[bosoxx65]

I know the DP has been beaten to death around here a lot lately but after doing some late night reading on a few forums, i figured i'd toss these questions out here and see what sticks.

Scenario: our dinner ADR's are all taken care of. Snacks, i'm not all that worried about. Counter Service. I read were a lot of "First Time" dining plan users were ~!@@#$% off other people in line because they didn't know what did or did not come with the plan. They forgot to tell the check out people which slowed things down to a crawl. I don't want to be one of those people. I hate the dirty looks and the stares. Catch me at the wrong moment and i never know what i might say.
We are planning on using our Counter Service for breakfasts scattered all over Disney each morning. (most likely at a park we are already planning on visiting). Even though we know "What" places participate, is there a way to know "What" food is included in the plan without:
A) sounding like a bloody idiot and
B) without ~!@@#$% off everyone around you as you try to make a speedy decision?

Suppose i walk up and want some slimey scrambled eggs, torched bacon, dry bisquit and terrible 100% columbian coffee? Do i have to ask a server if i can get that as a CS credit? What if i want a hash brown? Do i have to pay OOP?
I like things simple. At McDonald's you can get a breakfast platter and it's all included. No guess work.

I'm just worried that i'll walk down the line at breakfast grabbing all sorts of stuff and find out that 4 out of the 6 things are included and the others aren't. I don't have a problem with that, i just don't want to hold things up every day reliving the same nightmare over and over.

Dinner isn't so bad. You can just tell your server you are on the plan and they can more or less recommend for you.

Sorry if this rambled on a bit. I'm at work and not feeling all that well this morning. My day starts at 6am and doesn't end till about 4.

[emamasa]

oh, I hope you feel better & your day goes quickly. other than that - I got nothing! sorry, 1st time on DDP in september, so I am in the clueless boat with ya!

[Cincy]

Trust me on this. After the first time through a line, you will have it down pat. While it is intimidating at first, once you do it, you will have the hang of it. For a counter service meal you pick out your meal or combo, say a hamburger basket or a chicken finger basket, and then your non-alcoholic drink and desert. I do not think desert is an option at breakfast, just lunch and dinner.

Most of the confusion is what is a snack. Now that most things under $4 count as a snack, it is much easier to figure out what is a snack and what is not. When we were there, all of the snacks had a symbol by them on the menu if they were part of the DDP.

The Table Service meals are easy. You pick out an appetizer, a meal and a desert. Whatever you want off the menu. At the Table Service restaurants, you are ordering off the same menu as anyone else who is not on the plan.

Click on this link for more information.

Magic Your Way Dining Plan - 2007 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages

Hope this helps.

[ssn]

I agree with Cincy, after using the plan once or twice it's really easy to use.

We always said to the CMs right away that we were on the dining plan. Without even asking he/she would tell us what was included. Regarding breakfast: at the food court at the Contemporary there was a combo meal of eggs, biscuit and bacon with a drink. I wanted fruit with that so the combo was my CS option and the fruit counted as a snack. I was sharing this with DD and she wanted a choc milk - that was fine except it also counted as a snack option.

So basically if you want to order something beyond their combinations, just use snack options for the extras.

[missymouse]

I love the DP. It really is pretty simple, and I think you'll like it a lot too. It's a great deal!

We haven't ever had any confusion because there are the symbols on the menus, and we've always had very helpful CMs. Just ask about what's available if you're not sure. There is also a document on the WDW site that you can download that lists all the participating restaurants and how the plan works. I'll see if I can find it and post it in this thread.

Hope your day gets better!

[Dana]

Things on the DDP for counter service places are pretty clearly marked. You can look at the massive menus while in line and decide while you wait. You should start with "I am on the dining plan....then say I want....blah blah and blah." If you aren't sure, ask. If anyone gives you a dirty look, give them one back...lol