Debating on Dining Plan

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

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.

At TS meals this is the case.

For QS meals they have always been pooled together. However it did use to be the case that the KTTW cards specified number of children and adults on the meal plan CM would not let you order more adult and children QS meals at once than was shown on the card. Even with this level of enforcement, husband and wife could get on line separately and each order 2 adult meals, while if just one was in line the CM would limit them to 2 adult meals and 2 child meals. But the entitlements remaining would be the same either way they did it.

But they stopped enforcing this years ago.

 

[momto3pirates]

We haven't done the DDP since the early days when it included appetizers, meals,dessert and tips. We are considering adding it this year so we will have everything prepaid. I know we can eat for less, but I find myself trying to find the cheaper options to save money. This year I plan on eating whatever I want. We are also bringing along several first timers and I want them to pick what they want.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

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.

If it were about enticing people to participate, then Disney would still offer appetizers with the plan, or wouldn't have made so many cuts to free dining. For Disney it is about finding the right balance of profit.

 

[LaBelleVie]

The dining plan is worth it to us. This will be the second trip we've used it. On the first trip, we may have saved a little money by paying OOP, but booking the package also came with some other perks that helped even out the cost a bit for us (we used our refillable mugs a LOT). For our upcoming trip, it's actually saving us around $200. Since we have young kids, we're doing a lot of character meals, and that's where I find that it really helps us save money. Plus if you want the dining packages (such as for Fantasmic! or Rivers of Light), you can use the plan, and it only costs as many credits as it would without the package.

Additionally, we like the peace of mind of having it all paid for ahead of time, even if it's not always as cost efficient. For example, on our last trip, we didn't get the plan and had car trouble on the way down that set us back $1000; we ended up cutting all of our ADRs but a breakfast at Crystal Palace (my kids were really looking forward to eating with Pooh) and spent most of the week eating as cheaply as possible at QS locations; if we'd had the plan, we wouldn't have had to worry about it. It's worth it to me to not have to worry about it.

Plus my husband is basically a bottomless pit.

 

[jeepwreck]

We always get the DDP even if it save us money or not we just like prepaying everything up front it's a vacation I don't want to worry about how much meals cost

But we also make sure to us it wisely and make the most of it. We eat at places we normally would not eat at and do a lot of character meals

We mix it up between the Regular plan and deluxe plan depending on how long we stay

Last trip we did there was 8 of us in two rooms and we got free dining and it saved us a ton

 

[StuckInKS]

If it were about enticing people to participate, then Disney would still offer appetizers with the plan, or wouldn't have made so many cuts to free dining. For Disney it is about finding the right balance of profit.

I'm not saying anything about Disney wanting everyone on DDP or about Free Dining. PP said that Disney only offers the dining plan because most people don't save money with it, which isn't necessarily true otherwise they wouldn't bother with the dining cards where 100% of the people save. What the dining plan and the dining cards do is allow Disney to lock you into on-property meals, even if you get to save 10%-15% in the process. So, there is still a benefit to offering it, even if the majority are saving. There is also the potential of not using what you've already paid for, which is pure profit for them. Now, if the majority begins to save more than the mouse wants to give up, then they start taking away elements, like the apps and tips, but not eliminate it altogether.

 

[rosiebean]

Additionally, we like the peace of mind of having it all paid for ahead of time, even if it's not always as cost efficient. For example, on our last trip, we didn't get the plan and had car trouble on the way down that set us back $1000; we ended up cutting all of our ADRs but a breakfast at Crystal Palace (my kids were really looking forward to eating with Pooh) and spent most of the week eating as cheaply as possible at QS locations; if we'd had the plan, we wouldn't have had to worry about it. It's worth it to me to not have to worry about it.

See, here's where I have a hard time understanding, simply because it flies in the face of the way I plan travel. I understand pre-paying...in my case, I pre-save most times. I pre-pay my room (when needed), but often get a room only discount where I pay the balance the day of arrival. So, instead of paying so much per month to WDW, I put that same amount in my savings to pay for my room. Likewise, I set aside money ahead of any trip to pay for meals and for incidentals (and usually have more than enough funds in savings by trip time) just like I were paying toward the dining plan. Instead of paying Disney before my trip, I must pay myself.

A few days before my trip, I move those funds from savings to my debit card, and I use that debit card to pay for my room balance and for other things, such as food, t-shirts, beer, during my vacation. I usually over-estimate how much I need for food/beer/etc., so I have plenty of funds available (and I'm not stressed about meal cost as a result).

Beyond that, I've priced out the dining plan, and unless it's 'free', it's a huge loss given the way my family eats. We don't do character meals ever day (usually just one a vacation) and rarely do buffets, and we like appetizers and share a few deserts every now and then, but often don't get them. So the way I vacation, DDP would not save me money...and paying ahead wouldn't give me peace of mind, because I already pay ahead without the DDP (as I said earlier, I pay myself before my trip).

Still, even though I don't personally understand the 'I prepaid, so even if I happen to lose a few bucks, I have peace of mind' way of thinking, I can appreciate that it works for a ton of people who go to WDW, and prepaying for the DDP makes their vacation that much nicer. That's because I'm willing to pay more (a lot more!) for a WDW resort I like...because it helps my personal peace of mind in regards to my mood during vacation. I am not someone who regards a hotel room at WDW as a place to simply 'sleep and shower'...and *even if I did only sleep and shower in my room*, I'd still want upgraded amenities in compared to what values offer. I know some posters can't fathom why I spend a thousand or more above the cost of a value to stay at a mod or deluxe at WDW, but it makes my vacation nicer for me. So...even though I don't personally get the DDP 'peace of mind' way of thinking, I can totally appreciate that it works for others and works great for them.

 

[Srbright]

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.

I don't understand #2 above. It makes me think that you're picturing a Disney employee standing behind everyones chair FORCING you to order dessert or app/dessert and STANDING THERE UNTIL YOU EAT EVERY BITE.

No one has to eat anything they don't want. Not that it's in this post but that's another frequent argument "It's too much food."

It is not a requirement anywhere that you have to order more food than you want.

Stacy

 

[Nancyg56]

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.

WE all see things within our own circumstances. I have never not known the price per person of the ddp, so I cannot imagine how finding the Cost per day is difficult. It is my opinion that the plan is used. As an incentive to keep folks onsite and to encourage ALL dining dollars be allocated to disney restaurants. I do see peopple say they purchase it regardless of savings, but I believe most people know their family dining habits andgand therefore can determine if the plans will work for them. WE save.

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.

The CS credits are pooled. You can use them as you wish.

 

[Srbright]

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.

I had the same argument with someone else on here and went back and researched it. They really don't differentiate any longer.

Stacy

 

[Srbright]

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.

And we are polar opposites, we ALWAYS recommend the DDP or DxDDP especially when it's free. We had it on our first trip in 2008 and haven't looked back since.

Free dining saved our family $268/ night, 2,400 for the trip. Room only was only $84/night, $751 for the trip. I could have saved $83 on the room; great. But Akershus breakfast is $45/person, $180 total for breakfast. Just that meal alone wipes out the RO savings for another day.

So... $83 off the room or $180 meal for free? Net the two, you're already over the room only savings by $97 for just one meal. (And still 1 QS and 2 snacks left).

DxDDP is what makes our vacations stress-less and worry free. Disney does not advertise it as a savings anymore. It used to say "Save up to 20% with the Disney Dining Plan". That was also back when tgey had the wine package. Now it says it offers "the convenience and flexibility of prepaid dining at over 100 locations throughout Walt Disney World".

However even though it doesn't say it now, our family has consistently saved when we used it. But we are the target audience and would use it even if we broke even.

OP: take everyone's comments into consideration but at the end it's what works best for you and your family. Look at the menus, look at the plans and do your own math. In the end you are the one that has to live with the decision.

Stacy

 

[Juliet0778]

I had the same argument with someone else on here and went back and researched it. They really don't differentiate any longer.

Stacy

That's good. It still isn't the best choice for us based on our experience last time, but good to know.

 

[Karau614]

I went back and forth on the dining plans for our trip too many times to count. In the end we ended up booking a split stay and are getting the deluxe dining plan for the first half. This worked out great and was not stressful at all. After looking at menus we will save at least $120 with the meals we had planned anyways. If you enjoy planning meals anyways it can be a good option. You need to plan though to save money. In the end you probably won't come out too far behind in most scenarios so if you just want to be pre paid it is also a valid option. If your on a budget trip at all I would forgo any dining plans.

 

[LoopyDoopy]

I don't understand #2 above. It makes me think that you're picturing a Disney employee standing behind everyones chair FORCING you to order dessert or app/dessert and STANDING THERE UNTIL YOU EAT EVERY BITE.

No one has to eat anything they don't want. Not that it's in this post but that's another frequent argument "It's too much food."

It is not a requirement anywhere that you have to order more food than you want.

Nobody is forcing you, but you're pre-paying for it whether you want it or not. If you don't want it, don't prepay for something you don't want. It's as simple as that.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We enjoy the DDP, for us it just works. We do tend to order steaks and other expensive items on the menu, just our taste preferences. We do not like to eat deserts much, but like to substitute desert for a salad or soup.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Look at https://www.distripplanner.com/

It can help you with comparisons.

 

[excited4dis]

Look at https://www.distripplanner.com/

It can help you with comparisons.

Thanks, I actually have used this already. It said I would only save about $50.00 using the dining plan. That's why I'm so torn whether to use it or not. If I end up doing the dining plan, it will be because it is more convenient. If I need to watch spending, then I will just pay OOP. We can save money paying OOP by splitting QS meals, etc.

 

[Kaytie]

I don't understand #2 above. It makes me think that you're picturing a Disney employee standing behind everyones chair FORCING you to order dessert or app/dessert and STANDING THERE UNTIL YOU EAT EVERY BITE.

Well, if you're at 50's Prime Time...

 

[ToddlerMom311]

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.

100% agree with this.

 

[over50visits]

The DDP is one of the brilliant moneymaking moves by Disney. It enables them to raise prices, pretend like you are getting a good deal, and keeping their restaurants full. Disney is in the business of making money, and this is a cash cow for them. We eat where we want, when we want, enjoy ourselves, and spend MUCH less money than the artificial "savings" the DDP pushes. Try this: put the cost of the DDP in your pocket, add enough for tips (the DDP used to include tips, but they did away with that once as a stealth price increase). Eat whatever and whenever you want, have snacks, enjoy table or quick service meals. Then see how much money is left over at the end of your visit. We love eating at Disney, and sure do it for a lot less than their eating program.