Should we get the dining plan? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

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DisneyWacker

03-21-2010, 10:58 AM

TDC Nala

03-21-2010, 11:07 AM

There is general information about the three different Disney dining plans on the "Everything you always wanted to know" sticky thread on this board.

You would need to know that dining plan allotments are based on the number of nights you stay at your resort, not the number of days you spend in the park. I'm not sure I figured it right but it looks like you are staying 6 nights. On the basic dining plan (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 snack per night) you would receive 6 TS credits per person. You have booked 8 TS restaurants, and one of those (Hoop de Doo) would cost you 2 TS credits per person, so you would need 9 TS credits per person to cover them all. On the basic plan you'd be short about 3 TS credits so you would have to pay OOP for some of those meals. It would usually be suggested that you pay OOP for the cheapest meals, like the buffet breakfasts, or consider paying for Hoop de Doo. (This is assuming you are staying 6 nights).

On the deluxe plan for 6 nights you would receive 18 meal credits per person (on deluxe they are useable for TS or CS) so you would have 9 extra credits you'd need to use. The deluxe plan costs a good deal more per night than the basic plan though.

jaymez428

03-21-2010, 11:12 AM

We are going in August... I've already made all my reservations and I am not sure if I should get the dining plan or not? I don't know if I really understand how it works? Can you help me?

Here is our agenda:

Sun: dinner at Mama Melrose
Monday: breakfast Crystal Palace
dinner Hoop De Doo Muscial Review
Tuesday: dinner San Angel Inn
Wednesday: breakfast: Princess Breakfast at EPCOT
dinner Biergarten
Thursday: breakfast: Donald's Safari
dinner: Sanaa

What would you advise?

Based on your reservations i would recommend getting the regular dining plan
It allows you 1 snack, 1 counter service, and 1 table service meal per night you are staying on disney property. You would be paying OOP for the Hoop De Musical Revue, and then your choice on the Wednesday meals.

Stellapedia

03-21-2010, 11:31 AM

standard plan, pay OOP for HDD, San Angel, and Tusker. That covers your other five meals. San Angel and Tusker are likely to be your cheapest meals, and HDD is a two credit meal and not a "good use" of credits if you're looking at the bottom line (which you are, since you'll be paying OOP for some). The cost of the plan will pretty much be what you would pay for each of those meals, maybe a bit more or a bit less on some days, and you'll also gain a snack and a CS meal each day.

bitohoney

03-21-2010, 05:05 PM

Oh yea get the dining plan. You will love all the food being paid for already!

DisneyWacker

03-21-2010, 05:46 PM

We are staying Sunday to Friday checking out going to Universal for 2 days before heading home.

SO that is 4 nights, but that is a lot of eating!

What do you think of my dinner plans? I figured I didn't want to do a lunch since we will be full from breakfast and have fairly early dinners. We could do a snack lunch.

If I bought the Basic Plan... payed out of pocket for the Hoop de Doo... would all else be okay?

TDC Nala

03-21-2010, 06:17 PM

If you're staying 4 nights you will receive only 4 TS credits per person on the basic plan. With 9 credits worth of table service retaurants booked, that's a lot of meals that are not covered. Even if you pay for Hoop de Doo, you would have 3 TS meals left that are not covered. If you want to do that plan you may want to consider cancelling some of those TS meals and doing CS meals.

The deluxe plan would give you 12 meal credits and you'd have 3 left after all the TS meals you booked, and you would be able to use them for CS meals. You can't use them after midnight on the day you check out. However, the deluxe plan costs about $72 per night per adult.

chumsmum0916

03-22-2010, 07:45 AM

I agree with everyone that has posted, I would highly consider purchasing the ddp before you go, that way you are able to order anything basically on the menu and know it's already covered for payment wise other than tip. We went last year and the year before and were fortunate enough to get "free dining" (and they offered th ddp) which was a great savings. I don't think I would ever go and do Disney for a holiday without planning on having/purchasing ddp. We are planning on going back to Disney in Nov for 10 days, and fingers crossed free dining is offered but if not it's well worth it IMO to purchase ddp with our hotel/room tix.
On average the breakys are approx $20/adult and the Hoop de Doo for instance I believe was $50 (or almost per adult when we went in 2008) the decision is yours but just remember that when you go and don't have the dining plan you are also paying for everyones drinks/beverages as well which can easily run you at least $10.
Good luck with your decision, but by the looks of it you have us other dis'ers voting and rooting for you to go the ddp way.

kris816

03-31-2010, 07:43 AM

We are also trying to decide if we should purchase DDP.
Any suggestions.

Going in July for 5 nights with 2 adults and 1 child
not sure about CS meals or snacks but have TS planned

Chef Mickey's ($95)
Boma ($80)
WCC($80)
Grand Floridan ($36)
Planet Hollywood ($70) or LTT($75)

Do you think DDP would work? Or pay oop?