Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the May 5, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I have signed up for 8-day Magic Your Way Plus Water Parks tickets, and am staying at Disney with the meal service. Our trip is set for August 20-27. Hopefully, Disney will offer free meal service in August. Am I better leaving meal service on now or canceling and adding when or if it is "free"? If it's not free, would I have to add it to my reservation before arrival or can I add at check in? A 15-year-old and I go for about $40 per person per day so it's worth it. Also, I'm looking for buffets and hearty eating that would satisfy a growing teenager. Thanks! (1st time on site.) (Submitted by Melissa)

A. Melissa, it's great to "see" a new face around. Welcome to Magically Speaking!

If you read our issue on April 7, you probably know that the "free dining" discount has been released for this fall. The discount is available for stays between August 24 and September 20, and can be booked through June 22. Availability is limited, so call (407) 939-6244 or contact your Disney-specialized travel agent as soon as possible.

In your case, given that the discount starts mid-way through your visit, you would need to split your reservation in two to get the discount. For the first four nights of your stay, on one reservation, you would pay for dining. For the last three nights, on a second reservation, you would get free dining. Now, this might not be the best deal for you financially, given that you'll have to get at least a one-day base ticket for everyone in your party for that second reservation. You could keep the eight-day pass on your first reservation, and just get a one-day base pass to use at a future date on the second reservation – that's what I would do, but that only makes sense if you know you'll be back in Orlando in the not-too-distant future.

Also, although the Cast Members at your resort will do their best to keep you in the same room for both parts of your stay, there is the possibility that they would need you to move, mid-trip. So keep that in mind.

A couple of your questions no longer apply, but I'll answer them anyway, for future reference. You asked about whether you were better off keeping the dining plan on your reservation or not. While this varies, in the case of this discount people with existing reservations were having to rebook their stay completely. Regarding whether you should add the plan now or later, you are better off leaving it off initially if you aren't sure you want it. To drop the dining plan, you need to make your decision at least 45 days out, because Disney can charge a change fee for a package which is altered within 45 days of your visit. So they would charge you if you decided to remove the dining plan from your package within that 45-day window. They will not, however, charge a fee if you add an expense to your reservation, such as the dining plan. As for how long you can wait to add dining to your package, you have until 48 hours prior to your check-in day.

You also asked for information about good buffets for a growing teenager. We have had good luck with many of the buffets, and there are a number of pre-plated or family-style all-you-care-to-eat restaurants, as well. At the Magic Kingdom, you have the option of the Crystal Palace (with Pooh and Friends) or the Liberty Tree Tavern (with Mickey and Friends at dinner). Perhaps your teen is "over" seeing the characters? If characters aren't on the menu (ha ha), the Biergarten in the Germany pavilion at Epcot has both wonderful food and fun entertainment. Cape May Café at the Beach Club resort, which is just a short stroll from Epcot, features a wide-variety of dishes, including clams, mussels, and prime rib. Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge gets rave reviews, and has something for the adventurous as well as the picky eater. We have also had good experiences at Hollywood & Vine in Disney's Hollywood Studios and the new Tusker House buffet at the Animal Kingdom.

Q. We are DVC members, and this July is the first time we are renting a 2-bedroom at the BoardWalk Villas and bringing along friends of ours on our trip. I always add a credit card on to our room keys when we check in at any Disney resort. My questions is: will we be able to set up the room keys so that my family's room keys can use our credit card for charging privileges, and their family's room keys be able to use their credit card for charging privileges? Or will we not be able to use this feature at all? (Submitted by Jane V.)

A. Jane, unfortunately, Disney only allows one credit card on each room or villa. However, each key is encoded with its own separate number. The last night of your stay, your friends could go to the front desk and easily pay just for those things that they charged with their keys. If you are planning a big purchase at Disney, or have lots of tours and fine dining, keep in mind that your account will be charged prior to check-out if you hit a total of $1,500 (for the Moderate resorts, that total is $1,000, and for the Value resorts, it is $500). Otherwise, your account will not be charged until your check-out day.