? about dining plan

[buzz2400]

I too am waiting for the free dining program however I would like some input on something. We had done the free dining in the past when you didn't have to pay a tip which was by far the best deal I ever had. Now that you have to pay the tip on the sit down dinners, is it really a great deal if you traditionally don't eat at those restaurants. We have always just done counter service. I am wondering if I am waiting for something I really don't need or want. I didn't like the idea that you had to make your reservations so far in advance and then had to go to that park on that day. I told my ds18 that we would go if they offer the free dining but I am wondering if I should forego the free dining and go 1st week of december. Just want a little input. Also another question, if there is free dining, what are the chances that I would be able to just call up the day before and get a reservation at a character dinner at a resort or are they really booked up.

 

[jupers]

I would say that most, if not all meals will be booked. I wouldn't wait till the day before.

Free dining can be wonderful and it can be stressful...If you're a compulsive planner, like most of us, that's half the fun. I had a spread sheet and spent hours juggling meals...but I loved it!! Last FD I planned a TS everyday for 15 people!

With that said, if a really good room discount comes out, you might prefer that. It all depends on your eating habits. For us with FD the only OOP we spent was for a cabana at a waterpark and tips, Less than $500 for 7nights! This really kept us in budget. However, I didn't realize at the time that I also had a pin for 40% off and could've stayed at a deluxe and paid for meals for the same $...

Sorry, I'm rambling..I guess if you don't want a schedule don't worry about TS meals...you can always use those for CS, considering it's "free" who cares!

 

[su_A_ve]

Unless it's a value season (1st week in Dec is), you will have a hard time finding somewhere to eat without ADRs, or at a decent time.

Regarding if Dining is a good idea or not? Depends on how much you eat and what type of dining you prefer. Basic dining is $40 per night per adult. This is one counter, one sit down and a snack. Can you budget (look at the menu prices) for less than that? That will determine if the dining plan is for you or not.

Now, based on the above, if two offers (a %off and FD) come out, you should decide which one is better for you. Calculate the %off and add your budgeted amount for meals. Then compare this to the FD option. If you stay at a deluxe, the %off might be better. But if you stay at a value, FD is always a better deal.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

If free dining comes out you will not be able to walk up to a TS location that has chareceters and get in.

As far as using TS credits to eat CS yes you can do that but its a rip off. Most people take 'free dining' instead of room % off discounts out there, if you are going to waste your TS credits or do not plan on using the DDP to the fullest extent then you wil save more taking the % discount. Although the dining portion of your package is 'free' you are paying regular rack rate for the package where as you could get a discounted package during the same time and forego dining plan.

As far as Tips, if you tip 20% standard on a week's (7 days) worth of TS meals for 2 adults (based on $35 pp average per meal) that would be $98 in tips. (20% of $490). Tipping and how much is up to you and is something that cannot be discussed here at all w/out it getting nasty. But again thats up to you figures above are for 20%.

I agree w/ PP who said you need to price it out for yourself in room vs free dining discount. Depending on where you stay, when you are doing and who is in your traveling party free dining may not be the best deal, a room discount might save you more and then buy all your food out of pocket and still come out ahead.

 

[jlk806]

Well there is much speculation about what the offer will be but it may be QS plan only for value resorts, dont know where you were planning on staying, if it is a value resort, than the QS free for you would be perfect. I know it is a pain to make reservations forever in advance but we like the character meals and table service restaurants so we like the traditional plan.

 

[keishashadow]

I too am waiting for the free dining program however I would like some input on something. We had done the free dining in the past when you didn't have to pay a tip which was by far the best deal I ever had. Now that you have to pay the tip on the sit down dinners, is it really a great deal if you traditionally don't eat at those restaurants. We have always just done counter service. I am wondering if I am waiting for something I really don't need or want. I didn't like the idea that you had to make your reservations so far in advance and then had to go to that park on that day. I told my ds18 that we would go if they offer the free dining but I am wondering if I should forego the free dining and go 1st week of december. Just want a little input. Also another question, if there is free dining, what are the chances that I would be able to just call up the day before and get a reservation at a character dinner at a resort or are they really booked up.

we jumped @ FDP offer the same week last year, don't write it off yet.

jmho, i tried to switch some things around a few months before our visit & wasn't able to find much of anything.

 

[triciari]

We had done the free dining in the past when you didn't have to pay a tip which was by far the best deal I ever had. Now that you have to pay the tip on the sit down dinners, is it really a great deal if you traditionally don't eat at those restaurants.

I thought tip was still included at CRT and HDDR. Is that incorrect?

 

[leahjade]

2 adults (based on $35 pp average per meal)

Our meals were much higher priced than that the last time we bought the dining plan (more like $35 per person!) so we spent a lot of money on tips. But it depends where you eat and how many people in your family will make it worthwhile. If it's only two of you, a room discount may be a much better deal!

 

[Raenstoirm]

I too have to question the $35 per meal quote. I asume they meant per peson, because CS meals are $10 bucks a person! If TS is just slightly more I would eat there all three meals! Alas we are TS dinner only people, although I have booked 2 breakfasts (and quite a few 2 credit dinners), so it would be appear free dining or no, we will be out of credits long before the trip is over and paying cash anyway!

 

[VeroBeach]

No one said $35 per meal, they said:

"if you tip 20% standard on a week's (7 days) worth of TS meals for 2 adults ($35 pp average per meal) that would be $98 in tips. (20% of $490). "

pp means per person...

2 adults x $35 = $70 per meal

$70 x 7 days = $490

20% of $490 = $98.