[kylsha]

First trip to Disney in oct. and made our reservations through mousketrips (can't say enough about the service there), anyway, was recommended to get the dining plan, which we did. How does this work for the varying restaurants? Can we really eat anywhere, including CP, etc? Just trying to figure this all out. A lot to plan as you all know too well!!

[jo-jo]

http://www.disneycentral.com/images/diningplan.pdf

I don't know how to make a link, but Mickey posted this some weeks ago. It lists all the places included and give details of the plan. I've never done the plan, but I'm sure there are people here who could give you advice.

[BuzzLightyear]

The above link should help you out as to where you can eat.

As you'll see not every resturant is included, but there are plenty to choose from. A few are considered "signature" resturants, so you'll need to use two of your "table service" credits to eat there.
The plan worked great for us, and for most people from what I have been reading.

Make sure you plan those "table" meals in advance!!

Any other questions, please ask away!!

[chrisl]

We've tried several of the character meals....I must say, Chef Mickey's for Breakfast is our favorite and the best value. TONS OF FOOD and FUN!!! But it will depend on the times available when you call for the reservation, it's always a challenge to get the reservation you want....The Cinderella Dinner at the Grand Floridian is also wonderful; as is, the Liberty Tree Tavern, MK, for dinner. The Cinderella Breakfast at the Castle is very nice. The Crystal Palace has quite the assortment of characters and food. AND can't forget the Princesses BREAKFAST at Norway, EPCOT...very nice.
But for some reason, you'll probably find - you can plan and plan, then when you call for the reservation, you'll get totally confused and frustrated, because of the party size and seating times available...you're best off having 2 or 3 choices so when (or ) IF your first choice isn't available, you're prepared with the next. KNOW what's on each menu offering, and which characters are present - then - GOOD LUCK!

[PrincessPooh]

We are using the dining plan for our trip in September, and we are eating everywhere! All the character meals (like CRT, CP, CM, LTT) are all included in the plan and are 1 table service credit. The only 2 credit dinners I know of are the 3 dinner shows (hoop de doo, luau, and backyard bbq) and a few signature restaurants like CG and coral reef. Other than that, it is a totally awesome deal! I'll give you the scoop on the places we ate at when I get back-but definately start making your PS/AR now...they will be gone in no time (if they are even still there now)!

[kylsha]

I thought you couldn't make PS's until 90 days in advance, which for us isn't until this Sunday. And where do I call to make the PS's. Thanks again for the tips.

[PrincessPooh]

Originally Posted by kylsha

I thought you couldn't make PS's until 90 days in advance, which for us isn't until this Sunday. And where do I call to make the PS's. Thanks again for the tips.

The dining plan phone number is 1-407-WDW-DINE. Maybe when you call on Sunday, you can ask if they will let you make all your ADR's for the remainder of your trip...it's worth a shot to ask!

[mickey]

Rumor has it that on Monday, you should be able to call and make the reservations for your entire trip. Worth a shot on Sunday though.

Remember that the dining plan also includes all taxes and gratuities on the meals, so you just show up, stuff yourself silly, and leave.

[palmickey]

I just talked with a CM at Dining and they told me on Sunday you can start calling and making you dining for up to 10 days. Hope she was right! I will be calling Sunday!

[geoffw35]

For our first trip to Disney World in 2000, we went with the old meal plan they offered. At that time, it was two per day and you could use it for a sit down restaurant or an event. One of the events that we were able to use it for was La Nouba. This used only one of the event tickets! Also, those signature restaurants that now take two passes, took only one at that time. This was an amazing deal back then. I'm not all that surprised that they changed it. We ate at the California Grill twice, and many of the other top restraurants. As now, these passes included gratuity and tax. The meal plan is nowhere near as good these days, but it still might pay off if I costed out what we normally spend.

[geoffw35]

Addendum to my previous post: the more I think about it, the more I question whether La Nouba was a single pass deal. It may have taken two, but if so, it was the only thing we had to spend two passes on.

[palmickey]

We had the former "Silver Plan" last year and loved it. We did eat at a lot of nice places and were a little upset that they did away with it. But now after working with the new plan and making all of our reservations we are as excited about this one now. La Nouba was two wishes last year.