Are Disney Dining Plans really worthwhile?

[alex9179]

We've never used the plan. It's just not how we eat. 2 adults, 3 kids, who always get water for a beverage (it doesn't have to be hot to get dehydrated), like to share a couple of appetizers and entrees. We usually pass on dessert so that we can get something more interesting elsewhere. DH and I like our cocktails/wine/beer.

I noticed on vacation how little my kids were eating. Usually, they have average appetites, but not on our trip. I think my youngest ate for comfort (too much going on) and although it was often, it still wasn't very much at a sitting. I can't stand to waste food, so we just get what we think we'll be able to finish. That's not the kind of dining the plan supports.

I have made a few ADRs for our upcoming trip just for a break and to hit a couple of our favorites. It really is much nicer to pick up a quick bite and not be tied to timing EVERYTHING.

 

[wininbid]

When we went last year, I was reluctant to purchase the DDP. I crunched numbers, and it didn't seem that great for me compared to how would normally eat at Disney. We decided to give it a try anyway. We loved it! We are going back in March, and have alreay purchased the DDP, and I already have most of my ADR's made. Here are my reasons for liking the DDP:
1. It allows us to eat at some really nice places, that I would be reluctant to chose if I were paying OOP at that time.
2. Convenient in not having to worry about where we are eating that night, and we plan around the ADR.
3. We do not use park hoppers, so early in the planning we decide which parks we we be at on certain days, and make the ADR's accordingly.
4. Maybe it is just psycological, but my DDP was paid for 3 months ago, so in March that will be an expense that I don't have.

This trip will be myself, my wife and my twin 9yo girls, so they still fall in the childs rate. My planning may be a little different after they are 10+. 4 of the 7 ADR's booked are buffets, so the girls will not be limited to the kids menu. I see both sides of this debate, but it works for us.

 

[katt789]

I personally feel that if you are going to be doing one sit down meal a day, a dining plan is worth it. Last Sept with the Free Dining promotion, after the trip, I sat down and priced out everything and we would have spent around $1000 on food, but thanks to the dining plan, it was FREE (free dining promotion….)

We're doing it for the first time in May actually paying for it, but I do believe it's worth it, you'll be spending that much money, if not more on stuff anyways, so why not pay it before you get there? My 2 cents at least!

 

[famy27]

We used to love the DDP and felt it was an excellent value.

In 2006, when our DD was a baby, we paid $37.99 per adult. The price included tax and tip, and for the TS credit, we got appetizer, entree, and dessert.

It looks like the price for 2014 is $58.66. The 18% tip is no longer included either. And now, it's just dessert, with no appetizer option.

Each year, they've chipped away at the value for us so that there is no way we can make the numbers work in our favor, unless we pick the most expensive things at the most expensive restaurants. And I can only eat so much carrot cake. I read that the QS plan is now more expensive than the standard plan was when it was introduced in 2005. That is just crazy to me. So, unless we get free dining, we're paying OOP from now on.

 

[rastuso]

We used to love the DDP and felt it was an excellent value. In 2006, when our DD was a baby, we paid $37.99 per adult. The price included tax and tip, and for the TS credit, we got appetizer, entree, and dessert. It looks like the price for 2014 is $58.66. The 18% tip is no longer included either. And now, it's just dessert, with no appetizer option. Each year, they've chipped away at the value for us so that there is no way we can make the numbers work in our favor, unless we pick the most expensive things at the most expensive restaurants. And I can only eat so much carrot cake. I read that the QS plan is now more expensive than the standard plan was when it was introduced in 2005. That is just crazy to me. So, unless we get free dining, we're paying OOP from now on.

Yeah, paying for it is NOT a deal. Those who say it are either eat TONs of food, or didn't do the math right.

I went back in the good ole days of included tips, apps, anddesserts. Got it free with a rack rate room, and STILL just barely made it worthwhile. Maybe saving $200., and eating too much. Plus leaving with tons of sandwiches and snacks.

Heck, if I do a character meal, I eat enough I don't need another meal.

As one poster said, the all inclusive folks, where money is no object, love it. They'll pay for park entry and food every day of their trip even if some days they ride 2 things and have one meal. They just blow the money,and don't care. Anyone on a budget should ignore their advice.

j

 

[LovesTimone]

For everyone its different. A lot depends on how you tour commando or casual, what your family make up is, 1st trip or 50th trip, are you celebrating something.

For us we choose the DDXDP for us it makes sense. We want everything paid for up-front. This make DH happy, knowing that everything is paid for.. and this way you can order what you want, and not worry about the bill at the end of the meal except for adult beverage and tip.

We are foodies so we enjoy a longer meal time, and trying new things and experience's. Our kids are grown up and married now... so a lot of time its just us . We do a lot of 2TS meals while visiting, so again this is one of the reasons that we really enjoy the DDXDP. We normally order appetizer and dessert often when we dine out at home.

But we still did DDXDP when the DD's were young, character dinning was a must and this alone was worth it to us. We looked at it as we got to eat something more than burgers, we were in air conditioning, and we got character autographs without standing in line in the heat. Also for us we used this time to get our DD's to try new food, and really connect with them.

As far as planning it does take more time to plan when adding ADR's into the mix. So that you don't feel rushed. When I plan I look at parks hours, things that we want to do, Are we celebrating anything.. That were I start then tweak the plan as I go.

Now with all the said, now with magic bands that adds another layer of planning.

 

[FamilyGuy]

Most view the regularly priced dining plans as convenient, not necessarily economical.

I'm thinking that since our stay will be split with a resort change for a single day in the middle, I may do the dining plan for just that one day. Thus giving us a taste of the dining plan without over indulging or over spending. . .

 

[chinarider]

My DD(19 this trip) loves the dining plan. It's just us 2 ( adults). We did it first around 2006 when it was new, cheaper and could get an app or dessert. We did it again in 2012 and upgraded to reg plan from free QS so, it was for sure a financial benefit then. Not too sure now for our May 2014 trip if it is really beneficial ( I tried running numbers over and over again and they were close). However, it makes me have one less thing to be concerned with as it is all paid in advance ( I do use Disney gift cards purchased from Target so, I am saving an additional 5% off the trip - which I could use if I paid OOP as well). I would prefer to share some meals but, this is our vacation and I prefer for both of us to have the opportunity to order whatever we are in the mood for, rather than one of us having to settle for what the other one wanted. It also gives us an opportunity to try more items ( since we are no where near any sort of "food hub"). Economically, close , convenience and peace of mind , yes.

 

[Disneylover99]

For us, not worth it oop, but worth it as part of a free dining package.

 

[JennMouse32]

I've been to disney with the Dining Plan and without.. I really prefer without.. I dont feel as limited as I did with the Dining Plan.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

Well, thanks for the input. It really does sound like whether or not it’s worthwhile can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. I see the potential benefits for those that value the TS restaurants. And the convenience of a more or less "all inclusive" experience was something I hadn't considered.

Like I said in my original post, having an ADR for every single dinner (and a couple of lunches) didn't work out for us. It was a matter of not being able to be as flexible as we wanted. If the financial benefits aren't significant, which I don’t think they would be based on how we would like to eat (probably no character meals, sometimes ordering apps as an entree, etc.), then there really are no other significant benefits for us.

Thanks again for the input and opinions!

 

[rpw2014]

Wow! Just read through all of the posts on the dining plan and found it very informative...and despite the differing points of view, it has helped me in making my decision. Here's my situation...

My wife and I decided to take our entire family (3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and 5 grand kids) to Disney in October '14. This is our final hurrah for the family prior to retiring. 4 of the 5 grand kids are 10 or older. The youngest will be 2.5 at trip time. The deal is that my wife and I will take care of the lodging (likely POP), air fare, and the quick service dining plan. Any additional spending would be on the families. We plan to arrive late Tuesday evening on September 30th and will depart on mid-day Sunday October 5th. Based on my calculations for a 5-night stay, the cost of the dining plan for the 12 of us (not counting the 2 year old) comes out to be a little less than $200 per person for the entire stay.

By family, that would be $800 for daughter #1, $800 for daughter #2, and $400 for daughter #3. (and $400 for my wife and I).

After reading all of the posts in this thread, I'm leaning toward not getting the dining plan and instead, purchasing Disney gift cards and giving those to the three families. And (again based on the posts in this thread), I think I can get away with giving them $150 per person (rather than the $200 cost of the DP). I would save myself $500 ($50 X 10) and the families would have the flexibility to use the gift cards however they wish. (If I buy the gift cards at Target I can save another 5%). I guess another option would be to give each family a Visa gift card rather than Disney gift cards.

Of course, if a free dining plan is offered, then I'll obviously reconsider.

OK...now waiting for someone to tell me that there's a flaw (or two) with my reasoning. Have at it!!

 

[sharonabe]

Wow! Just read through all of the posts on the dining plan and found it very informative...and despite the differing points of view, it has helped me in making my decision. Here's my situation...

My wife and I decided to take our entire family (3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and 5 grand kids) to Disney in October '14. This is our final hurrah for the family prior to retiring. 4 of the 5 grand kids are 10 or older. The youngest will be 2.5 at trip time. The deal is that my wife and I will take care of the lodging (likely POP), air fare, and the quick service dining plan. Any additional spending would be on the families. We plan to arrive late Tuesday evening on September 30th and will depart on mid-day Sunday October 5th. Based on my calculations for a 5-night stay, the cost of the dining plan for the 12 of us (not counting the 2 year old) comes out to be a little less than $200 per person for the entire stay.

By family, that would be $800 for daughter #1, $800 for daughter #2, and $400 for daughter #3. (and $400 for my wife and I).

After reading all of the posts in this thread, I'm leaning toward not getting the dining plan and instead, purchasing Disney gift cards and giving those to the three families. And (again based on the posts in this thread), I think I can get away with giving them $150 per person (rather than the $200 cost of the DP). I would save myself $500 ($50 X 10) and the families would have the flexibility to use the gift cards however they wish. (If I buy the gift cards at Target I can save another 5%). I guess another option would be to give each family a Visa gift card rather than Disney gift cards.

Of course, if a free dining plan is offered, then I'll obviously reconsider.

OK...now waiting for someone to tell me that there's a flaw (or two) with my reasoning. Have at it!!

No flaw at all. We are a family of four, all Disney adults by Disney standards. I could easily feed all four of us for $150 a day and probably get a table service or two in there as well.

I do have one question though. The QSDP is only two meals per night. What are you planning for breakfast? Again, I could probably do all three meals for all four of us for $150/day, but that does take some planning. You might want to give the families the address to a few websites with menus so they can do some planning ahead of time.

 

[abinormal]

For myself, at this point, it doesn't seem to be worthwhile unless it's the promotion where you get it free. It would be a better savings than a room discount for my plan. If the free dining is not available for me I can do better out of pocket.

 

[rpw2014]

I do have one question though. The QSDP is only two meals per night. What are you planning for breakfast?

First...thanks for the feedback. Regarding your question, my thought was that we could get by with two counter service meals per day - with one of them being breakfast on a couple of the days. We would also bring some snack items with us (including breakfast items) to supplement the dining plan meals. If the kids or parents wanted more than that, they would handle the cost themselves. I know that one of my son-in-laws mentioned wanting to have at least one sit down dinner.

 

[Maus]

We pay for the DXDDP out of pocket since we rent DVC, to us it is worth it. We do some character breakfasts and a lot of signature dining in the evening. I have two small kids, 6 and 2 and I don't like QS with kids at all for several reasons, we need to sit down, I want to be served and I need something else then fast food. For us part of the vacation is good food. We like the character meals because our kids love them and we do not have to line upnat every character meet. I am actually a little disapointed that the options for kids on signature dining are not that great. We like to ay for the dining plan because we would not order everything we really wanted otherwise

 

[Tiggr924]

Wow! Just read through all of the posts on the dining plan and found it very informative...and despite the differing points of view, it has helped me in making my decision. Here's my situation...

My wife and I decided to take our entire family (3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and 5 grand kids) to Disney in October '14. This is our final hurrah for the family prior to retiring. 4 of the 5 grand kids are 10 or older. The youngest will be 2.5 at trip time. The deal is that my wife and I will take care of the lodging (likely POP), air fare, and the quick service dining plan. Any additional spending would be on the families. We plan to arrive late Tuesday evening on September 30th and will depart on mid-day Sunday October 5th. Based on my calculations for a 5-night stay, the cost of the dining plan for the 12 of us (not counting the 2 year old) comes out to be a little less than $200 per person for the entire stay.

By family, that would be $800 for daughter #1, $800 for daughter #2, and $400 for daughter #3. (and $400 for my wife and I).

After reading all of the posts in this thread, I'm leaning toward not getting the dining plan and instead, purchasing Disney gift cards and giving those to the three families. And (again based on the posts in this thread), I think I can get away with giving them $150 per person (rather than the $200 cost of the DP). I would save myself $500 ($50 X 10) and the families would have the flexibility to use the gift cards however they wish. (If I buy the gift cards at Target I can save another 5%). I guess another option would be to give each family a Visa gift card rather than Disney gift cards.

Of course, if a free dining plan is offered, then I'll obviously reconsider.

OK...now waiting for someone to tell me that there's a flaw (or two) with my reasoning. Have at it!!

This is very generous of you and your wife! The plan makes sense to me. Gift cards will also allow them to purchase souvenirs for the kids if there is any money left over at the end of the trip, though I understand that isn't the purpose of them. If you are still questioning the cost, you could look up some of the menus you think you'd be dining at, do a few scenarios of what a day might look like, and see what the cost would be. But it sounds cost effective to me.