DINING

Back when I went to Disney World with Chrissy she said she was afraid she was going to find me naked, rocking in a corner chewing on a vein mumbling about Dining and Reservations at Disney.

I'm anal about dining and reservations ONLY because it gives some structure to the trip and we know when we are going where and what is going on when.
While I promise this is going to be as far from a Boot Camp style trip as we can get it, dining I'm a little weird about. It's my quirk .Leave me alone.

Disney has a program called The Dining Plan. It's a bit confusing but know that it winds up saving you money in the long run.
Here are the details.:
What Does the Basic Dining Plan Include?

    With the basic dining plan, you can choose to eat at more than 100 participating Disney restaurants. For each night of your package stay, the dining plan will allow each person over age 3 to get:

        -- One table-service meal. For breakfast this includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage OR one full buffet. For lunch/dinner this includes full buffet, or entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. Children 3-9 can also have an appetizer at lunch/dinner.

        NOTE: Gratuity is not included unless otherwise indicated. An 18 percent gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 6 or more; a gratuity may also be added for items not included in the Dining Plan, such as alcoholic beverages.

        -- One quick service meal. For breakfast this includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage, OR combo meal plus one single serving non-alcoholic beverage. For lunch/dinner this includes entree/combo meal, dessert, and one single serving non-alcoholic beverage.

        -- One snack: Eligible snacks will be indicated on the menu with a Disney Dining Plan symbol (shown at right). Some examples of snacks: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar; popcorn single serving box (scoop); single piece of whole fruit; single serving bag of snacks; 20 oz. bottled drink (Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite) or water; 22 oz. fountain soft drink; 12 oz. coffee, hot chocolate or tea; or single serving prepackaged milk or juice.

        (Note that children age 3-9 must choose from a children's menu, if one is available.)

        These credits activate as soon as you check in to your resort and can be used at any time, in any combination, during your stay. They expire at the end of your stay.

    The basic dining plan allows for some flexibility, in that one table service meal may be exchanged for one character dining experience (except for all meals at Cinderella's Royal Table, which require two credits). You may also exchange TWO table service meal credits for ONE "signature dining experience" at one of WDW's best restaurants, such as California Grill. You could also exchange TWO table service meal credits for certain categories of one Disney dinner show, such as the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, or for In-Room Private Dining (see below).

    The Disney Dining Plan can be used for In-Room Private Dining/Pizza Delivery as follows (gratuities ARE included):

    In-Room Dining -- TWO table service credits (gratuities included) will be deducted from your Dining Plan for a single serving meal. A meal will include the following items:

    --Entree
    --Dessert (at lunch and dinner)
    --Non-alcoholic beverage
    --Appetizer (for children 3-9 at lunch/dinner)

This is for single serving portions only, and does not include hospitality platters, amenities, or merchandise.

    Pizza Delivery -- TWO ADULT table service credits (gratuities included) will be deducted from your Dining Plan for a pizza delivery meal:

    --two non-alcoholic beverages
    --one pizza entree item
    --two desserts

    The Dining Plan DOES NOT include the following:
    -- Alcoholic beverages and SOME bottled drinks
    -- SOME outdoor food carts and recreation rental counters
    -- In-room mini-bars
    -- Souvenir or refillable drink mugs
    -- Glow cubes
    -- Merchandise and Photo Imaging, except for the photo packages at Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

    Optional Wine & Dine Plan -- The Disney Wine & Dine Plan can be added to any package that includes dining for $39.99 per night per room. You'll receive one bottle of wine per room from a select wine list for each night of your stay. Gratuity not included. Locations and designated wine list are subject to change. Wines are subject to availability. Must purchase this Plan for each night of your package stay. Two wine entitlements will be exchanged for one bottle of wine from private in-room dining menus or one bottle of wine at signature restaurants.

    NOTE: Wine is not available at Magic Kingdom Park restaurants or dinner shows. Wine entitlements are not transferable to non-party guests and they expire at midnight on the day of checkout. Applicable taxes are included. Gratuities are NOT included.

How Much Does it Cost?

    The addition of the Dining Plan to a Magic Your Way Vacation Package varies in price based on the time of your stay (prices subject to change):

    -- For stays during off-peak seasons, cost is $45.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $11.99 per night for children ages 3-9.

    -- For stays during peak seasons cost is $47.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $12.99 per night for children ages 3-9.

    Children under 3 do not need to purchase the plan. At table service restaurants, there is no charge for children under 3 who share from an adult's plate. However, if you order from a menu for a child under 3, you will be charged the menu price. At buffet and "all-you-care-to-eat" restaurants, there is also no charge for children under 3 who share from an adult's plate. However, if you order from a separate children's or a la carte menu for a child under 3 (rather than eating from the buffet or all-you-care-to-eat offerings), you will be charged the price reflected on the menu. At counter service restaurants, you will be charged the menu price if you order a meal for a child under 3.

Who Can Purchase the Dining Plan?
The Basic Magic Your Way Dining Plan can only be purchased as follows:

    1. If you are a non-Disney Vacation Club member, you must purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package at a Disney resort for your entire party with at least one day's park admission. The number of days for the Dining Plan will equal the number of nights you have reserved your room on the package. It has nothing to do with the number of days of park admission you have.

    2. If you are a Disney Vacation Club member staying at a DVC resort on points, you may purchase the Dining Plan. You must purchase the Dining Plan for everyone in your party. No purchase of park admission is necessary. The number of dining plan days will equal the number of nights of your stay.

    3. If you are cruising with the Disney Cruise Line and have Disney Cruise Line Land/Sea package.

    NOTE: The following resorts do not participate in the dining plan: The Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green and the Downtown Disney resorts on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, which are not Disney owned or operated.

Are There Restrictions on How I Use the Dining Credits? Do I Have to Use Table Service Credits Just for Dinners, for example?

    It's completely up to you how and when you use your credits. If you want to use all of your table service credits for table service breakfasts each day instead of dinners, that's fine. Or you may use your counter service credits for breakfast at any participating counter service restaurant with breakfast on the menu. Counter service credits are good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you want to use three of your counter service credits in one day, that's fine, too. You can use two table service credits at the Cinderella's Royal Table character meals and other dinner shows, and also at selected Signature Restaurants such as the California Grill, or you can use them one at time at other character meals or at dozens of table service restaurants for lunch or dinner around the resort.

Can I Use the Dining Plan for Special Events?

    The Dining Plan can be used to purchase certain special dining events, but not necessarily all, subject to change.

    Epcot Food & Wine Festival -- The Dining Plan snack credits can be used to purchase many of the samples found at the international food booths around World Showcase. The Dining Plan can NOT be used to purchase signature dining events, like the Party for the Senses or Food & Wine Pairings.

    Grand Gatherings -- If you have eight people in your party, you can book certain Grand Gatherings Experiences using the Magic Your Way Dining Plan.

        The Safari Celebration Dinner, and the International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception each require TWO table service credits per person if you use the MYW Dining Plan.

        The Good Morning Character Breakfast requires ONE table service credit per person if you use the MYW Dining Plan.
Dinner Shows -- The Dining Plan can be used for the Spirit of Aloha, Mickey's Backyard BBQ and the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue dinner shows as follows: Category 2 or Category 3 seating at all Dinner Shows (subject to availability) and Category 1 seating at the 9:30 p.m. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (subject to availabilty). TWO table service credits will be deducted for these shows. Gratuities ARE INCLUDED for these shows.

Is the Dining Plan Worth the Money?

    It depends:

    -- Florida residents and Annual Passholders will probably find that the Tables in Wonderland (formerly Disney Dining Experience) card would be a better deal, since to get the Dining Plan they would have to pay for components like rooms and add-on tickets they don't need.

    -- If your family likes to eat a lot of food every day and doesn't mind taking a lot of time away from touring the parks for a sit-down meal every night, then it can be a pretty good deal. If you are a family of light eaters, picky eaters, or prefer buffets and/or counter-service style food, the plan is probably not a good deal for you.

What If I Don't Use All My Dining Plan Credits by the End of My Stay?

    Unused credits are not refundable. Make sure you have used them all by the end of the day you check out, as they expire at midnight on the last day of your stay. Use snack credits for bottled water for the trip home, for example.

Can I share my Disney Dining Plan meals with friends or family members who are not included in my reservation and have not purchased this plan?

    No, you may not use your Disney Dining Plan to redeem meals for friends or family members who are not included in your reservation and have not purchased the plan.

Do I Need to Make Advance Reservations When I'm on the Dining Plan?

    Due to the popularity of the Disney Dining Plan, Disney restaurants are busier than ever. We strongly suggest that you make reservations for meals that you are sure you don't want to miss. Make reservations up to 90 days in advance of your trip by calling 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).


SEE?! Reservations are strongly suggested!!

Here is what I have for this trip. The next post up will have all the menus.

Wednesday April 6, 2011
Disney's Hollywood Studios
12:35 pm
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater - #403461610248

Thursday April 7, 2011
Magic Kingdom Park
8:05 am
The Crystal Palace - #403461610727

Friday April 8, 2011
Epcot
6:35 pm
Tutto Italia Ristorante - #403461602255

Saturday April 9, 2011
Downtown Disney®
5:00 pm
T-REX A Prehistoric Family Adventure - #403471681313

Sunday April 10, 2011
Disney's Contemporary Resort
5:05 pm
Chef Mickey's - #403461601735

Monday April 11, 2011
Disney's Hollywood Studios
5:30 pm
The Hollywood Brown Derby - #403461609745

Tuesday April 12, 2011
Epcot
12:00 pm
Les Chefs de France - #403461602288