Anyone else out there not use the Dining Plan?

[OllieDannyandMe]

Sorry to start a fight...I honestly had no intention of getting anyone upset with the use of "anti"...

I don't know anyone that is actually "pro" dining plan and I wanted to hear from some people that could explain why the plan works for them. The majority of my time at WDW has been spent without children and now that I have a 2 year old I suspected that the DDP might start to look attractive to my family.

I didn't realize a word could be so inflammatory. It's just a dining plan. I was just trying to ask a question. Sorry again.

All of your viewpoints are appreciated.

I am "PRO" dining plan, as long as it exists, but if Disney did away with it, I do believe food quality would increase. (Therefore, truthfully, I am "PRO" getting rid of the Disney Dining Plan.) But as long as it is here, these are the reasons why I will continue to use it and do like it:

1) I love the dining "experience" at Disney. I try to plan my trips to include a character buffet breakfast every single morning (and since 2002, my trips have lasted 10-15 days each). Those character breakfasts are expensive, and when you roll them into a dining plan, it feels like less of a bite out of my wallet. I also like the other dining "experiences" (like the aquarium at Coral Reef, the belly dancer at Marrakesh, the role play with the servers at 50s Primetime Cafe, lunch with Remy at Chefs de France, et al). I want to go to the Hoop Dee Doo and the Spirit of Aloha dinner shows. I wish they still had Broadway at the Top. In other words, I like to experience a little theater with my meals, and Disney does a great job at that (for a price). By purchasing the Deluxe Dining Plan for myself and my 7 year old daughter, I do feel as though I am able to take advantage of ALL of the theater opportunities (and have plenty to eat) for one set price.

2) I love that once I am at Disney, I can order anything my heart desires and never have to worry about money (other than the tip). I can purchase an appetizer at every meal. I can order dessert any time I have a sweet tooth. I can order the lobster or the most expensive item on the menu, and it does not matter to my pocket book one iota. I LOVE THAT!

3) Also, I have never wanted more than the four snacks per day that are allotted to me and my daughter, so ANYTIME I have wanted an ice cream or a popcorn or a caramel or a piece of fudge or a cold water bottle, it is already paid for. And when my daughter asks for a snack in the parks, I can always say YES. It is a wonderful feeling to say yes to my little girl. How great is that, to be able to do it every time? I love not worrying about money when I am on vacation. For those two weeks out of every year, I pretend I am rich and really believe it in my heart.

So that is why I am a fan of the Disney Dining Plan. I do regret that it has diminished the dining experiences overall. And I also regret that the plan is only a shadow of what it once used to be. When we were members of the Magic Kingdom Club in the 1980s, it was a far greater experience. But I still appreciate it for what it is today and for what it allows me to do.

 

[JimmyV]

With the changes to the plans over the years, and especially with the price increase for 2012, I think that everyone should be able to agree, no matter what side of the debate you are on, that the DDP is not the value that it once was. People have spent countless hours here (present company included) doing calculations trying to show the positives and negatives of the plan. Through all of this, I think the consensus is that you might be able to save money on the DDP, but your savings are not going to be monumental. I have seen people go through torturous examples to show how their family saved $100 over a week. OK. You saved $100. And then others will be quick to point out that the savings are only realized IF you would have ordered the exact same items OOP, and nobody would ever do that because nobody would order 2 desserts and 2 snacks a day, every day, for a whole week. And then others chime in: "Oh yes we would. We are at WDW and we splurge while we are there", and on it goes.

But in the end, pages and pages and bytes and bytes are wasted debating whether a very modest savings is worth hand-cuffing yourself to the plan, eschewing salads and appetizers at every meal in favor of desserts, and whether the pre-paid aspect of carefree dining isn't a reason enough to have the plan. And there are no right or wrong answers.

Bottom line. You might save money on the plan. But even if you do, it will be a modest savings. You might enjoy the "pre-paid, carefree" feeling that the plan provides. Or maybe that is of no value to you. You might be one of those guests who splurges at WDW, so all the snacks and desserts that are included might be right up your alley. Or maybe you eat differently and snacks and desserts are largely wasted on you. My advice is to take the financial aspect out of the equation. All the calculations that I have seen suggest that the DDP is very close to a break even proposition one way or the other. So you should decide based on the other factors that I and others have identified.

 

[BabsBunny]

I'm only "anti" DDP in the respect that because of it, I have to pay $25 for a grilled chicken breast or a bowl of mediocre pasta.

We have never used the DDP. The reason it hasn't worked for us is:

1. We have DVC, so we don't eat all our meals out.
2. You have to get it for everyone on your reservations, and our teens don't like to do a sit down every night.
3. DH and I don't usually order dessert or soft drinks with our sit down dinners.
4. We usually split counter service lunches.

I'm not saying I would never buy it. I guess if DH and I were to go alone and stay in a studio and it wasn't during F&WF, I might consider it.

 

[Mom2micayla]

When DH and I went in March, we did not. We had at least one TS meal a day, often 2, booked. We had some gift certificates that we used for T-Rex, a restaurants.com certificate for HOB, etc. We made ADRs where we wanted too, and the meals ranged from very casual (Plaza) to signature (Narcoossee's). In the end, once we added up everything, we came out cheaper than using the regular DDP and we got to eat what we wanted (far more TS than the DDP covers), weren't forced to eat dessert or a steak at every meal to make it a better deal on the DDP, etc.

For our trip in Oct, we are using the DDP. We decided to do that only because we are bringing our 4 kids, ages 4-9, and plan on eating at several character meals. Considering the cost of a character meal buffet, the kids come out way ahead with the DDP. In another year or two, when 2 of my kids (DD8 & DD9) are "adults", we'd definitely NOT do the DDP. It's just not in line with our normal eating style and IMO you can definitely come out cheaper than $50/day!

 

[Meriweather]

Never have used the dining plan and no plans to either.
It isn't a good deal for us.
I get TiW card instead.....that works better for our uses.

 

[SouthJersey]

I wouldn't say I'm anti-dining plan but it doesn't work for me. I am not a dessert eater so that's not a draw. And they've cut back drastically since the DDP first came out.

Back then, you'd get an app, entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage and the tip was included.

As it stands now, it's just not a very good value. And us OOPers have to pay increasingly higher prices for lesser quality food since the DDP started.

When did it change? I know the tip isn't included on parties 6 or less, but each person dining on the dining plan does still get an app, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage.I do wish the gratuity would be included like long ago. I mean using the DDP at Le Cellier...you can easily end up with a $25 tip based of 20% just for 2 people.

Anyway- if your a foody, the dining plan is awesome. If your traveling with young kids who don't eat much, it may not be worth it unless you plan on doing a lot of character dining. Me and a few friends booked a trip last year, we went to a character buffet breakfast every day, including Cinderella's Royal Table. Also, we've done two dinner shows, le cellier and other top restaurants each night. If your someone who likes to eat, then it's worth it. If you and your family are the out and about, eat something small while walking place to place, then it's not worth it.

 

[winterman]

When we first got free dining the plan included tip and appetizer. That was great and DH and I would have paid for that. But they quickly eliminated the tip and appy and I didn't find it to be a great deal any more. so now I'm happy to get the DDP when it's free but I won't pay for it. At most TS restaurants I prefer to eat a salad/or soup and an appetizer, rather than an entree. I can't do that on the DDP. For our next trip we will be getting the QSDP (for free) and I'm excited to try it. We will also pay OOP for a few TS meals.

 

[CaraBoo]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Now that's what I wanted/ needed!!

I can see how looking at the cost effectiveness isn't the issue...it's about the convenience. I hadn't ever looked at it that way. I have always been afraid there would be all this pressure to "use up" the entitlements and schedule things "just so" but I guess it also takes pressure off of you watching every dime that you spend OOP. My DH and I had a Honeymoon gift card that our families and friends put money on for our honeymoon at WDW and we ate like kings for the week...it was amazing. I guess this would feel about the same...as long as I scheduled it right.

I feel a lot more willing to consider the DP in the future. I am assuming that you have to plan far enough on advance to get the ADR when they are released? Are any of you able to "go with the flow" at all and make last minute reservations or walk ups...or is it imperative to make ADR?

 

[clanmcculloch]

When did it change? I know the tip isn't included on parties 6 or less, but each person dining on the dining plan does still get an app, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage.

I do wish the gratuity would be included like long ago. I mean using the DDP at Le Cellier...you can easily end up with a $25 tip based of 20% just for 2 people.

Anyway - if your a foody, the dining plan is awesome. Me and a few friends booked a trip last year, we went to a character buffet breakfast every day, including Cinderella's Royal Table. Also, we've done two dinner shows, le cellier and other top restaurants each night. If your someone who likes to eat, then it's worth it. If you and your family are the out and about, eat something small while walking place to place, then it's not worth it.

I just want to clarify a few points.

Appetizer is only included if you're on the Deluxe dining plan. On the basic DDP you do not get an appetizer included. The meals you've described do sound like you use the deluxe dining plan. Far more people use the basic plan.

Tip is not included for parties of 6 or more. Tip is automatically added on at 18% for parties of 6 or more. I just wanted to make sure it was clear that it's still something that has to be paid OOP even with a dining plan.

Worth it financially is still subject to doing the math. Some foodies can do much better without a dining plan while others will do better with one. ALWAYS do the math. For my upcoming 8 night trip I have 10 ADRs with a few of those being signature and we do like our steaks. I'm much better paying OOP than with a dining plan, especially since we have TiW.

Have I mentioned ALWAYS DO THE MATH? For some, yes one of the dining plans could save you money. For many others, they're just not a good fit.

 

[MrsLS]

It doesn't work for everyone. Its worked for us & I understand how it doesn't work for others. I've never been one to say to someone how I don't understand how you don't get it.

We've gotten the plan, the deluxe plan, a few times and doing the math before & looking at the receipts later, it has saved us a lot of money and thats with not using all the TS credits & only ordering a dessert at some meals. But we like to do a signature pretty much every night and then 1 other TS during the day. Plus we get bottled water in and out of the parks, so we used the snack credits. It just worked for us.

Now we are getting the TIW card and just for a short weekend it has already paid itself off & then some & I still have at least 2 more weeks of trips left to use the 20% off. So for now the TIW card works better, again FOR US.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We dont use the dining plan. We tried it once and it drove dh crazy, especially the counter service and snack options.

Now we have an ap and have gotten a TIW card instead. the 20% is fine for us

We do alot of signatures and table service for both lunch and dinner and rarely counter service.

Sometimes we might have a snack once in a while and those are not even included in the snack options (caramel apple etc).

For our dec. trip we are doing cp pkg,chefs,rose and crown,cape may buffet,coral reef,citricos,gf cafe,brown derby,le cellier and kona. So with all those, 20% is fine with us.

Its about the food for us and I would rather have the room discount, which we have with the bounceback rate.

 

[WTP]

I've only been on the DDP once and that was when I was 20 and someone else did all of the [not so great] planning.

In general, we are not willing to pay OOP for a sit down each day in WDW. DH and I typically share food when eating at fast food places back at home, so that is what we do in WDW as well. For instance, we might order 1 combo meal and then 1 extra sandwich and then share the soda and fries. So the DDP has never been appealing to us at around $40/day per adult. We do better just eating only as much as we truly want, which isn't much.

So for the 2 times I've been to WDW as an adult, just paying OOP for a few TS meals and all of our CS meals made sense. And, the last time I went, we were with family, and my IL's had 3 specific sit down's that they wanted to do, and they wanted to treat. So buying the plan didn't make good financial sense for *me* either. (Plus, one of those meals was a CP package deal, so it would have been 2TS credits on the plan, which is not a good value)

We're getting the free dining on our next trip and I do admit that I'm excited! There are lots of restaurants I've never tried and I'm excited to try them. There are still plenty more so I could see us buying the DDP again on some future visit. The jury is still out on whether it will be too much dessert (my child doesn't really eat much dessert, and DH and I typically share one when we dine at TS restaurants at home)

We're planning on upgrading to AP's while we're there this time and also purchasing the TiW card. We will use it at participating restaurants if we want to try an appetizer, though I think in general we will be more full. We plan on using it again in May when we travel with our IL's again. Then we will be staying at one of the Epcot resorts and will be at some restaurants that just aren't a good use of dining plan credits--like beaches n' cream--so for our party of 6, the TiW will help more than the DDP.

 

[clanmcculloch]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Now that's what I wanted/ needed!!

I can see how looking at the cost effectiveness isn't the issue...it's about the convenience. I hadn't ever looked at it that way. I have always been afraid there would be all this pressure to "use up" the entitlements and schedule things "just so" but I guess it also takes pressure off of you watching every dime that you spend OOP. My DH and I had a Honeymoon gift card that our families and friends put money on for our honeymoon at WDW and we ate like kings for the week...it was amazing. I guess this would feel about the same...as long as I scheduled it right.

I feel a lot more willing to consider the DP in the future. I am assuming that you have to plan far enough on advance to get the ADR when they are released? Are any of you able to "go with the flow" at all and make last minute reservations or walk ups...or is it imperative to make ADR?

Take a close look at your dining preferences. If they don't match up to the way the dining plans dictate that you eat then you might be better off putting the cost of the dining plan on gift cards as a way to prepay for your food. This is basically what your friends and family did for your for your honeymoon and it sounds as though it worked out very well for you.

When you use a dining plan, you really do need to make ADRs. You don't want to risk wasting credits by not finding somewhere to eat. Chances are you'll be able to find something last minute but it may not be where or when you want to eat. If you do decide not to book any ADRs, program the dining number into your phone and call around a half hour before you'll want to eat and ask where there are openings in or near the park you're at. Book the ADR and walk over to the restaurant. You'll be seated much faster with a last minute ADR then you will be as a walk-up (in theory anyway) plus you won't waste time going from place to place asking if they have openings. Another option is to go to the concierge desk at your resort in the morning and ask what availability there is in or near the park you're going to and booking an ADR at that point. You're likely not going to get into the really popular places like LeCellier, 'Ohana, Garden Grill, etc this way but you should get something.

 

[Pakey]

Non dining plan users here too. We have done the Deluxe twice and the basic once, just to make sure, and we have found that it just doesn't work for us.

1. Too much rigidity
2. Too much food
3. Eliminates the ability to dine at the best places

I won't even get into the concept of prepaid food or the fact that we'd have to eat food we didn't want (mainly desserts) in order to say that the dining plan is such a good deal.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

My advice is to take the financial aspect out of the equation.

I agree. I do not base my decision to go with the Deluxe Dining Plan on the possibility of saving money. With the Deluxe Dining Plan, I am spending $101 per day on food for the two of us, and we could EASILY eat on $50 per day and be totally happy (and full).

I make my decision based on the fact that I want certain experiences.

For instance, my favorite part of any lunch or dinner is the appetizer. It always has been, from the time I was a little girl. If I was not on the dining plan, I would not order an appetizer, because it would not be filling enough for a meal (and it is too expensive for me to order in addition to an entree). So I would miss out on that experience without the dining plan.

Also, I never order desserts or buy mid-day snacks, whether I am at Disney or not. But with the dining plan, for two weeks, I am afforded that experience. Is it a big deal? No, not really. But it is nice to have a sweet treat and feel special while I am at Disney. Psychologically, without the dining plan, I would never allow myself to do that. I know that I could choose to buy one here and there and save money overall without the dining plan, but I also know myself well enough to know that I would not. I just would not spend that money unless it was included in the plan.

And finally, most important for me, are the "theater-type" experiences involved with Disney dining. I love the character meals, the theme of the Sci-Fi Dine In, the hootin' and hollerin' at Whispering Canyon Cafe, watching the fireworks from 'Ohana or the California Grill. And I am too worried about money to just go to Disney and do those things without some sort of a plan. Could I design a plan of my own and set aside money on a Disney gift card? Sure, I could. But that's a lot of work, too. And, right now, the Deluxe Dining Plan works pretty well for the two of us.

Here's what we will receive for our $101 per day, on our two Epcot days:

Day 1) My daughter and I will have breakfast at Akershus ($63) before the park opens, lunch at Coral Reef ($61) around 1 p.m., and dinner at Garden Grill ($54) around 7 p.m. That's $178 and doesn't even include our four snacks or mugs.

Day 2) We will eat at Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast ($43), lunch with Remy at Chefs de France ($63), and dinner at Tutto Italia ($97). That's $203 for Day 2, and again, without our four snacks or mugs.

Am I saving money? Yes, saving lots of money in one respect, but also, no, not at all, in another respect.

I don't know how to look at it financially, so I just prefer to take into account that I LOVE these experiences. Truthfully, I adore every memory made! And I would not allow myself these experiences without the Disney Dining Plan, so I guess I am glad that it's around, at least, for now.

 

[DisneysBellman]

I wouldn't call myself anti-dining plan, but for my family and I, it's never been necessary. On our trips, we always make sure we bring a backpack and plenty of snacks. Bags of nuts, m&m's, grapes, water, etc. We also carry around little things like trivias books that we can do to entertain nourselves in lines. So, for us, it wouldn't be beneficial. Our usual food purchases include a muffin for breakfast (we have our own water bottles that were bought before the trip), something quick for lunch (we all have a fondness for Disney's turkey legs...which can get a bit messy ), and some other quick service for dinner. Having been to WDW many times, we've picked out the more reasonable places to get food.

Of course, if a group of people at WDW were planning to really have a relaxing..well as relaxing as it could be at WDW...trip, with breaks and sit down meals, the dining plan really is convenient and useful! My family may not need it, but it really just depends on the individuals...

 

[TDC Nala]

When did it change? I know the tip isn't included on parties 6 or less, but each person dining on the dining plan does still get an app, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage

In 2008 they dropped the appetizer from the regular plan. You can still get it on the deluxe plan (which started in 2008) but the deluxe plan costs significantly more. And it's not that the tip is included with the plan on parties of six or less...it's that if you have a party of six or more you are required to pay an 18% tip. Parties of five or fewer can decide how much to tip. Tips are not included in the dining plan at all, except for CRT and the dinner shows where the price of the event includes the tip. (Not that this thread should now become about tips, we still have the tipping sticky for that, that was just to clear up this point.)

 

[tlenzendorf]

We are not going to use the dining plan for several reasons.

1. There are 5 of us, 4 are considered dining adults. DDs 12 and 11 will in no way eat enough food to make that worth it. Plus they are picky, on our last trip the oldest was 10 and got adult size versions of kid menu items and wasted a lot of food.

2. Disney portions are so big. We were stuffed the whole trip and a lot of times not hungry for our dinner ADRs. We will share more meals and get to try more things.

3. We were so full half the time we turned down dessert or took it with and ended up tossing it later. Now we won't be so full from meals we can get dessert at the restaurant or wait and get something later we may not have tried at all since it wasn't covered under the DP.

4. We are renting DVC and staying in a 2 bedroom at AKV, we will have snacks and breakfast very conveniently in the room. We are flying into Tampa and have a car, so a grocery stop is easy. We can also add the DP on for whichever days we want if we want it without buying tickets since we are staying DVC. We are going to add it on the last night for dinner at 1900 PF. It's the only day that makes sense to have it.

5. We got restaurant.com certificates for Giordano's and HoB. That is 2 dining credits we wouldn't use up right there. Too much food!

6. We got our tickets thru the YES program. Huge discount instead of having to buy tickets thru WDW just to get the DP.

7. I get really soda'd out by the end of the trip. I do not need that much soda or milk shakes and I don't do coffee or tea. If I want a soda I will order one, but for the majority I will do water and that is just fine with me.

8. Sometimes when I wanted a snack the one I really wanted wasn't covered, so I'd get settle and get something else. Now I won't have to choose

9. Normally I don't like the most expensive thing on the menu. I don't do seafood or fish and a steak is just too heavy typically for me to be able to enjoy the park after. I am full and want to relax. That doesn't work with 3 kids.

10. Some TS meals we have planned(breakfasts, dinner at The Plaza, Beaches and Cream) just are not worth using a TS credit for.

11. We are going during F&W, we are going to snack around the world two days. Not worth having the dining plan for that.

 

[JimmyV]

Anyway- if your a foody, the dining plan is awesome.

I promised myself that I would not get in to a "merits" debate here, but I have to chime in on this point. If a "foodie" friend of mine who had never been to WDW asked me about the DDP, I would tell them to skip it. Even the DxDP. Being a "foodie" is not about volume. It is about adventure and quality. Most of the very best places to eat at WDW are not on any plan, so I would feel very awkward steering a foodie to a plan knowing that they would miss out on the creme de la creme of dining options. Every foodie that I know, (and I am one myself, so I don't count this as a pejorative), would return from WDW shrugging their shoulders with disappointment if they didn't get to go to places like Bluezoo, V&A, Bistro de Paris, Shula's, Wolfgang Puck Dining Room and the like. Especially if you are also big into wine. In addition to having the best food, these places also have the most well stocked cellars, though California Grill, Citricos and Jiko certainly have to be counted on that list.

 

[SouthJersey]

I promised myself that I would not get in to a "merits" debate here, but I have to chime in on this point. If a "foodie" friend of mine who had never been to WDW asked me about the DDP, I would tell them to skip it. Even the DxDP. Being a "foodie" is not about volume. It is about adventure and quality. Most of the very best places to eat at WDW are not on any plan, so I would feel very awkward steering a foodie to a plan knowing that they would miss out on the creme de la creme of dining options. Every foodie that I know, (and I am one myself, so I don't count this as a pejorative), would return from WDW shrugging their shoulders with disappointment if they didn't get to go to places like Bluezoo, V&A, Bistro de Paris, Shula's, Wolfgang Puck Dining Room and the like. Especially if you are also big into wine. In addition to having the best food, these places also have the most well stocked cellars, though California Grill, Citricos and Jiko certainly have to be counted on that list.

I guess it's truly hard to say since every scenario will vary. We basically broke even when using the plus dining, after calculating EVERYTHING, we only saved like something in the teens. However when we stayed using the deluxe dining, we had booked a character breakfast every morning, two dinner shows throughout the week, 2 steak TS restaraunts, and the royal table breakfast. I guess it all comes down to the dining choices of each family to say if it's worth it. Had we used the points at QS breakfast and lunches while doing a regular TS each evening, then it wouldn't have been worth it.