Dining Plan or No Dining Plan? That's the ?

[PamNC]

Okay - I've been avoiding this whole dining plan thing. I'm a control freak and I want total control of where I dine. But, I'm hearing such good things about it and the problem is I don't really understand it. The credits...how does it work? We typically spend $100-$125 a day on food. Do you think I should consider the dining plan? Do tell! I've noticed that some of the places we like to frequent have a "2" beside them, meaning 2 "credits." I guess I just don't understand the whole thing. We plan on dining at the following places for our upcoming trip in 2 weeks and 3 days.

Kona Cafe - breakfast
Garden Grove at the Swan - breakfast
Fresh at the Dolphin - breakfast
Flying Fish
Attist Point
Palio
California Grille

What do you guys, you experts, think??? Oh...we have AP's so we don't purchase packages. Do you have to have a package to get the plan?

Any help would be appreciated. And, is it too late for me to get the dining plan? Will I receive my cards in time?

Thanks

PamNC

 

[freakylick]

As of right now, the Disney Dining Plan is only available to those purchasing packages. But one thing that you may want to strongly consider is the Disney Dining Experience. It costs $50 for non-fla AP holders and gets you 20% of your entire bill at many of the restaurants.

Check out allearsnet for the details.

 

[PamNC]

Thank you for the info. I didn't realize there were two dining things going on.

PamNC

 

[MomofKatie]

For your restaurant choices, you will be much better off with the DDE card. It is $50/year for all AP holders, and you save 20% off your total bill at almost every sit down restaurant on Disney property.

The MYW Dining plan has to be added on to a room/ticket package (you don't need tix since you have APs), and the Swan/Dolphin restaurants are not included in the plan. I think all of the other restaurants you listed as must-dos are considered Signature Dining- you would have to use 2 TS credits for each diner. So, not worth it!

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

We used the DDE on our last trip and made out better than what we would have with the dinning plan if that was offered to DVC. It paid for itself in two meals. Hope this helps you out.