[Fran]

We are a family of 4, 3 adults 1 almost adult (17). We find that we seldom use counter service for meals. We usually skip breakfast, leave the parks and head to any hotel for a sit down lunch, and then have a sit down dinner later that night. Most of you say that the meal plan works well for you. However because of the way we eat, I don't see it working for us. Is there any flexibility in the plan that would allow upgrading a counter meal to a sit down or combining a breakfast and a counter service for a sit down. Is the meal plan just not geared for our style of eating?

[missy H]

With the dining plan you get a snack, counter and sit down. As far as I know you can not upgrade or combine two counter to make a sit down. If you normally sit down twice a day it maybe worth looking at the MAGIC YOUR WAY PREMIUM Package. Here is the link:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...lMYWPrem06Page
It lets you eat where and when you want!

[PrincessPooh]

Just as a tidbit, DH and I were in WDW in Sept when we got the free dining package. As I've stated before, we are foodies, and we enjoy sitting down to our meals. We are definately not grab a burger and fries (all the time) people. I was amazed at what a counter service meal really was. They are so much more, with huge and delicious fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, ribs, chicken, drinks, fruits, desserts and more. We thoroughly enjoyed our "cs" meals. If you consider taking the regular dining plan, look at different menus and different cs restaurants. I actually bought the Birnbaum's dining guide to direct us where we would enjoy ourselves best. And most, if not all, cs meal locations have sit down areas to relax (most of the ones we went to were indoors and air conditioned)! It's just my opinion, but something to think about!

[Cavey]

I'd echo that the CS meals are not just burgers and fries. Especially in Epcot, you can get some of the same food at the CS places as in the sit-down restaurants.

[gdsrn]

How do I get the meal plan. I am part of dvc and we are planning a April trip. Thank you Glynis

[Boss Mouse]

Here is an email I received form the DVC.

We are pleased to advise that we have worked with our Information Technology partners to change the
way Disney Dining Plan is sold in the system to enable Members to book this option. Disney Vacation
Club Members may contact Member Services beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006 to add this package to
their Disney Vacation Club reservations, (the plan cannot be added to a Disney Collection
reservation) for arrivals on or after April 1, 2006.
Please keep in mind this plan must be booked prior to your arrival. Payment will be taken at
check-in but the Front Desk cannot add the plan to an existing reservation.

[Fran]

Thank you for the help. I think we are going to pass on the meal plan
DH does not think it would be good for our family.

[pumouse]

I wish they had one of these for DL. I always go over on our food budget!

[DayDreamer]

O.k what is "counter service" considered? Is it the small restaurants in the parks?

[ingamba]

Originally Posted by DayDreamer

O.k what is "counter service" considered? Is it the small restaurants in the parks?

Yes, Daydreamer, but not just in the parks, but also in resorts. Not to be confused with a "snack bar" type place to get a quick snack, a counter service restaurant is a place to get a complete meal. The difference between a counter service and a sit down restaurant is that at a counter service you walk to the counter and get your meal and pay right there, than bring your food to a table. There is no watier/waitress service.

Examples in the theme parks of these types of restuarants are Tusker House at DAK, Pecos Bill's at MK, Toy Story Pizza Planet at the Studios, and Lotus Blossom Cafe' at China at Epcot's World Showcase.

[DayDreamer]

Got it! Now that I know a little more about it the meal plan doesn't sound bad at all.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by DayDreamer

Got it! Now that I know a little more about it the meal plan doesn't sound bad at all.

Oh, it's really cool. You can download a complete list of the restaurants and the catagories they belong to here:

Disney Dining Plan PDF

Most of us who have tried it have loved it.. I think there might be a few dissenters, but not many!

[Jen]

Thanks for the link to the PDF file. It's the most comprehensive explanation of the Meal Plan I've seen.

[ssn]

wow, thanks for that link. It sure simplified things!

One question - a character meal is just 1 table service? I thought it was 2 for some reason!

[Jen]

SSN ~ I believe the old plan used to be that way. A friend of mine just returned from WDW and used the plan and used all her table service meals as character meals.