2009 - Will you do the Dining Plan?

[englishrose47]

So they didn't add in the tip or appie as was being speculated plus offered in the Uk ! I'm sure also free dining will be the CS deal as well !! I was all set for a big increase but tip included !! Bummer !!

 

[Disney_Angel]

We will most likelyl do the dining plan next year. Although I wish Disney would add back the appy and figure out a price where we could include the tip. We simply like the fact that things are already paid for.

Last year we had free dining (1st timers) and our family really enjoyed it. In fact we enjoyed it so much that when we received free dining again this year we upgraded to the Deluxe. We liked the idea of having a nice breakfast most mornings and then 2TS credit meal or dinner show to wrap up our day. For us that is more then enough food . But I have to confess that the days that we are in Epcot we made ADRs for three meals . With all that walking it will be nice to have a break and the chance to try some new foods.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We just got back. Ate at least one TS every day. Didn't get the DDP, but I did use the DDE. We found the big iference between using the DDP and not using it was good for us. We spent less time feelin glike we had to get rid of credits, ordered only what we wanted. when and where we wanted it and saved money. If I were doing a short trip I might entertainteh CS DDP, but for a two week vacation I would end up withan excess of snack credits and be back in that I have ot push food place again. No thanks. Incidentally the only place we ate like the DDP was lunch at Brown Derby, that was four entrees, four desserts, four NA drinks--I would have been a very poor use of credits using two TS credits to cover a $116. bill.

I agree with you on the use of 2 TS credits for the Brown Derby. I think you have to be very careful in choosing a restaurant that requires 2 TS credits. I think the only place I would ever use 2 TS credits is at Narcoossee's. I love that place and there's not much better than steak & lobster.

 

[blondinkaya]

We did DxDP this past May and really enjoyed it. I'll probably use it again next year. Honestly, I did briefly consider the QS plan. I really like the thought that the trip could be totally prepaid since I wouldn't have to worry about tips. But, there are so many TS restaurants that we want to try that we didn't get to during our last trip that the DxDP will be the way to go again (for the convenience of it being as prepaid as possible and the fact that we came out ahead on it than if we'd ordered oop this last time).

 

[tinkbyday]

We did the DP during this pas Spring Break and found it worth it because we ate all of our TS at expensive places like Tutta Italia and Yachtsman.

For our upcoming Jan trip, we actually just changed to the package with the DP, but I'm not convinced it will be worth it this time. Most of our ADR's are at places like Cape May Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, Rose & Crown.

What do my fellow D'isers think? Would you keep it if you were eating at places like that?

 

[ireland_nicole]

We did DDP last year; such a deal!
We're doing free ddp this year; such a deal!
Now for my question: We're going Christmas 2009 (I know, we're insane, but it's our last chance before DD turns 10 and my DH has a work shutdown over Christmas, sooo.) Our plan is for the parks to be the sideline and for the resorts and food to be center stage. Although menu prices at a lot of restaurants go up over Christmas (and more this year than last) the plan doesn't. My thinking is that DxDDP is probably gonna be a pretty big $ saver over the holidays, but I'd love ya'lls opinions. We have 3 adults 2 kids and would probably do 2 sig. meals, 2-3 character meals, and the rest mostly TS w/ maybe 3 total cs meals. (On the sign.meal days we'd just eat brunch and an early dinner, so no OOP).
Thanks for your opinions, I am aware that there may be big flaws in my thinking

 

[donaldtutter]

Due to the dining plan in general, we will be taking a year off and not going to WDW next year. The decline in variety at restaurants has finally driven us out of Disneyworld.

 

[Grace and Mickey]

We are looking forward to the DP. We went in 2006, and yes the tip was Included, and that was very nice. We enjoy all the different restaurants, and what ever plan in offered in Sept 2009.we will use an pay if needed. For our family 6 adults we feel in DP is a good plan and a great value for us.

 

[Disneytwinz]

If we were going this year we would go with the quick service plan. It would give us more park time, I wouldn't have to make reservations or keep track of them, we'd each get the refillable mug-which we do anyway, plus not having to pay gratuity for a party of 6... this is a good plan for us. I hope they keep it for next year.

 

[Disneytwinz]

To add to my post, after reading ways to justify the QS plan, it also puts a new spin on it this way..
We wouldn't have to pay for park hoppers due to the fact that we wouldn't have to make and adhere to reservations in the parks. (I plan our trip around dining)
We would be able to plan our 10 day trip and not have to worry about what park we would be in and on which day. No park hopper needed. We could then go with the water park option instead, which we've never done.
I haven't looked into the price comparison yet, but any savings makes me want to add something to our package and add variety- LOL

 

[magic mouse]

Quick service would not be good for us. One we always bring back our refillable mugs! No benefit there! I think we will do the basic dining plan because we always have plenty to eat and part of the fun for our family is experiencing the sit down resteraunts.

 

[WDisnut]

If you can't choose between the app and des, also if the tip won't be included I probably won't do it, the ddp. The CS meal plan I don't like and the deluxe is the only thing ok priced but I don't believe anyone can take full adv of it unless they spend there whole day eating and traveling to places to eat...I'll be going soon to try the DXDDP having 2ts at night and a buffet Brk or reg Brk.. and then I can give my real opinion,.. but I am not looking forward to tipping at all having done the ddp the last 3 years. well I'll find out more later this year.... I hope I don't decide to stay off site and eat off site but it is a great possibility..

 

[odaddy!]

This will be our 4th and last year, it has been fun to do every year, this is the only WDW we have known, we have only gone on free dining, never been any other time. With 6, the tips for this trip will be over $700 OOP, no appetizers... If we had to pay the extra $10 next year to stay on the regular plan, that adds another $560. We were truly spoiled, it would be hard to go back and not be on the dining plan.

 

[Rlbren]

Our family includes 2 teenagers 18 & 14 and neither like to spend their time sitting in resturants all the time; especially, my 14 yr-old. When we go back with them, we'll do the CS DDP and go oop for a few special meals for dh and I. My way of thinking is that the ddp is only about prepaying your food, not getting some type of savngs. We've never looked at as a savings or value, except for free dining. Personally, dh and I love the regular ddp because we just LOVE to eat.

 

[ILuvCrush]

My girls (9 and 7) LOVE character meals... so with DDP we can do one every day...which makes them very happy

I like that everything is basically paid for before we go....I do not ever use credit card (yes I'm one of THOSE people...burned myself good a few years back) so I like that I don't need to carry alot of cash around... 20-30 bucks for a tip is nothing compared to 100-200 bucks for the meal!!

We are in the planning stages of a grand gathering (with my bro and his family and my mom and gram) for all of them cost is an issue, but by using the $$ for the DP and them knowing they aren't gonna get whacked with a HUGE dining cost when they get there...is helping them all budget better for the big trip.

I'm going this oct sans the DP...but only cause I'm going alone and don't want to 'plan' ahead too much... but with the family I think its almost a necessity!

paula

 

[kbtennant]

No, we won't be doing the dining plan again. We just don't like it. Have tried it twice, (just last week again.) Don't care for counter service meals. Much prefer sitting down & ordering or doing the buffets. Might be more money, but we do have the dining discount card that saves us 20%. Rather be happy spending $ on food we like rather than spending it on what we don't like. Just not for us, but that's ok!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Since we are going for a full 2 weeks we can take the time to go slowly and enjoy ourselves and eat whenever & wherever we choose. I am so looking forward to eating at the Signature places. No kiddies this trip means we can linger at meals if we want

 

[NMW]

Love, LOVE the Deluxe dining plan. We will continue to use it for every trip as long as they offer it.

 

[Brer Shay]

We'll be traveling with three children in 2009. That tips the scales to make the DP worthwhile for us.

 

[englishrose47]

I will still use it even though I'm dissappointed they didn't change it to add in tip and appie!~! What do you want to bet free dining in 2009 is the cs deal!!!