Dining Plan-baffled and confused

[DizFan13]

Hi, everyone. My family is trying to plan an eight or nine day trip to WDW soon. This will be our fourth trip as a family, but we haven't been since 2007. Our boys are now 14 and 16, and eat adult portions plus now. I am trying to decide if it is cost effective to use the dining plan this time. We tour with itineraries, and we usually divide our meals between counter service and table service. We don't really eat big breakfasts, and on our previous WDW trips as well as during our many DL trips, we eat a small breakfast in the hotel before we go to the park. Both of my DS's like to have a snack or two, such as candy, ice cream, or pastry, during the day. We know that we want to eat at Boma once, as well as at Chef de France, Biergarten and Le Cellier. We were also considering one meal at 50's Prime Time, Mama Melrose's, and maybe the Sci-Fi. The rest of the time we would probably eat at quick service.

I guess what I am asking is whether or not it saves money to use the dining plan or if it is just about convenience? Any input is much appreciated!

 

[catne]

it always saves us money, but we like to eat at the more expensive places (not buffets), we love to order the higher end entrees (like steak) and we enjoy getting desserts a couple of times a day while on vacation (don't eat dessert most of the year...so it's part of our vacation splurge.) We either eat pastries for breakfast (purchased with snack credit) or a cereal bar

Have you looked at menus at the places you're interested in...run the numbers for what you'd really like to order...and then run the numbers for what you'd get on the dining plan (entree, non-alcohol beverage and dessert.) One thing I'm noticing is other than Le Cellier, most of the restaurants on your list tend to be less expensive places, so paying cash may work out better for you. (Le Cellier is one TS credit for lunch...but the portions are smaller. It is now "signature" status for dinner, so would take you 2 TS credits per person to eat dinner there now.)

Now if you prefer to always get cheaper foods like chicken salad or a pasta entree...if you would really rather order an appetizer to share and never order desserts...if your beverage of choice is usally water instead of soda, coffee or tea: well then the plan would not be for you.

Your best bet is to run the numbers both ways. allears.net is one website with dining menus...as is this forum's website wdwinfo.com Keep in mind the info on both of these websites is furnished by volunteers so is not necessarily completely up to date (even when it claims to be updated this month/year it may be old info.) However, it gives you close enough info to figure out if plans will work for you.

 

[DizFan13]

Thank you, catne! I am going to look at all the menus and I'll go from there.

 

[squirrel]

Definately check out the menus and see what you think you would order.

Since you aren't doing buffets, it will most likely be better to do the DDP. However if you wouldn't normally order dessert at CS meals or soda then it might be better off to pay out of pocket.

Since you are paying for the DDP, if you decide to go with the DDP you should check if it's worth it.

If it's better for you to pay out of pocket, you can start buying Gift Cards for the food and have that DDP feel.

 

[beroh2253]

it always saves us money, but we like to eat at the more expensive places (not buffets), we love to order the higher end entrees (like steak) and we enjoy getting desserts a couple of times a day while on vacation (don't eat dessert most of the year...so it's part of our vacation splurge.) We either eat pastries for breakfast (purchased with snack credit) or a cereal bar

This is how we also do it so the DDP pays for us. We enjoy many steaks during the week.

 

[LisaTC]

I always said if I was taking the eldest 2 (both boys, now in their 20's) instead of DD7, I'd DEFINITELY get the dining plan. I think it is designed for older kids/teens/DH's that can really EAT! It is really a good deal on the buffets. If I was going mostly buffets for our ADR's, I wouldn't hesitate. However, my DH isn't a voracious buffet eater and DD can just pick at times and eat very little. One appetizer is sometimes enough for me. However, with your scenario and choices...l'd definitely check it out and also check out the snack Sticky...there's a lot more snacks that I think people are aware of that are covered on the DP! Bon Appetit! Besides, you can send of box of granola bars, cereal, etc to your room and save that CS for lunch!

 

[ToddyLu]

My parents went with us in 2008 and are going again with us in Oct. My father will be a young 74 at time of travel and has always been frugal and careful with his money. He likes to have a good time but he can stress about expenses. In 2008 Mama and I kinda talked him in to the DDP because he could prepay for most everything they ate and not gripe too much. We sorta cut him off at the pass.

He loved it....one of the best things he said to me in 2008 was "now, this is the way to do Disney!" So they were both happy on our trip and loved the DDP. Even if it was a few dollars more they could relax about the cost and just eat.

So I think if the DDP doesn't actually save you money, it helps you THINK you do.

 

[yesiamcrazy]

I always said if I was taking the eldest 2 (both boys, now in their 20's) instead of DD7, I'd DEFINITELY get the dining plan. I think it is designed for older kids/teens/DH's that can really EAT! It is really a good deal on the buffets.

See for us it's the opposite. I think it's a great deal for kids 3-9. We love character meals and the price for a kids character meal is often as much of more than paying for the dining plan. As our kids get older, the price of the of the dining plan increases and it doesn't seem as good a deal. My 10 year old will in no way get his money's worth of $40 per day, but at $12 a day my 7 year old twins will get more than their money's worth.