Too many ADR?

[mom23sweetgirlies]

We are a family of five and I purchased the DDP. I was told in another thread that I should cancel some of my ADR because I have too many and it would seriously shorten the time we spend in the parks? This is our first time to Disney and I don't want that to happen, but I also thought that was what everybody with the DDP did? If I cancel some TS ADR then wouldn't we kind of be wasting money, or can they be exchanged for CS meals? I am so confused now and we leave soon...help?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You should have one table service per day,preferably in or near the park you are at for that day or time. How many do you have? It would be a waste of money to cancel them. Give us some more info. so we can help you.
I also want to add that I plan almost all buffets for my TS. It takes less time than ordering a meal and my kids have more variety to eat.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are a family of five and I purchased the DDP. I was told in another thread that I should cancel some of my ADR because I have too many and it would seriously shorten the time we spend in the parks? This is our first time to Disney and I don't want that to happen, but I also thought that was what everybody with the DDP did? If I cancel some TS ADR then wouldn't we kind of be wasting money, or can they be exchanged for CS meals? I am so confused now and we leave soon...help?

Well, it depends on which dining plan you have. Do you have the Basic plan or the Deluxe plan?

 

[mom23sweetgirlies]

Thanks, I have the basic plan. Here are our ADR
Dec. 15 Whispering Canyon Cafe 6:40 p.m.
Dec.16 San Angel Inn 5:45 p.m.
Dec. 17 Rainforest Cafe @ AK 7:45 p.m. (I am thinking of cancelling this and going to T-Rex instead)
Dec. 18 Sci-Fi Dine-In 4:50 p.m.
Dec. 19 Chef Mickey's 7:25 a.m.
Akershus 4:45 p.m. after BBB appointment in MK
Dec. 20 The Wave 5:40 p.m.
Dec. 21 Boatwrights 7:45 a.m.

 

[MariDisney]

We generally do a table service each day of our trip. I am not sure of the full length of your trip, but I just wanted to be sure you know that you get credits based on the NIGHTS of your stay and not the DAYS. In other words if you have a 7 night/8 day trip you'll have 7 TS credits (and 7 CS credits, and 7 snack credits) per person. If you've scheduled one meal per DAY then you're one over. Although, something tells me Rainforest and T Rex do not take the dining plan, but I am not at all sure about that. So, do check into it.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

We did the basic plan (our first trip this summer) and I enjoyed having one sit down meal a day to relax and take it easy. We are returning next June for 7 nights and days and will use all our TS credits. I think it also ads to the Disney experience.

I do remember though that Rainforest was not on the dining plan. Although we ate there in Michigan and I loved it.

 

[hematite153]

I think your plan looks pretty good. As MariDisney said, I counted the number of meals versus the number of apparent nights and wondered if you were counting on more credits than you had. If you are arriving on Dec. 15th and leaving on Dec. 21st then you will have 6 TS credits each. But, you have ADRs for 8 TS meals. If your plan is to pay out of pocket for some of them, or to occasionally order 4 meals to share with the 5 people at the table, then, it should be fine. (I've always found that the DDP had too much food for me, but, that's mostly about sugar--it would be a good amount of food if it included less sugar. Note: you can substitute the kids meal sides for dessert at most counter services.) If you've got a few kids in the 7-9 age range, you may find that the children's meals don't have enough to fill them up and the adults may need to share. On the other hand, if you've got a couple in the 10-12 range who haven't started their teenage growth spurts, you may find that you can share 4 meals and still have leftovers.

Some specific thoughts:

Dec. 17 Rainforest Cafe @ AK 7:45 p.m. (I am thinking of cancelling this and going to T-Rex instead)

I agree with others, I don't think these are on the dining plan--check it out if you were planning to use credits.

Dec. 18 Sci-Fi Dine-In 4:50 p.m.
Dec. 19 Chef Mickey's 7:25 a.m.

Note: the MK opens at 9:00. (I'm assuming that's where you'll be heading after breakfast.) So, you'll ideally want to arrive and check in around 7 so that you can be sure you're seated by 7:25 (after photo, etc.) and can get to rope drop.

Dec. 21 Boatwrights 7:45 a.m.

2 thoughts:
- Are you leaving this day? If you're taking DME to the airport, remember that they will want you to leave for the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. Make sure there's time to eat and catch the bus.
- Are you hitting the parks this day? If you're trying to get in a couple of last spins on your favourite attractions you should consider that the parks start opening earlier this day (MK: 7, EP: 8, AK: 8). So, you'll have lines by the time you finish breakfast.

Overall, though, it looks like you've put together a good plan.

 

[mom23sweetgirlies]

We are arriving late, like 11 p.m. on the 14th and our jet leaves @ 6:45 on the 21st. I think I might cancel the TS breakfast at Boatwrights because it is not that important to me and I'd rather be at rope drop for one of the parks. I do know that Rainforest Cafe isn't on the DDP, we just wanted to eat there anyways. Do you think it is going to be a problem getting to Chef Mickey's that early from POR? Another thing that has me really concerned is that we have BBB ADR at 1:40 p.m. in MK for 3 girls, then ADR for dinner at Akershus @ 4:45 p.m. I have been told that we are crazy for doing that because we probably won't make it to Akershus in time?

 

[hematite153]

We are arriving late, like 11 p.m. on the 14th and our jet leaves @ 6:45 on the 21st. I think I might cancel the TS breakfast at Boatwrights because it is not that important to me and I'd rather be at rope drop for one of the parks.

Okay. So, you'll have 7 TS credits, meaning that if you cancel Boatwrights you'll have another credit that you can assign somewhere. (Either go to a DDP restaurant instead of Rainforest cafe or add a lunch when you have a late dinner, etc.)

Do you think it is going to be a problem getting to Chef Mickey's that early from POR?

I think you'll be fine. We had an early morning ADR at Boma during our last trip and getting there was a nightmare (even though wdw transportation told us it would be easy). However, while trying to get to Boma we encountered 4 separate buses that were headed to MK. You can easily walk to the Contemporary from the MK bus depot, although some of those buses were even dropping off at all of the MK resorts too. I'd give yourself more time than you'd need later in the day, just to be safe, but, I wouldn't worry about it.

Another thing that has me really concerned is that we have BBB ADR at 1:40 p.m. in MK for 3 girls, then ADR for dinner at Akershus @ 4:45 p.m. I have been told that we are crazy for doing that because we probably won't make it to Akershus in time?

This I don't know. I've never done BBB, so, I have no idea how long it takes. I'd count on it taking about 45 minutes to get from the castle to Akershus (and that's moving pretty fast). So, I'd say the question is, "will BBB take more than 2 hours?" If so, then, it's too close. If not, then, you should be fine.

It's almost impossible to get this late in the game, but, people do cancel reservations...you could try for an ADR at CRT instead since you'll be right there. (It's 2TS credits, but, it would balance the cancellation of Boatwrights).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mom23sweetgirlies]

Ok, I cancelled Boatwrights. The CM I talked to told me that we will have plenty of time to get from BBB to Akershus. I tried to cancel AKershus and get 1900 Park Fare instead but there was no availability so I will keep calling to check. Fingers crossed! Now I just need to find another TS restaurant to get ADR for on the 21st? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We have the DDP and will be at WDW from Dec 23-2. Our theory of going with the DDP was to have almost all TS/buffet meals. We chose mainly Character meals so our kids could see their "friends" without having to wait in line in the parks. We do have a few CS planned but that is when a DF is meeting us for 2 days and we are park hopping, but do still have TS ressies for those days too. If you are booked Breakfasts later then you can do EMH and get a few rides in before your ressie. If you paid for the DDP (obviously you did) use it, but thenyou know for next time the basic plan may work better for you.

 

[MariDisney]

We have the DDP and will be at WDW from Dec 23-2. Our theory of going with the DDP was to have almost all TS/buffet meals. We chose mainly Character meals so our kids could see their "friends" without having to wait in line in the parks. We do have a few CS planned but that is when a DF is meeting us for 2 days and we are park hopping, but do still have TS ressies for those days too. If you are booked Breakfasts later then you can do EMH and get a few rides in before your ressie. If you paid for the DDP (obviously you did) use it, but thenyou know for next time the basic plan may work better for you.

I believe the OP dd get the "basic" plan, known as the Disney Dining Plan (DDP). Ususally the Deluxe Dining Plan is referred to on the boards as DxDDP or DxDP.