Which TS Restaurants are you planning on booking with "Free Dining"?

[shaycamp21]

We are taking advantage of the "free dining" offer this summer (I know it's not really free-- but it's less grumbling from DH if more of the vacation is paid for upfront lol ) and are upgrading to the regular dining plan since we are staying at POP for 9 nights. Our dd is a Disney adult (13) and we are going with friends who's dd is 8 (this is their first visit) and they also have the dining plan. This is our tentative plan (assuming we can get ADRs) for Table Service Restaurants:

Homecomin' (dinner)
CRT (lunch) *I know 2 credits is not the best use but to pay for this OOP incl tax and gratuity with the exchange rate would be close to $500 CAD for the 3 of us.
Ohana (Character Breakfast--both girls are big Stitch fans so this is a must do)
Yak & Yeti (dinner) * I don't like that there are a lot of exclusions on this menu so may not keep this one.
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Via Napoli or Tepan Edo (lunch) *debating between the 2
Boma (dinner)
Round Up Rodeo or Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Dinner Package) * I know the Fantasmic Dinner Package is the better value but feel like we have enough character meals & other restaurants offering the FDP, their menus don't excite us--also I want to try RUR.

I am not so concerned about "maxmizing credits" but rather have a variety of different cuisine options. Any thoughts?

Anyone else want to share their "free dining" plans?

 

[Mle8308]

We are taking advantage of the "free dining" offer this summer (I know it's not really free-- but it's less grumbling from DH if more of the vacation is paid for upfront lol ) and are upgrading to the regular dining plan since we are staying at POP for 9 nights. Our dd is a Disney adult (13) and we are going with friends who's dd is 8 (this is their first visit) and they also have the dining plan. This is our tentative plan (assuming we can get ADRs) for Table Service Restaurants:

Homecomin' (dinner)
CRT (lunch) *I know 2 credits is not the best use but to pay for this OOP incl tax and gratuity with the exchange rate would be close to $500 CAD for the 3 of us.
Ohana (Character Breakfast--both girls are big Stitch fans so this is a must do)
Yak & Yeti (dinner) * I don't like that there are a lot of exclusions on this menu so may not keep this one.
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Via Napoli or Tepan Edo (lunch) *debating between the 2
Boma (dinner)
Round Up Rodeo or Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Dinner Package) * I know the Fantasmic Dinner Package is the better value but feel like we have enough character meals & other restaurants offering the FDP, their menus don't excite us--also I want to try RUR.

I am not so concerned about "maxmizing credits" but rather have a variety of different cuisine options. Any thoughts?

Anyone else want to share their "free dining" plans?

One thing, don't forget to budget for tips at TS restaurants. The tip is no longer included. It can add up, especially if everyone is ordering the most expensive items on the menu and the highest priced cocktails. For a good value at a QS location, Polite Pig at Disney Springs is a very good use of dining credits.

 

[Nwest]

We are taking advantage of the "free dining" offer this summer (I know it's not really free-- but it's less grumbling from DH if more of the vacation is paid for upfront lol ) and are upgrading to the regular dining plan since we are staying at POP for 9 nights. Our dd is a Disney adult (13) and we are going with friends who's dd is 8 (this is their first visit) and they also have the dining plan. This is our tentative plan (assuming we can get ADRs) for Table Service Restaurants:

Homecomin' (dinner)
CRT (lunch) *I know 2 credits is not the best use but to pay for this OOP incl tax and gratuity with the exchange rate would be close to $500 CAD for the 3 of us.
Ohana (Character Breakfast--both girls are big Stitch fans so this is a must do)
Yak & Yeti (dinner) * I don't like that there are a lot of exclusions on this menu so may not keep this one.
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Via Napoli or Tepan Edo (lunch) *debating between the 2
Boma (dinner)
Round Up Rodeo or Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Dinner Package) * I know the Fantasmic Dinner Package is the better value but feel like we have enough character meals & other restaurants offering the FDP, their menus don't excite us--also I want to try RUR.

I am not so concerned about "maxmizing credits" but rather have a variety of different cuisine options. Any thoughts?

Anyone else want to share their "free dining" plans?

We did homecoming for dinner in 2023 but I wouldn’t rush back. ‘Ohana character breakfast was one of our favourites as was Tusker House character breakfast and would recommend both!

We always do Boma buffet dinner at AKL it’s a must every trip. And the resort is amazing to look round.

Our family have free dining for our summer trip this year reservation I’ll be trying to get will include; 1900 park Fare breakfast, CRT dinner, tepan edo/mexican at Epcot, Steakhouse 71 dinner, Sanaa, the Italians on the boardwalk. Heard the views outside tepan edo are good for fireworks

We like the rose and crown firework package but it’s 2 credits like CRT.

 

[kandb]

We are taking advantage of the "free dining" offer this summer (I know it's not really free-- but it's less grumbling from DH if more of the vacation is paid for upfront lol ) and are upgrading to the regular dining plan since we are staying at POP for 9 nights. Our dd is a Disney adult (13) and we are going with friends who's dd is 8 (this is their first visit) and they also have the dining plan. This is our tentative plan (assuming we can get ADRs) for Table Service Restaurants:

Homecomin' (dinner)
CRT (lunch) *I know 2 credits is not the best use but to pay for this OOP incl tax and gratuity with the exchange rate would be close to $500 CAD for the 3 of us.
Ohana (Character Breakfast--both girls are big Stitch fans so this is a must do)
Yak & Yeti (dinner) * I don't like that there are a lot of exclusions on this menu so may not keep this one.
1900 Park Fare (dinner)
Via Napoli or Tepan Edo (lunch) *debating between the 2
Boma (dinner)
Round Up Rodeo or Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Dinner Package) * I know the Fantasmic Dinner Package is the better value but feel like we have enough character meals & other restaurants offering the FDP, their menus don't excite us--also I want to try RUR.

I am not so concerned about "maxmizing credits" but rather have a variety of different cuisine options. Any thoughts?

Anyone else want to share their "free dining" plans?

Where did you see the exclusions for Yak N Yedi when on the dining plan? We were going to book that restaurant but won't if there are alot of exclusions from the menu. Thanks

 

[Kerr84]

We are doing:

1. Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Package (this is the most expensive 1 credit option there is)
2. CRT dinner (I know people don't always book this but when you include gratuity and an alcoholic beverage, it's actually not a bad use of 2 credits)
3. Either Garden Grill, Crystal Palace, or Rodeo Roundup BBQ (We did Garden Grill and Crystal Palace last year which is why we are considering the lower cost Rodeo Roundup)

 

[cisco911]

We are planning on doing Teppan Edo Dinner, Ohana Dinner, Steakhouse 71 Dinner, and Whispering Canyon Dinner. Still have one to decide on to use for dinner the night we get there or for breakfast the day we leave. Anyone have suggestions? We have done a couple of Disney Spring restaurants before. Looking for something new for this year. Could be anywhere on property.

 

[CaroM8]

These are the ones we did with our "Free Dinning Plan" last fall:

- Crystal Palace (Pooh and friends character meal)
- CRT dinner
- Ohana dinner (my leasr favorite... I know I know)
-Topolinos's breakfast (Mickey & Minnie + friends) *Highly recommend this one if you can get a reservation! The character interactions are so nice, and the food is incredible. Plus amazing views of Epcot area*
- Sci-Di Diner at HS
-Sebastian's Bistro (we were staying at CBR so had to try it - actually very pleasantly surprised by this one!)

 

[shaycamp21]

Where did you see the exclusions for Yak N Yedi when on the dining plan? We were going to book that restaurant but won't if there are alot of exclusions from the menu. Thanks

I saw it on All Ears Menus, it says that the Kalbi Ribeye Fajitas, Bhaktapur Duck or the Hibachi Steak and Shrimp entrees (they range in price from $38.99-$48.99) were not included on the dining plan. This is disappointing because years ago I had the duck (it was included then) and it was very good, and makes this restaurant not a great value for the dining plan with so many exclusions.

Edited to add: I see that these exclusions are also listed WDW's official menu on their site.