Dining Plan?

[buttons]

*Deep Breath* Hi, :wave: this is my first post here *gulp*

We have just booked our Summer Family to Disney staying at Caribbean Beach Thingy. I have been trying to find out some info in the Dining Plan Disney offer.

Am I right that you have to buy it for EVERY day of your hols?

Do I have to buy it before I go, through my Travel Agent, or can I buy it when I get there?

Has anyone used it does it offer good value for money (how much is it?) We are a family of 2 Adults and 2 Children 9yrs 2yrs

Thanks

[highlander447]

Hi & welcome, it needs to be purchased before u arrive and if u booked through a TA then they need to arrange it for u, unless Disney has changed their position since last summer, Good value yes we thought so, but if u are more a snack and go family probably not but if u like a sit down meal most definetely:smile:

[loadsapixiedust]

:wave: A big welcome to the Dibb, buttons!
As far as I know you need to purchase park tickets as well as accommodation from Disney to get the dining plan. Your TA should be able to arrange it for you as an add-on if you have booked a package, who did you book with?

[mart]

You have to buy a disney pass in order to obtain the dining package though not for the full period (e.g a 7 day pass can be purchased if staying 14 days)but the dining package has to be purchased for the full duration of the stay.

The dining plan has to be purchased as part of your holiday package and cannot be bought on site.

Not all tour companies do the dining plan as an option e.g Virgin and others such as Travel City only do it in 7 or 14 days blocks whilst some such as BA, thomas cook and disneys uk office can be booked for any duration.

The plan consists of one counter service (main course,a drink and sweet or a combo meal and drink), one snack ( a drink or ice cream or fruit) and one table service meal ( starter, main course,a drink and sweet or buffet meal and a drink )
Table service meals can be swapped for character meals.
Tipping is also included in the cost of the plan for the table service meals.

Some restaurants require two days worth of table meals such as Citricos and also dinner shows and Cinderellas royal table.

The question then comes down to what you want. If the plan is used wisely and you want to do a dinner show, characters meals and sit down dining it is good value for money.

[Vabeth]

We have just booked the Dining Plan for our trip in November. Having thoroughly looked into it first it really does look like good value for money for us as we enjoy the sit down buffet restaurants - especially the character meals which are all included.

[Treacle44]

You have to buy a disney pass in order to obtain the dining package though not for the full period (e.g a 7 day pass can be purchased if staying 14 days)but the dining package has to be purchased for the full duration of the stay.

The dining plan has to be purchased as part of your holiday package and cannot be bought on site.

Not all tour companies do the dining plan as an option e.g Virgin and others such as Travel City only do it in 7 or 14 days blocks whilst some such as BA, thomas cook and disneys uk office can be booked for any duration.

The plan consists of one counter service (main course,a drink and sweet or a combo meal and drink), one snack ( a drink or ice cream or fruit) and one table service meal ( starter, main course,a drink and sweet or buffet meal and a drink )
Table service meals can be swapped for character meals.
Tipping is also included in the cost of the plan for the table service meals.

Some restaurants require two days worth of table meals such as Citricos and also dinner shows and Cinderellas royal table.

The question then comes down to what you want. If the plan is used wisely and you want to do a dinner show, characters meals and sit down dining it is good value for money.

I spoke to Portland customer services today and the lady there said we could book the dining plan as an add on for approx £700 for 2 adults and 1 child but she didn't mention booking disney tickets with Portland (we've already done this seperately).

T
X

[Flo]

I am going with Portland Direct and they have told me that the dining plan is currently unavailable, do you mind if I ask for the number/name of who you spoke as I have been trying to add this to my booking for about 4 months.

[Treacle44]

I am going with Portland Direct and they have told me that the dining plan is currently unavailable, do you mind if I ask for the number/name of who you spoke as I have been trying to add this to my booking for about 4 months.

TBH I don't think the woman I spoke to really knew what she was talking about! She didn't even know what the dining plan was at first, had to look into it on her screen. Then she just said it's £284 for adults and £97 for children. I asked if you had to have park tickets too (as we have them seperate) but she said she didn't think so.

I just rang the 08705 customer services no that's on their website (and the booking conf)

If you do ring them, please let me know how you get on.

Thanks

T
x

[Flo]

I booked with Portland for Sept 06 ages ago asked about the dining plan and was told it was temporarily unavailable on their system but that I could add it later. Since then it is excuse after excuse with no real reason given as to why it is still unavailable, Disney UK said they should be able to add it but no luck yet. Phoned Portland again Thursday and someone is supposed to be getting back to me.

[Treacle44]

I booked with Portland for Sept 06 ages ago asked about the dining plan and was told it was temporarily unavailable on their system but that I could add it later. Since then it is excuse after excuse with no real reason given as to why it is still unavailable, Disney UK said they should be able to add it but no luck yet. Phoned Portland again Thursday and someone is supposed to be getting back to me.

Did you book park tickets with Portland as well then? It says in the brochure that you have to but we've done this seperately already. The woman I spoke to said it was fine to do, looks like I should've done it there and then as she gave me a price and everything. :-(

Who are Disney UK?

T
x

[Flo]

No I have tickets booked with Disney direct, I have the flights and Disney accomadation booked with Portland. I was going to book Disney tickets with them if they could add on the dining plan but its not looking hopeful so I booked tickets with Disney who are cheaper.

[Treacle44]

No I have tickets booked with Disney direct, I have the flights and Disney accomadation booked with Portland. I was going to book Disney tickets with them if they could add on the dining plan but its not looking hopeful so I booked tickets with Disney who are cheaper.

I've just emailed them asking them to clarify, will get back to you when I receive (or should it be if??) a reply. I might even ring them and see if today's call was logged so I can speak to the same woman again.

It's a great deal now I've looked into it so would like to go for it if poss.

T
x

[Vabeth]

I've checked some of the other brochures i have lying around and each of them states the plan has to be booked for your full stay and can only be booked as a package when buying Disney tickets as well, so i'm assuming this is the same for all companies offering the plan! :(

[Puss-in-boots]

Any one know how much this is please?

[TandCmum]

Any one know how much this is please?

if you book it through the UK disney travel company it is £19.99 per adult per day and £6.99 per child (age 3-9) per day. Some tour operators are charging more than this though.

Suzanne
xxx

[mart]

I've checked some of the other brochures i have lying around and each of them states the plan has to be booked for your full stay and can only be booked as a package when buying Disney tickets as well, so i'm assuming this is the same for all companies offering the plan! :(

We booked the dining plan for a diy package for disney this year.
I booked the disney hotel, dining and tickets via disneys uk office which requires a disney ticket to be purchased as part of the plan.
I also looked at tour operators brochures both based in the uk and ireland and all require that a disney ticket be purchased as part of the plan where this is an option.

This is the same even if you book package via Disneys CRO in Florida where you can book up to 10 days but if you want the dining plan it has to be for the full duration of the holiday but with american packages you only have to buy a one day park ticket.

I have found that in some cases travel agents are not familar with Disneys meal plans and tickets as a couple of years ago I had an agent book the wrong Disney tickets despite clearly being told the type and duration of the tickets.
This is what I suspect is the case with Portland that the agents are not familar with Disney.

I would suggest that if anyone has any problems with their booking and what has been said and promised, to write to the CEO of the tour company or in Portlands case, the CEO of TUI UK which own Portland.

[Treacle44]

We booked the dining plan for a diy package for disney this year.
I booked the disney hotel, dining and tickets via disneys uk office which requires a disney ticket to be purchased as part of the plan.
I also looked at tour operators brochures both based in the uk and ireland and all require that a disney ticket be purchased as part of the plan where this is an option.

This is the same even if you book package via Disneys CRO in Florida where you can book up to 10 days but if you want the dining plan it has to be for the full duration of the holiday but with american packages you only have to buy a one day park ticket.

I have found that in some cases travel agents are not familar with Disneys meal plans and tickets as a couple of years ago I had an agent book the wrong Disney tickets despite clearly being told the type and duration of the tickets.
This is what I suspect is the case with Portland that the agents are not familar with Disney.

I would suggest that if anyone has any problems with their booking and what has been said and promised, to write to the CEO of the tour company or in Portlands case, the CEO of TUI UK which own Portland.

So you do defnitely have to book tickets as part of the package as well then? I wasn't told this when offered the plan by Portland and we've now book ultimate tickets with Theme Park Tickets.

My husband emailed Portland asking where we stand and got a reply saying we could book and to ring customer services. He replied back saying we've done this and have been given conflicting advice now the person who replied doesn't know whether we can book teh dining plan or not! Such bad service!

T
x

[Vabeth]

Yep, it definately has to be booked with park tickets! :( Although you may be able to work on the angle that you were given such appauling and conflicting information that it wasn't made clear that this was the case! It's worth a try! :angry: