Eating with Non-Dining Plan Visitors

[Hound BB]

Hi all, :wave:

I just discovered this wonderful site and have read several hours worth of incredible information. I hope this hasn't been answered before, but I had a question.

We (family of 3) will be visiting in May (staying 4 nights at Port Orleans). Cousins (family of 4) will be also visiting (but will be at Wilderness for 7 nights). I know Cousins WILL NOT be on Dining Plan - they "eat to live" & it would likely not be cost effective for them.

My little family, on the other hand, "live to eat" & it sounds great for us for the 4 nights/ 5 days. My Question:

Since we will likely (want to) eat several meals together, can we sit at the same table service table?

Will the 3 of us be able to order "the plan" (appetizers/entre/dessert etc.) while the "cousins" order their drink & entree (or whatever)?

Do we ask for separate checks (is this frowned on)?

Do we make 1 or 2 reservations?

I'm thinking we might eat at the Canadian Rest. in Epcot & the Italian Rest. at Disney MGM (for example). One obvious perk (in my mind) would be the abilty to "share" appetizers and desserts (since they're already "paid for") with the "cousins".

Thanks for your help!

 

[tigsmom]

Make one reservation so you can all be seated together. Some places may not be able to seat a large party together, but you should get tables close to each other. I don't see a problem with asking for separate checks just make sure that you tell them up front that some are using the plan while others are not.

As for sharing, my family does that frequently (there are 4 of us), but I'm not sure of the rules for the dining plan as we have never used it before. :wave:

 

[Monty]

I saw groups that had some billing to DDP and others not, the server just noted who was on DDP. Sharing is what you do with the food once it's served, they won't care [except at buffet dining] so long as they get the bills covered one way or another.

In fact, you could "treat" the cousins to DDP meals [if you were so inclined].

 

[RonAnnArbor]

You even have the choice to use your meal plan that day or not, and pay for it upfront, saving some of your dining options for another time. No problem with mixed bills. Think of your dining plan as a "preloaded" atm card - either you use it, or you dont...or you can save them up for different times, as long as you don't go over the number of meals on the plan.

 

[Nicole]

We did this (5 of us, on an AP room rate) with my sister and her family (4 on the DDP). I made our reservations together and told the CM on the phone we were part dining plan part not. I also made sure to tell the server when we sat down.

We didn't have the whole 9 of us at all the meals, but at the meals we did have all of us for the 18% gratuity was automatically included in our check. This is standard practice for groups of 8 or more.

We mostly ate at buffets but when we ate at 50s Prime Time where you order off a menu, our server was very helpful and gave us some good suggestions as to how to "work" the plan (i.e. DDP people get a milkshake and two cups, share dessert/appetizers) so I am sure they get this often.

 

[Hound BB]

Thanks to all for the info and imput. Was hoping that it wouldn't be "frowned upon" if the non-dining plan members of our group were able to share in the appetizers and desserts.

Hound BB <---- a longtime believer in deserts with extra forks. :slurp: