Hi, we are two families traveling to WDW in June; we'll be staying at the Polynesian and will eat exclusively within the parks and hotels (no car); I am getting the idea that the dining plan is the way to go; we already have reservations at California Grill and Whispering Canyon and a character breakfast.

I know that many of you are Disney experts and also know that I can probably find my answer on one of the many Disney boards you have helpfully sent me too, but those have SO much information, that I thought I could get a quick Fodor's answer.

Here's the question: only my family may do the dining plan (the other family has 3 children who tend to split things; I have only one child), but all of our reservations are together; do they "split" checks at the restaurants and the character events?

I hope my query makes sense; I'll also take opinions on the dining plan, in general.

Thanks in advance,

Mary

bumping

It sounds like you've already purchased your package w/ hotel and park tickets. Can you add the Dining Plan afterwards?

yes, you can add the dining up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

anybody with experience with the dining plan , like to add their two cents?

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/...first=&second=

Great place for restaurant reviews and info. Just use the drop down box to click on the resort area you want.

I think the question is about a table full of people , some on the dining plan and some not? I know it's a common thing and I don't know if split checks are the way that they deal with it but the restaurants don't get all up in arms about it if that's what you're asking. With 4 of us at our table, sometimes my wife opted not to use a dining credit since she just wanted a salad. The waiter never blinked...he just said fine. They brought us a check for just her salad and drink.

I wonder why WDW offers a dining plan. As a convenience to guests?

Maybe, but I think it's because in the long run WDW comes out ahead because those who buy them don't take full advantage of them and, in any event, they don't leave Disney restaurants to dine at appealing non-Disney places they didn't know existed until they got to WDW.

thank you joe, that is what I was looking for.

happytrails--I totally get your point; the reality of this trip is that we are not leaving Disney and I was totally skeptical of the dining plans but based on where we are eating, it does make sense; I'm sure Disney is making their $$ here--it is just very cleverly buried!!!

Mary

we always travel to disney with extended family and never had any problems getting separate checks when dining together at any restaurant on property.

have fun!

I have done the dining plan several times with great success - we love it. That being said, if you are all on the same package - it is a requirement that EVERY person in the package must do the dining plan. So, if one family wants the dining plan and the other doesnt, you have to separate and do two separate packages - one with the dining plan (for your family) and one without (for the other family). If however, you have separate reservations, you are fine - and the restaurants know how to separate things to deal with the issue of dining plan/no dining plan. ON a side note, California Grill takes two sit down dining credits, not just one.

Your comment insired me to do some research. Apparently the plan is a good deal for those who like to eat huge, multi-course meals of the kind that don't appeal to me. http://www.epinions.com/content_244799999620

"Apparently the plan is a good deal for those who like to eat huge, multi-course meals of the kind that don't appeal to me."

Good for you, but why did you need to add this comment? She wasn't asking whether you like the plan, but how it worked.

We get it, you don't like eating at WDW. Why keep chirping in????

Thanks, MarkT, for being the sweet guy you are. We love you. Keep on spreading cheer. HTTY

radiofanatic, how difficult is it to get reservations for the dinner/sit down part of the meal plan. Do you have to make reservations to these restaurants before you get to Disney? Please tell us how you've done it in the past. Thanks!

Thank you to those of you who answered my questions politely and to the point.

Martinan--we called the Disney dining number which is 407-939-3463 and made reservations; they were very patient and we were able to get all the reservations we wanted (we are almost exactly two months out from our trip); of course, it is best to have an idea of what you want since there are so many choices; for the more high-end places, they ask for a credit card guarantee (you can cancel up to 48 hours in advance), but for most they just give you a confirmation number. The reps I spoke with happy to search multiple days, etc. They also book the character meals and the kids camps if those are of interest.

Mary

I agree with Mary; and in fact, the sooner the better with making reservations - and I would make sure all reservations were done before the trip - b/c lately at WDW, if you have no reservation, they don't take walk-ups. Good Luck!

oops, lost track of my dates; we are three months out from our trip. I forgot to say that most character breakfasts were gone by the time I called, so as radiofanatic says, book as soon as you can.

Hope this helps,

Mary

WOW! We're off to Disney in December with 3 other families. 2 families will be staying in Disney property using their DVC timeshare. In the past, we always stayed in Disney property using their extra points. But it being peak season, my family is staying outside this trip.

In our several trips to Disney we've never heard of the dining plan so I'm really trying to get information for them in case they want to use it. It's such a good deal, I can't wait to tell them and warn them about early planning especially in December! Thanks!

December--you are in great shape; you can make reservations 180 days in advance as I have heard endlessly from being on hold with Disney Dining--so, go for it!!

Hi Mary,
I usually take the kids for several long weekends a year(from DC). We normally stay at the Polynesian in the concierge building so no need for the dining plan but I'm recently back from a non-concierge trip to the Grand Floridian and I definitely think that having the meal plan is a plus. Have fun on your trip. We're back to the Polynesian in August after camp. Will try for Austria with the kids early in the summer. Susan

If you are planning on eating exclusively inside the resort, the dining plan is unquestionably the right choice. And, you don't have to have big meals to make it worthwhile.

We went with 3 kids and stayed at Animal Kingdom. We typically used 2-3 counter service meals at breakfast. That was plenty for the 5 of us. We had to chip in a couple of bucks for extra juices/coffee. We used another 2-3 for lunch. Usually, 1 lunch was enough for our 2 younger kids.

To give you an idea of the value, for 2 adults & 3 kids, the cost of the plan was $95/day. On our first day, we ate at the restaurant at the Contemporary (not the California Grill). The bill would have been $120 if we paid cash. A typical counter service bill for 3 meals would run about $20. Same for breakfast. You also get 1 snack/day/person in the plan. The snack could be a bottled soda, ice cream, etc. These typically run $2-$3 each.

Another "trick" involves counter serivce meals. The plan state that kids must choose from the kids menu. However, kids credits and adult credits are not differentiated on your account (if you have 2 ad & 3 kids for 7 days, you get 35 counter service credits, not 14 adult credits and 21 kid credits). There were times we got adult items for my 8 year old because he didn't like what was offered on the kids menu.