Dining plan or not

[Chuck S]

We have been debating TIW as well. WE have always used the DDP with the sit down and counter service. We went with counter service only this time around. I looked at TIW and wondered about counter service meals and if it would be worth it... If ew change our mind, is the counter service DDP I purchased for next week refundable???

TiW does not give a discount on counter service meals, except at AK Park, the Value resorts (Pop, Allstars, maybe Art of Animation) and it is honored at Artists Pallete at SSR. Other than that it is all table service discounts.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

When I was contemplating whether to get the DDP or not, I scoured the menus and was not able to make it work out in our favor. And now the price has gone up again.

I wonder if anyone has loaded a Disney gift card with the amount they would have to pay for the plan and then see what was left at the end of their trip. That way it would be prepaid but they would have the money that might be left over to spend another day.

We will be loading Disney Gift Cards with the amount of what the dining plan will cost us next year. We are going to use TIW, DVC, AP discounts for food. We are diving in!

I have also ran the math and I think we will spend less.

 

[BrerNashville]

Add me to the list of TIW converts. Applying the discount to adult drinks is especially useful. If you will be there for a short stay, have kids 3-9 and plan to eat character meals, the DDP can be worth it. You can definitely make it worth it if you are doing a split stay and order the plan (or the deluxe, particularly for one night) for the shorter piece of the trip.

Otherwise, the sheer volume of food and desserts, in particular, is enough to overwhelm us. As mentioned above, you end up getting a dessert for every meal, including the counter service plastic wrapped jobs, because "you paid for it."

 

[HarrietSLP]

I've decided to go with TIW for our upcoming trip rather than using the DDP. I'm just tired of getting all those desserts that I really don't want or need.I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not I could use my Visa Disney Rewards dollars to purchase my TIW membership? That would be an additional incentive if I can do that.

 

[vicki_c]

I've decided to go with TIW for our upcoming trip rather than using the DDP. I'm just tired of getting all those desserts that I really don't want or need.I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not I could use my Visa Disney Rewards dollars to purchase my TIW membership? That would be an additional incentive if I can do that.

Yes, should be fine to do that.

 

[cbabyroo3]

After reading this thread I took the plunge and cancelled our dining plan. As a planner down to the last detail this is a leap of faith for me! But we are only staying 5 days so we do not want to waste precious time on sit down meals. And i agree that dessert with every meal way too much. Just going to wing it. Yikes!!!

 

[cbabyroo3]

We have been debating TIW as well. WE have always used the DDP with the sit down and counter service. We went with counter service only this time around. I looked at TIW and wondered about counter service meals and if it would be worth it... If ew change our mind, is the counter service DDP I purchased for next week refundable???

Yes. I am checking in on the 27th (4 days from now) and I just cancelled my dining plan this evening. No penalties they just credit the card you used

 

[BrerNashville]

After reading this thread I took the plunge and cancelled our dining plan. As a planner down to the last detail this is a leap of faith for me! But we are only staying 5 days so we do not want to waste precious time on sit down meals. And i agree that dessert with every meal way too much. Just going to wing it. Yikes!!!

If you're paying out of pocket, with or without TIW, you may want to schedule table service meals for (late) lunch around 1-1:30 in the park, and play dinner by ear. Sit down lunches are generally cheaper than their dinner counterparts. We've done that b/c it forces us to take a break in the middle of the day when both the crowds and the heat are at their worst, and we don't have to worry about getting a seat for the lunch crowds at the counter services. Then, if we decide we want to go back to the room for the rest of the day, or go to another park, or whatever, we've gotten a decent meal and don't have to worry about ADRs having been made for dinner. Dinner counter services seem to be much less crowded as well.

 

[dsneygirl]

If you're paying out of pocket, with or without TIW, you may want to schedule table service meals for (late) lunch around 1-1:30 in the park, and play dinner by ear. Sit down lunches are generally cheaper than their dinner counterparts. We've done that b/c it forces us to take a break in the middle of the day when both the crowds and the heat are at their worst, and we don't have to worry about getting a seat for the lunch crowds at the counter services. Then, if we decide we want to go back to the room for the rest of the day, or go to another park, or whatever, we've gotten a decent meal and don't have to worry about ADRs having been made for dinner. Dinner counter services seem to be much less crowded as well.

This is exactly what we did last trip. Had lunch at Le cellier, LTT, Rose and Crown, Via Napoli. For 3 of us (baby just shared) a nice sit down linch averaged about $60 (tip is included with TiW) can't justify the $120+ for the DP each day. We also ate really well and ate what we wanted not just to get "what we paid for".

We also only do 1 or 2 character buffets. if you do something like that every day you will probably break even or come out a bit ahead but that's a lot of money to pay for just so-so buffets.

 

[cbabyroo3]

No ADRs, no dining plan, I feel so free!! Plus it leaves plenty of opportunity to sample all the goodies at F&W

 

[cbabyroo3]

This is exactly what we did last trip. Had lunch at Le cellier, LTT, Rose and Crown, Via Napoli. For 3 of us (baby just shared) a nice sit down linch averaged about $60 (tip is included with TiW) can't justify the $120+ for the DP each day. We also ate really well and ate what we wanted not just to get "what we paid for".

We also only do 1 or 2 character buffets. if you do something like that every day you will probably break even or come out a bit ahead but that's a lot of money to pay for just so-so buffets.

I agree, character meals a must do for first timers and younger kids but way overpriced for the buffet food they serve

 

[cbabyroo3]

If you're paying out of pocket, with or without TIW, you may want to schedule table service meals for (late) lunch around 1-1:30 in the park, and play dinner by ear. Sit down lunches are generally cheaper than their dinner counterparts. We've done that b/c it forces us to take a break in the middle of the day when both the crowds and the heat are at their worst, and we don't have to worry about getting a seat for the lunch crowds at the counter services. Then, if we decide we want to go back to the room for the rest of the day, or go to another park, or whatever, we've gotten a decent meal and don't have to worry about ADRs having been made for dinner. Dinner counter services seem to be much less crowded as well.

I like the idea of a late lunch. Breakfast in the room ( we are not big breakfast people anyway) and maybe sit down to some apps later in the evening

 

[amypetecar]

Agree with others, value can be found if you have kids and go to character meals and/or buffets. Be careful if you have a party of 6 or more b/c you get slapped with an 18% mandatory gratuity. Paying a $45 tip for 4 adults and 2 kids is tough to swallow in a restaurant where you get all of your own food..... Especially when your meals are "pre-paid"

 

[murphy7573]

Personally I like the DDP, I like knowing my meals are already paid for...we're going the first week in December. Coming from Cali and knowing that at Disneyland we don't have the table service selection there that is at WDW we look forward to the variety and selections at WDW. I mean one of the best places to eat is California Grill, and it isn't in Cali. We don't normally do breakfast in the room so CS around noon and a nice TS at night. Plus I go running approx. 3-4 miles every other day even when i'm on vacation plus walking the parks. I think I can handle the extra desserts. I just got off the Wonder 2 weeks ago, my first cruise since the Navy...talk about eating. And that food seems even more than the WDW or DLR ( and yes I ran 3 miles every other day). We don't plan to get wasted with my 3 y/o DD. Plus I "love" to pay $100 for a "discount" that lasts approx. 1 year when I go to WDW maybe once a year. When your limited to table service choices like DLR has (love Blue Bayou, but not all the time) you really look forward to eating at WDW ! Reading about this debate numerous times does make me question buying TIW, though...I still have not purchased DDP for our vacation in 6 weeks...we'll see ?

 

[Twinprincesses]

We have bought it in the past and on the last day end up getting just a ton of snacks bc we forgot to use those credits. To me it was nice having it paid ahead but a pain to keep track of. We also never ate our desserts with lunch, I wish they would replace this with something else.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have bought it in the past and on the last day end up getting just a ton of snacks bc we forgot to use those credits. To me it was nice having it paid ahead but a pain to keep track of. We also never ate our desserts with lunch, I wish they would replace this with something else.

You wish they would replace it, and I wish they would get rid of the whole "free dining" or prepaid dining plan altogether! It has caused the food to definitely take a downturn over what used to be available at WDW.

 

[Chuck S]

You wish they would replace it, and I wish they would get rid of the whole "free dining" or prepaid dining plan altogether! It has caused the food to definitely take a downturn over what used to be available at WDW.

True, but the pendulum does seem to be swinging back some. I had some excellent meals at Brown Derby, Olivia's and Coral Reef on my trip earlier this month.

 

[MomtoBJSF]

We are trying to decide the same thing, we ahve a short trip 5 days only coming up, 3 of the meals on our ADR are character meals, 3 small kids who really enjoys the character meals so not really sure what to do, it seems that we would break even if we did the DPP, but just can't seem to bring myself to do it. That being I hated the dinning last time we went, it was too much food for DH and I, and who eats dessert for every meal, we only have it at home for special occasion, blah, and I would not be disappointed if I never had to see a buffet style dinning again.

 

[CRobin]

You wish they would replace it, and I wish they would get rid of the whole "free dining" or prepaid dining plan altogether! It has caused the food to definitely take a downturn over what used to be available at WDW.

Agree. Years ago we could walk into any Epcot restaurant at night for dinner and wait MAYBE 10 minutes. This was pre DDP and under "preferred seating" versus dining reservations. I am convinced that the combination of the 2 has led to an almost necessity to make dining reservations, because the DDP is filling up restaurants where people would not likely have dropped $30 - $50 a head before.

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[jcf]

Never figure if DDP is worth it...

For 1 Adult and 1 Child...

Breakfist - Wave (2x), Kona Cafe (2x), GF Cafe (2x) - scheduled but may just east cereal in room

Dinners - Character meals (3x), ScfFi Drivein, Tony Town Pizza, and Kona Cafe...

I still think better off without DDP...