Yet Another Dining Plan Question - sorry!

[ChloeChipper]

Just some clarifications, please.

We may want to pay for some meals without using the Dining Plan. How do you coordinate with the actual restaurant whether or not you are using the Dining Plan? Do you tell them when you make the reservation or when you check in for your table?

Does everyone need to use one of their credits at every table service meal? We have 5 in our family, can my daughter & I share a meal? (She is 17 but hardly eats a thing). So that we'd only use 4 of our credits. I know that at buffets you cannot share but what about at regular restaurants. We could easily share the food and still have some left over. Is that allowed, or frowned upon? I really would hate to waste an entire other meal. There is no way we can all eat that much. My husband and boys can, but not us girls.

AND Are you allowed to take some of the food TO GO? We are staying at BCV so we will have a kitchen. Maybe that would be a good alternative to wasting all the food - take some back to the room instead. Although that would waste a lot of time going back and forth to the room.

 

[slcmkh]

I'm no expert, because I have yet to use the DP, although my family is planning on it for next trip. However, I have been reading DP posts for several months now.

My understanding is that sharing meals is entirely possible and not frowned upon. No prob with that.

I have also seen numerous posts where people ask to take the desert with them instead of eating it at the restaurant, and had no problem doing that.

I'm sure taking some food out will be fine, just like taking a doggie bag (what do they call doggie bags these days anyway?)

You're right about the buffets -- everyone has to use a credit there.

I have two teenaged sons that are chow hounds. Half the reason I decided on using the dining plan is for the pleasure of watching them enjoy their meals with entree, appetizer, dessert and beverage available. They both think I'm a total tightwad dad. This will prove them wrong. For a week or so anyway.

I understand that you simply tell your server when you are seated whether or not you are using the dining plan.

Can't help you with putting pics on your posts. I'm as clueless as anyone when it comes to these fun and fancy posts that we see on here. My posts are just words.

 

[DeborahA]

We used the DP on our trip in Nov. We loved it and found it very easy to use--never an embarrassing moment. You sit down and order what you want. When they bring you the bill you give them your room key and they take it and deduct the credits from the balance. They bring you a receipt--without an amount-showing your remaining credits. If you want to pay oop for part of the meal you just tell them, they separate it out and bring you another updated bill. Remember to add tip to the oop portion because the tip is only included on the DP portion.
HTH Deb

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We may want to pay for some meals without using the Dining Plan. How do you coordinate with the actual restaurant whether or not you are using the Dining Plan? Do you tell them when you make the reservation or when you check in for your table?

Just notify your server when they first arrive at your table.

Does everyone need to use one of their credits at every table service meal? We have 5 in our family, can my daughter & I share a meal? (She is 17 but hardly eats a thing). So that we'd only use 4 of our credits. I know that at buffets you cannot share but what about at regular restaurants. We could easily share the food and still have some left over. Is that allowed, or frowned upon? I really would hate to waste an entire other meal. There is no way we can all eat that much. My husband and boys can, but not us girls.

If the place is strictly all you can eat, you have to use em or pay. But at a-la-carte places, you can share meals.

AND Are you allowed to take some of the food TO GO? We are staying at BCV so we will have a kitchen. Maybe that would be a good alternative to wasting all the food - take some back to the room instead. Although that would waste a lot of time going back and forth to the room.[

You can take food home as long as it's not from an all you can eat platter Most have boxes to go.

 

[jezabel_007]

We didn't share, but it is an option. You just can't share the buffets. Also, you let the server know if you're on the plan, and if not, you just pay out of pocket. Also, the plan includes tips.