Dining Plan Not Worth the Money!

[robinb]

It is not worth it for us ever since my DD turned 10 almost 3 years ago. I just can't bring myself to pay $50+ for her to eat like a bird. We *have* had the DDP a couple of times when it was "free". I always look at the other best discount available for the same resort/view and decide if I could feed my family on the amount of the discount. Since there are 3 of us, the answer is usually "no" and I will take "free dining". We usually have APs so we just pocket the passes and use them in the future.

ETA: I think that the CS desserts are just plain nasty, so I really think that part of the DDP is a huge waste of money and "food".

 

[Sparkly]

I'm really hoping there's free dining for Feb 2013, as mum worked out that the QSDP's not a bad deal, so long as you're not only restricted to our Ultimate tickets when you're planning on 5 nights!

I doubt we could justify the normal DDP though because we're a pretty go with the flow family and don't like deciding 6 months in advance where we eat.

 

[DanniDeer]

I think it depends on the number of people you're trying to feed, too.

for the two us, a 40% passholder/florida resident discount on our room while paying for the dining plan wouldn't save as much as a family of 5 paying rack rate for their room, but eating for free.

...that made a lot more sense in my head...

but for our anniversary trip next spring, we're staying 2 "nights" on the Deluxe DP, and will be there for technically 3 days. So instead of cramming 3 full meals a day over two days, we'll have two meals a day for three.

I agree with a PP that talked about the guilt of ordering a cheaper meal over what I actually want because I feel bad. I do this every other day of the year, so I want to avoid it on our special trip.

We're also not concerned with missing time in the parks because of all the TS ADRs to really make the plan "worth it", because we have the APs and go all the time.

Additionally, what we'd pay OOP for dinner at Ohana itself makes up for an entire day for one of us on the DP, plus we get another two meals, and two snacks.

but, yeah...
number of people in your party. what kind of other discounts you get. losing park time. convenience. the types of meals you want. etc. etc. everything is a factor, but at the end of the day, if you're not doing what you think is best for your group and listen to what other people tell you is best, you're going to be miserable, even if you're saving money.

 

[miniaudrey]

We always do the DxDDP. DH won't even discuss the possibility of taking a trip without it, lol! I don't actually know if it saves us money, in fact I don't even like to think about the individual prices for anything (tickets, room, DDP, etc) I just have a whole budget for the trip and make sure we stay inside it.

So it's not so much about the big picture money for us, but more the guilt at individual meals of "Oh, I guess I should get the veggie lasagna instead of the huge steak I really want, b/c it's half the price," or "Well, I guess that really yummy looking appetizer isn't really worth $12, maybe we'll pass". And then DH will be sad and sulk about it for the rest of the meal. Or beat himself up the whole time if he gives in and gets it anyway. With the DDP, it's all the same, so you might as well get what you want. It's not just about having it prepaid (like on a gift card), it really all feels "free" at that moment. It's the kind of stress that DH loves to be able to not have on vacation.

If we didn't do the DDP, and paid out of pocket, I would have a hard time making as many TS ADRs for the same reason. Even if the $$ came out the same in the end, I would start feeling guilty and trim a few here and there. Which would no doubt make me sad later. Being on the DxDDP especially, we need all those ADRs to feel like we are using it well, so I can plan as many TS meals as I want!

Even if we were calculating how much we would spend and putting on a gc ahead of time, we would still of course know that if we could manage to spend less, we'd have that money for other things... and it would create this pressure to try to be frugal. I try to be frugal in daily life, but it's one of the things I want a break from on vacation.

So we get to eat what and where we want, and not feel guilty while doing it. Because it's all been paid for months in advance, and is now use-it-or-lose-it. It's a win-win.

This is exactly the reason why we do the dining plan. I love not having to worry about prices since I tend to be on the frugal side. It's wonderful to just eat what I want and not worry about money since most of it is pre-paid. That saying, we usually try to go during free dining, especially since DS is now 10!

 

[rainynight]

I'm confused over the dining plan too. I can undertand if it's free, but I don't see why anyone would pay for it. I've calculated prices, even including an expensive character dinner every day and still come out cheaper OOP. And then when you look at signatue restaurants the plan is really a waste since their not THAT much more than a 1 credit restaurant, as far as per credit cost goes.

I think the only savings would be if you have more than one or two kids. Otherwise I have ran the number many times and see no savings at all. I see no convience at all either. I'm not a sweets person so dessert doesn't interest me usually. A lot of time I would rather have an appetizer than entree.

Now when we went a few years ago I figured it up and the dining plan came out cheaper. But since then the prices has increased so much that no matter how I run the numbers I just can't find a savings.

 

[robinb]

This is exactly the reason why we do the dining plan. I love not having to worry about prices since I tend to be on the frugal side. It's wonderful to just eat what I want and not worry about money since most of it is pre-paid. That saying, we usually try to go during free dining, especially since DS is now 10!

I have a hard time wrapping my head around someone who says that they are "on the frugal side" and who books the DxDDP. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[thelionqueen]

I have a hard time wrapping my head around someone who says that they are "on the frugal side" and who books the DxDDP. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I tend to agree with you. I don't understand how spending over $80 per person per day, not even including the tip, is frugal. In my basic calculations that would be approx. $95 per adult per day. I could literally buy enough groceries for 3 meals a day for me and my 2 teenagers for several days if not a week for that amount. But I am very frugal and now how to stretch a dollar.

I also don't understand why someone who is strictly paying cash sees the dining plan as the better option. If paying cash why not pay for meals? I think the convenience of not having to worry about paying individually, and/or paying in advance makes it seem like a better deal?

Everyone's budget is different, so what may seem outrageous to me might seem like nothing to others. If it takes the worry and stress out of your vacation and it works for you, I say go for it!

 

[TDC Nala]

Spending $80 per person per day is frugal if you would normally spend a lot more. If you've got someone who generally spends a lot more than that when they go to WDW, they're saving money by getting the plan.

I think what the frugal poster means is that they would look at the price and say "I would like to eat that but I am not going to order it, the price is ridiculous" or "I want that, but look how much money I could save ordering this cheaper item" whereas they do not feel that way if they've already paid. This is a well-known psychological effect of the dining plan - whether or not the person would automatically spend more than they've already prepaid.

When the plan was $35 a night for adults and included appetizer and tip for that, it was kind of silly not to buy it...I used it for multiple trips back then. Now, since I'm not interested in buffets or character meals, I would rather choose what courses I order.

 

[thelionqueen]

Spending $80 per person per day is frugal if you would normally spend a lot more. If you've got someone who generally spends a lot more than that when they go to WDW, they're saving money by getting the plan.

I think what the frugal poster means is that they would look at the price and say "I would like to eat that but I am not going to order it, the price is ridiculous" whereas they do not feel that way if they've already paid. This is a well-known psychological effect of the dining plan - whether or not the person would automatically spend more than they've already prepaid.

When the plan was $35 a night for adults and included appetizer and tip for that, it was kind of silly not to buy it...I used it for multiple trips back then. Now, since I'm not interested in buffets or character meals, I would rather choose what courses I order.

Excellent explanation, makes total sense! Depending on what you spend and what you consider frugal is the key to why it would or wouldn't work for different families.

I agree on the dining plan comment too. We did that plan several times, mostly when it was free and it was an excellent value. But the increased cost and taking away the appetizer & tip just doesn't make sense for us now either. I actually like the freedom not having the dining plan affords us. We make a few ADR's at our favorite spots, but if we don't make it and eat somewhere else, it's no biggie. Making sure we did every ADR to get the best value we could, really limited our time and freedom. I much prefer paying OOP now, but several years ago would be the DP's biggest cheerleader. Different strokes

 

[robinb]

I think what the frugal poster means is that they would look at the price and say "I would like to eat that but I am not going to order it, the price is ridiculous" or "I want that, but look how much money I could save ordering this cheaper item" whereas they do not feel that way if they've already paid. This is a well-known psychological effect of the dining plan - whether or not the person would automatically spend more than they've already prepaid

Yes, I think this is the reasoning why a lot of folks buy the DDP so they don't have to second guess the cost of meals. Plus, they feel that it is "easier" even though putting a cash deposit down and charging things back to your room is just as easy. I still don't "get it" personally because I'm not programmed to order the cheapest thing off the menu. I order what I want and we have the TiW card for our discount.

 

[aubriee]

I think what the frugal poster means is that they would look at the price and say "I would like to eat that but I am not going to order it, the price is ridiculous" or "I want that, but look how much money I could save ordering this cheaper item" whereas they do not feel that way if they've already paid. This is a well-known psychological effect of the dining plan - whether or not the person would automatically spend more than they've already prepaid.

I agree and really noticed it this last year (May 2011) at Via Napol, but in reverse. I really wanted one of their pizzas, but we were on the DDP and ordering a $19.00 pizza just didn't make alot of sense financially, so I instead chose the $29.00 seafood pasta dish. It was very good, but every time a waiter walked by with one of those pizzas I wished I had ordered that instead. I go to WDW several times a year and have used either the basic DDP or the DxDDP every single trip since they were first introduced. I've always been a big proponent of them. However, that one meal at Via Napoli was really an eye opener. It showed me that I was actually ordering the more expensive items on the menu, not because I really wanted them, but because I was subconsciously trying to get the best value out the DDP. I freely admit I am not frugal and never skimp on vacation. I always order exactly what I want, whether it be cheap chicken or the more expensive steak and lobster, but found I was subconsciously seeking out the more expensive items when on the DDP, when I would have actually preferred something cheaper. After that trip last May I decided the DDP was not such a good deal. Instead in Sept I bought the TiW card and now eat exactly what I am in the mood for and still get 20% off my meals. I don't skimp, but have come out cheaper and happier. Since it is good for 13 months, I used the TiW card in Sept, again in Nov/Dec, again in May, and will be using it again in Sept and Oct, so will definitely get my money's worth out of it. I ate at Via Napoli again in Sept, Nov/Dec, and May and all three times ordered the pizza I wanted the first time I ate there. I ate there with a friend in May, who loves their pasta, cream, peas dish. She made the comment that she is usually on the DDP and paying $23.00 for that peas dish just seemed ridiculous, but she was going to do it because she loved it. I on the other hand ordered the pizza I loved and was happy, but if I had been on the DDP I would have had a hard time justifying ordering the $19.00 pizza over the the $29.00 seafood pasta.

 

[KeroKero]

Last year we did QSD for the first time ever and we totally thought it was worth it, we barely paid for anything extra out of pocket aside from two TS dinner that we really wanted to do.

This time around (due to free dining) we upgraded to the next plan up the Dining Plan - and we're really looking forward to it. For us it makes sense, even though this time around its just me and mom. We took into account tips, apps, and cocktails plus spending one evening walking around EPCOT and getting different cocktails - and for us it's still worth it at (what we figure our calculations to be) $115 a day combined!! $58 bucks each a day - well worth it in my opinion!!

My DH and I don't have kids (yet), so maybe my opinion of the plan will change over the course of the next few years.

 

[OThopeful35]

I used the DDP last year and it was well worth it because we had so many buffets, character breakfasts and dinners. My DS was 9 so when we go next year he will be a disney adult and it's going to cost substantially more. I loved having everything prepaid for but we did get tired of doing TS, we even cancelled two of them and then had to make up for them later in the week (we stayed 9 days) sometimes we just wanted to grab something on the go. Also the CS desserts, at the end of our stay DS had several cookies and brownies in his backpack I thought he was eating those things..come to find out he was stockpiling them

So, when we go next year I am going to have to think long and hard to see if we are going to get the DDP again. We are staying 12 days and that is a lot of money for my son and I. I just can't fathom spending $1200 plus for food! Especially when I know he is not going to eat all those adult size meals. Plus I do not want to have all those TS meals, they take to much time. Oh well *shrugs*

 

[KKB]

Mom paid the first time--and we kinda fell in love w/ the convenience & we prefer a TS daily...and now w/ teens, they LOVED that they could order whatever they want & I won't balk at prices. 2 kiddos also always love desert, so big deal for them we don't say no there, either.
We did free DDP last time...and will this time. Otherwise we'd probably do OOP.

 

[smiths02]

I think even Disney advertising language has had to admit that the DDP keeps going down in terms of possible savings for adults.

We paid for it for our 2009 trip, and it worked well because we were in a room with my ILs. 1) They would have had sticker shock rather than just saying our package price is $xyz ahead of time AND 2) there was no arguing over who was paying what part of the bill at the restaurant. I didn't worry really about saving money so much as having it prepaid.

When we went in 2011, we got a pin for free dining. It was the only discount available to us for that trip, so it made sense. (It was also nice b/c DH was not there the last day and a half, so we had some extra credits to play around with).

I am hoping to go again in 2015 and thinking about paying OOP for DlxDp. I will have a 9 year old (Disney kid) and 2 kids under 3. I always thought the DlxDP would be too much food, but there is a much better savings margin on that plan AND I would have those extra snacks, apps, desserts to help feed the 2 kids under 3.

Otherwise, none of the plans fit exactly how my family likes to eat. Sure I like dessert...but I don't always want the dessert that the restaurant serves or dessert at the time. I also don't always want the snacks that are included...there are several snacks I like that aren't included. Aside from Epcot, I also don't really love the counter service. WPE, etc are nice BUT that involves a bunch of travel/crowds which make it not worth it to me.

Even with the potential savings, I think most people tend to advocate the "convenience" of prepay and forget about the risk and investment. If someone gets sick or you cancel TS or don't use your credits or don't plan to order many expensive things or eat at the more expensive TS...your savings goes down the hole.

 

[Sheaboys]

I have done the math over and over. For my family, Dining Plan is so worth it if I paid for it or if I got it Free. We were able to get it free for our upcoming August trip. I had a pin for both free dining or room discount. We need 2 rooms, and with the room discount the dining plan still came out ahead. I even added extra costs for 1 appy each night and 2 beers each night, and still came out ahead. We have 5 boys, 3 are disney adults and 2 are disney kids.

I choose restaurants we would eat at no matter if on the dining plan or not, and free dining still came out ahead.

It all depends on the family make-up, time of year, and hotel choice. Every family and every vacation is different.

 

[alice99]

Yea, you have to pay full price for the room. I'm a DVC owner so i never get free dining. I like doing split stays and getting the plan for the first 3 days. I then have 4 days to use the credits and can plan a little better.

I like to do this also.

As an AP holder, who usually stays in a moderate several times a year and usually has at least 2-3 of those trips during the free dining periods, free dining doesn't work for me either. You can only use one of those two day tickets each time you need a new AP. Plus you lose any room discounts.

I was always a big proponent of paying for the DDP, while using an AP discount for the room. However, as of 2011, I was finally priced out of the DDP. I refuse to skimp on vacation and always order exactly what I'm in the mood for. However, to break even on the DDP you pretty much have to order the most expensive items on the menu and also must eat dessert at every meal. Also I am not a big fan of most CS restaraunts and usually eat an early TS lunch then a later TS dinner, so the basic DDP just doesn't work for me, but the DxDDP is too much. The TiW card works better for me, even though most of my trips are solo trips. I can order what I want (whether it be a three course meal, two appetizers, or an appetizer and entree) and still save 20% on the meals. The main draw of the DDP was having everything prepaid, but since the tip and appetizer is no longer included, I just get Disney gift cards before each trip to use for my meals and everything is still prepaid (including tips and any appetizers I may want).

I agree completely with the above statement, though i have not gotten the TIW card yet.


When people begin comparing what they would have spent on the food to the dining plan cost .... you do have to order the most expensive meal to make it worth your $$.
I think it's important to take into consideration if you'd really be eating all this food, including desserts, if you weren't on the dining plan?

It always comes out more expensive on the dining plan. I never spend over 50$ per person when I pay out of pocket, and in addition I never eat that much food.

When we have the dining plan I eat the food just because I paid for it and don't want to feel like I wasted my money.

 

[mommycal]

having rec'd a pin for free dining, it was a NO brainer for us to upgrade to the deluxe we're staying at a moderate resort. It's the kids 1st time so in my mind, I've scheduled 13 sit down meals for the week. My thoughts and intentions are that we see as many characters during our meals and get photos & autographs then vs. standing in line an hour + at the meet/greet chracter stations.

Most are character meals but also included in that 13, we have reservations for HDDR, CP w/lunch at La Cellier, Fantasmic w/Mama Melrose ADR, CRT, Narcoossee's, & Yachtmans' steakhouse. I can imagine that for the 5 of us to eat at least 2x a day is very easily $100 a pop, especially at the character meals. I'm sure the 2 snacks/day will come in very handy on the days that we dont have an early breakfast into the park(s) or dont have a sit down lunch planned.

Attending CRT alone would run us what, close to $300 for the 5 of us? That alone is almost 1/2 of what it cost us for the week to UPGRADE from free to the deluxe dining plan.

 

[thelionqueen]

having rec'd a pin for free dining, it was a NO brainer for us to upgrade to the deluxe we're staying at a moderate resort. It's the kids 1st time so in my mind, I've scheduled 13 sit down meals for the week. My thoughts and intentions are that we see as many characters during our meals and get photos & autographs then vs. standing in line an hour + at the meet/greet chracter stations.

Most are character meals but also included in that 13, we have reservations for HDDR, CP w/lunch at La Cellier, Fantasmic w/Mama Melrose ADR, CRT, Narcoossee's, & Yachtmans' steakhouse. I can imagine that for the 5 of us to eat at least 2x a day is very easily $100 a pop, especially at the character meals. I'm sure the 2 snacks/day will come in very handy on the days that we dont have an early breakfast into the park(s) or dont have a sit down lunch planned.

Attending CRT alone would run us what, close to $300 for the 5 of us? That alone is almost 1/2 of what it cost us for the week to UPGRADE from free to the deluxe dining plan.

I agree, if you're doing a lot of character meals & CRT then the free dining would be a value.

Just wanted to point out that you said your intention was to avoid the 1hr + lines for characters in the parks..but the lines are usually not that long at all..though standing in the hot sun can sure seem like it!

That seems like a lot of running around to get to dining reservations..have you considered the time it will take to get there in your plan? I say this because it can take considerably longer than an hour just in travel time to get to these places..even with a rental car. If you're using Disney transportation, it will take even longer.

I would say a safe estimate is 45 minutes travel, parking & walking time each way with a rental car. Or an hour + each way if using Disney transportation. This does not include walking from whatever location you're at to get to your car or the bus and/or waiting for the bus.

Just "food" for thought

 

[mommycal]

as a 1st timer w/kids I'll welcome all the suggestions and food for thought! Bring them on

Our agent planned our meals at restaurants at which where we'll be spending the day. So Hollywood & Vine we'll start off our day at HS, Akershsus Royal Banquet, we'll start off at epcot, so on and so forth. A few dinners like when we're at the tusker house for breakfast, aka, animal kingdom in the am and still dont know if we'll leave or go elsewhere that day but that night we have dinner at 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian. SUre all of this could be a great idea but if we want any good character/meals, obviously ADR's must be made. People weren't joking when your day revolves around the resevations, LOL.

what do you think?