Dining Plan????HELP!

[Minniemagie]

Hi All,
Although my family has been to Disney 3 times, we've never purchased the dining plan. Now, I'm wondering if it is a good plan for my family. So---the specifics---5 of us going for 7 days -all adults---picky eaters. We have ADRs for 4 buffet breakfasts with characters---various places, and dinner each evening at Crystal Palace, Planet Hollywood, Hollywood &Vine, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sci Fi, 50's Prime Time, and Chef Mickeys. Would this plan "fit" any dining plan that would result in a savings for me versus no plan? I've been trying to do the research but I only get more confused. I would appreciate your feedback so much!! Thanks!

 

[choirfarm]

nt
Christine

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We did the dining plan for the first time in 2006 before the changes, and we saved a fortune!!! Even with the changes we opted to do it again, though the savings will be much less, and here is why. On previous trips we would do one or two nice meals and the rest of the time we would share meals, sometimes order off the kids menu at CS places to try to save money. Maybe once we would get the kids Mickey ice cream, but for us, having the plan really added to the experience of the trip. We hardly ever go out to dinner at home, and never do dessert. It was fun to be able to tell the kids, (and us!), order what you want, have dessert. It was fun to have snacks and not worry about cost. In EPCOT where they have the warm cinnamon nuts, we would normally share one bag between all 5 of us, last time, I got them for everyone. Was it necessary, no, but it was fun. And I didn't have to carry around anything like I normally do (snacks), if we wanted something, we got it. It was very enjoyable. So, is there a huge savings now, maybe not, but it is nice to live it up a little on vacation. My family have really enjoyed reading menus, deciding what we will get where. We all get different desserts and try eveyone else's. We love looking at the food pictures people have posted, especailly the snack credits. And with all the walking you are doing, you get hungry, so why not have something WONDERFUL!!! from the bakery rather then crackers or fruit rolls from your backpack??? I say go for it, you only live once!! By the way, we have a VERY picky eater grandpa in our group, and they were very willing to work with him at every restaurant we went to.