Husband wants dining plan, I'm not so sure

[minerva78]

So when I first described the dining plan to my husband, he was all for it. He said he likes the idea of being able to order a steak at a meal and not care how much it costs. Today I brought up that I will probably end up booking a room only for our trip we are planning next year, and may not get the dining plan, and he hit the roof. I didn't know he was so passionate about the dining plan. I then explain to him that I've calculated out what food would cost based on him ordering more expensive items and then began to show him my lists of restaurants and prices and possible schedule for meals, and he said he couldn't look at it because it was giving him a migraine. Based on current prices of the dining plan (which will go up) and current menu prices (which will also go up, so I hope it will even itself out) the dining plan will save us about $60. Not really enough to make me jump up and down, especially since I could get tickets separately and save that. And considering it's more likely I would be able to get a room discount than a package discount. I kinda like the idea of getting some Visa gift cards through my credit union and using those to prepay for food. But if he is really set on it, is it even worth it to try to convince him otherwise? How would you convince a person NOT to do the dining plan if they are really set on it?

 

[married2mm]

If dh wants dining plan so much,hand over the planning to him.
He can work out the pros and cons of both room and dining bookings and figure out what you already know!

 

[GaBelle]

I don't think you can convince someone to NOT do the dining plan any more than someone can convince another TO do the dining plan if they are set one way or the other.
$60 is still a savings, and if he is adamant about it- why not do it? If a room only discount is offered it can still be applied to your package for the resort portion. (I've done it before 2x)
We always get the DxDP and I tried unsuccessfully to convince my husband to downgrade to the regular dining plan for our upcoming trip. He is usually a number-crunching tightwad ;0) and I thought for sure he would admire my desire to save some money. He wouldn't hear of it! He likes the convenience and, like your husband, the ability to order anything off of the menu regardless of price.

 

[fuzzlekins]

I would say that if you're saving ANYTHING at all (even a buck), then do the DP. It's easy and you don't even have to look at menu prices while you're there. For us, the DP would never save us money unless there was a promo but if I were in your shoes, I'd definitely do it. Use your gift cards for the tips.

 

[minerva78]

Yeah, I realize it may not be worth it if he really wants it. The $60 savings is based on us doing 3 character breakfasts and an expensive dinner buffet (Boma), but I'm not sure if I'll really want to keep all of these ADRs. Just switching out Boma for a counter service meal would eliminate the savings. But I did only calculate based on 20 snacks between the four of us (the dining plan would give us 28) because I couldn't imagine eating all of those snacks, but we might. I also didn't include refillable mugs, because I could care less if we got those, but DH really wants one. So the DDP might have even more savings. Ironically, when I told DH the price of a current year package at a moderate resort, 6 day tickets, and the dining plan, he actually was surprised because he thought it would be a lot more. I told him this is based on this year's prices, it will be more. So maybe the convenience will be worth it, more worth it than fighting over this stuff.

Would you recommend still booking a room only first, or go ahead and book a package when the rates come out? I would probably go through AAA in the hope of getting some discount, and though I don't really like the idea of handing over my reservation to somebody, I want to get the best discount I can so I can compare it to any Disney discount later.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We booked a room only, getting the room only discount, and then waited until about ten days before our reservation to add on the dining plan. I was waiting to see if a better offer came out, but it didn't.

As far as the value of the dining plan goes, we used it for the first time last month, booked a lot of buffets, character meals and nice dinners, and we came out a little ahead, maybe $150 or so for six days, two people. I think that if you husband likes the idea of ordering steak without worrying about prices, then go for it. We had never done the dining plan before, but it was very nice not to have to think about how much every meal cost when we were there. And you will make him happy. It isn't worth the cost difference to pay out of pocket if his intent is to get the best entrees.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I think you should book the package with your room, tickets and dining plan and then watch for a free dining offer to come out for your dates. If a free dining offer never comes out for your dates then you might get a room only offer. I wouldn't book through AAA because that is just like booking through a regular travel agent and you won't be in control of your own reservation. If the room only offer comes out you can still apply it to a package. It doesn't have to be a room only booking.

God forbid don't tell your husband about the deluxe dining plan where you get 3 TS meals a day and 2 snacks and a refillable mug. That price would be a sticker shock for him at $100 per person per day.

 

[mulberrybush]

My DH insists on DP too. He likes knowing everything's been paid upfront. Adds to his ability to relax. Fine. Calm husbands are worth a LOSS to me

 

[bigmamimia]

Go for the room only discount, put a credit card on your KTTW card, tell your husband you got the dining plan. Every time you pay for the meal hand them your KTTW card just as you would for dining plan. Then if you decide to do more counter service meals you won't feel guilty that you aren't using what you have paid for.

 

[worm761]

My DH insists on DP too. He likes knowing everything's been paid upfront. Adds to his ability to relax. Fine. Calm husbands are worth a LOSS to me

This! The first time I took DH to Disney, he paid more attention to the prices and would order the chicken instead of the steak that he really wanted because it was cheaper. The next time we went I got the DDP. Made DH's trip so much better. He stopped stressing about whether we had enough money for food or not.

 

[Aliceacc]

Well, honestly, I'm with your husband. If it can save you $60 AND ease the hassle of feeling like you're hemmoraging money, then I would go for the meal plan. We tried WDW without the meal plan last year, and don't plan on skipping it again.

But, more than that, this means a lot to him. On that basis alone, I would book it.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Go for the room only discount, put a credit card on your KTTW card, tell your husband you got the dining plan. Every time you pay for the meal hand them your KTTW card just as you would for dining plan. Then if you decide to do more counter service meals you won't feel guilty that you aren't using what you have paid for.

I could see that coming back to bita ya if he went to pay for something and said he was ON the DDP when you weren't. I guess it could work where only one adult would do all the paying but sometimes both parents need to use the card.

What I am hearing is that your husband wants to be guilt and worry free. If the DDP is a break even deal, I personally still like it because it really does help you keep very on budget at the parks and then your DH isn't wrangling with the "most expensive" thing each meal each day.

If you are almost certain the break even, then you certainly didn't loose anything. Also, as far as your snacks, remember that if you have some left at the end you can do some free "shopping" and buy some yummy snacks for gifts or treats back at home.

 

[worm761]

Also, as far as your snacks, remember that if you have some left at the end you can do some free "shopping" and buy some yummy snacks for gifts or treats back at home.

I LOVE leftover snack credits! There is nothing like really really missing being at Disney and getting to have a snack that you can only get at Disney at home. Personally, I go for the Mickey shaped pretzels but they are a terrible use of your credits. Though my happiness makes up for it!

 

[brertoad]

Well, honestly, I'm with your husband. If it can save you $60 AND ease the hassle of feeling like you're hemmoraging money, then I would go for the meal plan. We tried WDW without the meal plan last year, and don't plan on skipping it again.

But, more than that, this means a lot to him. On that basis alone, I would book it.

Yes, I would agree with this poster and as a PP said... a happy husband is worth taking a loss! My husband and I have been mulling over the DP and DxDP and I have been crunching numbers. We both like the idea of the DxDP and it seems like we would save some money as well.

Pros: Your husband will be happy, you expect to save $60, plus you will all get refillable mugs (these are like $18 each if you pay OOP) that will save you about $2.79 each time you guys grab a soda or coffee or tea from the drink places at your resort, plus the cost of the mug itself, the mugs make cute souvenirs. Plus snack credits to use means you have lots of opportunities to splurge without spending extra money OOP. Don't have to worry about sticker shock at the restaurants.


Cons: If you don't do the meal plan, your husband might resent it or be unhappy. Or maybe some other promotion may come along.

 

[Aliceacc]

Or maybe some other promotion may come along.

If some other promotion comes along that represents a significant savings, you have the conversation, then rebook if necessary.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

My DH insists on DP too. He likes knowing everything's been paid upfront. Adds to his ability to relax. Fine. Calm husbands are worth a LOSS to me

I totally agree with this too! If having a convenience eliminates stress on a vacation, it's totally worth the $ even if it does cost more in the end.

For us the DDP does not work as well because we are more appetizer than dessert people. And while I will plan ahead in terms of making ADRs 180 days out, I won't have a clue what I actually want to eat until I sit down. Some days I might go for an entree, some days I may just get an app. and a salad. So for us we would never save money, and I'm fine just paying for our meals OOP to save money.

This is not dining related, but in May when we go on our cruise, we will stay at the Hyatt MCO the night before and use the DCL transfers so we can take advantage of the hotel's luggage transfer service. This is costing me a fortune compared to what I could pay for it if I went a cheaper route, but the convenience is worth the price on this one.

So to the OP, if your DH is happy and not stressing over it, I would say just go for it. Your vacation will be better for it. The only thing I would make sure he knows is what exactly is included, such as the need to pay OOP for appetizers and drinks, etc.

 

[MrsBoyer428]

We went to DW in April/12 for our honeymoon and had the TSDP. We will not go back to Disney without it. I am very much the kind of person who will eat less, or order the cheapest thing on the menu just to save money. Knowing that it was all paid upfront and that I could order the Filet if I wanted to was awesome. JMO.

 

[gtpoohbear]

My DH insists on DP too. He likes knowing everything's been paid upfront. Adds to his ability to relax. Fine. Calm husbands are worth a LOSS to me

Exactly, lol! I briefly brought up the idea of NOT doing the DxDDP this time, and DH's reaction was not pretty. We may not come out much, if any, ahead with it, but not having to feel guilty about what he is ordering and face the sticker shock at every single meal is worth a LOT. A happy DH makes for a happier day all around

 

[poohj80]

We tried the dining plan once and my hubby hared it saying he felt like he was on food stamps having to count everything he ate.

 

[lovedworld]

I don't think I would ever pay for the dining plan. We have had it when it was free and that was great, but I don't think it is worth it OOP. When I run the figures as you said you have, we would alway have to order the most expensive item on the menu and have dessert of course to make it worth it. Sometimes you don't really want dessert or sometimes you want to get the pasta instead of the steak. If you pay for the dining plan you will always be trying to get your moneys worth. Also I don't know about you but sometimes on vacation I find I just can't eat that much and if you have all ready paid for the food you will feel like you have to eat a big meal. Just get your gift cards for the price you would pay for the dining plan and that way your meals will be paid for in advance and you might come out ahead.