Probably wouldn't do it again

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Just back from 7 days at WDW on the free dining plan (me, DH, and DD28). We are all pretty big eaters, so I was looking forward to having free rein for dining. Turns out, we really did not enjoy eating two big meals per day, and we felt like every day revolved around keeping track of our ADR's. Next time, we will probably just book one or two sit-down dinners and play it by ear for the rest of our meals.
The good: Chefs deFrance on our first night was wonderful. Great food and service, and a nice bottle of French wine didn't hurt either!
Boma on our last night: Fantastic as ever. Boma NEVER disappoints!

Our experience at Puck's Cafe was so bad (see below) that DH balked at going back to Downtown Disney for dinner at Cap'n Jack's where we wanted to get the twin lobster tails. At the last minute we switched to Rose and Crown, and had a great meal! Our waitress was very charming and friendly, and the fish & steak meal was delicious! Definitely a keeper!

The bad: Or should I say worst! Wolfgang Puck's was awful! If I want to be surrounded by screaming, running kids I would go to Chucky Cheese! Snotty waiter who, when I complained that we had come for the weinerschnitzel (no longer on the menu!) responded "OK, are you gonna leave now?" I wound up with the porkchop (awfully salty to the point of being unedible) that I only ate a few bites of, and DD and DH had sushi that was OK but nothing special (I shared DD's sushi since I hated the porkchop). Lousy service all around, and DH was not happy that the $10 manhattan he ordered was tiny, only about 4 swallows.
We have always loved Marrakesh, but it was a disappointment this time. Really crowded at 7 pm, and the food was not as great as before. DH's shish-kebob was very small and dry. My combination plate had some extremely fatty lamb, dry chicken skewer, bland rice, and a good seafood bastilla. Belly dancer wasn't very good and only performed for 5-10 minutes before disappearing.

Mixed feelings: Coral Reef. We waited for over an hour for our ADR's. As a party of three, it seemed to take a lot longer to get a table than the groups of 10 or 15 people! I guess I was looking extremely glum (I was trying to persuade my family to leave and get some CS) when the hostess asked our name, checked the list, and about 5 minutes later gave us a wonderful table right next to the glass! It realy relaxed me to sit and watch the fish! The food was good (the strip steak was big enough to have fed 2 or 3 of us at home!), their wine was good, and the Jack Daniels mousse was wonderful. So all in all, I think the evening was good!

 

[Mr Man]

We were at WDW 9/9/07-9/15/07 and ate at some of the same restaurants as you.

Agree on WGP (sorry about DS1- he gets excited ). I really wanted the wienerschnitzel. Get this, when I asked our waiter how they handle gratuity there (just to get some feedback on impending changes), she glared at me and said mechanically (which I paraphrase), "WGP waiters receive gratuity for all DDP meals for 2007. I am forbidden to comment on Disney programs and their effect on WGP for any periods after 2007". Talk about a conversation killer........

Completely agree on Boma & Chefs de France. Love the Boma Mustard & had the French Menu at CdF. mmmmm.....

Other restaurants we visited were: Ohana, Jiko, CP & Mama Melrose (All good w/exception of Fantasmic menu- just feh.......).

DDP really had too much food for us & restaurants were very congested (happily, we didn't have to wait long for tables though). We won't be visiting WDW during free dining again (too hot and don't want to pull DS6 out of school for a week anymore).

We will continue to use the DDP though. I think the 2008 plan by removing the appetizer and gratuity changes should bring some sanity back.....JMO.

 

[bob6sims]

We don't have DDP or ADR's

Don't want to be too tied to a dining timetable, with 4 children in our party I would rather go with the flow but realise that this may mean that we miss out on the better resturants .

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Our Group of 6 used the dinning plan this past August (not the free plan). And I loved it, Me, DH, DS1 (21), DS2 (19), DS3 (16), DS1GF (19), This was our first trip that it didn't seem like i was dishing out money everytime i turned around for something to eat or drink. It was really nice.

Agreee with you on WGP - we also ate there and would not return think we will just stick to their bar for an afternoon cocktain and sushi


So we will be using it again for our NYE trip but that may be the last time for us as we are more appetizer people then we are dessert people.

 

[Dictator]

Just back from 7 days at WDW on the free dining plan (me, DH, and DD28). We are all pretty big eaters, so I was looking forward to having free rein for dining. Turns out, we really did not enjoy eating two big meals per day, and we felt like every day revolved around keeping track of our ADR's. Next time, we will probably just book one or two sit-down dinners and play it by ear for the rest of our meals.

This is pretty much how I felt about the DDP. There was FAR too much food. When we checked out of the Boardwalk on Saturday, we had 12 Counter Service meals left over. My wife, daughter and I each ate a meal which left us with 6. then we started giving meals away to people who were just arriving. I didn't like feeling like I had to eat a certain amount to get my $ worth. It won't be something I would do again.

 

[Rustysmom]

I agree. It was too much food and I don't think I would buy the plan. I'll take it if it's free when we are planning to go anyway, but that's about it.

We are going in November and paying OOP for meals, and although I made ADRs, I might just cancel some of them. I hated watching the clock constantly and missing out on things because we had to leave to catch an ADR. I might keep my ADR for Boma, because I really want to try that, and 1900 Park Fare for Cinderella, but I might cancel Le Cellier (even though we loved it) and Whispering Canyon. We'll decide when the day comes I guess.

 

[wilma-bride]

I really liked my meal at WGP (had the pork chop) but admit I was really disappointed as I only wanted to eat there for the Wienerschnitzel

Mr Man, your comments made me laugh - I had an almost identical conversation with our waitress about gratuities. I only asked because I had heard the wait staff at WGP only got tipped on a certain (pre-determined) amount and wanted to leave extra to make it up - we did leave an extra tip but I must admit, I was surprised she couldn't just tell me

 

[Mr Man]

I really liked my meal at WGP (had the pork chop) but admit I was really disappointed as I only wanted to eat there for the Wienerschnitzel

Mr Man, your comments made me laugh - I had an almost identical conversation with our waitress about gratuities. I only asked because I had heard the wait staff at WGP only got tipped on a certain (pre-determined) amount and wanted to leave extra to make it up - we did leave an extra tip but I must admit, I was surprised she couldn't just tell me

Yes, it was a little bizarre. We did the same as you and slipped an extra fiver into the check. My reasoning was this extra amount would ensure she got 18% tip (presupposing that WGP waiters only get 15%).

No wienerschnitzel makes MrMan go something something.......

 

[TinaLala22]

We have NEVER used the DDP before, however next year we're taking our trip specifically during the timeframe of the free DDP in August/September. Since it's our first time using DDP I'm trying it out when it's free to see if it would work for us. We have always made ADRs and are sacrificing some of our favorite restaurants in order to "fit" into the DDP guidelines. We usually eat a big breakfast and a big dinner and snack on something during the day, so it might work for us.