Average adult CS: $13, TS: $28, Snack $3

[VacationDad]

That adds up to $44 per day. Those wondering if the 2008 Dining Plan is worth it. Yes, it appears to be from a money standpoint, as long as you don't always order the cheapest thing on the menu and as long as this is what you would eat out of pocket normally.

On average you are saving $6 per day per adult. That is 13.6% average savings.

 

[beroh2253]

That adds up to $44 per day. Those wondering if the 2008 Dining Plan is worth it. Yes, it appears to be from a money standpoint, as long as you don't always order the cheapest thing on the menu and as long as this is what you would eat out of pocket normally.

On average you are saving $6 per day per adult. That is 13.6% average savings.

Don't for get you are also saving the tax.

 

[VacationDad]

Don't for get you are also saving the tax.

I got those averages from that really cool spreadsheet that someone here has done and I believe that those prices included tax.

 

[FDV]

Don't for get you are also saving the tax.

No you're not. They add tax on to the dining plan when you purchase it.

 

[TLSnell1981]

No you're not. They add tax on to the dining plan when you purchase it.

We went 'round and 'round with this a while back. I was told NO tax was added to the price of the plan and I was told YES, tax was added to the plan.

I added the DxDP to my reservation and was quoted a TOTAL cost that does NOT have tax added. I guess, I will find out when I get there.

 

[ghost1000]

On our trip in December we payed the price the total that was quoted to us on the phone.

Now my big debate is would I come out ahead if I were to buy the DDE card instead....

 

[TLSnell1981]

On our trip in December we payed the price the total that was quoted to us on the phone.

Now my big debate is would I come out ahead if I were to buy the DDE card instead....

I do it the hard way. I figure out our probable ADRs and menu....add it all up...and see which way is the most economical.

 

[Atotty]

I added ours up for a four day stay DDP vs using our DDE card. Because we're going during "holiday pricing" the DDP ends up being better for us and we get to eat a little better--dinners instead of lunches and we'll get dessert.

But the calculation was close...very close.

 

[skater]

That adds up to $44 per day. Those wondering if the 2008 Dining Plan is worth it. Yes, it appears to be from a money standpoint, as long as you don't always order the cheapest thing on the menu and as long as this is what you would eat out of pocket normally.

On average you are saving $6 per day per adult. That is 13.6% average savings.

But if you want to use your credits on breakfast or lunch or don't want to have to worry about getting your money's worth (i.e. better not order something under $28), it just seems like too much of a hassle. I am going with a friend in 3 weeks and I'm so relieved we didn't purchase the plan. There is just so much more freedom without it. My family is booked for Sept. with free dining and that is the only way I can enjoy the plan. I don't have to feel like I'm getting cheated if we use a credit for a character breakfast or lunch.

 

[VacationDad]

I don't have to feel like I'm getting cheated if we use a credit for a character breakfast or lunch.

You could always pay for the meals that don't seem like a good use of a TS credit out of your pocket.

 

[hipchickie]

That adds up to $44 per day. Those wondering if the 2008 Dining Plan is worth it. Yes, it appears to be from a money standpoint, as long as you don't always order the cheapest thing on the menu and as long as this is what you would eat out of pocket normally.

On average you are saving $6 per day per adult. That is 13.6% average savings.

I feel like I have seen this before, but the actual value vs. the percieved value is very different for most people. Would most people order dessert with every meal? Eat at table service every night?
We are people that would prefer to have a glass of wine or a beer with a sit down meal - last time on the meal plan we had several meals where we did not use the drink "credit", so that is not a savings for us.


I am sure there are plenty who do still find it a good buy, but that # seems to be declining rapidly

 

[Pumbaa_]

The prices work out IF you order everything. I go to Flame Tree Barbeque, get the chicken adn a bottle of water and it is $9.99 plus tax.

Go to SciFi for a burger and soda, it is $14.98

I don't always WANT to go to the most expensive place. I also may want to go to the Swan for sushi. I want an appetizer, I may not want dessert. I may go to AP and have to get the portobello soup, but I am not crazy about their desserts.

While for many, the DDP works great, it is not a good value for how we choose to do Disney. I want more flexibility and not interested in keeping track of credits. I do get the DDE card. Works better for our dining style.

Thanks for sharing the information with us

 

[angelmav]

The prices work out IF you order everything. I go to Flame Tree Barbeque, get the chicken adn a bottle of water and it is $9.99 plus tax.

Go to SciFi for a burger and soda, it is $14.98

I don't always WANT to go to the most expensive place. I also may want to go to the Swan for sushi. I want an appetizer, I may not want dessert. I may go to AP and have to get the portobello soup, but I am not crazy about their desserts.

While for many, the DDP works great, it is not a good value for how we choose to do Disney. I want more flexibility and not interested in keeping track of credits. I do get the DDE card. Works better for our dining style.

Thanks for sharing the information with us

You make excellent points and Pumbaa! Just like how Le Cellier is always thrown into the mix as the reason to get the plan, but what if you want to go there for lunch and have the 13.99 Steak sandwich (which is pretty darn good BTW), then you have effectively blown the 'value' of the plan. Any plan that you have to 'work' to come out ahead is not a slam dunk value for all.

 

[blondinkaya]

May will be our first trip, so of course I don't know what I'm talking about.

But ... We're getting the DxDP for convenience as well as possibly saving money in the end (we do eat three meals + healthy snacks/day usually, so the meal credits will be used). I want to try out Le Cellier, Brown Derby, Sci Fi, etc. I know that if we didn't prepay our plan (not including tips, of course), we would never eat at half the places I made ADRs for and try to find dollar menus somewhere. By being on the plan, I don't have to worry about the price of the food (other than when figuring for tips); I have the option of eating at a fancy restaurant or having counter service, whichever I want. I think that, in addition to the monetary value of the meal, one must consider the value of the convenience of the plan, kwim? I think it's a good deal for my family; it's one less thing I have to worry about.

 

[mpmluvstigger]

It is def. one less thing to worry about. We were on the regular DDP our last vacation and it worked for us. Yes, it was a lot of food but its nice knowing we dont have to worry about how much money is left in our checking account and should we order a desert ... how much is it? This is the type of thing I dont want to have to think about. Its our vacation and the less stress the better. This upcoming trip we opted for the DxDDP so that we could try all 2ts meals we didnt get to try last time.

 

[Tricia1972]

The prices work out IF you order everything. I go to Flame Tree Barbeque, get the chicken adn a bottle of water and it is $9.99 plus tax.

Go to SciFi for a burger and soda, it is $14.98

I don't always WANT to go to the most expensive place. I also may want to go to the Swan for sushi. I want an appetizer, I may not want dessert. I may go to AP and have to get the portobello soup, but I am not crazy about their desserts.

While for many, the DDP works great, it is not a good value for how we choose to do Disney. I want more flexibility and not interested in keeping track of credits. I do get the DDE card. Works better for our dining style.

Thanks for sharing the information with us

I agree with you completely! We did the DDP in April and October of 2007. April wasn't bad, but for two weeks in October we felt tied to our reservations and were always worried about meals.

We are opting to not do the DDP for this (or any other) upcoming trip(s). We prefer the freedom and have the DDE discount that we can use for our drinks, TS and a few CS meals.

 

[khomer504]

Much like pp, we are sold on the dining plan for convenience. This is our first family trip, and I am thrilled to have the DxDDP.

1) We have no first hand experience with how much we'll spend on food or what to budget, the prepay option means we don't have to worry nearly as much about that portion of our budget.

2) We are staying for 8 days and want to take some time to really have some fun dining experiences without worrying about the cost.

3) We are not good vacation savers. We are however EXCELLENT bill payers, it will be easier for me to pay off the $1000 of the dining plan than it is to save the $1000+ to make sure we can do all the things we want to do on our trip..

4) We have a 2y.o that will be just weeks from turning 3 when we go, so he doesn't get the dining plan, but having the DxDDP should give us plenty of food for him to eat off our plates most of the time.

5) It's vacation, I'm willing to take the risk of paying a small premium to not have the stress of budgeting meals during my vacation. There is something very relaxing to me to know that I don't have to penny pinch while I'm there, or figure in my head how much of the budget I've used, or if we can afford to order the steak, or the pasta. You can't put a clear price tag on that, but it is a huge benefit to me!

All in all, it works for our family, for this trip. Maybe on future trips when we have more hands on experience we'll make a different decision... but for this trip, I'm grateful for the DxDDP and I can't wait!!!

Karen

 

[skater]

You could always pay for the meals that don't seem like a good use of a TS credit out of your pocket.

But that's just what would make it inconvenient for us if we were paying for it. With free dining, we don't have to worry about the "biggest bang for our buck." I know how to do it (thanks to the DIS) - I'm just glad I don't have to. If we travel outside of the free dining plan period, I won't purchase it because it is now just a little too inconvenient to come out ahead (and for me that would be the point). I realize that others have different opinions - this is just how it is for our family.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We decided to remove the plan and the emotional barriers of getting what we want when we want. I will take the entire cost of the plan including gratuity and use that cost as our spending limit on whatever we choose when we choose, including the $65 for the DDE discount.

With Ds (10) counting as an adult that really does not enjoy adult entrees, and as a family that was so tired of eating after 6 days on the dining plan, I know we will come out ahead. At $125 a day plus grat. I see us having a wonderful vacation without the restrictions of the plan.

For us, all the incentive to get the plan was lost when the grat went away.

 

[svalencia1]

I agree. Without the grat and appetizer the plan loses its value for me. I could care less about dessert and I prefer water to soda. I will take the money I would spend on the DP and allocate it to dining with a prepaid visa just for food. I have a feeling we will end up way ahead.