DDP is there a catch

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Its been 4 years since I last went, and the bug to go again is here !

I am doing the research again, and this Disney Dining Plan, there must be a catch some where?

I know its more expensive to stay at WDW, but its in the heart of the magic, and thats what your paying for, but to get all the food in as well ...

Am I missing something?

I take it you can't eat at the Californian Grill every night !

Is there a list of what restaurants are in and not, and what are people views on it?

thanks to all who reply, much appreciated.

 

[poohmadmum]

We had the free DDP this year and thought it was great although far too much food. Next year the starters and tip are excluded.

Have a look at this site and it will explain the dining plan and restaurants covered etc. We didn't find any catches. I don't think I would pay for the DDP as it was much more food than we normally eat and it ties you a little as you are recommended to make ADR's for the TS credits each day.

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

Most items $4 and under count as a snack. At the Poly we were allowed to use a CS credit for 3 snacks as we had CS credits to use up.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Thank you for that, brilliant

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Never tried the DDP , only catch is park crowd levels are more unpredictable now because of it.
We found last August was a fair bit busier than average, theory was it's down to the DDP.

 

[team harris]

No catch! - honestly, we stayed at Pop Century in August and you can eat where ever you want and order whatever you want. Some places and character meals ask for 2 credits, but you can offset these against non Disney days out.

 

[Goofyish]

No real catches as such, but you do end up planning your holiday around your meals - perhaps not so much with the free DDP, but with the paid for DDP you may feel obliged to use all your meal credits and so probably eat a lot more than you would normally

 

[UKDEB]

That's very true, Tim. Whilst we weren't on the Dining Plan this August, our travelling partners were and we very much had to plan everything around our meals. Even though eating is a big part of our trips, that isn't the way we'd choose to do it.

Kevin, you're right in thinking you couldn't eat at California Grill every evening. The "signature" restaurants (CG being one of them) require 2 TS credits, meaning you could do one every other night, but you'd then have to fork out for your meals on the other nights.

 

[jtlover]

We love the dining plan and have been on it twice now. As Disney is a holiday that you need to plan months in advance we always plan our meals around where we are going to be on the day and book the meals in advance. This year it worked really well.

From next year when the starters and gratuity are not, it is still worth the money providing you plan your meals. We like eating at nice restaurants and next time we have some more we plan on eating at