Confused about Dining Plan!

[Mikie]

I am still debating on whether to do the Disney dining plan or pay out of pocket. If we pay out of pocket, we would probably eat a lot of QS and order cheaper things, so it would cost less. We would probably limit it to 1 character meal. But if we had the dining plan, we would probably do a few character or other TS meals. So it might be cost effective. Of course I would prefer to do at least one sit down meal every day rather than eating most meals at QS places, as I tend to prefer sit down meals to fast food. And this may be a once in a long time (probably not lifetime but it could be several years) so I would like to not worry about costs. But costs are a factor, whether its prepaid or paid after the fact. Its just easier to pay upfront than to shell out $120+ for one meal. Decisions...

A lot of people recommend making your own "prepaid dining plan" by putting the amount on gift cards that you purchase ahead (you can save a couple % if you buy at places like Sam's or Target with a target card). You have set aside the money in advance, but you do capture the savings of not always ordering dessert, or when someone orders a cheaper entrée. I haven't tried it yet - I'm not sure if the mind game would work on me - you'd still be staring down that receipt total at the end of the meals!

 

[WDWsBFF]

Just to clarify the cost of the DDP is per person per night yes?

In my case it should be... $60.04 adult price x 8 nights x 2 people = $960.64
Correct?

I keep seeing posts where people have more than one person in their party but only multiple by one person thus making the total cost look cheaper...So now I am very confused.

 

[aaarcher86]

Just to clarify the cost of the DDP is per person per night yes? In my case it should be... $60.04 adult price x 8 nights x 2 people = $960.64 Correct? I keep seeing posts where people have more than one person in their party but only multiple by one person thus making the total cost look cheaper...So now I am very confused.

Yes. Per person, per night.

I usually get the nightly cost for everyone then multiply by the number of nights - obviously your way works out to the same amount as mine.

 

[breezy99]

We have used the dining plan under the free promotion, but probably won't under normal circumstances. I have small pre-teen girls, so for us it ends up to be too much food. We prefer to split meals or order appetizer portions. If I had a different group, the dining plan may make sense.

 

[doubleosix]

Depending on your plans, I think some people can save money with the dining plan. I have used this calculator in the past to see if it works out for me distripplanner.com

Personally, I like the dining plan because I like to have everything paid for before we go and no surprises. Good luck!

Thank you for posting the calculator! I used it and base on my selections I will save about $175

 

[pooh2001]

The Dining Plan may not be worth the money unless you like the Whole plan.

What I found:
Per adult $60 - gets you for food 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 S
My pricing - Snack =$5 (max), 1 CS ($15), 1 TS ($40) -plus out of pocket tip $10 (16%)
LESS expensive on your own, unless you eat till you drop

But if you like activities you also get a refillable mug at your resort ($13)

DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park admission ticket voucher valid for two admission tickets per room. Worth = $104

Marina Discounts: 15% off the regular price of select boat rentals at participating Walt Disney World marina locations. Still will cost you $135 - $13.50 = $121.50

Miniature Golf certificate valid for two rounds of Miniature Golf per room at either Disney's Fantasia Gardens or Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses before 4 p.m. Worth $25.04

Arcade game card valid for 100 game play points at resort arcades (1 per room). maybe worth $25 if each point is 25 cents

Planet Hollywood $10 USD Meal Voucher and Souvenir Keepsake Valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages and a souvenir merchandise keepsake at Planet Hollywood Downtown Disney West Side. (Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One voucher per room. One keepsake per room. Voucher required for keepsake.) Worth $10 off the cost of your meal, which could be more than $100.

Children's Activity Centers Discount -- 15% off the regular hourly rates at the Children's Activity Center located at select Disney Resort hotels. Minimum charge of 2 hours per child. Services available for children ages 3-12. $15 per hour per child - so for 2 children it would cost you $60 - $9 = $51 plus the cost of your night out

Spa Discount -- 15% off the regular price of most services of 50 minutes or more at select Walt Disney World Resort spas and salons. (Hand and foot treatments are excluded. Age restrictions apply. One per package.)
Still will cost you for one 50 minute Swedish Massage $90 - $13.50 = $76.50

Guided Fishing Excursion Discount -- 15% off the regular price of Guided Bass Fishing Excursions and Bass Nitro Fishing Excursions at select Walt Disney World marinas. Excursions include fishing equipment, rod, reel, shiners, artificial bait, non-alcoholic beverages and a 1-year membership to B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society). Still will COST you $455 - $68.25 = $386.75

Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Discount -- 10% off the regular price of all activities including parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing trips at Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Center located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. (Subject to availability; restrictions apply. Still will cost you $135 - $13.50 = $121.50

Splitsville Luxury Lanes Discounts -- 10% discount on bowling Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 10 % discount on the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages, and 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, located in Downtown Disney West Side. (Not valid with any other offers and discounts.) Food & Lane discount worth maximum of $8

Commemorative Luggage Tag (one per person) WORTH $5

 

[North of Mouse]

The gratuity will come into play whether you have the dining plan or not. I don't normally figure this into the decision because it is paid either way.

You 'do' need to factor in the tipping with the DDP to a degree, as most people order much higher price/more food than when paying oop. Lots of people don't get desserts or the highest price menu items so their 'tipping' is on a lower $$ amount when oop.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

My family may save money by NOT doing the dining plan-but only because my cheap butt would order the cheapest thing on the menu, drink water, skip dessert, etc. But that's what I do all year long, I don't want to do that at DISNEY! I love the dining plan because it gives me permission to splurge and ignore the prices for one week a year. We don't go without it and sorely missed it at Disneyland (CA)!

 

[metz72]

I have been really on the fence about the dining plan. I am typically pretty cheap when it comes to eating out so the thought of not worrying about it and getting whatever I want sounds wonderful. I ran the calculator with how I have things planned, including sharing desserts and appetizers. I have one ts meal a day except for 2 of the 10 days, two being character meals and a fantasmic dinner package. The dining plan will be over 600$ more than oop. I added two more ts meals to use the credits and it would still be $400 more. Knowing my light eaters we will be splitting some meals so the oop will be even less. I can't justify that much of a cost difference.

Some day I am going to be able to do free dining I hope

 

[candacewi5]

My family may save money by NOT doing the dining plan-but only because my cheap butt would order the cheapest thing on the menu, drink water, skip dessert, etc. But that's what I do all year long, I don't want to do that at DISNEY! I love the dining plan because it gives me permission to splurge and ignore the prices for one week a year. We don't go without it and sorely missed it at Disneyland (CA)!

Exactly!! I am extremely frugal and would short change myself to keep the bill down and so would my hubby. We want to enjoy our trip and meals as the dining plan allows us to do it. We are those people that will always pick the most expensive menu choices if cost isn't a concern. I will definitely add it all up when we get home to see how we came out on the deal. My oldest son is also a very adventurous eater and is really looking forward to all of the choices coming up! It is almost better than Christmas to him.

 

[supersnoop]

Exactly!! I am extremely frugal and would short change myself to keep the bill down and so would my hubby. We want to enjoy our trip and meals as the dining plan allows us to do it. We are those people that will always pick the most expensive menu choices if cost isn't a concern. I will definitely add it all up when we get home to see how we came out on the deal. My oldest son is also a very adventurous eater and is really looking forward to all of the choices coming up! It is almost better than Christmas to him.

I've come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to understand this position. I've just learned to accept that some people think differently than I do.

I'm so frugal, I re-use notebook paper. And I'd never pay extra just to avoid considering cost; because I'd consider the cost when making THAT decision. At Disney, I don't look at prices, I order whatever I really want, and I charge everything to the room. At the end of the trip, I settle my room charges and it will be less than the dining plan would have cost. And, I'm okay taking that approach because I KNOW it will be less than the dining plan.

I'm not going to order the cheapest thing because it's the cheapest, and I wouldn't order the most expensive thing just because it squeezes the most value out of the dining plan. I'll admit, being cheap, I ask my daughter to review the kids menu, but I've long since accepted that she won't actually order from it if she doesn't want to.