Sorry - DDP newbie with questions

[mommyof2boys1girl]

These questions have probably been answered a hundred times before, but we've already booked flights and I am becoming uncomfortable with not having our hotels booked yet, so time is of the essence and I am not sure if I have enough of it to search all the DDP disboard posts.

We are looking at booking at AoA for our 9 night, first time to WDW stay for our family of 5, and will probably book with Free Dining, as it turns out to be only a $500 upgrade, and there is no way all 5 of us could eat for 9 days for $500. We will also upgrade from the included QSDP to the DDP (1 TS, 1 QS and 1 snack per day).

A few questions. We can eat at the Rainforest Cafe, and Dh can order a $25 entree, a drink (non alcoholic) and a dessert, and all of that will be covered on the Plan? Conversely, I could order a $10 salad, a water and a dessert and that is the same value (1 credit)? What if we choose not to eat dessert (too full) or purchase an alcoholic beverage? The extra cost would just be OOP, correct? If I am too full for dessert, am I allowed to order one and let my kids eat it? Could I ask for it "to go" and take it back to the room? Along the same lines, could I order an alcoholic beverage as well as a bottle of water, and have the water count on my credits, and just pay OOP for the booze?

And for children's menu items, I've noticed that most meals come with several "sides" like carrot sticks, applesauce, etc...does this count as their dessert, or do they get a dessert as well? And are any of the desserts "transportable", as in throw the chocolate cake into a ziploc container in our pack for later, since we just stuffed ourselves on a big QS meal? (we are not big eaters, and are not used to desserts at all - usually too full! But I hate to "waste" them if it is included).

We may end up with extra TS credits. For some of our park touring days, we don't want to spend time at a TS restaurant, but just grab a QS dinner instead. Can we spend these "extra" credits at the end of our stay by ordering room service or pizza delivery? Exactly how does that work - each of us would order a pizza (5 persons) and 10 credits would be deducted from our total? What size of pizza would we be able to choose from?

I am also correct that any extra QS credits we may have can not be used for snack items? However, if Ds wants a hot dog or turkey leg at 2pm because he didn't want to eat his QS lunch, that would use up an extra QS credit, correct?

My apologies for the very specific and wordy questions, but I am a bit anal about my planning, and I want to make sure I fully understand my options before I "sell" this Dining Plan thing to Dh!

 

[TDC Nala]

A few questions. We can eat at the Rainforest Cafe, and Dh can order a $25 entree, a drink (non alcoholic) and a dessert, and all of that will be covered on the Plan?

Yes.

Conversely, I could order a $10 salad, a water and a dessert and that is the same value (1 credit)?

Yes.

What if we choose not to eat dessert (too full) or purchase an alcoholic beverage? The extra cost would just be OOP, correct?

If you choose not to order dessert, you forfeit your dessert allotment for that meal. If you purchase an alcoholic beverage, it will be billed separately.

If I am too full for dessert, am I allowed to order one and let my kids eat it? Could I ask for it "to go" and take it back to the room? Along the same lines, could I order an alcoholic beverage as well as a bottle of water, and have the water count on my credits, and just pay OOP for the booze?

Yes, yes and yes.

And for children's menu items, I've noticed that most meals come with several "sides" like carrot sticks, applesauce, etc...does this count as their dessert, or do they get a dessert as well?

One of the "side" items will count as their dessert. They do not get a separate dessert.

And are any of the desserts "transportable", as in throw the chocolate cake into a ziploc container in our pack for later, since we just stuffed ourselves on a big QS meal?

Many of the CS desserts are prepackaged. At TS you can have them boxed up but then you will have to carry them.

We may end up with extra TS credits. For some of our park touring days, we don't want to spend time at a TS restaurant, but just grab a QS dinner instead. Can we spend these "extra" credits at the end of our stay by ordering room service or pizza delivery? Exactly how does that work - each of us would order a pizza (5 persons) and 10 credits would be deducted from our total? What size of pizza would we be able to choose from?

Incorrect. Pizza delivery at a value or moderate costs 2 TS credits per pizza. They must be adult credits, child credits won't be accepted. You're staying at AOA which is a value resort, but if you were at a deluxe resort that features in-room dining, a pizza ordered through room service is considered a room service meal for two. As a room service meal costs 2 TS credits per person, a pizza ordered this way will cost 4 adult TS credits per pizza. Delivery is generally a 16 inch pizza.

I am also correct that any extra QS credits we may have can not be used for snack items? However, if Ds wants a hot dog or turkey leg at 2pm because he didn't want to eat his QS lunch, that would use up an extra QS credit, correct?

Reports, in general, are that WDW has discontinued allowing trading of 1 CS credit for three random snacks, but a "continental combo" consisting of one piece of fruit, one baked good, and one beverage is allowed. If you wish to order a meal at 2 AM (if the food court or resort CS is serving then) that will use up a CS credit.