pre pay for meals ?

[HappyFingers]

can someone explain the pre pay meals system, when mucking around with the reservations we noticed that you can pre pay for all your meals whilst staying at wdw, breakfast, lunch and dinner

how does all that work ?
do you recommend it ?

cheers

 

[TDC Nala]

You can purchase one of the three Disney Dining Plans. See this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2054845

for an overview of how they work. It's not exactly a case of prepaying for ALL your meals, depends on how you choose to use the plan.

 

[aksivers]

The dining plans also do not include gratuity. So factor that in when making your decision. Many on the menus and prices are on the WDWinfo.com so that you can compare.

 

[HappyFingers]

ok cheers

ill start reading that thread

 

[HappyFingers]

wow huge thread

the whole pre pay thing seems too confusing
i think we will just go freestyle

having to book a resturant up to 90 days in advance is going to be tricky

 

[honeydiane1953]

wow huge thread

the whole pre pay thing seems too confusing
i think we will just go freestyle

having to book a resturant up to 90 days in advance is going to be tricky

I have planned a solo trip at the last minute. Going to WDW from DEC.7th--17th. This is my first solo trip so I have chosen the QSDP. No reservations are required. Getting ADR's well into advance is a lot of work, planning etc. and lots of time you can't even get the one you really want. I have found if u r in a park and having a great time THEN u have to hightail it to usually another park or resort to eat there. I will not be a slave to that again. Not knowing how many are in your party I couldn't advise you on which plan to choose from. But this "free dining" although sounds good is a pain in the well you know.

 

[miprender]

wow huge thread

the whole pre pay thing seems too confusing
i think we will just go freestyle

having to book a resturant up to 90 days in advance is going to be tricky

As of today it is actually 180 days!

 

[TDC Nala]

yes, it's 180 days as of today, not 90 anymore.

 

[HappyFingers]

hope you enjoy your trip

im going with my wife and 2 kids
we arnt really to fussy when it comes to dining

for example no one will be wanting a lobster or a big juicy steak

more likely options will be hamburger, chicken nuggest, hot dogs, mexican, indian, french fries, bacon and eggs

surely it cant be that hard to get a table ?
i cant see us wanting to travel from one resort to the other to eat
we will be staying at one of the deluxe resorts (not the hard rock)

also we dont eat huge servings, my kids would leave most the stuff on the plate

so freestyle it is, im sure the resort will have something to fill our tummies.
after a day wandering around disney world i cant see us wanting to spend to much time with dinner anyway, go for a swim and then go to bed, more likely

 

[Seahunt]

OP I noticed the "whilst" in your post - are you a UK Resident? If so, here's what mousesavers shows for current UK Resident specials for 2010:

Current Holiday Offers for UK Residents Only

FREE Disney Gift Card and 20% Off Select Accommodation, 3 January - 18 May 2010

Book your dream Walt Disney World holiday before 15 February 2010, for arrivals 3 January - 18 May 2010, and receive a FREE Disney Gift Card worth up to $1,000 USD when you stay at a selected Disney Resort Hotel. Offer requires a minimum stay of 14 nights including a Disney’s Ultimate Tickets for every one in the party. This offer can be booked in combination with the "20% off select accommodations" promotion below.

Save 20% when you book your accommodation at one of the following Deluxe Villa Resorts: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort or at one of the following Disney Deluxe Resorts: Disney's Yacht Club Resort or Disney's Beach Club Resort. This incredible offer is available for all bookings of 1-21 nights made before 15 February 2010 and for hotel stays between 3 January - 18 May 2010. This offer can be booked in combination with the Disney FREE Gift Card Promotion above.

FREE Disney Dining and 47% Off Select Accommodation, 1 August-18 November 2010

Book your magical Walt Disney World holiday before 2 August 2010, for stays 1 August-18 November 2010, and you’ll enjoy FREE Disney Dining. Make your booking for a minimum of 5 nights including tickets, and everyone in the party dines for FREE for your whole holiday. Receive Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Moderate Resort, OR Receive Disney Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Deluxe Resort. This offer can be booked in combination with the "47% off select accommodations" promotion below.
Save 47% when you book your accommodation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This incredible offer is available for all bookings made before 2 August 2010 and for hotel stays between 01 August - 18 November 2010. This offer can be booked in combination with the FREE Disney Dining Promotion above.

http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#uk

Just thought I'd mention in case it would save you some $$$

 

[HappyFingers]

Na not UK we are Aussies Mate

"whilst" i can speak the Queens English when required

us Aussie like to think that we av ruined the properness of english enough to call our language "Australian"

 

[Seahunt]

D'Oh! Sorry! Aussie Aussie Aussie Oye Oye Oye

(Can you tell we have friends in Queensland? )

 

[Hopefully]

HappyFingers,
One very important thing to note. Whether you are on a pre-paid dining plan or going freestyle, you will need ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations) for most, if not all TS (Table Service) meals at WDW. Please do not expect that your deluxe resort hotel restaurant will have a seat for you. For example at the Poly there are 2 sit down restaurants - 'OHana and Kona Cafe. Both of these book solid months in advance. You would most likely not be able to walk up after a day in the park and be seated for dinner.
So take a look at the menus here on the DIS and also at allears.net and see where you might want to eat.
I can't stress enough that you can no longer just "play it by ear" as far as eating goes.
Good Luck