When the dining plan says.....

[theostwalts]

appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage and gratuity charge does that mean that each person on the plan can order an appetizer? We have 5 people. I think that our 14 year old is counted as an adult for the dining plan. So do we get 5 appetizers? That seems like alot.

I have ordered the dining plan for our trip (8 nights/7 days). I would also like some feed back from those who have used the plan. I see alot of complaints from some about the plan. Do you think it will improve as time goes along? We are going down in October and I hope all the kinks are worked out by then.

Thanks

 

[WDWBetsy]

appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage and gratuity charge does that mean that each person on the plan can order an appetizer? We have 5 people. I think that our 14 year old is counted as an adult for the dining plan. So do we get 5 appetizers? That seems like alot.

I have ordered the dining plan for our trip (8 nights/7 days). I would also like some feed back from those who have used the plan. I see alot of complaints from some about the plan. Do you think it will improve as time goes along? We are going down in October and I hope all the kinks are worked out by then.

Thanks

Yes, each person gets their own appetizer (so yes, you get 5!).

I personally think that as time goes on, the plan will be easier to use and the problems people have experienced will be resolved. I have also read many positive comments from people who have used the plan.

 

[keishashadow]

Used MYW Dining Plan for our trip this February, 2 Adults, 1 child.

It was explained to us at check-in that all your meals, snacks, etc. basically go onto the resort card for everyone in your party. As items are consumed, you get a receipt for the remaining balance (a very handy feature).

Note that my child did not have to order from the Children's Menus at the counter serve locations, he was so glad-sometimes the choices were limited to peanut & butter sandwiches and hot dogs.

For sit down meals he had to order from the Children's Menu, but we picked places where there were better offerings for him, plus we shared appetizers and entrees.

I was doubtful whether we would financially benefit from the plan, but we figure we got approximately $350 more in food over a 6 day period. I am sold on the plan.

Be aware that at some carts in the parks, the operators use hand-held scanners and must scan and print a receipt for each item, individually. On Presidents' Day the carts were quite backed up because of this, hopefully management will correct this problem.

 

[jjohnson]

Used MYW Dining Plan for our trip this February, 2 Adults, 1 child.

It was explained to us at check-in that all your meals, snacks, etc. basically go onto the resort card for everyone in your party. As items are consumed, you get a receipt for the remaining balance (a very handy feature).

Note that my child did not have to order from the Children's Menus at the counter serve locations, he was so glad-sometimes the choices were limited to peanut & butter sandwiches and hot dogs.

For sit down meals he had to order from the Children's Menu, but we picked places where there were better offerings for him, plus we shared appetizers and entrees.

I was doubtful whether we would financially benefit from the plan, but we figure we got approximately $350 more in food over a 6 day period. I am sold on the plan.

Be aware that at some carts in the parks, the operators use hand-held scanners and must scan and print a receipt for each item, individually. On Presidents' Day the carts were quite backed up because of this, hopefully management will correct this problem.

Would you mind letting me know where you ate? Thanks.

 

[soccermom5]

did you order adult appetizer with your childs meal?

 

[MidwestGal]

I've seen discussion questions about this in the past, but I still do not quite understand - is there a difference between child credits and adult credits on your receipt or food "bank"

 

[keishashadow]

All MYW dining options for your party are listed on each person's resort card (I assume to make it easier for 1 person to order for the party at a counter-serve location).

Although our party consisted of 2 adults & 1 child, at the counter serve locations we ate at (AS Movies, AS Music, Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Ray's & Electric Umbrella), we only ordered adult meals.

You are reminded to tell the CM at the register that you're using the Plan BEFORE you order. They will remind you to order a combo meal that includes a fountain beverage and a dessert.

At the sit-down dinners, my son had to order from the Child's menu. The only time he complained was at Cinderella's. At that point he was sick of chicken tenders and wasn't inclined to share the "exotic appetizers or entrees we had, i.e., shrimp cocktail and prime rib". Guess he got used to eating steak at other restaurants.

For sit-down meals we ate at: Sci-Fi, Fantasmic Package @ Hollywood & Vine (they accepted the plan with a $10 surcharge), Cinderella's, Chef Mickey's Buffet & Yaughtsman Steakhouse (takes 2-I won't return, for info see other thread).

My DH & son, who are always hungry actually complained of being "too stuffed to eat" while they continued to eat. Good thing we walked miles each day to burn off all the calories we consumed.

I strongly recommend this Dining Plan to the point that in planning our DCL Cruise for next February, am considering booking the Land package seperately in order to be able to purchase the plan.

 

[eddieras]

For sit-down meals we ate at: Sci-Fi, Fantasmic Package @ Hollywood & Vine (they accepted the plan with a $10 surcharge)

so they did take it for fantasmic--$10 per person surcharge?? did the kids paid a $10 surchage too?

 

[timandlesley]

I'm interested in this too. Did you just find this out the night you had dinner? we are making our PS's this week so if we could do Fantastmic I would love to know this, we'll be eating at Mama Melrose's anyway, would love to add the package.

Lesley

 

[nickymouse1147]

Can you use the counter service meal for breakfast? Or is it only for lunch?

 

[sleepycor]

you can use it at any meal - breakfast, lunch or dinner!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I am extremely interested in knowing if the rumors of the $10 surcharge are accurate.

We have Fantasmic PS, at Brown Derby, but will def. make a stronger attempt to change to MM, if that is the case. I doubt they would only charge 10, at BD, since it is a sig rest., and I wouldn't want to use 2 dining choices.

Any other reports?

 

[henrylovespooh]

We just got back and used the dining plan for two adults and one child - $80 per day). I loved it and would definitely do it again. I estimate we saved at least $150, probably more. I was surprised that my 3 year old didn't have to order off the kids' menu at counter service places. Five appetizers might sound like alot, but keep in mind many portions are small and you don't have to eat all of it. You could have some people order salads and some order appetizers and share. Soups are also an option.

Here's where we ate:

Sit Down Meals:

Boma dinner (twice) - very good
Biergarten dinner - good
Kona Cafe dinner - my favorite! Bill was $120
Chef Mickey's dinner - very good
Hollywood and Vine dinner - good
CRT dinner - very good prime rib and caesar salad - Bill for dinner was $109

Counter Service:

Columbia Harbour House at MK
Food court at ASMo
Flame Tree Barbecue at AK - very good and a good value on the plan
Sommerfest at Germany in Epcot - good brats
Fish and Chips in UK in Epcot

Two ideas for making the most of the plan:

We used the CS meals for lunch and the sit down meals for dinner. Dinners are more expensive so we never used a sit down meal credit for anything other than dinner. Sometimes one of us split a CS lunch with DS3 and saved a couple CS credits for breakfast. With a party of five, you could bank some CS credits to use for breakfast or dinner. If you have a CS dinner one night, you can use the extra sit down credits for a signature restaurant or a show like Hoo dee Doo.

To get the most bang for your buck, use the sit down credits for dinner at a la carte restaurants like Kona Cafe, and CRT. For three of us, our bill at CRT was $109 and at Kona Cafe it was $120. We had our pick of the menu, many of which items were more than $25 per entree. Without having a snack or CS meal that day, we were already at least $40 ahead. But even if you do select a buffet, with tax and tip you will still do well on the plan.

 

[KelNottAt]

I was very intrigued by the MYW Dining Plan and almost went so far as to urge friends to use it...until I estimated the cost of our meals using the planner found here: http://www.wdwplanner.com/mealplanner.htm.

As it turned out our cash meals would have cost $1102, whereas the dining plan would have cost $1120. In the grand scheme of things, I called this a "tie."

In the end I decided NOT to buy the MYW because I just couldn't see us having a big app-entree-dessert meal EVERYDAY. My goodness, we'd be stuffed. Plus, I wanted us to have the option of eating anywhere, anytime we got hungry. I feared we might stray from the plan if we're too far from a participating restaurant, or too impulsive when hunger strikes.

Now, for BIL and SIL, who MUST stick to a strict budget when they go to WDW, I think the MYW option has great appeal.

$0.02
Kelley

 

[jjohnson]

All MYW dining options for your party are listed on each person's resort card (I assume to make it easier for 1 person to order for the party at a counter-serve location).

Although our party consisted of 2 adults & 1 child, at the counter serve locations we ate at (AS Movies, AS Music, Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Ray's & Electric Umbrella), we only ordered adult meals.

You are reminded to tell the CM at the register that you're using the Plan BEFORE you order. They will remind you to order a combo meal that includes a fountain beverage and a dessert.

At the sit-down dinners, my son had to order from the Child's menu. The only time he complained was at Cinderella's. At that point he was sick of chicken tenders and wasn't inclined to share the "exotic appetizers or entrees we had, i.e., shrimp cocktail and prime rib". Guess he got used to eating steak at other restaurants.

For sit-down meals we ate at: Sci-Fi, Fantasmic Package @ Hollywood & Vine (they accepted the plan with a $10 surcharge), Cinderella's, Chef Mickey's Buffet & Yaughtsman Steakhouse (takes 2-I won't return, for info see other thread).

My DH & son, who are always hungry actually complained of being "too stuffed to eat" while they continued to eat. Good thing we walked miles each day to burn off all the calories we consumed.

I strongly recommend this Dining Plan to the point that in planning our DCL Cruise for next February, am considering booking the Land package seperately in order to be able to purchase the plan.

Thank you for responding. Amazing they allowed you to use your wishes for FDP when they insist at WDW dining that you can't. Was it $10 per person?

 

[keishashadow]

I pulled out my receipt to double check, the "upcharge" was $10 for our entire party of three. Note that I had called PS twice before the trip and was told that I could not use it both times. It was only when I mentioned it to the waitress at the end of the meal, when she gladly offered to accept our Dining Plan with the surcharge.

 

[timandlesley]

So did you have the PS as a Fantasmic Dinner package? My question is since they were able to do the 10 dollar surcharge there (I'm assuming by the way you stated this.) that if we are eating at Mama Melrose and have a waitress that will allow us to do the 10 dollar surcharge and add the fantasmic package with our plan could we do that, or does the reservation specificallly have to be for fantasmic and then we could possibly have to pay for the meal without the plan (which I don't feel I am willing to do).

Lesley

 

[jjohnson]

I pulled out my receipt to double check, the "upcharge" was $10 for our entire party of three. Note that I had called PS twice before the trip and was told that I could not use it both times. It was only when I mentioned it to the waitress at the end of the meal, when she gladly offered to accept our Dining Plan with the surcharge.

This is good news & hopefully will work for us too. We we're going to book the FDP anyway & will try to use it in the WDP.

*theostwalts- sorry for highjacking your first thread

 

[keishashadow]

Our PS was booked as the Fantasmic Package, not under the Dining Plan. Only when I mentioned to the waitress at H&V that I wished we could use our Dining Plan to pay for the meal, did she offer to use the Plan & $10 sur-charge. I hope this works out for you all.

 

[eddieras]

wonder if it'll work at brown derby??