If you book online, you can only book the HB category that goes with your hotel ( Premium, Plus or Standard) or upgrade to a higher one. If you book over the phone with Disney you can actually choose which HB you want.They tend to just assume that people will want to eat in their own hotel, which is not always the case.
Some may prefer to stay in a budget hotel, but eat in the fine dining or Character restaurants.
Some may want to stay in the Disneyland Hotel,but only pay for Standard HB.
You need to decide where you want to eat first, then see which category HB is best.HB only works effectively if you use the voucher to cover the whole cost of your meal, including one drink. You can use the voucher for lunch or dinner, but if you use it in a higher category restaurant, they will take it at Euro face value, so just like cash.
You will be charged the normal restaurant prices, and deduct the value of your vouchers from your total bill.
We have a really good breakfast, ( you will notice people taking croissants, ham, cheese etc, and filling bags to take into the parks for later), then we just have a small snack for lunch, like a muffin or similar.We use our HB vouchers for dinner later- either a buffet or 3 course meal.
So we don't actually spend much when we are there, only on souvenirs, and some ride photos.We take plastic bottles to fill at the drinking water fountains in both parks.Look out for food/ drink/ merchandise receipts that people leave behind or drop, as they may offer a free drink later in the day.People don't notice the small print on the receipt.
We don't do Character meals any longer usually as my sons are older, but we like the restaurants covered by HB Plus.The only Character restaurant in this category is Lucky Nugget Saloon lunchtime buffet, in Frontierland. We have done this, and it was fun. The food has a Tex Mex influence, but also rice, pasta, and other choices.All the restaurants have vegetarian options.
When we eat in Inventions next week, we will use our vouchers and pay the extra.I am going with my eldest son , who enjoys the fine dining now, so I have booked Walt's, Blue Lagoon, and Silver Spur as well.
I book our trips as a package, either flying or Eurostar, so I phone Disney for the quotes. This time, flying was cheaper.
Booking is always a bit of a gamble, as no one knows what Disney are going to do- not even the staff.
However, as other posters have mentioned, if you book with Disney then a better offer comes out, I have been told that people have cancelled, then rebooked, with no penalties.
It would be worth phoning Disney to ask about this.
08448 008 111
Press 1 to speak to a Disney operator, and you can ask them, and get quotes as well.
Freddo, I didn't realise that they could book 6 into one room in the DLH. Thanks for the info.
I forgot to mention that Admirals Floor guests, New York guests, and DLH guests get a free tea in the hotel at 5pm.We have never had this, as we are always in the parks until closing.Good reports of it though.
By the way, the hotels have got the most fabulous suites as well.......
If you are in a suite, Castle Club room ( DLH) or Empire State room (HNY) you also get a VIP Fastpass.This gives you instant access to all rides with a Fastpass facility for the whole of your stay.
All guests of the DLH are given one instant Fastpass ticket each.