To Dining Plan or Not to Dining Plan?

disneyhutson · Apr 19, 2015

That is the question. New DVC member so no more free dining for us. I have used the dining plan calculator and pen to paper...over and over. But I would really like to hear from you fellow DVC members to see where you stand on this issue. We really enjoy the dining at sit downs, enjoying snacks and not feeling like we're nickeled and dimed to death. But really hate to overpay just for the feeling good part.

magicmomms · Apr 19, 2015

How many in your party? Do you drink beverages or water or alcohol? Are the snacks that you would probably want on the plan or not? Do you have kids? Are they big eaters? On the picky side?

disneyhutson · Apr 19, 2015

magicmomms said:
How many in your party? Do you drink beverages or water or alcohol? Are the snacks that you would probably want on the plan or not? Do you have kids? Are they big eaters? On the picky side?

2 adults, 1 child (7) not a huge eater can share a quick service, but sit down enjoys his own meal..yes at meals we drink soda...yes we always enjoy snacks on the plan. Thank you for your imput

kenly777 · Apr 19, 2015

Based on your info, personally I would say to go with the DP. Your son is still considered a child, so you are not over paying for him. You will have to look carefully when he is considered an adult and you need to pay triple the price. My boys like to eat adult meals at sit down service so it still works for us. Good luck with your decision!

magicmomms · Apr 19, 2015

disneyhutson said:
2 adults, 1 child (7) not a huge eater can share a quick service, but sit down enjoys his own meal..yes at meals we drink soda...yes we always enjoy snacks on the plan. Thank you for your imput

Based on this- I would say Yeah go for it! Relax and enjoy

nalajms · Apr 19, 2015

We have TiW and do DDP on a regular basis. I calculate the costs for each trip depending on what reservations we were able to get and where we want to eat. The only time DDP will win over TiW is when we have expensive character meals (we have 2 kids), and if we go for the more expensive signature TS (DH always gets the more expensive options). It's easier to come out ahead with Deluxe than the regular or QS plan. Another option is a split stay, and getting DDP for part of the stay.

I will say that I'm more stressed with DDP than out of pocket because DH has a tendency to use an unplanned dining credit or buy a bottle of water with snack credits. :crazy2:

supersnoop · Apr 19, 2015

disneyhutson said:
That is the question. New DVC member so no more free dining for us. I have used the dining plan calculator and pen to paper...over and over. But I would really like to hear from you fellow DVC members to see where you stand on this issue. We really enjoy the dining at sit downs, enjoying snacks and not feeling like we're nickeled and dimed to death. But really hate to overpay just for the feeling good part.

Do you have annual passes? Or, rather, will you be visiting for a long duration multiple times in a single 13-month period?

I found that purchasing the Table in Wonderland card works out best for us, followed by simply paying out of pocket. The dining plan is a distant (very distant) third. But we're three Disney "adults" now. With one child, the dining plan might be less distant.

Without the dining plan, I find we split appetizers, or order one as an entree, and split deserts. We'll order water, or sometimes a glass of wine, instead of a soda. Note that we're not cutting back or trying to save, but just ordering what we actually want.

Lakegirl · Apr 19, 2015

supersnoop said:
Do you have annual passes? Or, rather, will you be visiting for a long duration multiple times in a single 13-month period?

I found that purchasing the Table in Wonderland card works out best for us, followed by simply paying out of pocket. The dining plan is a distant (very distant) third. But we're three Disney "adults" now. With one child, the dining plan might be less distant.

Without the dining plan, I find we split appetizers, or order one as an entree, and split deserts. We'll order water, or sometimes a glass of wine, instead of a soda. Note that we're not cutting back or trying to save, but just ordering what we actually want.

We feel the same as you!! Portions are so large that we often split. My dd who is going to be 11 still orders off the kids menus as they what she likes. With DDP we would be paying adult price. DS who will be 13 70% of the time is also happy with kids meals..

com_op_2000 · Apr 19, 2015

We always OOP. We figure it is much cheaper by eating some meals in the room, breakfast most often, having our biggest meal of the day at lunch, and bringing some of our dinners from home and warming them in the microwave.

Dean · Apr 19, 2015

disneyhutson said:
That is the question. New DVC member so no more free dining for us. I have used the dining plan calculator and pen to paper...over and over. But I would really like to hear from you fellow DVC members to see where you stand on this issue. We really enjoy the dining at sit downs, enjoying snacks and not feeling like we're nickeled and dimed to death. But really hate to overpay just for the feeling good part.

IMO one needs to either save 20% or get 20% added but desired value to make it worthwhile since it adds risk due to the prepaid and non cancelable nature of the program. As referenced above, there are other discount options including Disney CC, AP, TIW, DVC. We often do the DP but for only part of our group (multiple rooms), I doubt it'd ever be worthwhile for the entire group unless it were a very short stay. As you've described your preferences, it would seem the dlx plan is the one that fits best at roughly $250 per day for your group of 2A1C. Tip isn't much of an issue as you'd be doing that anyway, at least on the base amount. IF you spend more than you would OOP, you'll have extra tax & tip on that amount. I'd simply lay out what you're likely so spend per location based on your reservations and plans looking at the menu's and assuming $4 per snack plus the mug's at $10 a piece. If it's not a clear 20% savings/added value but more than 10%, I'd look at what savings you're missing out on such as DVC or AP options and decide if it's worth the risks and aggravations involved. Remember OOP is always safer and more flexible all else equal.

SpaceMountain77 · Apr 19, 2015

On the occasions that we have purchased the DDP, we have returned home 10-15lbs heavier because we always felt obligated to order the most expensive items and eat everything.

We are not big eaters, so it is just too much food for us.

magicmomms · Apr 19, 2015

SpaceMountain77 said:
On the occasions that we have purchased the DDP, we have returned home 10-15lbs heavier because we always felt obligated to order the most expensive items and eat everything.

We are not big eaters, so it is just too much food for us.

Oh My! That is like cruise eating for me!

Texas Disney Fan · Apr 19, 2015

disneyhutson said:
That is the question. New DVC member so no more free dining for us. I have used the dining plan calculator and pen to paper...over and over. But I would really like to hear from you fellow DVC members to see where you stand on this issue. We really enjoy the dining at sit downs, enjoying snacks and not feeling like we're nickeled and dimed to death. But really hate to overpay just for the feeling good part.

This summer we had originally plan to OOP our meals but once we started making dining reservations and thinking about it more, we decided to add the dining plan. I suspect when it is all said and done it will be about the same price but now I have it prepaid and do not have to think about that aspect of the trip. We decided we did not want to have the feeling of being nickeled and dimed as you said or getting wrapped up with worrying about the amount being spent or trying to save money during the time.

AriesAriel · Apr 19, 2015

SpaceMountain77 said:
On the occasions that we have purchased the DDP, we have returned home 10-15lbs heavier because we always felt obligated to order the most expensive items and eat everything.

We are not big eaters, so it is just too much food for us.

This is exactly why we decided against it. 2a/2c and I know we would feel like we HAD to eat it or we'd be wasting money. When I figured up our costs, it was going to be $100 more for us to do the dining plan, so I did debate it... but decided I'd rather not be weighted (both literally and figuratively) by the DP.

Lancer · Apr 19, 2015

Just one other consideration, one that I have encountered many times myself, is that if you book certain tours/experiences a lunch is included in the price. They will not reduce the tour price if you are on a DDP. So, you end up with extra meals.

disneynutz · Apr 19, 2015

Decide how much you want eat, decide if you like the feeling of being on the plan, do the numbers, decide if the extra cost of being on the plan is worth it to you.

We have heard others at WDW say more than once, the food doesn't cost money, it's only points!

:earsboy:

Bill

Disneyaddictz · Apr 19, 2015

There is a calculator called "see you real soon" it's the best way to decide if the dining plan will Benifit your family or not... That is if you have you meal plans or at least must dos. Dining plan never seemed beneficial for our family because we don't do much desert or snacking outside of meals and can only handle two Disney meals a day..... Some people can justify spending more knowing it's all included (minus gratuity) however I plan out our meals to the penny so when we get there its already spent and I don't pay any mind to the Cost

peace_all · Apr 19, 2015

For us it usually ends up around even. However we also do it for convenience, so that the bulk of the trip is paid for (other than tips and treats), and we don't have to worry about what our kids want to order (our 11yo goal this year is steak and cheesecake at every meal! lol), it helps us relax more on vacation.

Minniesgal · Apr 19, 2015

i think it depends what type of room you book. we often stay in 2 bedrooms and do a garden grocer for bottles of water, soda, snacks, breakfasts, coffee etc and have breakfast in the room. the dining plan on top of that would be ridiculous.

if we were staying in studios without the full kitchen i might be ore tempted.

ZephyrHawk · Apr 20, 2015

I did a detailed analysis of this for my upcoming trip because not only did I need to decide what was best for my own family, but I need to be able to confidently advise my extended family what is best for their vacation. Ultimately, the Dining Plan just did not work for anyone. It's just nowhere near the deal it used to be (when it also gave you appetizers and tip included). Really, unless I was getting free dining (which I obviously can't do anymore as a DVC member), I don't see a situation in which the Dining Plan would be useful to me. This is especially true when you figure in the TIW card discounts (and I didn't even consider alcohol purchases, which could only make the TIW card even more useful). I am scheduling quite a few character and other high cost meals, too, so that's not where the difference is coming in. All in all, my family would look to save about $100 NOT doing the Dining plan. That doesn't seem like a lot, but when you factor in our traveling partners (who can also benefit from TIW), the savings is significantly higher. Plus this way I don't have to worry about coordinating everybody's dining credits.

Look at it this way: I go to WDW with a group of multiple families, I treat everyone to a large expensive dinner (if these other family members choose to reimburse my generosity at a later date, that's their business), I get 20% off everything per the TIW card, I use my Disney Premier Visa to pay for everything and get double points to go towards my next vacation. Everybody wins!

To Dining Plan or Not to Dining Plan?

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