New Refillable Mug Design for 2014

Yippee, there's a new Disney mug design for 2014!  The husband and I were just talking about refillable mugs the other day.  We knew that the refillable mugs for our next trip would be Rapid Fill mugs with RFID chips for our next trip.  What we didn't know was whether or not the mugs would be the same design we've had for the last few trips, or a new design.  Now we know.  New design!

These new mugs come in 4 different lid/handle colors:  purple, blue, yellow, and orange.  The design is the same for all of the mugs.  I already know which colors will be picked by our family members!

The new mugs require an activation--for the Rapid Fill system--click here to read more.  For guests with Dining Plans, the refillable mugs are included.  Otherwise, guests pay based on the length of stay and/or how long they want to refill their mug.

The mugs can be found in food courts at Walt Disney World Resorts, when supplies of current mugs diminish.  And, for now, refilling is only at resort food courts; not the them parks.

These new mugs will come home with us after our trip and join the other Disney mugs that are used regularly.  We keep them filled with water and in the refrigerator for a magical, cold drink of water any time.  While microwaving is prohibited, we do wash them in the dishwasher.

What color will you pick?

"Rapid Fill" For Mugs Coming to Disney Resorts

Yesterday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a new “tiered” refillable mug program called “Rapid Fill” that will begin this month at All Star Resorts and then expand to all other Disney Resorts.

The new program allows the RFID chip embedded into the mugs to be programmed to allow refills for guests for various lengths of time, depending on the length of stay.  The RFID chip in the mug will then deactivate itself at the end of the purchase period.

The pricing is based on calendar days:

• $8.99 for 1 day
• $11.99 for 2 days
• $14.99 for 3 days
• $17.99 for length of stay

The soda refill machines will then be equipped with LCD screens that tell guests how many more days of refills are left on their refillable mugs. 

Mugs from previous trips will be useless, as new mugs (which can have the RFID chip activated) will need to be purchased for each trip.

The new mugs, with activated RFID chips will be included in some Dining Plans.

Okay, we have been hearing this was coming for some time and now it is here.  What I don’t understand is the selling point of “now your refillable mugs can be used at any resort.”  This is not new!  The previous refillable mugs could also be used at any resort food court!  Didn’t people try this?  We explored both the Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge and just happened to have our mugs with us.  It was great to take a break at the Contemporary with a snack and drinks from our refillable mugs.  The Monorail and EPCOT resorts better watch out as guests from nearby Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are going to throng to their food courts for free refills!  Probably not, but if this “refill your mug at any resort” is an advertising bullet for this new program, it is certainly a possibility.

We have been long time fans of the refillable mugs—purchasing some at Caribbean Beach many moons ago, you know, when the mugs had the resort logos.  We continued to bring them back—even to Port Orleans Riverside.  Yes, I know you aren’t supposed to do this. 

Then, when refillable mugs became part of the Dining Plan, our collection of refillable mugs has grown considerably, as we obtained 3 new mugs with each trip.  Looks like that tradition will continue with the new Rapid Fill program.

What I could get behind is a program that allows refills at the various theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney.  Couldn’t Disney’s extensive recycling program get behind that type of program?  Buy your mug and fill it throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort, which is what I think the Disney wordsmiths are trying to convey with the “fill your mug at any resort” which is misleading. 

What about mugs for Annual Passholders?  Their mugs could be activated for the entire year of their pass! 

Rapid Fill most likely won’t affect us this trip and we will carry on as usual.  I am curious about the roll-out though, as I anticipate some kinks in the normally well oiled Disney machine.  And, in the meantime, may your cup. . . er, mug, runeth over.

Free Dining Plan Being Offered at Walt Disney World!

Dining at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge

Free Dining at Walt Disney World has been announced!  If you are willing to travel between September 2 and September 25, stay at least 3 nights at select resorts, and purchase a minimum of a 2 day base ticket, then you can dine for free during your stay!

Guests selecting a value resort will receive free Quick Service Dining Plan and those choosing a moderate or deluxe resort will receive the Basic Dining Plan for free.  The Quick Service, also known as Counter Service, includes 2 counter service credits, a snack credit per person per night and a free refillable mug.  The Basic Dining Plan includes 1 counter service credit, one table service credit, one snack credit per person per night and a refillable mug.  Plans can also be upgraded by paying the price difference between the plans per person per night of stay.

This is a great offer and can save guests a lot of money.  In addition, September is considered a “value” season, so resort rates are at their lowest.  This also means crowds are thinner, hence the reason Disney is making this offer.

We have been able to take advantage of this offer during this time of year twice—September of 2007 and September of 2008.  Our travel agent sent me an email on Thursday when the offer became available to the general public—it was available for Disney Visa holders the week prior.  She asked if we were tempted.  Of course we were tempted, but since we are traveling in July and due to school and work schedules, it would not be feasible for us.  I thought it was great that she thought of us though. 

Since our first visit to Walt Disney World, we have stayed in moderate resorts, so the Basic Dining Plan was part of our offer.  It allowed us to try restaurants that we may not have tried under other circumstances such as Le Cellier—for lunch, Coral Reef, and Tony’s.

If you are considering a trip to Walt Disney World and are available to travel during this time, this offer can’t be beat.  Go ahead, call your travel agent or Disney travel specialist today! 

2012 Disney Dining Plan--Downtown Disney Area Restaurants Added

Changes are underway for the 2012 Disney Dining Plan, as 10 Downtown Disney Area restaurants are added to the list of Table Service Restaurants that accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Just recently announced, Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues, Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant, Planet Hollywood, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, Wolfgang Puck Café, Paradiso 37, Portobello, Rainforest Café, and T-REX Café have all been added to an extensive list of Table Service restaurants accepting the Disney Dining Plan. The biggies for us, at least, are Rainforest Café—including the location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and T-REX Café—click here to read about dining at T-REX Café. 

Another change to the Disney Dining Plan for 2012, is that all plans now include a refillable mug.  Previously, only the Quick Service Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan included the mug that can be refilled with soda, tea, water, and coffee at the food court in a Walt Disney World Resort. 

And, one of the biggest changes, not specifically to the Disney Dining Plan, but to the Advanced Dining Reservation or ADR system is the credit card guarantee that charges a per person no show fee if the ADR is not cancelled 24 hours prior to the reservation.  This went into effect towards the end of October 2011.  We made our ADR’s in September for our upcoming trip in March and missed this change in the policy.  The reasons behind this change are several, but specifically—no more multiple ADR’s for the same time for the same traveling party (the “I don’t know where we will be so I’ll make several ADR’s for the same time and we will pick which one when the time comes” type).  If people are doing this, they are going to have multiple per person cancellation fees added to their bill.

There are definitely mixed feelings about the Disney Dining Plan and they are mostly at either end of the love it/hate it spectrum with very few in the middle.  We LOVE it and haven’t visited Walt Disney World without it.  The Disney Dining Plan gives me peace of mind when it comes to planning and paying for meals while we are on vacation.  We have eaten at restaurants we would not have normally chosen due to price because we have used the Disney Dining Plan.  And, it doesn’t hurt that out of 8 trips to the World, we have had Free Dining for 5 of those trips.  Alas, free dining is not available for our upcoming trip.  But, I am excited about the refillable mugs!

Deciding if the Disney Dining Plan is for you and your family may be a difficult decision.  The Advanced Dining Reservation or ADR policy will affect anyone who makes reservations to dine at a Table Service restaurant whether or not they are using the Disney Dining Plan.  Now, there’s just a bit more homework or planning that goes into preparing for your Walt Disney World vacation.  But isn’t that half the fun?

What We "Get" About Disney That Other Vacationers May Not

I just read an article on Mouseplanet.com by Chris Barry about the Top 5 Things at Disney that he doesn’t get.  And, while I agree that there’s more than one way to do/plan/be excited about Disney, I disagree with a few others.  (And, yes, I do spend some of my time reading books and articles about Disney.  Surprised? )

We “get” planning our next vacation while on our current vacation.  In fact, we budget for that deposit.  We have taken advantage of bounceback offers while at Walt Disney World and book our next cruise while sailing.  The discounts are great.  And, Disney’s cancellation policy is such that if you cancel within the appropriate window, you get a full refund.

I tried to get a bounceback offer while we were in the World in July for this coming March, but the specials were only through the end of 2011.  So, when we are in the World in March I’ll be checking for a bounceback for December 2012.

We are able to plan where we dine 180 days in advance of our trip and make our ADR’s.  What we also do, is not make an ADR for each day, and therefore, not have our schedule ruled by dining ADR’s.  We plan at least one whole day with no ADR’s so we can be flexible and spontaneous.  It sounds like an oxymoron—plan to be spontaneous.  It works for us.

As far as the dining plan goes, in my opinion, it ranks right up there with Photopass and Fastpass for some of the best inventions to come from Disney.  Some think there’s too much food.  We disagree.  We order two adult and one child entrees at table service locations and counter service locations.  It is often the dessert at the counter service location that seems, well cumbersome, and we’ve gotten creative and asked for packages of sliced apples, or whole pieces of fruit for dessert and take those with us for a snack later.

I think there would be much less stress for vacationers if they had those dining decisions made in advance, as already there is quite a bit of decision making that goes on during a Walt Disney World vacation.  I see and hear them. . . “where are we going to eat?”  They consult the map, hope a restaurant is nearby, etc.  Stressful!  To me, it’s like driving on the interstate when you’re hungry, need gas, and have to go to the bathroom and are trying to figure out which exit will be best and how far away the exit is and if you can hang on until then.  Stressful!  (You now have a better idea of why we fly!)

Another Disney amenity, dare we say feature, that we use to the max is Disney transportation.  The fact that Disney’s Magical Express is there to great us at Orlando International and whisk us off to our resort and then be shuttled to any Disney location via bus, boat, monorail or train makes our vacation a breeze.  I am more than willing to let Disney do the driving!  Now, some Disney guests find that waiting to board Disney’s Magical Express is a hassle, so they would rather gather their luggage at baggage claim and schlep it to a rental car or car service and then make the drive to Walt Disney World, and then use that same rental car to get them back and forth to the parks.  While I am stepping into an air conditioned bus near the entrance to the park, rather than taking a tram or ferry to the parking lot to then find my hot rental vehicle.  Hmmm. . .. What would you rather do?  Did I mention that Disney’s Magical Express is FREE?

Yep, there are many Disney features, practices, etc., that we get that others may not.  But that is part of what makes vacationing to Disney unique, as there is more than one way to do it.

I have written about this before, about the fact that some people planning a trip to Walt Disney World, want to plan out every detail and get it “right” or “perfect.”  My point, there is no one “right” way to do Disney.  It is about what fits for you, your family, the people you are traveling with.  We have friends who are DVC members and enjoy the deluxe accommodations that are available to them using their points.  We are pleased with our “moderate” accommodations and great specials on dining instead.  We know people that drive, rather than fly.  Again, if it works for you, then so be it.

Dining at Coral Reef in EPCOT

Most guests at EPCOT think of World Showcase when they consider the variety of dining opportunities that are available.  But even before World Showcase, there’s an excellent restaurant almost hidden from view in Future World, specifically in the Living Seas Pavilion and that is Coral Reef.

We dined at Coral Reef on our very first visit to Walt Disney World and have dined there repeatedly.  We had an ADR for Coral Reef during our trip in July.

The first goal is to find Coral Reef.  Getting to the Living Seas with Nemo and Friends is the easy part.  Just look for the pelicans!

Then, instead of going into the Pavilion using the Nemo and Friends entrance, turn right and go around the building.  You will see the sign and entrance for Coral Reef.

As soon as you see the doors, you will know you have entered a new world;  the world under the sea.

The check in counter is to the left.  Restrooms to the right.  Look up and see the shell inspired light fixtures.

When your party is called, you will be taken into the large dining room that is on levels—think stadium.  The lowest level is next to the aquarium and has aquarium side seating.  We’ve eaten next to the aquarium three times, including our most recent trip.

The levels go up to the back ensuring that each table and the guests at the tables have a great view of the “show” during their meal.  And, what a show it is!  Sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, etc.  Ask the server for a sheet that helps guests identify the variety of marine life that will be swimming by you as you dine.

The menu offers a variety of seafood, salad, and pasta selections.  The boy’s favorite is the lobster bisque.  He calls it lobster soup.  The bread that is brought to your table is also very good.  Coral Reef is a pricier restaurant and makes for a great bargain if you are using the Dining Plan—as it is only 1 table service credit.

And, even though Coral Reef is a more expensive restaurant, the atmosphere is still very casual and children are welcome.  As guests oh and ah about the marine life, it can be noisy.  Not boisterous, but noisy.

We enjoy dining at Coral Reef for lunch, as our EPCOT touring plan typically has us on that side of Future World at that time of day.  Coral Reef serves both lunch and dinner.

On a hot, sunny day, the cool, dim, undersea ambiance of Coral Reef can be a great respite from park touring.  We leave nourished and refreshed and ready to take on the rest of our day.

Starting to Get Excited!

We’re about 140 days away from Spring Break and we’ve got a Walt Disney World trip in the works.  Our plans started as a 4 night cruise on the Dream, then we realized that for the same amount of money we could spend a week at the World, so we changed our plans. 

At the 180 day out mark, we made our reservation along with dining ADR’s for our week.  The only thing we didn’t have secure yet was our transportation to and from Orlando.

For anyone who knows me, not having this nailed down 6 months before our trip, was a bit anxiety producing.  This detail is typically handled first and I was having a difficult time getting excited about a trip that wasn’t fully planned yet.

Then, we were able to purchase reasonably priced direct fights—click here to read more.  Okay, feeling better.

It hit me last night. . . we’re going back to Walt Disney World!  Our dining ADR’s were made prior to Disney recently changing its policy about securing a credit card and charging guests a $10 per person no show fee when not arriving for Advance Dining Reservations.

We have a Fantasmic Dining package reserved at Mama Melrose, giving us an incredible meal along with reserved seating for Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios.  We are trying out Cape May Café for the first time with ADR’s for both breakfast and dinner.  We’re going back to Garden Grill at EPCOT, as we haven’t been there since our very first trip when we ate there on Thanksgiving Day.  We’re trying Les Chefs de France again and hoping to catch Remy this time.  Of course, ‘Ohana’s is on our itinerary.  We are heading back to Biergarten in Germany and Rose & Crown in United Kingdom—this time hoping for a lagoon side table to view Illuminations at EPCOT.  T-Rex Café at Downtown Disney has a lunch reserved for us, too.  We had Nine Dragons booked for our last day, but our flight schedule needs us to return back on Saturday instead of Sunday, so we canceled our Nine Dragons ADR.  Next time!

With all that fantastic dining ahead of us, the only disappointing thing for the boy was no Teppan Edo.  You would think he would be disappointed about not dining at Chef Mickey’s or Crystal Palace, but no, it was Teppan Edo he was going to miss!  I guess that is what 8, soon to be 9 trips to the World will do to you as a discerning diner!

The only way we can accomplish our dining plans is with the Park Hopper option added to our tickets, as we have many ADR’s at EPCOT, but don’t plan spending each day at EPCOT.  For example, the evening we dine at Garden Grill, which is in the Land Pavilion at EPCOT, we will be at Magic Kingdom during the day.  I sure wish Garden Grill would go back to serving lunch, as by dinner time on the days we tour EPCOT, we are well into World Showcase, and I don’t want to double back to Future World for dinner.  That’s why it works great to eat at Coral Reef for lunch on our EPCOT days, but we are not dining there this trip.

We add the Basic Dining Plan to our tickets which allows for a table service credit per person per night of our stay.  We can use the table service credits in any increments and sometimes use 2 per person in one day depending on our dining schedule.  We are staying 7 nights, but made 9 ADR’s for table service meals.  This means we will be paying out of pocket for 2 table service meals.  One will be breakfast at Cape May Café, as breakfast is typically the least expensive table service meal of the day.  The second will be our meal at T-Rex Café, as T-Rex does not accept the Disney Dining Plan even though guests can reserve T-Rex using the Disney Dining Reservation System—a subtle yet important distinction. 

With each trip, planning gets a little easier.  When are we going?  Where do we stay?  Which days will we be at each park?  Dining determined based on where we are each day and whether or not we add Park Hopper to our ticket and reserved at the 180 mark.  Yes, we decide where and when we want to eat six months ahead of our trip.

We also plan in a break day (if we are staying a week) and day to go back and revisit favorites or catch something we missed at a park.  This “catch up” day historically has been Hollywood Studios during the day and EPCOT for the late afternoon and evening—coming in the International Gateway after taking the boat launch between the parks. 

Okay, I’m starting to get excited.  Especially since our plans are more secure and the number of days keeps getting lower!

Benefits of the Fantasmic Dining Package at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! is the night time spectacular held regularly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The schedule for Fantasmic! performances changes periodically, so if you are inclined to take in this 25 minute show of land, water, and fire features, check the Times Guide for specifics. (Click here to read about Fantasmic!)

Guests wishing to have a reserved seat in the Fantasmic! Amphitheater, can take advantage of a special dining opportunity known as the Fantasmic Dining Package.  We have done this twice and have a third time reserved for our upcoming trip.

Here’s how it works:

• Make an ADR for the Fantasmic Dining Package at one of the 3 restaurants featuring the package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a night when Fantasmic is being performed.
• The 3 restaurants are Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine, and Mama Melrose. 
• Hollywood Brown Derby and Mama Melrose offer the Fantasmic Dining Package for both lunch and dinner ADR’s.  Hollywood and Vine offer only dinner time ADR’s for the package, as they have character dining for breakfast and lunch.
• At the end of your meal, pick up your Reserved Seating Pass from your server.
• Head down Sunset Blvd. 30-45 minutes before the first showing of the evening, if there is more than one Fantasmic! performance that night, and turn right just before the Beauty and the Beast stage/theater.
• A Cast Member will be waiting.  They will check your pass and you will get to make the long and lonely walk through the “back door” so to speak of the Amphitheater. See video below:

• Find a seat in the reserved section.
• If you want a snack, be sure to have your reserved seating pass with you, as you won’t be allowed back into the reserved section without it.
• Enjoy the show.
• Use the main entrance to exit, as the way you came in will now be closed—this is especially important when thinking about strollers, etc.

You can make the Fantasmic Dining Package work to your advantage by knowing that there is a specific charge for the package.  The Walt Disney World web-site lists it at $60 per person, and it very well could be, unless you having the Disney Dining Plan.

We use one of our table service credits to purchase the Fantasmic Dining Package, and it works to our advantage, as normally, an appetizer isn’t included with the Dining Plan.  But, if we use the Dining Plan to eat at Mama Melrose with the Fantasmic Dining Package, we get an appetizer with our meal—as it comes with the package.  Get it?

If you are using the Dining Plan, and eat at Hollywood Brown Derby for your Fantasmic Dining Package, it will cost you 2 table service credits.

Hollywood and Vine, being that it is a buffet style restaurant, offers the Fantasmic Dining Package for 1 table service credit on the Dining Plan.

We have now done both Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic Dining Package.  You most likely won’t see us at Hollywood Brown Derby for this, as it would take 2 table service credits, but I won’t count it out forever.  Out of the two that we have tried, our favorite was Mama Melrose and we have it reserved for our next trip.

So, for what it might cost for the meal itself, guests get a meal and reserved seating to Fantasmic!  In my book, it is a bargain.  It is even more of a bargain when using the Disney Dining Plan, which we add to our tickets each trip, saving us 20% or more off the cost of eating.  (And, we’ve gotten the dining plan for free on 5 of our 8 trips!)

As the video below demonstrates, the Amphitheater hold thousands of people.  For me, the reserved seating that the Fantasmic Dining Package provides gives me peace of mind knowing I’m not going to have to battle the crowds.

Enjoy the show!

This link will take you directly to the Walt Disney World web-site for the Fantasmic Dining Package.

Our First Garden Grocer.com Order

Our 8^th visit to Walt Disney World is getting closer and even though we have the Basic Dining Plan--click here to read more about Disney Dining Plans, we still want some snacks and beverages in our resort room for breakfasts or snacks on the run.  We usually pack these items and take them with, but since our vacation includes a cruise on the Disney Dream before our Walt Disney World stay, luggage space is at a premium.  Garden Grocer.com to the rescue!

We placed our first order with Garden Grocer.com and it was EASY!  I created an on-line account using our e-mail address and my own password.  This allowed me to shop on-line and place items in “my cart.”  (Print and fax orders are also accepted—just check out the details on the web-site.)

 

I had actually done some shopping prior by finding items that we might like and adding them to my “favorites” on the on-line account.  This made the actual shopping easy, as I added the favorites to my cart.

There is a minimum of a $40 purchase, a $12 delivery fee, a temporary $1.99 fuel surcharge added to each order until the price of gas returns to less than three dollars per gallon, and an optional gratuity to add to the order. 

Our delivery will include sunscreen, Mountain Dew—for the husband, cereal bars, Minute Maid orange juice boxes, granola bars, fresh pears, and Toy Story and Finding Nemo fruit snacks.  Our total before the additional charges came to $40.02—not bad for having to hit a $40 minimum.  Our total after delivery, fuel surcharge, sales tax, and gratuity ($9) was $65.81. 

We were able to designate date and place of delivery.  All of the Disney Resorts show up in a pull down menu and the address of the resort, once selected, was automatically filled in on the order and delivery screen.  We also selected the time of delivery and there is a text box to include any special directions.  I included that we were taking Disney transfers from Port Canaveral to our resort in the special directions section.

You can use a credit card or PayPal to complete your purchase.  We were able to print a copy of our order after payment and a follow-up e-mail was received with confirmation and another option to print the order.

Ordering was fast and easy.  Now, we’ll see how the delivery goes once we get to our resort.  The impression right now is that Garden Grocer.com will be an incredible convenience.

A Call To Disney = Vacation Savings

I had heard the urban myth about special codes being linked to one’s name at the Disney reservation center. The first time I heard about it was from a friend who was visiting Disney and ended up in the hot tub at Port Orleans French Quarter visiting with a lady who was on her 60th trip to Walt Disney World. The thought. . . this lady must know something to have that many trips under her belt.




Then I learned about pin codes that can be used for discounts. We have had some that were mailed to us and some that were e-mailed to us. We have even used a couple of them—applying the discounts to reservations we had made previously.

For the last few weeks, I had been reading about pin codes being available for summer and had been checking my e-mail, even the “junk” folder in case the e-mail had landed there. No luck. There just didn’t seem to be any Disney Discounts for our travel dates in July.



Yes, we had already received a nice discount through AAA including a bonus gift card. But I was wondering if we could save any more on our trip.

So, yesterday, I called Disney—the guest information line. I talked to a wonderful lady named Yvonne. I was a bit nervous about asking about special codes, but she quickly found our names and our existing reservation. She told me there were several codes available to us and if I would be patient, she would see which ones might apply to our existing reservation. Patient? Please! At this point, I am happy to hold!



Yvonne, asked me questions about previous stays, how many times we had visited, etc. while she worked her magic. Within a few minutes, she told me she had found a code for us for free dining during our stay. FREE DINING! Yeah! She said the reservation was an AAA reservation and she couldn’t make any changes, but she gave me the code to give to our travel agent so she could make the changes. My heart was racing!

While I had Yvonne on the phone, I asked about any specials for November, just in case we wanted to go again. She kept trying and trying. No luck. She said that the codes were for travel through August 14 and she encouraged me to call again. I will! I then thanked Yvonne and wished her a magical day before she could wish me one and we both laughed. Even calling a reservationist at Disney can be magical!



As soon as I hung up, I phoned our travel agent, told her about my call, and gave her the discount code. Within minutes I had an e-mail that said the code was for free Quick Service Dining Plan and that our travel agent had then upgraded to the Basic Dining Plan--click here to read more (which was on our reservation to begin with) as we would pay the difference for the upgrade. Total savings: $365.00—more than 10% of the total cost of our vacation.

Incredible! I was pumped. One phone call had saved us a bundle. Moral of the story: It is worth it to ask!

Disney Dining Plans

One of the things that kept me from booking our first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort was worrying about meals. . . where would we eat? When would we eat? How much would it cost? I wanted dining at the World to be more like taking a cruise or staying at an all inclusive resort where your meals are built into the cost of your trip and there is some convenience to dining so I didn’t have to worry about making the decisions to the above questions when we were all hungry.



As if by magic, Disney magic, just prior to our first resort stay in November 2006, Disney introduced the Dining Plan. Basic dining plan which included a table service meal, counter service meal, and snack per person per night of your stay. The credits for the meals are electronically added to your Key to the World card and you can use the credits any way you like. For example, if you eat two counter service meals one day you can use two table service credits the next day. Chef Mickey’s is a restaurant where you would use one table service credit per person while Pecos Bills is a counter service credit per person.



When the Dining Plan first came on the scene it included appetizers for table service meals and the tip. Both of those went away by the end of 2007 when contracts were renegotiated with cast members. Now, table service meals include entrée, dessert, and drink (non alcoholic) while quick service meals include a combo meal, dessert, and drink. Snacks range from popcorn or a drink at the parks to a bag of apples or carrot slices. Mickey Bars can be had for a snack credit!



Just as everything Disney, the Dining Plan has evolved over the years to now include 3 different dining plans so you can have the magic your way.



Quick Service Dining Plan: This plan includes two counter service meals and two snacks per person per day. This plan also includes a refillable mug per person. This plan is good for people staying at a Disney Resort—the only place you can refill your mug is at the food court in a Disney Resort. Also, for folks who don’t want to take away any park time by sitting at a restaurant or are traveling with light eaters. I was recently visiting with a fellow Disney enthusiast who was helping another family with teenage girls plan their trip. Their reasoning was teenage girls don’t eat very much, at least in this family, so they were leaning towards the Quick Service Dining Plan.

The Quick Service Plan would have also been good for the gentleman we bumped into at 'OHANA's one morning.  We were waiting for our 7:30 am ADR to eat breakfast with Lilo and Stitch when he appeared.  Obviously a guest at the Polynesian, he wondered if breakfast was served at 'OHANA's and when he found out he needed to have an ADR, he was a bit miffed.  Upon visiting with him, I discovered that he and his family had come to Disney and had booked either the Basic or Deluxe Dining plan, but failed to make any Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR's) so they weren't having any luck using their table service credits.  I had two suggestions for the man. . . for this trip, see about exchanging a table service credit for a counter service credit and a snack.  This can be done and is somewhat better than having the table service credits go to waste.  He didn't know he could do this.  The second suggestion was for next time and that the Quick Service dining plan may be a better option for his family.  Again, he didn't know about the Quick Service dining option.  While he walked away still hungry, he was armed with more information that could help him.  This is exactly the scenario I want to avoid when traveling with my family and illustrates once again, that you gotta do your homework and planning prior to coming to Disney.  I know, the two words homework and vacation conjure up some sort of twisted oxymoron, a juxtaposition of two words that typically don't go together.  But just as all things magical at Disney, they do go together and make for a happier Walt Disney World Vacation.


Basic Dining Plan: This plan includes a table service meal, counter service meal, and snack per person per day. The Basic Dining Plan is good for folks who want to eat at restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort but not spend all of their time sitting at a restaurant. The counter service meal credits allow for even more flexibility. This is our “go to” plan and it has worked for us . . . numerous times!



Deluxe Dining Plan: This plan includes 3 table service meals, including appetizers, and two snacks per person per day and also includes a refillable mug per person. You will definitely not go hungry on this plan. I visited with a family who had tried this plan and they said they spent almost $500 on tips. Given that the a check for a table service meal can be $90 - $150 just for a family of 3 and then you tip 15-20% of that times 3 times per day, the tips can add up! This plan only makes economic sense if you are planning to eat at restaurants that require “2 table service credits” per person per meal. Examples include: Cinderella’s Royal Table, Hoop Dee Dodo Review, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, and the Luau at the Polynesian Resort, etc.  Dollar for dollar, this is the most economical plan if you don't include park time you may be missing.



Disney has variations on the theme that are a part of the Premium or Platinum packages which include the Deluxe Dining Plan. You can also add a Wine Package to your Deluxe Dining Plan if you like.



So, here’s how we do it to avoid the questions and decision making while park touring and being hungry . . . Where are we going to eat? When are we going to eat? How much will it cost? We add the Basic Dining Plan to our trip—now the only cash we need for eating is our tip money. And, we have been able to score the dining plan for free 3 of our last 6 trips and will once again get free dining on our upcoming trip! (You still pay the tip even when the Dining Plan is free.)



Knowing that we will be using the Dining Plan, we make our Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) 180 prior to our first day of our trip. (I’ll write later about how to decide what, where, and when you want to eat 6 months ahead.) If we want to eat at say, Hoop Dee Doo Review (click here to read more) then we pay for that restaurant rather than use our table service credits. Typically on every trip, we end up paying separately for one meal. Sometimes that is Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (click here to read more) and sometimes it is an extra counter service meal when we have used all our credits. Combine the Dining Plan with some goodies we pack—small boxes of cereal, granola bars, juice boxes, our refillable mugs, and we are good to go!

Check out the Disney web-site for more information about Dining Plans.