Using Dining Plan Card

[crosstheborder]

Hi Everyone, we will be travelling to DW in January with another family, none of us have ever been. VERY Excited! Anyways, we will be on the Dining plan and I'm not sure how to use it. I understand the meal credits and we will be given a card to use as we buy meals, but do we show our card everytime BEFORE we order something to eat, even if its a snack? Or do you wait until its time to pay and then hand over the card? Sorry, just want to get the proper etiquette right. Thanks!

 

[frayedend]

Hi Everyone, we will be travelling to DW in January with another family, none of us have ever been. VERY Excited! Anyways, we will be on the Dining plan and I'm not sure how to use it. I understand the meal credits and we will be given a card to use as we buy meals, but do we show our card everytime BEFORE we order something to eat, even if its a snack? Or do you wait until its time to pay and then hand over the card? Sorry, just want to get the proper etiquette right. Thanks!

At table service restaurants the server will usually ask you if you are on the dining plan and then explain the options to you. At counter service you usually just hand them your card (which will also be your theme park ticket and hotel key). At snack stands you also just hand them your card. Most items have a dining plan symbol if they are included (if I recall correctly). Also, some CS places that don't have "meals" will tell you what you can put together as a counter service meal. I seem to recall getting breakfast on Main Street (maybe the bakery) and they put all the items together to form a dining plan CS meal. I think it was like a waffle, juice, maybe breakfast sandwich. So if there is no meal listed, just ask and they will usually be very helpful.

 

[thunderbird1]

They don't need the card until it's time to pay, when they'll run it through like a credit card charge. If you're unsure about something (like at your resort food court, where you serve yourself), feel free to ask ("is this included as a snack on the DDP?" "What beverages can I get with a CS meal on the DDP?" etc.). CM's are used to the questions and are happy to answer them.

What I usually do when I order something is give them my order ("2 soft pretzels" or "1 cheeseburger combo with a large diet coke and a chocolate cake" or "2 fiesta margaritas"), then state how I plan on paying ("snack credits, please" or "quick service credit, please" or "room charge, please"). Again, if you're unsure, it's fine to ask if you've done everything right, and they'll let you know if something isn't included or if you've forgotten something.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

The dining card is also your room key and your tickets, all on one card. Also I am very concerned for you, you say you are going in January, do you already have all your Advance Dining Reservations made for all your Table service meals? if not you need to get on the phone at once and make them. which of course means you need to know where you want to try to eat for them. At this point if you don't have them made you may not get what you want but hopefully you can get something, otherwise you will have the dining plan and basically no where to use your sit down meal credits.

 

[crosstheborder]

Thanks for all the info. everyone. Luckily we do have our ADR's done, I had read how important it was to get this done months in advance so we all sat down together, made our decisions and our TA was able to get them all! Yeah Us! Thanks again!