Current cost of Dining Plan?

[Tiger926]

My hubby and I are pretty excited that us DVC members get to add the Dining Plan starting in April at a cost of $37.99 pp. We were just wondering how much the plan currently costs? Is it $35.00 pp now and is regular Dining Plan going up to $37.99 as well or is it a different price for DVC? Hubby's a banker so numbers are his thing and he noticed the $3.00 increase right away.

Tiger

 

[bicker]

DVC members will pay the same $37.99 price.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks, so I guess it's going up for everyone then, that makes it equal. Also, tried to read almost all threads re: dining plan, but it seems as if there is still confusion as to whether the 37.99 price includes tax or will be plus tax. Does anyone know yet?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[gabbysmom04]

I hope it is the same for everyone. I am happy that Disney is finally giving Dining to DVC. I have been hoping for this. I only wish it would kick in for my trip in March.

 

[BCKatie02]

I believe $35 was the price for 2005 and it has increased to $37.99 for 2006...same price for everyone.

 

[Chuck S]

As to whether they will add tax at the time you purchase the plan is still an unknown.

 

[Tiger926]

I guess I'm confused as to why it's unknown, how have they done it in the past? Is the current $35.00 plus tax or including tax? I'm not sure why they would change tax laws, or is it because it was part of a package before?

Tiger

 

[Allison]

I guess I'm confused as to why it's unknown, how have they done it in the past? Is the current $35.00 plus tax or including tax? I'm not sure why they would change tax laws, or is it because it was part of a package before?

Tiger

Tax laws haven't changed. It's just that people are saying they don't know if it includes tax or not.

 

[Chuck S]

I guess I'm confused as to why it's unknown, how have they done it in the past? Is the current $35.00 plus tax or including tax? I'm not sure why they would change tax laws, or is it because it was part of a package before?

Tiger

Exactly, because it is currently part of a package. While you don't pay tax at the restaurant, there are reports that you pay tax on the $35, in fact, it was reported early in the year when the DP became available in the packages, that you were charged that room tax rate, since it was part of a package.

With DVC ressie, it won't be part of a package, so the tax factor is at this time not known, until we get more details.

 

[Tiger926]

I got it - that makes sense. Although I definitely don't agree with charging room tax rate as a food plan isn't a room - we have different tax laws here in Canada, so I guess we'll have to see what happens.

Thanks so much for the explanations, Tiger

 

[bicker]

Also, there may be tax implications with regard to selling what is obstensibly a service within a membership club. In some states, I believe that warrants a sales tax exemption.

 

[clydenora]

On the WDW internet site, I recently priced out the entire trip w/ and w/o dining plan. Then I did some math and figured out the price would be $37.99 per person, per day (I have all adult prices for my family). As I went thru the entire reservation process, the final price was the same as what they quoted me from the beginning. What I am trying to say is that there were no taxes added to the price. It still worked out to $37.99 per person.

Still haven't decided whether it's best for my family or not.

 

[clydenora]

On the WDW internet site, I recently priced out the entire trip w/ and w/o dining plan. Then I did some math and figured out the price would be $37.99 per person, per day, as I will have all adult prices for my family. As I went thru the entire reservation process, the final price was the same as what they quoted me from the beginning. What I am trying to say is that there were no taxes added to the price. It still worked out to $37.99 per person.

Still haven't decided whether it's best for my family or not.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks again - interesting discussion. Good point Bicker as here in Canada I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be able to charge room tax on a food plan as our tax laws are very specific on these types of things.

Good luck clydenora on your decision to do the meal plan - we are a small family, myself, DH and DD 2.5 (she'll be 3 by our next trip), so for us we are giving it a try. We like the DDE, but there are several factors for us considering the meal plan and not renewing our DDE card this year:

1) We don't drink, so alcohol discounts aren't a factor

2) Our friends who we travel with (also DVC) have their own card, so we don't need the volume discount at this time - maybe one day when family wants to come with us

3) We have an AP & DVC, so we already get 10% discount at most places, plus factor in the 50.00 fee (or 60.00 increase fee if rumours are true on this board for an '06 increase), and so as my hubby the banker pointed out, we actually have to spend more to not only make up our fee, but to make up for the adjustment in the other discounts as well as DDE increase - don't see this mentioned here on this board too often, but this is an important factor to consider as getting the 20% discount actually costs money, whereas AP & DVC do not

4) We can only go to WDW max. 2x per year as we live in Canada and I'm a teacher, so only a few times a year for vacations for us, so multiple trips isn't that much of a factor either - plus, we want to cruise every few years and may not necessarily be able to squeeze a few park days into the vacation so no need for DDE

Based on all of this, we figure we'd try the meal plan as we tried the DDE last year for 2 trips - we are always looking to improve our WDW experience, so we are anxious to try the meal plan out. We are a little bit nervous about counter service as we have completely eliminated them from our meal plan since the DDE, so we'll have to really watch what types of foods we eat while using the CS credits as we have allergies, food sensitivities and digestive health issues in our family.

Happy planning and eating to all! Tiger

 

[iluvvacay]

I went this year in april it was 37.99 which included the tax and gratuities. I never heard of it being 35.00 . It is worth 37.99 if you like to eat at sit down restaurants, and you like to eat alot.