Not a CM and been awhile since I was at WDW.
The three types of
all you can eat food are:
Buffet where you take a plate and put your food on it. Sometimes the wait staff will serve you drinks and bring you stuff like napkins but not always.
Preplated means that the kitchen staff makes up the dishes ahead of time. You still can eat all you want.
Preplated family style is like the chinese style restaurant where you get communal bowls that you take your share out of. It can also be like where you get a bowl of mashed potatos, a plate of meat and bowls of veggies and rolls.
Preplated individual meals is like The Garden Grille where I was given a plate of food. I could then ask for rolls and meat or just more potatos.
==================================
Kids and adults are allowed to share food. It is proper etiquette to ask for a second plate if two or more people are sharing a dinner. If someone has something you want to try then that person should take their plate and transfer the item to your plate. Most of the time restaurants will not say anything about a request for a split meal.
If you are on a dining plan then call them as only a CM working with the dining plans can guarantee answers. Saying "The dude on SGT and a lady on Brand X Board said I can do that." will not get you anywhere. Talking to the proper department at least gives you some leverage, maybe.
===================================
Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) is only for shows and dinners that are paid for in advance with a credit card. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the ADR's time. Some are 24 hours before hand and Mickey's Backyard BBQ is same day. The cost may be the whole price of the dinner/show or only $10 depending on the venue.
Check this list and call WDW for more information to get up to date info.
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/pss.asp
=======================================================
NO you cannot use a late fastpass. Some CMs are very lenient and others very strict. The later you are the more likely you will get a NO. It is a judgement call of the CM and some do not want to waste 15 minutes calling a lead to handle a guest with an old fastpast.
==================================================
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/e ... Page_en_GB
Admission to this event requires a separate ticket.
*Please choose costumes that are not obstructive or offensive
Tickets valid only during specific dates and hours.
Entertainment subject to change without notice.
You have an advanced reservation at the Liberty Tree Tavern at MK at 4 pm. You have tickets for a Pirate & Princess Party which usually starts at 7 pm. They are two seperate tickets. Pirate & Princess Party will
not get you into the park before 7 pm.
During the days that the Pirate & Princess Party occurs are when MK closes to the public at 7 pm. The old guests leave and the Pirate & Princess Party guests come and party on for 3 hours. Nope no way can you get into the parks before 7 pm with a Pirate & Princess Party ticket.
Plan ahead because you will be facing a herd of people leaving the park while a herd of people are trying to get into the park. A big whine on boards is that these special events start when at the closing time of the park the event is going to occur. Imagine a parking emptying while people are coming in. Every event like this has tons of complaints of people stuck trying to get out and people stuck trying to get in. Best to get there early and wait an hour for the Pirate & Princess Party opening than fight the traffic.