We are skipping free dining

[Goobergal99]

Although, I totally agree that as the dining plan is free, why not take advantage of it, even if you only use some of the credits. I must say that I don't understand why ppl on here get so defensive about what ppl say in regards to Disney.

I mean it isn't like the OP told you that you were a son of a b***h they just stated that they didn't want to take advantage of the free dining b/c of the hassle of it all. Geez! why do some of you care anyway??? I mean you all get so defensive as if someone has insulted you personally just because they have complaints about the way disney does things. It is all so childish

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Our plan is to combine the two. We will go where we want, which all happen to be on the plan (not chosen for that reason) and we will order what we want. If it's not on the plan, then in our minds, we are getting a very reasonable meal. Example: we'll be at 'Ohana the evening of our DS's birthday. I absolutely fully intend to order him the sand pail snowcone. He'll love it. I know it's not on the plan. DH and I just may want a different dessert too. Let's assume we order them. Then a lovely meal at 'Ohana will actually be the cost of 3 desserts. Works for me. I see this as a way to indulge in the extras we might normally skip - speciality drinks with glow cubes, dessert samplers, etc - since we'll be paying for the extras and not the main entrees/drinks/food/etc. We do have the DDE card as well, so we have that savings for when we don't use credits.

Same situation here (right down to being DDE members).

For us, it really was a no brainer. We already had a trip planned, and we only lost less than $150 in discounts. We will get over a thousand bucks of food in return.

We will be eating a few more TS than we had planned, which is a good thing for us. This is going to be an "easy does it" trip as we have a disabled member traveling with us, and now we've been able to schedule at least one nice sit-down for each and every day, so we get a nice hour or so downtime to regroup and eat a fine meal.

If we want something on the plan, no problem - we'll just pay for it, and get 20% off with our DDE card. As you said, we are still getting the bulk of the meal for free. For instance, if they have the lobster tail add-on at Le Cellier when I visit, I'll add it - and we'll still get a $150 meal for less than $20 bucks (I also plan on leaving an additional tip if the service warrants it).

That said, I do understand why some people won't find a value - for instance, if they have a heavy discount on a deluxe resort, or some other value. But if you are already booking a package, it's a great deal.

N.E.D.

 

[poohluvrs]

I dont get it. The dining plan is free. Why not just take it and use whatever you can out of it. You didnt pay anything for it so what does it matter if you dont eat all the food? The AAA room discount wont save as much as the cost of food.

In our case, our AAA room discount was worth more than the free food, depends on where/how long you stay too, as well as # of adults in your party that would benefit from the free food, we're going w/ 2 under 3, so they dont eat much, & to be honest I've read the agonizing posts of "how many TS points for this restaurant..."just not interested in worrying about that on vacay!! Also, our AAA room discount was $700, worked better for us, just another point of view!

 

[deacondarlin]

I just like the no-hassle of having to budget food money...and it was fun to read menus and pick the places.

 

[jrjac]

i do wish that disney would realize that some children are not keen on chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. some kids really do like "real food" making a kid order off the childrens menu would be fine if there was really something for them to eat which was remotely healthy.

Just back from WDW and were thrilled with the free dining plan! Our 8 year old son ate like a prince! He was able to order off the adult menu at all CS's we ate at in the parks! Healthy foods like couscous, tabbouleh & hummus. And his favs like pesto salmon and lamb with yogurt & cucumber sauce. And the not so healthy but at least "real" food like burgers smoothered in mushrooms and onions. Huge portions on the kids menu at places like Teppanyaki with veggies & shrimp-and he was able to order an appetizetr off the adult menu because one was not offered on the kids menu. And even though we did not eat at the "fancier" places, we added up the receipts and got a tab of $900 for the three of us-for free!

 

[shaycamp21]

We just came back too after 9 nights and we ate a whopping $1499.18 worth of food so even if we had paid for the dining we still would have saved a bundle. I found it very flexible and not too restrictive.


POFQ Aug '05

 

[*NikkiBell*]

after all of the discussion and complications with people using the plan and after friends found a cm who actually would not let them have a sprite because the dining plan only covered coke we have decided to stick with a room only reservation with aaa discount.

that way we can get a dole whip and even go to taco bell at the crossroads if we want to. the way our girls eat we would have too much food anyway.

i do wish that disney would realize that some children are not keen on chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. some kids really do like "real food" making a kid order off the childrens menu would be fine if there was really something for them to eat which was remotely healthy.

there is still no better place to be than in the World!

have a disney day

I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings, but the dining plan does NOT limit anyone to what they can order or not. Saying you can't order a Sprite is simply false and I would think twice before believing this as all cast members are trained and even have a flipbook with a list of example items on each of the different dining plans.

In regards to the second poster, you are NOT limited to what you can eat. You do not order off of a special menu, and there are no limitations other than a few restaurants from Epcot not included on the plan.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I mean it isn't like the OP told you that you were a son of a b***h they just stated that they didn't want to take advantage of the free dining b/c of the hassle of it all. Geez! why do some of you care anyway??? I mean you all get so defensive as if someone has insulted you personally just because they have complaints about the way disney does things. It is all so childish

Thank You!

You took the words right out of my mouth...

Im tired of hearing people explode, just because someone doesn't do the same (or think the same) about something that you do! Thats what makes this country so great, everyone is intitled to their own opinons. Personally, I think that ME is crappy, terrable and every other depressing word under the sun, but thats just me. It may work perfect for others.

PLEASE PEOPLE, RELAX!!

 

[jrjac]

Thank You!

You took the words right out of my mouth...

Im tired of hearing people explode, just because someone doesn't do the same (or think the same) about something that you do! Thats what makes this country so great, everyone is intitled to their own opinons. Personally, I think that ME is crappy, terrable and every other depressing word under the sun, but thats just me. It may work perfect for others.

PLEASE PEOPLE, RELAX!!

Maybe I missed something reading this particular thread-yet just who "exploded?" And who got defensive? I did not sense any of those negative feelings. Just simple opinions. This is turning into a ridiculous discussion. geez.

 

[Lizzybee]

I skipped past any exploding part but I just wanted to say we just got back Sunday from a trip with free dining and I found CMs all to be very accomodating. I can't even possibly imagine them saying "coke no sprite" like the guy from that old bit on Saturday night "coke no pepsi". They didn't even hint at being restrictive especially not in restaurants. Geez actually from reading some stuff on here, I didn't grab a 24 oz water without checking first b/c the dining info said 20 oz, which they didn't offer in the ASMo food court. The CM almost giggled at me for asking, and of COURSE it was fine, they showed me a very clear listing of what was and was not available. In 1900 Park Fare, the specialty drinks were offered to us as part of the meal, both kids got glowing cubes and I got a smoothie and a water and a coffee. At CRT lunch, specialty drinks would have been extra. At Prime Time, we got the drinks, with the cubes, in the souvenir cups included.
To me, that was all "bonus". There was some citrus swirl ice cream and a couple of frozen lemonades that wouldn't have been included. I paid for a couple of meals out of pocket because we were there 4 days and the plan allowed for 3 nights. I never could have afforded to take my kids to all of those special meals without the free dining. I thought it was fabulous and so did my kids.

 

[jrjac]

The CM almost giggled at me for asking, and of COURSE it was fine, they showed me a very clear listing of what was and was not available.

Silly question, I know, Lizzybee, but was that CM the very proper southern lady who called everyone "sugar" and "darling?" If it was the same, she was a pleasure to meet!

 

[Lizzybee]

Silly question, I know, Lizzybee, but was that CM the very proper southern lady who called everyone "sugar" and "darling?" If it was the same, she was a pleasure to meet!

YES! You must have run into the same dear ray of sunshine! She was very nice. Being able to get the water wasn't just her though, it was on her "approved list".

 

[jrjac]

YES! You must have run into the same dear ray of sunshine! She was very nice. Being able to get the water wasn't just her though, it was on her "approved list".

Wasn't she the sweetest?! The last day, we ran back to get a snack for the plane and I made it a point to get in her line (even though I was starting to get a bit wooried about getting to the airport on time!) just to tell her that it was a pleasure to have met her! Just wish I knew her name-i would have defintiely wanted to let "the suits" know how wonderful she was! By the way, Lizzybee, which building were you in? We were there at the same time.

 

[Lizzybee]

We were in Dalmations 1 (Pongo) 3rd floor room 1942.

 

[jrjac]

We were in Dalmations 1 (Pongo) 3rd floor room 1942.

Small World! We were in Dalmatians 1-3rd floor-room 1943!

 

[Suzanne74]

Well - to each is their own. I have heard nothing but great reviews of the free dining. For us, the price can not be beat and really, I won't mind paying for a Dole Whip out of pocket once or twice but I prefer the Mickey bars anyway

You are going to hear negative comments more then positive comments - that is human nature about the DIS boards. So far not one negative outwieghts the HUGE savings we are taking and the fact we can invite my parents down as a surprise but not have to worry about expenses and who is paying for what dinner, how much to tip, do we have enough cash for the snacks etc... I think it is great for Magical Gatherings!! I have an AP and this by far is the best deal I have seen even, even compared to AP rates.

Personally, I can't wait!!!

 

[deacondarlin]

Aaah, arguing...the beauty of American free speech...appreciate it.

 

[Cruz Family]

You talk about that not being remotely healthy, yet you would prefer to eat those healthy foods at Taco Bell?

 

[pooch]

noticed your entry "Zoe seizure free one year", so wonderful!! I have one too, my 14 year old Nick, seizure free 3 years and before that 5 years! Still on meds but thank the good Lord, under control. Prayers for your family and especially Zoe!!

Pooch

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Well - to each is their own. I have heard nothing but great reviews of the free dining. For us, the price can not be beat and really, I won't mind paying for a Dole Whip out of pocket once or twice but I prefer the Mickey bars anyway

To be honest, when we went on the Premium Dining Plan, we were able to get a lot of things not listed on the brochures. For example, my boyfriend got us turkey legs in Adventureland and they took off a snack coupon. You might be able to get Dole Whips in the same way. Just tell them you are on the plan.