Trying to make bookings, and confused

[littlesos]

Hi,
I am trying to plan my very first trip, for me, husband and 2 daughters. We qualify for free DDP and I am trying to get my head around booking stuff.

All I really want to book is a character meal on the 7th Feb, as that's my daughters birthday. I thought that I could use DDP to do this, and it would use 2 TS credits per person, however when I go to the dining website, look at the character dining availability for that day, click on dining plans accepted, it shows a table and for 2012 there are just dashes against disney dining plan.

Does this mean that I am unable to use my credits for a character meal? I also looked at Cinderellas table and that requires upfront payment, can I not use my credits there?

I am sorry if these are obvious questions, but I'm drowning in all the info, and more than a little panicked by the amount of planning that seems to be required, to the point where I am about to say "forget it, we'll just go to Spain instead".

Thanks
Rachel

 

[10dedfish]

Hey!

First thing I can say is DONT PANIC! Its not really that bad.

I'm positive that they participate in the DDP. You can call 407-WDW-DINE, and speak with the CM. It may just be that they aren't taking reservations that far out yet. Make sure you have your confirmation numbers and everything ready.

Hope this helps

Matt

 

[6elginfans]

Which DDP do you have? QS, Plus or Deluxe?

If QS, it does not include any sit down meals.

If Plus or Premium, the Castle does require 2 credits, it is a great experience. You can also see the princesses in Bavaria at Epcot for 1 credit. It is also a great meal and you get free pictures.

 

[coltsfanatic]

TRUST ME, I'm a stage one worrier and planner and Disney isn't bad. Remember, this site is for the over-planners (like me) and vets who want to try new things and be really informed. If you're ever having trouble with booking your reservations, just make them by phone. The cast members will easily be able to help you in making the right choice. Honestly, on our last trip, we hardly made any reservations and were still able to have a blast!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Yes, you can use your dining plan for the character meals.

Did you log in to check online? If you log in the system can link your reservation with your meals.

I was able to book my Dec. meals online even CRT without charging my credit card. Lots of times CRT seems to want to charge a credit card though & you need to call so to book on the dining plan.

Now on most all the meals you have to give credit card information for a $10 charge if you don't show up or cancel.

 

[catne]

Op is referring to errors occurring on the Disney dining pages on the Disney website. There is a glitch in the Disney website right now...many of the one table service restaurants are showing up on the dining plan charts as "dashes" to indicate they are not on the dining plan when they actually are. If you look at the pdf for the Disney Dining Plan for 2012, you will see those restaurants are still listed on the dining plan. Hopefully Disney will correct the errors on the website soon.

Most of the character meals are one table service credit per person, not two credits. Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Tusker House (breakfast), CApe May (breakfast), Hollywood & Vine (breakfast), 'Ohana (breakfast) and 1900 Park Fare (breakfast and dinner) are all character meals available for one credit.

Cinderella's castle meals require 2 credits per person.

 

[rachel09985]

It is really not that hard, I promise.

You need to tell us which dining plan you have before we can help you. you can find that information out by looking at your travel information. If you see TS it means you have the regular dining plan ( I am assuming you would either have CS or RegDP- which includes 1 counter service, 1 snack, and 1 table service per day.

If you have the CS you have to pay out of pocket for any sit down meals.

If you have the regular dining plan and you only want to have one meal you should probabaly try to book with a room only discount instead.

If you need suggestions on other restaurants let us know and we can help plan your days out! And please try out Disney World! Don't go to Spain just yet.

 

[littlesos]

Thank you all.

OK, I have free Disney Dining Plan, 1 QS, 1TS and 1 snack (I think)

We have a great offer at the moment in the UK, and I have booked 10 nights at OKW in a one bed villa with free DDP and 14 day ultimate tickets for £1600 (approx $2500) Well I think it's a good deal, but then you all probably know better.

It's not that I wanted only one TS meal, it's that I was really only bothered about getting a reservation for a character dining on my daughters birthday. The rest of the time we will use the credits (although I have no idea how or where)

Thank you Catne, that's exactly it. So it is a glitch then, so I can go ahead and make a few reservations now, and then check nearer the time that the site has been corrected.

Thanks
Rachel

 

[ccgirl]

Thank you all.

OK, I have free Disney Dining Plan, 1 QS, 1TS and 1 snack (I think)

We have a great offer at the moment in the UK, and I have booked 10 nights at OKW in a one bed villa with free DDP and 14 day ultimate tickets for £1600 (approx $2500) Well I think it's a good deal, but then you all probably know better.

It's not that I wanted only one TS meal, it's that I was really only bothered about getting a reservation for a character dining on my daughters birthday. The rest of the time we will use the credits (although I have no idea how or where)

Thank you Catne, that's exactly it. So it is a glitch then, so I can go ahead and make a few reservations now, and then check nearer the time that the site has been corrected.

Thanks
Rachel

That is a FANTASTIC deal! For last minute reservations, the resorts are a great alternative. I don't think the list of 2012 restaurants has been finalized yet. I could be wrong. I would be willing to bet it will be the same restaurants as last year. Not all character dining is 2 credits. Our favorite, Princess Storybook Breakfast in Akershus is only 1. Keep in mind, they will now require a credit card guarantee to book.

Have a wonderfully magical trip!!

 

[fitnessmouse]

If you booked through uk you need to contact them for a 12-digit code if you want to link your adr online to your reservation.