Basic Dining plan. Is it worth it with the changes?

[pcparamedics01]

You will be able to get children's meals for your son. They let adults order from the children's menu if they want to (Not at buffets for obvious reasons. At buffets everyone eats the same food.)

What you won't be able to do is pay the child's price for the dining plan. You'd be paying the $37.99 for your child who would then order off the children's menu. Everyone over the age of 9 pays the higher price no matter how much they prefer to eat.

Yes I know... Sorry if I am confusing you! We are just trying to figure out if it is worth it. There really needs to be a junior plan or a child's menu over 10. Ten years is so young to eat off an adult menu. Most kids will not eat adult entrees.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know why there needs to be a child's menu over 10 when a 10 year old will be permitted to order from the children's menu. I am 43 and I have been able to buy child's meals at counter service (I never tried at table service, but I understand that one can still ask.) A 10 year old who is not on the dining plan and orders from the children's menu will probably pay the child's menu price (except for buffets, there is no other option there). The only issue you have is the dining plan price.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I don't know why there needs to be a child's menu over 10 when a 10 year old will be permitted to order from the children's menu. I am 43 and I have been able to buy child's meals at counter service (I never tried at table service, but I understand that one can still ask.) A 10 year old who is not on the dining plan and orders from the children's menu will probably pay the child's menu price (except for buffets, there is no other option there). The only issue you have is the dining plan price.

Oh Thank you thank you! My point percisely!!!!!!!:

 

[TDC Nala]

Then, you need to decide whether or not the dining plan is a good fit for your family, since WDW will not alter the plan to account for the way your son eats. If you wish to select the dining plan for value rather than convenience, you must decide if you will lose value on the plan because you have one child who is paying adult DP prices to eat children's meals, you may be better off without using it. The dining plan does not fit every family and it is not meant to.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Then, you need to decide whether or not the dining plan is a good fit for your family, since WDW will not alter the plan to account for the way your son eats. If you wish to select the dining plan for value rather than convenience, you must decide if you will lose value on the plan because you have one child who is paying adult DP prices to eat children's meals, you may be better off without using it. The dining plan does not fit every family and it is not meant to.

Agreed! It was totally worth it when he was 9. It is not worth it to us when he is 10. However, hubby is still crunching numbers....

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are doing buffets, it might still be worth it.

You have two more adults and another child on the plan, so you need to take that into consideration when you are crunching your numbers.

And the convenience factor may also have its own value. Many posters who like the dining plan like the convenience of being able to order whatever they want without looking at the prices.

 

[pcparamedics01]

If you are doing buffets, it might still be worth it.

You have two more adults and another child on the plan, so you need to take that into consideration when you are crunching your numbers.

And the convenience factor may also have its own value. Many posters who like the dining plan like the convenience of being able to order whatever they want without looking at the prices.

No it's hubby and I and my son who is now 10 and my 5 yr old. Even with buffets he will pick chicken fingers and fries.

 

[Tam1067]

Also, you can order an adult meal and have the preparation made plainer for your 10 year old's taste if that's a factor. Sauces can be left off meat or chicken for instance, and a side of veggies can often (if you ask the server) be swapped for fries or plain noodles or whatever the restaurant might have. We've found the restaurants to be very accommodating.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Also, you can order an adult meal and have the preparation made plainer for your 10 year old's taste if that's a factor. Sauces can be left off meat or chicken for instance, and a side of veggies can often (if you ask the server) be swapped for fries or plain noodles or whatever the restaurant might have. We've found the restaurants to be very accommodating.

Thanks! I was thinking of that to. My son is Autistic with many sensories to his taste buds. I am trying to plan to see what he can eat if we take out the dining plan.

 

[TDC Nala]

No it's hubby and I and my son who is now 10 and my 5 yr old. Even with buffets he will pick chicken fingers and fries.

If you select the dining plan, you will be paying for three adults (mom, dad, 10 year old) and one child (the 5 year old). If you are planning on attending buffets and you are not on the dining plan, you will still be paying the adult price for your 10 year old no matter what he selects to eat. If you are planning on doing buffets, you may prefer the dining plan because it is still a deal for your 5 year old.

If you don't do buffets, you can select children's meals for your son and pay less for them, I believe, if you are not on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan, your son will receive adult credits which he could use for children's meals, but there goes your value on HIS dining plan. However, you also have yourself, your husband, and your 5 year old.

No matter how much you wish you could pay less for your son, he's passed the age limit for the children's dining plan.

 

[pcparamedics01]

If you select the dining plan, you will be paying for three adults (mom, dad, 10 year old) and one child (the 5 year old). If you are planning on attending buffets and you are not on the dining plan, you will still be paying the adult price for your 10 year old no matter what he selects to eat. If you are planning on doing buffets, you may prefer the dining plan because it is still a deal for your 5 year old.

If you don't do buffets, you can select children's meals for your son and pay less for them, I believe, if you are not on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan, your son will receive adult credits which he could use for children's meals, but there goes your value. However, you also have yourself, your husband, and your 5 year old.

No matter how much you wish you could pay less for your son, he's passed the age limit for the children's dining plan.

Hey thanks ! If we did not do the dining plan we would prepare foods at our resort. So thank you guys for all!! 38.00 is a lot of money for a 10 years old that cannot eat most on an adult entree. I even called the DVC manager and he said no one can be excluded from their age even children on feeding tubes. That absolutely floored me. Disney has to change that policy. To pay 38.00 when your child cannot eat at all and is your party? Terrible. There needs to be exclusions in place for special needs. But I guess I am in the wrong forum for this!!! Thanks all for help!!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

In that case, that party would probably prefer not to select the dining plan. It is not meant to fit all families.

 

[bytheblood]

For a 10-year-old that eats like a bird, the Dining Plan is not worth it in my opinion.

 

[TDC Nala]

It may not be worth it for particular 10 year olds. However, that child is not the only one in the family. Any family can run the numbers and see if the plan would still be worth it for them.

There are also 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 37, 52 year olds who don't eat much.

 

[pcparamedics01]

It may not be worth it for particular 10 year olds. However, that child is not the only one in the family. Any family can run the numbers and see if the plan would still be worth it for them.

There are also 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 37, 52 year olds who don't eat much.

Agreed! However when it is your family paying the bills for a child that will only eat chicken fingers and fries and other likeness like mac and cheese, pizza etc. We have to think about it long and hard for we are loosing money at 38.00 per day. We need to crunch numbers to see if it is cost effective, hubby says absolutely not.

 

[TDC Nala]

That is why each family needs to do its own research. I have seen posts from people who have one 10 year old who doesn't eat much, but also several teenagers who will eat a ton. They still get the dining plan.

You have an alternative that eliminates restaurant costs almost entirely (you say you will prepare meals in your villa). I understand that you see the current situation as unfair because it worked for you last year. But the situation is not going to change, your son is still 10.

Hey, the dining plan doesn't work for me either. I don't use it.

 

[pcparamedics01]

That is why each family needs to do its own research. I have seen posts from people who have one 10 year old who doesn't eat much, but also several teenagers who will eat a ton. They still get the dining plan.

You have an alternative that eliminates restaurant costs almost entirely (you say you will prepare meals in your villa). I understand that you see the current situation as unfair because it worked for you last year. But the situation is not going to change, your son is still 10.

Hey, the dining plan doesn't work for me either. I don't use it.

Agreed!! It doesn't work for some and others sore. It is almost like some people get the elevator and some get the stairs! I live this everyday!!! Hey thanks for you help!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Have a good time on your trip - I own SSR also.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Have a good time on your trip - I own SSR also.

Thanks! We are not going until Nov but we always need to plan ahead with my son.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey thanks ! If we did not do the dining plan we would prepare foods at our resort. So thank you guys for all!! 38.00 is a lot of money for a 10 years old that cannot eat most on an adult entree. I even called the DVC manager and he said no one can be excluded from their age even children on feeding tubes. That absolutely floored me. Disney has to change that policy. To pay 38.00 when your child cannot eat at all and is your party? Terrible. There needs to be exclusions in place for special needs. But I guess I am in the wrong forum for this!!! Thanks all for help!!!!!

The dining plan is an option so each family needs to consider the value for their own situation. I sympathize with those folks who would like to use it but have individuals in their party for whom it would not work, but I believe that once Disney makes exceptions there would be a flood of calls asking for an exception. Where would they draw the line? Honestly, everyone needs to determine the value for the entire group, not for any individual in that group. As in any purchase you buy it if it is a value, pass if it is not.