Dining plan review

[Richie248]

I'm surprised that you recieved such bad service, I can remember having some not so pleasent service but that was without the dining plan. I will be experiencing the dining plan for the first time this fall, and i'm looking forward to trying food which I passed over before, but isn't the server's tip based on the amount "spent"? It would seem the tip they recieve from regular diners versus dining plan vistors would be comporable if not more. I think a "guarenteed percentage" of any bill would be a great incentive to me as a waiter. Does anyone have any idea what percentage is given to the waitstaff??

 

[shoppingnut]

I can't argue that it was a great deal. However, I need to stop and figure out what we would have eaten on a normal visit, without the fancy sit down places everyday. Also, we never order desserts or appetizers, so that is more money would probably would not have spent.

To me the whole point of being on vacation is to have things I wouldn't normally have at home which include dessert. We used the plan last August and it was great, we had great service in all the restaurants, tried things we normally wouldn't and I drink soda like a fish, so refills are very important to me.

 

[mattfz]

Dining plan is GREAT!

No difference in service, but we knew what was on the plan ahead of time and did not inform the server until we paid.

Did notice that on many menus the Dining Plan items were not indicated or clear. However, if you read up on the plan before you go you can really get great deals.

For instance, save your snack for the Norway bakery and get a $4 berry tart instead of blowing it on a $1 banana!

Got appetizers and dessert at the Sci Fi Dine In Theater that we never would have felt we could afford otherwise.

Basically, read up on whats on the plan beforehand and map out your meals ahead of time to maximize your $$$!

 

[mattfz]

I'm surprised that you recieved such bad service, I can remember having some not so pleasent service but that was without the dining plan. I will be experiencing the dining plan for the first time this fall, and i'm looking forward to trying food which I passed over before, but isn't the server's tip based on the amount "spent"? It would seem the tip they recieve from regular diners versus dining plan vistors would be comporable if not more. I think a "guarenteed percentage" of any bill would be a great incentive to me as a waiter. Does anyone have any idea what percentage is given to the waitstaff??

On the meal plan, they figure in an 18% tip on the bill. You get a copy of the bill and can figure out what sort of value you received.

It feels so good to have your meals paid for before you arrive!

I think it was a smart move for WDW. In their eyes, every person who buys a meal plan is a guarenteed spot at the table, instead of running the risk that a visitor will go light on the meals. If you like to eat, the meal plan is for you.

 

[Richie248]

Thanks mattfz!!! my stomach is already awaiting my trip in September.

 

[kasey1988]

we did not use the dining plan, it just didnt seem worth it but im sure it would be if you planned a lot of sit down meals, but i do think the cast members do need to be trained a bit better. During breakfest at the food court there was a lot of confusion witht he people ahead of me in line trying to work out what they could make a meal and what they could use for a snack, it seemes to majorly hold up the line i hope somthing better can be worked out in the future, im sure this isnt a huge problem at sit down meals but it definatally is at counter sevice meals

 

[Senderella]

it just didnt seem worth it but im sure it would be if you planned a lot of sit down meals

Ok.. this is something I'm not quite understanding & maybe someone can help me out. (I'm genuinely trying to figure this out and I'm not trying to start trouble)

How can you NOT schedule a sit down meal at least once a day? I don't get how you can do counter service every single day. After a few days of the same choices (the majority of them being fast food types) I was getting sick of them. At least with the table service you're getting pretty good "home style cooking" with a good variety. I would think most people with kids, especially young kids, would rather have their kids eating something a little more substantial and "stick to your ribs/not outright fast food"? Even if it is a few bites of this and a few bites of that as opposed to a greasy hamburger or whatever? :veryconfu Like I said, I'm not trying to start something, but I really don't get it.

 

[mousermerf]

I usually just do 1 good table service during a trip, but i only go for like 3-days max. I'm local, I go a lot.

Counter service - I eat the Electric Umbrella and have roast beef with horseraddish. I eat at the Lotus Blossom and have egg rolls and occasionally a noodle bowl. I eat a the Tangerine Cafe and have the vegetarian platter with coucous and hummus. I eat in germany and have my suarkraut and sausage. I eat probaly 1 burger and the occasional chicken strip my entire stay. For short trips, like day trips, I usually don't have any burgers at all.

So, you can eat other food with counter service. It just takes knwoing where to go.

I also avoid most "popular" table restaurants. I don't do character meals, and if you've never heard of it, that makes me happy. Any popular or "recomended" places tend to be packed and the servers short on time and patience (I don't blame them). I stick to the Concourse Steakhouse, Maya Grill, and occasionally a place in Epcot's World Showcase (mostly for lunches).

I look at the list of places that were gone to on the DDP and i feel - i dunno - concerned? Nothing off the beaten path, and lots of "guest favorite" places. I tend to find is the masses love it, i'll dislike it and find it bland.

For example, Alfredos in Epcot has raves from most everyone, and I find their food yuckey and bland - not real italian.

I'm getting the dining plan free this august, and i've had it before as part of a test-group. When i had it before, I enjoyed Concourse and Marrakesh (though my shish-ka-bobs were slightly burnt, i've had other stuff there to know it was a fluke).

My advice is to dine during quiet periods, avoid busy parks, and always see the dining as a chance to relax. If a guidebook says "everyone loves this place" then it's probably too crowded to be pleasent.

 

[kasey1988]

We just returned from a week and we only had one sit down meal and it didnt bother us at all. We enjoyed the rainforest Cafe but i didnt really want to spend a lot of time in a resturant when i could be out enjoying the rides/shows.. and there is alot more options at the counter service then burgers and fries.. i often enjoyed salads, quasadeas, and sandwhiches and still found plenty of options otherwise.. we also had a 5 year old with us that we found easier/cheaper to feed doing counter service and in the foodcourt at the hotel since she isnt a big eater and is rather pickey.. i personally never became tierd of the endless options but that may be because im not a big eater but my bf is and he never became tierd of the options as well.. i think disney has a wide selection for everyone especially people who dont wanna spend a chunk of there day and a larger chunk of money to eat in a sit down/table service environment on vacation​