Dining Plan?

nygirl1002

New Member
Despite my travel agent's attempt to explain it to me and my reading what is on Disney's site itself, forgive me but I still can't figure out the dining plan.

This is my first post but I've been reading all trip reports and topics by all of you experts, (I'm looking at you HollyBelle...whom I discovered is a great trip reviewer on the Princess boards of cruise critic).

Anyway I planned a trip for myself and my daughter (special needs but not physically handicapped..in fact very athletic) for the first week in October. We are arriving on my birthday (I am making sure I'm getting a button!.even though I'll be 63 ::gasp::)

Maybe one of you can take the time to explain what I need to do ahead of time? Do I go online to make my ADRs? If so where? Does the DP include dinner at the resorts? Do most of you do breakfast and dinner with it? After reading one of HollyBelle's posts I know I want to have breakfast at the Crystal Palace just for the french toast.

I really need this plan explained to me..speak slowly as I am going to be 63 LOL

By the way we are staying at the Coronado Springs.

Thanks in advance.
 

CaptainShortty

Well-Known Member
Not a problem, I'll explain it to you. (Did it every day while I was down there :) ) You are far from the first person to be confused.

The regular dining plan works like this...

You get one snack point, one quick-service point and one table service point per person per NIGHT of your stay. For example, if you are staying for 4 nights and there are 2 people you will get 8 snack points, 8 quick service points and 8 table service points. These points are pooled so you may use them in any order and may use as many points in one day as you like. They are on your key to the world card so when you would like to use your DP you will give the CM your KTTW card and they will swipe it like a credit card but instead of taking off money, they will take off points.

With a snack point, you will get a "snack item" that is generally a single-service item under $4. There are exceptions and you'll see the DDP symbol next to things that are accepted. At QSR locations you'll get an entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert per point. At a TSR location you'll get an entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert.

Not all the restaurants accept the dining plan and you can see which restaurants accept it here (for 2011) http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...alog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2011Dining.pdf or here (for 2012) http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...alog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012Dining.pdf

Any of the restaurants that have a "2" next to them means that it takes two table service points per person to eat at that restaurant. This includes all signature restaurants, dinner shows and CRT. Go ahead and make all of your ADRs like you would if you weren't using the dining plan. There is just one difference. When you do this it will ask you if you're using the dining plan, just click the button that says yes so they know.

Hope that covers it! If you're still lost of have questions feel free to ask.
 
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CleveRocks

Active Member
I'm guessing you booked the basic or regular Disney Dining Plan, the one that gives you one counter-service meal + one table-service meal + one snack per day.

At check-in, your DDP credits will be coded onto your Key To The World card (this card is also your room key, your park tickets, and if you want can also be your "charge card" for purchases). You will be given a total number of credits for your entire stay, and this is calculated by the number of NIGHTS you are staying at your resort.

So if there are two of you on the reservation, and you will be staying for, say, four nights, you'll have the following credits coded onto your KTTW card: 8 counter-service meals, 8 table-service meals, and 8 snacks.

You can use these credits any way you'd like. Even though they are calculated on a per-night and per-person basis, they can be used any way you like. In other words, you don't have to strictly use only one type of credit per person per day. For example, if you want to, in a single day you could go to Crystal Palace (table-service) for breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern (table-service) for lunch and Chef Mickey's (table-service) for dinner ... in one day, that would use up a total of 6 of your 8 table-service credits. I'm not suggesting you use your credits in this way, I'm just illustrating that you don't need to limit yourself to using one of each type of credit per person per day.

In terms of using your credits, it makes no difference whether the restaurant is at a resort or at a theme park or at Downtown Disney (although not all of the DTD restaurants are part of the DDP).

You should make your ADRs as soon as possible, to ensure you can eat your table-service meals where you want and when you want. You can go onto Disney's website, or you can also call 407-WDW-DINE and have a person guide you through it.

As far as what meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) you should use credits for, I would base it on paying as little out-of-pocket as possible. If you're not big lunch eaters, then it makes sense to pay cash for your small lunches. If you like to eat a small breakfast of maybe just a muffin and coffee, for example, then it would make sense to pay for most breakfasts with cash (except for when you go to Crystal Palace for breakfast, of course).

You can look atthe menus (including prices) by clicking on this link: http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Go ahead, ask LOTS of other questions, there are LOTS of people here who will be happy to help. And welcome to WDWMAGIC! :wave:
 
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JillC LI

Well-Known Member
Everyone explained the DDP so well, but I would add that you should RUN not walk to make your table-service dining reservations NOW if you are going in early October. Crystal Palace is a popular place during peak meal times as are most others Disney restaurants.
 
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CaptainShortty

Well-Known Member
Everyone explained the DDP so well, but I would add that you should RUN not walk to make your table-service dining reservations NOW if you are going in early October. Crystal Palace is a popular place during peak meal times as are most others Disney restaurants.

Didn't even catch the date in there. Yes, GO MAKE YOUR ADRS RIGHT NOW! Don't do another thing before you do. It's imperative that you make ADRs so you don't waste any of your points. That's often where people loose money in the DDP. They essentially throw away money by not eating meals they've already paid for.
 
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nygirl1002

New Member
Original Poster
Thank you for all of your information. I went to the link to make reservations last night and thank God I did! The only reservation I was concerned about was breakfast at the Crystal Palace. I went through every day of the trip and I was able to get ADRs for the day before we go home!!

I can't figure out where else to make reservations for! I remember years ago we used to call ahead in the morning for a reservation that evening in the parks but that was it.

I guess I have to make more reservations but it's hard to do when you don't know where you are going to be on a given day.

Thanks so much for all the information. You guys rock!
 
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accord99cutie

Premium Member
To make the rest of your ADR's try to make a plan on which days you will be at which parks. Then you can search by park for open reservations for each night/day at a specific park or resort. Also, just becuase today they dont have any available at your first choice doesn't mean there wont be tomorrow. Book what is available today, and then check every day or 2 until the trip to see if anything opens up at a restaurant you would rather go to. We will be there 9/28-10/10 and 2 days ago I switched a 10:45 breakfast time at Chef Mickey's for a 9:30 ADR, so it is possible to get a better time and/or place just by checking daily!
 
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NewfieFan

Well-Known Member
Thank you for all of your information. I went to the link to make reservations last night and thank God I did! The only reservation I was concerned about was breakfast at the Crystal Palace. I went through every day of the trip and I was able to get ADRs for the day before we go home!!

I can't figure out where else to make reservations for! I remember years ago we used to call ahead in the morning for a reservation that evening in the parks but that was it.

I guess I have to make more reservations but it's hard to do when you don't know where you are going to be on a given day.

Thanks so much for all the information. You guys rock!

It is hard to know in advance where you're going to be and when but if you want a certain restaurant you will have to have some sort of itinerary! touringplans.com is a great resource when making your itinerary. They recommend best days for each park and give you a crowd level number (out of 10).

The best thing to do is at least know where you'll be for one meal time during each day (whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner) and go from there. Do you have a park hopper ticket? Sometimes a PH ticket gives you a little more flexibility when it comes to picking out restaurants to dine at.
 
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nygirl1002

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks for that tip accord99 I never thought you could do that. I am definitely going to try that.

Everybody on this board is so helpful and believe me I appreciate it so much.

We are arriving on Saturday, Oct 1st but I don't know if we will do any parks as my park hopper tickets and dining plan kick in on Sunday. I bought 5 day park hoppers and a 1 day park hopper for Universal. I was thinking of doing that on Tuesday or Wednesday. We've never seen Animal Kingdom but we were at the Disney Studios when it was called MGM.

If Disney did an after dusk half price ticket I would definitely go Saturday night but who knows.? If I know myself we won't be able to wait and I'll just bite the bullet and pick 1 park to go to that day.

We need this vacation very badly. Last year my husband passed away suddenly and there's been a lot of change in our lives. In fact I had to sell the family house and buy a smaller one and we are moving next week. I am able to cope but my daughter not so much. So I want to make this vacation special for her. She's really looking forward to it.
 
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NewfieFan

Well-Known Member
Thanks for that tip accord99 I never thought you could do that. I am definitely going to try that.

Everybody on this board is so helpful and believe me I appreciate it so much.

We are arriving on Saturday, Oct 1st but I don't know if we will do any parks as my park hopper tickets and dining plan kick in on Sunday. I bought 5 day park hoppers and a 1 day park hopper for Universal. I was thinking of doing that on Tuesday or Wednesday. We've never seen Animal Kingdom but we were at the Disney Studios when it was called MGM.

If Disney did an after dusk half price ticket I would definitely go Saturday night but who knows.? If I know myself we won't be able to wait and I'll just bite the bullet and pick 1 park to go to that day.

We need this vacation very badly. Last year my husband passed away suddenly and there's been a lot of change in our lives. In fact I had to sell the family house and buy a smaller one and we are moving next week. I am able to cope but my daughter not so much. So I want to make this vacation special for her. She's really looking forward to it.

So your vacation package doesn't begin until Sunday? Where are you staying on Sat.? Did you just book a room only reservation for the first night? I'm just wondering why your package doesn't start until the next day!?!
 
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nygirl1002

New Member
Original Poster
I was planning on leaving NY either Sept 30th evening or early morning Oct 1st and return on either Oct 8 or 9 since the 10th is Columbus Day. I had this in mind since I started thinking about the trip. I hadn't booked it until I got a closing date on the house because I didn't want it to coincide with moving.

When I got the date I gave myself the go ahead to book that week. Then I found out about the free dining plan but that didn't begin until Oct 2 .. but I wanted a longer amount of time to be at Disney. My TA booked us in the Coronado Springs for Sat and everything else kicks in on the 2nd. Hopefully we won't have to change rooms.
 
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Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
If you haven't already, call the Disney Reservations line and give them both confirmation numbers. Ask that they indicate that they are "continuing reservations", that will give you a reasonably good chance of staying in the same room [though not guaranteed].

For your first night, a one-day admission is a very expensive park visit. Instead, book an ADR at Downtown Disney and maybe tickets to Cirque du Soleil "La Nouba", a fantastic show and a great way to start your daughter's vacation.

Regardless, have a fantastic time! I'll be there the same time you are, I arrive the 28th of September and leave the 10th of October. The first few days I'll be attending WDWCelebrations.com event "Project XL" celebrating the 40th birthday of WDW, then I'll mostly be at EPCOT for the Food and Wine Festival.

Maybe we'll bump into each other. :wave:
 
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CaptainShortty

Well-Known Member
Thanks for that tip accord99 I never thought you could do that. I am definitely going to try that.

Everybody on this board is so helpful and believe me I appreciate it so much.

We are arriving on Saturday, Oct 1st but I don't know if we will do any parks as my park hopper tickets and dining plan kick in on Sunday. I bought 5 day park hoppers and a 1 day park hopper for Universal. I was thinking of doing that on Tuesday or Wednesday. We've never seen Animal Kingdom but we were at the Disney Studios when it was called MGM.

If Disney did an after dusk half price ticket I would definitely go Saturday night but who knows.? If I know myself we won't be able to wait and I'll just bite the bullet and pick 1 park to go to that day.

We need this vacation very badly. Last year my husband passed away suddenly and there's been a lot of change in our lives. In fact I had to sell the family house and buy a smaller one and we are moving next week. I am able to cope but my daughter not so much. So I want to make this vacation special for her. She's really looking forward to it.

First, I am deeply sorry about your husband. I hope this trip brings you and your daughter some magic that I can only imagine you need back in your life right now.

For the day you arrive, what about DTD?? You can go shopping, walk around all the stores and grab a bite to eat there as well. There are a whole bunch of good restaurants both TS and QSR that you can choose from and they generally aren't to hard to get reservations for. If you need something else to do too you can go see a movie or what about mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland? I've played Fantasia Gardens and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately the only "after dark pass" that exists is in Epcot but it's only for Florida residents.

If you have any more questions just keep firing them off. I'm happy to help. =)
 
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NewfieFan

Well-Known Member
I was planning on leaving NY either Sept 30th evening or early morning Oct 1st and return on either Oct 8 or 9 since the 10th is Columbus Day. I had this in mind since I started thinking about the trip. I hadn't booked it until I got a closing date on the house because I didn't want it to coincide with moving.

When I got the date I gave myself the go ahead to book that week. Then I found out about the free dining plan but that didn't begin until Oct 2 .. but I wanted a longer amount of time to be at Disney. My TA booked us in the Coronado Springs for Sat and everything else kicks in on the 2nd. Hopefully we won't have to change rooms.

Ah yes, I understand now! But there's lots to do your first night...

If you haven't already, call the Disney Reservations line and give them both confirmation numbers. Ask that they indicate that they are "continuing reservations", that will give you a reasonably good chance of staying in the same room [though not guaranteed].

For your first night, a one-day admission is a very expensive park visit. Instead, book an ADR at Downtown Disney and maybe tickets to Cirque du Soleil "La Nouba", a fantastic show and a great way to start your daughter's vacation.

Regardless, have a fantastic time! I'll be there the same time you are, I arrive the 28th of September and leave the 10th of October. The first few days I'll be attending WDWCelebrations.com event "Project XL" celebrating the 40th birthday of WDW, then I'll mostly be at EPCOT for the Food and Wine Festival.

Maybe we'll bump into each other. :wave:

As Monty already mentioned, DTD is a great option. You could make an ADR or even grab something a bit quicker (may I suggest Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich). And La Nouba is a fantastic show if it's in your budget. But just walking DTD is fun in the evening anyway! Also, they have a helium filled balloon that goes up in the air and gives quite the view. It's called Characters in Flight... you have to pay but I think it's worth doing at least once. (BTW, I'm terrified of heights and had no problem going up in it - don't let the height scare you off!)

@Monty - we'll pass in the air! :( I leave on Sept. 28th!
 
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nygirl1002

New Member
Original Poster
That sounds like a great idea and is definitely less than paying for the park for that one day.

I like the idea of a leisurely day in order to gear up for the mayhem that is bound to occur when we start "hopping" around the parks!

Where are you staying Monty?

This is my first time actually staying onsite. I am looking forward to not driving for a change.

As a aside my first trip to Disneyworld was the year it opened. I had worked for Pan Am at the time and the airfair was cheap so I took my younger sister and brother along with my 12 year old cousin down. They still talk about that trip.
 
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sbkline

Well-Known Member
We always like to have at least one day where we just enjoy the hotel and the grounds. If you can't do any parks until the next day, I would suggest maybe just taking advantage of that opportunity to enjoy Coronado Springs. Maybe have supper at Maya Grill. Enjoy the pool. If the marina is open, rent a surrey bike, or a boat to go out on the lake.

Downtown Disney is a good idea too. We seem to have established a tradition of doing DTD on the first day, too.

WDW is such a big place that there is no shortage of things to do on that first day before jumping into the parks. I really prefer NOT to do the parks the first day. That is more of a leisure and settling in day.
 
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WDWHarpua

New Member
We stayed at Coronado Springs last December and the resort is huge! it could take an entire afternoon to explore it all. Maya Grill looked like a nice meal spot, but we were not feeling it.

Down Town Disney has lots of things to do and lots of meal options. I'd suggest Raglan Road, as it was one of our favorites. Whatever you decide I do hope your trip goes well for your daughter and you.
 
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Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
Where are you staying Monty?

This trip I'm at Pop Century.

I originally booked Beach Club, thinking the walk to/from EPCOT during F&W would be great, then I realized that the extra $3,000 could be better spent eating and drinking at F&W! :slurp:

:lol:
 
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