Dining plan comment

[GailT]

I just read the dining plan, I rather go and pay for my food as I eat. When they first started it gratuities were included, no money was needed to be taking out of the room. Disney has gone above and beyond the average persons income. I think this time I am going to be eatig out of the park alot, .
How do people do it with taking 2 and 3 kids, the American dream of taking your family to DW is becoming beyond reach.
Thanks for letting me vent, I'm not even sure if my money is worth it to go

 

[patsal]

You're not alone in the DDP area. Many are planning on paying OOP or enjoying food at places off site that they had stopped going to becasue the DDP was all inclusive. Once the all inclusive nature was removed it made it less of a no brainer and a bit of work to figure what would work best for each family. Some will still realize a nominal savings while others will skip it and realize a savings as well. We're going, as Disney is no more expensive than any other vaction venue. We are not gettitng the DDP as it really no longer fits our needs.
With the worries about the current economy, I'd say your not the only one considering not doing a vacation at WDW or maybe anywhere for that matter. As far as Disney they will continue to raise prices until people resist the urge to spend. Until they hit that pricepoint you won't see much need for discount. Last year they were able to fill most hotel rooms most of the time. If they move from that you will see more discounts and incentives.

 

[Harambe]

We don't do the DDP, but I think most of the food is ridiculously overpriced. But I know that going in so I don't let it bother me.

There are still many reasons to go to Disney, and we will return this summer. However, DD is beginning to look at colleges, and I can see us skipping Disney trips for the next bunch of years after this one.

 

[perdidobay]

You're not alone in the DDP area. Many are planning on paying OOP or enjoying food at places off site that they had stopped going to becasue the DDP was all inclusive. Once the all inclusive nature was removed it made it less of a no brainer and a bit of work to figure what would work best for each family. Some will still realize a nominal savings while others will skip it and realize a savings as well. We're going, as Disney is no more expensive than any other vaction venue. We are not gettitng the DDP as it really no longer fits our needs.
With the worries about the current economy, I'd say your not the only one considering not doing a vacation at WDW or maybe anywhere for that matter. As far as Disney they will continue to raise prices until people resist the urge to spend. Until they hit that pricepoint you won't see much need for discount. Last year they were able to fill most hotel rooms most of the time. If they move from that you will see more discounts and incentives.

You're right...

It's called supply and demand.
I think people lose sight of the fact Disney Co. is a profit making company.

Look at the high prices for a room in peak seasons!
If nobody came, those prices would drop like a rock!

 

[blondinkaya]

Honestly, one of the reasons I'd doing the plan is that this is our very first trip to the World and I'd like for it to be as planned and paid for before we step foot there. I don't know if this makes sense, but I have a feeling of safeness by working it this way. It's kinda like ... well ...having AOL as my home page in the mid/late 90's, when PCs hit it big and a computer with 8 megs of ram was smokin' and I had no clue how to surf the web . Using AOL as opposed to venturing onto Internet Explorer on my own just felt safer. I know that's probably a bad analogy, but that's how I'm viewing the dining plan. For our next trip, we may or may not use it; it depends on how convenient it is for us.

 

[GailT]

Honestly, one of the reasons I'd doing the plan is that this is our very first trip to the World and I'd like for it to be as planned and paid for before we step foot there. I don't know if this makes sense, but I have a feeling of safeness by working it this way. It's kinda like ... well ...having AOL as my home page in the mid/late 90's, when PCs hit it big and a computer with 8 megs of ram was smokin' and I had no clue how to surf the web . Using AOL as opposed to venturing onto Internet Explorer on my own just felt safer. I know that's probably a bad analogy, but that's how I'm viewing the dining plan. For our next trip, we may or may not use it; it depends on how convenient it is for us.

i can relate to that, even a person that's gos many times (ME) I used to like doing it for those reasons to but now with the way it is I'll do it on my own, I am renting a car so I will also eat off site . You will have a great time, you'll enjoy it because you never had the DDP the other way so to you I bet this will be great and that is a good thing

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

Honestly, one of the reasons I'd doing the plan is that this is our very first trip to the World and I'd like for it to be as planned and paid for before we step foot there. I don't know if this makes sense, but I have a feeling of safeness by working it this way. It's kinda like ... well ...having AOL as my home page in the mid/late 90's, when PCs hit it big and a computer with 8 megs of ram was smokin' and I had no clue how to surf the web . Using AOL as opposed to venturing onto Internet Explorer on my own just felt safer. I know that's probably a bad analogy, but that's how I'm viewing the dining plan. For our next trip, we may or may not use it; it depends on how convenient it is for us.

I know exactly what you mean!! Our first trip I was really anxious about making sure I had money for this and that, and knowing the food was all paid for took some of the pressure off. It does make it easier. This year I was planning on not using it, but realized that while I would save money, I would deprive myself of some of the great dining experiences if I pay OOP. There is no way I would eat any TS for the prices they charge if I am paying OOP. I can't imagine 8 days of CS, so I paid for the plan and have some great ADRs set up. I am not driving, so eating off site is not a viable option either. This year I don't think I will miss the appetizer, but paying gratuity OOP might make this the last trip with DDP. I will weigh the pro's and con's after my trip.

 

[LSchrow]

for some, the DDP is still a good value.
we go at least 2x a year, will still rent a car (groceries & outlet shopping), & b/c we mostly relax during visits (very little park time), enjoy the nightly ritual walking to EPCOT for a good dinner, good company, & illuminations. (btw, we have eaten off-site on previous trips, & find as the years go by, the ease of on-site eating appeals to us more). simply, i think that we have come to the realization that eating on-site is a bit of luxury we would knowlingly pay more for, so actually saving $40-50 per night by using the DDP is a no-brainer.
obviously, everyone's vacationing syles are different (which is way there are accomodations ranging from value to deluxe & DVC, passes ranging from a one day base to a premium AP, etc) ~ i for one, appreciate that there are so many options. they all won't "fit" us, but at least they are there for others to enjoy.

 

[TiffanyW1]

What we did was to make a list of every place we would eat during our trip & used the menu guide to get current menu prices.

We added up the cost of each meal ... with one being counter service & the other table service (using the highest price entree, dessert, drink, and a 18% tip for sit-down as a "worse case scenario") and compared the total to the cost of the dining plan (also allowing for the tip we have to add now). The totals were almost the same amount (no money saved), so we will NOT do the dining plan.

We would not be getting the most expensive entree every time and my husband is not a big dessert eater. We also would save by not doing a table service everyday and we also get a discount for being DVC members at many of the restaurants.

I have no doubt that we will spend less without the DDP. You might try adding things up & see what your numbers add up to

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I go and it is fine but we always wonder how people with kids do it..in my sisters words, TAX RETURN! We took her two kids and they barely ate anything so it didnt add up in the form of food money, the tickets were an addition $400 for them so that wasnt too bad but the momentos, keepsakes, toys, clothes, stuffed animals, souviniers, pins, pictures, etc cost us a bundle

 

[myladyisatramp]

I am debating right now about using the DDDP. We will have a car and will be eating in th Universal area for 2 nights. Then over to Disney. I think I just like the idea of everything being paid for upfront & not having to leave the parks and Boardwalk area to go somewhere to eat. Going with my 3 grown children who like to have their appetizer, desert they like going to nice restaurants so I think by doing a 2 TS dinner here and there I will get my moneys worth (at least I hope so) I just don't want to see DH face each night when the bill comes this way he will never realize it.