$689, are they kidding??

[Disneyadore]

Look at the header on top of this forum. This is the budget board and its goal is to look for ways to save money. If you want to blow a small fortune that's your choice. This thread obviously isn't geared towards you, it's for the people looking at other alternatives.

Please explain to me how you are saving money on a dining plan you don't need neither be forced to buy? If Disney was forcing you to do so be letting only onside guests into the park and demanding you to buy the dining plan than you would have a point. Everyone is free to do as they like money spending wise. Disney is only asking you to buy a ticket and that's it. They even let children under two in for free.
You don't NEED to buy it nor is Disney putting a gun to your head to stay onside. Its like going to a bakery and moan that cakes are so expensive when you only need a bread and the Aldi sells bread for half the price.
Obviously you don't like the plan for some reason but it is very good value. You are calling Disney a "rip off " for no reason. I would certainly not go to a place that in my opinion was "ripping me off".

O and BTW the waiters loved us every time we returned.

I agree with those who day you are not making an accurate comparison. What you budget for groceries for the month has nothing to do with the average cost of meals at a theme park. I have done DXDDP and QDP in the last several months, and saved money both time versus what we would have paid for meals at the parks without. When I am on vacation, I don't want to make meals in my room or lug food into the parks, so the DPs work for me, and I find them to be cost-effective.

That's how its works for us. The only thing we "lug "around is our KTWC to "buy" food,snacks and lots of stuff.

 

[Evi]

Actually it doesn't tke that much planning because, unlike planning WDW vacations, families do it all the time and they already know what to look for.

And for anyone who actually thinks they are getting that food for free, well think again. Disney isn't in the business of giving away stuff for free. They will make it up one way or another by keeping you onsite 24/7 and throwing all sorts of temptations your way. There is obviously a huge markup on the food so it isn't costing them that much to begin with. Then they know that very few families actually eat enough to cover what the plan offers, that has already been noted here several times. They already know that every dollar you don't spend at Publix or Walmart is a potential Disney dollar. That's why they offer it. So you can always fall for it and say you're getting something for nothing. The folks at DW know better.

When you quoted me I think you made the assumption that I run for free dinning I don't. When I go I pay for the dinning plan and honestly I don't think its that expensive and though I know how to do groceries and shop and cook its not what I do on vacation. Again if people like to run around finding supermarkets and preparing food on vacation thats fine thats your vacation. Its just not the way I vacation. To say this thread isn't for anyone is also something you should think about the moment you post something on the board its open for anyone and everyone to join. If you don't like the dinning plan and you think its a rip off don't buy it. End of story.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Well, we go every year and we get everything we want done touring that way. We'd rather do 7 days that way than 4 days of commando touring. And we are getting to the parks at 8, so staying 4.5 hours, then going back at 6, staying until 11, so that is 5 more hours. That's 9 hours in a park, and plenty of time to get things done. Of course, we are not doing a sit down meal at the parks for 2 hours either.

Of course, with a 15 year old, we don't do the kiddie rides like Dumbo, and the Carousel. This year, at MK we did Space Mountain 4 times, BTMRR 3 times, POTC 2 times, Buzz 2 times, HM, Jungle Cruise, Snow White, Peter Pan, MIckey's Philharmagic, Hall of Presidents, Stitch, Monsters Inc, and that was just in one morning and one evening/night. We don't do the parades, but do watch the fireworks. We actually went back to MK several times as well, and rode more of the same. Same thing at Epcot, rode everything except Mission Space, which we don't do, and rode Test Track 4 times. Did all the countries at least once. We know what we like and how to work the FPs and single rider lines. AK and DHS are half day parks for us--we just don't care for much at either of these. TSM is lame when you compare it to Men in Black at Universal. Again, JMHO. We spent three days at Universal/IOA as well.

I guess if I had a little one, it would be a different story. Besides, in the summer, it is miserable to stay in the parks in the hottest part of the day. I also don't think I could ever be cramped up in one room with 5 people for a week, even if I did get "free" food.

Marsha

And thats your choice, but it would kill us if we had to stay offsite or at the value resorts, honestly we probably wouldn't go if we had to stay that way.. we NEED our deluxes..

 

[ckoncurat]

"BTW, according to the government's latest Statistical Abstract the average weekly food expenditure for a family of four goes from $120 for a thrifty family to $272 for a liberal one. You have to get up into the moderate range to spend more in a month than this DDP charges for a week."

Off topic- but thanks for posting this. I have a family of eight, and I feel guilty every time we go over $200 (which is most weeks). So I guess we are not so off base!

OP- I agree with you- food at disney is a KILLER!!! Thats why free dining is such a great deal.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You don't get it. I'm not saying the price of the DDP is inaccurate I'm saying the price of the plan itself is a masive budget buster. You could easily cut that in half or more by simply eating somewhere else.

BTW, according to the government's latest Statistical Abstract the average weekly food expenditure for a family of four goes from $120 for a thrifty family to $272 for a liberal one. You have to get up into the moderate range to spend more in a month than this DDP charges for a week.

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/prices/food_cost_and_prices.html

But not everyone on a budget is on a frugal--do it as cheaply as possible budget.

Folks can stay off property for much much less as well.

But just because one wants to stay and eat on property...even deluxe...doesn't mean they don't try to budget and save where they can.

That seems to be the biggest misconception about being on a budget and saving money, that it is only for those with limited means or something.

Disney isn't cheap by any means, but not everyone wants to budget time to go off site to Chili's.

 

[jodifla]

As many people know, I despise the dining plan and what it did to Disney Dining quality. Now back when they first offered it, it was a good financial deal since included an appetizer and your tip. Now that it doesn't, I can't see how it's financially worth it at all.

We get the TIW card, buy groceries for our DVC, and just eat at selected places where the food is still pretty decent. While other people can't stand to cook on vacation, I can't stand 10 days of restaurant food.

We probably spend about $500 for a week including food we cook and restaurant meals, but it's exactly what WE want, including drinks and appetizers, and not all those desserts we wouldn't eat anyway.

 

[HunnyPots]

As many people know, I despise the dining plan and what it did to Disney Dining quality. Now back when they first offered it, it was a good financial deal since included an appetizer and your tip. Now that it doesn't, I can't see how it's financially worth it at all.

We get the TIW card, buy groceries for our DVC, and just eat at selected places where the food is still pretty decent. While other people can't stand to cook on vacation, I can't stand 10 days of restaurant food.

We probably spend about $500 for a week including food we cook and restaurant meals, but it's exactly what WE want, including drinks and appetizers, and not all those desserts we wouldn't eat anyway.

Totally agree with you, especially the part about 10 days of restaurant food. After a few days, I start to feel as if I'm going into liver failure from all the fat and chemicals I've consumed. Much rather eat some meals cooked at the rental house and only eat out at the few restaurants where we know we'll get good food and a good value. And for me, Disney restaurants just don't make that list.

So if the Dining Plan works for your family, yay for you. I would have to agree with the OP though, that even when it's "free", it's not a good value, especially when you take into consideration that you can only get the "free" promotion when paying rack rate for your hotel room. Uh-uh, no thanks.

 

[torinsmom]

And thats your choice, but it would kill us if we had to stay offsite or at the value resorts, honestly we probably wouldn't go if we had to stay that way.. we NEED our deluxes..

LOL, I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round. I stayed at the RP over at Universal, which is supposed to be a deluxe. The $40 Radisson I stayed at the night before had more to offer, IMHO. Yes, the hotel was prettier on the outside, but the room was smaller, and we had to pay for internet and had no fridge or anything. Only plus was the Express Pass.

I would much rather have my own space and peace and quiet. And people are saying they would never go back to their room mid-day, that that is wasting Disney time. How do you even get to appreciate your deluxe room if you are gone from park open to park close? I guess I will never understand, but I do appreciate that different people enjoy different things. That's not a bad thing.

I don't think DDP is a bad value if you are going to eat all your meals onsite anyway. I just enjoy a break from the parks and eating at offsite restaurants. As I said, other than cinnamon rolls one morning, I didn't cook one time, and I did not lug any food or drinks to the parks, as some people are implying off-site people do. I probably spent a little more total than people who got free dining( I can't go during those times anyway), but definitely quite a bit less than those who pay for DDP.

Marsha

 

[daleswife]

my family love the dining plan. but for me, to have to leave the parks, load my two kids in our vehicle, travel all around Orlando trying to find a restaurant to eat at, even with a ressie, then wait cause they dont have our table ready, then fight traffic back to the hotel, its just not worth the lost time in the parks to us. AND I agree with all the people who said we need a vacation from cooking. Gas money alone would be worth the dining plan to me, as I drive a dodge ram.

I too saved my receipts and for Me, DH, DD 6 at the time and DS 2 at the time, we saved almost $800 by using the dining plan....Very worth it to us and i will definately pay for it if I have to!!!

 

[eliza61]

At the top of many of the pages is an ad for a free DDP when you book a 6 day-5 night package. They are saying that their dining plan is worth $689 That would be more than an average family of four would spend on a month's worth of food. Unless you are going to WDW just to gorge yourself instead of actually doing any touring all that ad shows is what a ripoff WDW food prices are and how much you can save by staying offsite.
:

1st, Disney ads aren't really grounded in reality. I mean how many ads do we see of the lovely child skipping happily into Micky's arms in an empty Magic Kingdom? We all lknow the probability of that happening in real life.
2nd. I think most ads are probably geared toward the first timer who unlike us may not research the heck out of their trips. I really do think that dissers are the minority. I think quite a few people simply go to the website or a TA and book a trip. so to them they have no idea of the outrageousness of Disney food prices.

As many people know, I despise the dining plan and what it did to Disney Dining quality. Now back when they first offered it, it was a good financial deal since included an appetizer and your tip. Now that it doesn't, I can't see how it's financially worth it at all.

We get the TIW card, buy groceries for our DVC, and just eat at selected places where the food is still pretty decent. While other people can't stand to cook on vacation, I can't stand 10 days of restaurant food.
.

I can't see spending $600 bucks in the world on food anymore simply because it's mediocre to down right bad food. The money I save eating offsite more than covers the cost of my car rental. last couple of years I've made maybe 1 or 2 adrs for 10 night trips. Even with the DDP, I hate eating bad food especially on vacation.

 

[eliza61]

my family love the dining plan. but for me, to have to leave the parks, load my two kids in our vehicle, travel all around Orlando trying to find a restaurant to eat at, even with a ressie, then wait cause they dont have our table ready, then fight traffic back to the hotel, its just not worth the lost time in the parks to us. AND I agree with all the people who said we need a vacation from cooking. Gas money alone would be worth the dining plan to me, as I drive a dodge ram.

I too saved my receipts and for Me, DH, DD 6 at the time and DS 2 at the time, we saved almost $800 by using the dining plan....Very worth it to us and i will definately pay for it if I have to!!!

Where the heck does all this happen? There are 30 restuarants within 2 miles of DTD. LOL. Orlando really isn't the plain of Kansas, it's pretty small as far as citys go.

 

[sydneysmom]

I don't think you can compare grocery budgets to eating out budgets. It's simply not realistic. If you ate out for 2 meals a day at home w/ your entire family, it would be far more than you would spend on your groceries. Of course groceries are going to be alot less than eating out.

But if you don't want to eat at Disney, you could always pack lunch or eat outside the park. You don't have to take advantage of dining at Disney. For some people it works, for others it does not.

As someone else said, just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you're frugal w/ everything. I totally agree. Sometimes being on a budget allows you to save for something else, such as a Disney vacation w/ dining included. Personally, I don't want to cook on vacation. That's MY choice. It doesn't make me stupid or just totally waste money. It's how I choose to spend MY money. Just as you choose how to spend yours.

 

[disykat]

Again, not understanding how you can compare the amount of money someone would spend eating out every meal to an average grocery bill.

I wouldn't purchase the dining plan because we tend to snack and do counter service so we just don't spend that much. But if I was staying on site during free dining, of course I'd sign up!

 

[torinsmom]

Where the heck does all this happen? There are 30 restuarants within 2 miles of DTD. LOL. Orlando really isn't the plain of Kansas, it's pretty small as far as citys go.

LOL, I thought the same thing. We left the parks and within 10 minutes tops we were at a restaurant. There were probably 10 sit down places within 2 miles of my condo(which was 5 minutes from Disney property) and a lot more fast food than that(good fast food like Chikfila and Quizmos) If we had just left to get a sit down lunch, we would have been off Disney property 1 1/2 hours max. We never waited more than 5 minutes, even at dinner, for a table. When I did DDP, we waited longer there, and actually from start to finish, we probably were out of commission for at least 1 1/2 hours, especially for a character meal.

I have to admit that when I did the dining plan the one time, we went to all the expensive places and I was like "Look how much we saved! That meal would have cost $140 and then we got $24 worth at our counter service and $8 worth for our snacks! And we only paid $75 for that!" What I didn't think about was that I would never have spent $140 for me and DS to have dinner if it wasn't "free".

I think people should just agree to disagree, because the DDP is good for some people and not good for others. Noone will change anyone's mind, and we will all do what we feel is best for our families.

Marsha

 

[daleswife]

Where the heck does all this happen? There are 30 restuarants within 2 miles of DTD. LOL. Orlando really isn't the plain of Kansas, it's pretty small as far as citys go.

My family are the "decide while your on the road" type people and once we get out there and try to find a place to eat, we've already traveled 30 miles just around a circle!!!

The first year we took our kids we didnt have the dining plan and we didnt eat at any table service restaurants, but went out and ate....and it wasn't pleasant.. We went to one of the Japanese restaurants and were being seated and this lady with us said...."Excuse me, I want a different table....I didnt come on vacation away from my kids to set with BABIES....." and she got up and left!!!! Just a funny story I thought you guys would like, but we stay in the parks now for the convenience and so we dont "ruin" anyone elses vacation away from the kids in ORLANDO!!!

 

[deerhart]

Yes, it can be expensive to eat on property, but I find it more expensive to eat at a baseball game or when attending a concert. When I compare those, Disney is always less.

oh 4 hot dogs and 4 drinks can easily run more then I spent on the tickets to the baseball game. Hot dogs are usually $5 each, drinks $6 and then if the kids want anything else its going to be about the same. Our ballpark has a hardees in it and their meals are easily $10+.

 

[daleswife]

I have to admit that when I did the dining plan the one time, we went to all the expensive places and I was like "Look how much we saved! That meal would have cost $140 and then we got $24 worth at our counter service and $8 worth for our snacks! And we only paid $75 for that!" What I didn't think about was that I would never have spent $140 for me and DS to have dinner if it wasn't "free".

I think people should just agree to disagree, because the DDP is good for some people and not good for others. Noone will change anyone's mind, and we will all do what we feel is best for our families.

Marsha

I get what you are saying about the money savings...And I probably wouldnt have eaten at the expensive places, but if you get it free and can get into the expensive places, then it is well worth it to me to have the dining plan....Id even pay for it so we can eat at the different places. I live on the side of a mountain in Southern WV and to get a different variety of food that disney has Id have to travel at least 300 miles, but its nothing like the experience you get when you go in and eat and come out of the restaurant and your still in the Magic Kingdom, or AK, or HS, or Epcot!!!!

I agree to disagree....

 

[Truelovernr1122]

Unfortunately, just about anywhere that you vacation is going to run you a big bill if you eat on site. They charge astronomical fees for their food because they can! Who's ever heard of a $5 bottle of water? You can buy a 24 pack for that much here in NJ!! Unless you're willing to hop in the car, leave their location and drive back later, you're stuck footing a huge bill for food. Some people find the dining plan reasonable because the cost of food at Disney is not cheap and if you do table service meals frequently with a large family, it can save you money.

If you really want to save $ while on vacation, bring your own and barbeque like we do occasionally at our Fort Wilderness cabin... OR only do counter service. It can get kind of boring with hamburger, hot dog and chicken finger selections but you'll end up with more money in your wallet at the end of the day

 

[delmar411]

LOL, I thought the same thing. We left the parks and within 10 minutes tops we were at a restaurant. There were probably 10 sit down places within 2 miles of my condo(which was 5 minutes from Disney property) and a lot more fast food than that(good fast food like Chikfila and Quizmos) If we had just left to get a sit down lunch, we would have been off Disney property 1 1/2 hours max. We never waited more than 5 minutes, even at dinner, for a table. When I did DDP, we waited longer there, and actually from start to finish, we probably were out of commission for at least 1 1/2 hours, especially for a character meal.



Marsha

And you aren't trying to get seating for 6, of which several of them don't eat like regular people and need to find them food they will eat. In the parks I can walk a few feet in any direction and feed all 6 people whatever they want to eat at the drop of a hat. No hiking to back out of the park and out into the parking lots.

What works for one family or one size family isn't going to work for every family. Your way of vacationing is unappealing to me. Just reading about it makes me glad we have DVC and I can park at my airport at home and not have to deal with anything for the next couple weeks. Our groceries are delivered to our 2bedroom villa (which is at least as big as any off site condo) and DH is in charge of fixing up breakfast foods if we choose to eat in the room.

We are plenty cheap at home and we struggle just as much as the next person but I'm not dealing with the food drama like I do at home. It's tiring and if I end up spending about 2k ($27/day per person*6ppl*12days) in food/drinks/snacks at WDW, well...that's my choice, isn't it? I know how to eat on the cheap, I'm pretty much a pro at it. But that's not a vacation to me.

Yes, WDW food is WAY too expensive. But it is what it is. It's not a surprise to me and I plan ahead.

 

[disneymom3]

Where the heck does all this happen? There are 30 restuarants within 2 miles of DTD. LOL. Orlando really isn't the plain of Kansas, it's pretty small as far as citys go.

Yep, I agree. And unless my family wanted to eat in the park we were already in, I found that eating offsite (when staying offsite) was a much quicker experience. our last trip, however, we stayed at BCV and just getting offsite took 20 min. Of course, getting to another resort to eat was rather a nightmare too.