Just some thoughts on the DDP

[mchelle77]

Last time I was at WDW, my DH and I were on our honeymoon. I don't think the DP was started yet. I remember going in June and being able to eat wherever we wanted, even with no reservations (such as Le Cellier on a Sunday at 630pm, Portobellos on Saturday night, etc).

It's amazing how crazy people get when, not only offered a way to pay for your dining befre your trip, but then to give it to them FREE. :lmao: I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing - on the one hand, we all get to try restaurants we normally wouldn't, and at a slight discount in some cases. But on the other hand, I see so many people not being able to get reservations at favorite restaurants and I feel bad! I know a lot of people make reservations at places just to HAVE a place to eat (which is smart with free dining!!) but I'm wondering if it was better back in the day before the dining plan.

[Missytara]

First of all, the cost is buried somewhere in the package....

For instance, I go the week after Thanksgiving, and when I return I book my trip for next year. I get a break for booking early.

When they extended the free dining, I contemplated canceling my package, which was before the 45 day mark and re-book it with free dining. The new package was actually $50.00 more.

Anyway, I have never used it because I like the freedom of going whereever I want, and I am usually by myself, so I normally sit at the bar for dinner as if I were home. However, this time I am taking two college age students and they would like to do the dining plan, so of course with the package, I have to book it as well, because we all have to be on the same package.

I have to say I am looking forward to it, because it is making me try some places that I normally wouldn't go to - mind you, cost has never been a problem for me, I go for a really, really good expensive dinner with wine and the works. But I have never done a character breakfast; and they really want to do it, so we are going to do it. I would have never tried it, but now I am in for a totally different experience.

[dd50]

I did the dining plan for the first time last week and didn't like it at all. Seems that you have to plan your day around eating. We had to eat lunch at a certain time so we would be somewhat hungry for the nightly TS. We were always full and ended up using most snack credits on soda or water to use them up. It was way to much food for me and I didn't enjoy the time restraints. My girls also thought it was to much food and asked not to do it again. I will only do the plan if I go when it is free but would never pay for it as I threw away more than we ate.

[snykymom]

However, this time I am taking two college age students and they would like to do the dining plan, so of course with the package, I have to book it as well, because we all have to be on the same package.


I had to laugh at this! When I mentioned the DDP to my college student daughter, she looked at me in horror :scared1:! "Mom, I'm on a dining plan all year long! Can I just eat what I want where I want when I want???" So no DP for us! (Of course, I still make ADRs, but don't feel obligated to eat there just because "I've already paid for it!")

Truth in posting: I wouldn't do the plan anyway; not flexible enough for me.