Cons to the Dining Plan?

[bluslag]

I agree with most of what brandylouwho posted. We just returned from a 12 day stay and we were on DDP. Two of the nights we ate at 2 credit restaurants because we did not use it for the first 2 nights. Everything went smoothly but I don't think we will use it next year. I know we would not have eaten as much if we were not on the plan. Did not like only having the dessert paid for as opposed to apps last year. We felt we had to order the dessert even though after 10 days they all seemed to be the same. At least with apps they were different according to the restaurant. We also missed having salads which we would usually order. Lunches were not a problem and we didn't have a problem finding snacks. We never knew that we could order different than a one person snack last year so we didn't miss it. We could probably use less snacks but would like the dinners to include tips and really would like a choice of apps or desserts.

 

[photobob]

I've never been on the plan and am not planning on using this June for reasons others have mentioned. I still reserve the right to change my mind but probably won't. Our typical eating patterns wouldn't cost us as much OOP as the dining plan would, that being said it would be nice to order w/out looking at prices. I've also thought it would be nice to have since my son is bringing his GF and I'm footing the bill for everything and if we had the DDP she might not feel like she has to order the cheaper things on the menu.

 

[TDC Nala]

It seems they have taken a very nice package and removed the value completely. Without including the tax and tip it is no longer a compelling option for us.

The dining plan does include the tax. It does NOT include a tip. As of this year, they've also removed the table service appetizers for adults on the basic plan. (Consensus is that for many it is still a good deal, but not the great deal it once was. I'm not one of those...I see no value in it at all for me.)

 

[NashBridges]

When we first started looking into Disney, I was certain that the dining plan was the way we would go.

But after reading alot, and talking to friends who have been on it, we won't be doing it. Even though we'll be in disney when the ddp is free, the thought of having to make reservations and stick to them doesn't appeal to us at all. The more we talk about it, the more it turns us off. We like to be more relaxed, and eat when we want to eat, what we feel like eating. Not what I signed us up for 6 months in advance.

 

[TDC Nala]

When we first started looking into Disney, I was certain that the dining plan was the way we would go.

But after reading alot, and talking to friends who have been on it, we won't be doing it. Even though we'll be in disney when the ddp is free, the thought of having to make reservations and stick to them doesn't appeal to us at all. The more we talk about it, the more it turns us off. We like to be more relaxed, and eat when we want to eat, what we feel like eating. Not what I signed us up for 6 months in advance.

Be advised though that if you want table service during the free dining period (at any restaurant that takes DDP) you still need to make reservations ASAP. Those restaurants are going to be full quite a ways before August. If you're ok with counter service, or you want to stick to places that don't take DDP, no worries.

 

[PEANUT1]

Someone mentioned that you have to pay rack rate for your room to get the dining plan. I don't think that is true....I know it applies to free dining but I believe you can get a discounted room rate and still opt to pay for dining plan.

 

[TDC Nala]

Someone mentioned that you have to pay rack rate for your room to get the dining plan. I don't think that is true....I know it applies to free dining but I believe you can get a discounted room rate and still opt to pay for dining plan.

You can buy DDP along with a package discount or an AP discount if one is offered.

It is true that you must pay rack rate for the room to get the free dining promotion.

 

[havinfun]

You are in fact tied to dinning at WDW Resort. You must pay rack rate for your room, and buy your tickets in a package.

ADR's may fill up quick and you may be forced to eat at off times for your Table meals. Other than that, I don't see any cons. Perhaps others may chime in.

I didn't pay rack rate. Booked my room with 40% off rate. Next I added my park tickets and then the dining. I can see pro's and cons of DDP. I only have one meal that is an off time.


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http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1731680

1977 MK- Grandma’s house, 1978 MK- Grandma’s house, 1984 MK + Epcot- Days Inn, 1996- FW Cabin. Loved staying on site. Coming up August Coronado Springs.



Cons: May not be able to eat all the food, have to be where you book your adr's so less flexability. I may over eat just to get my moneys worth. I am sure I will do lots of walking so I am overly concerned about that.
Pro: paid in advance, may get more than I paid for. I will try new foods I normally don't eat because of the price.

This is my first time doing DDP. I thought I'd try it and see how it goes.

 

[twinsr241]

During "free dining" it is a no brainer! (at least for us). When we were at WDW in December I opted not to purchase the Dining Plan because of all the advance planning it required. I made only 1 ADR for the the three days we were there and we just "winged" the rest. We had hoppers and just did what we wanted each day and didn't have to worry about being anywhere at a certain time.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

<<<the thought of having to make reservations and stick to them doesn't appeal to us at all. The more we talk about it, the more it turns us off. We like to be more relaxed, and eat when we want to eat, what we feel like eating.>>>>

What I would suggest is since you are going during free dining, take it to plan a couple of special look forward to meals. Then wing the rest. I may be nieve, since this will be our first experiance of using the free (or any) dinning plan, but I'm using the TS credits for some special meal surrounded by the Fantasiamic, Wishes, and our one day off from the parks we're doing HDD.

 

[Bete]

two of the times were for the free dining plan. For free dining it's an absolute yes whether it's the old or new revised version. Under the old way with appetizer and tip included in the basic DP I loved the plan, but not anymore. For free the new version is just okay. To get it free you pay full rack resort rate and you have a very narrow band of time slots to go and you have to contend with peak hurricane season. Many end up taking travel insurance for this time period and otherwise might not take travel insurance. So, the savings are diminished even when it's a so-called free dining plan. Now, if you leave food credits on the table it continues to be less value. About the best time to consider using the plan is if you have a lot of people per room. If you fill up the room with 2 adults, a junior and a child you are increasing your value. If you go as 2 couples in the same room, you increase your value.

To me the deluxe plan is nice, but it costs too much. Although, to me, it's a better value now than the basic one. Also, you really have to pre-plan like going to Signature restaurants with the deluxe plan to make sure you are getting your money's worth there.

I gave this a lot of thought and the time commitmment is too much before and during vacation for the dining plan. It takes time to have a nice TS meal. I rather have more time to enjoy the park. If you are OOP, you can go to a late lunch TS and pay less for your eats and basically get the same foods. It's easier (less crowded) to do lunch and faster. I like the quicker counter service places the best. Also, if I want to get a certain side order, etc. more than likely it's not included in the plan, anyway. If I want a special drink you don't pay the price difference between a regular one included in the plan and a specialty one. The plan is restrictive and you have to follow all the rules. Also, every place is not included in the plan.

I absolutely hate the idea of dessert and not getting the appetizer, now. Now, if they would have done either, or, I might have been a happier camper with the new basic plan. As it stands it's thumbs down for me, now.

 

[twinsr241]

I can totally see all your points Bete, it is a lot of work to plan the meals. Though we did have neighbors who were able to get the meals they wanted by calling each morning of their stay for availability. (I wouldn't chance this if I were paying OOP for the DDP though.)
The free dining time has always worked for us. We prefer the park when it is less crowded in September. The short wait times are wonderful when travelling with three little ones. The weather can be risky, but hasn't been a problem for us yet (keeping our fingers crossed) We always purchase travel insurance, but not to protect against hurricane. We do it in case of the death or serious illness of a family member, etc.
The thing that makes it the best value for us is we stay at a Value resort. We get two connecting rooms for much less than the cost of one Deluxe room. We get two baths and the ability to put the kids to sleep and still stay up and watch TV or get things ready for the next day.
With the dining plan we do a character meal for the kids almost every day. We would never do this if paying OOP. Maybe 2 over the course of a week.
The decision really depends on your individual situation.
I do agree that the plan would be awesome if you could choose between an appetizer and dessert. It seems odd that Disney "forces" you into dessert, when it would be much healthier to offer a soup or salad instead. They have tried to make the kid's meals healthier, so why not the adults?

two of the times were for the free dining plan. For free dining it's an absolute yes whether it's the old or new revised version. Under the old way with appetizer and tip included in the basic DP I loved the plan, but not anymore. For free the new version is just okay. To get it free you pay full rack resort rate and you have a very narrow band of time slots to go and you have to contend with peak hurricane season. Many end up taking travel insurance for this time period and otherwise might not take travel insurance. So, the savings are diminished even when it's a so-called free dining plan. Now, if you leave food credits on the table it continues to be less value. About the best time to consider using the plan is if you have a lot of people per room. If you fill up the room with 2 adults, a junior and a child you are increasing your value. If you go as 2 couples in the same room, you increase your value.

To me the deluxe plan is nice, but it costs too much. Although, to me, it's a better value now than the basic one. Also, you really have to pre-plan like going to Signature restaurants with the deluxe plan to make sure you are getting your money's worth there.

I gave this a lot of thought and the time commitmment is too much before and during vacation for the dining plan. It takes time to have a nice TS meal. I rather have more time to enjoy the park. If you are OOP, you can go to a late lunch TS and pay less for your eats and basically get the same foods. It's easier (less crowded) to do lunch and faster. I like the quicker counter service places the best. Also, if I want to get a certain side order, etc. more than likely it's not included in the plan, anyway. If I want a special drink you don't pay the price difference between a regular one included in the plan and a specialty one. The plan is restrictive and you have to follow all the rules. Also, every place is not included in the plan.

I absolutely hate the idea of dessert and not getting the appetizer, now. Now, if they would have done either, or, I might have been a happier camper with the new basic plan. As it stands it's thumbs down for me, now.

 

[TDC Nala]

Desserts use cheaper ingredients and are easier to produce, which is why they got offered instead of appetizers. Part of the reason for eliminating a course was to move more people through the restaurants more quickly (they're so popular now they need to do that). Offering a choice between appetizers and desserts would cancel the time savings out, as half a table would order appetizers and the other half desserts. The deluxe plan has all three courses, but it costs a good deal more. They're losing the time but gaining the money.