Question on DDP and Dinner Packages

[Dylan Ann]

Hi Everyone,

I discovered this site recently and am trying to read everything I can, but there's one question I couldn't find an answer to.

I'm going to Disney in December with my mom - I go about every 5 years, so I'm not a newbie but not an expert. We got the free dining plan, and I was wondering how to use the TS credits for one of the dinner/show packages (like Illuminations, etc). I know they take two TS credits, but from reading the boards it sounds like sometimes it's an option to use one TS credit and pay out of pocket for the rest at the signature restaurants, so I was wondering if that was an option at all with the dinner packages? I'm happy to pay the difference to reserve the seating, but I'm not willing to use two TS credits. I'm still about two weeks out from my 180 days, so I haven't played around with the system yet (this will be my first time booking reservations).

Hope what I'm asking makes sense - I created an account just to ask it But I think I'll be spending a lot of time here as I count down to December!

 

[Jae99]

It is not an option to use 1 TS credit and pay OOP at signature restaurants or for any Dinner Packages. As for things such as the Fantasmic Dining Package, it is only 1 TS credit for Mama Melrose and a great use of a credit on the DP since you get an app, entree, dessert and non alcoholic drink. There is also a new Dining Package available at Animal Kingdom for the new nighttime show that is either 1 or 2 credits depending on the restaurant that is chosen.

At Epcot there is the Candlelight Processional that also has a Dining Package available that uses 2 credits on the DP, we did this on our last trip and enjoyed the ability to not have to line up long before the show to get a seat, but paid out of pocket for it instead of using 2 credits. The show is incredible and shouldn't be missed.

Dinner shows such as Hoop Dee Doo, Spirit of Aloha and Mickeys Backyard BBQ are 2 TS credits and are probably best paid for OOP.

DDP credits can't be used for the various dessert parties for Illuminations, Wishes and Star Wars fireworks.

Good luck booking your reservations. I hope you get everything you are wishing for!

 

[Dylan Ann]

Thank you so much, that's very helpful! I'm really excited to be there at Christmas time - I've been twice right after Christmas when the decorations are still up, but the Christmasy magic feel is gone in favor of New Years excitement. The Candlelight Processional is at the top of my list. Maybe I'll do the lunch package for Marrakesh that day OOP - I know we want to eat there, and looking back at old pricing it seems to be one of the cheapest options.

Thanks for the Mama Melrose tip - we love exotic food so tend to skip Italian at Disney, but some of their appetizers look great!

The other big one would be the new Animal Kingdom show - we also tend to avoid buffets (I'm excited to try Boma, though, so that will likely be our one buffet trip), so the 2 TS credit is probably our best option. I'm still learning, so let me see if I got this right - we could probably use 2 TS credits for one person and then pay OOP for the other, correct? I know that would work if I wasn't prepaying, but I'm not sure how the dinner package reservations work. Do I pay ahead of time, or just make the reservation and pay when I get there (with either TS or OOP)?

Thanks for your help! We're there for a 7 full days and 6 nights and it's already feeling like we won't have enough time to squeeze everything in!

 

[jrlbc06]

It is not an option to use 1 TS credit and pay OOP at signature restaurants or for any Dinner Packages. As for things such as the Fantasmic Dining Package, it is only 1 TS credit for Mama Melrose and a great use of a credit on the DP since you get an app, entree, dessert and non alcoholic drink. There is also a new Dining Package available at Animal Kingdom for the new nighttime show that is either 1 or 2 credits depending on the restaurant that is chosen.

This is incorrect. Although the dining plan website says that the Dining Package at Animal Kingdom accepts the DDP, the confirmation email states that it does not. Calls to Disney reps confirm that the DDP is currently NOT accepted for the Jungle Book Dining Package.