Debating on Dining Plan

[excited4dis]

I'm going back and forth on the Dining Plan. My youngest son will be 14 when we go to WDW next year. He has never been a big eater, so unless he goes through a major growth spurt in the next year, I don't see that changing much. We are doing a lot of character meals, so the dining plan calculator shows that for 3 adult meals, the plan is worth it. However, I'm not sure how much he will actually eat from an adult entree. Will they let him order a children's meal if he isn't on the plan? Will they let my older son and I do the plan and leave my younger one off of it?

 

[Faldred]

Answering the last question first... everyone in the same room has to be on the same plan, or none at all.

You can always mix paying for meals with credits and out of pocket (OOP) at the same meal. If at your non-buffet meals your DS14 doesn't want a full meal, I'd suggest paying OOP for a lighter meal (an appetizer maybe, or even a kid's meal in some cases) for him, and saving that credit to use another time, giving you more TS meals as a group, if you like.

 

[Ben Pieper]

I never recommend the dining plan, even if its free. Its stressful, rarely cost-effective, and boxes you into meals. If it's being offered for free, skip it and take the room discount. People talk about all the free bags of chips or whatever they got to take home with them because they still had so many snack credits at the end. Those snack credits could've been used on ice cream, dole whip, or something else much more expensive than a bag of chips. This scenario follows all the way up to table service meals, some are vastly more expensive than others. It's really important to make sure getting the dining plan is cost-effective, because paying out of pocket will most likely be cheaper (especially with someone that isn't a big eater) and will be much less stressful so you don't have to match your meals to your credits. Pay out of pocket, eat what you want, and (probably) save money.

 

[LoopyDoopy]

Can you:

1. Plan all your meals in advance and KNOW that you will WANT all the most expensive items?
2. Willing to accept that you will have to eat dessert at every TS meal for the DDP / an appetizer and dessert for every TS meal for the DxDDP for EVERYONE in the group?
3. Prepared to do all the calculations to see if you'll save money or not?
4. Willing to risk losing money if your plans change?

If you answer yes to all the above, go for it.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We're saving $651 (16%) over a 14 night trip by using the DDP vs. paying OOP for the same meals.

Every TS credit is being used at a fixed price location (either character meals or packages). Given that, there is no need for us to look at menus, just the price of the restaurants, and using an average QS and snack price, this will be pretty accurate, given our situation. Actually, the savings would be a bit higher if they raise prices in the next 3 months.

OP said they would be doing character meals for their TS credits. For the fixed price locations (including buffets), DS 14 will have to pay the adult price if paying OOP (regardless of how little he eats), and 1 adult TS credit if on the DDP. If ordering off the menu, you can decide whether to use the DDP or pay OOP for each person individually (you can do the same at fixed price locations, also, but it is almost always worth it to use DDP credits at fixed price restaurants, and not pay OOP).

How many nights are you going for, and what is the full list of TS restaurants you are planning? That would give us the info we need to further help you.

 

[Hopefully]

I never recommend the dining plan, even if its free. Its stressful, rarely cost-effective, and boxes you into meals. If it's being offered for free, skip it and take the room discount. People talk about all the free bags of chips or whatever they got to take home with them because they still had so many snack credits at the end. Those snack credits could've been used on ice cream, dole whip, or something else much more expensive than a bag of chips. This scenario follows all the way up to table service meals, some are vastly more expensive than others. It's really important to make sure getting the dining plan is cost-effective, because paying out of pocket will most likely be cheaper (especially with someone that isn't a big eater) and will be much less stressful so you don't have to match your meals to your credits. Pay out of pocket, eat what you want, and (probably) save money.

Clearly the DDP doesn't work for you and that is fine. But it is NOT " stressful, rarely cost effective, and boxes you into meals" for us. Nor is it like that for everyone
We save money, enjoy having our meals planned in advance and eat like the plan offers. It is great for us.
I have never read of anyone taking " bags of chips" home.

OP. You need to do the research and assessment for your family. Only you know what is best.

 

[excited4dis]

Thanks everyone. I'm planning on going for 8 nights, but I may add an extra night on if I can afford it. I haven't booked the vacation yet. The TS restaurants on my list are Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Be Our Guest, T-Rex, Sci-Fi, Garden Grill, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and Ohana. I was planning on doing QS meals for lunch, and using snack credits for breakfast since we aren't big breakfast eaters. If the character meals are a set price, and my son will be charged as an adult, I'm thinking I might be better off just keeping it.

I did check out all the different items on all the menus. It's hard to quite decipher exactly what my kids will eat. I think I'll print up the menus and get their advice.

I know another poster mentioned up above that the dining plan is stressful, but I think paying OOP can be very stressful too. My older son loves steak. I don't want to have to worry about spending too much on a meal. I thought about paying OOP and just doing less TS restaurants, but I don't want to cut any of the ones I have off my list. My kids loved the T-Rex, Sci-Fi, and Garden Grill restaurants the last time, and the other ones on my list we haven't tried yet. If we do the dining plan and stay and extra day, I have to figure out one more TS restaurant. Something fun and dining plan cost worthy.

 

[StuckInKS]

The TS restaurants on my list are Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Be Our Guest, T-Rex, Sci-Fi, Garden Grill, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and Ohana. If the character meals are a set price, and my son will be charged as an adult, I'm thinking I might be better off just keeping it.

With Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, Ohana and 1900 Park fare, you will pay adult price for your son, no matter how much he eats. Possibly also at Whispering Canyon Cafe, if you plan on getting the skillet. BoG and T-Rex are usually pricey, but Sci-Fi will be cheap. I'd calculate the price for the fixed price meals, deduct the total from the DDP price and go from there. We usually calculate $5 for snack credits, since we tend to get Funnel Cakes or large Sundaes with them, but $3.5-$4 might be more reasonable for others. About $15 per adult and $7 per child for QS (I know your son is 14, but if he'll order a kids meal at QS then calculate that price instead of the $15 for him). Then see what the "balance" left is for the remaining 3-4 meals that are not fixed-price.

 

[excited4dis]

With Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, Ohana and 1900 Park fare, you will pay adult price for your son, no matter how much he eats. Possibly also at Whispering Canyon Cafe, if you plan on getting the skillet. BoG and T-Rex are usually pricey, but Sci-Fi will be cheap. I'd calculate the price for the fixed price meals, deduct the total from the DDP price and go from there. We usually calculate $5 for snack credits, since we tend to get Funnel Cakes or large Sundaes with them, but $3.5-$4 might be more reasonable for others. About $15 per adult and $7 per child for QS (I know your son is 14, but if he'll order a kids meal at QS then calculate that price instead of the $15 for him). Then see what the "balance" left is for the remaining 3-4 meals that are not fixed-price.

Thanks for all your input. I'm rethinking the dining plan. I may cut out Ohana because I have been hearing mixed things about it. Not sure my kids will like the food there either, and it's very expensive for them to just nibble. Also, when my kids were younger, they shared most of the kids meals and were fine with that. We could probably share some of the QS meals again and save money. I might be better off paying OOP. Thankfully I have time to decide.

 

[mamamelody2]

Thanks for all your input. I'm rethinking the dining plan. I may cut out Ohana because I have been hearing mixed things about it. Not sure my kids will like the food there either, and it's very expensive for them to just nibble. Also, when my kids were younger, they shared most of the kids meals and were fine with that. We could probably share some of the QS meals again and save money. I might be better off paying OOP. Thankfully I have time to decide.

Yes, you will probably be able to share a number of meals with smaller eaters in your group. Our family of 5 (Me, DH, DD 16, DS 14, DS 10) were able to split 3 meals between us several times last year and still not finish it all.

 

[Juliet0778]

We did Dining Plan last time, but will not this time. I felt like I was so busy trying to game the system to get the most bang for our buck that I didn't get what I wanted. And too much dessert! Plus, my son is young enough for kids meals, but at some quick service, he wanted adult meals because the kids meals can be so boring/generic. (I'm looking at you, Morocco.) So we're just going OOP this time to get some freedom!

 

[Nancyg56]

Clearly the DDP doesn't work for you and that is fine. But it is NOT " stressful, rarely cost effective, and boxes you into meals" for us. Nor is it like that for everyone
We save money, enjoy having our meals planned in advance and eat like the plan offers. It is great for us.
I have never read of anyone taking " bags of chips" home.

OP. You need to do the research and assessment for your family. Only you know what is best.

I agree that while the DDP is a stressful nightmare fro some families, for mine it usually is a pretty good deal. And LOL on the chips!!! My youngest son, even at 38! Hopes that somone will not use all their snack credits or BONUS!!! Will not use a CS credit. He loves the bags of candy and trail mix and the cheap so and so wont buy them. He will use a snack credit though....Chips? Nope! LOL!

 

[nco91590]

I've always been a DDPer, mainly because I like my meals paid for in advance. This last trip was a short one and paying OOP worked for my family of 4. With booze it pretty much evened out cost wise. DH isn't a dessert eater, we weren't hungry btwn meals for snacks, we drink water (and of course margaritas) so didn't miss soda.

Our last trip wasn't foodcentric either. So I liked having limited ADRs and "winging it" so to speak.

For light eaters you could probably end up paying less OOP. We DEFINITELY had lots of leftover snacks last couple times on DDP but we used them to bring candy, lollipops etc, back for the office and our neighbors.

 

[kayteekt]

We have done used the DP over the years, more recently we've been paying out of pocket.
There is value in the DP, especially if you are planning on doing character dining, buffets, aycte...anything that's a prefixed price. I would do as has been suggested before...do some math. Start with your meals that will be a set price (and any child 10 and older is considered an adult and will be charged adult prices).

 

[KStash]

I think it depends on your financial situation and what you want out of the vacation:

If you are strapped for cash, you can spend less money on food without the dining plan.

If you want less planning and sit down meals, then forego the dining plan.

If you aren't that concerned if you come out "even" cash wise, and you want more table service meals (especially character meals) then it's worth it.

Personally, I find it worth it, regardless of whether I come out even cost wise, as I like to have my trip paid off completely before I go. When my family of 8 went in the fall, we had snacks left over, and we used them on Goofy's candy to bring home. I didn't even know they sold bag of chips?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Plus, my son is young enough for kids meals, but at some quick service, he wanted adult meals because the kids meals can be so boring/generic. (I'm looking at you, Morocco.)

For future reference, QS meals are not differentiated between adult and children meals.

So a family of 2 adults, an 8 year old and a 5 year old staying for 7 nights gets 28 QS credits for the trip. They can get 28 adult QS meals, 28 kids QS meals, or any combination they want.

Therefore if the 8 year old wants an adult QS meal they can use the credit for it.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

You can certainly save money using the DP but I imagine most people do not or Disney wouldn't offer it. It is a way to entice people to eat at Disney restaurants at a price point that is attractive without seeming excessive. I find it interesting that you can't find the daily cost for the DP on the Disney website (at least I never have). There's a reason for that, and it might have something to do with the fact that more people might pass on the plan if they knew it cost $X a day.

 

[SimonSez]

I never recommend the dining plan, even if its free. Its stressful, rarely cost-effective, and boxes you into meals. If it's being offered for free, skip it and take the room discount. People talk about all the free bags of chips or whatever they got to take home with them because they still had so many snack credits at the end. Those snack credits could've been used on ice cream, dole whip, or something else much more expensive than a bag of chips. This scenario follows all the way up to table service meals, some are vastly more expensive than others. It's really important to make sure getting the dining plan is cost-effective, because paying out of pocket will most likely be cheaper (especially with someone that isn't a big eater) and will be much less stressful so you don't have to match your meals to your credits. Pay out of pocket, eat what you want, and (probably) save money.

We've never done the DP, but it always seemed like so much food we couldn't keep up I always figured it was better for larger families/parties than smaller ones. Again, not sure I'm qualified to comment here as we've never experienced the DP. I doubt we ever will and that works for us, but others seem to really like it. My main beef is that the DP is probably responsible for the six months out ADRs, but that's a different topic altogether

 

[Juliet0778]

For future reference, QS meals are not differentiated between adult and children meals.

So a family of 2 adults, an 8 year old and a 5 year old staying for 7 nights gets 28 QS credits for the trip. They can get 28 adult QS meals, 28 kids QS meals, or any combination they want.

Therefore if the 8 year old wants an adult QS meal they can use the credit for it.

Huh...when I was there, they were. I distinctly remember having to use one of our adult credits to get him something he wanted. That would be nice if that changed, but we were told if a kid's menu was available, he had to order off of it. If there wasn't, we could get an adult meal.

 

[StuckInKS]

but I imagine most people do not or Disney wouldn't offer it.

I don't think this is necessarily true. If it were, why would they offer the dining card to select offsite guests that literally give them more dining $ than they pay to Disney? The saving for that dining card is 12.5% for adults and 16.7% for kids. There is no "you have to do x, y and z to see a savings" with these cards. 100% of those purchasing these cards are saving money, assuming they use all the money on the card. So I don't see why Disney wouldn't mind for 100% of people to save on the dining plan. I know 100% aren't, but I don't think Disney would stop offering it if they were, which is what your statement implies...that if the majority of people were saving, then Disney wouldn't offer it.