Dining Plan - opinions please...

[Stacy's a freak]

I am working on putting a large group trip together for Late November. Here is the cast.

5 or 6 Adults (varying eating styles - one is VERY health conscious)
2 Teenagers (13 and 16)
1 Child (4).

So, with this group of characters, does it make sense for us to do the dining plan? My feeling about the dining plan is that you really have to do one TS meal per day to get your money's worth. My biggest concern is that it will be extremely difficult to get ADRs for all 8 or 9 people unless I schedule ADRs 90 or 100 days out - and will there be a mutiny if I get too "planny" for them?

Also, other than me, the rest of the group has NEVER BEEN TO WDW!! Yikes -so I'm also afraid that in order to do a TS meal a day, the group would have to be organized enough to be on a schedule? And I think pinning this group to a schedule will be impossible! Unless I just crack the whip! (eek, and there are 2 other control freaks in this bunch - other than me, that is )

Does anyone have any personal experience with this type of situation? We have yet to book this trip and I would like to discuss the dining option with the group.

Thanks so much!

 

[MickeyNicki]

This is what I do when a bunch of us decide to meet at the World.....everyone leaves it up to me to do the planning, what a cop out ha ha. I email everyone the menus from allearsnet.com and have them narrow the choices down by park and by resort, I keep narrowing it down and before you know it everyone has "agreed!" Most often the group will pick the same places but they think it was their choice ha ha

 

[Stacy's a freak]

hmm - good suggestion - thanks!

Good news! Becky, the friend whom I'll be sharing a room actually asked me tonight when we were going to book! YAY!! I guess that gives me free reign to start REALLY planning

 

[lynninpa]

I am working on putting a large group trip together for Late November. Here is the cast.

5 or 6 Adults (varying eating styles - one is VERY health conscious)
2 Teenagers (13 and 16)
1 Child (4).

So, with this group of characters, does it make sense for us to do the dining plan? My feeling about the dining plan is that you really have to do one TS meal per day to get your money's worth. My biggest concern is that it will be extremely difficult to get ADRs for all 8 or 9 people unless I schedule ADRs 90 or 100 days out - and will there be a mutiny if I get too "planny" for them?

Also, other than me, the rest of the group has NEVER BEEN TO WDW!! Yikes -so I'm also afraid that in order to do a TS meal a day, the group would have to be organized enough to be on a schedule? And I think pinning this group to a schedule will be impossible! Unless I just crack the whip! (eek, and there are 2 other control freaks in this bunch - other than me, that is )

Does anyone have any personal experience with this type of situation? We have yet to book this trip and I would like to discuss the dining option with the group.

Thanks so much!

Ohhh! I am doing the same thing-I am in the midst of planning a surprise trip for nine people-most of whom who have never been to Disney The ages are 2, 5, 9, 18, 21, 24, 29 40+ and 50+
For our gang, there was no question about the DINING PLAN-it is a definite must do for us! Here is just one example:
The DINING PLAN FOR ONE DAY= 249.92
Just ONE TS at Teppanyaki= 449.00
We save 200.00 just on one dinner PLUS have a CS and a snack for everyone that day as well.
As far as planning ADR's, here is my plan: I am planning only one TS per night for all of us to definitely be together. There are three families in our group and I know at times each will want to go off and do different things. Some times we will all be together-sometimes just some of us...but in the end we will all meet up for dinner (well, in one case, breakfast) and share our WDW experiences over a good meal. Life doesn't get much better than that!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Ohhh! I am doing the same thing-I am in the midst of planning a surprise trip for nine people-most of whom who have never been to Disney The ages are 2, 5, 9, 18, 21, 24, 29 40+ and 50+
For our gang, there was no question about the DINING PLAN-it is a definite must do for us! Here is just one example:
The DINING PLAN FOR ONE DAY= 249.92
Just ONE TS at Teppanyaki= 449.00
We save 200.00 just on one dinner PLUS have a CS and a snack for everyone that day as well.
As far as planning ADR's, here is my plan: I am planning only one TS per night for all of us to definitely be together. There are three families in our group and I know at times each will want to go off and do different things. Some times we will all be together-sometimes just some of us...but in the end we will all meet up for dinner (well, in one case, breakfast) and share our WDW experiences over a good meal. Life doesn't get much better than that!

WOW! That IS quite a savings. I might have to rethink this dining plan thing.

 

[Bluesman09]

Here's my two cents on the DP. If you are definitely going to take the time to have a TS meal every single day, its probably worth it. If not, go without the DP. We struggled with the same question, and finally accepted the reality that we didn't want to take the time out of the day for a TS. We felt that sacrificing several touring hours every day to return, shower/clean up, change, and have the meal just wasn't worth it. Our 2 adults and a 3 and 7 had breakfast in the room, and a CS for lunch and dinner each day. Plus, there was no way the kids were going to make it thru a TS after hours of running the parks!

IMO, a WDW vacation is about touring; we'll go someplace like Hilton Head or Chicago if we want dining to be an integral part of the experience.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Thanks Bluesman. That was definitely my feeling when I was a solo traveler. But with this group, we aren't likely to be dining anywhere that requires returning to the resort and getting dolled up for a TS meal.

After a bit of mental back and forth, we've decided to do the dining plan (and booked TODAY!!). Now they will have to endure my OCD in planning

 

[Harambe]

Stacy - just a suggestion. I did this years back - not the dining plan thing, but just doing the dining reservations for a big group - and it was awful (some of our friends . . . jeeeeeesh). The only places that the lot of them enjoyed: Cape May buffet, Plaza restauarant, and 'Ohana. Seemed to have enough stuff to satisfy everyone (either with food, or atmosphere).

Good luck!

 

[vsimeone]

If you don't think everyone will want a TS every day, think about planning a couple of "signature" meals that will require 2 TSes. The people could share the CSes or pay out of pocket on the "off" days.

Just an idea - wouldn't tie you down to all be together everyday for a TS! Best of luck in your planning!!!

 

[Kae]

Here is my Question. Even if you only broke even on the dining plan would everyone do better having it prepaid. the teens could grab something to eat with out having cash. I went with a large group & I wish we would have split up more than we did.

Kae

 

[crisi]

I love my table service meals when I'm at Disney.

But I think they are a double edged sword for first timers, and the Dining Plan represents a committment to them. Yes, its really nice to sit down to a good meal, but its really time consuming. And with the ADRs, its not just a time committment to eat, but a time committment to get there and a committment to a planned schedule. You don't need to commando, but it does help if you decide to be in MGM on the same day you eat at 50s Prime Time.

Since newbies don't know what will excite them and what they will think is a waste of time, that type of planning is difficult. You book several meals in or around the MK expecting to spend a lot of time there, and discover everyone thinks MGM is the Cat's Meow and wants to spend the whole vacation there.

 

[Fooboy]

I am working on putting a large group trip together for Late November. Here is the cast.

5 or 6 Adults (varying eating styles - one is VERY health conscious)
2 Teenagers (13 and 16)
1 Child (4).

So, with this group of characters, does it make sense for us to do the dining plan? My feeling about the dining plan is that you really have to do one TS meal per day to get your money's worth. My biggest concern is that it will be extremely difficult to get ADRs for all 8 or 9 people unless I schedule ADRs 90 or 100 days out - and will there be a mutiny if I get too "planny" for them?

Also, other than me, the rest of the group has NEVER BEEN TO WDW!! Yikes -so I'm also afraid that in order to do a TS meal a day, the group would have to be organized enough to be on a schedule? And I think pinning this group to a schedule will be impossible! Unless I just crack the whip! (eek, and there are 2 other control freaks in this bunch - other than me, that is )

Does anyone have any personal experience with this type of situation? We have yet to book this trip and I would like to discuss the dining option with the group.

Thanks so much!

Hi there! when you say late november, do you mean Thanksgiving weekend? If that is the case, you may have to put into consideration the crowd level at time. Hehe, and of course, the appetites of everyone in your group may not be the same. If it were me, I would allow the group to have as many options as possible. I found that a vacation at Disney can be more stressful and tiring and the real only to time to recuperate is a good meal and a deep sleep. Getting there and facing the crowds is already expected. A headache can be prevented if everyone just eats what they want. The dining plan sounds cool in theory, just have everyone vote and agree to the restaurant if you guys do plan to do it. either way, it'll be awesome to go with such a large group! im rambling. ill stop now.

haha

Foobs

 

[luv2go2disney]

On the dining plan for our family (2 Adults and 2kids under7) the dining plan cost was approximately $650 for 8 nights, our cost of what all of our meals and snacks would have cost was over $1100. I think that is definitley a bargin!!! And we still had 6 TS meals leftover as my DS got sick and we had to cancel 2TS ressies. That is just my opinion of the Dining plan. We are planning on going back again in January 2007 and I can't wait to try out the dining plan again!!! You could also make ressies at Epcot and split up a little bit so that everyone could choose a TS meal that they wanted...

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Stacy - just a suggestion. I did this years back - not the dining plan thing, but just doing the dining reservations for a big group - and it was awful (some of our friends . . . jeeeeeesh). The only places that the lot of them enjoyed: Cape May buffet, Plaza restauarant, and 'Ohana. Seemed to have enough stuff to satisfy everyone (either with food, or atmosphere).

Good luck!

Thank you for that! And I've never tried any of them

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Here is my Question. Even if you only broke even on the dining plan would everyone do better having it prepaid. the teens could grab something to eat with out having cash. I went with a large group & I wish we would have split up more than we did.

Kae

Good point abou the pre-paid thing! That was a big seller for the group.

 

[mseg16222]

We are a first time family going to WDW. I was there over 10 years ago, but DH and 2 DS's have never been. I am thinking on the fact we are going to be there in August. So a TS will get us out of the heat and kind of give everyone a break. And for me personally I like not having to worry about food spending money! And my boys are looking forward to character meals. So if can save us money with the DP for those meals alone. Just my thoughts. When I get bak in August I may kick myself in the butt for having the DP! I guess we will just have to see how it goes.

Here's my two cents on the DP. If you are definitely going to take the time to have a TS meal every single day, its probably worth it. If not, go without the DP. We struggled with the same question, and finally accepted the reality that we didn't want to take the time out of the day for a TS. We felt that sacrificing several touring hours every day to return, shower/clean up, change, and have the meal just wasn't worth it. Our 2 adults and a 3 and 7 had breakfast in the room, and a CS for lunch and dinner each day. Plus, there was no way the kids were going to make it thru a TS after hours of running the parks!

IMO, a WDW vacation is about touring; we'll go someplace like Hilton Head or Chicago if we want dining to be an integral part of the experience.

 

[Lewisc]

not only is it pre-paid but it will eliminate the problem of some people complaining about how expensive the restaurants are.

Make reservations for at least half your dinners but you might want to assume the group will split up for some of your meals.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

not only is it pre-paid but it will eliminate the problem of some people complaining about how expensive the restaurants are.

Make reservations for at least half your dinners but you might want to assume the group will split up for some of your meals.

Definitely! Now I just have to get them to research things a bit to see where they want to eat