Your secret revealed about the disney dining plan

[disneymom06]

We were at POP last summer and were not able to order get dessert later. It was ice cream sothis did pose a problem. The CM told me that the place was just too large to keep track of everyone. At POR, we were aloud to order our dessert at checkout and come back to get the dessert after we finished eating. I never thought about coming back later in the day but that would be a wonderful way to end the day.

 

[extremesoccermom]

Do people really find these mugs worth the investment? We've never purchased one before. I just couldn't see walking all of the way to the foodcourt each time I wanted a drink. Of course, we drive down and usually take a cooler with bottled water and sodas, so that's probably why. I've seen so many people talk about the beauty of refillable mugs, though.

We do!!! Not only are they a great souvioner but DH and I will get up early and walk to the food court - have a cup or two of coffee while we sit and discuss the day then grab another cup of coffee for the walk back as well as drinks for the kids (lemonaid, coffee...) then we usually take a break and get a soda or 2 at the main pool during the heat of the day and finally DS and DH walk to get us all a drink at the end of the night if they are still open. So usually around 4-6 drinks a day.

 

[bear_mom]

Some things we figured out:

The four of us (me, dh, dd-7 and dd-5) could eat off one CS breakfast (eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, buiscut) plus one snack credit. Lunch would split between 3 CS meals (dds each got theirs, one adult meal) was plenty for us.

There is a place in the MK where you can get cappachino (spelling?) coolers - cap and ice cream which were one snack credit - yummy!

We had extra snack credits so we went to the candy store in MK and used them up. We got some chocolate coins, some m&m's and a small bag of taffy to bring home. The bag of taffy didn't have to be closed, it was heaping - they put it in a bigger bag.

 

[kimisabella]

OK I know this is probably not good etiquette but once when Crystal Palace had a whole pineapple on the fruit display my Brother In law took it and walked out with it! He got a strange look or two but Not ONE CM said a word! We all kinda hung back like "We dont know this guy and who is he and where did he come from?" But later that week we sliced it up and it was yummy. So YES you can leave with the fruit off of the buffet! We always snatch a banana or an apple and put it in our bags. The pineapple was a bit much, but he did it to see if they would say anything! LOL

This reminds me of when we were on our honeymoon in 1998 - went to 'Ohana for breakfast and goofy came to our table, and kept bringing over apples, oranges and a pineapple from the fruit display on the fire pit and placed them in my arms, trying to balance them all- then he motioned for us to take them with us. We didn't as we had no where to put an armload of fruit, but it was funny at the time.

 

[TravelGrl]

We were last there during the free dining and Food and Wine festival. Since we used some snacks to "snack around the world", and paid OOP for special events - Party for the Senses & Sweet Sundays. We were left with 6 counter service meals on the lest day. The guy at the resort counter service, said that one meal is worth 3 snacks, so we were able to take home several rice crispy treats and water. So we were able to have a little Disney with us a little longer.

 

[Chloesmom]

Do people really find these mugs worth the investment? We've never purchased one before. I just couldn't see walking all of the way to the foodcourt each time I wanted a drink. Of course, we drive down and usually take a cooler with bottled water and sodas, so that's probably why. I've seen so many people talk about the beauty of refillable mugs, though.

I bought one of these 2 years ago at POP. I was so excited because i had read about them being plastic gold on here. Well.. it was not that big. This was my fault for not buying the larger one because I thought.. its refillable. If I want more i will get more. So then in the am when we would head down to eat I would take my mug and fill it but then I had it with me and I either had to schlep it around the parks or take it back to the room. It did make a great souvenier but I dont think I got my value from it.

 

[TravelinGal]

We like to use our snack credits to buy things to take home. Our son loves the Mickey Cheese Crackers (like goldfish, but Mickey shaped) so we always get 3 or 4 bags of those along with other Disney special treats that we can't get back home.

 

[larkles]

I just read thru the thread and cannot stop laughing about the pineapple!

These tips are so good!

 

[Katiebell]

Some of the non-Disney TS (Wolfgang Puck) let you order whatever you want on the Dining plan but charge a fixed price. Wolfgang charges $35 per diner last year and they tip the waitstaff only on the $35. I found out about this on my first visit last year and left a bigger tip since we had good service and the true charge would have been much higher. On the second trip, we got the same waiter, I asked about the policy and gave him an extra $10 right then and there.

This is really good info to know. We do have WPC on our list of ADR's, so I will discreetly ask the server if this is still the policy; if it is, we will make sure to increase the tip to what would be appropriate for what we order. I believe all of our other TS meals are at Disney owned restaurants. How do you know the difference? WPC is at DTD, not at a park or resort, but is there a list anywhere? What about the Epcot restaurants?

My fil once requested that I serve seafood on my family lunch buffet holiday dinner. Being on a limited income in those days it was difficult but I complied. He was first in line for the food and naturally he picked up the tray with all the seafood and took it to his seat at the table. As awful as it was at the time it was worth the expense just for all the times I have told this story the past couple of decades.

I would have gotten a box of Cheerios out of the cupboard, placed it prominently where the seafood platter was, and said, "Don't worry, everyone, there is plenty for the rest of us." Or I would have walked over with my plate and carefully chosen a few items off of the platter in front of him.

This reminds me of when we were on our honeymoon in 1998 - went to 'Ohana for breakfast and goofy came to our table, and kept bringing over apples, oranges and a pineapple from the fruit display on the fire pit and placed them in my arms, trying to balance them all- then he motioned for us to take them with us. We didn't as we had no where to put an armload of fruit, but it was funny at the time.

Maybe he was trying to say that taking an entire pineapple off the buffet would be a "Goofy" thing to do?

 

[jjms97]

Great ideas!

We too realized that the portions on CS meals was really big. In fact, we had a late lunch scheduled with the princesses in Epcot, but were using the morning hours to tour MK. We were all getting a little hungry (and to be honest a bit scared of the food at Norway ) so we used a CS at Cosmic Rays for the chicken strip basket that all 4 of us shared (Me, Dh, dd5, dd3)! We figured we could get another basket if we needed, bu there was plenty for all of us and it filled us up a bit better than popcorn would have.

Keep the tips coming. I love this thread!

 

[Ferrillo]

subscribing

 

[masonsmousermom]

I'd love to hear about anyone that has had luck with getting the "add-ons" on some of the table service menu entrees on the DDP without being charged. I've read a few posts where people have added on things like that and weren't charged extra.

Ex. oven roasted mushrooms (listed as a side item) at the Concourse Steakhouse to have on top of your steak. It's listed as $3.99. At the Yachtsman, the mushroom add-on is even more...$6.00

Ex. Top Sirloin Steak at the Turf Club- you can add on a topping of crab meat & gratin mustard sauce...or even more...a topping of bleu cheese, portabello mushrooms and balsamic-port glaze.

Ex. Ooohhh...here's an even more interesting one... how about the add-on steamed lobster tail with any entree for $12- at Cap'n Jack's?

 

[masonsmousermom]

Another thing I'd love to hear from all of you about is what specialty drinks (non-alcoholic) have you been sucessful at receiving at table service meals with the DDP, and if you have, what's your pick of the best drinks to consider using on the dining plan? (i.e. smoothies, cappuccinos, milkshakes, blended drinks, etc.)

 

[mickey2000]

 

[Friendly Frog]

I have had add on's but I was always charged for them.

I have also tried VERY hard to talk them into allowing me to get a Cappuccino in lien of a desert, but no luck.

 

[beroh2253]

Last year got Shrimp on the Barbi @ the Food and Wine Fest

This years line upArriving Sept. 21 checking in & heading right to Pacos Bills for counter
San Angle
Captain Jack’s
Coral Reef
Le Cellier
Ohana's
Rose and Crown
Nine Dragons
Boatrights Dining Hall @ Riverside
Boma for Breakfast last day Sept. 30

Last 3 days of this trip heading to the Food and Wine Fest to use more snack credits

can't wait till September

 

[bicker]

I believe all of our other TS meals are at Disney owned restaurants. How do you know the difference? WPC is at DTD, not at a park or resort, but is there a list anywhere? What about the Epcot restaurants?

Non-Disney-owned at Epcot:

San Angel Inn
Nine Dragons
Alfredo's/Patina Group
Teppanyaki/Tempura Kiku
Chefs de France/Bistro de Paris
Marrakesh

Note that that does NOT necessarily mean ANY of them apply the same policy as WPC at DTD regarding gratuities. Ask the manager if you're concerned.

Biergarten, Akershus, Rose and Crown, Le Cellier, Garden Grill, and Coral Reef are all Disney-owned.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Because of the quantity of food, we always share counterservice meals. We end up having enough to cover our first and last day so we don't have any food costs!

 

[Motherofboys]

I also would like to hear about any non-alcoholic drinks people have been successful getting as a beverage on the DDP.

Especially:

WCC: anyone not been allowed to get the milkshakes?
Spoodles: heard some talk about non-alcoholic sangria?
Kona: anything?
Le Cel: are the cap freeze, mango smoothie, etc. usually allowed? Anyone not been able to get them?

TIA.

 

[MommySiobhan]

I know last year alot of our snack credits went on the fruit bowls for the kids. While we walked around they could snack on mixed fruit bowls, grapes or watermelon. I much rather give them those than junk.

I'd say remember to check receipts. There was only one thing that happened last year that was a mistake and I didn't notice until I looked at the receipt back at the hotel. At one of our TS, we were charged for 5 instead of 4. Luckily I looked at the receipt which I don't usually do or else we would have been confused last meal if we didn't have enough TS credits left.

I called front desk and they called the restaurant and it was back on my card, no problems or hassles.