I never get the
Disney Dining Plan. I used to, but it has changed to the point where I will not get it again. It is not a good value for me and I do not think it is convenient. I don't like package reservations either but then I do not have much occasion, if any, to book a package reservation. Therefore the points he hits are mostly those that I would personally agree with.
One size doesn't fit all here, and what works for me may not work for others. Not everybody does Disney the way the blog writer seems to think that everybody does Disney, either. He assumes everyone wants three meals a day and wouldn't use snacks for a meal. He also assumes that the guest wants to spend as much time in the parks as possible, so relatively little time in the restaurants. Not everyone does that.
I do agree with him that guests who want to do as many rides and attractions in the parks as possible should not get the dining plan. However, guests who want to do as many character meals as possible probably should.
He also has a problem apparently with going to Orlando and just doing Disney. He says you should get out and see other attractions in Orlando. Which is just what Disney doesn't want you to do, therefore a prepaid dining plan that keeps guests eating at Disney. Of course if your full intent is to spend all your time at WDW, no real harm done. But he also thinks it's just great if you get free dining, which has the same effect.
The biggest flaw in his blog entry is this:
Also, many menu items and food locations are excluded. Only those marked with the
DDP logo count.
The only things marked with a DDP logo are snacks. Nothing else is marked and there are no major exclusions of menu items and food locations. This makes me think that possibly he did not actually try using the plan. What also makes me think he didn't use the plan is this:
Because it begins on the day you arrive, you’re bound to leave with some unused credits, resulting in a loss.
Of course if you are not eating out on the day you arrive, you can always save those credits and use them another day. He doesn't seem to realize that.