The Big Fat Plan! Let’s eat for “free”

This trip included the free dining plan. The DDP is something I have not used in many years.

We had 5 nights at AKL and we were upgraded to a savanna view room. The room was beautiful with zebras and giraffes outside of our room.
Do you still have to pay rack rate for the hotel when you get the "free" dining plan?
We had a wonderful day at AK and our evening was at Epcot. I got a magic shot, I really liked this one!
This shot is adorable. :)
I had the Brownie Sundae
A brownie sundae is my favorite dessert. I didn't know that San Angel had it.
I filled the mug I got with the “free” plan a total of once. The Mara was a little far from our room, and again just not something I needed.
I use the same logic with the refillable mug as I do with the dining plan. If I buy I refillable mug, then I drink more Coke than I usually do. I need to get my money's worth. ;)
 
Everything was very tasty on the platter. I shared some sausage with Liesa. This could easily be shared by two people. I ate about 1/2 of the platter. I would have preferred Mickey waffles instead of French toast sticks. I would give this a solid 3⭐
I had one of my brekkie burritos which was just fine. The sausage was the perfect filler. :)
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Scary boo!!! !
Liesa became a Landry member and had $25 to spend at the restaurant. We decided to share the Ahi Tuna Nachos
It was nice to have the meal "pre-paid"! :) Felt free that day.
We both had water to drink. This was out of pocket at a whopping $5.00
Plus tip I think? Maybe ?
The nachos were delicious 😋 The tuna was very tasty with the crunchy cold slaw and crispy wontons! We both loved the dish and give it 5⭐
These are soooooooooooo good! That's the 2nd time I've enjoyed them and I'd get them again too!
Our dinner was at San Angel Inn tonight, we were a little late because we had a kitchen tour with a rat! We had FP$$ for Remy’s ride. Oops it took longer than we expected. We apologized about being late and did get seated fairly quickly, but not right by the water which I was hoping for, oh well!
It was still an okay seat and is a nice atmosphere to eat in. It wasn't nearly as loud as I'd remembered it from 2016 when I ate there with my kids. I think they've spaced the tables out a bit. Plus, we ate on the later side and there were plenty of empty tables so not as crowded.
She didn’t like her dinner as much as I liked mine. She had wished she had tried something else. She said the chicken was bland.
Nope, but I'm a culiche sauce snob having lived in Tucson before where it's very poplular. The sauce should have been a bit spicy, and thicker with some cheese melted in it. It was just overall bland and even some salt could have saved it. The chicken was moist and tender, but overall, this dish was meh.
I left this dinner a tad tipsy and happy so I give it a win! 👍
They were strong!!! A so-so dinner somewhat salvaged.
The regular DDP, which we had, costs $97 dollars a day +tips. Knowing this, I already would have not spent enough my first day to come close to the $97. I do know even with a snack I would not have spent $97. We also paid for the tips out of pocket (OOP). I guess years and years ago tips were included on the plan. The last time Andi and I had the “free” DDP it was about $54 a day and you got 2 snack credits, now it is one snack a day. I was saving all my snack credits for F&W. Basically this plan has almost doubled in price with one less snack in about 10 years, crazy 🤪
So.... yeah. A total complete rip-off if paying OOP. I'd NEVER in a million years buy this. If it wasn't free, there's no way I'd get it. I just don't eat enough. I think in all the days we ate on it, I may have come close once to the OOP cost? maybe?
The first course included with the meal is a painters bowl filled with pastries 🥐 This included croissants, muffins, and fritters. You also get butter, jam, and Nutella for the pastries. Very good.
I finished the baggie of leftover pastries just last week that I brought home from there. LOL!!!
Liesa had Sour Cream Waffle
Roasted Apples, Chantilly, Orange-Maple Syrup, and served with choice of Smoked Bacon, Ham, Sausage, or Plant-based Sausage, she chose ham $54
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Yep, agreed, 5 🌟 TBH, I didn't like the Topolino's brekkie the first time I tried it, but it's grown on me for sure!
We tried the new menu item. Avenue Chips
House-made Ranch Kettle Chips served with Beer Cheese Fondue
$7.00
OH my gosh, I couldn't keep my hands off these chips once I started. Sooooo good. Baseline literally never disappoints.
I give this experience a solid 5⭐

Both entrees were delicious 5⭐
Hmmm, I think I'd give the pasta at Prima a 4 🌟But maybe because I was still uber salty about missing my Il Mulino ressie. I WANTED THAT MUSHROOM RAVIOLI!!!!!!!!
 
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Everything looks so delicious! I also love the cutie ghost shirt. I had to get my mom a bunch from that collection in August and I was fighting with the Disney Store website on release day. 🤣
Haha. The cute pink ghost shirts were so popular! I was glad I found the one I had on. I have learned at WDW if you really like something buy it because chances are you may not find it again even with all the places to shop there!
Topolinos is really delicious for breakfast and dinner!
I am glad you tracked the out of pocket comparison. The modern DDP math is hard to justify outside of character meals with kids. Tables in Wonderland always won in my calculations. So sad it never came back after 2020.
It really is, crazy how expensive it is now! Hard to really justify even with the alcohol added. TiW was a great card to have! Sad it never came back, plus you did get a discount on alcohol!
 
Do you still have to pay rack rate for the hotel when you get the "free" dining plan?
Yes and it is a package not just room rate
This shot is adorable.
Thank you. This is the one the PP didn’t give Andi and I in September!
A brownie sundae is my favorite dessert. I didn't know that San Angel had it.
This was really good, a tad simple but delicious
I use the same logic with the refillable mug as I do with the dining plan. If I buy I refillable mug, then I drink more Coke than I usually do. I need to get my money's worth. ;)
Very true!
Such careful reporting! Thank you!
You are welcome! Thanks for joining in!
 
I had one of my brekkie burritos which was just fine. The sausage was the perfect filler. :)
You did have a nice little breakfast with your burritos and leftovers from Three Bridges
It was nice to have the meal "pre-paid"! :) Felt free that day.
It was I enjoyed it! Especially because I had a chance to try different places and not worry about the cost
These are soooooooooooo good! That's the 2nd time I've enjoyed them and I'd get them again too!
Same, delicious nachos!
It was still an okay seat and is a nice atmosphere to eat in. It wasn't nearly as loud as I'd remembered it from 2016 when I ate there with my kids. I think they've spaced the tables out a bit. Plus, we ate on the later side and there were plenty of empty tables so not as crowded.
It really was nice. I enjoyed myself and my margarita 🍷
Nope, but I'm a culiche sauce snob having lived in Tucson before where it's very poplular. The sauce should have been a bit spicy, and thicker with some cheese melted in it. It was just overall bland and even some salt could have saved it. The chicken was moist and tender, but overall, this dish was meh.
Good description. I couldn’t remember what made it just meh for you!
They were strong!!! A so-so dinner somewhat salvaged.
Good margaritas!
So.... yeah. A total complete rip-off if paying OOP. I'd NEVER in a million years buy this. If it wasn't free, there's no way I'd get it. I just don't eat enough. I think in all the days we ate on it, I may have come close once to the OOP cost? maybe?
I agree but again I did enjoy the experience especially with it being Disney “free” 😉
I finished the baggie of leftover pastries just last week that I brought home from there. LOL!!!
Good job, no wasted goodies!

Yep, agreed, 5 🌟 TBH, I didn't like the Topolino's brekkie the first time I tried it, but it's grown on me for sure!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I do love the experience and I love the Riviera
OH my gosh, I couldn't keep my hands off these chips once I started. Sooooo good. Baseline literally never disappoints.
A winner 🏆
Hmmm, I think I'd give the pasta at Prima a 4 🌟But maybe because I was still uber salty about missing my Il Mulino ressie. I WANTED THAT MUSHROOM RAVIOLI!!!!!!!!
You need to eat at Mulino’s!! It is so frigging good. The mushroom ravioli is one of the best dinners I have had, and like you I have been to Italy and all over the world and that dinner is so memorable!
 
The food all looks great but $54 for waffles?!
I totally agree on the cost. In the not so distant past you could order several different meals from the menu for the cost now it is one entree. I think because of the character experience they charge so much! I always get the steak to make the most of the cost but those waffles were delicious!
 


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