When you are going will dictate how much in advance you should book. We were going in mid-May, and were able to get all the reservations taken care of by mid-April, and we got exactly what we wanted, mainly because WDW wasn't very busy in mid-May. We were there for a week, with our 2 kids, 3 and 6 years old.

We ate at Chef Mickeys at Contemporary Resort, Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom and 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian, each used only one table credit per person. We were not asked for our credit card for any of the reservations. The only one they wanted a credit card for was the Fantasmic Dinner show, which we decided against. Other table service places were: Boma at AK, Mama Melrose at MGM, Marrakesh and Coral Reef at Epcot. All were excellent.

Flame Tree BBQ at AK was yummy, as was Cosmic Ray at MK, Sunshine something at Epcot was good. Most counter service meals were pretty decent, only the Chinese one at Epcot was disappointing for us...too greasy. Other than that, we did not have any bad experiences with our Dining Plan.

Highly recommend reading up on the restaurants and the menus/reviews at www.allearsnet.com. Great info. Helped us plan all our meals before we went, and we were not disappointed.

The only problem we ran into was that our plans changed somewhat while we were there due to lack of crowds. We got a lot more done than we thought we could, and so we made some last minute changes and decided to go to a different park. I called that morning, and we managed to get reservations at another restaurant for that evening. But, like I said, WDW was not busy. Otherwise it would be impossible I think.

Hope you have a fantastic time in WDW.

CanadaMel

If you were on the dining plan and gave them your plan card when you dined, they should not have charged your card. If you are not on the dining plan, then yes they will charge your card.

CanadaMel

Just read your post again and saw that you haven't been yet. When we have booked reservations they have always asked for our Disney Resort reservation number. They then always say that they see we are on the dining plan, but we will have to give our credit card number to book some of the character meals/shows (including lunch at Cindy's castle this past March). We have always been told that since we are on the dining plan our card would only be charged in the case that we were no-shows. Our card has never been charged at the time we made reservations nor when we dined because we presented our dining card at the restaurant. We booked all of our Christmas reservations weeks ago also and had to give our credit card for our Candlelight Processional and some others and our card has not been charged a thing.So if you are on the dining plan, they should not have charged your card. If you are not on the dining plan, then yes they will charge your card in advance.

Hi Danny

I haven't been yet we are due to go for our first time in November but I would say book what you can early on - you can always cancel or re-arrange what you don't need later.

The disney staff on the dining telephone number will tell you clearly which shows/bookings you might be charged for if you don't show and which you can just cancel. They will also tell you how many credits each booking is and give you a reservation number. Some bookings you just turn up for (have your reservation number handy is the advice I clearly picked up) and for others you will need to pick your tickets up at guest reservations.

I have had to work my itinerary around the food/show bookings we could get and that was booking 56 days before we went!

Have fun - the list of food and venues is endless!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great time!

Mandy

Do you need to pay any extra for the fantasmic show??

If you eat at one of the restaurents which allow access to the fantasmic show is that just 1 dining plan meal or 2??

Danny2156,

The fantasmic plan is just one credit except at the Brown Derby.

Check out the menus on allearsnet.com to decide.

I gave mandymac some tips about the current snack options.

See her post on tipping on the dining plan, page 2.

We have already been charged for our Cinderella's Castle dinner next February, too. They told me when I booked that it was a prepay so that was ok, I can't remember what they said the cancel policy was, but whatever it was I do remember agreeing to it on the phone. I was a little groggy at 4 am when I called :)

A couple of other meals I had to give a cc for but were not charged - obviously they can't be prepays because they don't know how much alcohol you will add to your check (Cinderella is just the one same price for everyone), so will have to be aware to cancel if our plans change.

I am curious to know if those who have already been charged for Cinderella's Castle have been on the dining plan. We have never been charged in advance for any meal, including Cinderella's, while on the dining plan. Our last visit to the Castle was in March and we were not charged in advance. They simply took our CC and was told it was in case of a no-show and my card was never charged. So I am just curious if they have changed their policy since March. I know they haven't for everything because we haven't been charged for any of our December show packages/character meals that we had to give CC for. But if someone out there is on the dining plan, booked Cindy's Castle, and already had their CC charged in advance please let me know. I try to keep updated on their policies so that I can pass on correct information to people. Thanks.

Hello,

I have been to WDW many times, you should definitely book your dinning reservations as soon as you can, especially for character meals and dinner shows like the Hoop- Dee- Doo Musical Revue- kids love it. Otherwise you will wait forever! For really good information on the parks and everything else in the “world”, I suggest you purchase the official WDW Guidebook: Called Birnbaum’s Walt Disney world 2007. It gives an excellent break down on where to eat the cost and atmosphere. I hope this is helpful, happy travels!

what are the pros and cons of going with the dining plan?

I am looking at a last minute trip and am very confused by the whole dining plan thing.

The magic your way package for five days is $3241 and The Magic your way package with dining is $3620. So for an extra $400, my question is.. Is it worth it?

What does it include?