VERY Confused, PLEASE HELP ME! Thank you!

[js]

We are a family of 5 traveling to Disney on August 31, 2011, arriving late so will not be eating in Disney that day. My family consists of 2 teens along with my mother.

Right now we have Citrocos (sp) at GF booked, California Grill (Will keep either Citrocos or CG and cancel other), Rose and Crown and Kona Cafe.

We are staying at BLT, 2 bedroom, and will eat all our breakfasts in room since we want to be at RD for each park. We planned on doing CS or a snack for lunch. We are all eaters. We are at BLT from August 31 through September 5 (leaving early morning September 5). Therefore, we will not be using Disney Dining for August 31 and September 5. Can I use the "credits" for each day I am not using towards the days I am there?

I can I find out how much this all is? I have been going to Disney for many years, averaging 1-2 a year but NEVER used DDP. Can you please help me walk through it. This all seems VERY overwheleming. Thank you VERY much!

 

[heathsf]

If you are staying 4 nights, you will have 1 Table Service credit per person per night. So that's 5 credits for you, and 5 for your mother, etc. for 25 credits total. How you use them is up to you. You are not limited to using 1 per person per day. You could use 0 credits one day, and 15 credits the next day. Totally up to you. They expire at midnight of your checkout date.

The same goes for the Counter Service credits and the Snack credits. You have 25 total of each and may use them as you please.

 

[heathsf]

By the way, I assumed you were on the regular dining plan (not the deluxe). If you are on the deluxe, you would have more Table Service credits to use but the idea is still the same. You are not limited to using a certain number of credits each day. You can spend them whenever you choose.

 

[TDC Nala]

Depends on which dining plan you want. I'm going to assume it's the regular plan.

You are staying five nights. Therefore on the regular plan you will receive 5 TS credits, 5 CS credits, and 5 snack credits per person. Because of your checkout timing you will probably be using all of them before you check out, although they would be good until midnight after that.

You can use them in any combination, on any day and any order you wish, you will receive them all in a lump sum when you check in. You have no obligation to use a certain number of credits on each day; you should just have them all used up before you leave WDW. But you cannot receive fewer credits than nights you are staying - unless you are a DVC member and segment your reservation. There is information about that on the DVC board.

The regular dining plan in 2011 is $45.99 per night per guest age 10 and over, and $11.99 per night for each guest age 3-9. Five people, all over age 9, staying for five nights, will pay about $1150.

The restaurants you already have booked will cost four TS credits, you will have one more TS credit per person to use somewhere.

 

[Faldred]

If purchasing the dining plan, your credits are based on the number of nights you are staying, so you'd get 5 nights worth of credits per person. All of those credits are immediately available to you when you check in and can be used whenever you want until the midnight following your checkout.

You could, in theory, burn through all 5 TS credits in one day. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could do it.

Note that if you're staying at BLT on DVC points, you can "segment" your reservation so that you can get the DP to only cover a portion of your trip (or mix up different DPs like QSDP on some days and DxDP on others). If you're staying on a cash reservation, it's all or nothing, I'm afraid.

Now, Citricos and California Grill are both Signature restaurants, requiring 2 TS credits per person. So if you're doing one of the two, plus Kona and R&C, that's 4 of your 5 TS credits, allowing you to book one additional TS meal.

 

[Elcheetah]

Hi, you will get 1 snack, 1 QS & 1 TS for EACH night and you may use the as you please. If your family is arriving on the 31st and leaving on the 5th, that is 5 snacks, 5 QS and 5 TS. You'll be using 2 TS each for Citricos or CG, leaving you with 3 TS for your remaining days.
Each time you use it, they'll give you a recipt, so you know how many credits your group has left.
Hope ths helps.

 

[js]

By the way, I assumed you were on the regular dining plan (not the deluxe). If you are on the deluxe, you would have more Table Service credits to use but the idea is still the same. You are not limited to using a certain number of credits each day. You can spend them whenever you choose.

Depends on which dining plan you want. I'm going to assume it's the regular plan.

You are staying five nights. Therefore on the regular plan you will receive 5 TS credits, 5 CS credits, and 5 snack credits per person. Because of your checkout timing you will probably be using all of them before you check out, although they would be good until midnight after that.

You can use them in any combination, on any day and any order you wish, you will receive them all in a lump sum when you check in. You have no obligation to use a certain number of credits on each day; you should just have them all used up before you leave WDW. But you cannot receive fewer credits than nights you are staying - unless you are a DVC member and segment your reservation. There is information about that on the DVC board.

The regular dining plan in 2011 is $45.99 per night per guest age 10 and over, and $11.99 per night for each guest age 3-9. Five people, all over age 9, staying for five nights, will pay about $1150.

The restaurants you already have booked will cost four TS credits, you will have one more TS credit per person to use somewhere.

If purchasing the dining plan, your credits are based on the number of nights you are staying, so you'd get 5 nights worth of credits per person. All of those credits are immediately available to you when you check in and can be used whenever you want until the midnight following your checkout.

You could, in theory, burn through all 5 TS credits in one day. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could do it.

Note that if you're staying at BLT on DVC points, you can "segment" your reservation so that you can get the DP to only cover a portion of your trip (or mix up different DPs like QSDP on some days and DxDP on others). If you're staying on a cash reservation, it's all or nothing, I'm afraid.

Now, Citricos and California Grill are both Signature restaurants, requiring 2 TS credits per person. So if you're doing one of the two, plus Kona and R&C, that's 4 of your 5 TS credits, allowing you to book one additional TS meal.

Hi, you will get 1 snack, 1 QS & 1 TS for EACH night and you may use the as you please. If your family is arriving on the 31st and leaving on the 5th, that is 5 snacks, 5 QS and 5 TS. You'll be using 2 TS each for Citricos or CG, leaving you with 3 TS for your remaining days.
Each time you use it, they'll give you a recipt, so you know how many credits your group has left.
Hope ths helps.

Thank you all VERY VERY much for your quick responses. I am a DVC member and we are staying on points but segmenting would confuse me even more and do I need to segment?

Do I need Delux or Regular Dining Plan for what I told you? If I have one more "credit" I can book another dinner or lunch.

SO, is this correct and think I just learned, my 5 pp TS credits can be used for a lunch or dinner that accepts the DDP. Is that correct?

Also, I printed out the menus and see that Citricos and/or CG also ask for "Signature" Dining. Does that mean I would need to Delux plan?

$50 per person (approx) per day is what I am looking at to eat at Disney for my stay? Is that correct? $1150? Is there tax on that too.

The DDP does not include alcohol but I can certainly request and pay for it at dinner. Is that correct?

I pay my tip in cash (or on my KTTWK), is that correct?

Do most of you think it is worth it for a family that enjoys a good meal and eating?

 

[BBQMommy]

I must say, though, we were on the DxDP in June (2 adults/1child) and attempted to use more than 6 snack credits in one day and got refused. They said we had used up our allotment for that day and would have to go OOP even though we still had snack credits remaining. This was at EPCOT. Had no trouble moving around dining credits for 2 2 credit meals in one day though.

2 cents for you ---->
Caryn

 

[BBQMommy]

If I have one more "credit" I can book another dinner or lunch. **Yes.

SO, is this correct and think I just learned, my 5 pp TS credits can be used for a lunch or dinner that accepts the DDP. Is that correct? **Yes, or breakfast.

Also, I printed out the menus and see that Citricos and/or CG also ask for "Signature" Dining. Does that mean I would need to Delux plan? **Need verification here. Signature require two dining plan credits. I *believe* DxDP would allow for an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage and a DDP would only allow for an entree, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage - whether at a regular or signature TS resaurant.

$50 per person (approx) per day is what I am looking at to eat at Disney for my stay? Is that correct? $1150? Is there tax on that too. **Don't know.

The DDP does not include alcohol but I can certainly request and pay for it at dinner. Is that correct? **Yes.

I pay my tip in cash (or on my KTTWK), is that correct? **Yes.

Do most of you think it is worth it for a family that enjoys a good meal and eating? **Yes! This is my first DDP, having done DXDP my last two stays. Our family enjoys food and the relaxation of sitting for a bit. DxDP worked very well. DD6 and I are doing a Mommy/Daughter trip and will be more ambling about and grazing, so the DDP we got with free dining will work just fine.
__________________

Have a wonderful trip!
Caryn

 

[js]

If I have one more "credit" I can book another dinner or lunch. **Yes.

SO, is this correct and think I just learned, my 5 pp TS credits can be used for a lunch or dinner that accepts the DDP. Is that correct? **Yes, or breakfast.

Also, I printed out the menus and see that Citricos and/or CG also ask for "Signature" Dining. Does that mean I would need to Delux plan? **Need verification here. Signature require two dining plan credits. I *believe* DxDP would allow for an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage and a DDP would only allow for an entree, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage - whether at a regular or signature TS resaurant.

$50 per person (approx) per day is what I am looking at to eat at Disney for my stay? Is that correct? $1150? Is there tax on that too. **Don't know.

The DDP does not include alcohol but I can certainly request and pay for it at dinner. Is that correct? **Yes.

I pay my tip in cash (or on my KTTWK), is that correct? **Yes.

Do most of you think it is worth it for a family that enjoys a good meal and eating? **Yes! This is my first DDP, having done DXDP my last two stays. Our family enjoys food and the relaxation of sitting for a bit. DxDP worked very well. DD6 and I are doing a Mommy/Daughter trip and will be more ambling about and grazing, so the DDP we got with free dining will work just fine.
__________________

Have a wonderful trip!
Caryn

Thank you Caryn. I believe we would miss the appeitzer. So the "only" difference in Deluxe and regular is that you get an appetizer with the Dx.
Is that correct?

You have ALL been VERY VERY helpful and I greatly appreciate it!

 

[BBQMommy]

Hmmm, I have looking at 2012 and I know some things have changed slightly at the upcoming turn of the year.

But for 2011 per: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/

DxDP should have 3 Table Service and 2 Snacks per person per day. (and the TS can be used at quick or counter service, just not the best bang for the buck)

DDP should have 1 Table Service, 1 Quick Service, and 1 Snack per person per day.

Being on the DDP in January, I am pretty sure I might be paying OOP for an appetizer or two. DxDP may have spoiled me.

 

[havoc315]

Thank you Caryn. I believe we would miss the appeitzer. So the "only" difference in Deluxe and regular is that you get an appetizer with the Dx.
Is that correct?

You have ALL been VERY VERY helpful and I greatly appreciate it!

Based on your plan, you do not need the deluxe.
For your 5 nights...

The regular plan gives you 5 CS credits, 5 snacks, and 5 TS credits.
The deluxe plan would give you 15 credits (good for TS or CS), plus 10 snacks, plus appetizers, plus a refillable mug.

 

[havoc315]

See bold for answers.

Thank you all VERY VERY much for your quick responses. I am a DVC member and we are staying on points but segmenting would confuse me even more and do I need to segment?
You only need to segment if you want the dining plan for only part of your stay.

Do I need Delux or Regular Dining Plan for what I told you? If I have one more "credit" I can book another dinner or lunch.
If you are only planning 4 or 5 TS meals, then the regular dining plan. The deluxe plan would be if you were planning 10-15 sit-down meals.

SO, is this correct and think I just learned, my 5 pp TS credits can be used for a lunch or dinner that accepts the DDP. Is that correct?
Correct. With some restaurants requiring 2 credits.

Also, I printed out the menus and see that Citricos and/or CG also ask for "Signature" Dining. Does that mean I would need to Delux plan?
No. But you would need to utilize 2 TS credits.

$50 per person (approx) per day is what I am looking at to eat at Disney for my stay? Is that correct? $1150? Is there tax on that too.No, it includes tax built in.

The DDP does not include alcohol but I can certainly request and pay for it at dinner. Is that correct?
You can add appetizers, alcohol, etc, out of pocket.

I pay my tip in cash (or on my KTTWK), is that correct?Correct

Do most of you think it is worth it for a family that enjoys a good meal and eating?That really depends. As you said, you are looking at almost $50 per person per night. It breaks down to about $15 for a CS meal and $30 for a TS meal. Do you always drink soda with lunch and dinner? Do you always get dessert with every meal? And do you normally go for the most expensive entrees? Then the answer is yes, the dining plan is worthwhile. But if you planned to skip dessert with your CS meal, then the CS meal would only cost about $12-$13. And if you had a cheaper entree for dinner, and didn't have dessert with dinner, then dinner may only cost you about $20. So then you would be paying the $45 for the dining plan, but only getting about $33 in value. But if you added in the desserts, and more expensive entrees, then it is a money saver.

 

[js]

Hmmm, I have looking at 2012 and I know some things have changed slightly at the upcoming turn of the year.

But for 2011 per: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/

DxDP should have 3 Table Service and 2 Snacks per person per day. (and the TS can be used at quick or counter service, just not the best bang for the buck)

DDP should have 1 Table Service, 1 Quick Service, and 1 Snack per person per day.

Being on the DDP in January, I am pretty sure I might be paying OOP for an appetizer or two. DxDP may have spoiled me.

Thank you very much for the website. I printed out all the plans.
BUT, I cannot find the prices. I think I want the dx plan.
Do you know where I can find the prices for Dx? Thank you very much!

 

[js]

Based on your plan, you do not need the deluxe.
For your 5 nights...

The regular plan gives you 5 CS credits, 5 snacks, and 5 TS credits.
The deluxe plan would give you 15 credits (good for TS or CS), plus 10 snacks, plus appetizers, plus a refillable mug.

Thank you. If I want appetizers with dinner and don't want to pay OOP do I need deluxe or can I use Regular and where the heck are the prices listed?
Thanks!

 

[js]

I never thought I was so needy LOL Thank you all for helping me! I love the dis!

OK, if I get deluxe I will have too many credits so I guess I don't want/need that. If I want appetizers, I need to pay OOP, is that correct?
We usually order at least 3 for 5 people but guess will cut back if getting dessert. Is this correct too?

Where are the prices? Thanks!

 

[BBQMommy]

2011 Disney Dining Plan prices:
Quick Service Dining Plan
Adults: $34.99 | Children: $11.99
Basic Dining Plan
Adults: $45.99 (regular season) | $47.99 (peak season*)
Children: $11.99 (regular season) | $12.99 (peak season*)
Deluxe Dining Plan
Adults: $78.99 | Children: $21.99
*Peak Seasons: 2/17/11 - 2/26/11, 3/11/11 - 4/30/11, 6/3/11 - 8/13/11,12/23/11 - 12/31/11

from: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm

Not needy -- it is a lot of info to process and an important component to a not inexpensive vacation.

 

[nkereina]

Deluxe dining plan is $78.99 per adult per day, and regular dining plan is $45.99 per adult per day. It's a significant price difference. Deluxe is only beneficial if you will be eating at least two TS meals per day and/or multiple signature restaurants which use up 2 TS credits per person. If you are doing a lot of TS breakfasts, it's not a great value because you do not get an appetizer and dessert at breakfast.

You will be there for 5 nights if I added correctly? That means if you did regular plan you would get 5 TS per person, 5 QS per person and 5 snacks per person for the duration of your stay. On deluxe plan, you would get 15 meal credits per person which you can use as either TS or QS. If you plan on eating multiple QS meals, it's not the best value to use Deluxe credits for this. You wouldn't be getting your money's worth. Also, each person would also get 10 snacks for the duration.

Deluxe is a lot of food and can also be time consuming going between reservations. Based on your current ADRs, even with the signature restaurant, I personally wouldn't pay to upgrade. Even if you think you will buy an appetizer at every TS meal, it would still probably come out cheaper to just pay for the app OOP.

 

[nkereina]

sorry, duplicate post

 

[havoc315]

Thank you. If I want appetizers with dinner and don't want to pay OOP do I need deluxe or can I use Regular and where the heck are the prices listed?
Thanks!

On the regular dining plan, you would have to pay out of pocket for the appetizers.

It would not be worth upgrading to the deluxe just to get appetizers. (It's about $33 per person per night to upgrade).

If you are looking for dining plan prices, there is a sticky on this board.

If you want Disney restaurant prices, try:

http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm