Am I the only one not on the Dining Plan?

[apostolic4life]

A few of you have stated pending changes to the 2008 DDP which include removing the tip from the plan and no longer allowing the appetizer with the plan; my question lies with the info about the appetizer. Where did this tidbit come from??? I had already heard about the removal of the tip, but this is the first time I have heard about the appetizer. Any solid WDW confirmation or just DIS speculation?? This info could dramatically change the perceived value associated with the DDP.

Just wondering!!

 

[marivaid]

A few of you have stated pending changes to the 2008 DDP which include removing the tip from the plan and no longer allowing the appetizer with the plan; my question lies with the info about the appetizer. Where did this tidbit come from??? I had already heard about the removal of the tip, but this is the first time I have heard about the appetizer. Any solid WDW confirmation or just DIS speculation?? This info could dramatically change the perceived value associated with the DDP.

Just wondering!!

Yep it's official. The appetizer is gone from the basic dining plan. Disney added a "Deluxe" dining plan which includes appetizers.

Check out this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1539177

 

[Eeyore2003]

Nope, we use the DDE card, but even without this I wouldn't use the DDP. It seems like people are going through allot of work figuring out points for this and that and I'd rather make the reservations I want and not worry about it.

 

[AnninIowa]

We tried it once, but it was waaaayyyyy too much food for us, plus I hated worrying about using all of the credits and having to plan every single meal. We did just fine with mostly counter service this last trip and will do the same next time.

 

[baby<3]

No DDP for my family either.
On our upcoming trip we're eating table service every night (Aug 18-Aug 25) and having two table service breakfasts. We like our sit down food but an appetizer, entree and dessert is just way too much food.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The DDE is much better for us. The DDP has too many food "options" that we never use (snacks, lunch, etc). And it is about as confusing as a dining plan could possibly be!!

 

[Tonyspad]

We do not use the DDP. We stay in concierge and do not want to bother with snack credits, TS credits, etc. We eat what we want where we want and it is MUCH easier.

 

[LuvMickey36]

We have done the dining plan 2 times previous, & have it again @ the end of Sept. We LOVE the DDP! It is perfect for us. I have never found it to be confusing or tied down to a meal & miss park time. I always made my ADR's the first day I could anyway so that is not a big deal. We normally go in Dec. when it is not crowded @ all, which means we have plenty of time to see & do everything we want to.

In the past (pre-DDP) we always did a lot of character meals. Our group is my Dh & I and now our 4yr. old DS. And we love to different choices @ Epcot.

For the 3 of us to do the DDP plan is about $90-$95 a day. We were spending close to that just for a character meal depending on what time of day you go & include tax & tip. A dinner @ some of the TS rest. is more than that.

For us it is a great fit. We go back to the room mid afternoon for a nap/swim anyway. I plan our ADR's for 6-6:30 is & it works out well for us.

 

[maraki527]

This upcoming trip is going to be our first time using the DDp. We usually pay OOP using the DDE, but we decided to give it a try and see what it is all about.

 

[Kami]

Is there a link for the DDE? That sounds like a good deal.

 

[Suejeffali]

We didn't use the dining plan on our recent trip. We figured out how much we would be spending on meals and went to our local Disney store and got a Gift Card and used it for all our meals. We did this so that we didn't have to carry cash with us. It worked out very well. At the bottom of the receipt it shows how much you have left. We would probably do that next time.

 

[kittylady1972]

However I'm really considering it for this trip. We always do several table meals. I calculated already for the four table meals we have planned (Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner, Princess Storybook Lunch, Chef Mickey's Dinner and LeCellier Dinner) that totals up to over $450 minimum, with three of those meals having fixed prices and guessing our minimum on LeCellier NOT including appetizers and desserts. For our family of five (2 adults and 3 children) the DDP will cost us about $450 for four nights. So with the table meals alone, the DDP has us ahead, and then we have snacks and counter service for our other meals that will bascially be free. It's really hard for me to argue a reason NOT to finally use it this time, even though I also know there's no way we need all of that extra food with appetizers and desserts.

Since we are splitting our stay between two resorts (4 nights in one resort and 4 in another) I think right now we might do the DDP for those first 4 nights for those meals. I'm also going to purchase the DDE for the rest of the trip and our other meals. This will probably be our first and last time using it though.

 

[dwheaton]

We are going in lateJanuary and don't plan to use the Dining Plan. I imagine it's more valuable to families who can really spend huge amounts. Since it's just me and my wife, we prefer to have the flexibility to eat when and where we want. We'll probably do lunch at a few sit-down places, but I'd rather be able to choose them on the fly. Since we're going during the slow time (if that still exists), we should have a few options that aren't booked in advance.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

It just occurred to me that another reason why I'm unlikely to use the DDP again is that I get too wrapped up in getting the best deal, which sometimes runs counter to what we really want to experience. For example, it would better fit our touring plans to have lunch at Le Cellier, but I'll fuss around to get dinner instead just so I can claim the better deal. I also avoid Signature restaurants because they take 2 TS credits, even though I'd probably enjoy at least one if I weren't so busy counting points!

 

[Jynohn]

We prefer the DDE too because it seems like so much less hassle. Just eat where you want, when you want, and present the card to the server for 20% off. No worries about getting the best value for your credits, keeping track of them, etc.

We very rarely eat counter service meals or snacks. Instead, we usually have a big sit down breakfast, which keeps up pretty full until it's time for our table service dinner. So the snack and CS credits would most likely go to waste for us, and we'd probably use up too many of our table service options, since many of our favorite restaurants require two credits.

So no DDP for this family either!

 

[v_gan]

I'm vegan, so it just seems that being on the Dining Plan would make things even more frustrating to plan. I've made a few ADRs at places I think it would be easy for me and my boyfriend (vegetarian) to get good meals. I don't know, the Dining Plan really just confuses me. But I'd be more than happy to use it if it were free! I'm not sure how people get on Free Dining, but it sounds nice.

 

[digskat]

No we are not on the dining plan either. We did it last year and it was wonderful...a little too much food and hubby and I put on a few extra pounds. But this is not why we are doing it, our daughter turns ten next month and I can not believe she is considered an adult. There is no way she'll be able to eat that much food. I wish disney would consider this in regards to the dining plan, may be even charge 20.00/day for ages 10-14/15. But I just can't justify spending $40/day for food that will likely be wasted. The kids were sick of applesauce and carrot sticks by the end of the week. I wish they would have more options for the sides at the CS for the kids. Maybe a smaller portion then the adults get..ie corn on the cob or beans at Flametree. This year we will pay OOP for our meals, mostly counter services and maybe one or two TS. Take care Kathy

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

We used it when it first came out, and it ended up being a very good deal for our family. I do like the aspect of having meals paid for in andvance. Having said that, chances are we will not use it again. With the proposed changes and a soon-to-be 10yo who just nibbles at her meals, it will not be worth it for our family in the future.

Maybe with Free Dining one of these days, but since that promotion rarely works for us timing wise due to school, I doubt we will be able to take advantage!

DDE would definitely be the better deal for us, but alas, not eligible.

 

[ntsammy5]

We don't use the dining plan as it doesnt really work for us. However we did use it when it was free last year and it was great. But it wouldnt be worth it if we had to pay for it.

I keep saying that too and I'm doing it for the 3rd time this December!

 

[momoftwins]

I have an 11 yr old DD and DS. They barely eat anything as it is. I normally bring PB&J sanwiches with us for them to eat. My DD will eat some things, my DS literally eats nothing. He is a big breakfast eater, but will only eat plain pasta, breads, fruits.

He won't eat pizza, hot dogs, french fries, hamburgers, or chicken fingers.

For him, again we bring sandwiches or cereal and will order milk shakes and dessert.

So for us, it really is not worth it. I wish we could get is for us only. Iam more than happy to pay for what my children order,but no way can justify $40/day per kid.