What will "Free Dining" do the restaurants?

[Dorisk3]

Well, I will say this is one of the more interesting threads I've read in a while! While Disney is, as a previous poster said, for kids young and old, it does drive me crazy when people complain about kids at Disney!
Certainly, while Disney is not just for kids, it also isn't just for people without kids! For myself, kids usually don't bother me (especially when they are not my own! hehe!)
As far as a "sophisticated dining experience" (I really did not find that post offensive at all-just quoting)- I would suggest going to Europe for a truly excellent dining experience- You need to remember after all you are at a theme park (albeit an expensive one!)

 

[Anewman]

I dont think kids are ruining it for anyone, but if someone chooses to avoid it by dining elsewhere. Why would one be offended?


I dont see what the big deal is, if one wants to alter their dining plans for whatever reason(even my kids). Hey it is their dinner.

How is it bad for someone to try and schedule as sophisticated dinner as possible?

Maybe I chose to dine at SCI FI just to avoid snobs(no offence, just making a point), should snobs care?





This thread can go on forever

 

[yyzgurl]

Things have to be put into perspective...

All the restaurants on the dining plan are IN Disneyworld. That, in itself, should be self evident. As much as I enjoy the different restaurants in Disney, I would never actually consider them sophisticated. They are located in the middle of a place that caters to families!! How can one expect that there will not be children (both well-behaved and rambunctious) in anyplace at Disneyworld. It is a family place, so all restaurants regardless of theming and price, are child-friendly.

While at home, I have "higher" expectations when I go to an upscale restaurant that I will not have to tolerate unruly children. However, in Disneyworld, I don't expect that as I know I am smack dab in the middle of a place filled with them. And I don't mind because I know that it is my choice to be there.

As for the dining plan, I plan on using it on our September trip. And yes, my DS (age 2) will be joining us at our TS meals, including the sig. restaurants!

 

[Punch]

I'm more concerned about the food and service being good than anything else when it comes to a restaurant. If you make your ADRs, then you don't need to worry about crowds. If you don't make them, then you should worry because you might not be able to find a sit down restuarant you want to eat at, at the time you want to eat. Table service restaurants can only fit a certain amount of people, that does not change no matter how crowded the parks are. Some restauraunts will always be running at fully capacity year round, that's why it's important to make ADRs as soon as you can. I hope you didn't miss out on the chance to get free dining just because you thought the restaurants will be busy. It's not like, just because there's a free dining plan offer, that they will make people stand in the corner or sit on the floor to eat. If a restaurant is full, it's full, and Disney restaurants often times are, it can not get more full.

 

[Kimkimba]

We wouldn't be doing Disney this year if it weren't for the free dining.

I had no problem making all my ADRs last week for August. We are a family of 5 with dd16, ds7, and dd2. I did make all our dinner times early though, not for the other diners but for my kids. It will work out best for us if we eat early before places are crowded and then we can have a snack later on if we get hungry.

I do not expect my children to behave any differently at Disney than at home or somewhere else.

 

[Anewman]

Things have to be put into perspective...

All the restaurants on the dining plan are IN Disneyworld. That, in itself, should be self evident. As much as I enjoy the different restaurants in Disney, I would never actually consider them sophisticated. They are located in the middle of a place that caters to families!! How can one expect that there will not be children (both well-behaved and rambunctious) in anyplace at Disneyworld. It is a family place, so all restaurants regardless of theming and price, are child-friendly.

While at home, I have "higher" expectations when I go to an upscale restaurant that I will not have to tolerate unruly children. However, in Disneyworld, I don't expect that as I know I am smack dab in the middle of a place filled with them. And I don't mind because I know that it is my choice to be there.

As for the dining plan, I plan on using it on our September trip. And yes, my DS (age 2) will be joining us at our TS meals, including the sig. restaurants!

I agree in Disney kids are to be expected, but where do you think there will be bigger crowds and more KIDS?
A) Chef Mickeys
B) NARCOOSSEE'S(I could have used Victoria and Albert's)

And If anyone chooses B, because they feel it is more shopisticated and they feel it will be quieter thanks to having fewer kids running around(or any other reason).
I am a parent of two, it does not insult me.

 

[swilphil]

Back to the original question, I wouldn't avoid the Disney restaurants if I was able to get the free dining. Here's what I would do to avoid the crowds:

1. Make PSs ASAP and for the first available time for that meal and get there early.

2. Use my table service for breakfast and lunch more often than dinner. I know you aren't getting as much bang for your buck, but I'd rather have a big meal earlier in the day.

3. Eat at counter service during off hours: mid afternoon.

4. Save my table service meals and use them for signature meals if I want a quieter dining experience.

5. Stop by the sitdown restaurants in the park earlier in the day to see what they have available and put my name in HOURS in advance.

 

[SnowWitch]

I am the mother of three - DS 15, DS 13, and a new daughter. We have avoided the restraurants that tended to cater to a more adult clientele in the past when the boys were younger for several reasons. One being it was to much to expect young children to behave like adults for a long meal and the second reason being I didn't want to disrupt other peoples meals. No my children weren't little wild demons when they were younger but they were just that -children and they would on occassion act like children. And for those that want to flame heres the point where you may want to whip out your flame throwers, if I'm putting down $200+ for a meal at CG I don't want to listen to someones over tired 2 yr old whine because its way past their bedtime!

I don't take offense to the OP at all. People are way to sensitive on these boards to the point its rediculous!!! Yes, its DisneyWorld but Disneys not just for kids. Yes, some of the nicer restaurants will be more crowded because people who generally wouldn't eat at the more expensive places will do so on the free dining plan, great! Free dining is only being offered for a very short period of time so this thread will be pointless after October 4th.

 

[sportears]

I've noticed that when making priority seating arangements, the cast member has ask me if I'm on the dining plan before confirming the seating time. What difference should that make? Maybe if there are only a few seats available at a certain prime dining time, dining plan people might not get those times at popular restaurants.

 

[Irelandred11]

Remeber Disney is for children of all ages. If you want to sit in a quiet place then don't eat in Disney or order takeout and eat in your room. Everyone should go and just enjoy themselves - let your hair down and have a great time!!

 

[Lewisc]

I've noticed that when making priority seating arangements, the cast member has ask me if I'm on the dining plan before confirming the seating time. What difference should that make? Maybe if there are only a few seats available at a certain prime dining time, dining plan people might not get those times at popular restaurants.

MYW Dining guests tend to order appetizers and dessert for everyone at the table, it's included. Otherwise some guests either skip or share appetizers and/or dessert.

Some restaurants were running out of appetizers and desserts when MYW dining started. You always have the option of telling reservations you don't have MYW Dining but using it when you get to the restaurant.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the same reason, I suspect MYW dining guests spend longer at table than non-package guests. and this information is used to help determine how long your table should be slotted as used. Because Disney is aggressive at trying to turn tables over, they book more guests per table per night than most other restaurants of similar caliber might.

For example, DW and I often order starters *or* desserts, but rarely order both, and sometimes order neither. Thus, our table turns over faster than someone having a full three courses. Knowing whether you are on plan or off allows the CRO CM to know how to slot your table---the shorter expected time, or the longer one.

 

[Anewman]

I've noticed that when making priority seating arangements, the cast member has ask me if I'm on the dining plan before confirming the seating time. What difference should that make? Maybe if there are only a few seats available at a certain prime dining time, dining plan people might not get those times at popular restaurants.

That is wierd, the CM did not ask me for this info and did not ask for a CC number as others mentioned.

I did enter our RES number for our package(booked @ AAA) but then CM asked if were staying on site, where and arrival date.

 

[PrincessAlina]

That is wierd, the CM did not ask me for this info and did not ask for a CC number as others mentioned.

I did enter our RES number for our package(booked @ AAA) but then CM asked if were staying on site, where and arrival date.

When I made my PS arrangements, the cast member only required a CC number for the princess breakfast at EPCOT. I think it's only the better restaurants and more popular character dining experiences that require the CC. For all of my PS arrangements, however, they did question whether I had a dining plan.