Disney dining plan
Okay. Here's the deal.
Everyone's going to have to decide if the Dining plan makes sense. Basically, for $39/adult and $11/child - per day you get a snack, a counter service meal (e.g. Pecos Bill's at MK), and a table service meal (e.g. 50's Prime Time). Here's the lowdown from TourGuideMike (it's long):
Magic Your Way plus Dining Package
Vacation Profile: [Updtd Feb 16, 07] Disney's new Magic Your Way Package can also include this extra-cost Dining Package that can, potentially, save you a lot of cash! Will you be staying at a Disney-owned Resort, and do you plan on dining at a combination of counter service and table service restaurants? If yes, you need to have a look!
Lookin' for the List of Restaurant Participants? If that's all you're after, ~fname~, click here to scroll down this page to the current restaurant locations that participate in the Magic Your Way plus Dining Package.
Who can reserve the Dining Package? Unlike the basic Magic Your Way Package that's available at a variety of hotels, this package is only available to guests staying at one of the Disney-owned and managed Resorts at Walt Disney World. If it doesn't have "Disney's" in front of its name, it's not offering this package! ;>)
Page Advice: ~fname~, there are a lot of factors you should consider if you're eligible for this Dinner Package. I recommend that you carefully review ALL of the information on this page, including the 'Pros,' 'Cons,' and 'Considerations and More' portions below the package details. I have attempted to answer any questions a guest might have here on one page -- and that wasn't a simple task! If you still have a question or two, why not post them in the AVP Forums under the Restaurants & Dining Planning topic?
Package Details: This package includes Magic Your Way Base Tickets plus a prepaid dining plan for each member in your party. Your Magic Your Way Base Ticket can be for any number of days you need it for -- an important point, and you can also add on the available Park Hopper, Water Park Fun & More, Premium, and No Expiration Options if you like.
However, the Dining Package portion must match the total number of nights you have on your reservation, and it must be purchased for every member in your party who is age three and above. For example, if you're coming Sunday through Friday (5 nights & 6 days), you could purchase 4-Day Magic Your Way Plus Park Hopper Option tickets if that's all you really need, but everyone will be charged for five nights' worth of the Dining Package.
The additional cost is $38.99 per night per adult (ages 10 and older) and $10.99 per night per child (ages 3 - 9).
What do you receive with the Dining Package? For each night on your reservation, each member will receive:
One Table Service meal that includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert, and 1 single serving of a non-alcoholic beverage. (For the record, I can't think of a single child's menu that offers an appetizer, but how many young children would want one anyway?) If a restaurant serves a buffet, your non-alcoholic beverage is also included -- you'd normally be charged extra for it. All character meals count as table service meals, and are available with this package. By the way, this package ALSO covers the gratuity -- and that 15 to 20% adds up real quick!
One Counter Service meal that includes 1 entrée with a side, 1 dessert, and our 1 single serving of a non-alcoholic beverage again. You're also invited to order a combo meal -- almost all of Disney's counter service restaurants offer them -- with dessert! :>)
One Snack can include anything under $4.00 (with exceptions such as pizza) Examples are a piece of fruit or a "grab-bag" size of Frito-Lay brand chips, an ice-cream bar, a single serving box of popcorn, a 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, a 24 oz. Dasani water, nachos, bakery items, smoothies, and Mickey rice krispy treats. (Whew!)
So ... If we have a family of four coming for our 5 night, 6 day vacation above, each one of the four (age 3 and older) will receive 5 table service meals, 5 counter service meals, and 5 snacks. Also, the order of how the meals are used is entirely up to you! Does Joey want two snacks on Monday? That's fine -- and he'll be able to consume three more (or more if you and/or others don't want all of theirs) during the duration of your stay. Do you want to visit two table service restaurants on the same day? It's fine. Get the point?
Order what you like! No, ~fname~, there are no limitations on the menu, nor are you slipped a 'special' one with less expensive options! You'll use the same menus as everyone else, and can order whatever you like -- no matter how expensive the menu choice is. Woohoo!
Well, except for two places ... Both Wolfgang Puck's and Planet Hollywood have a surcharge added to a few of their menu items. Think of it as a co-pay -- if you want the more expensive menu items (surf & turf, whole lobster), Disney won't cover the whole price. You will have to pay a small surcharge for those more expensive entrees.
Some table service restaurants cost more! Not all of Disney's table service restaurants provide menus in the same price range. That's not surprising is it? Their most expensive dining locations are called 'Signature Dining,' and these choices will require two of your table service meals from the package. Also, Disney offers three Dinner Shows for their guests, and those also require two table service meals per guest as well.
Did you notice the 'night' vs. 'day' thing? I want to point out that word choice again ... The number of meals you receive per person is tied to your number of nights, not the number of days. Are you arriving in the evening and departing in the morning or early afternoon like 90% of the other guests? Compare the number of meals you'll need throughout your vacation to the number you actually receive with this package. Does that affect your decision?
Child and Adult Credits are not the same: Child credits can only be used to purchase a child’s meal. In January 2007 Disney started differentiating between adult and child credits for table service meals. Child credits can no longer be used to pay for an adult meal. Your receipt will indicate the number of child and adult credits remaining.
You could save a lot of money (or eat better than you normally would have budgeted): IF your dining needs match what's offered in this package, it can be an outstanding deal for you! Let me have a look at what I might order while at the Magic Kingdom for a day:
Counter Service: I like the Pecos Bill Cafe after Splash Mountain, so let's go there for lunch. I'll have their Combo #1 (Chicken Wrap with french fries), a medium Sprite, and a slice of chocolate cream pie.
My Counter Service Subtotal: $7.49 (wrap) + $1.99 (drink) + $1.99 (pie) = $11.47 + .75 tax = $12.22
Snack: Thanks, I'll have one of those bottles of Dasani water for $2, please. It's important to stay hydrated don't you know ... ;>)
Table Service: I'm famished! Let's run over to Tony's Town Square Restaurant for dinner. Suzi made it for 7:15 p.m. because we're never hungry before then. We have a reservation so that means we won't have to wait, right? ()
45 minutes later ... Hi, I'd like the Insalata con Meta e Gorgonzola Doce for my appetizer, the 12 oz. Bistecca ai Ferri for my entrée, a glass of iced tea, and a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.
Table Service Subtotal: $7.49 (field greens) + $23.49 (NY Strip) + $2.19 (tea) + $6 (cake) = $39.17 + 20% gratuity + tax = $49.55
My Grand Total for one day = $63.77
How much I paid Disney with this package = $38.99
How much I saved in only one day: $24.78
You don't have to keep track of your meals! Disney does this for you each time you buy something at a restaurant or cart, AND only one adult member needs to hand over a Resort ID for everyone who you're ording for. (Yes, it's okay if someone is back in the room, outside, etc.) You'll see your party's outstanding balance of TOTAL meals remaining at the bottom of the receipt, broken down by snacks, counter service, and table service.
For example, our family of four above received a total of 20 snacks, 20 table service meals, and 20 counter service meals when they checked in (4 guests x 5 nights). By the time they eat dinner on Wednesday night their receipt might indicate that they have 6 snacks, 5 counter service, and 3 table service meals remaining.
You CAN pay for your meals if you like: Why would you do this? If a child (or anyone else) doesn't feel like eating much, why waste a table service meal on him or her? 'Bank' it for later to use at a more expensive character meal, ~fname~! (Or better yet -- one of the dinner shows that require two table service meals per person!) You can use credits for some meals and pay for other meals even while you're all seated at the same dinner. To the server: "Please charge three of the table service meals from our Dining Package, and we'll pay for her meal ourselves." (You'll receive two checks then: one for the Dining Package meals and one for what you want to pay for yourself. It's no different than if you requested split checks at a restaurant back home for a visiting cousin you don't want to pay for!)
Are you a 'Deluxe Diner'? I may not be able to use this package for many of my VIP Tour guests because we usually dine at a table service location for both lunches and dinners, plus a character breakfast or two. (Although ... I'll still have to have a look at our dining itinerary plans. They could use the counter service for breakfast -- if they're not regularly grabbing something at Concierge or via room service -- and each dinner alone is normally more than the $38.99 cost of this package per night per adult and $10.99 per child.) Do you dine at counter service restaurants?
Do you plan on dining at Epcot's World Showcase or Downtown Disney? Although Disney has added quite a lot of Epcot and Downtown Disney's restaurants to the plan, there are still a few that aren't listed. Please check which restaurants are eligible - so you don't have any nasty surprises!
Will you get your money's worth? My fictitious self easily did above under 'Pros,' but that's not how I would really eat. Will you? I'm a 6-foot, 180-pound 'regular guy,' and there's no way I could possibly eat all that food in one day -- or even at one meal. Still, it's pretty easy for 'normal eaters' to come out ahead too.
Let's look at how an average couple might eat. (And before I get any emails accusing me of being sexist, know that my 'example female' fits the description of 95% of the women I have personally hosted.)
At Pecos Bill's:
Her: Chicken Salad, no dessert, and an iced tea
Him: 1/2 Pound Double Bacon Cheeseburger with fries (even though he knows he shouldn't -- he's on vacation gosh darn it), chocolate cream pie (she has a couple of bites), medium lemonade
Their Counter Service Subtotal: (Her) $6.39 + $1.99 / (Him) $7.29 + $1.99 + $1.99 = $19.65 + tax = $20.93
Snacks: They each get a bottle of water because they know the importance of staying properly hydrated. Subtotal: $4
At Tony's:
Her: Most likely won't want an appetizer because she'll say she's not hungry enough. She'll order the Pesce del Giorno as her entrée, which is pan-seared Wahoo with lemon-Risotto Cake. This is an Italian restaurant, so she'd like a glass of wine or two, but alas, Tony's does not serve any Vino. Oh well, she says she is fine with water. Oh, and no dessert please because she's watching her figure. ;>)
Him: I told him the calamari is really good here, so he orders it as his appetizer. He's a steak man, so he orders the 12 oz. NY Strip even though he's at an Italian restaurant ... He orders a Coke. When the server offers the dessert menu at the end of the meal -- like they always do -- he doesn't order anything because he can't possibly eat any more.
Their Table Service Subtotal: (Her) $22.49 / (Him) $7.29 + $23.49 + $2.19 = $32.97 + 20% gratuity + tax = $66.55
Their Grand Total for one day = $91.48
How much they paid Disney for this package = $77.98
How much they saved* in only one day: $13.50
The included gratuity is only 18%: Although some tip less for buffets because the server is only taking care of drinks and removing plates, most people tip 20% for good service at table service restaurants. Some servers resent the fact that no matter how hard they work, their tip will be the lower 18% that comes with this package. Hey, how would you feel on a busy, hectic night?
To ensure my guests and I receive the best possible level of service, I like to let the server know we plan on tipping more, but in a way that's both subtle and clear: "I understand the package we're on only comes with a 18% gratuity, but we normally tip 20% for helpful service. Is there a way we can tip more if we wish to?" Works every time -- and it's only fair if they are doing a good job. I hope you agree. (And, yes, you can easily tip more if you like.)
Unused meals DO expire: It's not Disney's fault if you don't use all of your meal options, ~fname~. When your vacation is over, your opportunity to dine at their restaurants with this package is over as well. (However, because of the savings potential, it may not matter if you end up 'throwing away' a meal or two.)
But let's be very clear about 'when' they expire: From the day or evening you arrive, until Midnight later that evening on the day you check out, you can continue to use the Dining Package as long as you have meals remaining in your 'Meal Bank.' If you check out at 8 a.m. in the morning and go over to the Animal Kingdom for the day before you leave for the airport, you can still use your Dining Package to pay for any meals or snacks. (Tip: Your room charge will still work too ...)
Consider more than one hotel reservation if necessary: Are you wanting to explore one or more of the other Central Florida theme parks like Universal, Islands of Adventure, or SeaWorld? This package is tied to your number of nights on the reservation, and it doesn't matter if you have time to use all of your meals ... See the potential waste of them?
If you're staying at a Disney hotel for your entire visit instead of transferring to a Universal hotel, consider making one hotel reservation for the number of 'Disney' nights/days you need -- with the Dining Package, and another before or after it for your 'Other Parks' nights/days -- without the Dining Package.
You'll have to check in and out at the beginning/end of each reservation, but as long as you have the two reservations noted on each one -- so the Room Assignor recognizes you're the same party on both of them -- you won't be moved to a different room. (The Disney Reservations cast member may tell you otherwise, but they simply don't know better and don't work at the hotel. I've been giving this advice for nearly eight years with no reports of anyone being moved.)
The 'time' of your meal doesn't matter: A table service restaurant is a table service restaurant; a counter service restaurant is a counter service restaurant. That you're using your Dinner Package meal option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner doesn't matter -- it's entirely up to you.
Use your 'To Go' option when applicable! You're at a counter service or table service location and don't feel like eating your dessert option that comes with the package? Ask for it 'to go' and chow down later ... ;>)
Take care of yourself! You know I care about your health, right? I looked at the nutrition table of a packaged ice-cream sandwich the other day at Disney-MGM and it had over 70 grams of carbohydrates and 550 calories. I kid you not, ~fname~. No one needs that much sucrose flooding through their bloodstream ... Please consider using your snack options for good ol' healthy and hydrating bottles of water or nice pieces of fruit? Thanks! :>)
List of Restaurant Participants
This list is current as of February 2007 but know that the restaurant choices you see below could change at any time. I will do my best to stay up on this for you and will edit this page as needed.
Disney's 4 Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom
Table Service:
Once Upon a Time Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character B-- Signature
A Fairytale Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character L-- Signature
Dreams Come True Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character D-- Signature
The Crystal Palace - Character B, L and D
The Liberty Tree Tavern - L
Goofy's Liberate your Appetite Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern - Character D
The Plaza Restaurant - L, D
Tony's Town Square Restaurant - L, D
Counter Service:
Casey's Corner - L, D
Columbia Harbour House - L, D
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - L, D
El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante - L, D
The Lunching Pad - L, D
Main Street Bakery - B, L and D
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café - L, D
Pinocchio Village Haus - L, D
Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station - L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn - L
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Epcot
Table Service:
Future World:
Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Feast at the Garden Grill (Land Pavilion) - L, D
Coral Reef Restaurant (Living Seas Pavilion) - L, D
World Showcase:
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada) - L, D
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (UK) - L, D
Les Chefs de France (France) - L, D
Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco) - L, D
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (Italy) - L, D
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room (Japan) - L, D
Biergarten Restaurant (Germany) - L, D
Nine Dragons (China) - L, D
Princess Storybook Dining at Restaurant Akershus (Norway) - B, L, D
San Angel Inn (Mexico) - L, D
Counter Service:
Future World:
Electric Umbrella Restaurant (East Side) - L, D
Fountain View Espresso & Bakery (West Side) - B, L, D
Sunshine Seasons Food Fair (Land Pavilion) - B, L, D
World Showcase:
Yorkshire County Fish Shop featuring Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips (UK) - L, D
Boulangerie Patisserie (France) - L, D
Tangierine Cafe (Morocco) - L, D
Liberty Inn (USA) - L, D
Yakatori House (Japan) - L, D
Sommerfest (Germany) - L, D
Lotus Blossom Cafe (China) - L, D
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway) - L, D
Cantina de San Angel (Mexico) - L, D
Snacks:
Future World:
Electric Umbrella Restaurant (East Side)
Refreshment Cool Post
Fountain View Espresso & Bakery (West Side)
Sunshine Season Food Fair (Land Pavilion)
World Showcase:
Yorkshire County Fish Shop featuring Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips (UK)
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway)
Liberty Inn (USA)
Sommerfest (Germany)
Refreshment Outpost (Africa-themed, next to China)
Refreshment Port at Showcase Plaza (On right before Canada)
Everywhere:
Ice Cream Carts
Popcorn Wagons
Soda Carts
Disney-MGM Studios
Table Service:
50's Prime Time Café - L, D
The Hollywood Brown Derby - L, D -- Signature
Playhouse Disney's Play 'n' Dine at Hollywood & Vine- Character B and L
Hollywood & Vine - D
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano - L, D
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - L, D
Note: This package can also be used to pay for the Fantasmic Dinner Package.
Counter Service:
ABC Commissary - B, L, D
Backlot Express - L, D
Catalina Eddie's - L, D
Rosie's All American Café - L, D
Starring Rolls Cafe - B, L
Studio Catering Co. - L, D
Toluca Turkey Leg Co. - L, D
Toy Story Pizza Planet - L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Table Service:
Donald's Breakfastosaurus at Restaurantosaurus - Character breakfast only
Note: The Rainforest Café does not participate in this package.
Counter Service:
Flame Tree Barbeque - L, D
Pizzafari - L, D
Restaurantosaurus - L, D
Tusker House Restaurant - B, L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Dino Bites
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Disney's Resorts - A Summary
Instead of listing a gazillion restaurants, I'd like to try and make this a little easier to understand. The following observations are all you really need to know. All of the restaurants that provide the table service option are listed below them.
The Value Resorts only have counter service locations to choose from, regardless. They can be used for both your counter service and snack options, and are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Note: The breakfast menu is less expensive than the lunch and dinner menus, so let's use your 'Meal Bank' wisely ... ;>)
The Food Courts at the Moderate Resorts can be used for both your counter service and snack options, and are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The pool-side bars at the Resorts can not be used for your counter service or snack options. Why? I don't know. The exceptions are Hurricane Hanna's Grill at Disney's Beach Club and Siesta's Pool Bar at Coronado Springs because they have a more extensive menu, and there are both counter service and snack options available.
All of the Deluxe and Home Away From Home Resorts have both a counter service and at least one table service restaurant for their guests. The counter service locations can be used for both your counter service and snack options; the table service is for your table service option. Private In-Room Dining (2 table service credits) is also available at all but Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The exception is Fort Wilderness -- it only has its two dinner shows and one table service location. There are no places that accept your counter service or snack options!
Disney Resorts - Table Service
Now that we have the basics covered above, let's review your table service options at Disney's Resorts.
Note: Those that are noted with Signature and Dinner Show have more expensive menus or prices and require 2 table service meals from each participant.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma - Flavors of Africa - B, D
Jiko - The Cooking Place - D -- Signature
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Breakfast Beach Club Buffet at Cape May Café - Character B
Cape May Café - D
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop - L, D
Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Big River Grille and Brewing Works - L, D
ESPN Club - L, D
Flying Fish Café - D -- Signature
Spoodles - B, D
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale - D
Disney's Contemporary Resort
California Grill -- Signature
Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet at Chef Mickey's - Character B and D
Concourse Steakhouse - L, D
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill - B, D
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Crockett's Tavern - D
Trail's End Restaurant - B, L, D
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue -- Dinner Show (tiers 2 and 3 seats only)
Mickey's Backyard BBQ -- Dinner Show
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare - Character B
Cinderella's Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare - Character D
Citricos - D -- Signature
Grand Floridian Café - B, L, D
Narcoossee's - D -- Signature
Note: Victoria & Albert's does not participate in this package
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Olivia's Café - B, L, D
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Kona Cafe - B, L, D
'Ohana - D
'Ohana Best Friends Breakfast - Character B
Disney's Spirit of Aloha -- Dinner Show (tiers 2 and 3 seats only)
Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Boatwright's Dining Hall - B, D
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Turf Club Car and Grill - L, D
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Café - B, L, D
Artist Point - D -- Signature
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Yacht Club Galley - B, L, D
Yachtsman Steakhouse - D -- Signature
Remaining Parks & Places
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Avalunch
Lottawatta Lodge
The Warming Hut
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Leaning Palms
Typhoon Tilly's
Note: Both of Disney's water parks only have counter service restaurants. You can use both your counter service and snack options at the above locations -- only.
Downtown Disney
Cap'n Jack's Restaurant - table service, Marketplace
Earl of Sandwich - counter service, Marketplace
Planet Hollywood - table service, Pleasure Island
Wolfgang Puck cafe- table service, West Side
Wolfgang Puck Express - counter service, Marketplace
Raglan Road - table service, Pleasure Island
Cooke's of Dublin - counter service, Pleasure Island
Food Quest - counter service, West Side (in DisneyQuest)
Note: Wolfgang Puck accepts the dining package in the first floor cafe-- only. They will not use dining credits on the second level dining area.
Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf Courses
Sand Trap Bar and Grill - table service
Disney's Wide World of Sports
Official All-Star Café - table service
Disney's Grand Gathering Experiences
Good Morning Gathering
Safari Celebration Dinner
IllumiNations Dinner and Dessert Reception
Note: All Grand Gathering Experiences require 2 Table Service meals per person.
This page provides the prices and options to think about, but do you have any other questions about tickets and reserving Disney's packages? If so, you should definitely check out the ticket section of my Vacation Articles section! Have a look at "Planning Step 5: My Tickets Articles Guide."
Copyright © 2007, TourGuideMiKE, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. We are not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.
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I know everyone will have questions. Email me! I guess the bottom line for us is will we spend $130 a day on food? Or more accurately I guess, will we spend $1300 in total for food/dining/entertainment options (i.e. How much will we also spend on "character dining" which is included in the dining plan?)
Here's a link to the participating restaurants and a good overview of how many points it will cost.
Everyone's going to have to decide if the Dining plan makes sense. Basically, for $39/adult and $11/child - per day you get a snack, a counter service meal (e.g. Pecos Bill's at MK), and a table service meal (e.g. 50's Prime Time). Here's the lowdown from TourGuideMike (it's long):
Magic Your Way plus Dining Package
Vacation Profile: [Updtd Feb 16, 07] Disney's new Magic Your Way Package can also include this extra-cost Dining Package that can, potentially, save you a lot of cash! Will you be staying at a Disney-owned Resort, and do you plan on dining at a combination of counter service and table service restaurants? If yes, you need to have a look!
Lookin' for the List of Restaurant Participants? If that's all you're after, ~fname~, click here to scroll down this page to the current restaurant locations that participate in the Magic Your Way plus Dining Package.
Who can reserve the Dining Package? Unlike the basic Magic Your Way Package that's available at a variety of hotels, this package is only available to guests staying at one of the Disney-owned and managed Resorts at Walt Disney World. If it doesn't have "Disney's" in front of its name, it's not offering this package! ;>)
Page Advice: ~fname~, there are a lot of factors you should consider if you're eligible for this Dinner Package. I recommend that you carefully review ALL of the information on this page, including the 'Pros,' 'Cons,' and 'Considerations and More' portions below the package details. I have attempted to answer any questions a guest might have here on one page -- and that wasn't a simple task! If you still have a question or two, why not post them in the AVP Forums under the Restaurants & Dining Planning topic?
Package Details: This package includes Magic Your Way Base Tickets plus a prepaid dining plan for each member in your party. Your Magic Your Way Base Ticket can be for any number of days you need it for -- an important point, and you can also add on the available Park Hopper, Water Park Fun & More, Premium, and No Expiration Options if you like.
However, the Dining Package portion must match the total number of nights you have on your reservation, and it must be purchased for every member in your party who is age three and above. For example, if you're coming Sunday through Friday (5 nights & 6 days), you could purchase 4-Day Magic Your Way Plus Park Hopper Option tickets if that's all you really need, but everyone will be charged for five nights' worth of the Dining Package.
The additional cost is $38.99 per night per adult (ages 10 and older) and $10.99 per night per child (ages 3 - 9).
What do you receive with the Dining Package? For each night on your reservation, each member will receive:
One Table Service meal that includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert, and 1 single serving of a non-alcoholic beverage. (For the record, I can't think of a single child's menu that offers an appetizer, but how many young children would want one anyway?) If a restaurant serves a buffet, your non-alcoholic beverage is also included -- you'd normally be charged extra for it. All character meals count as table service meals, and are available with this package. By the way, this package ALSO covers the gratuity -- and that 15 to 20% adds up real quick!
One Counter Service meal that includes 1 entrée with a side, 1 dessert, and our 1 single serving of a non-alcoholic beverage again. You're also invited to order a combo meal -- almost all of Disney's counter service restaurants offer them -- with dessert! :>)
One Snack can include anything under $4.00 (with exceptions such as pizza) Examples are a piece of fruit or a "grab-bag" size of Frito-Lay brand chips, an ice-cream bar, a single serving box of popcorn, a 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, a 24 oz. Dasani water, nachos, bakery items, smoothies, and Mickey rice krispy treats. (Whew!)
So ... If we have a family of four coming for our 5 night, 6 day vacation above, each one of the four (age 3 and older) will receive 5 table service meals, 5 counter service meals, and 5 snacks. Also, the order of how the meals are used is entirely up to you! Does Joey want two snacks on Monday? That's fine -- and he'll be able to consume three more (or more if you and/or others don't want all of theirs) during the duration of your stay. Do you want to visit two table service restaurants on the same day? It's fine. Get the point?
Order what you like! No, ~fname~, there are no limitations on the menu, nor are you slipped a 'special' one with less expensive options! You'll use the same menus as everyone else, and can order whatever you like -- no matter how expensive the menu choice is. Woohoo!
Well, except for two places ... Both Wolfgang Puck's and Planet Hollywood have a surcharge added to a few of their menu items. Think of it as a co-pay -- if you want the more expensive menu items (surf & turf, whole lobster), Disney won't cover the whole price. You will have to pay a small surcharge for those more expensive entrees.
Some table service restaurants cost more! Not all of Disney's table service restaurants provide menus in the same price range. That's not surprising is it? Their most expensive dining locations are called 'Signature Dining,' and these choices will require two of your table service meals from the package. Also, Disney offers three Dinner Shows for their guests, and those also require two table service meals per guest as well.
Did you notice the 'night' vs. 'day' thing? I want to point out that word choice again ... The number of meals you receive per person is tied to your number of nights, not the number of days. Are you arriving in the evening and departing in the morning or early afternoon like 90% of the other guests? Compare the number of meals you'll need throughout your vacation to the number you actually receive with this package. Does that affect your decision?
Child and Adult Credits are not the same: Child credits can only be used to purchase a child’s meal. In January 2007 Disney started differentiating between adult and child credits for table service meals. Child credits can no longer be used to pay for an adult meal. Your receipt will indicate the number of child and adult credits remaining.
You could save a lot of money (or eat better than you normally would have budgeted): IF your dining needs match what's offered in this package, it can be an outstanding deal for you! Let me have a look at what I might order while at the Magic Kingdom for a day:
Counter Service: I like the Pecos Bill Cafe after Splash Mountain, so let's go there for lunch. I'll have their Combo #1 (Chicken Wrap with french fries), a medium Sprite, and a slice of chocolate cream pie.
My Counter Service Subtotal: $7.49 (wrap) + $1.99 (drink) + $1.99 (pie) = $11.47 + .75 tax = $12.22
Snack: Thanks, I'll have one of those bottles of Dasani water for $2, please. It's important to stay hydrated don't you know ... ;>)
Table Service: I'm famished! Let's run over to Tony's Town Square Restaurant for dinner. Suzi made it for 7:15 p.m. because we're never hungry before then. We have a reservation so that means we won't have to wait, right? ()
45 minutes later ... Hi, I'd like the Insalata con Meta e Gorgonzola Doce for my appetizer, the 12 oz. Bistecca ai Ferri for my entrée, a glass of iced tea, and a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.
Table Service Subtotal: $7.49 (field greens) + $23.49 (NY Strip) + $2.19 (tea) + $6 (cake) = $39.17 + 20% gratuity + tax = $49.55
My Grand Total for one day = $63.77
How much I paid Disney with this package = $38.99
How much I saved in only one day: $24.78
You don't have to keep track of your meals! Disney does this for you each time you buy something at a restaurant or cart, AND only one adult member needs to hand over a Resort ID for everyone who you're ording for. (Yes, it's okay if someone is back in the room, outside, etc.) You'll see your party's outstanding balance of TOTAL meals remaining at the bottom of the receipt, broken down by snacks, counter service, and table service.
For example, our family of four above received a total of 20 snacks, 20 table service meals, and 20 counter service meals when they checked in (4 guests x 5 nights). By the time they eat dinner on Wednesday night their receipt might indicate that they have 6 snacks, 5 counter service, and 3 table service meals remaining.
You CAN pay for your meals if you like: Why would you do this? If a child (or anyone else) doesn't feel like eating much, why waste a table service meal on him or her? 'Bank' it for later to use at a more expensive character meal, ~fname~! (Or better yet -- one of the dinner shows that require two table service meals per person!) You can use credits for some meals and pay for other meals even while you're all seated at the same dinner. To the server: "Please charge three of the table service meals from our Dining Package, and we'll pay for her meal ourselves." (You'll receive two checks then: one for the Dining Package meals and one for what you want to pay for yourself. It's no different than if you requested split checks at a restaurant back home for a visiting cousin you don't want to pay for!)
Are you a 'Deluxe Diner'? I may not be able to use this package for many of my VIP Tour guests because we usually dine at a table service location for both lunches and dinners, plus a character breakfast or two. (Although ... I'll still have to have a look at our dining itinerary plans. They could use the counter service for breakfast -- if they're not regularly grabbing something at Concierge or via room service -- and each dinner alone is normally more than the $38.99 cost of this package per night per adult and $10.99 per child.) Do you dine at counter service restaurants?
Do you plan on dining at Epcot's World Showcase or Downtown Disney? Although Disney has added quite a lot of Epcot and Downtown Disney's restaurants to the plan, there are still a few that aren't listed. Please check which restaurants are eligible - so you don't have any nasty surprises!
Will you get your money's worth? My fictitious self easily did above under 'Pros,' but that's not how I would really eat. Will you? I'm a 6-foot, 180-pound 'regular guy,' and there's no way I could possibly eat all that food in one day -- or even at one meal. Still, it's pretty easy for 'normal eaters' to come out ahead too.
Let's look at how an average couple might eat. (And before I get any emails accusing me of being sexist, know that my 'example female' fits the description of 95% of the women I have personally hosted.)
At Pecos Bill's:
Her: Chicken Salad, no dessert, and an iced tea
Him: 1/2 Pound Double Bacon Cheeseburger with fries (even though he knows he shouldn't -- he's on vacation gosh darn it), chocolate cream pie (she has a couple of bites), medium lemonade
Their Counter Service Subtotal: (Her) $6.39 + $1.99 / (Him) $7.29 + $1.99 + $1.99 = $19.65 + tax = $20.93
Snacks: They each get a bottle of water because they know the importance of staying properly hydrated. Subtotal: $4
At Tony's:
Her: Most likely won't want an appetizer because she'll say she's not hungry enough. She'll order the Pesce del Giorno as her entrée, which is pan-seared Wahoo with lemon-Risotto Cake. This is an Italian restaurant, so she'd like a glass of wine or two, but alas, Tony's does not serve any Vino. Oh well, she says she is fine with water. Oh, and no dessert please because she's watching her figure. ;>)
Him: I told him the calamari is really good here, so he orders it as his appetizer. He's a steak man, so he orders the 12 oz. NY Strip even though he's at an Italian restaurant ... He orders a Coke. When the server offers the dessert menu at the end of the meal -- like they always do -- he doesn't order anything because he can't possibly eat any more.
Their Table Service Subtotal: (Her) $22.49 / (Him) $7.29 + $23.49 + $2.19 = $32.97 + 20% gratuity + tax = $66.55
Their Grand Total for one day = $91.48
How much they paid Disney for this package = $77.98
How much they saved* in only one day: $13.50
The included gratuity is only 18%: Although some tip less for buffets because the server is only taking care of drinks and removing plates, most people tip 20% for good service at table service restaurants. Some servers resent the fact that no matter how hard they work, their tip will be the lower 18% that comes with this package. Hey, how would you feel on a busy, hectic night?
To ensure my guests and I receive the best possible level of service, I like to let the server know we plan on tipping more, but in a way that's both subtle and clear: "I understand the package we're on only comes with a 18% gratuity, but we normally tip 20% for helpful service. Is there a way we can tip more if we wish to?" Works every time -- and it's only fair if they are doing a good job. I hope you agree. (And, yes, you can easily tip more if you like.)
Unused meals DO expire: It's not Disney's fault if you don't use all of your meal options, ~fname~. When your vacation is over, your opportunity to dine at their restaurants with this package is over as well. (However, because of the savings potential, it may not matter if you end up 'throwing away' a meal or two.)
But let's be very clear about 'when' they expire: From the day or evening you arrive, until Midnight later that evening on the day you check out, you can continue to use the Dining Package as long as you have meals remaining in your 'Meal Bank.' If you check out at 8 a.m. in the morning and go over to the Animal Kingdom for the day before you leave for the airport, you can still use your Dining Package to pay for any meals or snacks. (Tip: Your room charge will still work too ...)
Consider more than one hotel reservation if necessary: Are you wanting to explore one or more of the other Central Florida theme parks like Universal, Islands of Adventure, or SeaWorld? This package is tied to your number of nights on the reservation, and it doesn't matter if you have time to use all of your meals ... See the potential waste of them?
If you're staying at a Disney hotel for your entire visit instead of transferring to a Universal hotel, consider making one hotel reservation for the number of 'Disney' nights/days you need -- with the Dining Package, and another before or after it for your 'Other Parks' nights/days -- without the Dining Package.
You'll have to check in and out at the beginning/end of each reservation, but as long as you have the two reservations noted on each one -- so the Room Assignor recognizes you're the same party on both of them -- you won't be moved to a different room. (The Disney Reservations cast member may tell you otherwise, but they simply don't know better and don't work at the hotel. I've been giving this advice for nearly eight years with no reports of anyone being moved.)
The 'time' of your meal doesn't matter: A table service restaurant is a table service restaurant; a counter service restaurant is a counter service restaurant. That you're using your Dinner Package meal option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner doesn't matter -- it's entirely up to you.
Use your 'To Go' option when applicable! You're at a counter service or table service location and don't feel like eating your dessert option that comes with the package? Ask for it 'to go' and chow down later ... ;>)
Take care of yourself! You know I care about your health, right? I looked at the nutrition table of a packaged ice-cream sandwich the other day at Disney-MGM and it had over 70 grams of carbohydrates and 550 calories. I kid you not, ~fname~. No one needs that much sucrose flooding through their bloodstream ... Please consider using your snack options for good ol' healthy and hydrating bottles of water or nice pieces of fruit? Thanks! :>)
List of Restaurant Participants
This list is current as of February 2007 but know that the restaurant choices you see below could change at any time. I will do my best to stay up on this for you and will edit this page as needed.
Disney's 4 Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom
Table Service:
Once Upon a Time Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character B-- Signature
A Fairytale Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character L-- Signature
Dreams Come True Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table - Character D-- Signature
The Crystal Palace - Character B, L and D
The Liberty Tree Tavern - L
Goofy's Liberate your Appetite Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern - Character D
The Plaza Restaurant - L, D
Tony's Town Square Restaurant - L, D
Counter Service:
Casey's Corner - L, D
Columbia Harbour House - L, D
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - L, D
El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante - L, D
The Lunching Pad - L, D
Main Street Bakery - B, L and D
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café - L, D
Pinocchio Village Haus - L, D
Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station - L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn - L
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Epcot
Table Service:
Future World:
Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Feast at the Garden Grill (Land Pavilion) - L, D
Coral Reef Restaurant (Living Seas Pavilion) - L, D
World Showcase:
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada) - L, D
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (UK) - L, D
Les Chefs de France (France) - L, D
Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco) - L, D
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (Italy) - L, D
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room (Japan) - L, D
Biergarten Restaurant (Germany) - L, D
Nine Dragons (China) - L, D
Princess Storybook Dining at Restaurant Akershus (Norway) - B, L, D
San Angel Inn (Mexico) - L, D
Counter Service:
Future World:
Electric Umbrella Restaurant (East Side) - L, D
Fountain View Espresso & Bakery (West Side) - B, L, D
Sunshine Seasons Food Fair (Land Pavilion) - B, L, D
World Showcase:
Yorkshire County Fish Shop featuring Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips (UK) - L, D
Boulangerie Patisserie (France) - L, D
Tangierine Cafe (Morocco) - L, D
Liberty Inn (USA) - L, D
Yakatori House (Japan) - L, D
Sommerfest (Germany) - L, D
Lotus Blossom Cafe (China) - L, D
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway) - L, D
Cantina de San Angel (Mexico) - L, D
Snacks:
Future World:
Electric Umbrella Restaurant (East Side)
Refreshment Cool Post
Fountain View Espresso & Bakery (West Side)
Sunshine Season Food Fair (Land Pavilion)
World Showcase:
Yorkshire County Fish Shop featuring Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips (UK)
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway)
Liberty Inn (USA)
Sommerfest (Germany)
Refreshment Outpost (Africa-themed, next to China)
Refreshment Port at Showcase Plaza (On right before Canada)
Everywhere:
Ice Cream Carts
Popcorn Wagons
Soda Carts
Disney-MGM Studios
Table Service:
50's Prime Time Café - L, D
The Hollywood Brown Derby - L, D -- Signature
Playhouse Disney's Play 'n' Dine at Hollywood & Vine- Character B and L
Hollywood & Vine - D
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano - L, D
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - L, D
Note: This package can also be used to pay for the Fantasmic Dinner Package.
Counter Service:
ABC Commissary - B, L, D
Backlot Express - L, D
Catalina Eddie's - L, D
Rosie's All American Café - L, D
Starring Rolls Cafe - B, L
Studio Catering Co. - L, D
Toluca Turkey Leg Co. - L, D
Toy Story Pizza Planet - L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Table Service:
Donald's Breakfastosaurus at Restaurantosaurus - Character breakfast only
Note: The Rainforest Café does not participate in this package.
Counter Service:
Flame Tree Barbeque - L, D
Pizzafari - L, D
Restaurantosaurus - L, D
Tusker House Restaurant - B, L, D
Snacks:
The counter service locations above plus:
Dino Bites
Ice Cream Carts - Everywhere
Popcorn Wagons - Everywhere
Soda Carts - Everywhere
Disney's Resorts - A Summary
Instead of listing a gazillion restaurants, I'd like to try and make this a little easier to understand. The following observations are all you really need to know. All of the restaurants that provide the table service option are listed below them.
The Value Resorts only have counter service locations to choose from, regardless. They can be used for both your counter service and snack options, and are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Note: The breakfast menu is less expensive than the lunch and dinner menus, so let's use your 'Meal Bank' wisely ... ;>)
The Food Courts at the Moderate Resorts can be used for both your counter service and snack options, and are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The pool-side bars at the Resorts can not be used for your counter service or snack options. Why? I don't know. The exceptions are Hurricane Hanna's Grill at Disney's Beach Club and Siesta's Pool Bar at Coronado Springs because they have a more extensive menu, and there are both counter service and snack options available.
All of the Deluxe and Home Away From Home Resorts have both a counter service and at least one table service restaurant for their guests. The counter service locations can be used for both your counter service and snack options; the table service is for your table service option. Private In-Room Dining (2 table service credits) is also available at all but Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The exception is Fort Wilderness -- it only has its two dinner shows and one table service location. There are no places that accept your counter service or snack options!
Disney Resorts - Table Service
Now that we have the basics covered above, let's review your table service options at Disney's Resorts.
Note: Those that are noted with Signature and Dinner Show have more expensive menus or prices and require 2 table service meals from each participant.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma - Flavors of Africa - B, D
Jiko - The Cooking Place - D -- Signature
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Breakfast Beach Club Buffet at Cape May Café - Character B
Cape May Café - D
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop - L, D
Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Big River Grille and Brewing Works - L, D
ESPN Club - L, D
Flying Fish Café - D -- Signature
Spoodles - B, D
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale - D
Disney's Contemporary Resort
California Grill -- Signature
Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet at Chef Mickey's - Character B and D
Concourse Steakhouse - L, D
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill - B, D
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Crockett's Tavern - D
Trail's End Restaurant - B, L, D
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue -- Dinner Show (tiers 2 and 3 seats only)
Mickey's Backyard BBQ -- Dinner Show
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare - Character B
Cinderella's Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare - Character D
Citricos - D -- Signature
Grand Floridian Café - B, L, D
Narcoossee's - D -- Signature
Note: Victoria & Albert's does not participate in this package
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Olivia's Café - B, L, D
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Kona Cafe - B, L, D
'Ohana - D
'Ohana Best Friends Breakfast - Character B
Disney's Spirit of Aloha -- Dinner Show (tiers 2 and 3 seats only)
Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Boatwright's Dining Hall - B, D
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Turf Club Car and Grill - L, D
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Café - B, L, D
Artist Point - D -- Signature
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Yacht Club Galley - B, L, D
Yachtsman Steakhouse - D -- Signature
Remaining Parks & Places
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Avalunch
Lottawatta Lodge
The Warming Hut
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Leaning Palms
Typhoon Tilly's
Note: Both of Disney's water parks only have counter service restaurants. You can use both your counter service and snack options at the above locations -- only.
Downtown Disney
Cap'n Jack's Restaurant - table service, Marketplace
Earl of Sandwich - counter service, Marketplace
Planet Hollywood - table service, Pleasure Island
Wolfgang Puck cafe- table service, West Side
Wolfgang Puck Express - counter service, Marketplace
Raglan Road - table service, Pleasure Island
Cooke's of Dublin - counter service, Pleasure Island
Food Quest - counter service, West Side (in DisneyQuest)
Note: Wolfgang Puck accepts the dining package in the first floor cafe-- only. They will not use dining credits on the second level dining area.
Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf Courses
Sand Trap Bar and Grill - table service
Disney's Wide World of Sports
Official All-Star Café - table service
Disney's Grand Gathering Experiences
Good Morning Gathering
Safari Celebration Dinner
IllumiNations Dinner and Dessert Reception
Note: All Grand Gathering Experiences require 2 Table Service meals per person.
This page provides the prices and options to think about, but do you have any other questions about tickets and reserving Disney's packages? If so, you should definitely check out the ticket section of my Vacation Articles section! Have a look at "Planning Step 5: My Tickets Articles Guide."
Copyright © 2007, TourGuideMiKE, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. We are not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.
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I know everyone will have questions. Email me! I guess the bottom line for us is will we spend $130 a day on food? Or more accurately I guess, will we spend $1300 in total for food/dining/entertainment options (i.e. How much will we also spend on "character dining" which is included in the dining plan?)
Here's a link to the participating restaurants and a good overview of how many points it will cost.
posted by Carl at 4:37 PM
2 comments
