I'm really stuck...I need some DP experts

[Dennfamily4]

I'm at a crossroads on the dining plan. The middle plan.

We are a family consisting of 2 adults, with four children ranging in age of 16, 12, 9 & 4. We will be staying at the POP for 8 days (2 will be travel) so really 6 full day's.

I'm trying to weigh out getting the dining plan vs just paying out of pocket. We only scheduled 4 ADR since we are more the "go with the flow" type of family.

My ADR's are...Crystal Palace breakfast, Akershus Princess breakfast, Ohana dinner and T-Rex lunch.

Any experts can help me out would be wonderful!!

[williamson_ja]

T-Rex isn't on the dining plan, so if you really want to eat there, that might make a difference. Character breakfasts are also less expensive than dinners. If you were for example planning on Akershus dinner instead of breakfast, I would recommend getting the dining plan because that one meal was $38 when we were there in Sept. That's almost as much as the dining plan for one day right there....

[Minniemama350]

The Dining Plan is as much for convenience as cost. It is always better for us to pay ahead. We like coming back to not being in debt or oweing $ for our vacation. It is also nice to be able to order what we feel like eating (steak, etc.) and not flinch over cost.However, the DDP comes with many deserts that would not have been purchased otherwise. That can be a pro or con depending on who you are!We love the DDP, but it is not for everyone. If you have any big eaters I would definitely consider the DDP.

[hstrickland]

The Dining Plan is as much for convenience as cost. It is always better for us to pay ahead. We like coming back to not being in debt or oweing $ for our vacation.


This is probably the main reason we do it.....it's all paid for...we don't have to bring tons of extra money. Also, I'm a big planner. I prefer to have everything done before we get there. If you are the type of family that just goes with the flow and you don't like to have definite plans, you might want to think long and hard before doing the Ddp. You need to make ADRs well in advance to get the better restaurants. Also, if you skip a meal or two, you will not come out ahead as far as money goes.

[jodywgirl]

If you don't have adr's for all of your meals and like to go with the flow I would probably pay out of pocket as you will probably have a hard time getting table service adr's by know anyway

[djp0630]

I would pay OOP if you don't plan on getting all of your ADRs, esepecially since T-Rex isn't on the dining plan. You get a TS for each night that you stay at Pop so 7, probably. So that would be a waste of TSs, if you don't get ADRs, and eat the TS. The DDP is only worth it if you use your TS.

[cnorth]

I would say go OOP, since TRex isn't on the dining plan and the other three that you are doing are all you can eat/buffet. I personally love the DP, but it's more for convenience and knowing up front what our dining will cost. But since yours (except for TRex) will be fixed cost, I say go without it.

[Luv2Roam]

Also, the dining plans are based on how many nights you stay.

[Dennfamily4]

Thank you everyone. I think I will pass on the DP and just go OOP. We already have the money set aside so it's no biggie to us. Thank you all for your input.

[justplaingoofy]

You could go to allearsnet.com site to view the menus/pricing. Once you add it all up (then add tax) to see if its worth it to you..