Tag Archives: DDP

The Ins and Outs of the Disney Resort Food Court

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I found this great picture of the All-Star Movies Food Court online and I made it my background recently.  Opening up my lap top to this each and every day has inspired me to write all about the ins and outs of the Disney Resort Food Court. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the taste of our blog today.

Let’s talk how they work. Look for the tray area, if you feel you will need one, and take it to any of the food stations.  Let the Chef know what you would like, speak clearly and loud enough (it is usually always loud and busy), then choose a dessert if you want one.  The Self-Service areas have stickers labeled the “DDP” on the clear doors which lets you know what is permitted on the Disney Dining Plan. These stickers are usually purple and white, so keep an eye out. 

You can purchase a refillable mug at any time during your meal and your stay, but to get the most out of it, we recommend purchasing it day one of your trip.  The mugs have yellow plastic tags on them which keep them closed until you purchase them- the Cast Member will then cut it off and you will be on your way to refillable heaven.  The mug is only good for your stay and only for your Resort- you cannot refill your drink inside the Parks. (We hope one day they make one for the Parks though).

The Disney Dining Plan works here for your Snack Credits and Quick Service Credits. Now, let’s talk what makes sense on using your credits. If you are on the Quick Service Dining Plan, you get the refillable mug included for each person. But, if you are on the regular Dining plan, you will have to purchase the refillable mug if you want it. BUT, it wouldn’t make much sense to purchase it if you are getting a drink included with two meals every day.

Most of the Disney Resort Food Courts serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hours of operation are from 6 a.m. to Midnight.  I would love to be able to tell you that there are “quiet” times to eat, but there really aren’t. From the moment they open, people are up and ready to eat before heading to the Parks. Because of the many check-ins throughout the day, most people grab a bite to eat before and after checking into their room.  We are always amazed at how incredibly busy the Food Court is around 11:30 p.m. Most of the parks have closed by that time, so we are never sure of why so many people are still up so late.

As with everything in life, the early bird gets the worm. If you really want that food item, particularly a snack food or a dessert, get it when you see it.  After dinner time, most of the snacks and desserts are pretty much picked over and gone. If you like to have late night snacks often, save your credits and purchase snacks from a nearby grocery store or bring them with to have in your room after every day at the parks.

The atmosphere of many food courts make or break your eating experience.  For example, we love the large music icon images in the All-Star Music food court along with the large booths to get off your feet in.  At Pop Century, the Food Court merges into the Gift Shop, which makes our mouths drool at all the stuff we want to buy while we are eating.  The beauty and peace of the large water wheel outside the Port Orleans Riverside Food Court makes it serene and relaxing to eat there, while the small Food Court area at the Grand Floridian near the marina offers the most amazing view of the water, monorail, and Cinderella’s Castle.

We hope this has enlightened you on the Disney Resort Food Courts. We would happy to help you with any question you may have. Have a wonderful day!

~Carl and Ellie Peters~

Getting the best bite for your buck.

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“I’m so rumbly, in my tumbly… I’d be grateful, for a plateful….”  We have all had that happen to us, enjoying our park day and your stomach starts to talk.  Today we thought we would break down what plans Walt Disney World offers for their Dining Plan and how you can get the best bite for your buck!

Walt Disney World offers three dining plans as options with the Magic Your Way package. The three plans available are: Quick Service, Standard, and Deluxe.

Let’s break down the cost of each plan and what it includes (Costs are approx for 2010): 

  • Quick Service Dining Plan
    • Cost:
      • $31.99 per adult, per night
      • $9.99 per child (3 – 9) per night
    • Includes:
      • 2 Quick Service meals (per person , per night)
        • Entrée or Combo
        • Dessert
        • Non Alcoholic Drink
      • 2 snacks (per person, per night)
      • 1 refillable mug, (per person

 

  • Standard Dining Plan
    • Cost (Tiered based upon season):
      • $42 – $47 per adult, per night
      • $12 – $13 per child (3 – 9) per night
    • Includes:
      • 1 Table Service Meal per person, per night
        • Buffet or Entrée meal
        • Dessert
        • Non Alcoholic Drink
      • 1 Quick Service Meal per person, per night
        • Entrée or Combo
        • Dessert
        • Non Alcoholic Drink
      • 1 Snack per person, per night

 

  • Deluxe Dining Plan
    • Cost:
      • $72 per adult, per night
      • $21 per child (3 – 9) per night
    • Includes:
      • 3 Meals (Table or Quick Service) – (per person, per night)
        • Buffet or Entrée Meal
        • Appetizer
        • Dessert
        • Non Alcoholic Drink
      • 2 Snacks (per person, per night)
      • 1 refillable resort mug per person

 Example of cost:

  • Family of 4 using the Quick Service Dining Plan (two adults, one 17 year old, one 8 year old)
  • Total cost for 7 night vacation would be approx $750.00 (or about $107 a day)
  • Total credits:  56 Quick Service credits, 56 Snack Credits

 Quick Service credits can be used at most all counter service establishments in the parks and in the resort hotels. A counter service restaurant is typically where you would order your food at a counter, and carry your food back to your table. Table Service credits can be used at most ‘Sit Down’ restaurants inside the parks and at the resort hotels. A Table service restaurant is typically where you are seated and someone comes to your table to place your order, and returns with your meal(s). You can use Table Service credits at many of the Character Meals. Some special meals require using two credits per person, such as the ‘Hoop De Do Review’ and ‘California Grill’. A complete list of which counter and table service credits can be used at which restaurants is available at www.waltdisneyworld.com

 Our first experience with the Dining Plan was during a promotion in September 2008 – we were offered the Standard Dining Plan (One table and one Quick Service) for free as an upgrade with our ‘Magic Your Way Package’. This offer is now common during the times around late August and September. If you are planning a trip around that time, it is a great way to get a feel for the plan without spending the money.

 On our next family trip in 2009, we decided that we liked the plan so much and the convenience it offered, that we added the Quick Service plan to our package at our own cost. It was so nice to know that all our meals were paid for before we left. The only cost we had to worry about was any souvenirs!

 Like anything, there are many pro’s and con’s that you will need to consider before making the decision yourself regarding the Dining Plan. Here are just a few:

 Pro’s of Magic Your Way Dining Plan:

  1. All your meal expenses will be paid for before you leave home.
  2. Allows family members the freedom of choosing what they want for their meal without having to worry about cost.
  3. Easier to manage your meals – every receipt has a credit balance that tells you exactly what is left for your entire family.
  4.  Depending upon your eating habits, it can save your entire family money in the long run.
  5. Having snack credits (1 or 2 per person, per day depending upon the plan) is very, very convenient when you are walking through the parks at mid day in 90 degree heat. You can walk up to a snack cart and simply swipe your card for an ice cold drink or ice cream.

Con’s of Magic Your Way Dining Plan

  1. Unless you would normally eat an entrée, dessert, and drink during at least two meals every day – you may not be saving money, you may possibly spend more.
  2. You need to have a good idea of where you want to eat well in advance. This is especially true with the plans that include Table Service credits. Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended for Table Service meals, and need to be made 180 days prior to arrival if at all possible.
  3. Having an ADR each day can limit your flexibility. If you have a reservation in one park for a given day, you are either going to have stick with that park, unless you have park hoppers, or you are going to risk not getting seating at another location in different park because you did not have the ADR set up.
  4. Unless you would plan on eating one to two snacks per person every day, you might not see the savings.
  5. If you plan on going offsite for any partial or full days, and eating at that off site location, you will end up spending out of pocket for that meal(s) and either have to eat an extra meal on property to use that credit, or not use that credit, and end up losing money.

After our family weighed the pro’s and con’s, along with our eating habits, we found that we would not save money by using the dining plan. Since the cost difference was not very large, and having our meals paid for with our package before we arrived for our vacation outweighed the cost difference, we now plan to add the Dining Package to each of our vacations.

 If you have any other questions about the dining plan or if it would be a good fit for you – feel free to ask away.

Carl and Ellie