Dining Plan worth it?

[kris4360]

I didn't read him saying anyone was wrong or stupid. The question asked was is the plan worth it. To fully answer that both good points and bad should be discussed so folks can make up their own minds. It's just debating. I'm not sure why you choose to use quotation marks around flaws. Does that mean you think there are none?

Great! I love good food. If that was the focus of my trip I would probably choose a different destination. There are much better places to eat at much better prices.

See, the money saving part of trips are very important to me because we travel relatively often and if I can go for a lower cost then I can take another trip sooner. That is why we like to buy APs. Room discounts make it easier to return as well.

And that is great for you! But I go for different reasons and you shouldn't let that bother you so much.

 

[kevschickee]

Are you kidding??? It is J. Swift going tit for tat as you call it.

Thank you!!!

 

[kevschickee]

When you used the word debt you implied you don't have the money to pay for trip, in some people's opinion. And perhaps you shouldn't take personal shots at people? That's not very Disneyish nor very mature. Telling people they have issues? You seem to be going tit for tat with anyone who posts here who differs with you. Perhaps the pot calling the kettle black?

It's not me who has something to say every time someone posts something good about the ddp. J seems to thinks it's his job to "correct" everyone.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Assuming you don't have the money to pay for dining, which is the assumption you're making, wouldn't it be worse to pay for it sooner? That would mean you'd have to pay that interest on your credit card debt even longer.

>>>who says everyone uses a credit card?? some people use the credit card then pay it off right away. When I book a trip, i pay everything in one shot. No credit card debt!

I don't have a problem with people who like the DDP. I have a problem with people with who make claims then avoid explaining or scream troll when pressed for an explanation.

Aside from one person who posted their 6-day itinerary of 3 adults and 1 child yielding a whopping $2.50 per person per day savings, I haven't seen much hard evidence to back up any claims of why any of the DDPs are so great.

The DP is great for us because we like one TS per day, no more. We dont like appetizers at all. But we love dessert. Without the DP, i've spend a fortune on dining. I've tried both, and the DP definitely works best for us. Thats not hard to believe is it?

 

[goofyintoronto]

Lol Ya i noticed.

It's not me who has something to say every time someone posts something good about the ddp. J seems to thinks it's his job to "correct" everyone.

 

[kevschickee]

Lol Ya i noticed.

Lol I just don't understand how I'm the one playing tit for tat.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Lol I just don't understand how I'm the one playing tit for tat.

Dont worry. Some ppl just like to stir things up. They get excited when they see an opportunity to start a fight with someone i guess.

 

[kris4360]

Dont worry. Some ppl just like to stir things up. They get excited when they see an opportunity to start a fight with someone i guess.

So true!

 

[kevschickee]

Dont worry. Some ppl just like to stir things up. They get excited when they see an opportunity to start a fight with someone i guess.

You are right on!!

 

[winterman]

I personally think the DDP was a pretty good deal when it was first offered, then things were taken away and prices were raised.

I agree. In Sept. 2005 DH and I stayed at POP for the first Free Dining offering. We loved it! As I recall, the DDP at that time included appetizer, tax and tip and it was the regular DDP that was free in the value resorts. We thought it was such a good deal that we were going to pay for it on our next trip. Then came 2006 and they lost the appetizer. (and the tip?) Suddenly, it was not such a great deal. We went got free dining 4 more times but never paid for the DDP. We even enjoyed the QSDP during our last stay at POP.

During our several non-free dining stays we did eat at TS restaurants almost daily. In the last few years, I found that my eating style didn't really work with the DDP - I usually preferred an appetizer and soup or salad rather than an entrée.

I haven't seriously looked into it, but it has seemed that Deluxe DDP has been a good deal if you want to eat 3 TS meals a day but how many people can or want to eat that much?

 

[goofyintoronto]

You are right on!!

Thanks. LOL!

Everyone has a different opionion about the DP. Many think its trash and a waste of money. I personally love it. I spend A FORTUNE paying OOP. It just doesnt work for me. Period. If you (general you) like paying OOP, good for you. But nothing you say will convince me that the DP is trash. Cause i personally love it!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I haven't seriously looked into it, but it has seemed that Deluxe DDP has been a good deal if you want to eat 3 TS meals a day but how many people can or want to eat that much?

I think the best way to use the Delux DP is to book either a bfast or lunch, then a signature dinner each night. I wouldnt do it any other way. 3 TS in one day is awful, i really cant imagine.

 

[bdklein]

You are right on!!

J Swift, you are right on!!!!

 

[martinezmom3]

The DP is great for us because we like one TS per day, no more. We dont like appetizers at all. But we love dessert. Without the DP, i've spend a fortune on dining. I've tried both, and the DP definitely works best for us. Thats not hard to believe is it?

Yes, I think this is the issue. There are plenty of under informed people who use the dining plan because it sounds like a fairy tale, but we're writing our experiences with the dining plan amongst a group of people who do a great deal of research and have a great deal of experience with Disney. It doesn't seem like such a stretch that many of the people on these boards are some of those fortunate people who have learned to make the dining plan work for their family, and they enjoy it. When you're posting about something that you personally experienced and enjoy, I can see the frustration in someone else basically telling you, "no, you didn't actually enjoy that, no, that doesn't actually work for your family, you should try this my way", because obviously there are many variables that go into making and paying and eating these plans. When someone feels that they enjoy the dining plan, most of what I read is "we loved it, but you should check the numbers and see how it works out for you" most of what I see from those who are opposed to the dining plan is "hey, check my spreadsheet, the dining plan will work for no one, and even if it does, you still could've done it better my way"..... If you like it, say so, if you don't, say so, but there's no need to tell anyone else why "they" shouldn't be enjoying DDP when they've already stated that they do, just leave it be. Tell the OP the reasons you personally don't enjoy the plan, for your personal situation, because there's no real way for you to determine anyone else's.

 

[kevschickee]

J Swift, you are right on!!!!

Classy

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Lol I just don't understand how I'm the one playing tit for tat.

I've asked you to clarify your position. You seem to have interpreted that as an insult. Your examples (if I can call them that) of "convenience" and "savings" are illogical. You haven't been able to explain any of it, yet you continue to parrot how great the DDP is. You know you're wrong, but can't admit it. It's cognitive dissonance at its finest. What's really silly about all this arguing is that it involves simple math. It's relatively easy to tell whether or not the DDP makes sense or not, and for the majority of cases, it doesn't. You don't have to take my or anyone else's word for it. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are the only tools you need. (Of course, a spreadsheet helps.)

As far as who's being unreasonable, I'll let the comments speak for themselves.

 

[TDC Nala]

You know, these threads almost always end up in a tussle between the pro-dining-plan and anti-dining-plan factions. It's going to be closed now because that's basically all it is at the moment and isn't about imparting helpful information anymore.

As for the dining plan...do the math regarding what you'd pay for dining otherwise. See if it works for your family. If you just want it because you feel it would be convenient, and not so much to save money, factor that in too.