Dining Plan after booking ADRs

[hswillia07]

Hi there!

I've already booked our ADRs and am now considering the dining plan. We have certain reservations - ie. Spirit of Aloha and Cinderella's Royal Table which we've already paid for. If I were to get the dining plan now, would that money just be credited back to me?

I'm using the Disney Dining Calculator at trip planner and it's saying that I could save about $200, which when you factor in the exchange rate (we're Canadian), is a good little savings! Have you found it to be accurate?

Thanks so much!

 

[LSUfan4444]

If I were to get the dining plan now, would that money just be credited back to me?

You've got a couple of options. If you wait till you arrive you can let them know at the restaurant and you will be credited the amount you previously paid. You can just use the credits other places. You could cancel the ADR then try to rebook (this is risky so check availability BEFORE you cancel).

But no, you will not be automatically credited once you add the DDP.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm using the Disney Dining Calculator at trip planner and it's saying that I could save about $200, which when you factor in the exchange rate (we're Canadian), is a good little savings! Have you found it to be accurate?

It depends. Can you tell us the makeup of your party? How many kids 3-9 yrs old?

 

[hswillia07]

You've got a couple of options. If you wait till you arrive you can let them know at the restaurant and you will be credited the amount you previously paid. You can just use the credits other places. You could cancel the ADR then try to rebook (this is risky so check availability BEFORE you cancel).

But no, you will not be automatically credited once you add the DDP.

Thank you!

 

[hswillia07]

It depends. Can you tell us the makeup of your party? How many kids 3-9 yrs old?

There are 6 of us - four adults, one 6 year old, and one turning 3 on the trip. The three year old has severe food allergies, so we are mostly doing TS. I keep going back and forth about this and I think I'm back to out of pocket. I'm thinking in the end we'll be able to save money by sharing meals, etc. because I know people often cite that they have too much food in the end.

 

[sharonabe]

There are 6 of us - four adults, one 6 year old, and one turning 3 on the trip. The three year old has severe food allergies, so we are mostly doing TS. I keep going back and forth about this and I think I'm back to out of pocket. I'm thinking in the end we'll be able to save money by sharing meals, etc. because I know people often cite that they have too much food in the end.

For dining plan purposes, you're only 5; the one turning 3 does not need a plan (or a ticket). So with 4 adults and only 1 child, the DxDDP (deluxe, 3 meals/night) MIGHT save you some money, but it is A LOT of food. With the regular plan, an adult TS is roughly worth $40. CRT lunch or dinner is break even for adults. Spirit of Aloha is a loss unless you get Cat 1 at the last show. Take a look at your other TS places and see if the adults will WANT $40 worth of food. Remember with 4 adults, if you do the DxDDP, that's FOUR apps, entrees, and desserts on the table. Even with the regular plan, having four desserts is a lot.

 

[hswillia07]

For dining plan purposes, you're only 5; the one turning 3 does not need a plan (or a ticket). So with 4 adults and only 1 child, the DxDDP (deluxe, 3 meals/night) MIGHT save you some money, but it is A LOT of food. With the regular plan, an adult TS is roughly worth $40. CRT lunch or dinner is break even for adults. Spirit of Aloha is a loss unless you get Cat 1 at the last show. Take a look at your other TS places and see if the adults will WANT $40 worth of food. Remember with 4 adults, if you do the DxDDP, that's FOUR apps, entrees, and desserts on the table. Even with the regular plan, having four desserts is a lot.

Realistically, when you say it like that, I think we're best to avoid the dining plan. It just sounds like too much food! I'm guessing most of the time, we'll split our meals anyway because our kids aren't huge eaters. Thanks so much for the info - I appreciate it!

 

[LSUfan4444]

I think we're best to avoid the dining plan

I am in complete agreement.