Tips on Dinning Plan Changes (how to get gratuity and appetizers)

[autigger]

My family was at WDW last week on the regular dining plan (“free dining”) had have a few tips concerning the 2008 dining plan changes:

1) The Hoop Dee Doo Review includes gratuity (though you may personally want to supplement);

2) If you get the “Fantasmic Package” at Mamma Melrose, it includes an appetizer, entrée, drink and desert (like the old plan did). Regular dinning that is not under the “Fantasmic Package” is just drink, entrée and dessert. Also, this is only one table service dining credit.

3) Gratuity is included at Cinderella Royal Table (though you may want to supplement).

The new 2008 dining plan generally does not include gratuity or appetizers. I just though these tips above might be helpful for those who were disappointed in the 2008 changes.

 

[matlock42373]

thanks for the info

 

[autigger]

Glad to pass it along.


My family very much enjoed all three of the dining experiences listed above.

 

[mrudman]

Thanks for the reminder!! Couple weeks ago, I made up envelopes with all the tips that we'd be needing for each day... and totally forgot that CRT had the tips included.

Thanks again!

 

[Brygida]

The new 2008 dining plan generally does not include gratuity or appetizers. I just though these tips above might be helpful for those who were disappointed in the 2008 changes.

Continuing the list of *strange* exceptions:

Appetizers for kids at Chefs De France are included in their 1 TS. Appetizers for adults are not.

Most kid CS does not really include dessert. Because they have a choice of applesauce or carrots or grapes or fries, etc with most kid CS meals, they do not get a dessert. For example, if you choose fries and carrots with their CS meal of chicken nuggets, that is all they get... no dessert. Notable exception, is at Wolfgang Puck Express where the kids CS includes an additional dessert (on top of the chicken nuggets & fries kid CS, for example).

 

[disneyin2008]

Keep in mind though that Cinderella's Royal Table and Hoop De Doo, both "cost" 2 table service credits.

That's a bit expensive just to get an appetizer/gratuity, unless you were going there anyway.

 

[mlch]

Continuing the list of *strange* exceptions:

Appetizers for kids at Chefs De France are included in their 1 TS. Appetizers for adults are not.

Most kid CS does not really include dessert. Because they have a choice of applesauce or carrots or grapes or fries, etc with most kid CS meals, they do not get a dessert. For example, if you choose fries and carrots with their CS meal of chicken nuggets, that is all they get... no dessert. Notable exception, is at Wolfgang Puck Express where the kids CS includes an additional dessert (on top of the chicken nuggets & fries kid CS, for example).

How do you know which places kids get an appetizer and not a dessert? I'm confused

 

[Brygida]

How do you know which places kids get an appetizer and not a dessert? I'm confused

Yes. This caused me some consternation too... as my 4yo always wanted a dessert... of course!

At all TS restaurants (that I tried) kids get a dessert that is separately ordered off the menu. At buffets, of course, they can have multiple desserts... if you let them.

At CS restaurants, that I tried, if the kids meal comes in one of those black plastic Mickey plates, then the following happens. The main entree (e.g. chicken nuggets is served in Mickey's head. You then get a choice of 2 "sides", which usually include grapes, applesauce, french fries, carrots, etc... the choices vary somewhat, that fit in the two Mickey ears. The kids meal comes with choice of drink (e.g. small bottled water, juice box, etc). And that's it. You can't choose a *dessert* of the CS menu. I asked and was told that the applesauce counts as the *dessert* part of your CS kids meal, even if you choose not to have it.

If the CS meal does not come in the black plastic Mickey plate, then you get to choose a dessert off the menu. Such as, at Wolfgang Puck Express.

Of course, my 4yo complained about this little arrangement, and most of the time, I ordered the dessert (vanilla ice cream, chocolate cake, etc) he wanted with my CS meal (and I didn't get a dessert... aaaahhh what we do for our little ones ).

 

[braydensmom]

So does that mean all 2 table service dinners include gratuity?

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

They used to allow a chocolate chip cookie (upon request), is that still allowed or not? Not that I want it. We had pleanty of deserts between the 5adults to share with the 2 kids, we liked getting the grapes and carrots to eat later, but once in a while we got the cookie.

 

[nbodyhome]

Of course, having a buffet means you get your appetizer too.

 

[Allison]

So does that mean all 2 table service dinners include gratuity?

No, it doesn't.

 

[catne]

So does that mean all 2 table service dinners include gratuity?

Sorry, no it doesn't mean this...that's only for the dinner shows like Hoop De Doo and Cinderella's castle.

The "signature" restaurants like California Grill, Jiko, etc. you pay for the gratuity out of pocket.

 

[autigger]

Keep in mind though that Cinderella's Royal Table and Hoop De Doo, both "cost" 2 table service credits.

That's a bit expensive just to get an appetizer/gratuity, unless you were going there anyway.

I agree that it would not be wise to use two TS credits just for the gratuity, but as you said, we were going there anyway. It was just a nice bonus once we got the bill.

The "Fantasmic Dinner Package" (which includes appetizer) is, however, only one table service credit. Thus if, you were going to Mama Melrose anyway, the "Fantasmic Dinner Package" gets you more than you would otherwise receive. We also enjoyed the reserved seating at Fantasmic!

 

[colmat]

How does the fantasmic package work on the dining plan thinking about it for next year and seem to remember you have to pay $10 pp when you book ?

 

[catne]

How does the fantasmic package work on the dining plan thinking about it for next year and seem to remember you have to pay $10 pp when you book ?

When you book the Fantasmic Dinner package on the DDP, they will require that you give them a credit card number to hold the reservation. They do not charge anything to your credit card at the time of the reservation. You will be charged $10 per person if you do not show up for your reservation (you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance with no charge.)

We did this in May 2008 at Hollywood & Vine on paid DDP, and used it again in September 2008 at Mama Melrose for Free Dining. They took a credit card for both of these reservations, but at the time we actually ate there, the cost went on the DDP

Book as early as you can...they only allow a certain number of dinner package reservations for each night. With the cut backs on performances, they will go even faster.

 

[autigger]

How does the fantasmic package work on the dining plan thinking about it for next year and seem to remember you have to pay $10 pp when you book ?

I believe we had to reserve it with a credit card and there was a fairly strict cancellation policy, but I don't believe that we were charged any deposit. We were on the dining plan and I am not sure it that made any difference with our reservation.

With the dining plan, we were simply charged one table service credit per person and we all got to choose an appetizer, entree, drink and dessert. After the meal, we were given a voucher for the reserved Fantasmic seating and told where to go.

It worked well for us and we would do it again.

www.allearsnet.com has a good explaination of the Fantasmic dining package:

http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm

 

[disneyin2008]

So does that mean all 2 table service dinners include gratuity?

No. Cinderella's only.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not pay. You have to provide a credit card 'hold' for your Fantasmic! Dining reservation. If you show up, no problem - you pay for the meal with your DDP credits. If you don't show up, or don't cancel X hours in advance, your card is billed $10 per Guest on the reservation.

 

[tzeitel]

No. Cinderella's only.

Hoop Dee Doo and Spirit of Aloha are also 2 tix and they include gratuities. The Luau also includes alcoholic beverages