Dining Option Worth it? Your experience!

[Maverick Mike]

Hello everyone!

We are looking to go back to WDW this summer (2 adults, one child) and have been looking at the options with the MYW tickets. We are defintely going with the options that let you do the waterparks and DQ, and the "hopper" option. However, we are unsure about the Dining Option.

We looked and last year we spent about $450 eating for days. The option will only add about $550 to our package, and we will get to eat at a few nicer places during our stay. I also like the idea that more is paid for up-front, so there is less to worry about while you are there.

If you have had this dilemma, please share your opinions. Did you try it and regret it? Or did you try it and love it?

Thanks!

Mav Mike

 

[marriedmarylander]

There are some posts regarding the Dining plan on the Restaurants Boards. Some people posted about recent trips - comparing what they would have paid versus what was included in the dining plan. You might want to take a look. overall it looked like people were happy.

 

[Maverick Mike]

Thanks..

I just posted it here because I wanted a quick "impression" from people that have tried it recently. I just didn't want to commit to it if I was getting "overcharged" for the same thing if I got it later.

Also, a quick question on the "plusses." If I add the option to visit waterparks to my tickets, what does that mean? Do you get a certain amout? I was just on the WDW website, and added that option to my quote, but I don't know if it is exactly like it was last year, with the unlimited visits during the stay to DQ, TL, BB, etc.

Thanks again!

Mav Mike

 

[marriedmarylander]

The number of pluses depends on how many base days are on your ticket.

1-3 days = 2 visits
4-5 days = 3 visits
6 days = 4 visits
7-10 days = 5 visits

Yes - per person!

 

[Maverick Mike]

Thanks!

I'm guessing that is "per person" right?

Anyone else want to share their experience with the Dining Option? I'm really curious about that!

I think it would help you to eat at a few of the nicer places during your stay!!

 

[MickeyMacks]

I think the value has a lot to do with the quality and pace of experience you are going for. I am going in December for 8 nights - I haven't been there since Epcot opened 23 years ago and it was a 3 day trip with parents, staying offsite and rushing through the parks without a plan. This time I will be staying onsite and going for the whole Disney experience, dining, "plus options" and all. I will actually have time to build leisurely mealtimes at nice places into my schedule.

However, if I was only going for three or four nights and wanted to maximize my park time while there, I would go with mostly counter service and not bother with the Dining Plan because table service meals do take a lot of time. I'm planning a Moderate to Leisurely park pace over several days so the Dining Plan works for that. I don't think it would work as well for someone planning a Commando park schedule over a short time frame. Just my opinion, anyway!

 

[minmate]

Here's the thread with the details of how the Dining Plan measured up for us:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8293008#post8293008

I don't know what your party consists of... # of adults/# of kids. But I figured most counter service meals (drink, meal and side) are $8-10. Most snacks and drinks in the parks are roughly $2.50. Therefore, if you plan to eat (on average) $25 worth of food at a sit down meal a day, you will break even or save money. It's even easier for kids to hit break-even.

You can use the points any time. We used 11 snack points in one day and none another. But you really need to plan your sit down meals so you know you are getting your money's worth on that end.

 

[CrazedDisFan]

We used the plan (2 adults, 1 junior, 1 child) in early March. We will ALWAYS use the plan if it remains this price or near it. It was very worth the extra planning of PS's.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

yes well worth it - I priced it out against the various menu cost databases for the restaurants we are going to - BIG SAVINGS - for sure

 

[MICKEEP]

In seeing if the plan would save money, many people tend to compare the cost to all the food they could order but what you should do is compare the cost to all the food they normally would order.

We evaluated the plan and found that it is cheaper if everyone one in your party normally eats an appetizer, main course and desert. Thats a lot of food.

If there is a picky eater in your party you will lose money on that person. We tend to eat two meals a day when we are WDW, breakfast and dinner. The plan is not good if you ever use it for a breakfast counter service or even a breakfast table service. Also, you kind of break even at buffets or fixed price meals, so some of our favorites like Boma, 'Ohana, Cape May and CP are not worth it. And last the selection of restaurants is limited especially at EPCOT, where most of the restaurants are not in the plan. Though this may change.

You have to get as much information as possible and compare the plan to how, when and where you would eat without the plan. The following is a great resource to assist you in evaluating the plan:

http://www.touringplans.com/MYWDining.html

I do not think you could ever lose money with this plan but it may affect how, when and where you eat. For some people, like us, this alone doesn't justify the cost savings.

 

[Maverick Mike]

Thanks!

We went to WDW for 8 days last summer (2 adults & 1 child) and loved it. Had the time of our lives at the parks and POP. So we are heading back, but I saw this option for dining. I just really like the idea of having even more paid for up front. Disney is smart that way. I think we will end up buying more souveniers due to the fact that our food is already paid for!

I looked up my statement from my credit card, and last summer we spent close to $550.00 eating for 8 days. Our package cost will only go up by $550.00 if we add the meal plan. The kicker seems to be that last year, we only had one table service meal - Mexico at EPCOT. So I think we will be able to eat better while we are there for the money. I know we will have to pay for extra snacks and stuff along the way, but the major stuff will be paid for up front!

And I would love to eat at 'Ohanas. I think it would be great!

Mav Mike