Anyone gone/going to Disney WITHOUT dining plan?

[herbg]

Seems that everyone going to Disney is purchasing one of the dining plans available, from Counter Service to Deluxe.
Has anyone gone there without dining plan (as was the case years ago) just paying for food as you go? Did you feel you made the right move or were you sorry that you didn't purchase one of the plans?

[TDC Nala]

Absolutely. I used the plan twice in 2007 and will not be using it again. I vastly prefer not to have my order restricted to entree and dessert, and I like 2 credit restaurants and restaurants that don't accept the plan. Therefore the dining plans are of no value to me.

[Tricia1972]

Absolutely. I used the plan twice in 2007 and will not be using it again. I vastly prefer not to have my order restricted to entree and dessert, and I like 2 credit restaurants and restaurants that don't accept the plan. Therefore the dining plans are of no value to me.

This is our exact experience, right down to using it twice in 2007.

If you are changing what you want to do and what feels 'normal' for you on vacation - just to make a plan work for your group - then I think the plan may not be for you.

This is not to discredit those that use the plan. There are MANY who do and many who love them. It's all up to the individual group to figure out what will work best for them.

[goofy4tink]

I've used the DDP several times now. I also have an AP, so I have the DDE (soon to be TiW..tables in wonderland). I did just return from a short trip with free dining. But, I actually prefer to use my DDE card. The DDP works for a lot of people. But, I don't see myself using it again. I have no problem at all with going to WDW and just paying for each meal, as I go. If I can use my DDE card, so much the better.

[patsal]

My experieinces are pretty similiar ot those listed already. For my family the DDP is just not what we want, and I do not like planning around the credits. No plan works better than the DDP for us and No plan plus DDE works even better! I save more money this way as well.

[secretpantssam]

I went in february without the dining plan and was fine. I like being able to order whatever I want where ever I want. I'm trying the dining plan for the first time next week because of free dining. I just don't like the idea of paying extra for it because then I would feel like I had to order certain things just to get my money's worth. I'd rather pay as I go.

[tink771]

Yes, we have never used the DDP. Now if they would give AP holders free dining it would nice to try.

[TDC Nala]

Yes, we have never used the DDP. Now if they would give AP holders free dining it would nice to try.

They WILL give AP holders free dining if you buy a one day base ticket for everyone on your reservation.

The one-day tickets do not expire and can be used to upgrade or toward your AP renewal.

When I used the dining plan, one of these trips was on free dining with a 1 day base ticket. That ticket was saved and applied toward the renewal of my annual pass when I renewed it.

Personally, I will no longer use any Disney dining plan, even for free dining.

[bamata2]

We are going in 3 weeks:banana: My mother (small and eats like a bird), DW, DS(9 & eats like a man), DD (5, small and eats like her Grandma) and I make up the group. B/c everyone (in your room) has to be on the plan, we didn't think it would be worth it. My son would HAVE to eat from the child's menu and would not be satisfied, my daughter would waste most of the $ spent on her meals and my mother would NEVER eat her $'s worth. We have set aside the approximate amount of money we would have spent on the plan and will do it like this:
Wife and I will order/eat as we normally would.
Grandma and DS will share entrees most of the time.
DD will eat (pick) from the kids menu and/or our plates.
It's one of those "put it on paper" kind of decisions for us and DDP just was not going to be worth our hard-saved money. Hope this helps.

[hill6]

Didn't have it Christmas 2006 and spent a lot on dinner. Used it Christmas 2007 and it was well worth it. We were a group of 3 adults (18+) in 06 and 4 adults in 07. We definitely figured out it was worth it for us. We kept track of what we ate and added it up at the end. We made our snacks count. We definitely saved money using it.

Booked it again for our upcoming trip once I found a code that gave us a few hundred dollars off the regular price.

[wdwluver]

we didn't use the dining plan for either of our trips last year. I used my DDE card for our trip in June. We had a mixture of on-site meals that I used my card for and off-site meals. It just worked out better for us. When we stayed in the cabins last Christmas, we had most of our meals in the room and only had a couple of meals in Disney restaurants. In that instance, it would have been a waste of money. I found it much more relaxing to return to our cabin after a long day in the park, kick off the shoes and enjoy a ""home-cooked" meal.

[Disney MAINEiac]

we've never used the plan, we always use our DDE card for 20% off food and drinks. I find it to be a better deal for us given how we eat at disney

[herbg]

Thanks so much to all who have so far replied. Hoping more will chime in :)

quick question... what is "AP holder" and what is "DDE card" ?? :confused3

[Cinderella2006]

Thanks so much to all who have so far replied. Hoping more will chime in :)

quick question... what is "AP holder" and what is "DDE card" ?? :confused3

DDE Disney Dining Experience is a discount card for WDW restaurants. You get 20% off food and beverages at participating Disney restaurants. It is valid for a year and for up to 10 guests on each card. You also get free valet parking when dining at Deluxe resorts.

You need to be either a Florida resident or Disney AP holder to order one.

AP holder is someone who has an annual pass to the parks, there are many perks with this such as discounted rooms. :thumbsup2


We have never used the dining plan but are trying the free dining plan next year. For us it has not been worth it as we don't snack in between meals that often, we only ever order main meal and we very rarely have dessert.

I can imagine coming home from Disney twice my size :eek:

[Uncleromulus]

Wouldn't even consider the DDP. Much prefer the DDE.

[Quacktatty]

I used it once 5 years ago when the DxDDP was the Silver Plan. It was way too much for me.

I need the freedom to be able to have two appetizers and a dessert, or just an entree, or 7 snacks in one day. I'd much rather pay OOP because I will ALWAYS save money with the way I eat, even if the DDP is free (thanks to AAA room only discounts)

[miprender]

When it was just DH & I, we never ate at Disney. We always rented a car and went off site for dinner. That worked fine for us.

But when we went in 2006 and again in 2009 with the kiddies we will be using the DDP only because we will be eating at alot of character buffets which almost equal to the price of the DDP.

[fortheboys]

We have gone both with and without the DDP. The 1st time I had the dining(in 2001), it was equivilent to the deluxe dining, and after a few days we weren't eating enough to make it worth the $$ becuase we were stuffed silly - we were skipping appetizers and desserts!! It was too much food, and we weren't accustomed to eating like that! The last time we went, we didn't get even the basic dining, and regretted it. We were eating CS for lunch, and having entrees and desserts at TS resturants for dinner, along with the occasional snack - we spent a small fortune! Just one nights TS dinner for the 3 of us was equivilent to the basic DDP for the entire day! So, for us, the dining plan works with how we choose to eat. I also have no problems paying OOP for a appetizer or additional snack if need be. So, we booked the basic DP for our upcoming trip, knowing the deluxe would be too much food, and if we paid OOP that we would spend more...

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we have never used it on all of our trips. we have not gone during the free dining dates, but i dont think we would.

[Monica20039]

I may be in the minority, but we just went during free dining, and DH and I will never go to WDW without being on the DDP. We kept track of our meals and compared it to what we would have paid OOP vs. on the DDP and the savings for us was huge! This doesn't work for everyone though, but we feel the DDP is a good value for us.

[klynn]

We are here right now. Last week we had the DDP. I kept track of all the receipts. When I figured what we paid for the plan plus the tips we saved $80.00 versus using our DDE card. This week we are not on the DDP and will just use our DDE. I know we will save more money just using the DDE rather than being on the DDP. We will not be eating snacks and desserts every day!

[Cookie Princess]

We have taken trips with and without the DDP. We now will only take trips on the DDP. We love the convenience of having the majority of our meals/snacks paid for in advance. It also forces us to slow down and have a sit down meal at least 1x per day. We aren't big counter service fans.

[snykymom]

I'm going without the plan. I looked at what it cost, and for what it includes, it can be a bargain. The problem is that we don't eat that way. And if you don't use everything it includes, it's not a bargain anymore. Trying to figure out how to use "extra" credits, be they snacks or meals, means that I've spent money that otherwise I wouldn't have spent. And sometimes I like to eat things that aren't on the plan, like having two appetizers instead of an entree or an appetizer instead of dessert. Anything I leave on the table is wasted money.

I also don't want to keep track of credits!

I just tell myself that I've prepaid, knowing that the money's there to pay for whatever I want, I'll pay for exactly what I want and nothing else, and I'll see how it works out.

[ReneeA]

At this time, we don't buy AP's so the DDE card is a no-go for us.

Our kids are still young and not adult prices on the DDP yet. I've used the menus here to price out what we would spend if not on the plan (sharing and not eating a TS everyday) and I find that the plan costs us $5-10 a day more than we would spend if paying OOP.

However, I LIKE to have one sitdown meal everyday. I LIKE not having to share one large soda between the 4 of us. I LIKE each person getting a snack everyday without having to tell anyone no. It's worth it to me to spend the extra $5-10 daily for those conveniences.

It may be another story in 3 years when the kids start becoming "adults" in WDW's eyes.

[gemmybear83]

I went in January without the plan...I'm British and we went there for 15 nights (the extra night was because British Airways cancelled our flight two weeks before we went so we got an extra day :goodvibes ). We couldnt eat enough food to make the Dining Plan worth it (in England food portions are a lot smaller than the US), plus we went to Universal and Sea World and ate there. We had some days TS and some days CS.

We did find WDW much cheaper than we imagined (the exchange rate at the time of going was $2 to £1), so we went for a few more TS meals than we had planned, and as we went in Jan and it was quiet we were even meant to book ADRs on the day :rotfl:

I would only book DDP if the exchange rate wasnt as good and it was cheaper to book DDP than pay fo every meal.

[imthatgirl]

i done it all. ive bought it, gotten it free and gone without it. obviously free is great, we save lots of money.
but as far as buying it or not buying it, i dont find much of a difference. i spend about the same amount either way.
what we usually do is when we plan a trip decide how or where we plan to eat. then we look at the list of where we plan to eat and decide if we should get the plan. most people let the plan dictate where we eat, we let where we eat disctate the plan. it makes more sense.

[Bell30012]

To go to WDW without a Dining Plan would be uncivilized... Okay, not really. We have went with the plan and without. When we fly to WDW I like to have the DDP so that it is one less thing I have to worry about. Each time my daughter and I travel to WDW we have a different focus. This time we are focusing on the restaurants... We got the DxDP and plan to fully utilize it to see all the character meals.

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We have never gotten the dining plan. It just doesn't work for the way my family eats. We only do one or two TS meals every trip.

So I don't regret not getting it.

[bigbabyblues]

We've gone once without the plan, and twice with it as a family. The first trip was in 2004, before the ddp as we know it now. That trip, we budgeted $150 a day for food; this was me, DH, DS3 and DS15 months. We did a lot of character/AYCE meals, so the baby was free, and we still used almost every bit of our food budget. In 2005, we got the ddp for free, so we used it, and it worked really well.

Last year, our youngest was 3/turned 4 on the trip, and no longer free on the ddp or buffets. We looked at the trip with and without the ddp. Since we now had to pay for the little one, our food budget went up to about $180 per day. We can get the ddp for $100 a day, so we went with that. We paid OOP for 3 ts meals and still our total cost was less than if we had paid cash at $180/day. Also, we're going Thanksgiving week, and they will have the "holiday surcharge" added to the buffet/AYCE meals. It's not a huge increase, but we did count that in as well.

We will use the ddp until our oldest is a Disney "adult". When he turns 10, we'll have to look at it again and decide if it's cheaper to use the ddp or not. We do pay cash for the appetizers and anything else we want that is not included with the ddp. We don't figure the tip in to the estimate, because we have to pay for that with or without the ddp.

[n2mm]

We used it in 2005 for the first time (free ddp). We used it for four trips in 2006 and four trips in 2007. In 2008 we stopped purchasing it because of the loss of appetizer and tip. We did not use it for our Jan 08, May 08, Aug 08 trips and we really don't mind. If they brought back the old ddp we would purchase it again, but it no longer holds any value for us. It's now a prepaid dining plan. However, we do plan to use the delux ddp for our 1 day stay so that we can stretch the 3 TS over 2 days before moving into our DVC resort and then use our dde card.

[asmit4]

We found that the DDP cost covers our TS meals (sometimes not even that)...so we are getting 1 snack and 1 CS meal for 'free'....we won't ever go without the DDP for this reason.

It seems impossible for us to not 'make out'.

[madge]

Seems that everyone going to Disney is purchasing one of the dining plans available, from Counter Service to Deluxe.
Has anyone gone there without dining plan (as was the case years ago) just paying for food as you go? Did you feel you made the right move or were you sorry that you didn't purchase one of the plans?


we've only gone once on the dining plan ... when it was free. Most of our visits include staying offsite and no dining plan. It's a good choice for us.

we're going in 2 weeks, staying onsite (for the first time in 4 years) and I'd love to have the dining plan. But I don't want to pay for it. :rotfl: I'd LOVE to get one of the free dining PIN emails that so many others have gotten. No such luck, I guess!

[Lisamcd]

We did the free dining plan in 07 and loved it. I considered paying for the plan for this trip but decided it would be much less expensive and provide more freedom to pay out of pocket.

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We never did the dning plan until our last trip. We rarely eat out at home and when we do it is water to drink, no dessert. So, when we added the DDP last time it really enhanced our trip. Now,I know it includes less this time but we still see it as getting a free CS and snack each day. We don't HAVE to eat a sit down every day, but it sure is fun. My youngest DD keeps talking about the ngiht we watched WISHES and we each got a Mickey Ice Cream, she still can't believe that. Before we'd get them once a trip and only for the kids. Mom and dad would steal a bite or two from the kids. I don't think you HAVE to have it, but it was so nice to not have to skimp. I don't mind ordering a kids meal, no extras, but it was nice not to have to.
I am sure it isn't for everyone, but it was a nice bonus for our family.

[Mystry62]

I've used the DDP several times now. I also have an AP, so I have the DDE (soon to be TiW..tables in wonderland). I did just return from a short trip with free dining. But, I actually prefer to use my DDE card. The DDP works for a lot of people. But, I don't see myself using it again. I have no problem at all with going to WDW and just paying for each meal, as I go. If I can use my DDE card, so much the better.

I agree with this poster. We also have APs and the DDE card. We just got back from a trip on the DDP (first time we've used it) and I think I've decided I don't really like the DDP. We left with 3 CS meals unused and after all was said and done, we could have stayed in the same room and gotten the same meals for about $300 less (with an AP room rate) than what we paid for the trip with "free" dining. It wasn't really worth it to us.... in fact, it was so not worth it that we skipped on the free dining bounceback offer for next year.

[Tricia1972]

We never did the dning plan until our last trip. We rarely eat out at home and when we do it is water to drink, no dessert. So, when we added the DDP last time it really enhanced our trip. Now,I know it includes less this time but we still see it as getting a free CS and snack each day. We don't HAVE to eat a sit down every day, but it sure is fun. My youngest DD keeps talking about the ngiht we watched WISHES and we each got a Mickey Ice Cream, she still can't believe that. Before we'd get them once a trip and only for the kids. Mom and dad would steal a bite or two from the kids. I don't think you HAVE to have it, but it was so nice to not have to skimp. I don't mind ordering a kids meal, no extras, but it was nice not to have to.
I am sure it isn't for everyone, but it was a nice bonus for our family.

I am really glad that the DDP works well for your family! That's what the DDP is all about.

My following comment isn't for you, but a caution to others that are looking at the DDP based on how it works for you.

It will not work for every family to 'get their value' if they skip a few TS restaurants while on the plan. It will work for some, but before you book the plan for your family - take a look at your numbers. You may find that paying OOP for a CS and a Snack each day, with a few TS's may be cheaper than paying for the DDP.

Clearly it can swing the other way too, as MickeyMomOfThree experienced. It was cheaper for them probably because of the TS's that they're dining at and the entrees that they're selecting at CS locations.

[Mackey Mouse]

That would be me.. and my answer would be no, I will never use it.

The last thing I want to be doing is counting points, and worrying about where I am going to eat at which park. Working myself into a frenzy making reservations, changing my mind, redoing them, making more.. not my style.

These are my thoughts if the DDP makes it so difficult to eat at restaurants on property, then I will be eating off property or I will only use the restaurants that are not on the DDP. I cannot have anyone dictate to me where I eat on which day. This is my vacation, and I am not someone who plans every waking moment... So in answer to your question, no, never.

[eyor44]

We have never used the DDP and normally eat CS all the time. Last time we were there (2005) we paid OOP, but tried a couple TS. This time we are going to Thanksgiving and with the crowd predictions, decided we would like more TS than fighting the crowds at the CS. I did a lot of research, decided which restuarants to try and then based on what I know my family will order, I would figure out an approximate bill. Even with adding in tips (which used to be included), we will save approximately $400 over the week. But this is only with all the TS we have planned and we are using the DxDDP. If we ate like we normally do, it would not save us anything. We shall see. I plan to keep all receipts to see how accurate my estimates are and to see if it will benefit us in the future.

[cymbaldiva]

The only reason I've even tryed the dining plan is because my last 2 trips were during the free dining promotion. If it weren't included I wouldn't be fooling with it - I'd really rather not fuss about with dining credits on my vacation.

[NaplesRI]

A few questions that I hope you can answer!

1) We became Florida residents last year- can we purchase the DDE for our March 2009 trip? Where do we do that? Is it still $85? I can't find any info on the official Disney site about it.

2) Is the 20% discount valid at Chef Mickey's?

I figured we have to spend $450 to break even at a cost of $85. Easy enough to do ;) even though we will be eating some meals in the condo we rented. (5 adults and 1 child raise the bill quickly)

3) Is the discount available for counter service in World Showcase or just if you have an ADR inside? We want to try different countries so we were going to each grab what we want as we travel around the world. If we can't utilize the discount we may change that plan.

4) Does the list of restaurants where you get a discount change year to year or is it pretty set?

Thanks for your help!

[Tricia1972]

A few questions that I hope you can answer!

1) We became Florida residents last year- can we purchase the DDE for our March 2009 trip? Where do we do that? Is it still $85? I can't find any info on the official Disney site about it.

2) Is the 20% discount valid at Chef Mickey's?

I figured we have to spend $450 to break even at a cost of $85. Easy enough to do ;) even though we will be eating some meals in the condo we rented. (5 adults and 1 child raise the bill quickly)

3) Is the discount available for counter service in World Showcase or just if you have an ADR inside? We want to try different countries so we were going to each grab what we want as we travel around the world. If we can't utilize the discount we may change that plan.

4) Does the list of restaurants where you get a discount change year to year or is it pretty set?

Thanks for your help!

You can find the answers you're looking for HERE (http://allears.net/din/dde.htm)

Basically:

1) Yes - Either on the Phone, via mail or at any Guest Relations area at a park or DTD, and Yes

2) Yes

3) No CS's other than AK accept the DDE

4) List is pretty set

[perla75]

We have never used any of the dining plans. After our first trip together, we calculated our meal expenses & for us, it would have actually cost more money to do the DDP than to just pay out of pocket. Reason being is we just don't eat enough & we don't eat enough TS meals to use all of those credits.

We are contemplating trying out the QS DDP for our next trip, but we will need to do more research before we decide.

I love the idea of the DDP-paying in advance, but overall, we seem to do better with just saving up a separate food fund.

[TDC Nala]

You can find the answers you're looking for HERE (http://allears.net/din/dde.htm)

Basically:

1) Yes - Either on the Phone, via mail or at any Guest Relations area at a park or DTD, and Yes

2) Yes

3) No CS's other than AK accept the DDE

4) List is pretty set


Adding to Tricia's responses

2) You can get 20% off at Chef Mickey's unless you are there on a DDE/TIW blackout date (usually major holidays).

3) There are some CS other than AK that accept DDE. AK is the only theme park where the CS accept DDE. All the others are at resorts. You can't use DDE at any CS or kiosks at Epcot - TS restaurants and lounges only.

There's one Epcot exception - You can use DDE if you order fish & chips from the Rose & Crown Pub (the bar area, not the restaurant) which is the same as the portion from the kiosk. However, you'll pay an automatic 18% tip if you order from the pub.

[imsoscared]

free dining of course yes if your able to get in a good set of reservations to make full use of it. oop i guess it depends on what kind of trip and who's going. this upcoming solo trip is all at my pace and just 5 nights with the dlx dining plan is all about me relaxing and enjoying my time and eating a whole lot of good food.
the last trip, few of my friends who are very picky eaters wasted their money on the dlx dining plan. theres been a few articles on the other various dis sites about if the ddp is worth it for ya according to how ya eat n such which ya could check out

[DaisyD]

Not using it and probably never will. I like the idea of buying what I want, nothing more, nothing less.

[NaplesRI]

Where can I find a current list of all the restaurants that give the 20% discount for DDE?

[PaulaSB12]

I have done the ddp (free on each time) solo 2006 and 208 with good results. This year I did it with family and it didn't work so well but that was family not the plan (ie we get some icecream or drink and I'd say we can use a snack credit but my sister would be all its easier just to pay for it!!!!!!!!!) as it was free it helped because they didn't like the fact that you needed a reservation, but it was a once of trip (can't afford to do it again) it didn't matter. Next year I am doing the deluxe dining plan (got the ddp free and just paying the difference) which should be great fun as its only me and I love my reservations.