I would not say we have regretted getting the dining plan, but we do notice that the QS plan does work easier for us just so we can eat on the fly. The QS plan does not lock us in to where/when we need to be related to TS dining reservations. If you do not mind working around dining reservations, the dining plan is fun to use and visiting the broad array of restaurants. We have been extremely lucky to line up at least one of our trips each year during free dining. If they changed back to what free dining used to be, we would plan our entire trip around that experience. The good old days of when a meal included appetizer, meal dessert and tip were AWESOME!
who has regretted getting the dining plan?
- Thread starter margot31
- Start date
But to make the QS plan worthwhile, you have to order the most expensive entree on the menu, otherwise you are losing money on the QSDP compared to paying cash.
kaybird
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 27, 1999
We have been many many times with the DDP and QSP and never ever regretted them. We have been several times without the plan, often which we regretted. We may have saved a bit, but never ate better oop, and the sticker shock was enough to keep us from ordering the things we would have usually gotten without a second thought.
I've paid for DDP, and this fall will be getting free dining. I've already told my partner we're skipping DDP on our next trip. The main positive (for me) is knowing that our food is already paid for. That's really nice given the way my mind works. It's also nice that we had a variety of dining experiences which we may have not had if we were paying crazy Disney prices OOP. However, ADRs are a lot of work if you want high-demand reservations. There's also fitting in ADRs with your touring schedule. People complain about FP+ ruining their spontaneity but I feel like ADRs are even worse. I would rather wait and see what I'm in the mood for that day than schedule 6 months in advance. I'd also rather wait to eat until I'm really hungry. For our next trip, we will definitely not do DDP, and quite possible will not to any ADRs.
That's fine as long as you understand how you're being manipulated. It's similar to leasing versus buying a car. They're getting you to spend more than you would otherwise by obfuscating the sticker shock. It's fair in the sense that you're actually getting more (except to the extent that you leave over food), but it's still squeezing more money out of you.
kaybird
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 27, 1999
We've been going for over 40 years. There has always been some kind of dining plan, some incarnations better than others.
There are certainly cheaper ways to eat at Disney (up to and including bringing peanut butter sandwiches). My point is that while we can eat cheaper, we never eat better. The original question was did we ever regret getting the DDP, and the answer is still no. 
We just got back from 9 days at Disney with the dining plan. I do not regret the dining plan but I would utilize it differently next time. I did not care for the table service meals we had in the parks. They were just okay meals and I didn't care for having to plan our day around it. The fast passes and reservations were stressful for me. The table service meals we had at the deluxe resorts and downtown Disney were outstanding. Next time, I would just do quick service in the parks and table services on the days we don't go to the parks. You don't have to use one table service and one quick service each day. You can schedule them however you like. I did enjoy yay our meals were already paid for. It kept me from stressing out about seeing the total money spent as the days go on. I did not worry about ordering the most expensive things. I order what I like. Most meals, I only consumed half or less. I just cannot gorge myself because of some abdominal surgeries I've had. I didn't order dessert some meals. Just because it is included doesn't mean you have to order it. I even allowed my son to order off the kids menu if he didn't care for the options on the adult menu. The dining plan was free for us but I would do it the same if we payed for it. As for it being worth it, I think it is subjective. It's worth it to me to be able to pay in advance over time rather than dealing with a huge bill at the end of the vacation even if it costs more.
SouthJersey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2011
We didn't find any value in the regular dining plan, but with the deluxe dining plan we save roughly $55 per day during non-promotion times, but during free dining with a moderate stay, we save around $165 per day.
But that's because we make it a point to dine at a 1TS lunch and a 2TS dinner in the evening each day and we would dine the same way without the plan's entitlements. If anything, off the plan we'd probably share an appetizer instead of each getting our own, but we'd get our own entree and dessert.
But that's because we make it a point to dine at a 1TS lunch and a 2TS dinner in the evening each day and we would dine the same way without the plan's entitlements. If anything, off the plan we'd probably share an appetizer instead of each getting our own, but we'd get our own entree and dessert.
But ADRs are a separate issue from DDP. If you want to eat at certain restaurants that are popular, you will need an ADR whether you have DDP or not. (And I do agree that ADRs can disrupt the flow of a day at times.)
I think it's pretty simple really. You can look at menus and figure out whether you would come out ahead or not. DDP is definitely not for everyone, but math is math and pretty easy to figure out. For us, we would rarely have dessert, so we don't factor that in to the price comparison. Also depends how often we want ADR at specific restaurants. This next trip we have the "free" DDP, and that's the only times we get it. Otherwise, we simply wouldn't have a meal in a sit down restaurant every night so it wouldn't be worth it.
sharonabe
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
They can share meals whether on the DDP or paying OOP, however, if you opt for the DDP, you'll have leftover kid's credits which could be difficult to use. The tipping point for whether the plan will work for you is if you're planning on doing two or more character buffets as the cost of these are usually more than the cost of the day's plan for kids.
There is NOT a military discount for the dining plans, just room and tickets.
Trinity88
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
We haven't used the DDP yet, but we do have it for our trip this fall (not free dining). My reasoning probably doesn't apply to you. I'm in Canada and our dollar is continuing to drop. So I decided buying the DDP would actually save us money since I bought it at a better exchange rate than what it will be in Nov (I'm assuming anyway since it's predicted to continue dropping). We do also have a lot of character dining planned.
mommypenguin29
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2011
We will have the dining plan for the first time in November thanks to free dining promo... I am excited because we will be eating at alot of places we would normally not eat at since we normally pay OOP...But if you plan on doing alot of TS meals and character meals, I don't think I would regret it...we just never had in the past!
elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
For me, there is a big psychological factor of DDP beyond straight dollars and cents. We were just at DLR this summer and I was determined to try for the WDW-type resort experience so we had a mix of CS and TS meals. I still really missed the psychological factor of DDP (especially since we always go at free dining - with 4 ppl in a value). I do find DDP more "fun" in the sense that I feel like I can choose anything.
You can share meals even on the DDP. We typically would use 3 credits for the 4 of us at each meal.
12disneybee
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2015
We've always gotten free quick service dining , 4 to a value room always upgrading to DXDP. We eat sit down breakfasts and signature dinners. our Boma breakfasts are over $100 and our Narcoosee Dinners are $450 for one day dining...
most of our breakfasts were over $100
Many of our dinners were $400+
Needless to say, we ate like kings!
most of our breakfasts were over $100
Many of our dinners were $400+
Needless to say, we ate like kings!
Paigesmom2013
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2013
I think we're going to try the QS plan this time around, IF we really get 50% off with the SPD promo. (I never thought id do one!)Honestly, I don't think we'll save money--probably break even. Here is my thinking:
1). We were mostly planing quick service meals anyway and staying at a Value.
2). Going with 5 and 2 year old who don't sit still long, but we have 3 TS meals well pay OOP.
3.) Now my husband can order an "expensive" entree and I won't worry about it
4.) We will share a dessert with the 2 year old or swap it for fries which 5 year old will eat
5.) We have lunch ressies for BOG and looking at the menu, we'd spend almost $50 for lunch there, whereas the QS plan costs us $60 a day total
1). We were mostly planing quick service meals anyway and staying at a Value.
2). Going with 5 and 2 year old who don't sit still long, but we have 3 TS meals well pay OOP.
3.) Now my husband can order an "expensive" entree and I won't worry about it
4.) We will share a dessert with the 2 year old or swap it for fries which 5 year old will eat
5.) We have lunch ressies for BOG and looking at the menu, we'd spend almost $50 for lunch there, whereas the QS plan costs us $60 a day total
StitchesGr8Fan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
We regretted the DxDP on our honeymoon. We spent the whole trip going from ADRto ADR and ate too much food. Didn't get to see nearly as much as we wanted to and we finally gave up some ADRs to go to counter service which was a waste of money.
Abbyroad05
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
I wouldn't say we regret it, we just got home yesterday from 7 nights, stayed at AoA Nemo suite, upgrade to regular dining plan on the free dining plan.. But we don't need a dessert every meal!! We aren't dessert people, would rather have an appetizer or salad option. Might price it out more for next year!
wilkeliza
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2013
We regret it every time. We either like snacks that aren't covered or end up not wanting as many snacks as are offered. Ever time we have left with snack credits left over. Also we like to do a mix of QS and TS but not necessarily one TS every day and not always 2 QS so neither plan works for us.
I regretted the dining plan the last several years, since the pricing went up.
It has to *perfectly* match how you eat, to get even minimal savings.
If your whole family doesn't normally get an individual dessert with every meal, you are unlikely to save any money.
If you ever choose tap water over a purchased beverage, then the meal plan is unlikely to save you money.
If you ever order cheaper entrees -- chicken, pasta, vegetarian, etc.... then the meal plan is unlikely to save you money.
If you would not normally purchased 1 expensive snack per person, per day, then the meal plan is unlikely to save you money.
If you don't drink lots of soda with the resort mug, then the meal plan is unlikely to save you money.
If you would ever order an appetizer as your meal, then the meal plan is unlikely to save you money.
IF.. you order steak at every TS meal, if you order dessert at every meal, if you drink lots of soda at the resort, etc, etc... Then maybe, the meal plan can save you 5-10%. Of course, suddenly discover you aren't hungry one night and skip dinner, and you have wasted money.
Go through a couple days *realistically* looking at the menus... Consider where you would likely eat, and what you would likely order. Don't order based on the dining plan, order based on how you would honestly like to eat while you are there. Then plug it into the meal plan -- figure out which things you wanted are covered, which aren't covered. And whether it saves you money or not.
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