Breaking Even on the Dining Plan - should we still get it?

[LoverDisney]

We also come out even. I do the dining plan because it's convenient and it meets our needs. I would rather order what I want and not agonize over the prices.

 

[supersnoop]

There's too much risk involved if I'm only coming out even. One missed meal, one appetizer instead of an entree, and I'm losing money.

 

[Lisaloo]

A few years ago we purchased the dining plan and DD got a fever on day two and ate very little for the rest of the week. I stayed at the resort with her, called in a doc and get meds for the strep we found out she had. Needless to say, I didn't go to restaurants those days either. I definitely didn't count on that!

 

[ZoZo]

Actually, I may be in the minority, but I wouldn't get the plan, even if I broke even. I like the flexibility of not trying to "maximize the credits". For a lot of people, it is more relaxing not feeling the pressure to purchase what is less expensive when paying out of pocket. For me it's not feeling I need to choose the expensive meal, so that I don't "lose money". And the freedom of not having a dessert if I don't want one, or choosing to share an app with my husband instead of a dessert, etc. And if I'm not hungry, just getting QS, or a snack. This is a personal position, though, but you asked

I agree with this. The regular dining plan doesn't fit my eating style, so it wouldn't work for me. We usually only d three or so ADRs per trip, since we don't like to be tied down to ADRs. We're happy with mostly QS "on the fly" meals, which are less expensive and don't take as much time. We can eat what we want, whenever it works best. We also don't tend to eat dessert at every meal, and sometimes split entrees.

But I think that if you plan at least one TS per day, it might be a good option. As others have said, you don't have to feel nickeled-an-dimed with entree choices. You just have to decide if it's right for your family!