinner at TS restaurants - you are fine - those cost two MEALS, and unless you have a signature meal that day, you'll still have one left.

Awesome, Thanks!

thats what I had thought. Now the FDDP I was told could be used to give us a discount on the plan we already have is that correct? So we could keep the DxDDP. One question I have is would they have to cancel the reservations that we have just to give us the discount if we opt for it? How much would we save with the discount? Does anyone actually know how much we'd save if we kept the dxddp but accepted the discount?

One more question, should we call ahead reservations for ALL TS we have planned or just the BIG TS's for Signature dining experiences and wing the rest TS for lunches etc.? Or should we figure out all the TS places and call ahead wheather they are lunch or dinners?

Gee It sounds like we're hogs Really we're not. Our plans aren't to spend the WHOLE time chowing in restaurants Honestly!

 

[esdras]

I would say if you plan to use at least two table service credits aday the ngo with the deluxe. If not every day, then pay out of pocket. But you wil lbe eating alot with either! We do the regular plan and just with one table service a day and one CS we are stuffed.

I agree, even the regular DDP is a LOT of food. That's why I suggest if you are using the DxDDP, take advantage of the "meal" freedom and book a lot of signature dining experiences. You can use the snacks for breakfast and perhaps pay a little OOP, but you will still get a LOT of food.

Just FYI, here are all your "2 Meal" (signature/Dinner Show/Character Dining) options:

Jiko - The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk
Hoop-Dee-Doo at Fort Wilderness
Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness
Citricos at the Grand Floridian
Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Poly
California Grill at the Contemporary
Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge
Yachtsman's Steakhouse at the Yacht and Beachclub Resort
Hollywood Brown Derby at the Disney Studios Park
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at Cindy's Castle in the Magic Kingdom

So, I think there are a lot of great options for signature dining - and on the DxDDP, you could probably manage to do most of them, and still have enough food without paying OOP.

 

[Goofy'sPrincess]

I would say if you plan to use at least two table service credits aday the ngo with the deluxe. If not every day, then pay out of pocket. But you wil lbe eating alot with either! We do the regular plan and just with one table service a day and one CS we are stuffed.

That's what I've heard. I'm so nervous about biting more than we can chew (excuse the wording here ) My only concern is that since we are new, we wanted to experience the lua and the safari.......and I just LOVE the Epcot around the world......My husband just didn't want us to have to worry about what we could and could not have based on not enough tickets through the DP.

So I suppose it sounds as though the dxddp may be for us.

 

[Goofy'sPrincess]

Just FYI, here are all your "2 Meal" (signature/Dinner Show/Character Dining) options:

Jiko - The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk
Hoop-Dee-Doo at Fort Wilderness
Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness
Citricos at the Grand Floridian
Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Poly
California Grill at the Contemporary
Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge
Yachtsman's Steakhouse at the Yacht and Beachclub Resort
Hollywood Brown Derby at the Disney Studios Park
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at Cindy's Castle in the Magic Kingdom

So, I think there are a lot of great options for signature dining - and on the DxDDP, you could probably manage to do most of them, and still have enough food without paying OOP.

Ok, so Got any opinions and which ones are THE places to go for signature dining experiences?

I know the Aloha is our first night.
Animal Kingdom Safari and dinner another

What are some of the others you'd all recommend?!

Also, who do I call for those ressies?

 

[esdras]

Awesome, Thanks!

thats what I had thought. Now the FDDP I was told could be used to give us a discount on the plan we already have is that correct? So we could keep the DxDDP. One question I have is would they have to cancel the reservations that we have just to give us the discount if we opt for it? How much would we save with the discount? Does anyone actually know how much we'd save if we kept the dxddp but accepted the discount?

One more question, should we call ahead reservations for ALL TS we have planned or just the BIG TS's for Signature dining experiences and wing the rest TS for lunches etc.? Or should we figure out all the TS places and call ahead wheather they are lunch or dinners?

Gee It sounds like we're hogs Really we're not. Our plans aren't to spend the WHOLE time chowing in restaurants Honestly!

If you've already booked with the DxDDP, you may have to "cancel and re-book", but call and ask.

Okay, trying to do the math in my head right now, but DDP is about $38/day and DxDDP is $70/day. I think if they change your ressie, they will subtract the $38/day you would get for "free" from what you are currently paying for the DxDDP - in other words, you pay the difference - about $32/day roughly. So, that's $38 less each per day - or $76/day total off what you were initally planning to spend.

Secondly, make the reservations now. Decide where and when you want to eat. During a Free Dining period, I would suggest (if at all possible) making reservations for early or late in a serving period - avoid the prime dining times - it will be harder to get a ressie, and it's just nicer to eat when the restaurant isn't insane with people.

No, you aren't hogs. If it wasn't for the fact that my wife and I will be taking along two kids who are "picky eaters" at the best of times, we would do just this kind of vacation - and likely pay OOP - just for the experience - for a dinner at Vic & Alberts.

Call the regualr Disney phone number where you make ressies - choose the dining reservations option at the automated menu.

I need to check some things before making the suggestions on the Signature locations - I'll post again soon.

 

[Goofy'sPrincess]

If you've already booked with the DxDDP, you may have to "cancel and re-book", but call and ask.

Okay, trying to do the math in my head right now, but DDP is about $38/day and DxDDP is $70/day. I think if they change your ressie, they will subtract the $38/day you would get for "free" from what you are currently paying for the DxDDP - in other words, you pay the difference - about $32/day roughly. So, that's about $8/day less than what you were paying for each of you initially. So, you're total package cost should go down by about $16/day.

Secondly, make the reservations now. Decide where and when you want to eat. During a Free Dining period, I would suggest (if at all possible) making reservations for early or late in a serving period - avoid the prime dining times - it will be harder to get a ressie, and it's just nicer to eat when the restaurant isn't insane with people.

No, you aren't hogs. If it wasn't for the fact that my wife and I will be taking along two kids who are "picky eaters" at the best of times, we would do just this kind of vacation - and likely pay OOP - just for the experience - for a dinner at Vic & Alberts.

Call the regualr Disney phone number where you make ressies - choose the dining reservations option at the automated menu.

I need to check some things before making the suggestions on the Signature locations - I'll post again soon.

What are the prim eating times if you dont mind me asking? I'm thinking 5-6ish?

So making plans for dinner at 3pm or 7pm would be off the beaten path...is that right or am I waaaaaaaaaaay off?

and we've already made our package ressies. We're staying at the Coronado.

 

[pinktales]

I asked these same questions on another thread but figured I'd ask here too:

Lots of Questions:
1. What age does the children have to be to get the free dining for them?

2. If we have 2 adults + 2 children in the room do we get charged the extra person fee for the 2 kids per night? I usually stay on my DVC so not sure how the extra person fee works.

3. And 2 of us have annual passes, will we all still have to buy park tickets with the free dining package to be able to get it?

4. If we have to buy park tickets can we buy just 1 day park tickets even if we are staying 5+ nights and qualify for the free dining?

5. Are those tickets already activated and coded to each of us?

6. Can the tickets be upgraded?

7. Also I have triple A can I book with that discount and still get the Free Dining Package?

8. Am I better off booking it thru triple A or direct thru disney and giving them my triple A number for the discount

I've never done the free dining and am definetly thinking about it for this year. But not too sure how it works. Thanks for your help!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

can you use your AAA discount and get free dinning if it becomes available. I thought your couldn't double up .


Thanks

No, I don't think you can- I have been told some people have gotten lucky and been able to do this with an unknowing CM, but I'm doubtful...

 

[weluvariel]

Note to all. I called for my ADRs almost 2 weeks ago (180 days from trip time). Alot of the times were already booked and we either had to go earlier or later. Not encouraging at this point. Didn't think things would be filled up quite so fast.

 

[esdras]

Okay - my best suggestions - if this is for just you and husband...

Jiko - The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Sounds like you are going here anyway - it's reputation is outstanding.

Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk
Considered to be one of the best Disney seafood restaurants. If you like seafood, I would suggest going here - highly suggest!

Hoop-Dee-Doo at Fort Wilderness
You sound like foodies - the food here is hearty, but FAR from gourmet. The cost here is for the show - but unless you are REALLY into Wild West music/humour (like Hee Haw) - don't bother with this.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Fort Wildernes
Similar to the above - only outside. Hearty fare - not gourmet, and country music. You be the judge.

Citricos at the Grand Floridian
Mediterranean cuisine, and ranked highly in terms of quality - the better choice of the two GF signature restaurants. This is the one to pick.

Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian
This is another seafood restaurant - and one of the few Disney restaurants where fresh steamed lobster is on the menu. However, the Flying Fish generally seems to get better "quality of food" reviews.

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Poly
Sounds like you are already going here - I haven't tried this, but it sounds like fun. I've seen ratings where the show is praised, but the food is considered average in terms of quality. But, even average food at Disney is pretty good.

California Grill at the Contemporary
This is a must-do. Outstanding food, and IF you can get ressies for a late dinner that corresponds with the time of the MK Fireworks, you're in for a show. Call for this one NOW.

Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge
The only Disney restaurnat with Buffalo on the menu. Food quality is good - not the pinnacle of Disney dining - but still excellent. Wilderness Lodge is also a nice setting for a good dinner. I wouldn't rank this a must-do like California Grill, but if you can find the time to work this in, I would go for it.

Yachtsman's Steakhouse at the Yacht and Beachclub Resort
Okay, setting is nice, steaks are good - but you can get really good steaks at other non-signature Disney restaurants - like Le Cellier at Canada in Epcot. What this place has that others don't is an outstanding Beer and Wine selection. If that sounds good to you, try this. If not - go to something like Le Cellier instead.

Hollywood Brown Derby at the Disney Studios Park
Excellent food. If you are going to this park, eat here. Seriously. Also see if you can arrange for the package where you get prime seating with Fantasmic even though you are on the DxDDP - I can't remember if you have to pay a surcharge, but if you are planning on seeing Fantasmic and eating here anyway, it is probably worth doing.

Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at Cindy's Castle in the Magic Kingdom
The food is not the best Disney offers, but it is generally very good. The only drawback - if you are here without kids, you WILL be surrounded by hundreds of little girls dressed up as Disney princesses. It's a nice restaurant though, so things don't get chaotic like at other character dining places. Go for dinner though (more bang for the buck), wider menu, and not as many princesses - adult characters or children dressed up.

I hope this helps. But my "must-do" suggestions are Citricos and California Grill.

In terms of dining times - definitely before 5pm or 8pm and later. Lunches, before noon, always before noon, or else the very last lunch seating - maybe 2pm if they offer it - each restaurant's hours vary

 

[jenseib]

can you use your AAA discount and get free dinning if it becomes available. I thought your couldn't double up .


Thanks

No you can only use one or the other.

 

[jenseib]

I asked these same questions on another thread but figured I'd ask here too:

Lots of Questions:
1. What age does the children have to be to get the free dining for them?

2. If we have 2 adults + 2 children in the room do we get charged the extra person fee for the 2 kids per night? I usually stay on my DVC so not sure how the extra person fee works.

3. And 2 of us have annual passes, will we all still have to buy park tickets with the free dining package to be able to get it?

4. If we have to buy park tickets can we buy just 1 day park tickets even if we are staying 5+ nights and qualify for the free dining?

5. Are those tickets already activated and coded to each of us?

6. Can the tickets be upgraded?

7. Also I have triple A can I book with that discount and still get the Free Dining Package?

8. Am I better off booking it thru triple A or direct thru disney and giving them my triple A number for the discount

I've never done the free dining and am definetly thinking about it for this year. But not too sure how it works. Thanks for your help!

1. Kids under 3 are free, but they share off the adult. If you buy them a meal then you have to pay out of pocket

2.no. Each room is priced for two adults and kis. If an additonal adult joins hten you are charged a fee.

3. It used to be yes you had to buy at least a day ticket, but I think it's changed, but don't know the details on that one

4. Yes only 1 day if needed.

5.Have no clue what you mean?... Like do YOU have to use them. If it is a one day ticket and never used, you can give it to another person, since you haven't had your finger scan to it yet.

6. I beleive so. I think any ticket can be

7.no, it's one or the other.

8. If you are going to try for free dining you don't even need to worry about AAA, as it can't be used. If doing a package,(no free dining) you have to book with AAA, if it is room only, then either.

For free dining you have to be one of the lucky ones to get through basically.

 

[utkscvol1]

Even if it's only offered with the mods or higher we could stay at a mod instead of a value for the same price. But that really defeats the whole purpose of saving money. Some come on free dining!!!

 

[mom2mykids]

can you use your AAA discount and get free dinning if it becomes available. I thought you couldn't double up .


Thanks

You know, I can't remember exactly but what I can tell you is that for us, a family of 5, when I booked originally paying for DDP our cost for a Mod with 4 nights & 4 day hoppers was 2463.99 when the free dining came out we switched and added 2 days for the room and passes the price was 2264.62.

 

[jenseib]

That's what I've heard. I'm so nervous about biting more than we can chew (excuse the wording here ) My only concern is that since we are new, we wanted to experience the lua and the safari.......and I just LOVE the Epcot around the world......My husband just didn't want us to have to worry about what we could and could not have based on not enough tickets through the DP.

So I suppose it sounds as though the dxddp may be for us.

I think you guys sound like you would really like the delux plan! I would go for it!
You must make your reservation IMEDIATELY though. That is free dining time and places are already booking up right NOW! So be flexible too. But I think you have a better chance at getting into the signature resturants. I also highly recommend Hoop Dee Doo. It is corny, but so much fun! We just loved it. If you like shows, this is fun to do. We also thought of doing the Backyard BBQ, but heard it is basically hotdogs, so I wasn't sure I wanted to use two table credits for that.(we were on just the regular plan) But we may next trip. I would really try to figure where you want to go and get them booked soon though. Do you have a link to the menus?

Here's a link that should get you to the resturants.

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

or

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm ~Make sure this is the 2008 schecule. I had both 2007 and 2008 and I think this is the right link.

 

[robinb]

jenseib did a great job of explaining things. As a DVC member and AP holder, I think I can help here too...

3. And 2 of us have annual passes, will we all still have to buy park tickets with the free dining package to be able to get it?

I believe so. There have been some recent packages for AP holders, but I would guess that the park ticket requirement would be in effect for the free dining.

4. If we have to buy park tickets can we buy just 1 day park tickets even if we are staying 5+ nights and qualify for the free dining?

Yes. You can buy a one-day one-park ticket for each adult and child 3 and over in your party.

5. Are those tickets already activated and coded to each of us?

Yes and no ... The tickets are coded on your key card which now has your full name on it. They are not activated until they are used in a park turn style, so as long as you don't use them to enter a park they will not be activated.

6. Can the tickets be upgraded?

Absolutely! We bought one-days for free dining two years in a row and brought the key cards back with us in December each year. The first year we upgraded them to an AP renewal. The second time we upgraded to a 10-day pass. You cannot combine multiple passes into an upgrade.

 

[julsmom]

Ohhh, I am having a heck of a time with this whole free dining issue. I have never done free dining before (so be gentle ), and so I have no idea how this really works.

Soooo, here are my questions. Hopefully someone will take pity on me and help me out here.

1. When do disney visa holders get to book free dining?

2. I called disney visa twice and disney reservations to question about the whole 30 - 40% off issue I have seen here and there. Of course noone knew anything about any of it. Ugh. So how do you know you have a discount?

Oh, and...
3. Is free dining rumored to be going thru october? Or just september?

Super thanks...

 

[wildirishrose]

Ohhh, I am having a heck of a time with this whole free dining issue. I have never done free dining before (so be gentle ), and so I have no idea how this really works.

Soooo, here are my questions. Hopefully someone will take pity on me and help me out here.

1. When do disney visa holders get to book free dining?

No one knows yet just lots of rumors

2. I called disney visa twice and disney reservations to question about the whole 30 - 40% off issue I have seen here and there. Of course noone knew anything about any of it. Ugh. So how do you know you have a discount?

You need to call disney not disney visa as my guess is that is a Chase call center that only handles credit card issues

Oh, and...
3. Is free dining rumored to be going thru october? Or just september?

September but again all rumors but we are all hoping

 

[jenseib]

Don't call Disney Visa. That is a credit card company, nothing to do with booking a trip!

I have heard a few rumors that it will go into Oct. But I highly doubt it.

so far nothing is offically announced!