Dining plan question

[chicagogrl]

I called Disney to get the rates for resorts and was asked if I was getting the dining plan. I said I didn't think so since we probably won't use all of the meals and not sure we were eating at Disney the whole stay. Also felt it was more food than we eat.

She said well then you just be eating bologna sandwiches!

Not sure I liked the remark but I am going to try to understand the dining plan since I must not be getting it right.

You ARE tied to the restaurants on the list.

 

[cwt580]

The dining plan is only accepted at dining plan participating restaurants,etc....most everything at the resorts and parks are on the plan. You can pay out of pocket for non-plan meals. The plan is cheaper than out of pocket IF you use your credits to the fullest.


1 Signature meal a day can add up to $350-500 for 4 adults....We figured to pay for the DELUXE plan itself we had to spend about $340 for 4 adults. so if we eat another meal during the day its the savings earned. You get 3 TS credits per day on the deluxe. We do 1 resort signature(2 TS credits) every night for 7 days....

One of the main reseasons we visit WDW is the varieties of food/experiences at your fingertips...............

 

[TDC Nala]

She said well then you just be eating bologna sandwiches!

Oh please.

You can make ADRs at the restaurants whether you have the dining plan or not, just pay for the meals yourself instead of pre-paying them. There is no way you are going to be reduced to eating "bologna sandwiches" just because you don't have the dining plan. You have the same shot at getting into a restaurant as anyone else. The only difference is the method of payment.

I'm sure this is another and pretty egregious example of the reservation agents being told to hard-sell the dining plan.

Now that pretty much all the restaurants on property are on the DDP (except the Swan/Dolphin restaurants and Shades of Green) that is not much of a concern anymore.

 

[POOHsie]

I booked a split stay directly thru Disney. The first part was a military package with purchased dining plan. The second part was room-only with a discount promo. I had it all figured out in my mind. For the entire stay I bought 10-day tickets, so I didn't need a package for the second part. Also, in the second part a third guest (with his own tickets) was joining us, and we didn't have any time to "dine." We were just going to eat at Food&Wine, and whenever else we felt like it.

Anyway, the agent I got on the phone told me there was something special for me to see on the Disney website. She told me to get to my computer (while on the phone), then what page to go to, then told me to read it. Turned out it was just the same old thing about free dining, nothing new. Yet this agent was talking to me like she just found a buried treasure map. I told her it wasn't going to work for me for the reasons I already thought of. She kept pushing, and I had to firmly tell her to please stop it. She sounded so disappointed.

Oh, well. Lesson: define your vacation plans and research options yourself, or you will be shamelessly steered toward something you don't want and don't need, for reasons which are not helpful to your vacation budget.

 

[chicagogrl]

I meant to say the agent said "you must be eating bologna sandwiches."

Anyway, I just didn't feel the comment was needed.

Also, my daughter and I really don't eat much - we split our wrap at Earls and get chips. I just don't think it would have worked for us.

I am going to research it again and see if it will work when my husband and I go.