Disney Dining Plan

[tiggerfan]

Hey everyone !

Thanks to the free dining plan deal I am booked for WDW from Sept 14-23rd (yaaay first trip in 6-7 yrs).

Since I expect a number of us are taking advantage of the deal, I thought it would be nice to start a new thread for tips/comments/reviews from those who have done the dining plan before.

I know we need to make PS as soon as possible (Which I understand would be in June).

Any suggestions as to places to eat that would let us take real advantage of the 'free' food ?

Or any places that might be fun to 'experiment' with eating food we might not otherwise do ?

[sir clinksalot]

Never used it, but like you said, with the free deal there will be ALOT of people using it. You need to find the exact date you can call and call that morning to get your PS. Otherwise you may not get what you want.

How long is this deal going on BTW? Hopefully it won't still be going on in October.

[erick13]

You can call for PS 180 days before hand now. I would suggest calling ASAP. I would suggest Le Cellier in EPCOT and Ohana at the Poly.

[tiggerfan]

I'd heard Ohana had gone down in quality recently ?

[NatdRat]

I too heartily recommend LeCellier, great food and atmosphere (not to mention cheddar soup to die for!). I also like 50's Prime Time Cafe (MGM), Whispering Canyon (Wilderness Lodge), and (for the kitch) Rainforest Cafe (Downtown Disney).

Never been to Ohana's unfortunately so I hope I've not missed its heydays.

[sealsm]

Originally Posted by NatdRat

Whispering Canyon (Wilderness Lodge)

Also try Artist Point at the Lodge. It is fabulous!

[tiggerfan]

Originally Posted by sealsm

Also try Artist Point at the Lodge. It is fabulous!

mmmm Cedar Plank Salmon

[NeverNeverland]

Last Oct we ate at O'Hanas and I loved it! The food was excellent and the atmosphere fun. But, that was my only sit down, big meal (minus Germany) so I can't compare it to anything else.

Looks like we'll miss each other (yet again!)

Gregg, I don't remember how long the deal is going on but it's for awhile... Oct should be Ok. It might be too late, though, the dates we wanted were already booked the next day, though we did find (we = someone who knows how to work the system better than I do ) a deal that's still really good.

[SpectroMan]

Originally Posted by tiggerfan

I know we need to make PS as soon as possible (Which I understand would be in June).

No, no, no! They book 180 days out now so they are already taking reservations for October. DO NOT WAIT any longer - you will be sorry!

Enjoy your trip! Which dates? I'm taking advantage 9/22-9/27.

[tiggerfan]

My trip is Sept 14-Sep 23.

My group will be planning meals very soon

[ghosty4]

Check out my picture intensive trip report about what I ate in February at Walt Disney World.
http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55742

Also, prepare for lots and lots of STEAK.

[erick13]

Originally Posted by tiggerfan

I'd heard Ohana had gone down in quality recently ?

Last time I was there was in Dec of 05 just a few months after a menu change. I was very good. There was more then enough food and the plan is to go back there next year when I get to go back to WDW.

[Goofster]

We got the free dining last year (my girlfriend and I). 9 days of full stomachs. I would save two sit down credits for California Grill. We got reservations during the fireworks, awesome!!!!!!!! This year were staying at caribean beach and got the free dining for 10 days. They seem to be selling out of these packages quik. You will be so full, 1 counter service with beverage and dessert per day and 1 snack and 1 sit down dinner with Appetizer, Main Course, Dessert, and Non-alcoholic beverage per day! Ohh yah and gratuity is included but I tipped extra to some servers.

[boogmonster]

I took my wife to Disneyworld last August/September for our 10th anniversary and we took advantage of the same promotion. My favorite dining experiance was The california Grill, the roof top reastraunt at the Contemporary. We scheduled our meal to coincide with the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and requested a a table with a view, it was truly magical! It takes 2 of your Table service credits per person, but it was well worth it!

[Nom]

Originally Posted by tiggerfan

I'd heard Ohana had gone down in quality recently ?

Ohana is still good, but nothing like it used to be. We go there every trip. Last trip (Oct 06), here were the issues:

No more sweet potato pineapple bread (my fave!!!)
No more tiger shrimp- replaced by pork (cost cutting at its finest)
Less items on the Lazy Susan for appetizers
No more complimentary pineapple with caramel dipping sauce (my second fave)

so it is still good, but NOWHERE near how good it used to be. I do have to say though, when they did not bring the pineapple and I exclaimed how much I used to love it, our waiter brought a complimentary one out for us (maybe because we were celebrating a birthday, who knows, but it was some of that old disney magic again)