Basic Dining plan. Is it worth it with the changes?

[pcparamedics01]

I am contemplating buying the DDP with the new changes. Is it worth it now with the gratuity not included and no appetizers? Any thoughts? I have a 10 year old that I will probably loose money on because he only eats mainly child meal types of foods.

[Belle4mygrl]

I understand where you are coming from BUT if you eat buffets he will be charged the adult price. So that must factor into your decision and how many you will eat. HTH

[MrSplashMountain #1!]

Never paid for the DDP and never will. Unless you are planning to reguarly hit the most expensive things in the most expensive restaurants (and I mean through choice, not because you want the best value for money through the DDP) then I just dont think its worth it. You are talking to someone who spent less than $100 dollars on food for 7 nights the first trip he went on though :rotfl2: I honestly have no idea where I ate except one decent meal at House of Blues :confused3 ?

[Pumbaa_]

I see you are a DVC member. We have APs and have the DDE card. We find this to be a much better value for us and gives us the flexibility to order what we want.

I tried to make the DXDP work for our sept trip. Just couldn't get the math to work, much better value for us to use the DDE card, $180 difference btw DXDP and same choices with DDE, YMMV

[justplaingoofy]

take a look at www.allearsnet.com website to check menus & pricing.

if it looks like you will be doing some character meals and quite a few table service meals it may be worth it...

[pcparamedics01]

I see you are a DVC member. We have APs and have the DDE card. We find this to be a much better value for us and gives us the flexibility to order what we want.

I tried to make the DXDP work for our sept trip. Just couldn't get the math to work, much better value for us to use the DDE card, $180 difference btw DXDP and same choices with DDE, YMMV

What is the DDE card?

[TDC Nala]

DDE (Disney Dining Experience) is a discount program for AP holders and Florida residents only.

See http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

[Tricia1972]

I see you are a DVC member. We have APs and have the DDE card. We find this to be a much better value for us and gives us the flexibility to order what we want.

I tried to make the DXDP work for our sept trip. Just couldn't get the math to work, much better value for us to use the DDE card, $180 difference btw DXDP and same choices with DDE, YMMV


We fit into this category ourselves.

[pcparamedics01]

I understand where you are coming from BUT if you eat buffets he will be charged the adult price. So that must factor into your decision and how many you will eat. HTH

Oh I did not know that. Because when he was 9 we ate at the Boma and he ate off the buffet. Chicken fingers and fries etc and it was included under the children's menu.

[SmileRockon52]

I am contemplating buying the DDP with the new changes. Is it worth it now with the gratuity not included and no appetizers? Any thoughts? I have a 10 year old that I will probably loose money on because he only eats mainly child meal types of foods.

First you need to decide how often you need to eat and the type of meals. We are doing lots of DC (Disney character) meals and 1 nice dinner. DC's tend to be somewhat more expensive. Then figure out your daily meal cost based on your needs.

Remember, Disney meal portions are big...even CS meals.

Then using the costs of the DDP below, you can decide whether you will indeed save money.

Basic dining plan:

adults: 37.99 ~ $38.00
child (3-9): 9.99 ~ $10.00

We are staying 7 nights for 2 adults and a child

tips are not part of the equation since you would pay for tips either with or without the DDP.

2 x 38.00 x 7 = $532
1 x 10.00 x 7 = $70
total DDP cost for us = $602

I figured $3 average for a snack, $12 for an adult CS (meal, dessert, drink), $6 for a child CS. Could be more, but I am being conservative here.

our schedule:
3 snacks x 3.00 x 7 = $63
2 adult CS x 12.00 x 7 = $168
1 child CS x 6.00 x 7 = $42

table services: (we are doing lots of character TS since our DS loves his characters and this it will be his brithday this week. Plus, since our DS is finicky, more buffets so that he can choose from a more variety of food.

Cape May dinner buffet: $67
Cape May breakfast buffet (DC): $49
Crystal Place (DC) dinner buffet: $69
Chef Mickey (DC) dinner buffet: $75
Tusker House (DC) breakfast buffet: $49
Le Cellier dinner: $92 (their free bread sticks are a great appetizer!)
Play & Dine (DC) breakfast buffet: $59

total TS: $460

total of all snacks, CS, and TS: $733

Savings for us: $131. Not as good as last year due to tips, but even with going to only one fancy restaraunt, we are still saving.

Remember to plan for extra $ for drinks, appentizers, etc and tips.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

[vtwep]

SmileRockOn52 did it exactly right. That is how everyone should decide if the DDP is right for them or not. I recommend figuring out your meal schedule FIRST - ie, where do you WANT to eat if you were NOT on the DDP. Once you have that, then start comparing prices using the menus on allears.net, do some math, and figure out if it saves for you or not.

It saved us about $250 last year, and will save us about $175 this year. And we're doing cheaper meals this year (ie breakfasts)...but it's a longer trip.

Good luck!

[pcparamedics01]

First you need to decide how often you need to eat and the type of meals. We are doing lots of DC (Disney character) meals and 1 nice dinner. DC's tend to be somewhat more expensive. Then figure out your daily meal cost based on your needs.

Remember, Disney meal portions are big...even CS meals.

Then using the costs of the DDP below, you can decide whether you will indeed save money.

Basic dining plan:

adults: 37.99 ~ $38.00
child (3-9): 9.99 ~ $10.00

We are staying 7 nights for 2 adults and a child

tips are not part of the equation since you would pay for tips either with or without the DDP.

2 x 38.00 x 7 = $532
1 x 10.00 x 7 = $70
total DDP cost for us = $602

I figured $3 average for a snack, $12 for an adult CS (meal, dessert, drink), $6 for a child CS. Could be more, but I am being conservative here.

our schedule:
3 snacks x 3.00 x 7 = $63
2 adult CS x 12.00 x 7 = $168
1 child CS x 6.00 x 7 = $42

table services: (we are doing lots of character TS since our DS loves his characters and this it will be his brithday this week. Plus, since our DS is finicky, more buffets so that he can choose from a more variety of food.

Cape May dinner buffet: $67
Cape May breakfast buffet (DC): $49
Crystal Place (DC) dinner buffet: $69
Chef Mickey (DC) dinner buffet: $75
Tusker House (DC) breakfast buffet: $49
Le Cellier dinner: $92 (their free bread sticks are a great appetizer!)
Play & Dine (DC) breakfast buffet: $59

total TS: $460

total of all snacks, CS, and TS: $733

Savings for us: $131. Not as good as last year due to tips, but even with going to only one fancy restaraunt, we are still saving.

Remember to plan for extra $ for drinks, appentizers, etc and tips.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Hey Thanks. My Hubby is doing the math too. My son is Autisic so it makes it real hard to justify 38.00 per day when he only will eat the child's menu. Can someone tell me how Disney will lose if they can only pick off the child's menu even if they are 10? It does not make a difference what age they are???:confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3

[disney3mom]

We just returned from 9 nights at WDW!! We spent 1200.00 purchasing the DDP and "spent" over $1688.00 on TS, CS and snacks.

Would we have ordered dessert at every meal? NO WAY!! Did the kids love doing this? YES!!

They loved "sharing" a couple of breakfast entrees and picking out 2 drinks for every CS credit used.

they loved getting "smart water" and iced coffee and vitamin water and chocolate milk everyday!

It was nice getting cold water at the parks whenever we needed it!

I think it was so worth it to not worry about the cost of anything!!

My family LOVED getting food/drinks whenever they wanted. We usually shared our CS meals and ate every couple of hours.

We also ate at 5 buffets (One which was 170.00!) and so the DP really worked for us.

[Dizneydaz]

Obviously it's not as good a deal as it was before this year. :confused3 If I had to pay for it, I don't know if I would buy it. My DD8 will be 10 next September and then I know I wouldn't buy it since it wouldn't be worth it. She's a small eater.

As long as I can get if for free, I'll do it. :goodvibes The first time we used it was at the beginning of it in Jan. 05 and we paid for it. It was a good deal since it inc. appetizers and tip. With my DD not being a big eater most of the times we just shared 2 meals between the 3 of us. (My DM goes with us)

With the removal of tip and appetizer, if you order the same meal this year as you did last year, it'll cost you $15, or more, per TS. That's a substantial difference.

Obviously if you get the plan, you will want to maximize your credits. As PP said, it's nice to not have to worry about the cost of food and snacks while there. I love being able to tell my DD8 "sure you can have an Itzakadoozie" everyday, if she wants. Also, if I order her a kid's meal and she doesn't finish it, I don't feel so bad since I didn't pay for it (well, I did, but you know what I mean). Also, we don't get desserts usually at home, that's why (when appetizers were inc.) DM and I shared meals so we could eat dessert. If we didn't share then we ended up taking our desserts back to our room for a late night snack, or breakfast. But even doing that, the first year we threw alot of food away when we checked out. After that, we decided to share more meals. We will still share meals this year since there are a few appetizers that I want to order (paying OOP) like Kona's Sticky Wings, and Narcoossee's Calamari! :lovestruc

HTH.

[bumbershoot]

My son is Autisic so it makes it real hard to justify 38.00 per day when he only will eat the child's menu. Can someone tell me how Disney will lose if they can only pick off the child's menu even if they are 10? It does not make a difference what age they are???:confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3 :confused3

To justify it, you have to look at the whole family's costs, not just at your son's costs. Will you and your husband's meals make up for the family's DDP cost?

I don't understand the last part of your paragraph, and I really want to.

[pcparamedics01]

To justify it, you have to look at the whole family's costs, not just at your son's costs. Will you and your husband's meals make up for the family's DDP cost?

I don't understand the last part of your paragraph, and I really want to.

Thanks for the info. The last part was only if they allowed my child a kids menu at 10 they have nothing to lose for he can only pick off that menu. What difference does it make if they are 9 or 10 it is the same menu.

[Tricia1972]

Thanks for the info. The last part was only if they allowed my child a kids menu at 10 they have nothing to lose for he can only pick off that menu. What difference does it make if they are 9 or 10 it is the same menu.

You can order off of the children's menu for your 10 year old.

You can order a kids meal and use an adult credit to pay for it

OR

You can order a kids meal, pay OOP for it, and save the credit to use towards an extra TS meal (or maybe a signature dining experience if you do this several times)

[pcparamedics01]

You can order off of the children's menu for your 10 year old.

You can order a kids meal and use an adult credit to pay for it

OR

You can order a kids meal, pay OOP for it, and save the credit to use towards an extra TS meal (or maybe a signature dining experience if you do this several times)
Thanks I totally understand all of that... However, I believe that if your children want to eat off the children's menu then it should be allowed. Especially at 10 years old. If that is what they want to eat.

[Tricia1972]

Thanks I totally understand all of that... However, I believe that if your children want to eat off the children's menu then it should be allowed. Especially at 10 years old. If that is what they want to eat.

They can eat off of the menu, but if you're using the DDP you need to buy the Adult DDP for them.

Is that what you were asking? Why do you have to pay the Adult DDP Price for your 10 year old if they're just going to order off of the children's menu anyway?

[TDC Nala]

You will be able to get children's meals for your son. They let adults order from the children's menu if they want to (Not at buffets for obvious reasons. At buffets everyone eats the same food.)

What you won't be able to do is pay the child's price for the dining plan. You'd be paying the $37.99 for your child who would then order off the children's menu. Everyone over the age of 9 pays the higher price no matter how much they prefer to eat.

[pcparamedics01]

You will be able to get children's meals for your son. They let adults order from the children's menu if they want to (Not at buffets for obvious reasons. At buffets everyone eats the same food.)

What you won't be able to do is pay the child's price for the dining plan. You'd be paying the $37.99 for your child who would then order off the children's menu. Everyone over the age of 9 pays the higher price no matter how much they prefer to eat.

Yes I know... Sorry if I am confusing you! We are just trying to figure out if it is worth it. There really needs to be a junior plan or a child's menu over 10. Ten years is so young to eat off an adult menu. Most kids will not eat adult entrees.

[TDC Nala]

I don't know why there needs to be a child's menu over 10 when a 10 year old will be permitted to order from the children's menu. I am 43 and I have been able to buy child's meals at counter service (I never tried at table service, but I understand that one can still ask.) A 10 year old who is not on the dining plan and orders from the children's menu will probably pay the child's menu price (except for buffets, there is no other option there). The only issue you have is the dining plan price.

[pcparamedics01]

I don't know why there needs to be a child's menu over 10 when a 10 year old will be permitted to order from the children's menu. I am 43 and I have been able to buy child's meals at counter service (I never tried at table service, but I understand that one can still ask.) A 10 year old who is not on the dining plan and orders from the children's menu will probably pay the child's menu price (except for buffets, there is no other option there). The only issue you have is the dining plan price.

Oh Thank you thank you! My point percisely!!!!!!!::yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

[TDC Nala]

Then, you need to decide whether or not the dining plan is a good fit for your family, since WDW will not alter the plan to account for the way your son eats. If you wish to select the dining plan for value rather than convenience, you must decide if you will lose value on the plan because you have one child who is paying adult DP prices to eat children's meals, you may be better off without using it. The dining plan does not fit every family and it is not meant to.

[pcparamedics01]

Then, you need to decide whether or not the dining plan is a good fit for your family, since WDW will not alter the plan to account for the way your son eats. If you wish to select the dining plan for value rather than convenience, you must decide if you will lose value on the plan because you have one child who is paying adult DP prices to eat children's meals, you may be better off without using it. The dining plan does not fit every family and it is not meant to.
Agreed! It was totally worth it when he was 9. It is not worth it to us when he is 10. However, hubby is still crunching numbers....

[TDC Nala]

If you are doing buffets, it might still be worth it.

You have two more adults and another child on the plan, so you need to take that into consideration when you are crunching your numbers.

And the convenience factor may also have its own value. Many posters who like the dining plan like the convenience of being able to order whatever they want without looking at the prices.

[pcparamedics01]

If you are doing buffets, it might still be worth it.

You have two more adults and another child on the plan, so you need to take that into consideration when you are crunching your numbers.

And the convenience factor may also have its own value. Many posters who like the dining plan like the convenience of being able to order whatever they want without looking at the prices.

No it's hubby and I and my son who is now 10 and my 5 yr old. Even with buffets he will pick chicken fingers and fries.

[Tam1067]

Also, you can order an adult meal and have the preparation made plainer for your 10 year old's taste if that's a factor. Sauces can be left off meat or chicken for instance, and a side of veggies can often (if you ask the server) be swapped for fries or plain noodles or whatever the restaurant might have. We've found the restaurants to be very accommodating.

[pcparamedics01]

Also, you can order an adult meal and have the preparation made plainer for your 10 year old's taste if that's a factor. Sauces can be left off meat or chicken for instance, and a side of veggies can often (if you ask the server) be swapped for fries or plain noodles or whatever the restaurant might have. We've found the restaurants to be very accommodating.
Thanks! I was thinking of that to. My son is Autistic with many sensories to his taste buds. I am trying to plan to see what he can eat if we take out the dining plan.

[TDC Nala]

No it's hubby and I and my son who is now 10 and my 5 yr old. Even with buffets he will pick chicken fingers and fries.

If you select the dining plan, you will be paying for three adults (mom, dad, 10 year old) and one child (the 5 year old). If you are planning on attending buffets and you are not on the dining plan, you will still be paying the adult price for your 10 year old no matter what he selects to eat. If you are planning on doing buffets, you may prefer the dining plan because it is still a deal for your 5 year old.

If you don't do buffets, you can select children's meals for your son and pay less for them, I believe, if you are not on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan, your son will receive adult credits which he could use for children's meals, but there goes your value on HIS dining plan. However, you also have yourself, your husband, and your 5 year old.

No matter how much you wish you could pay less for your son, he's passed the age limit for the children's dining plan.

[pcparamedics01]

If you select the dining plan, you will be paying for three adults (mom, dad, 10 year old) and one child (the 5 year old). If you are planning on attending buffets and you are not on the dining plan, you will still be paying the adult price for your 10 year old no matter what he selects to eat. If you are planning on doing buffets, you may prefer the dining plan because it is still a deal for your 5 year old.

If you don't do buffets, you can select children's meals for your son and pay less for them, I believe, if you are not on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan, your son will receive adult credits which he could use for children's meals, but there goes your value. However, you also have yourself, your husband, and your 5 year old.

No matter how much you wish you could pay less for your son, he's passed the age limit for the children's dining plan.


Hey thanks ! If we did not do the dining plan we would prepare foods at our resort. So thank you guys for all!! 38.00 is a lot of money for a 10 years old that cannot eat most on an adult entree. I even called the DVC manager and he said no one can be excluded from their age even children on feeding tubes. That absolutely floored me. Disney has to change that policy. To pay 38.00 when your child cannot eat at all and is your party? Terrible. There needs to be exclusions in place for special needs. But I guess I am in the wrong forum for this!!! Thanks all for help!!!!!

[TDC Nala]

In that case, that party would probably prefer not to select the dining plan. It is not meant to fit all families.

[bytheblood]

For a 10-year-old that eats like a bird, the Dining Plan is not worth it in my opinion. :)

[TDC Nala]

It may not be worth it for particular 10 year olds. However, that child is not the only one in the family. Any family can run the numbers and see if the plan would still be worth it for them.

There are also 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 37, 52 year olds who don't eat much.

[pcparamedics01]

It may not be worth it for particular 10 year olds. However, that child is not the only one in the family. Any family can run the numbers and see if the plan would still be worth it for them.

There are also 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 37, 52 year olds who don't eat much.


Agreed! However when it is your family paying the bills for a child that will only eat chicken fingers and fries and other likeness like mac and cheese, pizza etc. We have to think about it long and hard for we are loosing money at 38.00 per day. We need to crunch numbers to see if it is cost effective, hubby says absolutely not.

[TDC Nala]

That is why each family needs to do its own research. I have seen posts from people who have one 10 year old who doesn't eat much, but also several teenagers who will eat a ton. They still get the dining plan.

You have an alternative that eliminates restaurant costs almost entirely (you say you will prepare meals in your villa). I understand that you see the current situation as unfair because it worked for you last year. But the situation is not going to change, your son is still 10.

Hey, the dining plan doesn't work for me either. I don't use it.

[pcparamedics01]

That is why each family needs to do its own research. I have seen posts from people who have one 10 year old who doesn't eat much, but also several teenagers who will eat a ton. They still get the dining plan.

You have an alternative that eliminates restaurant costs almost entirely (you say you will prepare meals in your villa). I understand that you see the current situation as unfair because it worked for you last year. But the situation is not going to change, your son is still 10.

Hey, the dining plan doesn't work for me either. I don't use it.

Agreed!! It doesn't work for some and others sore. It is almost like some people get the elevator and some get the stairs! I live this everyday!!!:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Hey thanks for you help!!!

[TDC Nala]

Have a good time on your trip - I own SSR also.

[pcparamedics01]

Have a good time on your trip - I own SSR also.


Thanks! We are not going until Nov but we always need to plan ahead with my son. ;)

[Nancyg56]

Hey thanks ! If we did not do the dining plan we would prepare foods at our resort. So thank you guys for all!! 38.00 is a lot of money for a 10 years old that cannot eat most on an adult entree. I even called the DVC manager and he said no one can be excluded from their age even children on feeding tubes. That absolutely floored me. Disney has to change that policy. To pay 38.00 when your child cannot eat at all and is your party? Terrible. There needs to be exclusions in place for special needs. But I guess I am in the wrong forum for this!!! Thanks all for help!!!!!

The dining plan is an option so each family needs to consider the value for their own situation. I sympathize with those folks who would like to use it but have individuals in their party for whom it would not work, but I believe that once Disney makes exceptions there would be a flood of calls asking for an exception. Where would they draw the line? Honestly, everyone needs to determine the value for the entire group, not for any individual in that group. As in any purchase you buy it if it is a value, pass if it is not.