Dining Plan for visit over the Christmas Holidays

[lc412000]

I have also posted a question in the Accommodations Forum about our upcoming visit to WDW. When we visited in January 2009, we purchased the Dining Plan for our group of 5 and would like to purchase it again for our upcoming trip. Our concern is whether we will be able to use the sit down meals because of the large number of people visiting WDW during the holidays. We are starting so late in the game, it maybe next to impossible to make dinner reservations at many, if not all, of the sit down locations throughout WDW. I called the dining reservations center to get an idea about making reservations. The agent was strongly recommending me to purchase the Dining Plan for our visit, but was unable to come up with any dinner reservations in World Showcase for our time of December 28 – January 2. There are no guarantees that we will be able to use the dining plan if all restaurants are booked, so we may end up leaving WDW after 6 days with a number of un-used meals.

What are your thoughts about purchasing the Dining Plan this late with our trip only a couple of weeks away and during a busy period at WDW? I would appreciate any suggestions or ideas you may have.

Thanks

[Seasonscraps]

At this point in the game, I wouldn't consider getting the dining plan unless I had ADRs. I would make them online and if I was able to get enough to make the dining plan a value then I would add it on. You don't need a reservation number to do that but it goes without saying to cancel the ADRs if you wont be using them.

Good luck!

[Sam&Alex&Josh'sMOM]

Maybe think about the quick service plan...??? Just a thought

[ElenitaB]

If you are thinking about the DDP, make your ADRs now. As for no room at the World Showcase inns, I'd suggest casting your net a bit further and trying for one-credit ADRs at Cape May (BC), Kouzzina (BW) or Captains Grill (YC), or two-credit ADRs at Flying Fish Cafe (BW) or Yachtsman Steakhouse (YC). They're all out Epcot's "backdoor" and are a 10 minute walk or short boatride away. It also gives you the opportunity to explore the resorts when they're decked out for the holidays (and have their wonderful gingerbread additions ).

Of course, as you say, there's always the QSDP.

Have a magical trip!

[lc412000]

Thanks for the words of advice and suggestions regarding our dining plans for our upcoming visit to WDW. After looking through possible ADR for the week we will be in WDW, we decided to go with the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. We were able to make the following reservations:

December 28 – 8:20pm: Hollywood Brown Derby @ Hollywood Studios
December 29 – 7:30pm: Yak & Yeti @ Animal Kingdom
December 30 – 9:30pm: Narcoossee’s @ Grand Floridian
December 31 – 12:15pm: Nine Dragons @ World Showcase
December 31 – 7:45pm: Maya Grill @ Coronado Springs Resort
January 1 – 9:15pm: Yachtsman Steakhouse @ Yacht Club Resort

Does anyone have thoughts on these restaurants? We are unsure of the location of the last two reservations, but guess we have a couple of weeks to find directions….laughing.
Again, thanks for the suggestions on the dining plan.

[lockedoutlogic]

Thanks for the words of advice and suggestions regarding our dining plans for our upcoming visit to WDW. After looking through possible ADR for the week we will be in WDW, we decided to go with the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. We were able to make the following reservations:

December 28 – 8:20pm: Hollywood Brown Derby @ Hollywood Studios
December 29 – 7:30pm: Yak & Yeti @ Animal Kingdom
December 30 – 9:30pm: Narcoossee’s @ Grand Floridian
December 31 – 12:15pm: Nine Dragons @ World Showcase
December 31 – 7:45pm: Maya Grill @ Coronado Springs Resort
January 1 – 9:15pm: Yachtsman Steakhouse @ Yacht Club Resort

Does anyone have thoughts on these restaurants? We are unsure of the location of the last two reservations, but guess we have a couple of weeks to find directions….laughing.
Again, thanks for the suggestions on the dining plan.

I'm completely shocked there was anything available this close....what exactly is going on down there?

You have some good ones....you'll be fine (i'd definitely dump nine dragons though)

[CiaoBella312]

If you have time or aren't thrilled with all your ADR's you can look periodically on the Disney.com website dining reservations tab and check to see if something else opens up. I have done this successfully several times (I am going the same time you are, just for a bit longer) and things do open up from time to time. Brown Derby has GREAT food; it is the only restaurant on your list I have eaten at before.

[SBETigg]

I think you have a nice variety of choices and a fun time ahead! Hollywood Brown Derby has always been very good for us, and Narcoossee's is one of our favorites.