Considering adding dining plan to reservation...worth it???

[lady_bug_888]

I currently have a room only reservation for August and I've booked my ADR's. I missed out on free dining by 2 days (DH wouldn't commit until the promo had passed...ARGHH)!!! I've NEVER been to DW but I like the fact that all my meals would be paid for and also that I could try a few restaurants that I maybe wouldn't have tried otherwise. We were going to pay OOP because I didn't know I could add the BDP with a room only reservation. So far we have ADR's at the following restaurants:

Boma
50's Prime Time
WCC
1900 Park Fare
Chef Mickey's

If I got the dining plan I would definitely add more reservations for sit-down meals.

I called Disney today and got a total price of $3950 for our room/Dining plan/1 day base tickets. Basically this is an increase in price of around $1850 for 15 days of Basic Dining and 1 day base tickets (we got free 7 day passes through Air Miles which we will add the water park feature to so we're covered there).

Is this a good deal? It's about $125/day for food but when I was adding up the cost of a TS at the restaurants I already booked at, they are approaching or passing the $100 mark.

WWYD?

__________________


163 days until our first family vacation to Walt Disney World!!!

 

[heatherandnick]

I would get it. It's nice to not look at the prices on the menu when ordering.

 

[KristiLyn]

I'd get it as well. It took me awhile to go with the dining plan, but once I did I'll never go back. It makes things so much easier. We basically added up what it would cost us (approximately) in food each day to see if the dining plan was cheaper for us. It actually wasn't a huge savings to us, but the convenience was absolutely worth it.

 

[koolaidmoms]

If you have already begun to price it out and you are at least close to what it breaks down to ($125 a day you wrote) then I would do it.

For us it usually breaks down we come out a bit ahead on the DP but not tons. I like that everything is paid for ahead of time and I don't need to think about it.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I would also get it. For me a big part of the *value* of the Dining Plan is having our meals pre-paid. The only thing OOP at that point will be tips and adult beverages (or appetizers if you choose). I love the freedom of letting everyone order what they want without worrying about the expense.
Just know that in order to add the Dining Plan - Disney will need to cancel your room only reservation. They will refund you any money you currently have and you will need to make a new reservation which will need to be a package which also includes tickets. They will need a new $200 deposit. You payment will now be due, in full, 45 days before you arrive. Just wanted to let you know in case the $$ budget is a concern.

 

[Cafeen]

It's a little tough to say without more detail. You list a few reservations up there, but then stay you're staying for 15 day (14 nights I'd assume).

If you're willing and able to make more reservations to use up all the TS credits on the DDP (Disney Dining Plan, we use Dx for deluxe, just so you don't get confused ), then it may work out. Keep in mind that you're going to be getting Desserts covered, but not appetizers, so if you don't like desserts but usually get apps, it may not work out well for you. Also if you typically split several meals, you may end up with extra credits as well. It's best used as it is structured. If you're OK with that though, then keep on going .

Go through the menus of the places you've booked and also see about booking enough to use up all the rest of the credits. Get a general idea of the price for each location for covered items, and then add it all up and compare to the price of the dining plan itself.

 

[lady_bug_888]

Thank you for all the replies! I talked to DH already and he said I can do what I want. Even though he's a Disney Scrooge, he's a great husband! I think I'm going to get the plan. I am going to be there for 15 nights but as you can't book 15 nights on one reservation, I have two reservations and thus the plan would only be for 14 nights (14 of each credit: TS, QS and snack) but still works out to only $125 extra/day due to savings on upgrading our tickets and other stuff.

I've gone back over my plans and all the restaurants I have so far are covered by the dining plan and there are more I would like to add including CRT (IF I can get it...I'll be calling tonight!) and Arkeshus. I will then talk to DH and see if he wants to eat anywhere specific...probably not though (he lets me do all the planning which is great but is sometimes a burden!).

We don't usually do appetizers but I am a BIG dessert person so I'm pretty happy that I'll get dessert every night! We also don't share meals much although we do taste each others meals...we also will have a 17 month old with us so she will be eating off of our plates.

I'm aware my reservation will change and also that the new ressie will be a 'package' and must be paid in advance and that is actually great for me because then I can clear off all our credit cards before going and I have no worries.

We will also be spending 4 days in the middle of our trip doing non-disney things but I will still be able to use those credits (Our TS credit from the day we will be at the Space Center can go towards CRT and we can still have breakfast at pepper market that day! and I can always use my snack credit another day to get an ice cream for DD 17 months).

I'm even more excited now that I'm adding the DP because I'm not going to have to worry about money! Thanks for all the help in making my decision and for bringing up all the issues to consider! I LOVE the DIS!

 

[disneybliss2]

I think you made the right decision!!!! We looooooove the dining plan! I know we could eat cheaper if we didn't go the dining plan route, but it would mean eating CS every meal. Burgers, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, fries, repeat, repeat, repeat...well, it would get old after a bit. To me, part of enjoying vacation is the food. I look forward to the various character meals for my kids (okay, I admit it...for me too), the nice sit down meals to cool off after a long, hot day, etc. Having the sit down TS meals to me enhances my vacation. Having the dining plan allows me to choose meals I wouldn't otherwise because I wouldn't want to pay oop due to the expense. However, the dp allows me to do so because it costs me no more. It's also so nice to not worry about the $ since it's prepaid. Now you get to have fun deciding which restaurants to choose. It's so fun!!!

 

[Cafeen]

From reading the update, it certainly looks like it'll fit you perfectly . (And d'oh, forgot about the 14 day limitation >< that's my bad ).

Since it looks like you'll have 3 "extra" credits (you already spent one of them for CRT), you should look into adding at least 1 signature. While they aren't the best value on the normal DDP, your long stay should even it out just fine. Of course, this probably depends more on the little one than on your taste buds . Jiko and Citricos were my favorites from last year.

I'm going to guess you're staying at CSR by the use of the Pepper Market in the morning (I'm smart like this ), Maya Grill is an alright restaurant, so that may be a possibility as well. I went there in 2009 and again in 2010 (twice each, 2 dinners in 2009, 1 dinner 1 breakfast in 2010), but the 2010 meals weren't nearly as good as 2009. They weren't bad, just nothing spectacular (bland steak, slow service). It may work for the convienance of being at your resort though. 2009 was very good at both dinners though, so the 2010 dinner may have been an off-night.

 

[lady_bug_888]

Yep...staying at CSR. I'm super excited! It was my first choice and originally wasn't in the budget until I got the deal on the room.

I just spent an hour on the phone with Disney (thank goodness for long distance plans!) and got everything changed around. I'm really glad I called too because they made a note of my preferred buildings but apparently NOT where anyone at the resort could see it!

The good news is it was a bit less than what I had been told the first time I called so it only worked out to $115 extra/day (BONUS!!!). I also managed to get reservations for:

CRT
Arkeshus
Artist's point

I chose the last one for my son as he loves art and I thought the mickey mouse paint-able puzzle for dessert would be a highlight for him! Also, the location looks great as does the menu (looks much better than the KD we're having tonight!!!).

Still have 4 TS credits to play with so that's what I'll be doing in the next few days. Guess I'll be reading menus tonight and tomorrow!

 

[5westbrooks]

Good for you! $115.00 a day to eat at WDW is a great deal. We really enjoyed having everything paid for upfront. My DH was leary of it but it only took one look at the first bill we didn't have to pay OOP to convince him it was the way to go! When in August are you going? I received a FD pin the other day (expires 8/13). Of course we are going in September so it doesn't help us. You already have a great deal, but FD would be icing on the cake. Sending you some pixie dust for FD!

 

[lady_bug_888]

We are going August 15-30 so even if I get a pin, I will not be able to get FD I'm pretty happy with my choice though I made some more reservations and my only disappointment has been that 'Ohana was booked on the day of DS's 8th bday (Aug. 27). We will be going to Maya Grill that night and we got 'Ohana on the 29th which is our last day. I don't think he'll be too disappointed because I'll just explain that 'Ohana is where I wanted to take him and we have to go there a few days later...plus I have lots of things planned that he will absolutely freak out over!

I'm also super excited that I got a 9pm reservation for California Grill. We are doing that the same day as Chef Mickey's but we are having a late breakfast so it will work out nicely.

I'm a little frustrated at DH because he can't follow any of this of course...he can't even remember the date we're leaving! Thank goodness for the DIS or else I'd go crazy because no one else can follow my plans and help me think it through!

 

[theallens5]

You made the best choice. Whenever we can, we choose the Dining plan and it really adds to the trip both for the variety and the price.

 

[Catie.Hiltz]

I agree you made the right choice...I remember when I was younger and we were checking out at disney counter service restaurants, it took forever because people were pulling out cash/credit cards/travelers checks, and now most people are on the dining plan, and you just swipe your hotel card and you are done, its awesome to see the total and then basically not have to pay it (since you already paid for the meal plan!)....its the best...I was hesitant to get it also, because I wasn't sure how easy it would be to use/figure out what was eligible for the meal plan, but basically almost everything is eligible, and all the CM's are extremely helpful in helping you figure out what items you can purchase with the meal plan

enjoy!