Disney Dining Plan

[Fastpasssteve]

Even though I've been going to WDW for years, I have never used the Disney Dining Plan. I had heard that if one is on the DDP, one is given a special/different menu at table service restaurants. Is this true? Are my options limited because of the DDP or can I order anything off the menu?

Many thanks.

[Stu29573]

We not had a special menu, but some places may that I don't know about...

[KylesMom]

At the very beginning of the Dining Plan option, this may have been the case. However, most all of the restaurants that participate in the dining plan have gone to "generic" menus - that is to say, whether you're on the dining plan or not, you're going to get the same menu.

[renecat]

I have only used the dinning plan since 2006
But have never been given a differant menu then before I used the dinning plan.

[MMFreak]

We have utilized the DDP for the last several years and never noticed having a different menu. However, if unbeknownst to us we are getting a different menu it is no matter as the food available is goooooooood! :thumbsup:

[yjgirl32]

I don't believe there are different menus. They may have done that in the past- but not any more.

[jodijo]

We used the dinning plan in November and I believe the menu was the same for everyone. I say that because they sat us, gave us the menu, and then the waiter asked if we were on the dinning plan. So, to my knowledge, they did not know we were on the dinning plan until after they gave us the menu and went to take our order.
And yes, we got to order any entree we wanted.:thumbsup:

[Figment!]

From Disney Dining Plan FAQ (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=91180)



Q: Do Table Service and Counter Service locations have a special menu or exclude certain items from the plan?

A: There are no separate menus for the Disney Dining Plan, but individual locations do control what items are excluded from the plan. Although exclusions are generally minor, most regularly exclude the following items:

Merchandise and Photo Imaging
Pizza delivery
In-room mini-bars
Souvenir or refillable drink mugs
Glow Ice Cube Drinks
Alcoholic Drinks
Specialty Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Entrée "add-on"
Sampler Platters

Individual locations can vary what is excluded from the plan from seating to seating, so Guests are encouraged to check with their server prior to ordering for items excluded from the plan at their time of meal.

Q: What types of items are excluded from the Disney Dining Plan at Snack Locations?

A: Generally speaking, items priced over $4.00 will not count as a Snack Item on the Disney Dining Plan.

See INTERCOT Snack Items Exclusion Listing (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1153469&postcount=8)for an Unofficial Listing of Disney Dining Plan Snack Item Exclusions.

Q: What types of items are included on the Disney Dining Plan at Snack Locations?

A: Most Snack Items included in the plan are marked on the menu with a “DDP” logo.

Generally speaking, single serving side items and dessert items priced under $4.00 will count as a Snack Item on the Disney Dining Plan.

For an idea of what types of snack items are available on the plan see the following listings for Unofficial Listings of Disney Dining Plan Snack Item Inclusions.

Magic Kingdom Snack Items (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1130350&postcount=3)
Epcot Snack Items (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1130351&postcount=4)
Disney-MGM Studios Snack Items (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1130353&postcount=5)
Animal Kingdom Snack Items (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1130355&postcount=6)
Resorts & Beyond Snack Items (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1130356&postcount=7)

[DizneyRox]

Menus are unfortuantely the same. As mentioned, the menus are generic now to help control costs. You can tell by looking at a menu if the restaurant is participating in the DDP or not as the selections are pretty limited.

When tip was included with the DDP, there was a lot of speculation that service was inferior as the server was going to get a set tip regardless of the quality of service. Now that it's not, there seems to be less hub bub about it.

I do feel that when a tip is automagically included for whatever reason, and the server knows this in advance, there is a tendency to let service slide. Not always, but it is more likely to happen...

If you feel that service is not adequate for whatever reason, I suggest talking to management. For me, tip for service is just that... I don't mind tipping for good service, and I don't mind NOT tipping for bad. Tip is earned, not expected...